Unified Building Control for Interoperable Space Repurposing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional building domain systems (BDSs) lack full interoperability and interdependence between devices, leading to complexity, inefficiency, and limited functionality due to separate networks, protocols, and data models, which hinder seamless communication and coordination across different building domains.
Innovation Solution
A unified building management system (UBMS) with a common network and protocol facilitates communication between devices across various domains, using a shared data model to manage and control devices based on space use cases, enabling dynamic adjustment of enabled use cases based on device operational status and preferences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple domain-specific building management systems are integrated, then interoperability between devices is improved, but system complexity increases due to separate networks, protocols, and data models
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple domain-specific building management systems into a unified system that uses a single common network and shared data model. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate networks and protocols for different building domains (HVAC, lighting, security, etc.), thereby maintaining interoperability while reducing the overall system complexity through unified architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal controller that can manage devices across multiple building domains through a single interface and common protocol. This universal approach allows one controller to perform multiple functions that previously required separate domain-specific controllers, reducing complexity while preserving the ability to interoperate with diverse device types.
2Ease of operation
If domain-specific systems are used, then ease of operation for individual domains is maintained, but overall system efficiency decreases due to limited coordination between domains
Solution Approach 1:
The universal controller maintains ease of operation by providing a unified interface that can manage all building domains through consistent protocols and data models. This allows operators to interact with different domains through a single system while the controller handles the complexity of domain-specific requirements, thereby improving overall system efficiency through better coordination without sacrificing operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The common data model and unified controller act as intermediaries between different building domains, enabling efficient coordination while maintaining domain-specific operational characteristics. The intermediary layer translates and coordinates commands across domains, allowing efficient system-wide optimization while preserving the ease of managing individual domains through standardized interfaces.
3Reliability
If separate networks and protocols are used for different building domains, then device reliability within each domain is maintained, but loss of information increases due to communication barriers between domains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate communication networks into a single common network that carries data for all building domains. This unified network eliminates communication barriers and information loss between domains while maintaining device reliability through standardized protocols and a shared data model that ensures consistent data representation across all device types.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling building equipment to facilitate repurposing of a space includes selecting a first job profile for a space. The first job profile corresponds to a first job to be performed at the space and defines a first set of control logic configured to cause building equipment that serve the space to facilitate the first job. The method includes controlling the building equipment using the first set of control logic and selecting a second job profile for the space in response to determining that a second job different from the first job will be performed at the space. The second job profile corresponds to the second job and defines a second set of control logic configured to cause the building equipment to facilitate the second job. The method includes controlling the building equipment using the second set of control logic.