Building Control Time-Out Configuration for Communication Delays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Building control systems face communication delays that lead to resource allocation issues and incomplete data retrieval due to timed-out messages, despite the use of time-out procedures to manage delayed responses.
Innovation Solution
Customizable time-out values are configured for each building control system device based on test response times, allowing for extended or shortened time-outs depending on typical communication durations, thereby optimizing resource management and data retrieval efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed time-out value is used for all building control system devices, then the system implementation is simple, but communication delays cause resource allocation issues and incomplete data retrieval
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by configuring device-specific time-out values tailored to each building control system device's communication characteristics. Instead of using a uniform time-out value across all devices, the system establishes individual time-out parameters based on each device's response behavior, thereby improving data retrieval reliability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by measuring and establishing time-out values during system initialization or commissioning phases. Test messages are sent to each device to determine appropriate time-out values before normal operation begins, allowing the system to be prepared with optimized parameters without adding complexity during runtime.
2Productivity
If time-out procedures are implemented to manage delayed responses, then resource management is improved, but communication errors still cause incomplete data retrieval
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting time-out values based on measured communication characteristics of each device. The system modifies the time-out parameter to match actual device response times, ensuring that resource management is efficient while data retrieval remains complete even in the presence of communication delays or errors.
3Ease of operation
If standardized time-out values are used across all devices, then system configuration is simplified, but communication delays lead to resource allocation issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by automatically measuring communication characteristics and establishing device-specific time-out values during system setup. This preliminary characterization allows the system to achieve optimized resource allocation without requiring manual configuration complexity, as the time-out parameters are determined through automated testing procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
An arrangement for handling communication messages in a building control system includes a communication circuit and a control device. The communication circuit is operable to provide a first message on a communication network to a remote building control system device and to receive a responsive message generated by a remote building control system device responsive to the first message. The communication circuit is further operable to perform a first operation if the responsive message is received within a first time-out period and to perform a second operation if the responsive message is received after a first time-out period has expired. The control device is operable to generate a plurality of different time-out period values corresponding to a plurality of building control system devices and to provide information identifying the plurality of different time-out period values and their corresponding building control system devices to the communication circuit.