Building Controller Integrated Display for OS Diagnostics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Building control systems often lack user-friendly interfaces for monitoring and configuring operating system parameters and diagnostic messages, making it difficult for technicians to manage and troubleshoot building control applications effectively.
Innovation Solution
A building controller with an integrated display unit that facilitates bidirectional communication, allowing users to monitor diagnostic messages, enter operating system commands, and manipulate parameters, thereby enhancing user interaction and control over building control components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If building control systems use stand-alone embedded controllers with embedded operating systems, then the system can execute building control application programs and perform energy management functions, but the system lacks user-friendly interfaces for monitoring and configuring operating system parameters and diagnostic messages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the building controller and display unit into a single integrated device. The display unit is secured relative to the housing and visible from outside, allowing users to directly interact with OS parameters and diagnostic messages without needing separate remote computers or complex interfaces. This merging resolves the contradiction by providing user-friendly access while maintaining system integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The display unit serves multiple functions: displaying diagnostic messages from the OS, showing building control application status, accepting user input for OS configuration, and providing a user interface for monitoring system operations. This multi-functionality improves ease of operation without requiring additional separate devices, thus addressing the contradiction between accessibility and complexity.
2Ease of operation
If building controllers include graphical user interfaces for user access to application program settings, then user accessibility is improved, but the interface does not provide access to operating system parameters and diagnostic messages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the information display into different categories accessible through the display unit interface. Users can access application program settings, OS parameters, and diagnostic messages as distinct but integrated information types. This segmentation allows the GUI to provide comprehensive access to both application-level and OS-level information without overwhelming the user, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and information accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The display unit acts as an intermediary between the user and the building controller's internal systems. It provides a unified interface that mediates access to both application program settings and OS parameters/diagnostic messages. This intermediary function resolves the contradiction by translating complex internal system states into user-friendly display formats while maintaining full access to underlying information.
3Adaptability or versatility
If technicians use remote personal computers to configure building control applications, then configuration capability is provided, but user accessibility and ease of troubleshooting is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated display unit enables users to directly configure and monitor building control parameters without requiring external remote computers. Users can access OS parameters, view diagnostic messages, and modify settings directly at the building controller location. This self-service capability resolves the contradiction by providing both configuration versatility and immediate on-site accessibility for troubleshooting.
Data Source
AI summary
A building controller for controlling one or more building control components in a building, wherein the building controller is configured for bidirectional communication via a communication network between the building controller and the one or more building control components. The building controller can include a housing, a control unit, and a display unit. The control unit can execute an operating system and a building control application program having a control algorithm. The display unit may be configured to display at least one screen that facilitates user monitoring of diagnostic messages of the operating system of the control unit. Alternatively, or in addition, the display unit can be configured to display a screen to facilitate user entry of operating system parameters and/or a screen to facilitate entry of operating system commands for execution on by the control unit.