Building management system with automatic point mapping validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Building management systems (BMS) face challenges in accurately mapping sensor points to equipment devices and metrics, leading to errors that are only discovered during operational stages, due to the manual nature of the initial mapping process.
Innovation Solution
A BMS with an automated point mapping system that includes a point object and a template object, where the system checks if the unit attribute matches the allowed units attribute before mapping, preventing incorrect mappings and providing error notifications through a graphical user interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual mapping process is used, then flexibility in mapping is maintained, but mapping errors occur and are only discovered during operational stages
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary validation of unit attributes before completing the mapping process. The point mapping system validates whether the unit attribute of a point matches the allowed units attribute of a template object before finalizing the mapping, preventing errors before they affect operational stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides immediate feedback during the mapping process by validating unit attributes and notifying users of mismatches. The graphical user interface displays error notifications when unit attributes do not match, allowing users to correct mapping errors immediately rather than discovering them later during operation.
2Reliability
If automated validation is implemented, then mapping errors are prevented, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The point mapping system performs self-validation by automatically checking whether unit attributes match allowed units attributes without requiring external verification. The system independently validates mappings and provides error notifications, reducing the need for complex external validation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the validation approach from post-mapping verification to pre-mapping parameter checking. By validating unit attributes before completing the mapping and providing immediate feedback, the system prevents errors without requiring complex post-processing validation mechanisms.
3Productivity
If manual mapping is used, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but time consumption increases during operational stages due to error discovery
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary validation of unit attributes during the mapping process itself, preventing errors before they can cause time loss during operational stages. This shifts the time investment to the setup phase where errors can be corrected without operational disruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides immediate feedback during mapping setup, notifying users of unit attribute mismatches in real-time. This allows users to correct errors during the setup phase rather than discovering them later during operation, significantly reducing time loss.
Data Source
AI summary
A building management system includes at least one of a meter or equipment configured to provide data samples for a point and a point mapping system configured to store a point object corresponding to the point and including a unit attribute, store a template object corresponding to a building equipment metric and including an allowed units attribute, access the point object to read the unit attribute, access the template object to read the allowed units attribute, in response to a request to map the point object to the template object, determine whether the unit attribute matches the allowed units attribute, and, in response to a determination that the unit attribute matches the allowed units attribute, automatically map the point object to the template object. The building management system also includes a system manager configured to calculate the building equipment metric using the samples for the point and operate building equipment using the building equipment metric.