Building management system with point virtualization for online meters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Building management systems (BMS) face limitations due to low-cost meters that provide only one or two points, restricting the use of advanced analytics and features, as they lack the necessary data points to effectively monitor and manage building operations.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that virtualizes points by creating virtual points not measured by the meters, using an analytics circuit to calculate values based on real points and formulas, allowing for the generation of metrics and graphical representations, and enabling control of building equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If low-cost meters providing only one or two points are used, then system cost is reduced, but the capability for advanced analytics and building operations monitoring is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of meter points through software-based virtualization. Virtual point objects are generated that replicate the functionality and data structure of physical meter points, allowing multiple virtual representations of the same physical measurement. This enables advanced analytics and multiple data views without requiring additional physical meters, thus maintaining low system cost while enhancing analytics capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a virtualization layer that adds a new dimension to the metering system architecture. By separating the physical metering infrastructure from the data representation layer, the system enables multiple data points and analytics capabilities from a single physical meter through software-based point virtualization, effectively transitioning from a one-to-one physical mapping to a many-to-one virtual mapping relationship.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional physical meters are installed to provide more data points, then analytics capability is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the single physical meter serve multiple functions by creating multiple virtual point objects from it. Each virtual point can represent different aspects or derived values from the same physical measurement, enabling the meter to effectively provide multiple data streams for different analytics purposes simultaneously, thus achieving multi-functionality without additional hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of installing multiple physical meters, the system creates virtual copies of meter points through software. These virtual point objects replicate the data interface and functionality of physical meter points, allowing the system to access and analyze multiple data representations from a single physical meter, thereby avoiding the cost of additional hardware while maintaining data points availability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If virtual points are created to simulate additional data points, then analytics capability is enhanced without additional hardware cost, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtualization layer as an intermediary between the physical meter and the analytics system. This intermediate layer manages the creation, storage, and retrieval of virtual point objects, handling the complexity of point virtualization centrally. By placing this intermediary layer, the physical meter remains simple while the analytics system gains enhanced capability through the managed virtual points.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates simplified virtual copies of meter points rather than implementing complex virtualization logic throughout the entire system. Each virtual point object is a self-contained representation that can be independently managed and queried, reducing overall system complexity by localizing the virtualization functionality to discrete, manageable objects rather than requiring complex system-wide virtualization infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
A building management system includes a meter configured to provide data samples of a real point. The real point corresponds to a first physical parameter measured by the meter. The building management system also includes an analytics circuit configured to store a real point object representing the real point and store a meter object representing the meter. The meter object includes a points attribute that lists one or more point objects associated with the meter object including at least the real point object. The analytics circuit is also configured to store a virtual point object representing a virtual point. The virtual point corresponds to a second physical parameter not measured by the meter. The analytics circuit is also configured to update the points attribute in the meter object to list the virtual point object as one of the point objects associated with the meter object.