Building Management UI with Orthogonal Navigation Models
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large amounts of BIM data in building management systems make existing operational user interfaces difficult for operators to navigate, especially during crises, leading to increased time in finding necessary information and potentially preventing informed decision-making.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a computing device with a user interface that utilizes orthogonal navigation models within a single navigation structure, allowing seamless movement between different types of content, such as facility, incident, and alarm models, using ontology data generated from BIM data to enhance navigation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a large amount of BIM data is used in the building management system, then the information completeness is improved, but the navigation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the large BIM data into multiple orthogonal navigation models (facility model, incident model, alarm model, equipment model) that can be independently navigated. Each model represents a specific aspect of building management, allowing operators to access relevant information without being overwhelmed by the entire dataset.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a multi-dimensional navigation structure where operators can switch between different orthogonal models (facility, incident, alarm, equipment) rather than navigating through a single flat hierarchy. This dimensional approach allows seamless movement between related and non-related content across different operational contexts.
2Loss of information
If comprehensive BIM data is displayed, then the information availability is improved, but the navigation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The orthogonal navigation models serve multiple functions simultaneously - the facility model provides spatial context, the equipment model provides device status, the alarm model provides alerts, and the incident model provides operational events. A single navigation structure supports all these functions, reducing navigation time while maintaining comprehensive information availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces ontology data as an intermediary layer that maps relationships between different BIM data elements across orthogonal models. This ontology enables the system to understand and navigate between related content in different models (e.g., linking an alarm to its associated facility and equipment) without requiring operators to manually traverse through all data.
3Reliability
If detailed facility information is provided, then the decision-making quality is improved, but the interface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each orthogonal navigation model is designed with local quality appropriate to its function - the facility model displays spatial relationships, the alarm model highlights critical alerts, the equipment model shows device status, and the incident model presents operational events. This localized design provides detailed information where needed without overwhelming the entire interface with all types of data simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, methods, and systems for navigating an operational user interface for a building management system are described herein. One device includes a user interface, a memory, and a processor configured to execute executable instructions stored in the memory to display, on the user interface of the computing device, an operational user interface for a building management system, wherein the operational user interface includes a number of orthogonal navigation models for the building management system within a single navigation structure, and navigate between the number of orthogonal navigation models within the single navigation structure in the operational user interface.