Building Device Polling Gateway for Legacy Protocol Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Legacy building control systems with proprietary protocols hinder integration with modern IoT and cloud solutions, leading to underutilization of building data due to compatibility issues and high replacement costs.
Innovation Solution
A method for automated building control that includes device discovery, protocol translation, and data transformation, allowing communication with legacy devices using a polling management service to create an address book for regular data polling and conversion into standardized IP-based messages for cloud compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If legacy building control systems with proprietary protocols are used, then existing building equipment can be controlled, but integration with modern IoT and cloud solutions is hindered and building data remains underutilized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway device as an intermediary between legacy building control systems with proprietary protocols and modern IoT/cloud platforms. The gateway translates proprietary protocols into standardized IP-based messages, enabling seamless communication and data exchange without requiring replacement of existing legacy equipment, thus resolving the integration barrier while preserving access to building data
2Adaptability or versatility
If new controllers are deployed to enable cloud connectivity, then interoperability with IoT solutions is improved, but replacement costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of replacing legacy controllers, the patent deploys a gateway device that acts as a protocol translator. This intermediary approach provides cloud connectivity and IoT interoperability while avoiding the high costs associated with replacing existing building control equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway device serves multiple functions: it translates proprietary protocols to IP-based messages, manages device polling schedules, creates address books for device inventory, and enables cloud connectivity. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate systems, reducing overall system complexity and cost
3Reliability
If manual device discovery and polling setup is performed, then device compatibility can be ensured, but time and effort for system integration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway device automatically performs device discovery by sending queries to devices on the network and receiving responses. It autonomously creates an address book containing device information and determines optimal polling schedules without requiring manual configuration, thereby ensuring device compatibility while significantly reducing integration time and effort
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway performs preliminary device discovery and characterization before actual data collection begins. By pre-establishing the address book and determining functional query frequency ranges in advance, the system prepares all necessary compatibility information upfront, streamlining subsequent operations
4Ease of operation
If uniform polling frequency is applied to all devices, then polling simplicity is maintained, but device-specific functional requirements may not be met
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway device determines device-specific functional query frequency ranges based on individual device characteristics and requirements. Each device receives a customized polling schedule tailored to its specific needs, ensuring optimal functional performance while the gateway maintains overall polling coordination
5Stability of the object's composition
If proprietary data formats are maintained, then legacy system compatibility is preserved, but data sharing between various systems becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway translates proprietary data formats from legacy devices into standardized IP-based messages. This translation layer preserves compatibility with legacy systems while enabling seamless data sharing across modern IoT and cloud platforms that expect standardized formats
Data Source
AI summary
Performing automated building control in a building. A method includes identifying a target maximum polling time defining an amount of time in which all building devices in a plurality of devices should be polled. Each of the devices in the plurality of devices is identified. For each device in the plurality of devices, queries are sent to the device. For each device in the plurality of devices, responses are received from the device. Based on the queries and the responses, a functional query frequency range is determined identifying a range of query frequencies at which queries can be made to each device such that each device functions within a predetermined criteria. Based on the target maximum polling time and the functional query frequency ranges, a device polling scheme is identified. The devices in the plurality of devices are polled according to the identified polling scheme.