Building System Integration via Editable Process-Driven Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional SCADA systems lack user-customizable and process-driven integration of control and response features across various independent building systems and enterprise applications, requiring costly reinstallation for system expansions and not allowing end-users to configure responses based on data from unconnected systems or enterprise applications.
Innovation Solution
A drop-in command and interface software module that enables users to integrate control and response functions between previously unconnected building systems and enterprise applications, allowing customizable process-driven responses without the need for physical equipment retrofits, accommodating new systems without reconfiguring the entire control system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional SCADA systems are used to integrate building systems, then system integration is achieved through manual configuration at installation time, but the system lacks scalability and cannot easily accommodate new systems or enterprise applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic configuration capabilities that allow building system integrations to be modified, added, or removed at runtime without requiring system reinstallation or extensive reconfiguration. The system transitions from static manual configuration to dynamic user-configurable integration, enabling adaptability while maintaining operational simplicity.
2Reliability
If building systems are pre-integrated during installation, then initial system linkages are established, but end-users cannot easily update, modify or delete integration rules
Solution Approach 1:
The patent empowers end-users to independently configure, modify, and manage building system integrations without requiring system engineer intervention or reinstallation. Users can directly update integration rules, add new systems, and customize responses through the interface, making the system self-serviceable while maintaining stable operational linkages.
3Adaptability or versatility
If custom integration interfaces are developed to connect un-integrated building systems, then system expansion is possible, but the cost and time required makes retrofitting economically unfeasible compared to reinstallation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a software-based intermediary layer that facilitates integration between previously unconnected building systems and enterprise applications. This intermediary configuration layer enables system expansion and retrofitting through software configuration rather than expensive hardware reinstallation, making adaptability economically feasible.
4Productivity
If SCADA systems integrate only control devices through diverse control networks, then real-time operational control is achieved, but enterprise systems and applications remain excluded from integration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends SCADA system capabilities to universally integrate not only control devices but also enterprise systems and applications. The system becomes multi-functional, handling both real-time operational control and enterprise application integration through a unified configurable interface, eliminating the exclusion of enterprise systems.
Data Source
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AI summary
A computer-implemented system and method by which an end user can monitor and manage multiple building systems with a single interface as well as customize and revise the settings and automated responses for multiple building systems based on input and transactions from multiple different building systems and enterprise applications. A drop-in command and interface software module allows a user to integrate control, command and response functions between previously installed and un-integrated building systems and to configure the activation or deactivation of one system function based on the data, alarm, event, or transaction from one or more other systems. The invention takes the data and control functions from any and every control system and allows a user to build his or her own intelligent building, and to edit the control processes on their own at any time. The responses of building systems are process driven, rather than rules based, and the response process is fully editable by the end user. The system allows for multiple processes for a given input, depending, for example, on the location of the sensor providing the input. A completely different process may be programmed for launch for every individual sensor. The invention accommodates input from both value-oriented systems (also referred to as point-oriented systems) and transaction-oriented systems (also referred to as event-oriented systems). The invention provides a system and method for integrating both point-based building systems and transaction-based building systems and enterprise applications and the end-user building, configuration, and customization of response processes using input from both value- and transaction-oriented systems.