Building Schedule Synchronization via External Calendar Mediator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Building automation systems (BAS) require complex and inflexible scheduling configurations, limiting user interaction and accessibility, as they typically rely on proprietary user interfaces and lack integration with external calendaring services.
Innovation Solution
A system that enables bidirectional synchronization of schedule objects with external calendaring services like Google Calendar and Yahoo! Calendar, decoupling the user interface and allowing configuration through standard Internet protocols, such as RSS feeds and public APIs, to manage and synchronize schedules across multiple platforms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If building automation systems use proprietary user interfaces for scheduling, then scheduling control is maintained within the system, but user accessibility and flexibility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component that translates between building automation schedule objects and external calendar events. This mediator enables communication between the BAS scheduling system and external calendaring services without requiring direct integration, thus improving accessibility while maintaining system control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a universal interface layer that allows multiple external calendar services (Google Calendar, Yahoo! Calendar, Outlook) to interact with the building automation system through standardized protocols. This multi-functionality approach enables a single BAS to work with various calendar platforms without requiring separate proprietary interfaces for each.
2Ease of operation
If building automation systems integrate with external calendaring services, then user accessibility is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the integration functionality into separate, modular components: a schedule object manager, an event translator, and service adapters. This segmentation allows the system to add external calendar integration without complicating the core BAS scheduling logic, as each component handles specific tasks independently.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary translation layer is introduced that converts between BAS schedule objects and external calendar event formats. This mediator handles the complexity of different calendar protocols and data structures, shielding the core BAS from integration complexities while enabling broad accessibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If proprietary user interfaces are used for schedule configuration, then system control is maintained, but interoperability with external services is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements bidirectional synchronization with feedback mechanisms that monitor and resolve conflicts between BAS schedule objects and external calendar events. When changes occur in either system, the intermediary detects the changes, translates them appropriately, and propagates them to the other system, maintaining synchronization and preventing information loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates and maintains copies of schedule data in both the BAS system and external calendar services, with the intermediary ensuring consistency between these copies. This copying approach allows users to access and modify schedules through their preferred interface while the intermediary maintains synchronization, preventing information loss across systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A building control system incorporating an external calendar service, having a schedule subsystem, a schedule synchronization subsystem connected to the schedule subsystem, and an external calendar configuration subsystem connected to the schedule synchronization subsystem. The schedule subsystem may have a schedule object, a building schedule mechanism for activating different subsystems in a building based on a configuration of a building schedule, and a schedule change mechanism for creating, configuring and/or changing the building schedule.