3D Building Visualization Correlating Spatial and Non-Spatial Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current building dashboard systems rely on limited 2D visualizations of sensor data, making it difficult for users to understand complex interacting factors affecting building performance, and fail to directly relate spatial and non-spatial data, treating occupants as passive participants in a homogeneous environment.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method for generating 3D visualizations of building modules, incorporating data from sensors and BIM models, using a drill-down user interface to display geometrical features and related data, enabling users to select and visualize building modules with graphical representations of environmental elements in a 3D context.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If 2D visualization methods are used to display building sensor data, then the system complexity is low, but user understanding of complex interacting factors is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from 2D dashboard visualizations to 3D BIM model visualizations, allowing users to view building performance data in three dimensions. This dimensional change enables better spatial understanding of how environmental factors (temperature, humidity, air quality) interact within the building space while maintaining manageable system complexity through standardized rendering techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a hierarchical drill-down interface where users can navigate from building-level overview to floor-level details to room-level specifics. This nested structure allows comprehensive information display at each level while maintaining system simplicity by only loading and processing data for the currently selected scope, rather than displaying all data simultaneously.
2Device complexity
If spatial and non-spatial data are not directly related, then data processing is simple, but user comprehension of building performance is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges spatial data (BIM model geometry, sensor locations) with non-spatial data (environmental measurements, performance metrics) into a unified 3D visualization. Sensors are positioned within the BIM model at their actual locations, and their readings are displayed as overlays on the corresponding spatial elements, enabling users to directly correlate environmental conditions with physical building spaces without complex data processing.
3Device complexity
If occupants are treated as passive participants in a homogeneous environment, then the model is simple, but occupant comfort analysis is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the building into discrete zones or spaces within the BIM model, each with its own environmental conditions and occupancy characteristics. Instead of treating the entire building as a homogeneous environment, the system allows different temperature, humidity, and air quality conditions to be visualized in different spatial locations, enabling detailed occupant comfort analysis for specific areas while maintaining manageable modeling complexity through zone-based segmentation.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer implemented method for 3-D visualization of a building module and building related data includes receiving attributes of a plurality of building modules from a building information model and receiving data inputs from a plurality of sensors located in at least a subset of the plurality of building modules. The building related data is calculated for each of the plurality of building modules based on the data inputs. A 3-D visualization data of a selected building module in the plurality of building modules is generated for display on a computer screen.