Cloud Building Configuration via Intelligent Gateway Discovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Configuring and managing building management systems from a remote location is challenging due to the lack of centralized supervisory controllers in many building management systems.
Innovation Solution
A cloud-based building management system that uses an intelligent gateway at the building site to discover and communicate with local components, allowing a cloud-based server to create and update site configurations, which are then downloaded to local controllers for operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a centralized supervisory building management system controller is used at the building site, then the system can be configured and managed locally, but the system complexity and requirement for onsite hardware increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cloud-based server as an intermediary between the building system components and the user. The intelligent gateway at the building site communicates with the cloud-based server, which handles configuration and management operations remotely. This mediator eliminates the need for a centralized supervisory controller at the building site while maintaining ease of operation through remote access via web browsers or mobile devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the centralized supervisory controller functionality from the building site and relocates it to a cloud-based server. By taking out the supervisory control function from the premises and hosting it in the cloud, the system reduces onsite hardware requirements and complexity while preserving the ability to configure and manage building systems.
2Ease of operation
If a centralized supervisory building management system controller is installed at the building site, then remote configuration is possible, but the cost of hardware and installation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cloud-based server acts as an intermediary that enables remote configuration without requiring expensive centralized supervisory hardware at the building site. The intelligent gateway provides basic communication capabilities, while the cloud-based server handles the complex configuration and management functions, significantly reducing hardware costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical centralized supervisory controller with a software-based cloud computing system. By substituting physical hardware with cloud-based virtualization and web-based interfaces, the system eliminates the need for expensive onsite controllers while maintaining remote configuration capabilities through standard web browsers or mobile devices.
3Ease of manufacture
If building system components are configured locally without a centralized controller, then hardware costs are reduced, but remote management becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cloud-based server provides universal access to building system configuration and management functions through web browsers and mobile devices. This multi-functional platform enables remote management of building system components without requiring a centralized supervisory controller, allowing users to perform configuration, monitoring, and control operations from any location with internet connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cloud-based server serves as an intermediary that connects distributed building system components to remote users. The intelligent gateway at the building site communicates with the cloud-based server, which in turn provides access to building system data and control functions, enabling remote management without onsite supervisory hardware.
4Ease of operation
If an intelligent gateway discovers and communicates with all building components, then remote configuration is enabled, but the amount of data transmission and processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential identification and operational data from building system components that is necessary for configuration and management. The intelligent gateway discovers components and transmits relevant data to the cloud-based server, which processes only the necessary information for remote configuration, minimizing data transmission volume while maintaining functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of remotely configuring one or more building system components at a building site uses a cloud-based server remote from the building site. The cloud-based server receives information from an intelligent gateway at the building site that identifies each of one or more building system components at the building site. The cloud-based server is used to create a site configuration that is based at least in part on the identified information for each of the one or more building system components. The site configuration is then downloaded from the cloud-based server to the intelligent gateway such that the intelligent gateway is able to pass configuration information to one or more local controllers that control operation of the one or more building system components.