Cloud-Managed Software Gateways for Building Device Failover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing building gateway systems are prone to failures, leading to disruptions in communication between devices, as they often rely on single points of failure and require manual installation of device drivers, which can be cumbersome and inefficient due to varying device types and environments.
Innovation Solution
A software-defined gateway system that dynamically manages communication protocols and device drivers, generating configuration images based on data from connected equipment, allowing for automatic software updates and failover mechanisms to ensure continuous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a gateway is used to connect building devices to networks, then communication between devices and networks is enabled, but the system becomes dependent on a single gateway which can cause all connected devices to go offline if the gateway fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the gateway functionality into multiple distributed software gateways deployed across different servers. Instead of relying on a single physical gateway, the system segments the gateway role into multiple independent instances that can operate autonomously. This segmentation eliminates the single point of failure problem while maintaining network connectivity for building devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cloud-based gateway management system that acts as an intermediary between building devices and multiple software gateway instances. This management system coordinates gateway operations, handles device registrations, and enables seamless failover by redirecting traffic from failed gateways to standby instances, thus resolving the dependency issue.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple device drivers are installed in a gateway to support various building devices, then communication compatibility with different devices is improved, but the complexity of manual driver installation and configuration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic device driver installation where software gateways autonomously discover connected building devices, retrieve appropriate drivers from a centralized repository, and configure themselves without manual intervention. The system self-services by automatically matching devices with compatible drivers based on device identifiers and communication protocols, eliminating the need for technicians to manually install and configure multiple drivers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal driver repository that stores standardized drivers for multiple device types and communication protocols. Instead of requiring separate driver installation processes for each device type, the system provides a universal mechanism where a single software gateway can support diverse building devices through a common driver management interface, simplifying operations while maintaining broad compatibility.
3Reliability
If manual installation of device drivers is required for gateway configuration, then specific device communication requirements can be met, but the time and effort required for configuration increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-configures software gateways with generic communication capabilities and automatic driver retrieval mechanisms before deployment. Device drivers are pre-stored in a centralized repository with metadata about compatibility and communication protocols. When a building device connects, the gateway already has the infrastructure in place to automatically obtain and install the appropriate driver, eliminating time-consuming manual configuration while ensuring reliable communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where software gateways continuously monitor device connectivity and communication status. When a device is detected or a communication issue arises, the gateway automatically queries the driver repository, retrieves necessary drivers, and updates its configuration. This closed-loop feedback system ensures reliable communication is maintained without requiring manual intervention or time-consuming configuration processes.
4Device complexity
If a single gateway is used to connect building devices, then the system structure is simplified, but the system becomes vulnerable to failures affecting all connected devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple software gateway instances into a unified logical gateway system managed by a centralized gateway management platform. While physically distributed across multiple servers for redundancy, the gateways are merged into a single coherent system that presents a unified interface to building devices. This merging approach maintains structural simplicity from the user perspective while achieving reliability through distributed architecture and automatic failover capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A building device including one or more memory devices configured to store instructions thereon, that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to implement a software gateway configured to receive one or more messages from building equipment, receive, based on the one or more messages, one or more software updates for the software gateway, wherein the one or more software updates are updates for communicating with the building equipment, communicate with the building equipment based on the one or more software updates and receive data describing the building equipment, and cause a configuration image to be generated for the software gateway based on the data describing the building equipment, the configuration image indicating a configuration of the software gateway for performing one or more gateway services.