Cloud Building Management Gateway for Remote Site Configuration
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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 on-site hardware requirements 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 server, which handles configuration, monitoring, and control functions remotely. This mediator enables remote operation without requiring complex on-site supervisory controllers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual representation of the building management system on the cloud server. The intelligent gateway discovers and reports building components to the cloud server, which maintains a digital model of the system. This virtual copy allows remote configuration and management without physical presence at the building site.
2Device complexity
If no centralized supervisory controller is used at the building site, then on-site hardware is reduced, but remote configuration and management becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The cloud-based server acts as a remote intermediary that enables configuration and management capabilities without requiring on-site supervisory hardware. The intelligent gateway serves as a lightweight local intermediary that bridges building components and the cloud server, enabling remote operation with minimal on-site equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The cloud-based server provides multiple functions (configuration, monitoring, control, diagnostics) through a single remote platform. The intelligent gateway performs multiple roles including device discovery, data collection, and communication coordination, eliminating the need for dedicated supervisory controllers for each function.
3Ease of operation
If an intelligent gateway is introduced to enable cloud connectivity, then remote management is enabled, but the device complexity at the building site increases
Solution Approach 1:
The intelligent gateway is designed as a multi-functional device that performs device discovery, data collection, protocol translation, and cloud communication. By consolidating these functions into a single gateway device, the system enables remote management without requiring multiple separate components or complex on-site infrastructure.
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.