Domain Concept Abstraction for Building Device Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Building Management Systems (BMS) face challenges in efficiently managing and configuring a wide range of building devices due to the complexity and diversity of hardware configurations, leading to increased costs and complications.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that uses domain concept abstraction to provide centralized access to building devices, allowing users to interact with devices through a standardized interface by defining data sets that associate devices with domain concepts, enabling simplified access and control of various building devices regardless of their specific hardware configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional BMS directly access building devices hardware configurations, then device control functionality is achieved, but system complexity and configuration costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer (abstraction layer) between the BMS and building devices that translates hardware-specific configurations into unified domain concepts. This intermediary handles device identification, data normalization, and control command translation, shielding the BMS from hardware complexity while maintaining full device control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments device access into two independent layers: hardware-specific device drivers and hardware-agnostic domain concept interfaces. This segmentation allows the BMS to interact with simplified domain concepts while device-specific complexities are handled separately by dedicated drivers, reducing overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If BMS supports multiple different device hardware configurations, then device compatibility is improved, but configuration costs and complications increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal interface layer that provides consistent domain concept access across diverse device types. Through standardized domain concepts and unified data models, the system achieves multi-functionality where a single BMS interface can manage various device hardware configurations without requiring separate configuration procedures for each device type.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes parameters from hardware-specific configurations to domain concept parameters. By transforming device attributes into standardized domain concepts with consistent data structures and control parameters, the system achieves broad device compatibility while maintaining uniform configuration processes, thereby reducing configuration costs.
3Ease of operation
If detailed device-specific attributes are exposed to users, then precise device control is achieved, but user complexity and isolation from hardware details increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates abstract copies of device attributes in the form of domain concepts that mirror essential device characteristics without exposing hardware-specific details. These domain concept copies provide sufficient information for effective device control and monitoring while filtering out unnecessary hardware complexity, achieving user isolation without information loss.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to frameworks and methodologies configured to provide access to building devices via domain concept abstraction. Embodiments of the invention have been particularly developed to allow simplified centralised access to a wide range of building devices based on domain concept abstraction, hence isolating end users (and applications) from details as to specific attributes of individual building-level hardware devices. While some embodiments will be described herein with particular reference to that application, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to such a field of use, and is applicable in broader contexts.