Automatic Enumeration Encoding for Cross-Protocol Application Reuse
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Solution Overview
Problem
In HVAC environments, developing applications that can seamlessly work across different protocols like Lon and BACnet is challenging due to enumeration value differences, forcing developers to maintain separate applications for each protocol.
Innovation Solution
An approach that automatically encodes application enumeration values using an 'encode' function block, allowing developers to define a common set of enumerations which are then translated into protocol-specific values, enabling the reuse of applications across controllers without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If developers maintain separate applications for each protocol (Lon and BACnet), then protocol-specific compatibility is ensured, but development time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary encoding layer that translates between universal enumeration values and protocol-specific enumeration values. This mediator allows a single application to work with both Lon and BACnet protocols without requiring separate applications, resolving the contradiction by maintaining protocol compatibility while improving development efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the enumeration value handling into distinct layers: universal enumeration values for application logic and protocol-specific enumeration values for communication. This segmentation allows the application to remain protocol-agnostic while ensuring proper protocol compatibility through automatic translation.
2Reliability
If developers create protocol-specific applications, then enumeration value compatibility is maintained, but application reuse across protocols is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal application structure that can function across multiple protocols (Lon and BACnet) by introducing universal enumeration values as the common interface. The application becomes multi-functional, able to deploy on either protocol platform without modification, thus achieving both compatibility and reusability.
Solution Approach 2:
The encoding/decoding mechanism acts as a mediator that translates universal enumeration values to protocol-specific values at the communication boundary, allowing the application logic to remain universal while maintaining protocol-specific compatibility. This enables application reuse across different protocol platforms.
3Reliability
If manual translation of enumeration values is performed, then protocol-specific requirements are met, but development time and manual intervention increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes encoding and decoding templates in advance that automatically handle enumeration value translation. These pre-configured templates eliminate the need for manual translation during application deployment, reducing development time while ensuring protocol-specific compliance through automated translation processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service enumeration translation through automated encoding and decoding mechanisms. The translation process occurs automatically without requiring manual developer intervention, thus meeting protocol-specific requirements while eliminating time-consuming manual translation work.
Data Source
AI summary
An approach to automatically encode application enumeration values to enable reuse of applications across controller of different protocols. Protocols may use different sets of enumerations to denote various application values and states. The present approach may permit defining a common set of enumerations which can be encoded automatically by a tool that enables reuse. Application designers may define enumerations to be used by the control application and the tool will automatically encode them into communication protocol specific enumeration values.