Equipment Definitions for Consistent Building Data Point Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Building automation systems lack an efficient method to create and utilize equipment definitions that can abstract data points from archetypal devices, leading to inconsistencies and difficulties in managing and controlling diverse building equipment types.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced to operate archetypal devices, identify data points, and generate point definitions that abstract text strings applicable to multiple devices, creating equipment definitions that can automatically map data points across different devices of the same type, enabling consistent monitoring and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If equipment definitions are created manually for each device type, then device-specific data points can be accurately captured, but the complexity and time required for system setup increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates equipment definitions by copying and abstracting data point structures from archetypal devices. Instead of manually defining each device type from scratch, the system automatically generates equipment definitions based on templates derived from representative archetypal devices, significantly reducing setup complexity while maintaining data accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically adjusts and abstracts data point parameters when creating equipment definitions from archetypal devices. By transforming specific device parameters into generalized equipment definition parameters, the system reduces manual configuration complexity while preserving the essential data capture capabilities
2Reliability
If equipment definitions are created manually for each device, then device-specific characteristics are preserved, but the time required for system implementation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-defining equipment definitions based on archetypal devices before actual system deployment. This advance preparation allows for rapid system implementation while ensuring device-specific characteristics are accurately captured, as the definitions are already structured and validated
Solution Approach 2:
The system copies data point structures from archetypal devices to create reusable equipment definitions. This copying mechanism preserves device-specific characteristics while eliminating the need to manually recreate definitions for each new device type, significantly reducing implementation time
3Loss of information
If device-specific text strings are used directly in the system, then device identity is maintained, but consistency across multiple devices of the same type deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential identity information from device-specific text strings and separates it from variable device identifiers. By taking out the common structural elements and creating abstracted equipment definitions, the system maintains device identification accuracy while achieving consistency across multiple devices of the same type
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates universal equipment definitions that can represent multiple devices of the same type. These definitions serve as multi-functional templates that maintain consistent data structures across different instances while preserving the ability to identify and differentiate individual devices through their specific parameters
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for creating and using equipment definitions are provided. An archetypal device used to identify one or more data points associated with the archetypal device. A point definition is generated for each identified data point associated with the archetypal device. Each point definition includes an abstraction of a text string extracted from the corresponding data point that is applicable to multiple different devices of the same type of building equipment. The generated point definitions are used to create an equipment definition for a type of building equipment. The equipment definition can be used to identify data points associated with other devices of the same type of building equipment and to automatically create equipment objects representing such devices.