Building Field Device Access via QR Codes and Mobile Browsers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Building automation systems require technical training for operation, making it difficult for maintenance workers and occupants to interact with and manage various building systems effectively, as they are often complex and dispersed throughout facilities.

Innovation Solution

A building automation system that generates visual codes for field devices, allowing maintenance workers to use off-the-shelf mobile devices to read and manage device data without dedicated software, providing an intuitive and cost-effective interface for configuration and control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If building automation systems use centralized control stations and dedicated applications for monitoring and control, then system functionality and control capability are improved, but user accessibility and ease of operation deteriorate due to required technical training

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser accessibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces visual codes (barcodes, QR codes, data matrices) as an intermediary between users and the building automation system. These codes encode device identifiers that mobile devices can scan to automatically connect to the appropriate virtual node hosting environment, eliminating the need for users to navigate complex system interfaces or understand technical configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates visual code representations of field device identifiers that can be scanned and copied by mobile devices. This copying mechanism allows users to access device information and control functions through a simple scan operation rather than requiring direct interaction with the complex centralized control system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Ease of operation

If building automation systems deploy multiple distributed field panels and dedicated display panels for local data display, then local monitoring capability is improved, but system cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocal monitoring capabilityVSAvoidnumber of devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables universal access to field device information through mobile devices that can function as portable field panels. Any mobile device with a camera and web browser can scan visual codes and access device data, eliminating the need for dedicated display panels at each field location while maintaining local monitoring capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the essential field panel functionality (device identification and data display) and relocates it to mobile devices through visual code scanning. This removes the need for physical field panels while preserving the ability to access and monitor field device information locally

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If building automation systems require specialized dedicated applications for interacting with field devices, then control precision and system security are improved, but cost and ease of operation worsen due to software licensing and training requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface simplicityVSAvoidsoftware cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables mobile devices to access building automation system functions through a universal web interface rather than requiring device-specific applications. The visual codes link to virtual node hosting environments that can be accessed through any web browser, eliminating the need for separate licensed software for different devices or platforms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional software application interface with a visual code-based optical interface. Instead of requiring users to install and navigate complex software applications, the system uses visual codes that can be scanned and interpreted by mobile devices, substituting optical recognition for software-based interaction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11461605B2System and method for configuring and managing field devices of a building

Publication Date: 2022.10.04 SIEMENS INDUSTRY INC

AI summary

There is described a building automation system comprising a communication component, a processor, and an output component. The communication component scans the building automation system to discover devices, and the processor generates a visual code for a particular field device. The visual code identifies a uniform resource locator directed to a virtual node hosting environment of the building automation system associated with the field device. The output component produces the visual code at a physical material for exhibition in proximity to the field device. Thereafter, the hosting environment receives a status request, associated with the uniform resource locator, for the field device from a mobile device. The hosting environment generates point information associated with the field device based on information collected from the field device in response to receiving the status request. The communication component sends the point information to the mobile device.