Methods of integrating multiple management domains

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing energy management domains operate independently, leading to inefficiencies, waste, and increased costs due to lack of integration and standardization, making it difficult to identify and address energy consumption issues across multiple systems within a facility.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method that integrates data from multiple management domains, such as power, building, and white space management, using a common protocol and interface to provide a unified view and control, enabling better decision-making and automation for energy management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple management domains operate independently with custom-optimized systems, then each domain can be optimized for its specific function, but integration complexity increases and valuable cross-domain information cannot be realized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedomain optimizationVSAvoidintegration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal data integration platform that receives and processes data from multiple management domains (power, building, white space, security, process) using standardized protocols. This allows the system to maintain domain-specific optimizations while enabling cross-domain information sharing and coordinated control through a common interface layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary integration layer that mediates between independent management domains. This layer receives data from various domains through standardized protocols, processes it centrally, and distributes relevant information back to appropriate domains, enabling cross-domain coordination without requiring direct integration between each domain pair.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If custom-optimized systems are deployed in each management domain, then system performance within each domain is maximized, but deployment time and costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem performanceVSAvoiddeployment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the overall management system into independent domain-specific subsystems that can be deployed and optimized separately, while implementing a standardized integration layer. This allows each domain to be developed and deployed independently with optimal performance, while the common integration platform enables cross-domain functionality without requiring complete system re-deployment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If each system uses specialized protocols and interfaces optimized for its domain, then intra-domain compatibility is achieved, but inter-domain communication requires extensive middleware and coordination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintra-domain compatibilityVSAvoidmiddleware requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal data integration platform that receives and processes data from multiple management domains (power, building, white space, security, process) using standardized protocols. This allows the system to maintain domain-specific optimizations while enabling cross-domain information sharing and coordinated control through a common interface layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2438489B1Methods of integrating multiple management domains
Publication Date: 2017.11.22 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC USA INC
  • EP2438489B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2438489B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP2438489B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

An integrated solution strategy that integrates multiple domains together in a seamless and standardized way for increasing a users control over facilities and equipment. This integrated approach can lead to a reduction of energy usage, more efficient energy usage, increased safety, health, and security of a facility and its occupants, optimized production in industrial settings, and associated and other economic advantages. Accurate, reliable information about a facility or equipment is essential to making timely, informed decisions. Enhanced automation provides a reliable means of collecting and assembling a variety of operating data and archiving that data into a central database for evaluation, reporting, forecasting, and negotiation with resource marketers.