Nested Map Interface for Facilities Management Alarm Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Facilities management systems lack an efficient method to monitor and manage multiple devices across networks, making it difficult to identify and address alarm conditions in a centralized and user-friendly manner, especially in large, complex facilities.
Innovation Solution
A facilities management system that connects devices via a network, embeds map images with links indicating device locations and operational states, allowing for nested levels of management and easy access to sensor data through a web-based interface, enabling users to drill down to specific alarm sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple facilities management devices are connected across networks to monitor large complex facilities, then the monitoring coverage and management capability are improved, but the system complexity and difficulty of identifying alarm sources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the large facility into multiple zones, each monitored by a separate facilities management device. Each device maintains a local map image showing only its own zone, breaking down the overwhelming complexity of the entire facility into manageable segments. Users can identify alarm sources within their local zone without being overwhelmed by the entire facility layout.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements nested map images where each facilities management device contains a map of its local zone, and these can be nested within parent devices' maps. This hierarchical nesting allows users to drill down from facility-level views to zone-level views to device-level views, systematically navigating through the complexity to locate alarm sources.
2Adaptability or versatility
If devices are distributed across multiple network addresses to manage large facilities, then the scalability and adaptability are improved, but the ease of accessing and monitoring all devices worsens
Solution Approach 1:
Each facilities management device is designed to be multi-functional: it monitors local sensors, displays local map images, provides access to parent device maps through links, and can be accessed by multiple users across the network. This universal design allows the same device architecture to serve multiple purposes and scale across different network configurations without requiring different access methods for each device.
Solution Approach 2:
The map image with embedded links acts as an intermediary between distributed facilities management devices. Instead of directly accessing devices across the network, users interact with the map interface which mediates access by providing contextual links to relevant devices and zones, simplifying navigation across the distributed system.
3Ease of operation
If map images with embedded links are used to show device locations and operational states, then the ease of identifying alarm sources is improved, but the information processing and display complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each map image is customized to show only the relevant local information for its associated facilities management device. The map displays sensor locations, alarm statuses, and navigation links specific to that device's zone, rather than showing all possible information. This local quality approach reduces information processing complexity by displaying only what is relevant to each user context.
Solution Approach 2:
The map image displays partial information initially - showing only the local zone map and immediate alarm sources. Users can access additional information through embedded links when needed, rather than displaying all possible device details simultaneously. This partial display approach reduces visual complexity while maintaining access to complete information when required.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a facilities management system that utilizes embedded maps in nested facilities management devices. The facilities management devices are connected to a network and are linked in map images that indicate the location of the facilities management devices, as well as the locations of sensors. In addition, the links indicate the existence of an alarm condition, so that users can drill down on the links to locate a sensor that has created the alarm condition. The facilities management system utilizes various management systems and various protocols to provide a wide range of options for facilities managers.