Node Placement Planning Using Structural Rules

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Solution Overview

Problem

The installation of nodes in a network is often hindered by structural elements in a given area, leading to inefficient placement, increased manual effort, and potential network dysfunction due to incorrect node positioning, which can result in inadequate data distribution or collection.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for node placement planning that imports a map of the area, identifies structural information, and uses structural rules to determine optimal node placement, highlighting deviations from these rules to allow for user revision and compliance verification, thereby ensuring proper network functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If nodes are placed according to the network topology design, then network coverage and functionality are optimized, but structural elements in the area may prevent physical placement at the designed locations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork coverageVSAvoidinstallation feasibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary verification of node placements against structural rules before installation. By checking whether nodes can be physically placed at designed locations using importable structural information (such as BIM models or photos), the system identifies placement conflicts in advance and allows for alternative positioning, preventing installation failures and rework.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If contractors use trial and error method to relocate nodes, then nodes can be physically placed in the area, but network coverage deteriorates and manual effort increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation feasibilityVSAvoidnetwork coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides automated feedback by verifying node placements against structural rules and network coverage requirements. When a placement conflict is detected, the system identifies alternative locations that satisfy both structural constraints and network performance requirements, eliminating the need for trial-and-error adjustments and ensuring optimal coverage from the first installation attempt.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If nodes are placed in incorrect positions, then installation is completed, but network functionality is compromised and re-planning is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation speedVSAvoidnetwork functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Manufacturing precision

If manual verification of node placement is performed, then placement accuracy can be checked, but time consumption and labor effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenode placement accuracyVSAvoidverification time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual verification with automated computational verification using a node placement model. The model automatically checks whether node placements comply with structural rules by processing structural information from BIM models or photos, providing rapid and accurate verification without requiring manual inspection of each node location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP2837913B1Node placement planning

Publication Date: 2020.03.04 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC

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AI summary

Methods, systems, and computer-readable and executable instructions are described herein. One method includes identifying a number of structural rules of an area utilizing a map of the area, determining a placement for each node of a number of nodes of a node network on the map of the area utilizing a node placement model, identifying a placement of a node among the number of nodes that deviates from a structural rule among the number of the structural rules, and providing an indication of the node on the map of the area.