Occupancy Sensor Interface for Direct BMS-Lighting Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing building management systems (BMS) and lighting control systems face communication issues due to different protocols, requiring intermediary devices like JACE for data exchange, which is costly and time-consuming to install and commission.

Innovation Solution

An occupancy sensing device with both a lighting control interface and a BMS interface allows for direct data exchange between BMS and lighting control systems, translating data between BMS protocols and lighting control protocols without the need for higher-level communication layers or intermediary devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If data communication between BMS and lighting control system is carried out via a higher-level intermediary device (e.g., JACE), then communication between the two systems is enabled, but installation, commissioning, and setup become costly and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoidinstallation and commissioning time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the communication protocol translation functionality from the higher-level intermediary device and embeds it directly into the lighting control interface device. This allows the lighting control system to communicate directly with the BMS without requiring a separate JACE intermediary, thereby reducing installation and commissioning time while maintaining communication capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting control interface device is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls lighting devices according to lighting control protocols and simultaneously translates and communicates with the BMS using BMS protocols. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate intermediary device, reducing both cost and installation time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a higher-level intermediary device is used to enable communication between BMS and lighting control system, then protocol compatibility is achieved, but system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotocol compatibilityVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the lighting control interface and the BMS communication interface into a single integrated device. This device simultaneously handles lighting control protocol communications and BMS protocol translations, eliminating the need for a separate higher-level intermediary device and simplifying the overall system structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting control interface device acts as an intermediary between the lighting control system and the BMS, performing protocol translation directly at the interface level. This eliminates the need for a separate higher-level intermediary device while maintaining protocol compatibility between the two systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12273979B2Operating a building management system using a lighting control interface

Publication Date: 2025.04.08 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

Devices, systems, and methods for operating a building management system using a lighting control interface are described herein. One device includes an occupancy sensing component, a lighting control interface configured to connect the occupancy sensing device to a lighting control channel of a building, and a building management system (BMS) interface configured to connect the occupancy sensing device to a BMS channel of the building.