Occupancy Sensor Interface for Direct BMS-Lighting Protocol Translation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Previous approaches to integrating building management systems (BMS) and lighting control systems face communication issues due to different protocols, requiring costly and time-consuming intermediary systems like Java Application Control Engine (JACE) for data exchange.

Innovation Solution

An occupancy sensing device with both a lighting control interface and a BMS interface enables direct data exchange between BMS and lighting control systems, translating data between disparate protocols without the need for higher-level communication layers, allowing for seamless operation even if the occupancy sensor fails.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an intermediary system like JACE is used to enable communication between BMS and lighting control system, then communication compatibility is improved, but system complexity and installation cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication compatibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the communication protocol translation function from the higher-level JACE intermediary system and embeds it directly into the occupancy sensor device. This allows the sensor to natively translate between DALI and BMS protocols, eliminating the need for external intermediary systems while maintaining communication compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The occupancy sensor is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as an occupancy detection device and as a protocol translation gateway between DALI and BMS systems. This universal approach consolidates multiple functions into a single device, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If an intermediary system like JACE is used to enable communication between BMS and lighting control system, then communication compatibility is improved, but installation and commissioning time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication compatibilityVSAvoidinstallation and commissioning time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of manufacture

If direct connection between occupancy sensor and lighting control channel is made, then system cost is reduced, but communication reliability may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem costVSAvoidcommunication reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements redundancy by maintaining both DALI and BMS interface connections on the occupancy sensor. If the direct DALI connection fails, the system can fallback to communicating through the BMS interface, providing a backup communication path that cushions against single-point failures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Adaptability or versatility

If protocol translation is performed at higher level controller, then communication between different protocols is enabled, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotocol compatibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The occupancy sensor acts as an intermediary device between the DALI lighting control system and the BMS, performing protocol translation locally. This distributed intermediary approach is simpler than using a centralized higher-level controller for translation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3745824B1Operating a building management system using a lighting control interface

Publication Date: 2023.07.19 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC

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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