Building Automation Configuration Using Ontology-Based Device Linking
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of configuring and commissioning building automation systems, particularly in large commercial, residential, and industrial sites, due to the incompatibility of sensors, appliances, and controllers, requires a method to simplify the process of establishing relationships between these devices.
Innovation Solution
The use of an ontology database to derive relationships between devices based on descriptor data, allowing for the selection of suitable controllers and configuration of devices, with the application of semantic rules to determine how devices can connect, thereby streamlining the configuration and commissioning process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual configuration methods are used to establish relationships between devices, then compatibility and correctness can be ensured through specialist knowledge, but the process requires numerous hours and extensive specialist expertise
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically discovering devices, generating their digital twins, and pre-establishing compatibility relationships before actual configuration is needed. The ontology database pre-defines valid device relationships, so when configuration is required, the system can quickly retrieve pre-validates relationships rather than manually checking compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The configuration system performs self-service by automatically discovering devices on the network, generating their digital twins, and configuring them without requiring specialist intervention. The system autonomously validates device compatibility through the ontology database and automatically establishes connections, eliminating the need for manual configuration by experts.
2Manufacturing precision
If specialist knowledge is applied to create floor plans and establish device relationships, then accurate device linking is achieved, but the process involves numerous hours of manual work
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical process of manual floor plan creation with an automated digital process. Instead of specialists manually drawing floor plans and establishing device relationships, the system uses automated device discovery, digital twin generation, and ontology-based validation to automatically create accurate device relationships with high precision and speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The ontology database acts as an intermediary between device discovery and configuration. It provides pre-defined rules and constraints that automatically validate device relationships, ensuring accuracy without manual intervention. The digital twins serve as intermediaries that represent devices in a standardized format, enabling automated processing while maintaining precision.
3Reliability
If comprehensive device validation is performed to ensure compatibility, then system reliability is improved, but the configuration process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the complex validation process into manageable components: device discovery, digital twin generation, ontology-based validation, and automatic configuration. Each component handles a specific aspect of compatibility validation, making the overall complex process transparent and manageable while maintaining high reliability through systematic checking at each stage.
Data Source
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AI summary
Configuration of a building. A method of configuring a site, the site comprising a plurality of devices (11 - 23), the plurality of devices (11 - 23) comprising a plurality of site controllers and a plurality of sensors and a plurality of appliances, the method comprising the steps of: selecting a first device (11 - 23) from the plurality of appliances and/or from the plurality of sensors; producing first descriptor data for the first device (11 - 23); selecting a second device (11 - 23) from the plurality of appliances and/or from the plurality of sensors; producing second descriptor data for the second device (11 - 23); loading data indicative of an ontology database (9), the ontology database comprising a set of rules; producing relationship data by applying one or more rules to the first and second descriptor data; selecting a third device (11 - 23) from among the controllers.