Priority Array Preview for Building Control Command Conflicts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing data points in building management systems (BMS) is challenging due to conflicts arising from multiple systems or devices adjusting the same data points, making it difficult to monitor and control equipment effectively.
Innovation Solution
A building management system with a controller and system manager that utilizes a priority array for point objects, allowing users to preview changes to the priority array before applying new commands, ensuring that the highest priority commands are executed and providing notifications for commands that would be bypassed or deleted.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple systems or devices adjust the same data points in a BMS, then the system can be controlled by multiple sources, but conflicts arise making it difficult to manage and control equipment effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control authority by dividing data points into different priority levels (high priority, normal priority, low priority). This segmentation allows multiple systems to control the same equipment simultaneously without conflicts, as each system operates within its assigned priority level. The controller selectively executes commands based on priority, ensuring orderly management despite multiple control sources.
2Productivity
If a priority array is implemented to manage multiple commands, then command execution order is controlled, but it becomes difficult for users to understand and predict the impact of new commands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a preview mechanism that displays the anticipated priority array configuration before a new command is actually executed. This preliminary action allows users to see how the priority array will change, which data points will be affected, and what the new execution order will be, enabling informed decision-making before committing to the command.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides immediate feedback to users by displaying the projected priority array state after applying a new command. This feedback loop includes showing which commands will be executed, which will be bypassed, and the resulting priority levels, allowing users to understand the impact before finalizing their input.
3Speed
If the system executes commands based on priority without preview, then system response is fast, but users cannot verify if the correct commands are being executed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a preliminary display of the priority array configuration before executing commands. The preview shows the exact sequence and priority of commands that will be executed, allowing users to verify correctness before the actual execution occurs. This maintains fast execution speed while ensuring reliability through pre-verification.
Data Source
AI summary
A building management system includes a controller for one or more devices of the building management system and a system manager communicably coupled to the controller. The controller includes a priority array for a point object managed by the controller. The priority array includes a plurality of commands for the point object and defines a priority of each command. The system manager is configured to retrieve the priority array from the controller, generate a user interface identifying the plurality of commands in the priority array and the priority of each command, receive a new command from a user, and update the user interface to include a preview of the priority array indicating how the priority array would change if the new command were applied to the priority array.