Protocol-Independent Priority Selection Mechanism for HVAC Controllers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing systems for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) programming face challenges in implementing priority determination across different protocols like BACnet and LonTalk, as the priority array mechanism is complex and specific to BACnet, requiring HVAC engineers to learn BACnet mechanisms for application development.
Innovation Solution
A priority selection mechanism is introduced, which abstracts the BACnet protocol mechanism, providing a generic abstract function block that can be automatically compiled into relevant mechanisms for both BACnet and LonTalk controllers, allowing for seamless translation and usage without exposing users to the underlying protocol details.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the BACnet priority array mechanism is used to drive outputs at different priorities, then the ability to command output objects at different priorities is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of operation increase because the mechanism is specific to BACnet and requires engineers to learn BACnet mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary translation layer that converts protocol-specific priority array mechanisms into a universal priority selection interface. This mediator translates BACnet's complex priority array mechanism and LonTalk's override block mechanism into a common abstract representation, allowing engineers to work with a simplified interface while maintaining compatibility with both protocols' native mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal priority selection mechanism that works across multiple protocols (BACnet and LonTalk) through a common interface. The system provides multi-functionality by being able to translate to and from different protocol-specific implementations, making the priority selection capability protocol-independent while maintaining the ability to leverage each protocol's native features when needed
2Adaptability or versatility
If the BACnet priority array mechanism is used, then priority-based output control is achieved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because HVAC engineers must learn BACnet-specific mechanisms for application development
Solution Approach 1:
The translation layer acts as an intermediary that shields engineers from protocol-specific complexity. It translates universal priority selection commands into protocol-specific BACnet priority array operations, allowing engineers to work with a simplified, protocol-agnostic interface while the system handles the protocol-specific implementation details
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an abstract copy or representation of the priority selection functionality that is independent of any specific protocol. This abstract representation can be automatically translated into the appropriate protocol-specific implementation, allowing engineers to work with a simplified model while maintaining full functionality in the target protocol
3Reliability
If protocol-specific priority mechanisms are implemented separately for each controller type, then protocol-specific functionality is optimized, but the productivity decreases due to the need to learn and implement different mechanisms for different protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides a universal priority selection interface that maintains protocol-specific reliability through automatic translation. The same universal interface can target different protocol implementations, ensuring that each protocol's native functionality is preserved while allowing engineers to work from a single, unified development environment
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter representation of priority selection from protocol-specific formats to a universal format. By transforming the representation of priority levels and output control parameters into a protocol-agnostic form, the system enables consistent application development across different protocols while maintaining the ability to output in protocol-specific formats when needed
Data Source
AI summary
A priority selection mechanism for driving outputs from control logic which can be automatically translated to controllers of various protocols. The priority selection mechanism may assign a priority to the outputs and select the output having the highest priority as the output of the control logic. There may be an abstract representation of the priority logic which may permit a protocol mechanism to be used in the logic without the designer or user needing to know the details of the mechanism.