Remote Building Automation Control via Virtual Panel Copying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Legacy building automation systems are inefficient and lack remote control and automated control capabilities, requiring manual operation and being difficult to implement and use, with no mechanism for simultaneous human and automated operation without causing technical issues.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a processor communicably coupled to the building automation system, which identifies and processes the status of the building, determines available control operations, and sends commands for execution, enabling remote monitoring and control through an external device, allowing both automated and manual control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual operation via hardware control panel is used, then the building automation system can be controlled, but it requires presence of skilled human operator and is difficult to use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the control panel interface on remote devices (smartphones, tablets, computers) that replicates the functionality of the physical control panel. This virtual interface can be accessed remotely through a network connection, eliminating the need for physical presence at the control panel and reducing the skill barrier while maintaining full control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical physical control panel with an electronic software-based interface accessible through standard computing devices. This substitution eliminates the need for specialized hardware interaction skills and allows control through familiar graphical user interfaces that can be accessed from multiple locations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If retrofitted SMS and Internet gateways are added to provide remote control, then remote controllability is improved, but implementation becomes difficult and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages universally available standard devices (smartphones, tablets, computers) and existing network infrastructure (WiFi, cellular data, Internet) to provide remote control functionality. Instead of requiring specialized retrofitted gateways, the system uses the universal computing platform already present in most users' possession, dramatically reducing implementation complexity and cost while maintaining remote accessibility.
3Productivity
If automated control mechanism is introduced, then control efficiency is improved, but coordination with human operator becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the automated control system continuously monitors the building automation system status and the virtual control panel interactions. When automated actions are taken, the system provides feedback to confirm execution and monitor results, allowing for automatic correction or human intervention if anomalies are detected, thereby maintaining reliability while improving efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a system (100) for controlling a building automation system (106). The system comprises at least one processor (104) communicably coupled to building automation system. The processor is configured to: determine, by processing information presented on a first interactive user interface (108) provided by building automation system (106), a status of a building for which building automation system is used; provide a second interactive user interface (110) on an external device (102), second interactive user interface presents at least the information presented on first interactive user interface; determine at least one command to be executed, based at least on the status of building, wherein command pertains to control of building automation system (106) and command is available in at least first interactive user interface (108); and send, to building automation system (106), the at least one command for execution by building automation system.