Room Controller Self-Localization Using BIM and Brightness Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for determining the geometric position of room controllers in buildings require significant manual programming effort and are prone to errors, especially during initial setup and changes in building configurations, leading to malfunctions and increased operational complexity.

Innovation Solution

The method involves communication between room controllers and BIM models to determine their geometric position, using topology data and measurement data from brightness sensors, allowing for automatic self-localization and reduced manual programming, with data exchange occurring unidirectionally or bidirectionally between the room controllers and the BIM model.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual programming is used to assign room controllers to rooms during initial setup and changes, then the system can be configured, but significant programming effort and time are required and errors occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassignment accuracyVSAvoidprogramming time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The room controller automatically determines its own geometric position using brightness sensor measurements and topology data, and self-assigns to the corresponding room in the BIM model without requiring manual programming intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-configures the BIM model with room geometry and axis information before the room controller needs assignment, so that when the controller powers up, the mapping infrastructure is already in place and it only needs to perform automatic localization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual programming is used to configure room controllers during building changes, then the system can be reconfigured, but extensive programming work and costs are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebuilding change adaptabilityVSAvoidprogramming complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

When building changes occur, the affected room controllers automatically re-determine their geometric position using updated brightness measurements and re-assign themselves to the new room configurations in the BIM model without requiring manual reprogramming

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors brightness sensor data and compares it with the BIM model to detect changes in room configuration, triggering automatic re-assignment of room controllers to maintain correct mappings after building changes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of manufacture

If room controllers are assigned by axis in a grid pattern, then wiring simplicity is achieved, but programming effort increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewiring simplicityVSAvoidprogramming complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual programming process with an automated optical measurement system using brightness sensors to determine geometric position and automatically map room controllers to rooms based on measured data rather than manual configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach significantly reduces manual programming effort, minimizes errors, and enables precise self-configuration of room controllers, improving control quality and simplifying the setup and maintenance of technical building systems.

Implementation Method 1

measurement data from a brightness sensor which is arranged in the area assigned to the respective room controller

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotodetection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3355138B1Method for determining the geometric position of a room controller
Publication Date: 2021.06.09 ENERVISION
  • EP3355138B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for determining the geometric position of at least one room controller (5) for influencing building functions, in particular for influencing the room temperature, humidity, room lighting and/or blind position, the at least one room controller (5) being in an area (2) between two adjacent axes (A1 to A7) of a building (1) with a plurality of areas (2), wherein the at least one room controller (5) communicates with a BIM model of the building (1). In order to reduce the programming adjustment effort in the case of conversions or changes in use of areas (2) of the building (1), and also to enable a simple geometric position determination of the room controller (5), it is proposed that a room controller (5) communicate with the BIM -Model determines its geometric position in the building (1), in particular its position relative to the other, in particular neighboring and other areas (2) of the building (1) associated room controllers (5), and a rough determination of data relating to the geometric position of a respective room controller (5) - by using topology data of a network extending in the building and consisting of a plurality of room controllers (5) and communication lines connecting them and/or - from measurement data of a brightness sensor which is in the area assigned to the respective room controller (5) 2) is arranged, the measurement data preferably over a sufficiently long period of time recorded one day so that the position of the sun can be determined.