Semantic Knowledge Base for Interoperable Building Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing building management systems operate as isolated silos due to differences in data representation, technological frameworks, terminology, and communication protocols, preventing reciprocal operation across different building systems.
Innovation Solution
A building management system with a knowledge base that uses a semantic registration module to generate metadata, a semantic query module to retrieve and update semantic descriptions, and a semantic service module to access and populate the knowledge base, enabling the creation of semantic descriptions of building system data stored in an ontology, allowing for unified access and management across disparate systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If building management systems use different data representation and communication protocols, then each system can be optimized for its specific function, but the systems become isolated silos incapable of reciprocal operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a semantic intermediary layer that translates between different building management system protocols and a unified semantic model. This intermediary enables disparate systems to communicate through a common semantic framework without requiring changes to the underlying systems, thus maintaining system optimization while achieving interoperability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal semantic model that can represent multiple building management domains (HVAC, lighting, security, etc.) within a single unified framework. This universal model allows different specialized systems to operate independently while being accessible through a common interface, achieving both specialization and interoperability.
2Measurement precision
If building management systems use different terminology and conceptual models, then each system can maintain its domain-specific precision, but data integration across systems becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The semantic model acts as an intermediary that maps domain-specific terminology to a unified conceptual framework. Each domain maintains its precise terminology while the semantic layer provides translation to a common model, enabling data integration without losing domain-specific accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a semantic dimension to the data model, creating a multi-layered representation where physical data points are enriched with semantic meanings. This additional dimension allows systems to maintain their original precision while integrating through semantic relationships.
3Ease of manufacture
If building management systems are designed as independent silos, then each system can be managed and maintained separately, but the systems lack the ability to reciprocally operate with each other
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the data representation layers of independent building management systems into a unified semantic model while preserving the independence of individual systems. The semantic layer combines information from multiple systems, enabling reciprocal operation without compromising system independence.
Data Source
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AI summary
A building management system for a building system includes a building system interface configured to receive building system data; a knowledge base configured to receive the building system data, the knowledge base providing a model of the building system, the model including semantic descriptions of the building system data, the semantic descriptions of the building system data being arranged in an ontology; and a user interface configured to access the knowledge base.