Smart Gateway Virtual Device Mapping for BMS Third-Party Integration

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing building management systems face challenges in interfacing with third-party devices that use proprietary communication protocols, leading to increased commissioning and maintenance times, and require costly and complex software to integrate non-compatible networks, with limited functionality and time-consuming setups.

Innovation Solution

A smart gateway device with network interface circuits that detect and generate virtual devices on the BMS network, allowing seamless communication between incompatible networks by creating virtual representations of physical devices, facilitating easy integration and data exchange.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If third-party devices use proprietary communication protocols, then device functionality is maintained, but integration complexity and commissioning time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidintegration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs protocol translation devices and gateway components that act as intermediaries between third-party devices using proprietary protocols and the BMS using standard protocols. These intermediaries translate communication protocols, enabling seamless integration without requiring changes to the third-party device functionality, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining adaptability and reducing integration complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system architecture is segmented into distinct layers: the third-party device layer with proprietary protocols, the translation/gateway layer for protocol conversion, and the BMS layer with standard protocols. This segmentation allows each layer to maintain its own characteristics while enabling integration, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If protocol translation devices are added to interface with third-party networks, then compatibility is improved, but device complexity and setup time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork compatibilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into integrated gateway devices that simultaneously handle protocol translation, data formatting, and device management. By merging these functions into single components rather than using separate devices for each function, the system improves network compatibility while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If custom software interfaces are developed to communicate with third-party networks, then communication capability is improved, but cost and implementation complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoidimplementation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universal gateway devices and standardized translation protocols that can interface with multiple different third-party devices and protocols. This multi-functionality eliminates the need to develop custom software interfaces for each specific third-party device, thereby improving communication capability while reducing implementation cost and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If third-party devices are integrated into the BMS network, then system functionality is improved, but commissioning and maintenance time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem functionalityVSAvoidcommissioning time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements pre-configured gateway devices with built-in protocol translation capabilities and standardized interfaces. These devices are prepared in advance with common protocol translations already configured, allowing for rapid deployment and commissioning when integrating third-party devices, thus improving system functionality while minimizing commissioning time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20260039508A1Smart gateway devices, systems and methods for providing communication between HVAC system networks

Publication Date: 2026.02.05 TYCO FIRE & SECURITY GMBH

AI summary

A device in communication with a first network associated with a building management system (BMS) includes one or more processing circuits configured to receive a virtual device corresponding to one or more physical devices or systems and provide a mapping between the virtual device and the one or more physical devices or systems. The virtual device is configured to represent the one or more physical devices or systems on the first network and one or more data points of the virtual device correspond to one or more data points of the one or more physical devices or systems. The one or more processing circuits are configured to receive data values for the one or more data points of the one or more physical devices or systems and update the one or more data points of the virtual device with the data values for the one or more data points of the one or more physical devices or systems.