Systems and methods of software provisioing in a building management system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Adding software features to existing building management systems is expensive and time-consuming due to the need for modification and testing, which can be inefficient and resource-intensive.

Innovation Solution

A software provisioning server is used to manage software updates for building management systems, utilizing an on-premises catalog to store sequences for updates and relationally store control device SKUs, sub-system identification, software updates, associated metadata, and configuration information, enabling scheduled or event-driven updates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If software features are added to existing building management systems through modification and testing, then functionality is improved, but cost and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoftware functionalityVSAvoidsoftware update time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a software provisioning server that stores pre-configured software images and update sequences in advance. When a device needs updating, the system retrieves and applies pre-prepared software packages rather than performing modifications and testing during the update process. This preliminary preparation of software updates significantly reduces the time required for deployment while maintaining system functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The software provisioning server acts as an intermediary between the software development environment and the building management devices. It manages the software update process centrally, storing software images and sequences, and coordinating deployments across multiple devices. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for direct modification and testing at each device, reducing both time and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If software features are added to existing building management systems through modification and testing, then functionality is improved, but resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoftware functionalityVSAvoidcomputational resources

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The software provisioning server centralizes the management of software updates, acting as an intermediary that handles all software distribution operations. By consolidating software image storage, update sequence management, and deployment coordination in a single server, the system avoids redundant computational operations across multiple devices, thereby reducing overall resource consumption while enabling enhanced software functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If cloud solutions are used for software updates, then update capability is improved, but security and compliance control are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoftware update capabilityVSAvoidsecurity control

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using cloud-based software update services that would provide update capability but compromise security control, the patent inverts the approach by deploying an on-premises software provisioning server. This local server maintains full software update capability while keeping all software images and update sequences within the organization's secure infrastructure, thereby achieving both update agility and security compliance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The on-premises software provisioning server enables the organization to self-manage its own software update infrastructure. By hosting software images and update sequences locally, the organization maintains complete control over security policies, access management, and compliance requirements while still benefiting from automated update capabilities. This self-service approach eliminates dependency on external cloud services.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20260056728A1Systems and methods of software provisioing in a building management system

Publication Date: 2026.02.26 TYCO FIRE & SECURITY GMBH

AI summary

A system for monitoring and controlling building equipment can be configured to use a software provisioning server or use a software provisioning method. A building management system includes a software provisioning server configured to provide a software update for a device in the building management system. The software provisioning server is also configured to use a sequence for the software update stored with the software provisioning server. The software provisioning server can be an on-premises device.