USB Building Devices in Management Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing building management systems (BMS) face challenges in efficiently managing and controlling building devices using universal serial bus (USB) connections, particularly in integrating peripheral USB building devices and ensuring secure and efficient communication and power distribution.

Innovation Solution

A building management system that includes an embedded computer with USB host capabilities, enabling direct and indirect USB connections to peripheral devices, power management through Power over Ethernet (PoE), and encryption for secure data communication, along with USB hubs and actuators for controlling environmental conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If USB connections are used to connect peripheral building devices to the embedded computer, then device connectivity and control capability are improved, but system complexity increases due to the need for driver software installation and configuration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice connectivityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects connected USB devices, identifies their driver requirements, and installs appropriate driver software without manual intervention. The embedded computer self-manages device enumeration, configuration, and control algorithm deployment, eliminating the need for user involvement in complex setup procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Driver software and control algorithms are pre-loaded into the embedded computer's memory before device connection. When a USB device is connected, the system already has the necessary software components ready to be automatically deployed, eliminating the need for real-time software installation and reducing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Use of energy by moving object

If Power over Ethernet (PoE) is used to power embedded computers and peripheral USB devices, then power distribution efficiency is improved, but dependency on network infrastructure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower distribution efficiencyVSAvoidinfrastructure dependency

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network infrastructure serves dual purposes: data communication and power delivery. The same Ethernet cables and network switches that transmit data also deliver electrical power through PoE, consolidating multiple functions into a single infrastructure and reducing overall system complexity despite the added power delivery capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If USB hubs are used to connect multiple peripheral devices to the embedded computer, then device expansion capability is improved, but power management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice expansion capabilityVSAvoidpower management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The embedded computer continuously monitors power consumption levels from USB hubs and peripheral devices. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts power allocation, enables or disables specific features, and manages power states to optimize performance while preventing power-related issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Power management is not static but dynamically adjusts based on real-time device needs. The system can change power delivery parameters, enable/disable devices, and reconfigure power distribution in response to varying operational requirements, making the power management adaptable rather than fixed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If encrypted data transmission is implemented for secure communication, then data security is improved, but processing requirements and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata securityVSAvoidprocessing requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A dedicated encryption module or security coprocessor is introduced as an intermediary component that handles all cryptographic operations. This separate module offloads the processing burden from the main embedded computer, allowing secure data transmission without significantly impacting the primary control functions and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20230376444A1Building management system with universal serial bus (USB) building devices

Publication Date: 2023.11.23 TYCO FIRE & SECURITY GMBH

AI summary

A building system of a building, the building system including an embedded computer, the embedded computer including one or more circuits configured to implement a universal serial bus (USB) host and communicate with peripheral USB building devices via the USB host, receive building data from at least one of the peripheral USB building devices, generate one or more control decisions for one or more of the peripheral USB building devices, and communicate the one or more control decisions to the one or more of the peripheral USB building devices via USB connection. The building system includes the peripheral USB building devices, wherein each of the peripheral USB building devices are connected to the USB host via at least one of a direct USB connection to the embedded computer or an indirect USB connection through another one of the peripheral USB building devices.