User Access Management for Building Controllers
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the Opus system, multiple users can simultaneously connect to the same site controller, leading to conflicts and increased maintenance costs due to potential simultaneous changes made by multiple users, and there is no automatic user session timeout, causing inactive primary users to block secondary users from accessing controllers with full permissions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing the Opus Single User Service and Opus Auto Log Off Service to manage user access by allowing only one primary user with write permissions across all site controllers, while secondary users have read-only access, and enabling auto-log off after a specified inactivity period to prevent resource blocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple users are allowed to simultaneously connect to the same site controller, then user collaboration and access efficiency are improved, but conflicts arise and maintenance costs increase due to potential simultaneous changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating user access permissions at the controller level. Primary users are granted read-write access to make changes, while secondary users receive read-only access to view information. This localized permission assignment allows multiple users to simultaneously access the system without causing conflicts, as secondary users cannot inadvertently modify settings while primary users perform maintenance tasks.
2Ease of operation
If a primary user maintains a continuous connection to a site controller, then the user can maintain control and make changes, but secondary users are blocked from achieving full access even when the primary user is inactive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback through an inactivity detection mechanism that monitors primary user connections. When the system detects that a primary user has been inactive for a predetermined period, it automatically disconnects the primary user's session. This feedback loop ensures that secondary users are not indefinitely blocked from accessing controllers, as the system actively monitors and resolves stale connections that would otherwise prevent secondary user access.
3Reliability
If read-only access is provided to secondary users, then system stability is improved by preventing unauthorized changes, but secondary users cannot make necessary adjustments or corrections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making user permissions flexible rather than static. Users can dynamically switch between primary and secondary roles depending on their current task requirements. A user may connect as a secondary user for read-only monitoring, then later connect as a primary user when changes are needed. This dynamic role switching provides both system stability during monitoring phases and user flexibility when adjustments are required.
Data Source
AI summary
An approach for control of users relative to access to controllers of a site in a hierarchy of controllers and building equipment. When a user of a customer has established a read write connection to a site controller, the customer does not necessarily want any subsequent user to establish a read write connection to the site controller or another controller within the same site and also make changes, for example, to settings of building equipment. Thus, a subsequent user may be allowed a read only connection and just be able to view building equipment information. When the first user has disconnected either intentionally or by inactivity, the site controller may be cleared allowing a subsequent user to obtain a read write connection. If the first user is inactive but fails to disconnect from the controller, an auto log-off provision may disconnect the user after a specified period of inactivity.