Virtual Cabling Engine for Building Management System Interoperability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for connecting devices to a Building Management System (BMS) face challenges such as lack of interoperability between different vendors and versions, extensive use of physical cabling, and complex manual configuration and management of network connections.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method using virtual cabling engines to convert proprietary signals into unified signals, allowing seamless communication between devices from different vendors, and automating the configuration and management of network connections through probe messages and incident responses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical cables are used to connect each device to the BMS, then dedicated connections are provided, but the number of physical cables becomes extensive (thousands of cables in multi-storey buildings)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of physical cable connections through software-based virtual cabling engines. These virtual cables replicate the connectivity function of physical cables without requiring actual cable infrastructure throughout the building. The virtual cabling engine simulates cable connections between devices and BMS, eliminating the need for thousands of physical cables while maintaining dedicated connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical physical cabling system with a software-based virtual cabling system. Instead of installing and maintaining physical cable infrastructure, the system uses virtualization technology to create logical connections through software engines that manage communication between devices and BMS, substituting mechanical cable connections with digital virtual connections.
2Adaptability or versatility
If proprietary communication protocols are used for each device, then device-specific communication is achieved, but interoperability between different vendors and device versions is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual cabling engine acts as an intermediary layer between devices with proprietary protocols and the BMS. It receives communication signals from devices using their respective proprietary protocols, translates them into a unified communication language, and forwards them to the BMS. This mediator approach enables devices from different vendors to interoperate seamlessly without requiring protocol changes at the device level.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual cabling engine provides universal communication capability by supporting multiple proprietary protocols simultaneously and converting them to a standardized internal representation. This multi-functional communication engine can handle various device types and vendors through a single unified system, eliminating the need for separate communication paths for each device protocol.
3Ease of operation
If manual configuration and management of network connections is performed, then connection setup is achieved, but the configuration process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual cabling engine enables automatic self-configuration of network connections. When devices are connected to the network, the system automatically detects them, creates virtual cable connections, configures communication parameters, and establishes communication paths without manual intervention. The system manages its own configuration process, eliminating the need for manual setup while reducing configuration time significantly.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary configuration actions automatically during device connection establishment. Virtual cable mappings, communication channel creation, and parameter settings are prepared and executed in advance before the device needs to communicate with the BMS, eliminating the need for manual configuration steps and reducing overall setup time.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for configuring a cable network: connecting a first virtual cabling engine via management connection with a controlling unit of a building; connecting to port(s) of a second virtual cabling engine cable(s) of device(s) of a connected site; configuring the second virtual cabling engine to communicate over communication network with the first virtual cabling engine; sending from the first virtual cabling engine a first probe message to a first port of the second virtual cabling engine to be forwarded to a first device of the device(s) in the connected site; receiving from the first device, via the second virtual cabling engine a first reply to the first probe message; and generating by the first virtual cabling engine based on the first reply a first incident response.