Building Automation Configuration via Virtual Room and Device Pairing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing home control network programming systems require a trained user on-site and are complex, making installation, setup, and configuration not user-friendly while maintaining flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A control system configurable by a portable electronic device executing a configuration application, comprising a control processor, gateway, controllable devices represented as virtual devices, communication network, and a method for configuring the system that includes loading the configuration application, discovering and pairing devices, creating rooms, assigning devices, and setting scenes and user interfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional programming software tools (SIMPL Windows, D3 Pro, SystemBuilder) are used, then system flexibility is maintained, but installation complexity increases and user-friendliness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem flexibilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A portable electronic device with a configuration application serves as an intermediary between the user and the control network system. This intermediary provides a simplified interface that abstracts away the complexity of traditional programming tools while maintaining the ability to configure and control controllable devices, thus resolving the contradiction between system flexibility and installation complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates virtual representations of physical controllable devices that can be manipulated through the simplified configuration application on the portable device. This copying approach allows users to work with device models rather than directly with complex hardware interfaces, reducing installation and configuration complexity while preserving full system functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional programming software tools are used, then system functionality is preserved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring trained users

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem functionalityVSAvoiduser-friendliness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The configuration application on the portable electronic device enables users to perform system configuration and programming tasks independently without requiring specialized training. The self-contained nature of the application provides intuitive interfaces and automated processes that allow end-users to operate the system effectively, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining full system functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The portable electronic device with the configuration application serves multiple functions: it acts as a programming tool, a configuration interface, and a control device. This multi-functional approach consolidates what previously required specialized software and trained operators into a single accessible platform that any user can operate, thereby improving user-friendliness without sacrificing system capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12314024B2Method for establishing a building automation system including installing a plurality of controllable devices in a plurality of rooms in a building

Publication Date: 2025.05.27 CRESTRON ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A control system configurable by a configuration application and comprising one or more control processors, one or more gateways, a communication network, a portable electronic device executing the configuration application and one or more controllable devices wherein the controllable device is represented by one or more virtual devices.