Wearable Building Automation Control for Hidden Device Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for managing building automation environments, such as using management stations, can be restrictive and inefficient, especially when devices are not directly visible to the user, limiting real-time control and device identification.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize a wearable device to determine coordinates and render a representative view of the building automation environment, allowing for gesture-based or voice-based input to modify operation parameters, with features like environment mapping, computer vision algorithms, and communication via secured wireless channels, enabling detection and control of both visible and hidden devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a management station with graphical or hierarchical navigation is used to locate devices, then device identification capability is improved, but user operation complexity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice identification accuracyVSAvoidtime to locate and identify device
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual navigation through graphical or hierarchical interfaces with automated computer vision algorithms that visually identify and locate devices in the field of view, substituting mechanical navigation with optical-digital recognition systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary layer of image processing and coordinate mapping between the user and devices, where the wearable device captures images, processes coordinates, and maps device locations without requiring direct user navigation through complex interfaces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If traditional management stations are used to control building devices, then centralized control capability is maintained, but real-time control efficiency and accessibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecentralized control capabilityVSAvoidreal-time control efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static centralized control at a management station to dynamic distributed control through wearable devices, allowing users to control devices dynamically at their actual locations throughout the building

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The centralized control function is segmented and distributed to multiple wearable devices, allowing parallel control operations across different locations simultaneously, thereby improving overall control efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If devices are located using building plans and electrical schemas, then accurate device location information is obtained, but operational complexity and user skill requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice location accuracyVSAvoidsystem operational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual interpretation of building plans and electrical schemas with automated computer vision and coordinate mapping systems that automatically identify and locate devices through image processing and GPS/coordinate data

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If wearable devices with computer vision algorithms are deployed, then device detection capability including hidden devices is improved, but system complexity and computational requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice detection capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wearable device performs multiple functions including image capture, coordinate determination, device identification, and control operations within a single integrated system, reducing the need for separate specialized devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3745332B1Systems, device and method of managing a building automation environment
Publication Date: 2022.08.31 SIEMENS SCHWEIZ AG
  • EP3745332B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3745332B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3745332B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems, device and method of managing a building automation environment (350, 450) are disclosed. The method includes determining coordinates of a wearable device (160, 310) and associated wearer in the building automation environ-ment (350, 450); rendering a representative view (520) of at least one portion of the building automation environment (350, 450), based on the coordinates of the wearable device (160, 310) and an environment map associated with the building auto-mation environment (350, 450), wherein the representative view (520) includes a multi-dimensional view of the at least one portion of the building automation environment (350, 450) and wherein the at least one portion includes one or more devices (412) in the building automation environment (350, 450); and modifying operation parameters of the at least one por-tion of the building automation environment (350, 450) through one of gesture-based and voice-based inputs.