Wireless Building Management System with Passive RFID Model Updates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing building information models become outdated and difficult to maintain during the construction and operational phases of a building, leading to inaccurate representations of the building's systems and structures, which hinders optimization and efficient operation.

Innovation Solution

A building system comprising wireless devices and nodes that communicate through a network to update and maintain a granular building data model, incorporating real-time information from sensors and objects within the building, including location, characteristics, and occupancy data, allowing for continuous model updates and improved control strategies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If building model is updated manually during construction and operation, then model detail and granularity can be improved, but maintenance difficulty and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodel accuracyVSAvoidmaintenance time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical updating processes with automated electronic data collection and processing systems. Sensors, building automation systems, and software automatically capture and update building model data, eliminating the need for manual data entry and model maintenance while maintaining high accuracy.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a building management system as an intermediary that automatically collects data from various building systems (HVAC, lighting, security) and updates the building information model. This intermediary layer handles the complexity of data integration and model synchronization, reducing the time and effort required for manual updates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If building model includes comprehensive construction details from multiple subcontractors, then model completeness improves, but model reliability deteriorates due to coordination difficulties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodel completenessVSAvoidmodel reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the building model into distinct modules or zones corresponding to different subcontractors' work areas. Each segment can be independently updated and validated, reducing coordination complexity while maintaining overall model completeness. This modular approach allows parallel development without compromising reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a universal data exchange standard and common platform that all subcontractors use to contribute their data. This universal interface ensures consistent data formats, validation rules, and integration protocols, enabling comprehensive model completeness while maintaining reliability through standardized processes.

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

3Reliability

If building model is updated frequently to reflect construction variations, then model currency improves, but complexity of maintenance increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodel currencyVSAvoidmaintenance complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic automated updates at scheduled intervals or triggered by specific events (e.g., completion of construction phases). This periodic action maintains model currency without requiring continuous manual intervention, reducing maintenance complexity while ensuring the model reflects current building status.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where sensors and building systems automatically detect changes and trigger model updates only when necessary. This feedback-driven approach maintains model currency by updating only when actual changes occur, avoiding unnecessary updates and reducing maintenance complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2347543B1Passive and active wireless building management system
Publication Date: 2018.01.31 SIEMENS INDUSTRY INC
  • EP2347543B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2347543B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2347543B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A building system includes a communication network, a plurality of wireless nodes, a plurality of passive wireless devices, and a processing circuit. The plurality of wireless nodes are disposed within a building operably and are coupled to the communication network. Each of the passive wireless devices is affixed to or within an object within the building. At least some of the objects constitute fixtures within the building. Each passive wireless device contains first information regarding at least one property of the object, and is configured to communicate wirelessly to at least one of the wireless nodes using power derived from communication signals detected in the passive wireless device. The processing circuit operably is coupled to receive the first information from the wireless devices, the processing circuit configured to update a model of at least a portion of a building based at least in part on the at least one property of the objects.