US20080222565A1 - Task focused user interface systems and methods for building automation systems - Google Patents

Abstract

A system for providing a graphical user interface to a user of a building automation system via a client is provided. The building automation system includes a plurality of building devices. The system includes a processor and memory communicably connected to the processor. The memory includes computer code for controlling the plurality of building devices. The memory further includes computer code for providing the graphical user interface to the client. The memory unit further includes computer code for generating a plurality of user interface elements for providing to a single view on the graphical user interface, each of the user interface elements associated with a task relating to a building device.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/897,983 filed Jan. 29, 2007, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
• The present disclosure relates to controlling systems of a building, such as those which provide heating, ventilation, air conditioning, fire detection, and building access and security; and more particularly to a user interface for such building automation systems.
• Large commercial and institutional buildings have several systems for controlling different aspects of the building operation. A heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system manages components which control the interior environment of the building. A security system includes devices which limit access to the building to only individuals who possess a proper access code or access device, such as a key card. A fire detection system utilizes heat and smoke detectors located throughout the building to sense the occurrence of a fire and produce a warning of that event. Other systems may monitor and control lighting and other electrical loads for optimum energy conservation.
• Building systems may be autonomous or networked together in an integrated system. In either case, the systems may be controlled by workstations at one or more locations within the building or at a remote location. Such workstations may be located at the manager's office, the building operating engineer's office, and/or at the security desk. When the building is part of a larger commercial or educational campus, the systems and networks for each building can be connected to a wide area communication network, the Internet, or some other network which enables control from a central campus facility management office or offsite location. Offsite communications may be accomplished with standard or proprietary wired or wireless telecommunications links.
• Modern building automation systems may include a variety of user interface features that allow a user (e.g., building engineer, facility employee, manager, etc.) to view or control parameters or settings of various facility systems (e.g., HVAC, security, emergency, etc.). For example, a building automation system may include a computer application or browser interface configured to display the various hardware components of the HVAC system and the components' operating parameters. As various components or subsystems of building automation systems have become more connected and complicated, facilities management user interfaces and the systems that control the user interfaces have become complicated.
• In many instances, a user of a typical building automation system must have highly detailed knowledge of the hardware design of the system he or she would like to control before being able to investigate a problem or develop a solution. Furthermore, in many instances the user is not presented with natural language or intuitive control options. Rather, users are typically required to navigate detailed hierarchies of information before they are presented with a screen that allows them to change a value (e.g., a scheduling parameter, a setpoint parameter, etc.). Even if a user is presented a screen for changing a value early in the navigation experience, the method for changing a value is typically cumbersome, especially for novice users that know the outcome they would like, but not necessarily the parameter names or other system design details.
• There is a need for improved graphical user interfaces for building automation systems. Furthermore, there is a need for system configured to generate a graphical user interface that presents a user with task-based or outcome focused options for controlling the building automation system and/or devices thereof. Yet further, there is a need for a system configured to provide an intuitive and easy-to-understand method and associated graphical user interfaces for temporarily overriding a schedule and/or for changing a value.
• What is needed is a system and/or method that satisfies one or more of these needs or provides other advantageous features. Other features and advantages will be made apparent from the present specification. The teachings disclosed extend to those embodiments that fall within the scope of the claims, regardless of whether they accomplish one or more of the identified needs.
SUMMARY
• One embodiment of the invention relates to a system for providing a graphical user interface to a user of a building automation system via a client. The building automation system includes a plurality of building devices. The system includes a processor and memory communicably connected to the processor. The memory includes computer code for controlling the plurality of building devices. The memory further includes computer code for providing the graphical user interface to the client. The memory unit further includes computer code for generating a plurality of user interface elements for providing to a single view on the graphical user interface, each of the user interface elements associated with a task relating to a building device.
• Another embodiment relates to a method for providing a graphical user interface view to a user of a building automation system. The method includes receiving a user interface command to generate a view relating to a function mode. The method further includes determining a user context based on the function mode. The method yet further includes determining a set of items associated with the user context and qualifying for inclusion on the graphical user interface view and determining whether a task should be provided for each item of the set of items. The method further includes generating the graphical user interface view, the graphical user interface view comprising a representation of each item of the set of items and a representation of the task.
• Another embodiment relates to a system for providing a graphical user interface to a user of a building automation system via a client, the building automation system including a building automation site director. The system includes a processor and memory communicably connected to the processor. The memory includes computer code for communicating with the client and computer code for communicating with the building automation site director. The memory further includes computer code for presenting a graphical user interface to the client, the graphical user interface configured to allow the user to select a function mode and a context via the client. The memory yet further includes computer code for determining a set of tasks to be provided to the graphical user interface based on the selected function mode and context and computer code for providing an update to the graphical user interface via the client, the update including user interface elements representing the tasks of the set of tasks.
• Alternative exemplary embodiments relate to other features and combinations of features as may be generally recited in the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
• The application will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, in which:
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a building area having a plurality of building automation devices, according to an exemplary embodiment;
• FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a building automation system for the building area ofFIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment;
• FIG. 3A is a block diagram of a user interface (UI) server and external site director, according to an exemplary embodiment;
• FIG. 3B is a block diagram of a UI server integral with an external site director, according to an exemplary embodiment;
• FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a building automation system (BAS) shown with interaction with a variety of client types, according to an exemplary embodiment;
• FIG. 5 is a more detailed block diagram of the hardware components of the UI server ofFIGS. 3-4, according to an exemplary embodiment;
• FIG. 6 is a more detailed block diagram of the software components of the UI server ofFIGS. 3-4, according to an exemplary embodiment;
• FIG. 7 is a view of a UI for a building automation system, displayed on a device such as a personal computer, according to an exemplary embodiment;
• FIG. 8 is a view of a UI for a building automation system displayed on a handheld device, according to an exemplary embodiment;
• FIG. 9A is a view of a user interface system, according to an exemplary embodiment;
• FIG. 9B is a view of a form display generated via the user interface system ofFIG. 9A, according to an exemplary embodiment;
• FIG. 9C is a view of an updated user interface system ofFIG. 9A, according to an exemplary embodiment;
• FIG. 10A is a view of a user interface system, according to another exemplary embodiment;
• FIG. 10B is a view of a form display generated via the user interface system ofFIG. 10A, according to an exemplary embodiment;
• FIG. 10C is a view of an updated user interface system ofFIG. 10A, according to an exemplary embodiment;
• FIG. 10D is another view of a user interface system, according to an exemplary embodiment;
• FIG. 11A is a flow diagram of a method of generating a display for a user of the user interface, according to an exemplary embodiment;
• FIG. 11B is a more detailed flow diagram of a method of generating a display for a user of the user interface, according to an exemplary embodiment;
• FIG. 12A is a view of a system of configuring filter definitions, according to an exemplary embodiment;
• FIG. 12B is a view of a system of configuring filter definitions, according to another exemplary embodiment;
• FIG. 12C is a view of a result screen based on operations performed using the user interface ofFIGS. 12A and 12B, according to an exemplary embodiment;
• FIG. 13A is a flow diagram of a method for creating and maintaining a filter definition for a building automation system, according to an exemplary embodiment;
• FIG. 13B is a flow diagram of a method for supporting the filtering shown inFIG. 13A, according to an exemplary embodiment; and
• FIG. 13C is a flow diagram of a method of a UI server using a filter definition to provide a graphical user interface for a user, according to an exemplary embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
• Before turning to the figures which illustrate the exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the application is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should be understood that the phraseology and terminology is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.
• Referring generally to the FIGS., a graphical user interface (GUI) system and/or server for managing a building automation system is shown. The GUI system is configured to serve graphical user interfaces to client devices. The GUI system is configured to use data relating to the building automation system to generate the graphical user interfaces. According to an exemplary embodiment, the GUI system provides the user with access to user interface elements that trigger outcome-based tasks early in the user experience. According to another exemplary embodiment, the GUI system provides the user with a filter engine for creating customized filters, views, or summaries of information.
• Referring now toFIGS. 1 and 2,FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an exemplary building automation system that may be used with the systems and methods described with subsequent FIGS.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of abuilding12 having a plurality ofbuilding devices13 capable of transmitting and/or receiving control signals, according to an exemplary embodiment. As illustrated, building12 may include any number of floors, rooms, spaces, zones, and/or other building structures and areas. According to various exemplary embodiments, building12 may be any area of any size or type, including an outdoor area. Buildingdevices13 may exist inside or outside the building, on walls or on desks, be user interactive or not, and may be any type of building device. For example,building devices13 may be a security device, a light switch, a fan actuator, a temperature sensor, a thermostat, a smoke detector, an occupancy sensor, other various types of sensors (flow, pressure, etc.), etc. Buildingdevices13 may be configured to conduct building automation functions (e.g., sense temperature, sense humidity, control a building management device, etc.). Buildingdevices13 may also serve any number of network functions (e.g., RF measuring functions, network routing functions, etc.). Acontroller system14 may be a wired or wireless device for assisting with control ofbuilding devices13.Controller system14 may serve as a site director, network coordinator, building device controller, wireless access point, router, switch, hub, and/or serve as another node on a network. Aworkstation19 is shown as a personal workstation.Workstation19 may allow building engineers to interact withcontroller system14. Buildingdevices13 may be connected tocontroller system14 and/orworkstation19 via a wired and/or wireless connection.
• Building automation systems (BAS) are, in general, hardware and/or software systems configured to control, monitor, and manage equipment in or around a building or building area. BAS equipment can include a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, a security system, a lighting system, a fire alerting system, an elevator system, another system that is capable of managing building functions, or any combination thereof. The BAS as illustrated and discussed in the present disclosure is an example of a facility system that may be used in conjunction with the systems and methods disclosed, however, other facility systems may be used as well. According to other exemplary embodiments, the systems and methods of the present disclosure may be used in conjunction with any type of system (e.g., a general purpose office local area network (LAN), a home LAN, a wide area network (WAN), a wireless hotspot, etc.).
• Referring toFIG. 2, a schematic diagram of aBAS100 that may be used with the systems and methods of the present disclosure is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment.BAS100 may include one or more network automation engines (NAEs)102 connected to a proprietary or standard communications network such as an IP network (e.g., Ethernet, WiFi, ZigBee, Bluetooth, etc.).NAEs102 may support various field-level communications protocols and/or technology, including various Internet Protocols (IP), BACnet over IP, BACnet Master-Slave/Token-Passing (MS/TP), N2 Bus, N2 over Ethernet, Wireless N2, LonWorks, ZigBee, and any number of other standard or proprietary field-level building management protocols and/or technologies.NAEs102 may include varying levels of supervisory features and building management features. The user interface ofNAEs102 may be accessed via terminals104 (e.g., client devices, web browser terminals) capable of communicably connecting to and accessingNAEs102. For example,FIG. 2 showsmultiple terminals104 that may variously connect toNAEs102 or other devices ofBAS100. For example,terminals104 may accessBAS100 and connectedNAEs102 via a WAN, local IP network, or via a connected wireless access point.Terminals104 may also accessBAS100 and connectedNAEs102 to provide information to another source, such asprinter131. User interface (UI)server132 may also be included inBAS100 coupled to the network.
• NAEs102 may be connected to any number of BAS devices. The devices may include, among other devices, devices such as field-level control modules106, variable air volume modular assemblies (VMAs)108,integrator units110, variable air volume (VAV) devices andunits112, extendeddigital controllers114,unitary devices116, air handling unit (AHU)controllers118,boilers120,fan coil units122,heat pump units124,unit ventilators126, expansion modules, blowers, temperature sensors, flow transducers, other sensors, motion detectors, actuators, dampers, heaters, air conditioning units, etc. These devices may generally be controlled and/or monitored byNAEs102. Data generated by or available on the various devices that are directly or indirectly connected to an NAE102 may be passed, sent, requested, or read by NAE102 and/or sent to various other systems or terminals ofBAS100. The data may be stored by NAE102, processed by NAE102, transformed by NAE102, and/or sent to various other systems or terminals of theBAS100. As shown inFIG. 2, the various devices ofBAS100 may be connected to NAE102 with a wired connection or with a wireless connection.
• Still referring toFIG. 2, an application and data server (ADS)130 is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment.ADS130 is a server system that includes a database management system (e.g., a relational database management system, Microsoft SQL Server, SQL Server Express, etc.) and server software (e.g., web server software, application server software, virtual machine runtime environments, etc.) that provide access to data and routes commands to the BAS. For example,ADS130 may serve user interface applications.ADS130 may also serve applications such as Java applications, messaging applications, trending applications, database applications, etc.ADS130 may store trend data, audit trail messages, alarm messages, event messages, contact information, and/or any number of BAS-related data. Terminals may connect toADS130 to access theentire BAS100 and historical data, trend data, alarm data, operator transactions, and any other data associated withBAS100, its components, or applications. Various local devices such asprinter131 may be attached to components ofBAS100 such asADS130.
• Various BAS configurations are possible. According to an exemplary embodiment one computing device ofBAS100 will serve as the site director for the rest of the BAS. The site director may be considered the head device or controlling device of a BAS. Depending on the scale and/or configuration of the BAS, different devices may be the site director. For example, in somelarge systems ADS130 will controlmultiple NAEs102 and their connected building devices (as shown inFIG. 2). In smaller or more simple systems, oneNAE102 may be the site director.
UI Server and Architecture
• The site director is typically a machine and/or collection of hardware/software that includes workstation or power-user focused user interface software. According to the exemplary embodiments shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B a UI server is provided in addition to the BAS site director. The UI server is generally configured to provide intuitive graphical user interface views for less experienced users and experienced users alike.
• Referring toFIG. 3A, a block diagram of asystem300 of a UI server and external site director is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment.UI server304 may be part ofBAS100 ofFIG. 2 (e.g.,UI server132 ofFIG. 2).BAS device306 may be any type of device, for example, any of thedevices102 through126 ofFIG. 2.BAS site director302 may beADS130 or NAE102 ofBAS100 shown inFIG. 2. According to one exemplary embodiment,UI server304 andBAS site director302 may communicate vianetwork320 andBAS site director302 andBAS device306 may communicate vianetwork321.Networks320 and321 may consist of a wired or wireless connection and may be any type of network or any number of networks.Networks320 and321 may be the same network, according to an exemplary embodiment.
• UI server304 is configured for communications with various client devices. For example, personal computer (PC)browser308 andhandheld browser310 are shown communicably coupled toUI server304.Browser308 may be on a PC or other computing device having full screen size graphics capabilities (e.g.,terminals104 ofFIG. 2), andhandheld browser310 may be on a personal digital assistant (PDA), cellular phone, or any other such device.Device browsers308 and310 may communicate withUI server304 either via a wired or wireless connection.UI server304 is configured to provide graphical user interfaces to a user via client devices/software308,310. The graphical user interfaces provided byUI server304 relate to monitoring and/or control ofBAS devices306 and/or ofBAS site director302.UI server304 is generally configured to accessBAS site director302 to obtain, retrieve, or access content for use in the generation of its graphical user interfaces.
• The graphical user interfaces provided toPC browser308,handheld browser310, or a browser on another client device may be used to perform various tasks by accepting a user input and providing the input toUI server304 for the BAS.
• UI server304 may be configured to provide a graphical user interface that includes features for viewing summaries of BAS devices, settings, values, schedules, and the like.UI server304 may further provide a graphical user interface that includes features for changing setpoint values or other values. The provided graphical user interfaces may provide mechanisms configured to allow a user to adjust BAS values and states, enable operator override commands, release operator override commands, view alert summaries, perform basic alert tasks (e.g., acknowledge, discard, etc.), view schedule summaries, view schedule details (e.g., a scheduled point summary, “today's schedule”, a temporary override list, etc.), perform basic schedule tasks (e.g., temporary override of a scheduled task, etc.), view trend summaries, view trend details such as trend sample data for a limited timeframe, etc. The graphical user interfaces provided to a PC browser and/or a handheld browser may contain different content in addition to being sized differently. For example, some features that may be provided to the PC browser interface may not be provided to the handheld browser, and vise versa. The features provided to the PC browser and/or the handheld browser may depend upon the nature of the task requested or performed. Some features may be exclusive for specific groups of users (e.g., administrators may be allowed to access more features than other users).
• Referring toFIG. 3B, a block diagram of asystem350 of a UI server integral with a site director is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment.System350 may have the general functionality ofsystem300 ofFIG. 3A. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 3B, however,UI server304 is shown as a software residing on or inBAS site director302 instead of being a separate hardware and software device. According to the exemplary embodiment shown inFIG. 3B, computer code forBAS site director302 and computer code forUI server304 is located in physical memory of the same computing device (e.g., an NAE or ADS of the BAS as described inFIG. 2). In the embodiment shown inFIG. 3A,UI server304 is installed on a device (e.g., PC, server class machine, etc.) separate fromBAS site director302. According to an alternative exemplary embodiment,UI server304 may be installed across multiple BAS machines, standalone machines (e.g., PCs), and/or other platforms.
• Referring toFIG. 4, a block diagram of asystem400 is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment.UI server304 may be configured to serve graphical user interfaces to a variety of client and/or user types. For example,control room clients402,specialized clients404,service clients406, andbuilding operation clients408 are illustrated as examples of clients that may be in communication withUI server304, either via a wired or wireless connection. Clients402-408 may be or include PC devices, kiosk devices, handheld devices, portable devices, mobile phone devices, or any other computing device that may be configured to operatively communicate withUI server304. Tasks and operations that may be requested and performed by clients402-408 may include, but are not limited to, navigating and monitoring hierarchies of BAS devices, adjusting and commanding setpoints or other values, modifying BAS schedules, managing alarms and warnings, and troubleshooting and diagnosing problems with the BAS.
• BAS site director302 andBAS device306 may be in communication with workstation UI/BAS software configuration tool (SCT)414. Workstation UI/BAS SCT414 may be generated by software residing onBAS site director302 and/orBAS device306. Workstation UI/BAS SCT414 may provide a graphical user interface that looks and behaves differently than the graphical user interface provided byUI server304. Workstation UI/BAS SCT414 may also provide graphical user interfaces for administration ofBAS site director302 and/orUI server304. For example, workstation UI/BAS SCT414 may provide graphical user interfaces for site configuration, user administration, online/advanced reporting, historical data analysis, detailed BAS device command and control, and/or site archive maintenance. Additional features of workstation UI/BAS SCT414 may include maintenance or installation ofUI server304. Aworkstation interface410 and412 forBAS site director302 andBAS device306 may be configured to provide relevant information to workstation UI/BAS SCT414. Workstation UI/BAS SCT414 may be installed on the same computing device asUI server304 andBAS site director302, may be installed onBAS site director302, or may be installed and/or executed on another machine.
• Referring further to the block diagrams ofFIGS. 1-4, it should be appreciated that any suitable past, present, or future technology for the communication of information may be utilized for communicating information between servers, clients, software modules, workstations, and the like. Standard and/or proprietary messaging protocols, transfer protocols, network protocols, and the like may be used by the systems.
• Referring toFIG. 5, a more detailed block diagram of asystem500 of the UI server ofFIG. 3A is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment.UI server502 includes anon-volatile memory504, avolatile memory506, aprocessor508, and acommunication device510.
• Memory ofUI server502 may include bothnon-volatile memory504 andvolatile memory506. Separate devices fornon-volatile memory504 andvolatile memory506 may exist onUI server502.Non-volatile memory504 may be configured so that the contents stored therein may be retained across a length of time (e.g., a power cycle, etc.), such that data from previous system use remains available forUI server502. According to one exemplary embodiment,non-volatile memory504 may store one or more user profiles, display profiles, communication profiles, or any other type of user or system setting file.Volatile memory506 may be configured so that the content stored therein may be erased after an event (e.g., a power cycle) or after a period of time (e.g., a specified time limit, erased-as-needed, etc.).
• Processor508 may be a data processing system or other such system configured to control various functions ofUI server502.Processor508 may include digital or analog processing components and/or be of any past, present, or future design that facilitates control or provides processing features toUI server502.Processor508 may be a single data processing device or multiple data processing devices.Processor508 may be a data processing device having data processing sub-devices or components.Processor508 may include any combination of program software and hardware capable of providing control, display, communications, input features, and output features toUI server502.Processor508 may coordinate, control, and/or facilitate the various devices, components, and features associated withUI server502 and the other components of the system. According to an exemplary embodiment,processor508 is communicably coupled to non-volatile memory having computer code for executing the processes ofUI server502 described in the present application.
• Communication device510 is generally configured to establish acommunication link512 with an outside source. According to an exemplary embodiment,communication link512 is a wired communication link according to a suitable wired protocol and/or technology (e.g., an Ethernet link, a USB link, a an IEEE 1394 link, an optical link, other serial or parallel port technology, etc.). According to various other exemplary embodiments,communication device510 may be configured to form a wireless communication link.Communication link512 may be formed such thatcommunication device510 may be simultaneously connected to multiple sources.Communication device510 may send and receive one or more of data streams, data strings, data files and/or other types of data (e.g., non-file based data). In various exemplary embodiments, the data files and/or non-file based data may include text, numeric data, audio, video, program data, command data, information data, coordinate data, image data, streaming media, message data, computer code, or any combination thereof.
• Referring now toFIG. 6, a more detailed view of the block diagram of aBAS system600 including the software components of the UI server ofFIGS. 3-4 is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment.UI server304 may include aPC web server602, a handheld device (HH)web server610, anapplication server620, and adata server630.
• PC web server602 may include staticweb page components604, dynamicweb page components606, andpage generator608.PC web server602 may be coupled toPC browser308 either via a wired or wireless connection.PC browser308 may communicate withPC web server602 via a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) or other protocol (e.g., secure HTTP or HTTPS).PC browser308 may provide a display for a user similar to that of the user interface ofFIG. 7.
• HH web server610 may generally have the same functionality and components asPC web server602.HH web server610 may be coupled toHH browser310 either via a wired or wireless connection, and may communicate via a HTTP or other protocol.HH browser310 may provide a display for a user similar to that of the user interface ofFIG. 8.
• Display device612 maybe any type of device (e.g., a mobile phone) that may be configured to provide a user interface. The user interface provided bydisplay device612 may be embedded or local to the UI server (e.g., an embedded display, local browser, a local client, etc.).Display device612 may have a local, wired, and/or wireless connection with displaydevice web server614. Displaydevice web server614 may generally have the same functionality and components asPC web server602 andHH web server610.
• Staticweb page components604 may include static data files, image files, text files, hypertext files, and the like. Staticweb page components604 may be utilized bypage generator608 and/or dynamicweb page components606. Dynamicweb page components606 may include active server pages, scripts, object code, software modules, files having style definitions, and the like.
• Page generator608 may be configured to parse static and/or dynamic components and to generate an HTML page according to a standard markup language or other format.
• Application server620 is shown to includenetwork interface622,processing logic624, and other application code and/orother objects626.Application server620 is configured for logical connection to components ofBAS site director302.Application server620 may interpret commands received from the web server, translate the commands into one or more messages configured for the site director, and send the messages to thesite director302.
• Network interface622 may be computer code for formatting, parsing, sending, receiving, and/or otherwise handling communication messages between components of the system (e.g.,BAS site director302,data server630,browsers308,310, etc.).
• Processing logic624 may include computer code for executing the various methods and processes described in the present application. Application code and/orother objects626 may include yet other computer code for supporting the user interface activities described herein.
• Data server630 may includesynchronization data632,dashboard definitions634, andpermissions data636.Data server630 may be communicably coupled toapplication server620.Synchronization data632 may include data that is synchronized to data and/or information residing onBAS site director302. When used in this manner, information need not continually be requested fromBAS site director302 as a user is navigating the graphical user interface.
• Dashboard definitions634 may include settings relating to how graphical user interface views should be displayed.Dashboard definitions634 may include default definitions that define default views for certain user classes, a definition for each user, a default definition set by an administrator, or otherwise.
• Permissions data636 may include rules for defining what information, function, and/or views users or user classes are permitted to use or be shown by the graphical user interface.
• Referring still toFIG. 6, the UI server may receive inputs from and send output to one of the browsers via the a web server. When input is received from the user, the web browser may provide further input toapplication server620 ofFIG. 6, which processes the input and determines a response to the input. A web server of the UI server may receive a response from the application server and use the response to generate one or more GUI elements.Application server620 may be coupled toBAS site director302 anddata server630. Application server may facilitate interaction between the web servers and the data stored (e.g.,site director302 and/or data server630). When a user utilizes the GUI to make a change to a BAS item, the application server may be configured to translate input received from the user via the web server into one or more messages for the site director and/or the data server. For example, if the user utilizes the GUI to change a setpoint for a BAS controller or to temporarily override a schedule, the application server may receive the relevant input, process the input, translate the input into one or more messages for the site director and/or data store, and send the messages. The application may wait to receive a confirmation or other input from the site director before providing a confirmation back to the user via a GUI. It is important to note that any past, present, or future method for communicating queries, commands, and/or other messages may be utilized between the web server, application server, data server, and/or site director.
User Interface Look and Feel
• Referring toFIG. 7, a view of a general layout for aGUI700 that a BAS UI server may be configured to generate is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment.GUI700 may be a UI for a PC or other device with a relatively full-sized screen.GUI700 may be configured to accommodate various PC browser screen resolutions, according to an exemplary embodiment.
• GUI700 as shown may be the general layout for a “master” page configured to be the main or first page provided byGUI700 to a user. The master page may provide a general layout for the various displays and functions of GUI700 (e.g., logging out, switching between functions, etc.). General responsibilities of the main or master page ofGUI700 may include indicating date and time; indicating the current user (e.g., the username of the account currently logged in); providing access to online help, an “About” box; providing a mechanism for setting, switching, and indicating the UI function mode; limiting available function modes based on the user type and authorization; providing product and/or company information and branding; providing a layout for the user interface; and providing a mechanism for logging out a user.
• Various BAS and UI system information may be provided in a variety of views or formats within the UI. The various views may provide actions such as paging, sorting, and filtering to allow users to access desired information. The views may also provide users with standard ways to access help, refresh displayed information, and return to a previous view, among other actions.
• Container701 is shown as part of the UI for the system.Container701 generally includesselection area704 andworkspace area706, and may be dependent upon the active function mode of the user interface. For example, in some function modes,selection area704 may be hidden andcontainer701 may only includeworkspace area706.
• Selection area704 is configured to contain a selection component configured to provide the user with a set of “selection mechanisms” that allow the user to choose the context and/or scope of information to be displayed inworkspace area706.
• According to an exemplary embodiment, the selection mechanisms may be selection trees. Selection trees may be tree-type hierarchies derived from navigation views provided by the user interface. The user may select a tree to display, and select a “node” from within the tree to set the selection context for the workspace view within the various function modes ofarea706. According to other exemplary embodiments, other tree hierarchies such as a spaces tree (e.g., a tree that defines the buildings, floors, and other spaces in a facility) may be used, or non-tree-based mechanisms may be used (e.g., a list of bookmarked items).
• According to one exemplary embodiment, a selection tree (or other selection mechanism) forselection area704 may be static for a single BAS (e.g., the selection tree may provide all building areas for a user to select). According to another exemplary embodiment, the selection tree may not be static for a single BAS. Rather, user permissions or other user and/or situational attributes may be used to determine the context of the selection tree. For example, administrators may have access to contexts not available to regular users. By way of further example, the system may automatically inspect user permissions to determine that a first selection tree should be provided to a first user and a second selection tree should be provided to a second user.
• Workspace area706 may contain workspace components related to an active function being managed by the user or displayed for the user.Workspace area706 displays information within the user interface and also provides access to related tasks and user actions.
• Tasks are operations that a user initiates in order to properly monitor, operate, maintain, and manage a facility. The view displayed for a particular function byworkspace area706 provides a user with a way to accomplish a set of tasks related to the viewed function, such as viewing a set of information, changing values, overriding schedules, or responding to alerts within the facility system and user interface system. Access to the tasks may be provided by the user interface as a textual or graphical link, menu options, or a selection list withinworkspace area706. A task may be accomplished “directly” (e.g., a single mouse click or keyboard stroke) or may require user confirmation and/or input (e.g., user entries within a form). Tasks may be conditionally available based upon the authorization level of the user (e.g., administrator) and the type of information provided byworkspace area706.
• Function bar708 may be designated to display the various function buttons of the user interface.Function bar708 may include buttons for various function modes of the facility system. For example, buttons may be provided for an alerts function mode, a summary function mode, a schedules function mode, a diagnostics function mode, and a tools function mode.
• Function buttons onfunction bar708 may be displayed conditionally, and may vary depending upon the type of user detected (e.g., an administrator may be presented with a different set of buttons than a normal user). Additionally, a button may be pre-selected for a particular user (e.g., the one of the buttons may be selected upon startup of the system).
• Function modes may be selected usingfunction bar708. Each function mode may have a default display assigned, and the active function mode may be changed at any time using function buttons offunction bar708.
• According to an exemplary embodiment, a “dashboard” function mode may provide a single display and may be a collection of workspace views grouped together for a user as a “home page”. According to one exemplary embodiment, the dashboard function mode may be configured to be a default or start-up mode, designated as the active mode upon start-up of the user interface system. The definition and content of the mode may be configured by an administrator or other authorized user of the user interface, according to one exemplary embodiment. The dashboard function mode may provide a layout consisting of one or multiple workspace views.
• A dashboard definition may be applied by the user interface to determine the content of the display in the workspace area of the user interface when the dashboard function is active. The dashboard definition may comprise information such as view type, view context, sort settings, component-specific information, which dashboard information is to be viewed in for dashboard layouts with multiple areas, etc. The dashboard view provided by the dashboard function mode may be altered based upon a user selection (e.g., if a user selects an option that results in a new workspace view, the new view is updated in the dashboard function mode).
• The alerts function mode may provide workspace views that contain information and provide access to tasks relating to detecting and managing alerts within the facility system. According to one exemplary embodiment, views such as alert summaries may be provided to inform a user of an alert, and/or displays that correlate alerts with potential user actions that may be taken within the system may be provided.
• Alert summaries may provide the user of the user interface with alerts that the user is authorized to be provided (e.g., administrators may receive alerts that regular users do not). The summaries may include key information and details of the alert. The summaries may be filtered based on the current selection tree, alert time, or other property if desired, according to an exemplary embodiment. The summaries may additionally provide tasks to a user with tasks relating to responding to the alert. For example, alerts may be viewed, acknowledged, discarded or ignored, etc., and multiple alerts may be managed simultaneously.
• The summary function mode may provide workspace views relating to general summary information and provide access to tasks relating to monitoring and managing the operation of the facility system. Summaries may be provided for a workplace, for particular devices and components (e.g., a device summary), for all devices and components (e.g., a “standard summary”), for control systems, etc. Additionally, a user may be able to generate specific views relating to specific criteria provided by the user.
• As an example, a standard summary may be provided to the user relating to all facility system items (e.g., devices) that are associated with the current selection made by the user. The summary may include key information relating to each item. The standard summary view may include a method for a user to perform various tasks relating to each item. For example, items may be viewed, values of the item may be changed or altered, and a device summary of the item may be generated and provided. Multiple items may be managed simultaneously.
• The device summary that may be displayed via the standard summary may provide a list of facility system items that belong to a selected field device. The device summary may otherwise contain the same information as a standard summary, according to an exemplary embodiment.
• The scheduling function mode may provide workspace views relating to providing information and access to tasks related to scheduling features of the facility system. Types of views produced by the scheduling function may include a schedule summary or schedule details view, a view that shows one or more schedules' projected values for a future date, a view that allows a user to modify scheduled events, etc.
• A schedule summary view may be provided by the scheduling function mode. The schedule summary may list and provide relevant information for all scheduled items associated with a current selection. The schedule summary may include a method for performing the tasks of viewing the schedules, temporarily overriding a schedule, and displaying details (e.g., a task) relating to the schedule. Multiple schedules may be managed simultaneously.
• A schedule details view may also be provided by the scheduling function mode relating to details for a single schedule item. The detailed information may include scheduled items, temporary overrides, projected values, and the schedule's effective period. Tasks relating to the schedule details view may include viewing the details, providing or removing a temporary override, etc. Multiple schedule details may be managed simultaneously.
• The diagnostics function mode may provide workspace views relating to diagnostic information and providing access to tasks needed to monitor and evaluate the performance of the facility system. The views may be related to providing trend summaries and trend details, providing “live” data sampling, providing graphical views of display system performance indicators (e.g., providing a view that simply illustrates system performance of a particular system as good, average, or bad), providing “trend study” information, etc.
• A trend summary view may be provided for trends configured for items and devices associated with the facility system. The trend summary view may include a view of the list of trends and details regarding a single trend. Trends may be enabled or disabled and multiple trends may be managed and/or viewed simultaneously.
• A trend details view may also be provided relating to details for a single trend item and a display of data samples collected by the trend. Trend details may be provided in various types of views (e.g., charts, tables, graphical views, etc.). For example, in a graphical format, the data sampled may be plotted in a chart of values versus time. The data samples may be stored in a historical database. Multiple trend details may be viewed and/or managed simultaneously.
• The tools function mode may provide workspace views relating to providing a user with access to information and utility tasks related to the facility system and user interface system. According to one exemplary embodiment, the mode may be restricted to authorized personnel only (e.g., an administrator). A system administration view may be provided by the mode, allowing the user to start and run an update process for the user interface and/or facility system, among other management tasks.
• Referring toFIG. 8, aGUI800 for display on a handheld device is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. A handheld display may include aheader802 and aworkspace area808.GUI800 may be configured to accommodate various browser screen resolutions of the handheld device.
• Header802 is shown to includebranding logo803 andfunction bar804.Branding logo803 may be any identifier, symbol, etc., and may be text-based, graphical based, or any other type of display.Function bar804 may have similar functionality to functionbar708 ofFIG. 7.Function bar804 may contain more or less buttons thanfunction bar708, based on the window size of the handheld device and other properties. According to one exemplary embodiment,function bar804 includes buttons for function modes such as alerts, summaries, and schedules.Header802 may additionally include other information relating to general usage of the user interface and/or handheld device.Workspace area808 includesscroll bar809 for navigation, and may be similar toworkspace area706 ofFIG. 7 in terms of functionality.
Task Focused User Interface
• Referring toFIG. 9A, a graphical user interface is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. The user interface system includesfunction bar708,workspace area706, andselection area704 as described inFIG. 7.
• Function bar708 includes multiple symbols and indicators for various function modes that may be accessed. For example, inFIG. 9A, abutton920 for a summary mode is shown as highlighted, indicating that the summary mode is the current active mode of the user interface system.
• Workspace area706 may be configured differently based upon the function mode currently selected by a user of the user interface system. For example, for a summary mode, three columns may be shown. According to various exemplary embodiments, the summary mode may include more or less information, rows, and columns.
• Selection area704 displays a selection tree relating to various facility spaces from which information may be viewed. For example, therow922 for “Library” is highlighted, indicating that the current selection relates to a “Library” space in the facility.Workspace area706 may display summary information about the “Library” space as a result. The “Library” space may define the context for the items to be displayed inworkspace area706. In other words, the UI server includes logic for generating aworkspace area706 that only includes items relating to the selected context (e.g., the “Library”).
• One column in the workspace area may be labeled “Item” and may relate to providing the name or other identification of any of the items determined to be displayed inworkspace area706. For example,item902 is labeled “SF-C” (“supply fan command”), which may be an item name or symbol relating to a supply fan control of the BAS. Another column may be labeled “Value” and may relate to a present value associated with each item. For example, the value may be a numerical value, a percentage, a binary or Boolean value, a string, a temperature, etc., depending on the item type and/or particular item.Value904 is illustrated as “off” and may represent thatitem902 is currently in the off state. One column is labeled “Status” and may relate to status information regarding each item. InFIG. 9A, two items are shown as having a “High Alarm” status indicating potential problems determined by computer logic. For example, computer logic may have determined that the sensed temperatures of items AI-3 and OA-T have varied in a significant way from desired setpoints. The values of the associated items are shown as shaded, providing a user with an additional visual warning. Various colors and shading may be used to identify the items and values (e.g., the color “red” may be used to indicate warnings, the color “orange” may indicate values that have been overridden, the color “black” may indicate items that are offline, etc.), or various other identification techniques may be used.
• According to an exemplary embodiment, the UI server is configured to display UI elements for initiating tasks directly with the display of items. For example, underlined values (e.g., value904) may be hyperlinks or other active UI elements configured to initiate a task relating to the item. Advantageously, using this configuration, a user of the graphical user interface may initiate a task from thesame workspace area706 that he or she may be reviewing for other reasons. It is important to note that not every item and/or value includes an associated task that may be initiated via a UI element.
• Referring toFIG. 9B, a view of aform display950 that may be generated when the UI element associated withvalue904 ofFIG. 9A is activated (e.g., clicked, double clicked, etc.) by a user, according to an exemplary embodiment. Usingform display950, a user may be able to change the value for “SF-C,” for example. The UI element associated withvalue904 may be configured to initiate a task to change a value when activated.Display950 may be a pop-up form, a new page, a new screen, or some other graphical user interface for displaying the elements shown inFIG. 9A. Advantageously,form display950 provides plain text instructions for changing the value, identifies the item, and allows the user to select the type of change usingUI control908 and to select the new value usingUI control910.
• Referring toFIG. 9C, a view of an updated user interface system ofFIG. 9A, after the form ofFIG. 9B is submitted, is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. Usingform display950 ofFIG. 9B, the value ofitem902 is shown as changed to “On”.Value904 is also illustrated as being highlighted, indicating a change. In addition,status906 has also changed to “Operator Override” to indicate a change in status based on the change made usingform display950 ofFIG. 9B.
• Referring generally toFIGS. 10A-10D, another task sequence is illustrated, according to an exemplary embodiment.
• Referring first toFIG. 10A, a view of a graphical user interface system is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. In the illustration ofFIG. 10A, thebutton1010 for the schedule function mode onfunction bar708 is highlighted, indicating thatworkspace area706 is configured to display the schedule function mode of the user interface system. The selected context (e.g., indicated by the highlightedrow1012 of the selection tree) is “Floor 2” of “GR Elementary” of a “School District”.
• Workspace area706 is shown to include schedule items determined to relate to the context. Each schedule item may relate to a scheduled event or macro that is stored in the BAS site director. For example, a user may define and store an “Occupancy” schedule. The “Occupancy” schedule may define how BAS setpoints are adjusted according to an expected occupancy schedule for a building space (e.g., “Floor 2”). As the value is listed as “Release,” the graphical user interface indicates that the “OCC Schedule” is not currently active or in control of its scheduled items. Logic in the UI server may determine that the user is authorized to change the schedule so that it is controlling. In order to change the schedule so that it is controlling BAS device activity, the user may select (e.g., click, double click, etc.) a UI element associated with value1002 (e.g., a hyperlink), which is linked to a task to add a temporary override to the system.
• Referring toFIG. 10B, when a UI element associated withvalue1002 ofFIG. 10A is activated, aform display1050 may be generated and displayed, according to an exemplary embodiment.Form display1050 may include the ability to change the schedule's controlling value and to specify a time frame during which the value should be in effect.
• Referring now toFIG. 10C, a view of an updated user interface system ofFIG. 10A is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. The UI element associated withvalue1002 is used to changevalue1002 to an “On” state as a result of a change made viaform display1050 ofFIG. 10B. A user may select (e.g., click, double click, etc.)item1004 to access a view schedule details task.
• Referring toFIG. 10D, another view of a user interface system is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment.Workspace area706 shows a schedule details view that may be selected from the workspace ofFIG. 10A orFIG. 10C by activating the UI element associated withitem1004. The schedule details view may provide detailed information regarding an individual schedule for an individual item.
• Referring generally toFIGS. 9A-10D, the various values, states, and other data provided inworkspace area706 may be changed in various ways. According to one exemplary embodiment, the data may be static (e.g., the data does not update once displayed unless a user operates a user control of the UI). According to another exemplary embodiment, item data may update and refresh without a user input. The UI server may synchronize with the BAS site director at a regular frequency, and may provide the UI with an update. The update may provide changed data for particular items only, or the update may provide all data for all items and the UI may use logic to determine data to update inworkspace area706.
• According to yet another exemplary embodiment, the BAS site director and/or UI server may detect changes within the facility regarding data for an item. Upon detection, the BAS site director and/or UI server may “push” the data to the UI server, and an application on the UI server may trigger an update process with the UI such that the data provided onworkspace area706 is updated.
• Referring toFIG. 11A, a flow diagram of amethod1100 of generating a graphical user interface is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. A UI command is received to generate a view for display for a user (step1102). Based upon the command, the context and content of the view may be determined (step1104). The context may be a building space, device, and/or a collection of related items that the user may wish to be displayed on the user interface. The context may be set based on user selections from a selection tree. The content is information related to the context that is displayed. The content may include items such as schedules, BAS device controllers, BAS devices, or the like.
• Tasks relating to the content are determined (step1106). A view is generated for a user or client of the user interface for display (step1108) such that a user may view, change, or otherwise manage the tasks. The view may include user interface elements for the tasks of the content.
• Referring toFIG. 11B, a more detailed flow diagram of amethod1150 of generating a display for a user of the user interface is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. A UI command is received to generate a view for display for a user (step1152). The view may be related to a function (e.g., a top level function) of the facility.
• The function selected by the user is determined by the system (step1154). Based upon the selected function, the current task view for the function may be determined by the system (step1156). The current task view may relate to the view provided in the workspace area of the user interface system. The user context may be determined (step1158). The user context may relate to a building space, device, and/or a collection of related items that the user may wish to be displayed on the user interface. The user context may be comprised of multiple items (e.g., devices, controllers, sensors, etc.).
• Each item of the user context is determined (step1160). For each item of the user context, filter criteria is determined (step1162). Filter criteria may be user defined or system defined. Filter criteria may be used to determine if an item should be displayed in the user interface or what properties or components of the item should be displayed.
• Each item associated with the user context may have one or more tasks associated with the item (step1164). For each possible task, a determination is made as to whether the task is applicable or supported by the facility (step1166) and as to whether the task is authorized to be performed for the current user of the user interface (step1168). If the steps indicate that the task is not applicable, supported, or authorized for the current user, the task is skipped and the next task is found. Otherwise, the task may be provided to the user of the user interface (step1170) such that the task may be performed if desired by the user.
• Once all tasks are provided or rejected for an item, the next item associated with the user context is determined (step1172). Once all tasks for all items associated with the user context have been analyzed, a view may be generated on the user interface (step1174). The view may include all applicable items associated with the user context, including all associated tasks for each applicable item.
Filter Based Activity
• According to an exemplary embodiment,workspace area706 ofFIG. 7 may provide a list of all items of a building space or other context. According to another exemplary embodiment, systems and methods to allow a user to filter through all the items to display for a given function and/or context are provided. In other words, a mechanism for allowing a user to define data filters is provided. The data filters result in only a certain selection of items being shown inworkspace area706. For example, a user may be able to filter for a subset of items within a building space, and the result of the search may be provided inworkspace area706, instead ofworkspace area706 listing all items within the building space or other context.
• According to an exemplary embodiment, filters are created by building a filter definition. A filter definition defines the data to be displayed (in workspace area706) in the context of a selected building space, user view folder, or other context. A filter definition may be pre-defined by a site administrator or created and/or edited by a user. Pre-stored or created filter definitions may be accessed and/or applied by the user via any number of methods (e.g., filters may be applied via a button press, a custom item on the selection tree, a pop-up menu, a “hot key,” or otherwise). According to an exemplary embodiment, filter definitions may be accessible via a folder with a fixed location within the selection component of the user interface. Some filter definitions may apply to any type of function view and/or context. Other filter definitions may be configured to only effect a subset of building spaces or user-defined contexts. One or more filter definitions may be associated with a building space, user view folder, or other context. Furthermore, a single filter definition may be associated with multiple building spaces, user view folders, and/or other contexts.
• Filter definitions may be applied to various contexts. For example, a filter definition may be applied to a building space (e.g., a library) and the resulting view inworkspace area706 may relate to the filter definition. If a filter definition does not exist for a particular context, a default view may be provided. Multiple filter definitions may be used for a single context. The filter definition may be adjusted for the type of user interface used (e.g., a UI for a PC may be able to display more details than a UI for a handheld device; therefore, the filter definition may be altered if a handheld device is being used).
• Referring now toFIG. 12A, a view of auser interface1200 for configuring filter definitions is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment.UI1200 may display (e.g., pop-up) when a user activates a UI element to create a filter definition. According to an exemplary embodiment, a workstation system (e.g., workstation UI/BAS SCT414 shown inFIG. 4) may be used to generate user interfaces for configuring filter definitions. According to yet other exemplary embodiments, user interfaces for configuring filter definitions may be generated by the UI Server, the workstation UI, or the UI server and the workstation UI. While a variety of user interfaces for building a filter definition may be provided, a row and column based method is provided according to various exemplary embodiments. Such a method may advantageously be intuitive for users given the row and column based output that the application of the filter definition may provide.
• Users may begin building a filter definition by creating a row definition. Creating a row definition includes selecting to include certain item requirements (e.g., via control1202) and/or criteria requirements (e.g., via control1204) beyond the basic item requirements. For example, as shown inFIG. 12A, the user has selected to require the items to meet the “field controller” requirement. The user has also selected that the items include a name having “VAV” or “FEC” as the first three letters. Further, the user has selected that the field controller be associated with a HVAC and that the reference field for the item contains the string “FEC” or “VAV”.
• After a row definition is created, a user may continue building a filter definition by then creating a column definition. Anexemplary user interface1250 is shown inFIG. 12B for creating the column definition. Column definitions may be used for further filtering (e.g., excluding of items) or may be used to format and/or select item attributes for display in the results. A user may define a column label (e.g., using control1252) followed by criteria (e.g. using control1254) that information displayed in the column must meet in order to be displayed.
• Referring yet further toFIG. 12B, columns may be added by clickingbutton1256 and removed by clickingbutton1258. During creation and/or editing of a filter,definition panel1260 is updated that displays the presently selected row and/or column criteria of the filter. According to an exemplary embodiment items ondefinition panel1260 may not be directly edited but may be selected (e.g., clicked) and then edited using controls such as1252 and1254. According to other exemplary embodiments, information on the definition panel is directly editable.
• Once created and/or edited, the filter definition may be saved viabutton1262 or via another method. Filter definitions may be saved for a user and stored in memory of the UI server and/or saved to the site director and periodically synchronized with the site director. Once saved, filter definitions may be applied to selected contexts. An exemplary view of aresult screen1280 is shown inFIG. 12C.Workspace area706 is shown to include aresult area1284 and anadditional information area1282.Additional information area1282 may display information falling outside of the filter definition but nevertheless desired to be viewed on the same screen as the results by the user. According to an exemplary embodiment, one or more user interface screens (e.g., pop-ups) may be provided for a user to create an additional information definition that will be associated with one or more filter definitions. In the example shown inFIG. 12C, the user has elected to display the name of the site shown relating to the search results and/or selected in the selection tree. It is important to note that the results need not be displayed in a traditional row column format, but may be tiled (as shown inFIG. 12C) or displayed in some other manner.
• Referring generally toFIGS. 12A and 12B, the method of configuring filter definitions may use any type of logic to determine qualifying items based upon the configured filter definitions. For example, inFIG. 12A, the same item (“Name”) is shown as accepting two different strings as a valid input. The logic for the filter definition may use a logical OR statement to find all such names that contain either the string “VAV” or “FEC”. Once all like items are logically OR'd together as a group, different items may be joined together using a logical AND statement to find all valid items that fit the criteria specified by the user. For example, items that have either the string “VAV” or “FEC” in the “Name” of the item may be logically AND'd together with all items which “Object Category” equals “HVAC”.
• Referring now toFIG. 13A, amethod1300 is shown for establishing a filter definition that may be used by a UI server (or other component) to filter items to be displayed on a building automation system graphical user interface provided to a client device and for interaction by a user.Method1300 includes generating a computer based form (e.g., a form shown inFIG. 12A and/or12B, a pop-up window, a new screen, a new page, etc.) for allowing a user to enter filter criteria (step1302). Once the filter criteria is received via the computer form, a filter definition may be created using received filter criteria (step1304). The filter definition may include a table of filter values, a query string (e.g., a structured query language (SQL) string), object code, computer code, a markup language file (e.g., an extensible markup language file), or another data structure suitable for defining a query or filter. The created filter may then be saved to memory (step1306). The filter may be saved to a memory associated with the UI server and/or memory associated with the site director. According to an exemplary embodiment, the filter is primarily stored and retained in the site director.
• Referring now toFIG. 13B, afurther method1350 for generating the graphical user interface view is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. The method may supplementFIG. 13A and/or the steps of13B may be integrated into or between various steps ofFIG. 13A.Method1350 includes providing an interface to associate a filter with a selected building space (step1352).Method1350 may further include relating the saved filter to the selected building space (step1354) and saving the association (e.g., in a text file, relational database, or another data structure). It is important to note that a plurality of building spaces may be associated with the saved filter (e.g., step1356). Associating multiple building spaces with a filter may be accomplished by copying the filter to and associating the copy with a building space (e.g., by specifically naming the copied filter, by placing the copy of the filter in a folder or other memory location associated with the second building space, by using a relational database, by using a flat text file, or by using any other suitable data structure). Additionally, the same filter may be associated and/or linked to multiple building spaces without copying the filter, allowing a single change to the filter to be applied to all building spaces associated with the filter.Method1350 may further include providing an interface for allowing the user to choose between automatic application of the filter definition and a standard summary associated with the building space (step1358).Step1358 may allow the user to set a “new” default screen or view for a function mode, context, and/or building space. This may advantageously allow the user to initially view only those items he or she is most interested in, rather than all items associated with a function mode, context, and/or building space. The decision regarding the default filter and/or standard summary may be stored in a user profile, a configuration file relating to the user, another configuration file, or another suitable data structure. According to an exemplary embodiment, the system is further configured to copy the filter definition to a first profile (or other configuration file) associated with a first user and a second profile associated with a second user (step1360). The administrator may be the only user able to conduct such copying or the user may be able to copy his or her created filter definitions to other users' profiles. This feature may advantageously allow users of a building automation system to collaboratively increase the efficiency of the users' experience.
• Referring further toFIG. 13B, associating filters with spaces and/or users may include associating a filter with a folder or node of a selection tree. According to an exemplary embodiment, once associated with a folder or node, selecting or activating the filter will include and filter items in subfolders of the folder. According to other exemplary embodiments, the subfolders' folders will also be included in the search and filtered.
• Referring now toFIG. 13C, a flow diagram of a method1370 of a UI server using a filter definition to provide a GUI for a user is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. According to another exemplary embodiment, the GUI itself may use the filter definition to provide a GUI for a user. The saved filter definition (e.g., the filter definition saved instep1306 ofFIG. 13A) may be applied (step1308) to a set of building automation system data items. The application may occur, for example, after a user selects a new context that has been associated with the filter, after the user selects the filter for application to a context, after the user selects a new function mode, when a user selects a filter definition, or by any other number of triggering acts. Once applied (manually or dynamically) a graphical user interface or user interface view/area may be generated and provided to the UI, including the results of the applied filter definition (step1310). The look of the results may approximate that shown in the other Figures or otherwise. The application of a filter definition may include querying a data store and/or site director in a certain way. Alternatively, a complete set of data may be provided from the data store and/or site director and the filter may suppress which results are displayed to the user.
• According to an alternative exemplary embodiment, a method of filtering items may be provided inworkspace area706 or elsewhere on the UI such that a user may filter through items or other objects of the facility without navigating through the screens illustrated inFIGS. 12A and 12B, for example. Such a method may allow for dynamic filtering of items listed inworkspace area706. One or more UI controls may be provided onworkspace area706 and/or on another portion of the UI. A user may operate a control, indicating a change in filter preference or otherwise. The list of item inworkspace area706 may dynamically change, updating the list of items provided in “real time”. For example, a UI control such as a drop down box may be provided, the drop down box including a list of item types. Upon selection of an item type, the system may exclude all items not being of the selected item type for display.
• While the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures and described herein are presently preferred, it should be understood that the embodiments are offered by way of example only. Accordingly, the present application is not limited to a particular embodiment, but extends to various modifications that nevertheless fall within the scope of the appended claims.
• The present application contemplates methods, systems and products on any machine-readable media for accomplishing various operations. The embodiments of the present application may be implemented using existing computer processors, or by a special purpose computer processor for an appropriate system, incorporated for this or another purpose or by a hardwired system.
• It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the interface components or hardware components as shown in the various exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present application. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. In the claims, any means-plus-function clause is intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present application.
• Embodiments within the scope of the present application include program products comprising machine-readable media for carrying or having machine executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way of example, such machine readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. When information is transferred or provided over a network or another communications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired or wireless) to a machine, the machine properly views the connection as a machine-readable medium. Thus, any such connection is properly termed a machine-readable medium. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of machine-readable media. Machine-executable instructions comprise, for example, instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing machines to perform a certain function or group of functions.
• It should be noted that although the figures may show a specific order of method steps, it is understood that the order of the steps may differ from what is depicted. Also two or more steps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence. Such variation will depend on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. All such variations are within the scope of the application. Likewise, software implementations could be accomplished with standard programming techniques with rule based logic and other logic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps, comparison steps and decision steps.

Claims (21)

1. A system for providing a graphical user interface to a user of a building automation system via a client, the building automation system including a plurality of building devices, the system comprising:

a processor; and

a memory unit communicably connected to the processor and including:

computer code for controlling the plurality of building devices;

computer code for providing the graphical user interface to the client; and

computer code for generating a plurality of user interface elements for providing to a single view on the graphical user interface, each of the user interface elements associated with a task relating to a building device.

2. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising:

computer code for generating a task interface and for providing the task interface to the client, the task interface including at least one instruction element and at least one adjustable control.

3. The system ofclaim 2, wherein the task interface includes a second adjustable control.

4. The system ofclaim 2, further comprising:

computer code for utilizing input provided by the at least one adjustable control to send a control message to the computer code for controlling the plurality of building devices.

5. The system ofclaim 2, further comprising:

computer code for displaying the task interface in response to user activation of one of the plurality of user interface elements.

6. A method for providing a graphical user interface view to a user of a building automation system, the method comprising:

receiving a user interface command to generate a view relating to a function mode;

determining a user context based on the function mode;

determining a set of items associated with the user context and qualifying for inclusion on the graphical user interface view;

determining whether a task should be provided for each item of the set of items; and

generating the graphical user interface view, the graphical user interface view comprising a representation of each item of the set of items and a representation of the task.

7. The method ofclaim 6, wherein the graphical user interface view is configured for viewing via a handheld device.

8. The method ofclaim 6, wherein the set of items includes at least one item relating to a building device.

9. The method ofclaim 6, further comprising:

receiving data relating to the set of items from a building site director communicably coupled to a plurality of building devices, the data relating to the building devices; and

storing the data.

10. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the step of determining whether a task should be provided for each item includes accessing the data.

11. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the step of generating the graphical user interface view includes accessing the data.

12. The method ofclaim 6, wherein the representation of the task is one of a hyperlink or a button for initiating the task.

13. The method ofclaim 12, wherein initiating the task includes beginning a software routine to temporarily override a setting relating to a schedule and/or a setpoint relating to a building automation system.

14. A system for providing a graphical user interface to a user of a building automation system via a client, the building automation system including a building automation site director, the system comprising:

a processor; and

memory communicably connected to the processor, the memory comprising:

computer code for communicating with the client;

computer code for communicating with the building automation site director;

computer code for presenting a graphical user interface to the client, the graphical user interface configured to allow the user to select a function mode and a context via the client;

computer code for determining a set of tasks to be provided to the graphical user interface based on the selected function mode and context; and

computer code for providing an update to the graphical user interface via the client, the update including user interface elements representing the tasks of the set of tasks.

15. The system ofclaim 14, further comprising computer code for sending a message to the building automation site director in response to user interaction with the interface elements representing the tasks.

16. The system ofclaim 14, further comprising a first web server for responding to requests from the client, the first web server configured to serve web pages formatted for handheld electronic devices.

17. The system ofclaim 16, further comprising:

a second web server configured to serve web pages formatted for a screen of a personal computer.

18. The system ofclaim 14, wherein one of the user interface elements is configured to initiate computer code for allowing the user to temporarily override a scheduled event.

19. The system ofclaim 14, wherein one of the user interface elements is configured to initiate computer code for allowing the user to change a value.

20. The system ofclaim 19, wherein the one of the user interface elements is a hyperlink.

21. The system ofclaim 14, further comprising:

computer code for dynamically updating a value displayed on the graphical user interface when the value is changed in the system, the updating completed without requiring user input.

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