System, Method and Apparatus for Integrated Building Operations Management

Abstract

A system, method and apparatus for integrated building operations management. Nodes in the sensor network can be configured to interface with a building control system to exchange sensor-related information.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method, comprising:
 receiving, by a first communication interface in an interface device, sensor data measurements generated by a plurality of sensors contained in a corresponding plurality of wireless node devices, wherein the plurality of wireless node devices are installed in a building in which the interface device is installed;   storing, by the interface device, the received sensor data measurements in a memory of the interface device;   receiving, by a second communication interface in the interface device, a request for one or more of the sensor data measurements from a building control system device in the building, the building control system device connected to the interface device via a wired connection, the wired connection supporting a Building Automation Control Network (BACnet) protocol; and   transmitting, by the second communication interface, a response that includes the one or more of the sensor data measurements to the building control system device using the BACnet protocol.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of wireless node devices includes a plurality of indoor air quality sensors. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of indoor air quality sensors includes particulate matter and volatile organic compound sensors. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of indoor air quality sensors further includes a carbon dioxide sensor. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the building control system device controls a Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) function in the building. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first communication interface is a wireless communication interface. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the wireless communication interface is based on the IEEE 802.15.4 protocol. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the wireless communication interface enables communication with a gateway device. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the gateway device forms a wireless network with the plurality of wireless node devices. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor data measurements stored in the memory are processed by a host system at a location remote from the building. 
     
     
         11 . An interface device, comprising
 a first communication interface that enables the device to receive sensor data measurements generated by a plurality of sensors contained in a corresponding plurality of wireless node devices, wherein the plurality of wireless node devices are installed in a building in which the interface device is installed;   a memory configured to store the received sensor data measurements; and   a second communication interface enabled via a wired connection between the interface device and a building control system device in a building, the wired connection supporting a Building Automation Control Network (BACnet) protocol, which enables the building control system device to retrieve the sensor data measurements from the interface device using the BACnet protocol.   
     
     
         12 . The interface device of  claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of wireless node devices includes a plurality of indoor air quality sensors. 
     
     
         13 . The interface device of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of indoor air quality sensors includes particulate matter and volatile organic compound sensors. 
     
     
         14 . The interface device of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of indoor air quality sensors further includes a carbon dioxide sensor. 
     
     
         15 . The interface device of  claim 11 , wherein the building control system device controls a Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) function in the building. 
     
     
         16 . The interface device of  claim 11 , wherein the first communication interface is a wireless communication interface. 
     
     
         17 . The interface device of  claim 16 , wherein the wireless communication interface is based on the IEEE 802.15.4 protocol. 
     
     
         18 . The interface device of  claim 16 , wherein the wireless communication interface enables communication with a gateway device. 
     
     
         19 . The interface device of  claim 18 , wherein the gateway device forms a wireless network with the plurality of wireless node devices. 
     
     
         20 . The interface device of  claim 11 , wherein the sensor data measurements stored in the memory are processed by a host system at a location remote from the building.