{"schema_version":"1.0","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853827","patent":{"patent_number":"US-9853827","title":"Automated device discovery on a building network","assignee":null,"inventors":[],"filing_date":"2015-06-16T00:00:00.000Z","publication_date":"2017-12-26T00:00:00.000Z","cpc_codes":["H04L","H04L","H04L"],"num_claims":19,"abstract":"Techniques and solutions are provided for performing automated device discovery over a network operating according to the building automation and control network (BACnet) protocol standard (a BACnet network). For example, automated device discovery on a BACnet network can be performed via automated processing of BACnet traffic without going through a manual discovery and configuration process, and without binding to BACnet devices. For example, who-is and I-am BACnet messages can be used to identify BACnet devices on the network and their property values can be read and displayed (e.g., in a dashboard interface). BACnet devices can also be queried to determine their supported properties."},"analysis":{"summary":"Automated Device Discovery on a Building Network is a patented technology designed to streamline the process of identifying and managing devices within a building's automation and control network, particularly those operating under the BACnet protocol. The core innovation lies in automating device discovery through passive monitoring of BACnet traffic, eliminating the need for manual configuration and device binding. This technology solves the problem of time-consuming and error-prone manual device discovery, which is a significant challenge in managing complex building automation systems.\n\nThe key technical approach involves automated processing of BACnet 'who-is' and 'I-am' messages to identify devices on the network and retrieve their properties. These properties are then displayed in a user-friendly dashboard interface, providing operators with real-time visibility into the network's devices and their status. The system can also query devices to determine their supported properties, enhancing its adaptability to a wide range of BACnet-compliant devices.\n\nThe business value of Automated Device Discovery on a Building Network lies in its ability to reduce labor costs, improve operational efficiency, and enhance system reliability. By automating the discovery process, building operators can save significant time and money associated with device management. The real-time visibility provided by the system enables proactive maintenance and troubleshooting, reducing the risk of downtime and improving overall system performance.\n\nThe market opportunity for this technology is substantial, as the demand for smart building solutions continues to grow. The increasing complexity of building automation systems requires more efficient and automated management tools, making Automated Device Discovery on a Building Network a valuable asset for building managers and operators. This innovation is poised to become an essential component of modern building automation systems, enabling smarter, more responsive, and more sustainable buildings.","layman_explanation":"Automated Device Discovery on a Building Network addresses a significant challenge in managing modern buildings: the complexity of building automation systems. These systems, which control everything from lighting and heating to security and ventilation, rely on a network of interconnected devices. Traditionally, identifying and configuring these devices has been a manual, time-consuming, and error-prone process.\n\n**1. What Problem Does This Solve?**\nThe core problem is the inefficiency of manual device discovery and configuration. In large buildings with hundreds or thousands of devices, this process can take days or even weeks, requiring specialized expertise and leading to potential errors. Existing solutions often fall short because they lack the automation and real-time visibility needed to effectively manage these complex networks.\n\n**2. How Does It Work?**\nThis technology works by automatically identifying devices on a building's network using the BACnet protocol, a standard communication language for building automation systems. Think of it as a translator that allows different devices to talk to each other. The system passively monitors network traffic, looking for specific messages that devices send when they join the network. By analyzing these messages, the system can automatically identify the device type, manufacturer, and other key properties. It's like having a detective that can instantly identify everyone in a room without having to ask them their names.\n\n**3. Why Does This Matter?**\nThe significance of this innovation lies in its potential to transform the way buildings are managed. By automating the device discovery process, it reduces labor costs, improves operational efficiency, and enhances system reliability. This can lead to significant cost savings for building owners and operators, as well as improved comfort and safety for building occupants. The market impact is substantial, as the demand for smart building solutions continues to grow. This technology provides a competitive advantage by enabling more efficient and cost-effective building management.\n\n**4. What's Next?**\nThe future applications of this technology are vast. As building automation systems become increasingly integrated with other building systems, such as energy management and security, the need for automated device discovery will only grow. Market adoption is expected to accelerate as building owners and operators recognize the significant cost savings and operational benefits. Investment implications are positive, as this technology represents a key enabler of the smart building revolution. The potential for integration with other IoT devices and systems further expands the market opportunity.","technical_analysis":"Automated Device Discovery on a Building Network leverages the Building Automation and Control Network (BACnet) protocol to automate the identification and management of devices within a building. The technical architecture revolves around a passive monitoring system that captures BACnet traffic, specifically 'who-is' and 'I-am' messages. These messages are parsed to extract essential device information, such as device type, vendor ID, and object name. The extracted data is then stored in a database for easy access and management.\n\nThe implementation involves sophisticated algorithms for parsing BACnet messages and identifying device properties. The system also includes a mechanism for automatically querying devices for their supported properties using BACnet 'read-property' requests. This dynamic discovery process ensures that the system can adapt to a wide range of BACnet-compliant devices. Integration with existing building automation systems is achieved through standard BACnet interfaces, minimizing disruption to existing operations.\n\nPerformance characteristics are optimized for scalability and efficiency. The system is designed to handle a large number of devices without compromising performance. This is achieved through efficient data structures and algorithms, as well as by distributing the workload across multiple servers. Code-level implications involve careful consideration of network security. The system must be designed to prevent unauthorized access to device information and to protect against malicious attacks. This is achieved by implementing strong authentication and authorization mechanisms, as well as by encrypting network traffic.\n\nThe system architecture also includes a user-friendly dashboard interface that provides real-time visibility into network devices and their status. The dashboard allows operators to monitor devices, troubleshoot issues, and configure settings. The overall architecture is designed to be modular and extensible, allowing for future enhancements and integrations with other building systems. The system's reliance on standard BACnet protocols ensures interoperability with a wide range of devices and systems. The development of this technology highlights the importance of leveraging existing protocols to create innovative solutions for building automation.","business_analysis":"Automated Device Discovery on a Building Network presents a significant market opportunity within the rapidly growing smart building sector. The increasing complexity of building automation systems and the demand for greater efficiency and sustainability are driving the need for more automated and intelligent management tools. This technology addresses this need by automating the device discovery process, reducing labor costs, and improving operational efficiency.\n\nThe competitive advantages of Automated Device Discovery on a Building Network include its non-intrusive nature, its ability to automatically query devices for their supported properties, and its user-friendly dashboard interface. These features differentiate it from traditional manual device discovery methods and provide a compelling value proposition for building managers and operators. The revenue potential for this technology is substantial. It can be monetized through software licensing, subscription services, and integration with other building automation systems.\n\nThe business model for Automated Device Discovery on a Building Network can be based on a recurring revenue model, with customers paying a monthly or annual subscription fee for access to the software and its features. The strategic positioning of this technology is as a key enabler of smart building solutions. By automating the device discovery process, it helps to create more intelligent and responsive building automation systems. ROI projections for this technology are highly favorable. The reduction in labor costs and the improvement in operational efficiency can result in significant cost savings for building managers and operators. The increasing demand for smart building solutions and the competitive advantages of this technology make it a compelling investment opportunity.","faqs":null,"topics":["BACnet device discovery","building automation","smart building","network management","device identification"],"tech_cluster":null},"seo":{"title":"Automated Device Discovery on a Building Network - Patent US-9853827","description":"Automate BACnet device discovery with this groundbreaking patent. Streamline building automation, reduce costs, and improve efficiency. Full analysis & claims.","keywords":["BACnet device discovery","building automation","smart building","network management","device identification","automation","patent","patent US-9853827"]},"attribution":{"source":"Patentable","source_url":"https://patentable.app","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853827","license":"CC-BY-4.0-like","license_terms":"AI-generated analysis on this page (summary, layman_explanation, technical_analysis, business_analysis, faqs) may be reused with attribution and a visible link back to the canonical URL above. Patent abstracts, claims, and bibliographic data are USPTO public domain.","required_link":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853827","citation_suggestion":"Patentable. \"Automated device discovery on a building network\" (US-9853827). https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853827","copyright_holder":"Nomic Interactive Technology LLC"},"links":{"html":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853827","json":"https://patentable.app/api/llm-context/US-9853827","site":"https://patentable.app","llms_txt":"https://patentable.app/llms.txt"},"generated_at":"2026-05-30T05:47:50.239Z"}