Systems and methods for scheduling the operation of building resources

Abstract

Described herein are systems and methods for scheduling the operation of building resources. In overview, some embodiments provide a central interface for allowing the scheduling of a large number of devices within a building, irrespective of the manufacturer or scheduling requirements of the individual devices. For example, one embodiment provides, a software product that executes on a processor for allowing a user to submit scheduling preference in relation to one or more building resources. The software package analyses and applies these preferences across the devices described by the building resource or resources.

1 . A method for scheduling building resources, the method including the steps of:
 (a) receiving data indicative of user-defined scheduling information, the user-defined scheduling information being indicative of time-specific operation preferences for one or more building resources;   (b) being responsive to the user-defined scheduling information for identifying a set of one or more target devices related to the building resource or resources;   (c) for each identified target device, obtaining a device-specific scheduling protocol from a repository of device-specific scheduling protocols;   (d) providing device-specific scheduling information to each of the target devices in accordance with the target devices' respective device-specific scheduling protocols thereby to apply the time-specific operation preferences.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein applying the time-specific operation preferences includes:
 processing the time specific operation preferences on the basis of a set of operation rules;   on the basis of the processing, defining time-specific operation settings for each target device; and   providing to each target device, in accordance with its respective device specific scheduling protocol, scheduling information corresponding to its respectively defined time-specific operation settings.   
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the repository of device-specific scheduling protocols is expandable to include additional device specific scheduling protocols, thereby to provide compatibility with further target devices. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein, for each device, the device-specific scheduling protocol is indicative of a communications protocol and a schedule storage protocol. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . A method for scheduling building resources, the method including the steps of:
 (a) on the basis of user-defined scheduling information, defining time-specific operation settings for one or more building resources;   (b) being responsive to the user-defined scheduling information for identifying a first set of target devices related to the building resource or resources;   (c) for each identified target device, obtaining a device-specific scheduling protocol from a repository of device-specific scheduling protocols;   (d) providing device-specific scheduling information to each of the target devices in accordance with the target devices' respective device-specific scheduling protocols thereby to apply the time-specific operation settings.   
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 6  including the steps of:
 comparing, for a given target device, first data indicative of time-specific operation settings for that device with second data indicative of scheduling information loaded on that device;   in the event that an inconsistency is identified between the first data and the second data, providing to the target device further scheduling information in accordance with the target devices' respective device-specific scheduling protocol thereby to resolve the inconsistency.   
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7  wherein the step of comparing is performed for each target device. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 7  wherein the step of comparing is performed periodically. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 7  wherein the second data is maintained remotely of the target device. 
     
     
         11 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A method for scheduling building resources, the method including the steps of:
 receiving data indicative of user-defined scheduling information, the user-defined scheduling information being indicative of time-specific operation preferences for one or more building resources;   identifying a set of target devices affected by the scheduling information;   on the basis of operation rules, defining operation settings corresponding to the operation preferences;   monitoring scheduling information loaded on each of the target devices to identify inconsistencies between the loaded scheduling information and the operation settings; and   being responsive to an inconsistency relating to a given target device for providing to that device consistent scheduling information, wherein the scheduling information is provided in accordance with a device-specific scheduling protocol for that device.   
     
     
         14 . A method for scheduling building resources according to  claim 13  wherein monitoring scheduling information loaded on each of the target devices includes monitoring a central repository of data indicative of scheduling information loaded on each of the target devices. 
     
     
         15 - 16 . (canceled)