BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to building automation systems, and more particularly to user interactions with a building automation system (BAS).

A building automation system (BAS) is, in general, a system of devices configured to control, monitor, and manage equipment in or around a building or building area. A BAS can include a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, a security system, a lighting system, a fire alerting system, another system that is capable of managing building functions or devices, or any combination thereof. BAS devices can be installed in any environment (e.g., an indoor area or an outdoor area) and the environment can include any number of buildings, spaces, zones, rooms, or areas. A BAS can include a variety of devices (e.g., HVAC devices, controllers, chillers, fans, sensors, music, lighting, etc.) configured to facilitate monitoring and controlling the building space.

The status of equipment and/or devices within a BAS is typically controlled and monitored by field controllers within the BAS. The field controllers push the corresponding data to a server (or servers) that run monitoring and control software. Collected data can be stored in a server database. The data can include sensor readings or metrics associated with the readings, events that are generated by the equipment (e.g., alarms, warnings, etc.). The BAS software can generally collect the data and display it to a user (e.g., trained operator) through a user interface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One implementation of the present disclosure is a system for user interaction with a building automation system (BAS). The system includes a user device configured to accept vocal inputs and produce audio outputs, and a server in communication with the user device and a BAS controller. The server is configured to translate a vocal input to input text, and determine and store a conversation context based on the input text. The server is further configured to determine a desired output corresponding to the input text. Additionally, the server is configured to receive, from the BAS controller, BAS data corresponding to the desired output, and generate at least one audio output from the BAS data. The user device outputs the at least one audio output, and the server is configured to apply the conversation context to a subsequent vocal input.

In some embodiments, the system further includes updating a BAS parameter based on the desired output. Additionally, in some embodiments, the vocal input corresponds to a request to add a new user, and updating the BAS parameter includes adding the new user to a BAS database and providing corresponding access rights.

In some embodiments, the BAS data corresponds to a detected equipment fault, the server further configured to submit a maintenance request and alert a user via the at least one audio output. In some embodiments, the maintenance request includes at least an equipment name, a location, and fault data. Further, in some embodiments, the maintenance request includes an order and payment for a replacement part.

In some embodiments, the BAS data corresponds to a detected equipment fault, the server further configured to determine a plurality of potential fault causes. Addiitonally, the server is configured to calculate a probability for each potential fault cause, and determine the potential fault with a highest probability. In some embodiments, the at least one audio output corresponds to the potential fault with the highest probability.

Another implementation of the present disclosure is a method of user interaction with a building automation system (BAS). The method includes determining a first user input, and determining a conversation context based on the first user input. The method further includes receiving BAS data from a BAS controller, the BAS data corresponding to the first user input. Additionally, the method includes providing, to a user, a first output corresponding to the BAS data, and determining a second user input. The method further includes forming a second output based on the second user input and the conversation context, and providing, to the user, the second output.

In some embodiments, the method includes determining a user ID, and customizing each of the first output and the second output, based on the user ID. Further, in some embodiments, the method further includes determining access rights corresponding to the user ID, and updating a BAS parameter based on at least one of the first user input and the second user input, the access rights including updating the BAS parameter.

In some embodiments, the method includes accessing a BAS database to determine the BAS data, comparing the second output to the first output to determine a preferred output corresponding to the first user input, and updating the BAS database with the preferred output.

In some embodiments, providing the first output and the second output includes displaying the first output and the second output via a user interface. Further, the method includes displaying a list of selectable options corresponding to the first output, detecting a user selection corresponding to the second user input, and reprioritizing the list of selectable options for subsequent inputs, based on the user selection.

In some embodiments, the conversation context includes intent and entity parameters corresponding to the first user input. In some embodiments, the method further includes resetting the conversation context when a new user provides an input. In some embodiments, the method further includes resetting the conversation context after a threshold amount of time without subsequent user inputs.

Another implementation of the present disclosure is a user device for communicating with a building automation system (BAS). The user device includes a proximity sensor configured to determine a user location with respect to the user device. The user device further includes a microphone configured to accept vocal inputs from a user, a speaker configured to produce audio outputs to the user, and a processor in communication with the proximity sensor, the microphone, and the speaker. The processor is configured to receive user location data from the proximity sensor, and receive a vocal input from the microphone. The processor is further configured to store, in a memory, context parameters corresponding to the vocal input and the user location data. The processor is further configured to determine a desired output corresponding to the vocal input, update an operating parameter within the BAS based on the desired output, and provide an audio output to the speaker, the audio output based on the desired output. Further, the processor analyzes a subsequent vocal input using the context parameters, prior to providing a subsequent audio output.

In some embodiments, the operating parameter corresponds to BAS equipment associated with the user location.

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to determine a user ID from the vocal input, determine access rights corresponding to the user ID, and verify that the access rights comprise updating the operating parameter.

In some embodiments, the vocal input corresponds to a request to add a new user, and updating the operating parameter includes adding the new user to a BAS database and providing corresponding access rights.

