Situation-dependent Behavior in Building Automation: A Model Architecture Based on Biological Concepts

The general aim of automation is to improve differentareas of life. Within the area of automation in buildings a vastamount of systems coexist which are used in variousfields of applications. Unfortunately, most of theseapplications are self-contained and thereforeobstruct the establishment of system-spanningfunctions. Moreover, today's building automationconsists of purely reactive systems, solely reactingto previously defined inputs. Unforeseen situationsmay result in malfunctions and unintended actions.This work describes a model which is able to meet ourincreasing demand for a reliable system that iscapable of dealing with complex situations in modernlife. It provides a basis for consciously"recognizing situations and "far-sighted" actions.Biological systems and principles have ever sinceproven to be reliable and qualified sources fortechnical development. This work thereforeconcentrates on establishing a model architecturethat embodies nature-like elements and biologicalconcepts."

Dr. Gerhard Russ studied Computer Science at the TechnicalUniversity of Vienna. For his doctoral thesis he developed amodel for situation recognition in buildings.