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Re: [ontology-summit] Hackathon: BACnet Ontology

To: Ontology Summit 2013 discussion <ontology-summit@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
From: "Barkmeyer, Edward J" <edward.barkmeyer@xxxxxxxx>
Date: Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:17:25 -0400
Message-id: <63955B982BF1854C96302E6A5908234417DB5F4728@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Hans,
    (01)

Thank you.  I think this is a very useful observation, with respect to 
integrating multiple ontologies.
    (02)

-Ed
    (03)

> -----Original Message-----
> From: ontology-summit-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ontology-

> summit-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Hans Polzer

> Sent: Tuesday, March 12, 2013 8:28 PM

> To: 'Ontology Summit 2013 discussion'

> Subject: Re: [ontology-summit] Hackathon: BACnet Ontology

>

> Ed, Deb:

>

> This same line of thinking applies to the scope of applicability of 
>ontologies

> themselves. If you view an ontology as a model or representation of some

> portion of conceptual reality, it is essentially the same kind of thing as a 
>CAD

> model, albeit the CAD model might be viewed as a much more constrained

> model than most ontologies.  So ontologies are multi-dimensional "surfaces"

> (presumably closed) in an n-dimensional concept/scope space. They may

> intersect along some (or none) dimensions in that concept/scope space, just

> like some CAD models overlap each other, but may not be completely

> aligned along some dimensions (like level of dimensional precision, or

> inclusion of dynamic or material properties). Having a CAD model or ontology

> advertise its concept/scope assumptions via such an n-dimensional concept

> space would allow reasoning about areas of compatibility between diverse

> CAD models or ontologies, and areas where the results of such interaction

> might be "unpredictable" or "indeterminate".

>

> Hans

>

> -----Original Message-----

> From: ontology-summit-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ontology-

> summit-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Barkmeyer, Edward J

> Sent: Tuesday, March 12, 2013 5:11 PM

> To: Ontology Summit 2013 discussion

> Subject: Re: [ontology-summit] Hackathon: BACnet Ontology

>

> Deb,

>

> I completely agree.  That is what I meant about knowing the intended use of

> the measurements.  You can always "zoom out seamlessly" in a CAD system,

> but you can only "zoom in" to the accuracy of the measurements provided.

> The CAD system can produce some really weird results if you zoom in to the

> measurement noise area.  So, if you get a model with some elements to the

> nearest cm and others to the nearest mm, you will see nonsense when you

> look at the join at the mm scale.  In a similar way, if I get pressure data 
>for a

> reduction valve with the process fluid at 20C, it may be a bad predictor of 
>the

> pressure behaviors of the same valve when the fluid is at 100C.

>

> So, yes, if you want to put the building HVAC architecture diagram on your

> cell phone, you have two choices:  If you are going to use the same model to

> zoom in and emplace ductwork behind a stairwell, you are going to need a

> measurements model that is accurate enough for emplacing the ductwork,

> and the software that crafts the overview  display has to work from that.  
>Or,

> you can  just have a companion model that will be suitable for the overview

> display, and may be useful for estimating ductwork quantities, but will never

> be used for emplacing equipment.   Every model is made to a purpose and all

> models are wrong (by eliminating details unrelated to the purpose).  Making

> a model for competing purposes is not easy, and may not be necessary.  You

> don't give the mechanics the architect's plan view, and you don't force

> customers to look at plumbing blueprints.  The Google Earth model only

> works down to the highest accuracy satellite photos, and those are not

> uniform over all the earth.  Google software gives the illusion of much more

> flexibility than is there.  You can't use it to find your cell phone when you 
>set

> it down somewhere on the building site.

>

> -Ed

>

>

> From: ontology-summit-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ontology-

> summit-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of MacPherson, Deborah

> Sent: Tuesday, March 12, 2013 4:23 PM

> To: Ontology Summit 2013 discussion

> Subject: Re: [ontology-summit] Hackathon: BACnet Ontology

>

> Yes – all of that –in the manufacturing process tolerances are very 
>precise,

> less than the width of a human hair. I’ve seen structural engineer’s be 
>very

> concerned over a 2 mm creep in a survey. Many purposes of exchanging

> measurable, modeled, design or production information versus results in the

> real world, as built, do need to be very precise. Both in the models and in 
>the

> executed results.

>

> However, similar to geospatial being able to zoom in and out apparently

> seamlessly, sometimes using vectors, sometimes using faceted curves and

> points to just look enough like a curve - BIM and mechanical-electrical-

> plumbing systems inside real buildings (which might be specified and

> conform to BACnet), need a way to exchange basic geometries with looser

> tolerances. Just getting a fire fighter to the right room is enough, someone

> renting a studio apartment at XX sq.ft. is not going to get out a laser 
>measure

> the way a GSA leasing agent might.

>

> GSA does have some rules about “…..agreement on rounding values or

> stating uncertainties”. 95% of all other lifecycle exchange partners 
>probably

> could not care less about precision, or even know why a stated uncertainty

> might matter to them outside of the telephone game problem where each

> next retelling changes just a little more and more.

>

> To align, up to, 10 models for interaction that would take a building layout

> from a digital fire panel, “enlivened” by sensor data, put into a message 
>on

> the wire, and displayed on a mobile data computer – is going to need to be

> very generalized curves. That is why the background IE last known

> configuration of a building needs to be static, a PDF or JPG, only the 
>location

> of sensor information needs to be dynamic, messages being transported

> over wires only need a “hint” of this measured, modeled, building.

>

>

> DEBORAH MACPHERSON

> Specifications and Research

>

> Cannon Design

> 3030 Clarendon Blvd.

> Suite 500

> Arlington, VA 22201

>

> Phone: 703.907.2353

> Direct Dial: 2353

>

> dmacpherson@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

> Cannondesign.com

> Skype debmacp

>

> From: ontology-summit-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ontology-

> summit-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Barkmeyer, Edward J

> Sent: Tuesday, March 12, 2013 2:45 PM

> To: Ontology Summit 2013 discussion

> Subject: Re: [ontology-summit] Hackathon: BACnet Ontology

>

> Matthew,

>

> I have to disagree.  Only some measurement data is easy to exchange, and

> even then one must be careful that both the sender and the receiver have a

> common understanding of the nature and purpose of the measurement.

> This includes simple common sense ideas like agreeing on (and documenting)

> the units to be used, or explicitly exchanging units with the numeric

> measurements.  It also includes agreement on rounding values or stating

> uncertainties.

>

> But there is a lot more to the context of a measurement than just the units

> and the uncertainty.  There are standard sizes that have the same name but

> temporal differences in tolerances, and there are considerations like

> operational state and ambient temperature and pressure that affect values

> of the same measurement of the same thing.  And finally, like parametrics,

> there are measurement values that are plugged into functions and equations

> to produce other measurement values, and it is very important to agree on

> what those mathematical formulae are.  In the particular case of chemical

> processes, semiconductor fabrication, and plastic and metal molding, for

> example, a group of reference measurements is used to specify an observed

> performance curve, while the actual process depends on accurate depiction

> of performance at other points on that curves.  Humans often exchange

> these curves as graphs, but software isn’t good at turning PNG images into

> quantitative performance estimations.

>

> I know for a fact that this last problem is not solved in 15926, and you 
>don’t

> want to open the Pandora’s box that is the relationship between control

> parameters and performance parameters.  This is not, in general, a solved

> problem.  There are known standard solutions to specific known problems.

> The best guidance is to characterize the measurement information you want

> to exchange in the context of use and look to see whether that problem has

> already been acceptably solved in industry.

>

> The important ideas in the VIM are (a) that every quantity (in a use) has a

> ‘quantity kind’ that identifies what quantities it can be compared with, 
>(b)

> that no quantity can be known exactly, measurements are comparisons

> against reference quantities of the same kind, (c) that units are associated

> with quantity kinds and are reference quantities for comparisons.  The rest 
>is

> about what measurement you made, how you made it, and how accurate

> you know your technique to be in that situation.

>

> There are many cases in which most of these details don’t matter, because

> both parties to the exchange understand the intent and typical quality of the

> measurement.  But there are also many cases in which some of these details

> do matter, because the parties to the exchange have different backgrounds

> and mental models of the situation.  The designer of an airflow system and

> the designer of the fans do not have the same model of the problem space.

> They do have models that can be aligned for the purpose of their interaction,

> but they have to be cognizant of the need for that alignment in their

> exchanges.

>

> -Ed

>

>

> --

> Edward J. Barkmeyer                     Email: edbark@xxxxxxxx

> National Institute of Standards & Technology Systems Integration Division

> 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 8263             Work:   +1 301-975-3528

> Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8263             Mobile: +1 240-672-5800

>

> "The opinions expressed above do not reflect consensus of NIST,  and have

> not been reviewed by any Government authority."

>

>

>

> From: ontology-summit-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ontology-

> summit-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Matthew West

> Sent: Tuesday, March 12, 2013 7:11 AM

> To: 'Ontology Summit 2013 discussion'

> Subject: Re: [ontology-summit] Hackathon: BACnet Ontology

>

> Dear Deborah,

> Well if you are trying to exchange measurement data, that is relatively easy,

> and pointing to parametric design examples as having problems for standards

> based exchange, therefore meaning that standards based exchange of

> measurement data is difficult is just plain misleading. You can easily 
>exchange

> measurement data using ISO 15926 for example, or a number of other

> standards, usually labelled SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition).

> What is not needed is another standard for doing this, there are already too

> many.

> By the way, measurements look easy from the outside, but once you lift the

> lid, you find all kinds of interesting things there you can easily get 
>tripped up

> by – another reason for not reinventing.

>

> Regards

>

> Matthew West

> Information  Junction

> Tel: +44 1489 880185

> Mobile: +44 750 3385279

> Skype: dr.matthew.west

> matthew.west@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

> http://www.informationjunction.co.uk/

> http://www.matthew-west.org.uk/

>

> This email originates from Information Junction Ltd. Registered in England

> and Wales No. 6632177.

> Registered office: 2 Brookside, Meadow Way, Letchworth Garden City,

> Hertfordshire, SG6 3JE.

>

>

>

> From: ontology-summit-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ontology-

> summit-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Deborah MacPherson

> Sent: 12 March 2013 10:11

> To: Ontology Summit 2013 discussion

> Cc: Ontology Summit 2013 discussion

> Subject: Re: [ontology-summit] Hackathon: BACnet Ontology

>

> Thanks for the response Matthew. You are probably right on target. The

> thing is some problems and opportunities should not wait. Creating modular

> solutions to keep some information in sets as its transferred would help.

>

> Toby and I have been talking about "lighter" versions of our standards that

> are made for heavy monolithic models. What I like about BACnet as an angle

> on this is the transactional nature of collecting and reporting temperatures,

> tasking sensors and so forth that are only one small set of information at a

> time.

>

> Deborah

>

> Sent from my iPhone

>

> On Mar 12, 2013, at 4:46 AM, "Matthew West"

> <dr.matthew.west@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Dear Deborah,

> I think the problem, in this case at least, is not quite as you describe.

> My understanding is that the issue here was around parametrically defined

> objects, where different CAD systems use different parametric functions to

> generate objects from their parametric definition. Because of the different

> functions, to round trip you would have to wrap the parametric description

> so it can be sent to the receiving system, and sent back later. Actually, I 
>think

> it would be smarter just to send an identifier that told you the original 
>object

> when it came back, but even that does not help you with changes that have

> been made to the object in the receiving system with an incompatible

> parametric system. The problems are just harder than you would think at a

> surface level.

> Now this is just an inevitable stage of development. In the early stages, a

> thousand flowers bloom, but the vast majority fade. Eventually a few

> remain, and it becomes more important (now these are the survivors) that

> they can interoperate, than that they retain competitive advantage, so

> interoperation is achieved, or a standard developed that customers require

> them to conform to.

> You can see that the state you are pointing to is in the middle of this 
>process.

> Eventual completion of the process is pretty much inevitable. The bad news

> is that from what I have seen and experienced there is relatively little you

> can do to speed the process up (or slow it down) significantly and the time-

> scale for the process is decades (or more in some cases), not months or

> years.

> So the smart thing to do is to recognise where you are, try to encourage

> progress through the process, and adopt strategies that recognise the reality

> of where you are in the process.

>

> Regards

>

> Matthew West

> Information  Junction

> Tel: +44 1489 880185

> Mobile: +44 750 3385279

> Skype: dr.matthew.west

> matthew.west@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

> http://www.informationjunction.co.uk/

> http://www.matthew-west.org.uk/

>

> This email originates from Information Junction Ltd. Registered in England

> and Wales No. 6632177.

> Registered office: 2 Brookside, Meadow Way, Letchworth Garden City,

> Hertfordshire, SG6 3JE.

>

>

>

> From: ontology-summit-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ontology-

> summit-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of MacPherson, Deborah

> Sent: 11 March 2013 21:56

> To: Ontology Summit 2013 discussion

> Subject: Re: [ontology-summit] Hackathon: BACnet Ontology

>

> Somewhere in this discussion is a problem that is the essence of what has

> been holding up progress in the facilities domain.

>

> There are ways to publish technical requirements or test for conformance

> online for free, and pay (even substantially) to participate in the working

> groups or have voting privileges. For example OGC, W3C.

>

> I can even see being able to own a part name or number within a larger

> communication machine that could be mapped to a generic form for broader

> exchange purposes. For example “13-57 13 15 Dining and Drinking Spaces”

> versus “The Sand Bar and Grille”

>

> Depending on the domain, or need for cross disciplinary discussion, many on

> the  IP-protected side have no interest in supporting, or will even actively

> stops progress, on a common model. There is also the problem of failed

> common models that do not work, will not accommodate different object

> definitions - from software to software or industry model to industry model -

> without loss of data or functionality. Bentley systems has stepped forward in

> this white paper on the IFC model to say actually – the emperor has no

> clothes on. See pages 6 and 7 “Round Tripping”

>

> For some reason I think ontologies might be a way these IP-With-Open

> problems might be fixed but maybe I am wrong or wishing for too much.

>

> DEBORAH MACPHERSON

> Specifications and Research

>

> Cannon Design

> 3030 Clarendon Blvd.

> Suite 500

> Arlington, VA 22201

>

> Phone: 703.907.2353

> Direct Dial: 2353

>

> dmacpherson@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

> Cannondesign.com

> Skype debmacp

>

> From: ontology-summit-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ontology-

> summit-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Simon Spero

> Sent: Monday, March 11, 2013 5:25 PM

> To: Ontology Summit 2013 discussion

> Subject: Re: [ontology-summit] Hackathon: BACnet Ontology

>

> On Mon, Mar 11, 2013 at 11:53 AM, Peter R. Benson

> <Peter.Benson@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Deborah, IP is a real issue. We designed the eOTD to try to resolve some of

> these issues. In a dictionary the IP resides in the representation but also 
>in

> the identifiers or codes as these are always copyright.

>

> That is not entirely clear;  see e.g.  SOUTHCO, INC v. KANEBRIDGE

> CORPORATION (  http://www.ca3.uscourts.gov/opinarch/021243pe.pdf ),

> where part numbers were found to be not protected (but see also how Alito

> takes care to distinguish Delta Dental )

>

> Simon

>

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