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Title:
METHOD FOR MAINTENANCE WORK AND MAINTENANCE SYSTEM
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2020/039126
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method and system for a maintenance work of a building space (2) of a building. The method comprises maintaining, in a building information database (40) of a building information server system (44), a building information model of the building space (2), receiving, in an external maintenance service (50), a maintenance request from a client (20, 60), associating, by the building information server system (44), the maintenance request with the building information model of the building space (2), and enabling access, by the external maintenance service (50), to the building information model of the building space (2) as response to receiving the maintenance request from the client (20, 60) for providing the physical and functional characteristics of the building space (2) to the external maintenance service (50). Associating the maintenance request with the building information model of the building space (2) by the building information server system (44) comprises detecting, by an occupancy module (80), presence of the client (20) in the building space (2), providing, by the client (20, 60), a building space identifier as a response to the detecting the presence of the client (20) in the building space (2), the building space identifier being specific to the building space (2), receiving, in the building information server system (44), the building space identifier, identifying, by the building information server system (44), the building space (2) of the maintenance request based on the building space identifier, and associating, by the building information server system (44), the maintenance request with the building information model of the building space (2).

Inventors:
KERONEN SEPPO (FI)
Application Number:
PCT/FI2019/050596
Publication Date:
February 27, 2020
Filing Date:
August 24, 2019
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
FIRA GROUP OY (FI)
International Classes:
G06Q10/00; G06Q50/16; E04G23/00; G06F21/62
Foreign References:
US20120310602A12012-12-06
US20140343980A12014-11-20
KR20160065361A2016-06-09
KR20160108883A2016-09-21
KR20020026748A2002-04-12
JPH11335021A1999-12-07
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
PRIMROSE OY (FI)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLA1MS

1. A method for maintenance work of a building space (2) of a building, the method comprising:

- maintaining, in a building information database (40) of a building information server system (44), a building information model of the building space (2), the building information model defining physical and functional characteristics of the building space (2);

- receiving, in an external maintenance service (50), a maintenance request from a client (20, 60), the maintenance request comprising maintenance characteristics of the maintenance work of the building space (2);

- associating, by the building information server system (44), the maintenance request with the building information model of the building space (2); and

- enabling access, by the external maintenance service (50), to the building information model of the building space (2) as response to receiving the maintenance request from the client (20, 60) for providing the physical and functional characteristics of the building space (2) to the external maintenance service (50),

c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that associating, by the building information server system (44), the maintenance request with the building information model of the building space (2) comprises:

- detecting, by an occupancy module (80), presence of the client (20) in the building space (2);

- providing, by the client (20, 60), a building space identifier as a response to the detecting the presence of the client (20) in the building space (2) , the building space identifier being specific to the building space (2) ;

- receiving, in the building information server system (44), the building space identifier;

- identifying, by the building information server system (44), the building space (2) of the maintenance request based on the building space identifier; and

- associating, by the building information server system (44), the maintenance request with the building information model of the building space (2).

2. A method according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the associating the maintenance request with the building information model of the building space (2) comprises:

- receiving, in the building information server system (44), the building space identifier from the client (20, 60); or

- receiving, in the building information server system (44), the building space identifier from the external maintenance service (50).

3. A method according to claim 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the receiving the building space identifier comprises:

- maintaining, in the client (20, 60), the building space identifier; and

- receiving, in the building information server system (44), the building space identifier from the client (20, 60); or

- generating, by the client (20, 60), the building space identifier as a response to the maintenance request; and

- receiving, in the building information server system (44), the building space identifier from the client (20, 60); or

- maintaining, in the client (20, 60), the building space identifier;

- receiving, in the external maintenance service (50), the building space identifier from the client (20, 60) upon the maintenance request; and

- receiving, in the building information server system (44), the building space identifier from the external maintenance service (50); or

- generating, in the client (20, 60), the building space identifier as a response to the maintenance request;

- receiving, in the external maintenance service (50), the building space identifier from the client (20, 60) upon the maintenance request;

- receiving, in the building information server system (44), the building space identifier from the external maintenance service (50).

4. A method according to claim 2 or 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the receiving the building space identifier from the client (20, 60) comprises:

- detecting, by an occupancy module (80), the presence of the client (20) in the building space (2);

- generating, by the client (20, 60), the building space identifier as response to the detecting the presence of the client (20) in the building space (2); and

- receiving, in the building information server system (44), the building space identifier from the client (20, 60); or - detecting, by an occupancy module (80), the presence of the client (20) in the building space (2);

- receiving, in the client (20, 60), the building space identifier from the occupancy module (80); and

- receiving, in the building information server system (44), the building space identifier from the client (20, 60); or

- detecting, by an occupancy module (80), the presence of the client (20) in the building space (2); and

- receiving, in the building information server system (44), the building space identifier from the occupancy module (80); or

- detecting, by an occupancy module (80), the presence of the client (20) in the building space (2);

- generating, by the client (20, 60), the building space identifier as response to the detecting the presence of the client (20) in the building space (2); and

- receiving, in the external maintenance service (50), the building space identifier from the client (20, 60) upon the maintenance request;

- receiving, in the building information server system (44), the building space identifier from the external maintenance service (50); or

- detecting, by an occupancy module (80), the presence of the client (20) in the building space (2);

- receiving, in the client (20, 60), the building space identifier from the occupancy module (80);

- receiving, in the external maintenance service (50), the building space identifier from the client (20, 60) upon the maintenance request; and

- receiving, in the building information server system (44), the building space identifier from the external maintenance service (50).

5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the enabling access to the building information model of the building space (2) comprises:

- providing, in the building information server system (44), a first access key in association with the building information model of the building space (2);

- receiving, in the external maintenance service (50), the first access key as a response to the maintenance request from the client (20, 60); and

- enabling access, by the external maintenance service (50), to the building information model of the building space (2) as response to receiving the first access key for providing the physical and functional characteristics of the building space (2) to the external maintenance service (50); or

- providing, in the building information server system (44), a first access key in association with the building information model of the building space (2);

- receiving, in the external maintenance service (50), the first access key as a response to the maintenance request from the client (20, 60) and as response to associating the maintenance request with the building information model of the building space (2); and

- enabling access, by the external maintenance service (50), to the building information model of the building space (2) as response to receiving the first access key for providing the physical and functional characteristics of the building space (2) to the external maintenance service (50).

6. A method according to claim 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that providing the first access key in association with the building information model of the building space (2) comprises:

- maintaining, in the building information server system (44), the first access key in association with the building information model of the building space (2); or

- generating, by the building information server system (44), the first access key, the first access key being specific to the building space model of the building space (2); and

- associating, by the building information server system (44), the first access key with the building space model of the building space (2); or

- generating, by the building information server system (44), the first access key as a single-use access key, the first access key being specific to the building space model of the building space (2); and

- associating, by the building information server system (44), the first access key with the building space model of the building space (2).

7. A method according to claim 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that providing the first access key in association with the building information model of the building space (2) comprises:

- maintaining, by the client (20, 60), the first access key, the first access key being specific to the building space model of the building space (2); - receiving, by the building information server system (44), the first access key from the client (20, 60); and

- associating, by the building information server system (44), the first access key with the building space model of the building space (2); or

- generating, by the client (20, 60), the first access key, the first access key being specific to the building space model of the building space (2);

- receiving, by the building information server system (44), the first access key from the client (20, 60); and

- associating, by the building information server system (44), the first access key with the building space model of the building space (2); or

- generating, by the client (20, 60), the first access key as a single-use access key as a response to the maintenance request by the client (20, 60), the first access key being specific to the building space model of the building space (2);

- receiving, by the building information server system (44), the first access key from the client (20, 60); and

- associating, by the building information server system (44), the first access key with the building space model of the building space (2).

8. A method according to claim 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that providing the first access key in association with the building information model of the building space (2) comprises:

- detecting, by an occupancy module (80), the presence of the client (20) in the building space (2);

- generating, by the client (20, 60), the first access key as response to the detecting the presence of the client (20) in the building space (2); and

- receiving, in the building information server system (44), the first access key from the client (20, 60); or

- detecting, by an occupancy module (80), the presence of the client (20) in the building space (2);

- receiving, in the client (20, 60), the first access key from the occupancy module (80); and

- receiving, in the building information server system (44), the first access key from the client (20, 60); or

- detecting, by an occupancy module (80), the presence of the client (20) in the building space (2); and

- receiving, in the building information server system (44), the first access key from the occupancy module (80).

9. A method according to any one of claims 5 to 8, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the receiving, in the external maintenance service (50), the first access key as a response to the maintenance request from the client (20, 60) comprises:

- receiving, in the external maintenance service (50), the first access key from the building information server system (44); or

- receiving, in the external maintenance service (50), the first access key from the client (20, 60); or

- receiving, in the client (20, 60), the first access key from the occupancy module (80); and

- receiving, in the external maintenance service (50), the first access key from the client (20, 60); or

- receiving, in the client (20, 60), the first access key from the building information server system (44); and

- receiving, in the external maintenance service (50), the first access key from the client (20, 60).

10. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the method comprises:

- generating, by the client (20, 60), the maintenance request for the maintenance work of the building space (2); or

- generating, by the client (20, 60), the maintenance request upon request by a user for the maintenance work of the building space (2); or

- automatically generating, by the client (20, 60), the maintenance request for the maintenance work of the building space (2).

11. A method according to claim 10, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the automatically generating by the client (20, 60), the maintenance request for the maintenance work of the building space (2) comprises:

- measuring, by a sensor system (90), one or more physical or functional characteristics of the building space (2) or in the building space (2);

- determining, by the sensor system (90), whether the one or more measured physical or functional characteristics of the building space (2) or in the building space (2) is within a predetermined value or state or outside the predetermined value or state; and - if the one or more physical or functional characteristics of the building space (2) or in the building space (2) is outside the predetermined value or state, automatically generating, by the client (20, 60), the maintenance request for the maintenance work of the building space (2); or

- measuring, by a sensor system (90), one or more physical or functional characteristics of the building space (2);

- receiving, in the client (20, 60), the one or more measured physical or functional characteristics of the building space (2) or in the building space (2);

- determining, by the client (20, 60), whether the one or more physical or functional characteristics of the building space (2) or in the building space (2) is within a predetermined value or state or outside the predetermined value or state; and

- if the one or more physical or functional characteristics of the building space (2) or in the building space (2) is outside the predetermined value or state, automatically generating, by the client (20, 60), the maintenance request for the maintenance work of the building space (2).

12. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the method comprises:

- generating, by the external maintenance service (50), maintenance instructions of the maintenance work as a response to access to the building information model of the building space (2); or

- generating, by the external maintenance service (50), a maintenance model of the building space as a response to access, by the external maintenance service (50), to the building information model of the building space (2), the maintenance model comprising physical and functional characteristics of the maintenance work of the building space (2); or

- generating, by the building information server system (44), a maintenance model of the building space as a response to access, by the external maintenance service (50), to the building information model of the building space (2), the maintenance model comprising physical and functional characteristics of the maintenance work of the building space (2).

13. A method according to claim 12, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the method comprises:

- updating, by the building information server system (44), the building information model of the building space (2) with the maintenance instructions or the maintenance model of the maintenance work of the building space (2); or

- storing, in the building information server system (44), the maintenance instructions or the maintenance model of the maintenance work of the building space (2);

- associating, by the building information server system (44), the maintenance instructions or the maintenance model of the maintenance work of the building space (2) with the building information model of the building space (2).

14. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the method comprises:

- generating, by the external maintenance service (50), a cookie file, the cookie file comprising information of at least one of the following: the external maintenance service (50) or the maintenance instructions or the maintenance model of the maintenance work of the building space (2);

- receiving, by the client (20, 60), the cookie file; and

- storing, by the client (20, 60), the cookie file to the client (20, 60); or

- generating, by the external maintenance service (50), a cookie file, the cookie file comprising information of at least one of the following: the external maintenance service (50) or the maintenance instructions or the maintenance model of the maintenance work of the building space (2);

- receiving, by the building information server system (44), the cookie file;

- storing, by the building information server system (44), the cookie file to the building information server system (44); and

- associating, by the building information server system (44), the cookie file with the building information model of the building space (2).

15. A maintenance system (1) arranged to provide a maintenance model of maintenance work of a building space (2), the maintenance model comprising physical and functional characteristics of the maintenance work of the building space (2), the system comprising:

- a building information server system (44) comprising a building information database (40), one or more building information models of one or more building spaces (2), respectively, being stored to the building information database (40), each building information model being specific to one building space (2), and the building information model defining physical and functional characteristics of the building space (2);

- a client device (20, 60) configured to generate a maintenance request for the maintenance work of the building space (2) and to associate the maintenance request to the building space (2), the maintenance request comprising maintenance characteristics of the maintenance work of the building space (2); and

- an external maintenance service (50) configured to receive the maintenance request from the client (20, 60), to access the building information model of the building space (2) based on the maintenance request from the client (2) and to generate a maintenance model of the building space (2) based on the maintenance request and the building information model of the building space (2),

characterized in that the maintenance system comprises: - an occupancy module (80) provided in association with the building space (2), the occupancy module (80) being configured to detect presence of the client device (20, 60) in the building space (2).

16. A maintenance system (1) according to claim 15, characterized in that the maintenance system (1) comprises one or more sensors (90) configured to measure one or more physical or functional characteristics of the building space (2) or in the building space (2).

17. A maintenance system (1) according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the maintenance system (1) is configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

Description:
METHOD FOR MAINTENANCE WORK AND MAINTENANCE SYSTEM

F1ELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method for maintenance work of a building space of a building, and more particularly to a method according to the preamble of claim 1. The present invention further relates to a maintenance system for maintenance work of a building space, and more particularly to a maintenance system according to the preamble of claim 15.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Buildings comprise usually one or more separate building spaces, such as apartments, offices or the like, which need maintenance work from time to time. The maintenance work may comprise renovation work, such as pluming, electricity, air conditioning, heating or structural renovation work. The maintenance work may also comprise changing, cleaning or repairing surfaces, structures or equipment of the building space, such as window washing, sweeping or cleaning of air conduits or the like. Conventionally, the owner or occupant of the building space calls to a service provider who comes to the building space for inspecting the physical and functional characteristics of the building space for evaluating the maintenance work needed and the technical characteristics of the maintenance work.

One of the problems associated with the prior art is that inspecting the physical and functional characteristics of the building space is time consuming and difficult task to be performed by the service provider. Accordingly, the service provider has to rely on manual inspection or measurements of the physical and functional characteristics of the building space. The manual insp ection may also be difficult as certain physical and functional characteristics of the building space cannot be inspected manually without breaking structures, such as pluming. Therefore, also technical drawings, comprising physical and functional characteristics of the building space, may be used to evaluate the needed maintenance work. However, often the technical drawings are created when the building is built and they are not updated later when maintenance work or renovation has been carried out in the building or in the building space. Therefore, the service provider seldom can rely on the technical drawings. BR1EF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a method and maintenance system for maintenance work of a building space of a building so as to solve or at least alleviate the prior art disadvantages.

The objects of the invention are achieved by a method which is characterized by what is stated in independent claim 1. The objects of the invention are further achieved by a maintenance system which is characterized by what is stated in independent claim 15.

The preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

The invention is based on the idea of providing a method for maintenance work of a building space of a building or in association of maintenance work of a building space. The method comprises maintaining, in a building information database of a building information server system, a building information model of the building space, receiving, in an external maintenance service, a maintenance request from a client the maintenance request with the building information model of the building space, and enabling access, by the external maintenance service, to the building information model of the building space as response to receiving the maintenance request from the client for providing the physical and functional characteristics of the building space to the external maintenance service.

The method may comprise associating, by the building information server system, the maintenance request with the building information model of the building space, and enabling access, by the external maintenance service, to the building information model of the building space as a response to receiving the maintenance request from the client for providing the physical and functional characteristics of the building space to the external maintenance service.

According to the present invention of the method associating, by the building information server system, the maintenance request with the building information model of the building space comprises:

- detecting, by an occupancy module, presence of the client in the building space;

- providing, by the client, a building space identifier as a response to the detecting the presence of the client in the building space, the building space identifier being specific to the building space;

- receiving, in the building information server system, the building space identifier;

- identifying, by the building information server system, the building space of the maintenance request based on the building space identifier; and

- associating, by the building information server system, the maintenance request with the building information model of the building space.

The building information model of the building space is a commonly known and utilized technical model of the building or the building space. The building information model defines and comprises physical and functional characteristics of the building space. By definition, building lnformation model (BIM) is a digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a building. A B1M is knowledge resource for information about the building. A B1M reaches 3D representation of the building, augmenting the three primary spatial dimensions (width, height and depth) with time as the fourth dimension (4D) and cost as the fifth (5D). B1M therefore covers more than just geometry lt may also cover spatial relationships, light analysis, geographic information, and quantities and properties of building components and structures.

The maintenance request may comprise maintenance characteristics of the maintenance work of the building space. The maintenance characteristics may comprise or may be directed to any physical and functional characteristics of the building space, such as structures, electricity system, pipings, devices, components or the like of the building space.

The method enables a user to provide comprehensive technical details to an external service provider when maintenance work of the building space is needed. The technical details in the building information model may comprise all technical information the service provider needs for planning and preparing for the maintenance work.

ln the method, the associating the maintenance request with the building information model of the building space may comprise identifying, by the building information server system, building space of the maintenance request, and associating, by the building information server system, the maintenance request of the identified building space with the building information model of the building space.

Alternatively, the associating the maintenance request with the building information model of the building space may comprise identifying receiving, in the building information server system, a building space identifier from the client, the building space identifier being specific to the building space, identifying, by the building information server system, the building space of the maintenance request based on the building space identifier, and associating, by the building information server system, the maintenance request of the identified building space with the building information model of the building space.

Yet alternatively, the associating the maintenance request with the building information model of the building space may comprise receiving, in the building information server system, a building space identifier from the external maintenance service, the building space identifier being specific to the building space, identifying, by the building information server system, the building space of the maintenance request based on the building space identifier, associating, by the building information server system, the maintenance request of the identified building space with the building information model of the building space.

ldentifying the building space of the maintenance request enables associating or connecting the maintenance request to a correct building information model in the building information server system such that the external maintenance service may be provided access only to the correct building information model which represents the building space.

ln the method, the receiving the building space identifier may comprise maintaining, in the client, the building space identifier, receiving, in the building information server system, the building space identifier from the client.

Alternatively, the receiving the building space identifier may comprise generating, by the client, the building space identifier as a response to the maintenance request, receiving, in the building information server system, the building space identifier from the client. This may be accomplished also by maintaining, in the client, the building space identifier, receiving, in the external maintenance service, the building space identifier from the client upon the maintenance request, and receiving, in the building information server system, the building space identifier from the external maintenance service.

Yet alternatively, the receiving the building space identifier may comprise generating, in the client, the building space identifier as a response to the maintenance request, receiving, in the external maintenance service, the building space identifier from the client upon the maintenance request, and receiving, in the building information server system, the building space identifier from the external maintenance service.

Accordingly, the building space identifier may be provided as a response to the maintenance request to the building information server system such that the correct building information model may be associated or connected to the building space and access to the correct building information model may be enabled for the external maintenance service.

ln the method, the receiving the building space identifier may also comprise detecting, by an occupancy module, the presence of the client in the building space, and receiving, in the building information server system, the building space identifier from the occupancy module.

This may be accomplished for example by detecting, by an occupancy module, the presence of the client in the building space, generating, by the client, the building space identifier as response to the detecting the presence of the client in the building space, and receiving, in the building information server system, the building space identifier from the client.

Alternatively, the receiving the building space identifier may also comprise detecting, by an occupancy module, the presence of the client in the building space, receiving, in the client, the building space identifier from the occupancy module, and receiving, in the building information server system, the building space identifier from the client.

ln another alternative, the receiving the building space identifier may also comprise detecting, by an occupancy module, the presence of the client in the building space, generating, by the client, the building space identifier as response to the detecting the presence of the client in the building space, receiving, in the external maintenance service, the building space identifier from the client upon the maintenance request, and receiving, in the building information server system, the building space identifier from the external maintenance service.

ln a yet alternative, the receiving the building space identifier may also comprise detecting, by an occupancy module, the presence of the client in the building space, receiving, in the client, the building space identifier from the occupancy module, receiving, in the external maintenance service, the building space identifier from the client upon the maintenance request, and receiving, in the building information server system, the building space identifier from the external maintenance service.

Detecting the presence of the client in the building space and providing the building space identifier as a response of the detecting confirms that the building space identifier corresponds the building space and thus the correct building information model may be associated or connected to the maintenance request. Further, this provides security to the system, as the client has to be present in the building space when the maintenance request concerning the building space is made.

ln the method, the enabling access to the building information model of the building space may comprise providing, in the building information server system, a first access key in association with the building information model of the building space, receiving, in the external maintenance service, the first access key as a response to the maintenance request from the client, and enabling access, by the external maintenance service, to the building information model of the building space as response to receiving the first access key for providing the physical and functional characteristics of the building space to the external maintenance service.

Alternatively, the enabling access to the building information model of the building space may comprise providing, in the building information server system, a first access key in association with the building information model of the building space, receiving, in the external maintenance service, the first access key as a response to the maintenance request from the client and as response to associating the maintenance request with the building information model of the building space, and enabling access, by the external maintenance service, to the building information model of the building space as response to receiving the first access key for providing the physical and functional characteristics of the building space to the external maintenance service.

Providing the first access key in association with the building information model provides security such that the external maintenance service may access the building information model of the building space only upon receiving the first access key as response to the maintenance request from the client.

ln the method, the providing the first access key in association with the building information model of the building space may comprise maintaining, in the building information server system, the first access key in association with the building information model of the building space.

Alternatively, the providing the first access key in association with the building information model of the building space may comprise generating, by the building information server system, the first access key, the first access key being specific to the building space model of the building space, and associating, by the building information server system, the first access key with the building space model of the building space.

Yet alternatively, the providing the first access key in association with the building information model of the building space may comprise generating, by the building information server system, the first access key as a single-use access key, the first access key being specific to the building space model of the building space, and associating, by the building information server system, the first access key with the building space model of the building space.

Accordingly, the first access key may be provided in the building information server system and associated with the building information model of the building space.

ln the method, the providing the first access key in association with the building information model of the building space may comprise maintaining, by the client, the first access key, the first access key being specific to the building space model of the building space, receiving, by the building information server system, the first access key from the client, and associating, by the building information server system, the first access key with the building space model of the building space.

Alternatively, the providing the first access key in association with the building information model of the building space may comprise generating, by the client, the first access key, the first access key being specific to the building space model of the building space, receiving, by the building information server system, the first access key from the client, and associating, by the building information server system, the first access key with the building space model of the building space.

Yet alternatively, the providing the first access key in association with the building information model of the building space may comprise generating, by the client, the first access key as a single-use access key as a response to the maintenance request by the client, the first access key being specific to the building space model of the building space, receiving, by the building information server system, the first access key from the client, and associating, by the building information server system, the first access key with the building space model of the building space.

Therefore, the first access key may be provided by the client, for example as a response to the maintenance request. The first access key may be associated to the building information model of the building space for example based on the building space identifier for providing secure access to the building information model.

ln the method, the providing the first access key in association with the building information model of the building space may also comprise detecting, by an occupancy module, the presence of the client in the building space, generating, by the client, the first access key as response to the detecting the presence of the client in the building space, and receiving, in the building information server system, the first access key from the client.

Alternatively, the providing the first access key in association with the building information model of the building space may also comprise detecting, by an occupancy module, the presence of the client in the building space, receiving, in the client, the first access key from the occupancy module, and receiving, in the building information server system, the first access key from the client.

Yet alternatively, the providing the first access key in association with the building information model of the building space may also comprise detecting, by an occupancy module, the presence of the client in the building space, and receiving, in the building information server system, the first access key from the occupancy module.

The first access key may be provided as response to detecting the presence of the client device in the building space when the maintenance request is made. Thus, a secure access to the building information model is achieved through confirmation of that the access to the building information model of the building space may be provided only from the building space itself.

ln the method, the receiving, in the external maintenance service, the first access key as a response to the maintenance request from the client may comprise receiving, in the external maintenance service, the first access key from the building information server system, or from the client, or from the occupancy module.

Alternatively, the receiving, in the external maintenance service, the first access key as a response to the maintenance request from the client may comprise receiving, in the client, the first access key from the occupancy module, and receiving, in the external maintenance service, the first access key from the client. This may also be accomplished by receiving, in the client, the first access key from the building information server system, and receiving, in the external maintenance service, the first access key from the client.

The first access key may also be provided to external maintenance service from the client or the occupancy module ln this case, the first access key, a second access key as counter part of the first access key, may be provided in similar manner to the building information server system and associated to the building information model of the building space.

The method may further comprise generating, by the client, the maintenance request for the maintenance work of the building space. Generating the maintenance request may further comprise generating, by the client, the maintenance request upon request by a user for the maintenance work of the building space, automatically generating, by the client, the maintenance request for the maintenance work of the building space.

The maintenance request may be generated by the user when the user considers that the is a need for maintenance work. Alternatively, the maintenance request may be generated automatically when building space surveillance system recognizes a need for maintenance work.

ln the method, the automatically generating, by the client, the maintenance request for the maintenance work of the building space may comprise measuring, by a sensor system, one or more physical or functional characteristics of the building space, determining, by the sensor system, whether the one or more measured physical or functional characteristics of the building space is within a predetermined value, value range or state or outside the predetermined value, value range or state, if the one or more physical or functional characteristics of the building space is outside the predetermined value, value range or state, automatically generating, by the client, the maintenance request for the maintenance work of the building space.

Alternatively, the automatically generating, by the client, the maintenance request for the maintenance work of the building space may comprise measuring, by a sensor system, one or more physical or functional characteristics of the building space, receiving, in the client, the one or more measured physical or functional characteristics of the building space, determining, by the client, whether the one or more physical or functional characteristics of the building space is within a predetermined value, value range or state or outside the predetermined value or state, and if the one or more physical or functional characteristics of the building space is outside the predetermined value, value range or state, automatically generating, by the client, the maintenance request for the maintenance work of the building space.

The sensor system may be known sensor system, surveillance system or one or more separate sensors, or a device connected to via data transfer connection or network to the client device. Thus, an automatic maintenance request may be generated, when the sensor system recognizes a need for the maintenance work.

The method may further comprise generating, by the external maintenance service, maintenance instructions of the maintenance work as a response to access to the building information model of the building space. Alternatively, the method may further comprise generating, by the external maintenance service, a maintenance model of the building space as a response to access, by the external maintenance service, to the building information model of the building space, the maintenance model comprising physical and functional characteristics of the maintenance work of the building space. Yet alternatively, the method may further comprise generating, by the building information server system, a maintenance model of the building space as a response to access, by the external maintenance service, to the building information model of the building space, the maintenance model comprising physical and functional characteristics of the maintenance work of the building space.

The maintenance model or maintenance instructions provides the technical information of the maintenance work to be performed. The maintenance model or maintenance instructions, may for example comprise materials, tools, working steps, time schedule or the like for the maintenance work. Accordingly, the method enables creating the maintenance model by utilizing the building information model.

The method may also comprise, updating, by the building information server system, the building information model of the building space with the maintenance instructions or the maintenance model of the maintenance work of the building space.

Alternatively, the method may comprise storing, in the building information server system, the maintenance instructions or the maintenance model of the maintenance work of the building space, and associating, by the building information server system, the maintenance instructions or the maintenance model of the maintenance work of the building space with the building information model of the building space.

Updating the building information model with the maintenance model or storing the maintenance model in connection with the building information model, enables keeping the information about the building space up to date.

The method may also further comprise generating, by the external maintenance service, a cookie file, receiving, by the client, the cookie file, storing, by the client, the cookie file to the client. Alternatively, the method may comprise generating, by the external maintenance service, a cookie file, receiving, by the building information server system, the cookie file, storing, by the building information server system, the cookie file to the building information server system, and associating, by the building information server system, the cookie file with the building information model of the building space.

The cookie file may comprise information of at least one of the following: the external maintenance service or the maintenance instructions or the maintenance model of the maintenance work of the building space. The cookie file may enable keeping the information of the maintenance work or the external service provider stored for later utilization and as information for the later maintenance work.

The present invention further relates to a maintenance system arranged to provide a maintenance model of maintenance work of a building space. The maintenance model comprises physical and functional characteristics of the maintenance work of the building space. The maintenance system comprises a building information server system comprising a building information database, one or more building information models of one or more building spaces, respectively, being stored to the building information database, each building information model being specific to one building space, and the building information model defining physical and functional characteristics of the building space. The maintenance system also comprises a client device configured to generate a maintenance request for the maintenance work of the building space and to associate the maintenance request to the building space, the maintenance request comprising maintenance characteristics of the maintenance work of the building space. The maintenance system further comprises an external maintenance service configured to receive the maintenance request from the client, to access the building information model of the building space based on the maintenance request from the client and to generate a maintenance model of the building space based on the maintenance request and the building information model of the building space.

The maintenance system of the present invention enables planning and defining the maintenance work by utilizing the building information model and thus the maintenance model can take into account all the technical details of the building space.

According to the present invention, the maintenance system further comprises an occupancy module provided in association with the building space, the occupancy module being configured to detect presence of the client device in the building space. This enables associating the maintenance request to the correct building information model

The maintenance system may further comprise one or more sensors configured to measure one or more physical or functional characteristics or of the building space. The sensors may be used for generating maintenance request automatically as response to measurement results.

Further, the maintenance system may be configured to perform the method as described above.

An advantage of the invention is that method and maintenance system of the present invention provides reliable up to date information and details for the maintenance work in an efficient manner. Utilizing the building information model the user or occupant may provide the external maintenance service detailed information of the physical and functional characteristics of the building space for carrying out the maintenance work by the external service provider. Thus, the user or occupant does not need any technical information about the building space, but the information is accessible by the external service provider in the building information server system.

BR1EF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAW1NGS

The invention is described in detail by means of specific embodiments with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which

Figure 1 shows schematically one embodiment of a maintenance system according to the present invention;

Figure 2 shows schematically a detailed view of the maintenance system of figure 1;

Figure 3 shows schematically another one embodiment of a maintenance system according to the present invention;

Figure 4 shows schematically a detailed view of the maintenance system of figure 3; and

Figures 5 to 11 show principles of the method according to the present invention.

DETA1LED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 shows schematically one embodiment of the maintenance system of the present invention. The maintenance system is configured for maintenance work of a building space 2, or to provide a maintenance model of maintenance work of a building space 2. The maintenance system comprises a client device 60 provided in association with a building space 2. The client device 4 may be any known kind of client device such as a computer, a mobile device, a server system, embedded computing system or any other similar device ln the embodiment of figure 1 the client device 60 is computer or a server system. The client device 60 is preferably provided in connection with the building space 2, but it may also be provided separately from the building space 2.

The maintenance system also comprises a building information database 40, which may be connected to the client device 60 via a network 100. The system also comprises one or more building information models of one or more building spaces, respectively, being stored to the building information database 40. The building information database 40 may be stored in a building information memory or memory device.

The network 100 may be any known kind of communication network or communication connection such as communication line, local area network, internet, cellular network, broad band network, Bluetooth or the like, or any combination of known communication networks.

Each building information model stored in the building information database 40 may be specific to one building space 2. Further, the building information model defining physical and functional characteristics of the building space 2. The building information model may thus comprise a three-dimensional representation or model of the building space 2, as well as structures, materials, piping, electricity system, surface materials, and all corresponding technical details of the building space 2. The building information model may further comprise 4D model of the above mentioned technical details showing the changes in the building space 2 as a function of time.

The maintenance system further comprises an external maintenance service 50. The external maintenance service 50 may be service provided by an external service provider providing maintenance service(s) to building spaces 2. The external maintenance service 50 may be a service interface, program or platform of a renovation firm, HVAC -firm, electricity or piping contractor, window cleaner, decoration, house appliance store, or any other service provider providing services relating to maintaining or utilizing the building space 2. The external service 50, may comprise an external service server system, computer or any other hardware device in which the external maintenance service 50 may operate. The external maintenance service 50 may be connected to the client device and the building information database 40 via the network 100.

The maintenance system is provided such that a user may perform a maintenance request, concerning a specific building space 2, with the client device 60 when there is need for maintenance work in the building space 2. The maintenance request from the client device 60 is received in the external maintenance service 50 via the network 100. The maintenance request is associated with the building information model in the building information database 40 corresponding specific building space 2. As response to the maintenance request, the external maintenance service 50 is further provided with an access to the building information model of the specific building space 2 in the building information database 40. This way the external maintenance service 50 may receive the building information model or detailed physical and functional, as well as technical, information of the building space 2 from the building information model together with the relevant maintenance request from the client device 60. Therefore, the external maintenance service 50 or the service provider of the external maintenance service 50 may generate maintenance plan, or maintenance instructions or maintenance model for the maintenance work to be performed in the building space 2. This may be generated based on the maintenance request and the building information model of the building space 2. The maintenance plan, or maintenance instructions or maintenance model for the maintenance work may comprise physical and functional characteristics, meaning the technical details of the maintenance work. The maintenance plan, or maintenance instructions or maintenance model for the maintenance work may also comprise cost estimate or cost calculation of the maintenance work, time schedule or time estimate for the maintenance work, material accessory estimations or calculations needed for the maintenance work, identification of needed tools or any other information relating to the maintenance work.

The maintenance system of the present invention may be utilized such that the user makes a maintenance request when maintenance work is needed in the building space. Thus, use of the maintenance system is triggered by the user, for example an occupant of a house. The user may make the maintenance request when the maintenance work is considered to be needed or when on other system in the building space 2 informs or provides an indication that maintenance work is needed. Accordingly, the building space 2 may comprise a sensor system or one or more sensors 90 or a surveillance system or devices having sensors or electronics for measuring one or more physical or functional characteristics or of the building space 2 or one or more devices in the building space 2. The sensor system or sensors 90 may indicate when there is need for maintenance work in the building space 2. The user may then make the maintenance request by the client device 60 to the external maintenance service 50 as a response to the indication by the sensor system or sensors 90.

However, alternatively the utilization of the maintenance system may be automated. Therefore, the sensor system or sensors 90 present invention building space 2 may be connected via communication network or communication line to the client device 60. The client device 60 is configured to automatically generate the maintenance request to the external maintenance service 50 as a response to the indication from the sensor system or sensors 90 in the building space 2. The sensor system or sensors 90 may be connected to the client device 60 for example via local area network, internet, Bluetooth, communication line or any other known communication means for transferring the indication from the sensor system or sensors 90 to the client device 60. The sensor communication network may be the communication network 100 or a separate communication network provided in the building space 2.

Figure 2 shows schematically a detailed view of the maintenance system 1 of figure 1. As shown in figure 2, the client device 60 may comprise a client device processor 62 and a client device memory 64. There may be a maintenance application or maintenance software stored in the client device memory 64 and operable or executable by the client device processor 62 for generating the maintenance request and sending the maintenance request to the external maintenance service 50, and possibly also receiving the maintenance instructions or maintenance model from the external maintenance service 50. The client device 60 or the maintenance application may have a user interface via which the user may operate, send the maintenance request and possibly receive the maintenance model or instructions. The client device 60 may further comprise a communication module (not shown) for communicating with the external maintenance service 50, and possibly also with the sensor system or sensors 90 and the building information database 40 or a building information server system 44 comprising the building information database 40.

The external maintenance service 50 of the maintenance system 1, may comprise an external maintenance server system, having one or more servers or cloud servers, or the like. The external maintenance service 50 may comprise a maintenance service processor 52 and a maintenance service memory 54. There may be a maintenance service application or maintenance service software stored in the maintenance service memory 54 and operable or executable by the maintenance service processor 52 for receiving the maintenance request from the client device 60 and carrying out providing all the operations relating to accessing the building information model in the building information database, and possibly also generating the maintenance model or instructions and sending the maintenance model or instructions to the client device 60. The external maintenance service 50 or the maintenance service application may have an application program interface via which the maintenance service 50 may communicate with the client device 60 and possibly with the building information database 40. The external maintenance service 50 may further comprise a communication module (not shown) for communicating with the client device 60, and the building information database 40 or a building information server system 44 comprising the building information database 40.

The maintenance system 1 may comprise the building information server system 44, having one or more servers or cloud servers or the like. The building information server system 44 may comprise a building information processor 42 and a building information server memory 40 having the building information database. There may be a building information application or building information server software stored in the building information memory 44 and operable or executable by the building information processor 42 for providing access to the building information model by the external maintenance server 50 and for associating the maintenance request to the correct building information model, or sending the building information model to the external maintenance service 50. The building information server system 44 or building information application may have an application program interface via which the building information server system 44 may communicate with the client device 60 and possibly with the external maintenance server 50. The building information server system 44 may further comprise a communication module (not shown) for communicating with the client device 60, and the external maintenance server 50.

Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the maintenance system of the present invention. The maintenance system of figure 3, comprises a client device 20 which is mobile device 20 or a personal communication device of the user 70. The client device 20 may be a mobile phone, pad, laptop or a PDA (personal digital assistant) or the like device. The client device 60 of figures 1 and 2, may be a client system, client server system or the like which may be accessed or operated by the user via any device. The client device 60 may also be a building or building space control system installed to the building or building space 2, such as control system of a HVAC apparatus.

ln the embodiment of figure 3, the client device 20 may operate in similar manner as in client device 60 of figures 1 and 2, as described above. Thus, all that is mentioned above may also apply to the embodiment of figures 3 and 4. The user device 20, which may be mobile user device, may generate maintenance request, possibly with a user interface or automatically, as explained above.

lt may be necessary to identify the user or the client device or the building space 2 in concern in connection with the maintenance request for at least one of the following reasons. First, the correct building information model of the building space 2 in the building information database 40 have to be associated with the maintenance request. Secondly, it may be necessary to identify and/or authenticate the user 70 or the client device 20, 60 from which the maintenance request is received. For this reason, a building space identifier may be used in connection with the maintenance request. The same building space identifier may be used for both identifying the user 70 or the client device 20, 60 in the external maintenance service 50 and/or in the building information server system 44 or the building information database 40, and for associating the maintenance request to the correct building information model in the building information server system 44 or the building information database 40. Alternatively, two different identifiers may be used for the first and second reasons mentioned above. Thus, a first building space identifier may be provided and utilized, as disclosed above, in connection with the external maintenance service 50, and a second building space identifier may be provided and utilized, as disclosed above, in connection with the building information server system 44 or the building information database 40.

ln the embodiment of figure 3, the maintenance system may comprise an occupancy module 80 for detecting presence of the client device 20 in the building space 2. This enables generating or providing the building space identifier, or the first and second building space identifiers, as a response to detecting the presence of the client device 20 in the building space 2. Accordingly, the occupancy module 80 may be arranged to detect presence of the client device 20 in the building space 2 or the location of the client device 20.

The occupancy module 60, 86 may comprises any known kind a positioning system, location system or indoor positioning system configured to provide location identification of the reference device 72, 76, 80 in the building space 1.

The occupancy module 80 may comprise for example a Bluetooth beacon configured to provide location identification of the client device 20 in the in the building space 2. The location identification may also be used as the building space identifier, in some embodiments. Bluetooth beacon 80 may be hardware transmitter provided to the building space 2 and configured to broadcast the building space identifier specific to the building space 2 to the client device 20 in the building space 2. The client device may be configured to transmit the building space identifier together or in connection with the maintenance request to the building information server system 40 or the building information database 44 and/or the external maintenance service 50 via the network when receiving the building space identifier from the Bluetooth beacon 80 in the building space 2.

Alternatively, the occupancy module 80 may be for example an indoor positioning system or an indoor positioning system element or a local area network element provided to the building space 2 and configured to detect the presence of the client device 20 in the building space 2 or determining the location of the client device 20 in the building space 2. The building space identifier, or the first and second building space identifiers, may generated as a response to detecting the presence of the client device 20 in the building space 2 or determining the location of the client device 20 in the building space 2.

Figure 4 shows the maintenance system 1 of figure 3 in more detail. The building information server system 44 and external maintenance service 50 correspond the embodiment of figure 2, and thus repeating the disclosure of them is omitted.

As shown in figure 4, the client device 20 may comprise a client device processor 22 and a client device memory 24. There may be a maintenance application or maintenance software stored in the client device memory 24 and operable or executable by the client device processor 22 for generating the maintenance request and sending the maintenance request to the external maintenance service 50, and possibly also receiving the maintenance instructions or maintenance model from the external maintenance service 50. The client device 20 or the maintenance application may have a user interface via which the user may operate, send the maintenance request and possibly receive the maintenance model or instructions. The client device 20 may further comprise a communication module (not shown) for communicating with the external maintenance service 50, and possibly also with the sensor system or sensors 90 and the building information database 40 or a building information server system 44 comprising the building information database 40.

The client device 20, may also comprise a positioning module 25 for detecting the position or location of the client device 20. The positioning module 25 may be GPS (Global Positioning System) module or the like capable of providing or determining position or location of the client device 20, for example in the building space 2. Accordingly, the positioning module 25 may be utilized instead of the occupancy module 80 and configured to detect the presence of the client device 20 in the building space 2. Generating the providing the building space identifier may be accomplished in similar manner as described above.

Alternatively, the positioning module 25 may be configured to provide connection with the occupancy module 80 for detecting the presence of the client device 20 in the building space 2. The positioning module 25 may for example transmit a client identifier, for example a Bluetooth identifier, and the client identifier may be received in the occupancy module 80 for detecting the presence of the client device 20 in the building space 2.

lt should be noted that the present invention, as disclosed above in connection with figures 3 and 4, is not limited to any particular occupancy module 80 capable of detecting the presence of the client device 20 in the building space 2. Further, the present invention is not limited to any particular type of client device 20, but any client device 20 capable of communicating with the occupancy module 80 may be used.

As shown in figures 1 to 4, the maintenance system 1 may further comprise one or more sensors 90 or a sensor system configured to measure one or more physical or functional characteristics of the building space 2 or in the building space 2. The sensor system 90 maybe configured to measure for example pressure drop over an air filter in the ventilation system of the building space 2. When the pressure drop is outside a predetermined value or value range, the maintenance system 1 may automatically generate the maintenance request based on the measurement result. Alternatively, the sensor system 90 may measure state or operating state of device of building space 2. For example, the sensor system 90 may measure operating state of the heating system, and if the sensor system 90 detects a problem or failure in the heating system, the maintenance request is generated automatically. The sensors 90 or the sensor may be installed to the building space 2 as part of the maintenance system 1, or alternatively they me be parts of the devices present invention in the building space 2. For example, a refrigerator in the building space 2 may comprise a sensor for measuring operating parameters or values or operating state of the refrigerator, and a maintenance request if generated automatically when a problem or failure in the refrigerator is detected with the sensor 90.

The sensors or sensor system 90 may be any known kind of sensors or sensor system 90 and the present invention is not limited to any particular type of sensors or sensor system 90.

The sensor(s) or sensor system 90 may be connected to the client device 20, 60 with any known data communication means, such a communication line, Bluetooth, Wifi, local area network, internet, cellular network, such as 4G or 5G, or any other such communication means. The sensor(s) or sensor system 90 may initiate the generation of the maintenance request upon detecting a need or when the measured values are outside predetermined values, for example by sending maintenance request notification to the client device 20, 60. The client device 20, 60 may further generated to the maintenance request automatically based on the on or as response to the maintenance request notification from the sensor system 90. Alternatively, the user 70 may generated the maintenance request when a maintenance request notification is received from the sensors or sensor system 90.

Figure 5 discloses the method 101 maintenance work of a building space 2, or method in connection with maintenance work of the building space 2, or maintenance method of the building space 2.

The method comprises in step 110 maintaining the building information model of the building space 2 in the building information database 40 of the building information server system 44. ln step 120, the method comprises receiving, in the external maintenance service 50, the maintenance request from the client 20, 60. Then in step 130, the maintenance request is associated, by the building information server system 44, the with the building information model of the building space 2. Further, in step 140, the method comprises enabling access to the building information model of the building space as response to receiving the maintenance request from the client 20, 60 for providing the physical and functional characteristics of the building space 2to the external maintenance service 50. lt should be noted that the above described basic principle of the present invention may be carried out or implemented in various ways in order to provide the method of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to any particular implementation of the present invention.

Figure 6 discloses the step 120 in more detail. The step 120 may comprise further step 124 identifying the building space 2 of the maintenance request ln this step 124, the building space 2 which the maintenance request concerns if identified such that a correct building information model may be used in connection with the maintenance request.

ldentifying the building space 2 of the maintenance request may be carried out in or by the building information server system 44, or alternatively it may be carried out in or by the external maintenance service 50.

Then, the step 120 further comprises associating the maintenance request of the identified building space 2 with the building information model of the building space 2 in step 125. This means that maintenance request and the building information model of the building space 2 are associated with each other such that the correct building information model may be used for the maintenance request.

Associating the maintenance request with the building information model of the building space 2 may be carried out in or by the building information database 40 or server system 44, or by the external maintenance service 50.

Figure 7 shows a more detailed embodiment of the step 120. ln this embodiment, the step 120 further comprises step 123 carried out before the steps 124 and 125. The step 123 comprises receiving, in the building information server system 44, the building space identifier from the client 20, 60. The building space identifier is specific to the building space 2 which the maintenance request concerns.

The building space identifier may be received in the building information database 40 or server system 44, from the client device 20, 60 or from the external maintenance service 50, or from the client device 20, 60 via the external maintenance service 50. The building space identifier may be used for identifying the building space and associating the maintenance request to the correct building information model in steps 124 and 125.

The step 123 may be carried out in various ways according to the present invention ln one embodiment, the building space identifier is maintained in the client device 20, 60 and received in the building information server system 4 from the client 20, 60. Alternatively, the step 123 may comprise maintaining the building space identifier in the client device 20, 60, receiving the building space identifier from the client 20, 60 in the external maintenance service 50, preferably upon the maintenance request, and further receiving the building space identifier from the external maintenance service 50 in the building information server system 44.

ln this embodiment, the building space identifier may be stored in the client device memory 24, 64 of the client device 20, 60. Alternatively, the user 70 may have user profile in the external maintenance service 50 or external maintenance service platform and the building space identifier is stored or provided in the connection with the user profile.

ln an alternative embodiment, the step 123 comprises generating, by or in the client device 20, 60, the building space identifier as a response to the maintenance request and receiving the building space identifier from the client 20, 60 in the building information server system 44. Alternatively, the step 123 may comprise generating the building space identifier in the client device 20, 60 as a response to the maintenance request, receiving the building space identifier from the client 20, 60 in the external maintenance service 50, preferably upon the maintenance request, and further receiving the building space identifier from the external maintenance service 50 in the building information server system 44.

ln addition to the above disclosed examples, the step 123 may also be carried out such that the building space identifier is maintained or generated, as a response to the maintenance request from the client device 20, 60, in the external maintenance service 50 and received in the building information server system 44 or the database 40 from the external maintenance service 50.

Figure 8 shows, an embodiment of the step 120 which corresponds the principles of figures 3 and 4, as disclosed above ln this embodiment, the presence of the client device 20 is detected in the building space 2 and the detection is used for identifying the building space 2 which the maintenance request concerns and associating the maintenance request with the correct building information model.

ln the following, the steps 123, 124 and 125 correspond the same steps in figures 6 and 7, and thus the description of them is not repeated.

ln the embodiment of figure 8, the steps 120 of the method 101 comprises step 121 of detecting the presence of the client 20 in the building space 2 and step 122 of generating the building space identifier as response to the detecting the presence of the client 20 in the building space 2. The steps 123, 124 and 125 may be carried out after the steps 121 and 122.

ln step 121 the detecting of the presence of the client device 20 in the building space 2 detecting the presence of the client device 20 in the building space 2 by the occupancy module 80, or by the positioning module 25 of the client device 25. The presence of the client device 20 may be detected using any known occupancy module or device 80 or any known positioning module 25, as described above.

When the presence of the client device 20 is detected in the building space 2, the building space identifier is generated in step 122. ln one embodiment, the building space identifier is generated by the client device 20 as response to the detecting the presence of the client device 20 in the building space 2. ln an alternative embodiment, generating the building space identifier comprises is receiving, in the client 20 the building space identifier from the occupancy module 80. ln the latter embodiment, the occupancy module 80 may transmit the building space identifier to the client device 20 as a response to detecting the presence of the client device 20 in the building space 2.

Figure 9 shows different alternatives of step 150 for generating the maintenance request. The step 150 may comprise generating, by or in the client 20, 60, the maintenance request for the maintenance work of the building space in step 151. Alternatively, the step 150 may comprise generating, by or in the client 20, 60, the maintenance request upon request by the user 70 for the maintenance work of the building space 2 in step 152. ln a yet alternative embodiment, the step 150 may comprise automatically generating, by or in the client 20, 60, the maintenance request for the maintenance work of the building space 2 in step 153. As mentioned above, the maintenance request may be initiated by the user 70 in step 152 or automatically, without input from the user 70, in step 153.

Figure 10 shows one embodiment for automatically generating the maintenance request in step 153. The step 153 comprises measuring one or more physical or functional characteristics of the building space 2 or in the building space 2 by a sensor system 90 in step 154. lt should be noted that the sensor system 90 may be any known sensor system or sensors as described above, and further the sensor system 90 may be configured to measure one or more physical or functional characteristics of the building space 2, apparatuses in connection with the building, for example HVAC-apparatuses, or devices installed to the building space 2.

The step 153 further comprises determining whether the one or more measured physical or functional characteristics of the building space 2 or in the building space 2 is within a predetermined value or state or outside the predetermined value or state in step 155. Accordingly, the measured value is compared to predetermined value, value range or operation state of one or more physical or functional characteristics of the building space 2 or in the building space 2.

This comparison in step 155 may be carried out by the sensor system 90 or by the client device 20, 60, in which case the measured value(s) are received in the client device 20, 60.

Then, based on the determining or comparison, is the measured physical or functional characteristics of the building space 2 or in the building space 2 within the predetermined value or state, it is decided how to continue in step 156. lf the one or more physical or functional characteristics of the building space 2 or in the building space 2 is inside or within the predetermined value, value range or state, measuring the one or more physical or functional characteristics of the building space 2 or in the building space 2 is continued normally, as shown in figure 10. lf the one or more physical or functional characteristics of the building space 2 or in the building space 2 is outside the predetermined value, value range or state, the maintenance request for the maintenance work of the building space 2 is automatically generating by the client 20, 60 in step 157.

The method may further comprise controlling the access of the external maintenance service 50 to the building information model(s) in the building information database 40 or the building information server system 44 in step 140. Therefore, the step 140 of the method 101 for enabling access to the building information model of the building space 2 may comprises providing a first access key in association with the building information model of the building space 2 in step 141, receiving the first access key in the external maintenance service 50 as a response to the maintenance request from the client device 20, 60 in step 142 and enabling access, by the external maintenance service 50, to the building information model of the building space 2 as response to receiving the first access key for providing the physical and functional characteristics of the building space 2 to the external maintenance service 50 in step 142. The first access key may be for example a specific link or address to the building information model of the building space 2, or an access code, access algorithm or any known access key provided in association with the building information model of the building space 2.

The first access key may be received in the external maintenance service 50 in step 142 as response to the maintenance request, or as a response to the maintenance request and as a response to the associating the maintenance request with the building information model of the building space 2 of step 125.

ln one embodiment, the step 141 of providing the first access key in association with the building information model of the building space 2 may comprise maintaining the first access key in association with the building information model of the building space 2 in the building information server system 44. ln this embodiment, the first access key is stored to the building information server system 44 and may be received in the external maintenance service 50, for example as a response to the maintenance request. Thus, the maintenance request may comprise an access request received in the building information server system 44 from client device 20, 60.

ln an alternative embodiment, the step 141 may comprise generating the first access key the first access key being specific to the building space model of the building space by the building information server system 44 and associating the first access key with the building space model of the building space 2 by the building information server system 44. The first generated access key may be a permanent access key or a single-use access key. The first access key is specific to the building space model of the building space 2. ln this embodiment, the first access key may be generated in the building information server system 44 as a response to the maintenance request. Thus, the maintenance request may comprise an access request received in the building information server system 44 from client device 20, 60 and the first access key is generated as a response to receiving the access request.

ln an alternative embodiment, the step 141 of providing the first access key in association with the building information model of the building space 2 may comprise maintaining the first access key by or in the client device 20, 60, receiving the first access key from the client 20, 60 by the building information server system 44, and associating the first access key with the building space model of the building space 2 by the building information server system 44. ln this embodiment, the client device 20, 60 may provide the first access key to the building information server system 44 for associating the first access key with the building information model of the building space 2. Further, the client device 20, 60 may also provide the first access key to the external maintenance service 50 such that the external maintenance service 50 may access the correct the building information model of the building space 2. Alternatively, the step 141 may comprise generating the first access key by or in the client device 20, 60, receiving the first access key from the client device 20, 60 by the building information server system 44, and associating the first access key with the building space model of the building space 2 by the building information server system 44. The first generated access key may be a permanent access key or a single-use access key. The first access key is specific to the building space model of the building space 2. ln this embodiment, the first access key may be generated in the client device 20, 60 as a response to the maintenance request. Thus, the maintenance request may comprise an access request received in the building information server system 44 from client device 20, 60 and the first access key is generated as a response to receiving the access request.

Further in yet alternative embodiment, the step 141 of providing the first access key in association with the building information model of the building space 2 may comprise providing the first access key based on detecting presence the client device 20 in the building space 2. Thus, the step 141 may comprise detecting the presence of the client device 20 in the building space 2 by the occupancy module 80 or by the positioning module 25 of the client device 20, generating the first access key as response to the detecting the presence of the client 20 in the building space 2 by the client device 20 and receiving the first access key from the client 20 in the building information server system 44.

ln another embodiment, the step 141 may comprise detecting the presence of the client 20 in the building space 2 by an occupancy module 80, and receiving the first access key from the occupancy module 80 in the client 20 and further receiving, in the building information server system 44, the first access key from the client 20. This may also be carried out such that the first access key is received in the building information server system 44 directly from the occupancy module 80.

The step 142 of receiving the first access key as a response to the maintenance request from the client 20, 60 in the external maintenance service 50 may comprise receiving, in the external maintenance service 50, the first access key from the building information server system 44 or from the client device 20, 60, or directly from the occupancy module 80, as described above. Alternatively, the step 142 may comprise receiving, in the client 20 the first access key from the occupancy module 80 and further receiving, in the external maintenance service 50, the first access key from the client 20. Further, the step 142 may comprise receiving, in the client 20, 60, the first access key from the building information server system 44 and further receiving, in the external maintenance service 50, the first access key from the client 20, 60.

ln the above embodiment, the first access key is provided to the building information server system 44 and associated with the building information model of the building space 2. lt should be noted that the first access key may be one access key provided to the building information server system 44 and to the external maintenance service 50, or a pair of first access keys which together enable the access to the building information model of the building space 2. The pair of first access keys form together an access when they are matched upon access of the external maintenance service 50 to the building information server system 44.

The method 101 of the present invention may further comprise generating, by the external maintenance service 50 or by the building information server system 44, maintenance instructions or maintenance model of the maintenance work. The maintenance instructions or the maintenance model may be generated as a response to access to the building information model of the building space 2. The maintenance instructions or the maintenance model may be generated based on the maintenance request, or the technical information of the maintenance request, or based on the maintenance request, or the technical information of the maintenance request, and the building information model of the building space 2. The maintenance model or the maintenance instructions may comprise physical and functional characteristics of the maintenance work of the building space 2, as described above. The maintenance model or the maintenance instructions may provide basis, or all technical information, for the actual maintenance work to be carried out in the building space 2

The method may further comprise updating the building information model of the building space 2 with the maintenance instructions or the maintenance model of the maintenance work of the building space 2. Updating may further comprise receiving the maintenance model in the building information server system 44. This allows keeping the building information model up to date when maintenance work has been carried out in the building space 2. This alternatively comprise receiving the maintenance model in the building information server system 44, storing, in the building information server system 44, the maintenance instructions or the maintenance model of the maintenance work of the building space 2, and further associating, by the building information server system 44, the maintenance instructions or the maintenance model of the maintenance work of the building space 2 with the building information model of the building space 2. Thus, all relevant information of the building space 2 is maintained in the building information server system 44 and is ready to be used upon subsequent maintenance requests.

Further, the method 101 may also comprise generating a cookie file or the like by the external maintenance service 50. The cookie file may be generated in relation to or based on the maintenance request and/or based on the maintenance request and the maintenance model. The cookie file may provide information of the external maintenance service 50 to the client device 20, 60 and/or the building information server system 44. Further, the cookie file may comprise information of at least one of the following: the external maintenance service 50 or the maintenance instructions or the maintenance model of the maintenance work of the building space 2. ln one embodiment, method may comprise generating, by the external maintenance service 50, the cookie file, receiving the cookie file by the client 20, 60, and storing, the cookie file to the client by the client 20, 60. Alternatively, the cookie file may be received in the building information server system 44, stored by the building information server system 44 and associated, with the building information model of the building space 2 by the building information server system 44. This way the information of the external maintenance service 50 or the maintenance work may be stored for later utilization and for subsequent maintenance requests.

The invention has been described above with reference to the examples shown in the figures. However, the invention is in no way restricted to the above examples but may vary within the scope of the claims.