Method for predicting sensor failure in security system

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a building control system that may include a controller and a plurality of sensors. The controller may be configured to predict whether one or more of the sensors are likely to fail. The controller may be configured to predict a fault of the sensor via a process in which a resistance value associated with the sensor is monitored over time. The controller may be configured to predict a failure of a video capture sensor via a process in which a walk test via the sensor and then analysis are performed. The controller may be configured to predict a failure of the sensor via a process in which the number of times the sensor is bypassed with the building control system activated is monitored. The controller may be configured to predict a fault of the sensor via a process in which a trigger event among the cross-region sensor pair is monitored.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to security systems employing multiple sensors, and more particularly to predicting sensor failures of sensors in a security system. Background Art

[0002] Multiple different building control systems employ sensors. One example includes security systems. A security system can include a large number of sensors, such as door sensors, window sensors, glass break sensors, motion sensors, etc. A security system is only as effective as its sensors. When a sensor fails, the security system will be compromised. Some sensors are more critical to the functionality of the security system than others. It is advantageous to be able to replace a sensor before it fails in order to maintain the performance of the security system. What is desired are methods and systems for predicting when a particular sensor is likely to fail so that the sensor can be replaced before it completely fails and compromises the performance of the security system. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to security systems employing multiple sensors, and more particularly to predicting sensor failures of sensors in a security system. An example can be found in a method for predicting sensor failures of sensors in a building control system using one or more means.

[0004] In some cases, the method can include predicting that the sensor will fail by monitoring a resistance value associated with a sensor of a building control system to determine fluctuations in the resistance value over time. In this case, the building control system can be a security system, an HVAC system, a lighting system, a fire protection system, or any other building control system. The resistance value associated with the sensor has a predetermined normal resistance range, where the normal resistance range has a central resistance normal region surrounded by a higher resistance normal region and a lower resistance normal region. It can be determined when the resistance value associated with the sensor begins to deviate from the central resistance normal region into the higher resistance normal region and / or the lower resistance normal region by more than a threshold amount, and in this case, predict that the sensor will fail and send an alert predicting that the sensor will fail.

[0005] In some cases, an exemplary method may include predicting that the sensor will fail by the following steps: capturing a walk test of the sensor using a camera to obtain a walk test video; and using video analysis to process the walk test video to determine the time taken for the walk test of the sensor. The method may include monitoring trigger events of the sensor during the walk test and determining when the number of trigger events of the sensor is greater than zero but less than the expected number of trigger events within the determined time taken for the walk test of the sensor, and in such a case, predicting that the sensor will fail and sending an alert predicting that the sensor will fail.

[0006] In some cases, the method may include predicting that the sensor will fail by the following steps: monitoring the number of times a user bypasses an area including the sensor when activating or starting a security system over a period of time; and determining when the number of times the user bypasses the area including the sensor over the period of time represents a measure exceeding a threshold, and in such a case, predicting that one or more sensors in the bypassed area will fail and sending an alert predicting that one or more sensors in the bypassed area will fail.

[0007] In some cases, the method may include predicting that the sensor will fail by the following steps: monitoring trigger events from each sensor in a cross - area sensor pair over a period of time, where one sensor in the cross - area sensor pair includes the sensor; and based on the trigger events from each sensor in the cross - area sensor pair over the period of time, determining when the sensor fails to trigger one or more events, and in such a case, predicting that the sensor will fail and sending an alert predicting that the sensor will fail.

[0008] Another example may exist in a building control system. The building control system may be a security system. An exemplary building control system includes one or more sensors and a controller operatively coupled to the one or more sensors using one or more methods.

[0009] In some cases, the controller may be configured to predict a sensor failure in one or more sensors by the following steps: monitoring the resistance value associated with the sensor of the building control system to understand the fluctuations of the resistance value over time. The resistance value associated with the sensor has a predefined normal resistance range, where the normal resistance range has a central resistance normal region surrounded by a higher resistance normal region and a lower resistance normal region. The controller may be configured to determine when the resistance value associated with the sensor starts to deviate from the central resistance normal region into the higher resistance normal region and / or the lower resistance normal region by more than a threshold amount, and in such a case, predict that the sensor will fail and send an alarm indicating that the sensor is expected to fail.

[0010] In some cases, the controller may be configured to predict that the sensor will fail by the following steps: using a camera to capture a walk test of the sensor, thereby obtaining a walk test video; and using video analysis to process the walk test video to determine the time taken for the walk test of the sensor. The controller may be configured to monitor trigger events of the sensor during the walk test, and determine when the number of trigger events of the sensor is greater than zero but less than the expected number of trigger events within the determined time taken for the walk test of the sensor, and in such a case, predict that the sensor will fail and send an alarm indicating that the sensor is expected to fail.

[0011] In some cases, the controller may be configured to predict that the sensor will fail by the following steps: monitoring the number of times a user bypasses the area of the building control system including the sensor when activating or starting the building control system within a period of time; and determining when the number of times the user bypasses the area including the sensor within the period of time represents a measure exceeding a threshold, and in such a case, predict that one or more sensors in the bypassed area will fail and send an alarm indicating that one or more sensors in the bypassed area are expected to fail.

[0012] In some cases, the controller may be configured to predict that the sensor will fail by the following steps: monitoring trigger events from each sensor in a cross - area sensor pair within a period of time, where one sensor in the cross - area sensor pair includes the sensor; and based on the trigger events from each sensor in the cross - area sensor pair within the period of time, determining when the sensor fails to trigger one or more events, and in such a case, predict that the sensor will fail and send an alarm indicating that the sensor is expected to fail.

[0013] Another example may reside in a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed, cause one or more processors to use one or more methods to predict sensor failures of sensors of a building control system.

[0014] In some cases, the one or more processors may predict sensor failures of the one or more sensors by: monitoring a resistance value associated with the sensor of the building control system to understand fluctuations in the resistance value over time. The resistance value associated with the sensor has a normal resistance range, where the normal resistance range has a central resistance normal region surrounded by a higher resistance normal region and a lower resistance normal region. The one or more processors may determine when the resistance value associated with the sensor begins to deviate from the central resistance normal region into the higher resistance normal region and / or the lower resistance normal region by more than a threshold amount, and in such a case, predict that the sensor will fail and send an alert predicting that the sensor will fail.

[0015] In some cases, the one or more processors may predict that the sensor will fail by: using a camera to capture a walk test of the sensor, thereby obtaining a walk test video; and using video analysis to process the walk test video to determine the time taken for the walk test of the sensor. The one or more processors may monitor trigger events of the sensor during the walk test, and determine when the number of trigger events of the sensor is greater than zero but less than the expected number of trigger events within the determined time taken for the walk test of the sensor, and in such a case, predict that the sensor will fail and send an alert predicting that the sensor will fail.

[0016] In some cases, the one or more processors may predict that the sensor will fail by: monitoring the number of times a user bypasses an area of the building control system that includes the sensor when activating or starting the building control system over a period of time; and determining when the number of times the user bypasses the area that includes the sensor over the period of time represents a measure that exceeds a threshold, and in such a case, predict that one or more sensors in the bypassed area will fail and send an alert predicting that one or more sensors in the bypassed area will fail.

[0017] In some cases, the one or more processors may predict that the sensor will fail by: monitoring trigger events from each sensor in a cross - region sensor pair over a period of time, where one sensor in the cross - region sensor pair includes the sensor; and based on the trigger events from each sensor in the cross - region sensor pair over the period of time, determining when the sensor fails to trigger one or more events, and in such a case, predicting that the sensor will fail and sending an alert predicting that the sensor will fail.

[0018] The foregoing invention content is provided to facilitate understanding of some innovative features specific to the present disclosure and is not intended as a complete description. A comprehensive understanding of the present disclosure can be obtained by considering the entire specification, claims, drawings, and abstract as a whole. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The present disclosure can be more fully understood by considering the following description of various examples in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0020] Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an exemplary building control system;

[0021] Figure 2 is a graphical representation of the resistance characteristics of a sensor;

[0022] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an exemplary method for predicting sensor failure;

[0023] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an exemplary method for predicting sensor failure;

[0024] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an exemplary method for predicting sensor failure; and

[0025] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an exemplary method for predicting sensor failure.

[0026] While the present disclosure is subject to various modifications and alternative forms, details thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. However, it should be understood that the intention is not to limit the present disclosure to the specific examples described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The following description should be read with reference to the drawings, in which like elements in different drawings are numbered in the same manner. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and depict examples that are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Although examples of various elements are illustrated, those skilled in the art will recognize that many of the examples provided have suitable alternatives that may be utilized.

[0028] It is assumed herein that all numbers are modified by the term "about" unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers subsumed within that range (e.g., 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, and 5).

[0029] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term "or" is generally employed in its sense including "and / or" unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0030] It should be noted that the recitation of "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "other embodiments," etc., in the specification is indicative that the described embodiments may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but each embodiment may not necessarily include that particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, these phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Additionally, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with one embodiment, it is contemplated that the feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with one embodiment and that, whether or not explicitly described, the feature, structure, or characteristic may be applicable to other embodiments unless there is an express contrary statement.

[0031] Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an exemplary building control system 10 that can control any one of a variety of different devices within a building or other facility. For example, the building control system 10 can represent a security system. In some cases, the building control system 10 can represent any one of an HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system, a lighting system, an access control system, and other systems. The building control system 10 includes a plurality of sensors 12, labeled 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d, respectively. Although a total of four sensors 12 are shown, it should be understood that the building control system 10 can include any number of sensors 12 and, in some cases, can include far more than four sensors 12. For example, when the building control system 10 represents a security system, the sensors 12 can represent any one of a variety of different types of sensors, including door sensors, window sensors, glass break detectors, and motion sensors. In some cases, at least one of the sensors 12 can be, for example, a camera that can be used when performing a sensor walk test.

[0032] In some cases, at least some of the sensors in sensor 12 can be considered cross - zone sensors, where two (or more) of the sensors in sensor 12 are configured to work together to detect certain events. For example, a cross - zone sensor pair can include a first motion sensor near an entrance door and a second motion sensor arranged along a hallway from the entrance door. The first motion sensor will be triggered by the motion of a person entering the entrance door, and the second motion sensor will be triggered by the motion of a person moving along the hallway. For example, the cross - zone pair can be programmed to issue an alarm or warning when the first motion sensor is triggered by motion and then the second motion sensor is triggered by motion within a predetermined time period (e.g., 10 seconds) from when the first motion sensor was triggered. As another example, the cross - zone pair can be programmed to issue an alarm or warning when the first motion sensor is triggered by motion and then the second motion sensor is not triggered by motion within a predetermined time period (e.g., 10 seconds) from when the first motion sensor was triggered. These are just examples.

[0033] The building control system 10 includes a controller 14 that controls the operation of the building control system 10. For example, in some cases, the controller 14 can be part of a security system control panel or can be located in the cloud. The controller 14 can be embodied within a computer, such as a laptop or a desktop computer. In some cases, the controller 14 can be distributed across different components. For example, some functions of the controller can be incorporated into one or more of sensors, cameras, security system control panels, the cloud, and / or any other suitable components.

[0034] In some cases, each of the sensors in sensor 12 can be operatively coupled to the controller 14 via cables 16 (respectively labeled 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d). For example, each of the cables 16 can represent a pair of wires. In some cases, each of the cables 16 can be an Ethernet cable. The cables 16 can extend between connectors 18 (respectively labeled 18a, 18b, 18c, and 18d) near each sensor 12 and connectors 20 (respectively labeled 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d) near the controller 14. The connectors 18 and 20 can represent, for example, terminal blocks or Ethernet interfaces.

[0035] The controller 14 can be configured to predict whether one or more of the sensors in sensor 12 are likely to fail. In some cases, the controller 14 can be configured to perform one or more of a number of different methods or processes. For example, the controller 14 can be configured to predict the failure of sensor 12 via a process in which the resistance values associated with sensor 12 are monitored over time, as for example in Figure 3As described in. For example, the resistance value may change due to cable loss, cable damage, poor connection, or even deterioration of the sensor itself. In some cases, a resistance change of five to ten percent within the normal range may be tolerated, and a resistance value that frequently (such as three or more times within a predetermined time period) exceeds this range may trigger an event. The triggered event may result in the execution of maintenance. Maintenance may include inspecting and / or repairing lost cables, damaged cables, poor connections, and / or replacing the sensor.

[0036] The controller 14 may be configured to predict a failure of the sensor 12 via a process in which a walk test is performed via the video capture sensor 12 and then analyzed, as, for example, in Figure 4 As described in. During the walk test, an installer walks past the sensor such as a motion sensor, attempting to trigger the sensor. If the operator needs to walk past a particular sensor multiple times to trigger the sensor, such as if the operator has to keep getting closer to the sensor to trigger it, this may indicate that the sensor is deteriorating. The walk test is viewed and recorded via a camera, and the resulting video clip is analyzed via video analysis to determine the speed at which the operator triggers the sensor. In some cases, trigger events of the sensor are monitored during the walk test, and when the number of trigger events of the sensor is greater than zero (the sensor still has some functionality) but less than the expected number of trigger events within the time taken for the determined walk test of the sensor, it is predicted that the sensor will fail. The expected number of trigger events may include an expected threshold number, an expected threshold range, an expected clustering of trigger events over time, and / or any other metric of expected trigger events from the sensor during the walk test. An alert indicating that the sensor is expected to fail may be sent.

[0037] The controller 14 may be configured to predict a failure of the sensor 12 via a process in which the number of times the sensor 12 is bypassed while the building control system 10 is activated (e.g., started) is monitored, as, for example, Figure 5 As described in. In some cases, the building control system 10 may be a security system that can be started and deactivated by a user. If a particular sensor 12 (or the area including the particular sensor 12) is repeatedly bypassed when the security system is started because the sensor intermittently triggers false alarms once the building control system 10 is activated, this may indicate that the sensor (or one of the sensors in the bypassed area) is deteriorating and may soon fail.

[0038] The controller 14 may be configured to predict a failure of the sensor 12 via a process in which trigger events among cross - area sensor pairs are monitored, as, for example, Figure 6As described. If one sensor within a cross-region pair repeatedly sees an event while another sensor within the cross-region pair intermittently does not see the same event, this may indicate that the second sensor is degrading and may soon fail.

[0039] Figure 2 is a graphical representation of the expected distribution of the resistance value 22 of a particular sensor 12. In Figure 2 curve 24 represents the resistance distribution of the sensor as observed from the controller 14. The area below curve 24 can be considered to be divided into several different resistance regions. Region 26 represents values within the normal center resistance region and represents the normal and expected resistance values of the sensor when the sensor is new. Region 26 is surrounded on the left by region 28 representing the lower resistance normal region and on the right by region 30 representing the higher resistance normal region. The normal center resistance region 26, the lower resistance normal region 28, and the higher resistance normal region 30 are all considered to be within the normal and acceptable resistance range of the particular sensor 12. However, the normal center resistance region 26 represents a more stringent tolerance and a preferred resistance range. When the sensor 12 and / or the connection between the sensor 12 and the controller degrades, the resistance associated with the particular sensor 12 may start to deviate from the normal center resistance region 26 and enter the lower resistance normal region 28 and / or the higher resistance normal region 30. This can be detected and an alarm can be issued.

[0040] Region 32 represents the lower resistance abnormal region, and region 34 represents the higher resistance abnormal region. Resistance values within the abnormal region 32 or the abnormal region 34 represent resistance values that will trigger an immediate alarm. As the resistance value tends to enter the lower resistance normal region (region 28) over time, or further into the lower resistance normal region, there may be suspicion that the particular sensor 12 (e.g., the cable 16 and / or the connector 18 between the sensor 12 and the controller 14) is likely to fail soon. As the resistance value tends to enter the higher resistance normal region (region 30) over time, or further into the higher resistance normal region, there may be suspicion that the particular sensor 12 (e.g., the cable 16 and / or the connector 18 between the sensor 12 and the controller 14) is likely to fail soon.

[0041] For purposes of providing illustrative but non-limiting numerical examples, assume that region 26 is centered at a resistance value of 1000 ohms and can extend from a minimum value of 970 ohms to a maximum value of 1050 ohms. Region 28 can extend from a minimum value of 900 ohms to a maximum value of 970 ohms. Region 30 can extend from a minimum value of 1050 ohms to a maximum value of 1200 ohms. Region 32 can represent resistance values below 900 ohms. Region 34 can represent resistance values greater than 1200 ohms. It should be understood that these numbers are merely representative and can be considered to be closely related to, for example, a particular type and / or brand of sensor and / or cable. Additionally, and in some cases, it is expected that the resistance value can depend on the length of the cable extending from controller 14 to a particular sensor 12. Thus, and in some cases, for each of sensors 12a - 12d, the resistance values associated with respective regions 26 - 34 can be set differently. In some cases, the resistance values associated with respective regions 26 - 34 for each of sensors 12a - 12d can be set according to the resistance values measured when the corresponding sensors 12a - 12d are initially installed.

[0042] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an illustrative method 36 for predicting a sensor failure of a sensor (such as sensor 12) in a building control system (such as building control system 10). Controller 14 can be configured to execute method 36. Illustrative method 36 can include predicting that a sensor will fail by monitoring a resistance value associated with a sensor of a building control system to understand fluctuations in the resistance value over time. The resistance value associated with the sensor has a normal resistance range, where the normal resistance range has a central resistance normal region surrounded by a higher resistance normal region and a lower resistance normal region, as shown at block 38. In some cases, the resistance value associated with the sensor can include the resistance of a cable (such as cable 16) to the sensor and / or the resistance of a connector (such as connector 18 and / or connector 20) to the sensor. In some cases, the resistance value associated with the sensor can include the input resistance of the sensor itself.

[0043] It can be determined when the resistance value associated with the sensor begins to deviate by more than a threshold amount into the higher resistance normal region and / or the lower resistance normal region, and in such a case, it is predicted that the sensor will fail and an alert that the sensor is expected to fail is sent, as shown at block 40. In some cases, determining when the resistance value associated with the sensor begins to deviate by more than a threshold amount into the higher resistance normal region and / or the lower resistance normal region may include several options, as shown at block 42. Determining when the resistance value associated with the sensor begins to deviate by more than a threshold amount into the higher resistance normal region and / or the lower resistance normal region may include determining when the resistance value crosses into the higher resistance normal region and / or the lower resistance normal region more than a predetermined number of times within a predetermined test period, as shown at block 42a. Determining when the resistance value associated with the sensor begins to deviate by more than a threshold amount into the higher resistance normal region and / or the lower resistance normal region may include determining when the resistance value remains in the higher resistance normal region and / or the lower resistance normal region for a predetermined amount of time over a predetermined test period, as shown at block 42b. In some cases, method 36 may include automatically scheduling maintenance and sending a maintenance message to inspect and / or replace the sensor (e.g., the sensor, cable, and / or connector connecting the sensor and the controller) in response to receiving the alert.

[0044] Figure 4 FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method 46 for predicting sensor failures of sensors (such as sensor 12) in a building control system (such as building control system 10). Controller 14 may be configured to execute method 46. Exemplary method 46 includes capturing a walk test of the sensor using a camera to obtain a walk test video, as shown at block 48. The walk test may include walking past the sensor such as a motion sensor in an attempt to trigger the sensor. The walk test video may be processed using video analysis to determine the time taken for the walk test of the sensor, as shown at block 50. The video analysis may determine when a person enters and leaves the expected field of view of the sensor, and the time spent in the expected field of view of the sensor during the walk test. Trigger events of the sensor are monitored during the walk test, as shown at block 52. The sensor may include a motion sensor, and the trigger events may each indicate a motion event detected by the sensor. It is determined when the number of trigger events of the sensor is greater than zero but less than the expected number of trigger events within the determined time taken for the walk test of the sensor, and in such a case, it is predicted that the sensor will fail and an alert that the sensor is expected to fail is sent, as shown at block 54. In some cases, method 46 may include automatically scheduling maintenance and sending a maintenance message to inspect and / or replace the sensor in response to receiving the alert, as shown at block 56.

[0045] Figure 5It is a flowchart showing an exemplary method 58 for predicting sensor faults of sensors (such as sensor 12) in a building control system (such as building control system 10). The controller 14 may be configured to execute method 58. The exemplary method 58 includes monitoring the number of times a user bypasses an area of the building control system that includes the sensor in the case of activating (e.g., starting) the building control system over a period of time, as shown at block 60. In some cases, the building control system may be a security system, and in the case where the security system is started by the user, the user may bypass an area of the building control system. If a particular sensor 12 (or an area including the particular sensor 12) is repeatedly bypassed in the case of starting the security system because the sensor intermittently triggers false alarms once the building control system 10 is activated, this may indicate that the sensor (or one of the sensors in the bypassed area) is deteriorating and may soon fail. It can be determined when the number of times the user bypasses the area including the sensor during the period represents a measure exceeding a threshold, and in such a case, it is predicted that one or more sensors in the bypassed area will fail and an alarm that one or more sensors in the predicted bypassed area will fail is sent, as shown at block 62.

[0046] In some cases, method 58 may include determining the number of times the user does not bypass the area including the sensor during the period, and wherein the threshold represents a relationship (e.g., ratio) between the number of times the user bypasses the area including the sensor during the period and the number of times the user does not bypass the area including the sensor during the period, as shown at block 64. In some cases, method 58 may include automatically scheduling maintenance and sending a maintenance message to inspect and / or replace one or more sensors in the bypassed area including the sensor in response to receiving the alarm, as shown at block 66.

[0047] Figure 6FIG. 68 is a flow chart showing an exemplary method for predicting sensor failures of sensors (such as sensor 12) in a building control system (such as building control system 10). Controller 14 may be configured to execute method 68. Exemplary method 68 includes monitoring trigger events from each sensor in a cross-region sensor pair over a period of time, where one sensor in the cross-region sensor pair includes the sensor, as shown at block 70. Based on the trigger events from each sensor in the cross-region sensor pair over the period of time, determine when the sensor fails to trigger one or more events, and in such a case, predict that the sensor will fail and send an alert predicting that the sensor will fail, as shown at block 72. In some cases, determining when the sensor fails to trigger one or more events based on the trigger events of the cross-region sensor pair may include determining when the sensor misses one or more events based on the trigger events of another sensor in the cross-region sensor pair. In some cases, method 68 may further include automatically scheduling maintenance and sending a maintenance message to inspect and / or replace the sensor in response to receiving the alert, as shown at block 74.

[0048] Although several exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described as such, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that other embodiments can be made and used within the scope of the appended claims herein. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure is illustrative in many respects. Changes may be made to the details, especially those related to the shape, size, arrangement of parts, and exclusion and order of steps, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Of course, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the language of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for predicting sensor failures of sensors in a building control system, the method including one or more of the following: (a) Predicting that the sensor will fail by: Monitoring a resistance value associated with the sensor of the building control system to understand fluctuations of the resistance value over time, the resistance value associated with the sensor having a normal resistance range, wherein the normal resistance range has a central resistance normal region surrounded by a higher resistance normal region and a lower resistance normal region; Determining when the resistance value associated with the sensor begins to deviate into the higher resistance normal region and / or the lower resistance normal region by more than a threshold amount, and in such a case, predicting that the sensor will fail and sending an alert predicting that the sensor will fail; (b) Predicting that the sensor will fail by: Using a camera to capture a walk test of the sensor, thereby obtaining a walk test video; Using video analysis to process the walk test video to determine the time taken for the walk test of the sensor; Monitoring trigger events of the sensor during the walk test; Determining when the number of trigger events of the sensor is greater than zero but less than an expected number of trigger events within the determined time taken for the walk test of the sensor, and in such a case, predicting that the sensor will fail and sending an alert predicting that the sensor will fail; (c) Predicting that the sensor will fail by: Monitoring the number of times a user bypasses an area of the building control system including the sensor while activating the building control system over a period of time; Determining when the number of times the user bypasses the area including the sensor during the period represents a measure exceeding a threshold, and in such a case, predicting that one or more sensors in the bypassed area will fail and sending an alert predicting that one or more sensors in the bypassed area will fail; (d) Predicting that the sensor will fail by: Monitoring trigger events from each sensor in a cross - area sensor pair over a period of time, wherein one sensor in the cross - area sensor pair includes the sensor; And Based on the trigger events from each sensor in the cross - area sensor pair during the period, determining when the sensor fails to trigger one or more events, and in such a case, predicting that the sensor will fail and sending an alert predicting that the sensor will fail.

2. The method according to claim 1, including predicting that the sensor will fail by: Monitoring the resistance value associated with the sensor of the building control system to understand fluctuations of the resistance value over time, the resistance value associated with the sensor having the normal resistance range, wherein the normal resistance range has the central resistance normal region surrounded by the higher resistance normal region and the lower resistance normal region; and Determine when the resistance value associated with the sensor begins to deviate into the higher resistance normal region and / or the lower resistance normal region by more than a threshold amount, and in such a case, predict that the sensor will fail and send an alert predicting that the sensor will fail.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein determining when the resistance value associated with the sensor begins to deviate into the higher resistance normal region and / or the lower resistance normal region by more than a threshold amount includes one or more of the following: Determine when the resistance value crosses into the higher resistance normal region and / or the lower resistance normal region more than a predetermined number of times within a predetermined test period; and Determine when the resistance value remains in the higher resistance normal region and / or the lower resistance normal region for a predetermined amount of time within a predetermined test period.

4. The method according to claim 2, further comprising: In response to receiving the alert, automatically schedule and send a maintenance message to inspect and / or replace the sensor.

5. The method according to claim 1, including predicting that the sensor will fail by the following steps: Use a camera to capture a walk test of the sensor, thereby obtaining a walk test video; Use video analysis to process the walk test video to determine the time taken for the walk test of the sensor; Monitor trigger events of the sensor during the walk test; And Determine when the number of trigger events of the sensor is greater than zero but less than the expected number of trigger events within the determined time taken for the walk test of the sensor, and in such a case, predict that the sensor will fail and send an alert predicting that the sensor will fail.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the sensor includes a motion sensor, and each trigger event indicates a motion event detected by the sensor.

7. The method according to claim 1, including predicting that the sensor will fail by the following steps: Monitor the number of times a user bypasses the area including the sensor of the building control system when activating the building control system within a period of time; and Determine when the number of times the user bypasses the area including the sensor within the period of time represents a measure exceeding a threshold, and in such a case, predict that one or more sensors in the bypassed area will fail and send an alert predicting that one or more sensors in the bypassed area will fail.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising determining the number of times the user does not bypass the area including the sensor within the period of time, and wherein the threshold represents the relationship between the number of times the user bypasses the area including the sensor within the period of time and the number of times the user does not bypass the area including the sensor within the period of time.

9. The method according to claim 1, including predicting that the sensor will fail by the following steps: Monitor trigger events from each sensor in a cross - regional sensor pair over a period of time, where one sensor in the cross - regional sensor pair includes the sensor; and Based on the trigger events from each sensor in the cross - regional sensor pair during the period, determine when the sensor fails to trigger one or more events, and in such cases, predict that the sensor will fail and send an alert predicting that the sensor will fail.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein determining when the sensor fails to trigger one or more events based on the trigger events of the cross - regional sensor pair includes determining when the sensor misses one or more events based on the trigger events of the other sensor in the cross - regional sensor pair.

Images