Panel Monitoring System

Abstract

A panel monitoring system (10) for a wall assembly (100) including a panel (200) and a panel support post (300), wherein the panel (200) is configured to be placed in a mounting position on the panel support post (300). The panel monitoring system (10) includes a panel position sensor unit (400) capable of generating a panel status indication (410), which may include a removal signal (412) generated in response to the panel (200) of the wall assembly (100) being removed from its mounting position on the panel support post (300) and / or a mounting signal (414) generated in response to the panel (200) being placed in its mounting position on the panel support post (300).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a panel monitoring system, and more particularly to a panel monitoring system for a wall assembly. [Background technology]

[0002] Examples of prior art are described in US Pat. Nos. 5,629,999, 5,729,989, 5,729,999, and 5,729,999. Panel walls, such as walls made up of a series of interconnected panels, are used in a variety of applications, such as to create barriers around equipment, define passageways within a particular space, and divide workspaces into areas. Panel walls may have doors that allow passage through them and may be lockable to control access. Additionally, the doors may be equipped with alarms to indicate when they are opened.

[0003] When a wall encloses equipment or a storage area, the panel may be damaged, for example, by a vehicle backing into it or by debris from the equipment striking the panel. In such cases, the panel is removed and replaced. However, removing the panel can be problematic, for example, if passing through the wall poses a risk to users (e.g., if the wall encloses dangerous equipment) or if removing the panel poses a security risk (e.g., if the wall encloses a merchandise storage area). Furthermore, if a panel is removed and replaced, there is no way to indicate that the integrity of the wall assembly has been compromised. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 10,665,058 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2008 / 014611 [Patent Document 3] Chinese Patent Application Publication No. 114005233 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Therefore, a system that can monitor the panels of a wall assembly to indicate if the panel of the wall assembly has been removed and / or replaced is highly desirable. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to the present disclosure there is provided a panel monitoring system and wall assembly as set out in the accompanying claims. Further features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims and the following description. Accordingly, a panel monitoring system 10 for a wall assembly 100 may be provided. The wall assembly 100 may include a panel 200 and a panel support post 300, with the panel 200 configured to be placed in a mounting position on the panel support post 300. The panel monitoring system 10 may include a panel position sensor unit 400 capable of generating a panel status indication 410, the panel status indication 410 including at least one of a disengagement signal 412 generated in response to the panel 200 of the wall assembly 100 being disengaged from its mounting position on the panel support post 300, and an attachment signal 414 generated in response to the panel 200 of the wall assembly 100 being placed in its mounting position on the panel support post 300.

[0007] The panel position sensor unit (400) may be configured to generate the detachment signal (412) indicating that the panel (200) has been detached from the panel support post (300) in response to detecting relative movement between the panel (200) and the panel support post (300).

[0008] The panel position sensor unit (400) may also be configured to generate the mounting signal (414) indicating that the panel (200) has been placed in its mounting position in response to detecting relative movement between the panel (200) and the panel support pole (300).

[0009] The panel monitoring system (10) may further include a signal processing unit (500) capable of receiving and processing the panel status indication information (410). The panel monitoring system (10) may also be capable of recording the panel status indication (410) in a panel status indication data set (416).

[0010] Additionally, a report of the panel status indicator data set (416) may be generated. The time (T) and date (D) of the removal signal (412) and / or attachment signal (414) may also be recordable in the panel status indication information data set (416).

[0011] Additionally, the panel monitoring system (10) may be capable of registering a panel identification indicia (12) provided on the panel (200), generating a panel identification signal (14), and recording it in the panel status indication information data set (416).

[0012] The panel monitoring system (10) may further include an alarm signal generator (600) operable to receive the panel status indication (410) from the panel position sensor unit (400) and generate an alarm signal (602) in response thereto.

[0013] The alarm signal generator (600) may be capable of generating an alarm signal (602) that includes at least one of the following: a. a removal warning signal (604) generated in response to said departure signal (412); b. A missing panel alarm signal (606) generated if the attachment signal (414) is not received after a predetermined time period. c. A repeat missing panel alarm signal (608) that is repeatedly generated until the attachment signal (414) is received. The panel monitoring system (10) may also include an audible alarm (700) and / or an electronic visual indicator (702) operable in response to receiving the alarm signal (602) from the alarm signal generator (600).

[0014] The audible alarm (700) and / or the electronic visual indicator (702) may be capable of generating different outputs depending on the type of each alarm signal (602). The panel monitoring system (10) may also be capable of recording each alarm signal (602) in the panel status indicator data set (416).

[0015] The panel monitoring system (10) according to claim 13 may also be capable of recording the time (T) and date (D) of each alarm signal (602) in the panel status indication information data set (416).

[0016] The panel position sensor unit (400) may include a switch unit (420) operable to generate the panel status indication (410) in response to movement of the panel (200) relative to the mounting location.

[0017] The panel position sensor unit (400) may include a proximity sensor (422) operable to generate the panel status indication (410) in response to a change in proximity of the panel (200) to the mounting location.

[0018] The panel position sensor unit (400) may include an acceleration sensor (424) capable of generating the panel state indication (410) in response to movement of the panel (200) in a predetermined direction.

[0019] The panel position sensor unit (400) may include a light sensor (426) capable of generating the panel status indication (410) in response to detecting changes in received light intensity. The panel monitoring system (10) may include a housing unit (20), in which the signal processing unit (500) and the alarm signal generator (600) are provided, and the housing unit (20) may be attached to the panel support column (300) and positioned at a distance from the panel position sensor unit (400).

[0020] The signal processing unit (500) may be operable to generate a shutdown signal (502) in response to receiving the disengagement signal (412). The panel monitoring system (10) may be capable of monitoring multiple panels (200) of the wall assembly (100).

[0021] According to the present disclosure, there may also be provided a wall assembly (100) including the panel (200) and the panel support columns (300), and equipped with the panel monitoring system (10). The housing unit (20) of the panel monitoring system (10) may be mounted at a first position (310) of the panel support column (300), and the panel position sensor unit (400) may be mounted at a second position (320) of the panel support column (300) and / or the panel (200), and the first position (310) may be spaced apart from the second position (320).

[0022] The signal processing unit (500) may be attached to the first position (310), and the panel position sensor unit (400) may be attached to the second position (320).

[0023] The audible alarm (700) and / or electronic visual indicator (702) may also be mounted on the panel support post (300). Thus, a system is provided that is capable of monitoring a panel of a wall assembly to indicate whether the panel of the wall assembly has been removed and / or replaced.

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view of an exemplary wall assembly 100 including a panel monitoring system 10 according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a wall assembly 100 (or a portion thereof) including a panel monitoring system 10 according to the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows a front view of a wall assembly 100 (or a portion thereof) including a panel monitoring system 10 according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the components of panel monitoring system 10, the various signals that may be generated, and the data that may be recorded / reported. [Figure 5-7] 5-7 show an example process for removing a panel from a wall assembly 100. FIG. [Figure 8-10] 8-10 illustrate an example process for placing / attaching panels to a wall assembly 100. FIG. [Figure 11-12] 11 and 12 show a front view of the removal / installation of panels of the wall assembly 100. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] It should be noted that the figures are schematic representations of examples of the present disclosure. The present disclosure relates to a panel monitoring system 10 for a wall assembly 100. The present disclosure also relates to a wall assembly 100 having a panel monitoring system 10.

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a plan view of an example wall assembly 100 including a wall panel monitoring system 10 according to the present disclosure. The wall assembly 100 includes a panel 200 and a panel support column 300. In the illustrated example, the wall assembly 100 includes a plurality of panels 200 and a plurality of panel support columns 300. The panel support columns 300 are spaced apart from one another, with the panels 200 spanning the distance between adjacent columns 300. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the wall assembly 100 extends from a fixed wall 1000 (e.g., a fixed / structural part of a building) around a device 900. For example, the wall assembly 100 may be provided to restrict access to the device 900 or to provide protection from the device 900 within an area defined by the wall assembly 100. That is, the wall assembly 100 includes a plurality of panels 200 and panel support columns 300 arranged to define a wall 800 that can be configured to control access to a predetermined area, such as an area housing the device 900. For example, the apparatus 900 may be a welding device or processing equipment, with the wall assembly 100 acting as a barrier between the apparatus 900 and people or objects passing through the wall assembly 100. However, the wall assembly 100 may be provided to define any shape or configuration, such as to define a passageway within an area or to extend to enclose an entire area, such as a work area within a warehouse.

[0028] 2, 3, and 5-12 illustrate a portion of a wall assembly 100, i.e., a wall panel 200 extending between two panel support columns 300. The wall assembly 100 may include at least one panel support column 300 and one wall panel 200, or may include multiple panel support columns 300 and multiple wall panels 200. The panel monitoring system 10 may be capable of monitoring one or more panels 200 of the wall assembly 100. That is, the components of the panel monitoring system 10 may be duplicated / repeated for each panel 200 and column 300 assembly 100, and the panel status indication information dataset 416 may include data for some or all of the panel 200 and column 300 assembly 100.

[0029] In the drawings, the wall panel 200 is shown as rectangular, but in practice may be of any suitable shape and / or configuration. As shown in Figures 2, 3, 5, 10 and 11, the panel 200 is configured to be placed in a mounting position on the panel support column 300. That is, the panel 200 is configured to be attached / fixed to (i.e., placed on) the panel support column 300. In the examples shown in Figures 2, 3 and 5-10, the wall panel 200 is attached (e.g., fixed) to two panel support columns 300. In other examples (such as those shown in Figures 11 and 12), the wall panel 200 may be attached to only one support column 300.

[0030] In the illustrated example, the status of the panels 200 of the panel monitoring system 10 is monitored by the main components of the panel monitoring system 10 located on a single support pole 300. Thus, the poles 300 on either side of the panel 200 may be substantially identical and both may support the panel 200, but only one pole 300 may be used in connection with monitoring each panel 200 (one of the poles 300 shown in FIG. 3 is shown in dashed lines, indicating that it is involved in mounting the panel 200 but not in monitoring it).

[0031] In other examples, the components of the panel monitoring system 10 may be located on the pole 300 or on either side of the panel 200 . In yet other examples, the components of the panel monitoring system 10 may be located in areas remote from the panels 200 and / or columns 300 of the wall assembly 100. For example, the signal processing unit 500 and alarm signal generator 600 (described below), which form part of the panel monitoring system 10, may be located in a control room for remote monitoring.

[0032] FIG. 4 illustrates the components of panel monitoring system 10, the signals that may be generated, and the data that may be recorded / reported, and is described in more detail below. As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4, the panel monitoring system 10 includes a panel position sensor unit 400. In the illustrated example, the panel position sensor unit 400 is provided on (or within) the panel support pole 300. The panel monitoring system 10 may further include a signal processing unit 500. As shown in Figure 2, the panel position sensor unit 400 is capable of generating panel status indication information 410. As indicated by the dashed line in Figure 2, the signal processing unit 500 is capable of receiving the panel status indication information 410. The panel status indication information 410 may be transmitted between the panel position sensor unit 400 and the signal processing unit 500 via a cable (e.g., wired or fiber) and / or wirelessly.

[0033] The panel position sensor unit 400 is capable of generating a panel status indication 410. The panel status indication 410 includes a disengagement signal 412 that is generated in response to a panel 200 of the wall assembly 100 being disengaged from its mounting position on the panel support post 300. The panel position sensor unit 400 is configured to generate the disengagement signal 412 in response to detecting relative movement between the panel 200 and the panel support post 300, which indicates that the panel 200 has been removed from the panel support post 300. The relative movement between the panel 200 and the panel support post 300, which indicates that the panel 200 has been removed from the panel support post 300, may include the panel 200 being moved (e.g., lifted) relative to the post 300 (see FIGS. 5, 6, 11, and 12). The relative movement between the panel 200 and the panel support post 300, indicating that the panel 200 has been removed from the panel support post 300, may include the panel 200 separating and being spaced apart from the post 300 (see FIG. 7).

[0034] Additionally or alternatively, the panel position sensor unit 400 can generate the panel status indication 410, which includes a mounted signal 414, generated in response to the panel 200 of the wall assembly 100 being placed (i.e., mounted, attached, positioned) in its mounting position on the panel support post 300. The panel position sensor unit 400 is configured to generate the mounted signal 414 in response to detecting relative movement between the panel 200 and the panel support post 300, which indicates that the panel 200 has been placed (i.e., mounted, attached, positioned) in its mounting position on the panel support post 300. Relative movement between the panel 200 and the panel support post 300, which indicates that the panel 200 has been placed (i.e., mounted, attached, positioned) in its mounting position on the panel support post 300, can include the panel 200 being moved (e.g., lowered) along the post 300 (see FIGS. 9, 10, 12, 11). The relative movement between the panel 200 and the panel support post 300, which indicates that the panel 200 is positioned in an attachment position on the panel support post 300, may include the panel 200 being positioned adjacent to or in contact with the post 300 (see FIG. 8).

[0035] The signal processing unit 500 may be capable of processing the panel state indication information 410. That is, the signal processing unit 500 may be capable of performing an action or instruction based on the panel state indication information 410.

[0036] The panel monitoring system 10 may also be capable of recording the panel status indication information 410 in a panel status indication information dataset 416. That is, the panel monitoring system 10 includes or is capable of communicating with a storage device in which the panel status indication information 410 is recorded as the panel status indication information dataset 416.

[0037] The panel monitoring system 10 may be capable of generating a report of the panel status indicator information dataset 416. For example, the panel monitoring system 10 may be configured to display or communicate the panel status indicator information dataset 416 for review by a user or another monitoring system. For example, the panel monitoring system 10 may be configured to communicate (transmit) the panel status indicator information dataset 416 to a remote station (e.g., a computer, server, mobile device) for review and attention by a user.

[0038] 4, the panel monitoring system 10 can record the time (T) and date (D) of the detachment signal 412 and / or the attachment signal 414 in the panel status indication information dataset 416. That is, the panel monitoring system 10 is operable to record the time (T) and date (D) of the occurrence or generation of the detachment signal 412 and / or the attachment signal 414 in the panel status indication information dataset 416.

[0039] The panel 200 may include a panel identification indicia 12, such as a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. The panel identification indicia 12 may be attached to or internal to the panel 200. The panel identification indicia 12 may be configured to include information identifying the type of panel 200 or the particular panel 200 (e.g., a unique identification number, part number, and / or serial number). The panel monitoring system 10 may be capable of registering the panel identification indicia 12 on the panel 200, generating a panel identification signal 14, and recording the panel identification signal 14 in the panel status indicator data set 416. The panel identification indicia 12 and panel identification signal 14 may thus generate a record of which panels 200 have been moved in the wall assembly 100 and whether the reinserted panel 200 is the same as the removed panel 200.

[0040] Furthermore, the panel monitoring system 10 may include an alarm signal generator 600 operable to receive the panel status indication 410 from the panel position sensor unit 400 and to generate an alarm signal 602 in response to the panel status indication 410. The alarm signal generator 600 may also be operable to receive the panel status indication 410 from the panel position sensor unit 400 via the signal processing unit 500 and to generate the alarm signal 602 in response to the panel status indication 410.

[0041] The alarm signal generator 600 may be capable of generating alarm signals 602, including a removal alarm signal 604 generated in response to a disengagement signal 412, a missing panel alarm signal 606 generated if an attachment signal 414 is not received after a predetermined time, and / or a repeated missing panel alarm signal 608 generated repeatedly until an attachment signal 414 is received.

[0042] The warning signal generator 600 may be operable to generate a missing panel warning signal 606 if the attached signal 414 is not received within a predetermined time after the removed signal 412 is generated.

[0043] The warning signal generator 600 may be operable to generate a repeated missing panel warning signal 608 after the disengagement signal 412 is generated until the attachment signal 414 is received. The panel monitoring system 10 may further include an audible alarm 700 and / or an electronic visual indicator 702 (e.g., a light-emitting element such as a light-emitting diode (LED) or an array of LEDs) operable in response to receiving an alarm signal 602 from the alarm signal generator 600.

[0044] The audible alarm 700 and / or the electronic visual indicator 702 may generate different outputs depending on the type of each alarm signal 602. For example, the audible alarm 700 may emit different sounds depending on the type of alarm signal 602. For example, the electronic visual indicator 702 may generate different light patterns (e.g., using an LED) depending on the type of alarm signal 602.

[0045] Additionally, the panel monitoring system 10 can record the alarm signals 602 (e.g., the removed alarm signal 604, the missing panel alarm signal 606, and / or the repeated missing panel alarm signal 608) in the panel status indicator data set 416. That is, the panel monitoring system 10 can record the occurrence of the alarm signals 602 (e.g., the removed alarm signal 604, the missing panel alarm signal 606, and / or the repeated missing panel alarm signal 608) in the panel status indicator data set 416.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 4, the panel monitoring system 10 can record the time (T) and date (D) of occurrence of each alarm signal 602 in the panel status indicator information dataset 416. The signal processing unit 500 may be capable of generating a shutdown signal 502 in response to receiving the disengagement signal 412. For example, the shutdown signal 502 may be a command to shut down the device 900 if the panel 200 is at least partially removed from the support mast 300. The shutdown signal 502 may include a warning to prompt the user to shut down the device 900.

[0047] 2, the panel position sensor unit 400 includes a switch unit 420 operable to generate the panel status indication 410 in response to movement of the panel 200 relative to its mounting position. That is, the panel position sensor unit 400 includes a switch unit 420 operable to generate the panel status indication 410 in response to movement of the panel 200 relative to its mounting position along the length L of the panel support pole 300, e.g., as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, and as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 (longitudinal movement in the length L direction). The switch unit 420 may be either a physical switch 420 (e.g., requiring contact between the panel 200 and the switch 420), a magnetic switch 420 (e.g., responsive to magnetic coupling between magnetic materials in the pole 300 and the panel 200), or an electronic switch (e.g., responsive to a change in a circuit between electrical conductors in the pole 300 and the panel 200).

[0048] 2, the panel position sensor unit 400 may include a proximity sensor 422. The proximity sensor 422 may generate the panel status indication 410 in response to a change in the proximity of the panel 200 to its mounting location. For example, if the proximity sensor 422 detects an increase in the distance between the proximity sensor 422 and the panel 200, this may be inferred to indicate that the panel 200 has been (or is being) removed from the panel support pole 300. Conversely, if the proximity sensor 422 detects a decrease in the distance between the proximity sensor 422 and the panel 200, this may be inferred to indicate that the panel 200 has been (or is being) attached to the panel support pole 300.

[0049] 2, the panel position sensor unit 400 may include an acceleration sensor 424, which is capable of generating the panel status indication 410 in response to movement of the panel 200 in a predetermined direction. For example, if the acceleration sensor 424 detects movement in an "upward direction" (e.g., in the length direction L), this may be interpreted as indicating that the panel 200 has been (or is being) removed from the panel support column 300. Conversely, if the acceleration sensor 424 detects movement in a "downward direction" (e.g., in the length direction L), this may be presumed to indicate that the panel 200 has been (or is being) attached to the panel support column 300.

[0050] 2, the panel position sensor unit 400 may include a light sensor 426 that can generate the panel status indication 410 in response to detecting a change in the intensity of light received by the light sensor 426. For example, an increase in the amount of received light is presumed to indicate that the panel 200 has been (or is being) removed from the panel support pole 300. Conversely, a decrease in the amount of received light is presumed to indicate that the panel 200 has been (or is being) attached to the panel support pole 300.

[0051] As shown in the drawings, the panel monitoring system 10 may include a housing unit 20, and the signal processing unit 500 and the alarm signal generator 600 may be located in the housing unit 20. The audible alarm 700 and / or the electronic visual indicator 702 may also be located in the housing unit 20. Alternatively, the audible alarm 700 and / or the electronic visual indicator 702 may be located separately from the housing unit 20. For example, the audible alarm 700 and / or the electronic visual indicator 702 may be located adjacent to the wall assembly 100, on the wall panel 200, or on a display unit remote from the wall assembly 100.

[0052] As shown in the drawings, the housing unit 20 may be configured to be attached to the panel support pole 300 and spaced apart from the panel position sensor unit 400. That is, the housing unit 20 may be configured to be attached to the panel support pole 300 at a distance from the panel position sensor unit 400 along the length direction (L) of the panel support pole 300. The housing unit 20 may be provided at one end of the support pole 300, for example, at the upper end of the support pole 300 when the pole 300 is arranged vertically as shown. One housing unit 20 may be provided for each pole 300, and each housing unit 20 may be a dedicated unit corresponding to an adjacent panel 200.

[0053] Thus, the housing unit 20 of the panel monitoring system 10 may be mounted at a first position 310 of the panel support pole 300, and the panel position sensor unit 400 may be mounted at a second position 320 of the panel support pole 300 and / or the panel 200, and the first position 310 may be spaced apart from the second position 320.

[0054] In another example (not shown), the signal processing unit 500 may be mounted to the panel support post 300 at a first location 310, and the panel position sensor unit 400 may be mounted to the panel support post 300 and / or the panel 200 at a second location 320, where the first location 310 is spaced apart from the second location 320. Also, the audible alarm 700 and / or the electronic visual indicator 702 may be mounted to the panel support post 300 rather than being integral with the signal processing unit 500 in the housing unit 20.

[0055] In use, the panel position sensor unit 400 generates a panel status indication 410 including a disengagement signal 412 in response to the panel 200 of the wall assembly 100 being disengaged from its mounting position on the panel support post 300. Additionally or alternatively, the panel position sensor unit 400 generates a panel status indication 410 including an attachment signal 414 in response to the panel 200 of the wall assembly 100 being placed (i.e., positioned, attached, mounted) in its mounting position on the panel support post 300.

[0056] The signal processing unit 500 may receive and process the panel status indication 410. For example, generating an output for the panel monitoring system 10 as described herein may include recording and reporting the panel status indication 410, controlling the alarm signal generator 600, etc.

[0057] That is, the signal processing unit 500 may be operable to record the panel status indication information 410 in the panel status indication information dataset 416. The signal processing unit 500 may be operable to generate a report of the panel status indication information dataset 416. The signal processing unit 500 may be operable to record a time (T) and a date (D) of the detachment signal 412 and / or the attachment signal 414 in the panel status indication information dataset 416. The signal processing unit 500 may be operable to register the panel identification indicia 12 provided on the panel 200, generate the panel identification signal 14, and record the panel identification signal 14 in the panel status indication information dataset 416. The signal processing unit 500 may be operable to record each alarm signal 602 in the panel status indication information dataset 416. The signal processing unit 500 may be operable to record a time (T) and a date (D) of each alarm signal 602 in the panel status indication information dataset 416.

[0058] The alert signal generator 600 can generate the alert signal 602 in response to the attachment signal 414 and / or the removal signal 412, as described above. The audible alarm 700 and / or electronic visual indicator 702 then receives the alarm signal 602 from the alarm signal generator 600 and operates to alert the user to the condition of the panel 200 (e.g., using the audible alarm 700 and / or electronic visual indicator 702).

[0059] As described above, a system 10 is provided that can monitor whether each panel 200 in a wall assembly 100 has been removed or replaced. The system 10 allows a user to monitor whether a panel 200 has been partially or completely removed or replaced, and to generate an alarm if necessary. Each panel 200 in the system 10 has its own dedicated unit 400, which allows a clear understanding of which panels 200 need to be inspected for possible removal and / or replacement.

[0060] Attention is drawn to all documents and literature related to this application filed contemporaneously or prior to this application, which herewith become publicly available and are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0061] All features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings), and any method or process steps disclosed, may be combined in any combination except where mutually exclusive.

[0062] Each element disclosed in this specification (including the accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by other elements performing a similar function, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, each element disclosed is merely one example of multiple equivalent or similar elements.

[0063] The invention is not limited to the details of the above-described embodiments, and extends to any novel single or novel combination of elements or steps of any disclosed method or process disclosed herein (including the claims, abstract and drawings).

Claims

1. A panel monitoring system (10) for a wall assembly (100) including a panel (200) and a panel support column (300), the panel (200) being configured to be placed in a mounting position on the panel support column (300); The panel monitoring system (10) a disengagement signal (412) generated in response to the panel (200) of the wall assembly (100) being disengaged from its mounting position on the panel support column (300); a mounting signal (414) generated in response to the panel (200) of the wall assembly (100) being mounted in the mounting position on the panel support column (300); a panel position sensor unit (400) capable of generating a panel status indication (410) including: Panel monitoring system (10).

2. 2. The panel monitoring system (10) of claim 1, wherein the panel position sensor unit (400) is configured to generate the removal signal (412) in response to detecting relative movement between the panel (200) and the panel support pole (300), which indicates that the panel (200) has been removed from the panel support pole (300).

3. 3. A panel monitoring system (10) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the panel position sensor unit (400) is configured to generate the installation signal (414) in response to detecting relative movement between the panel (200) and the panel support pole (300), which indicates that the panel (200) has been placed in the installation position on the panel support pole (300).

4. A panel monitoring system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a signal processing unit (500) capable of receiving and processing said panel status indication information (410).

5. 5. The panel monitoring system (10) of claim 4, wherein said panel status indicator (410) is recordable in a panel status indicator data set (416).

6. The panel monitoring system (10) of claim 5, capable of generating a report of said panel status indicator information dataset (416).

7. 7. A panel monitoring system (10) according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the time (T) and date (D) of the removal signal (412) and / or the attachment signal (414) can be recorded in the panel status indication information data set (416).

8. The panel monitoring system (10) of any one of claims 5 to 7, capable of registering a panel identification indicator (12) provided on the panel (200), generating a panel identification signal (14), and recording the panel identification signal (14) in the panel status indication information dataset (416).

9. The panel monitoring system (10) of any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising an alarm signal generator (600) capable of receiving the panel status indication information (410) from the panel position sensor unit (400) and generating an alarm signal (602) in response to the panel status indication information (410).

10. The alarm signal generator (600) a. a removal warning signal (604) generated in response to said disengagement signal (412); b. A missing panel warning signal (606) generated if the installation signal (414) is not received after a predetermined time; c. A repeat missing panel warning signal (608) that is repeatedly generated until the attachment signal (414) is received; 10. The panel monitoring system (10) of claim 9, capable of generating an alarm signal (602) including at least one of:

11. 11. The panel monitoring system (10) of claim 10, further comprising an audible alarm (700) and / or an electronic visual indicator (702) operable in response to receiving the alarm signal (602) from the alarm signal generator (600).

12. 12. The panel monitoring system (10) of claim 11, wherein the audible alarm (700) and / or the electronic visual indicator (702) are capable of generating different outputs depending on the type of each alarm signal (602).

13. A panel monitoring system (10) according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein said alarm signal (602) is recordable in said panel status indication information data set (416).

14. 14. The panel monitoring system (10) of claim 13, wherein the time (T) and date (D) of the alarm signal (602) can be recorded in the panel status indication information data set (416).

15. The panel monitoring system (10) of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the panel position sensor unit (400) includes a switch unit (420) capable of generating panel status indication information (410) in response to movement of the panel (200) relative to the mounting position.

16. A panel monitoring system (10) as described in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the panel position sensor unit (400) includes a proximity sensor (422) capable of generating panel status indication information (410) in response to a change in proximity of the panel (200) to the mounting position.

17. The panel monitoring system (10) of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the panel position sensor unit (400) includes an acceleration sensor (424) capable of generating panel state indication information (410) in response to movement of the panel (200) in a predetermined direction.

18. A panel monitoring system (10) as described in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the panel position sensor unit (400) includes an optical sensor (426), which is capable of generating panel status indication information (410) in response to detecting a change in the intensity of light received by the optical sensor (426).

19. The panel monitoring system (10) according to claim 9, which relies on claim 4, further comprises a housing unit (20), in which the signal processing unit (500) and the alarm signal generator (600) are provided within the housing unit (20), the housing unit (20) is attachable to the panel support column (300), and is positioned apart from the panel position sensor unit (400).

20. The panel monitoring system (10) of any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the signal processing unit (500) is capable of generating a shutdown signal (502) in response to receiving the withdrawal signal (412).

21. A panel monitoring system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 20, capable of monitoring a plurality of panels (200) of the wall assembly (100).

22. A wall assembly (100) comprising a panel (200) and a panel support column (300), and including a panel monitoring system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 21.

23. A wall assembly (100) as described in claim 22, which is based on claim 19, wherein the housing unit (20) of the panel monitoring system (10) is attached to a first position (310) of the panel support column (300), the panel position sensor unit (400) is attached to a second position (320) of the panel support column (300) and / or the panel (200), and the first position (310) is spaced apart from the second position (320).

24. 23. The wall assembly (100) of claim 22, which is dependent on claim 4, wherein the signal processing unit (500) is mounted at a first position (310) of the panel support column (300), and the panel position sensor unit (400) is mounted at a second position (320) of the panel support column (300) and / or the panel (200), and the first position (310) is spaced apart from the second position (320).

25. 25. The wall assembly (100) of claim 24, when relying on claim 12, wherein the audible alarm (700) and / or the electronic visual indicator (702) are mounted to the panel support posts (300).

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