Alarm Panel Protocol Routing for Granular Fire Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing security systems are limited by protocols that restrict the type and granularity of data transmitted from alarm panels, primarily using SIA or Contact ID codes, which do not allow for detailed information like temperature history or specific fire locations, and lack networking capabilities for non-emergency data transmission.
Innovation Solution
A condition responsive indicating device with a local and remote transceiver, processor, and memory, capable of selecting and transmitting alarm and auxiliary data protocols over various networks, including IP and PSTN, to connect alarm panels with monitoring and auxiliary servers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional alarm protocols (SIA codes, Contact ID codes) are used for transmission, then compatibility with monitoring offices is maintained, but data granularity and detail are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission system is segmented into multiple protocol layers: traditional alarm codes (SIA, Contact ID) for emergency monitoring office communication, and auxiliary data protocols (JSON, XML, CSV) for detailed granular data transmission to auxiliary servers. This segmentation allows each protocol type to serve its specific purpose without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The alarm panel is designed with multi-functionality to support both traditional alarm code transmission and modern auxiliary data transmission through the same communication infrastructure. The system can selectively apply different protocols based on the destination and data type, making it universally compatible with both legacy monitoring offices and modern auxiliary servers.
2Ease of operation
If alarm panels are configured to communicate only with monitoring offices, then emergency response functionality is ensured, but diagnostic and maintenance capabilities are limited
Solution Approach 1:
An auxiliary server acts as an intermediary between the alarm panel and end-users for non-emergency purposes. The alarm panel transmits detailed auxiliary data to this intermediary server, which then provides diagnostic, maintenance, and analytical capabilities without interfering with the direct emergency communication path to monitoring offices.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication destinations are segmented into emergency-responsive monitoring offices and non-emergency auxiliary servers. This segmentation allows the system to maintain dedicated emergency response pathways while simultaneously enabling enhanced diagnostic and maintenance capabilities through separate auxiliary data channels.
3Loss of information
If broadband connections are used for data transmission, then network connectivity and data capacity are improved, but hardware compatibility with existing alarm panels is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The alarm panel incorporates universal communication capabilities that function across multiple hardware configurations. The same alarm panel hardware can communicate via traditional telephone connections to monitoring offices and via broadband connections to auxiliary servers, eliminating the need for different hardware versions.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication device serves as an intermediary that handles protocol conversion and network adaptation. It receives data from the alarm panel and translates/transmits it through appropriate channels (telephone or broadband), shielding the alarm panel hardware from the complexity of different communication infrastructures.
4Reliability
If only emergency alarm data is transmitted, then monitoring office functionality is optimized, but non-emergency operational data is lost
Solution Approach 1:
Data transmission is segmented into emergency alarm data directed to monitoring offices and non-emergency operational data directed to auxiliary servers. This segmentation ensures that emergency monitoring reliability is maintained through dedicated channels while operational data such as temperature history, device status, and diagnostic information are captured and transmitted separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication system is designed with multi-functionality to handle both emergency and non-emergency data transmission through the same infrastructure. It can dynamically route different data types to appropriate destinations, ensuring comprehensive data capture while maintaining optimized emergency response capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A condition responsive indicating device, comprising a local transceiver, configured to communicate with a signal box alarm panel, and a processor, coupled to the local transceiver. The condition responsive indicating device also comprises a remote transceiver, coupled to the processor and configured to connect to at least one network as well as a memory, coupled to the processor. The condition responsive indicating device further comprises programming in the memory, wherein execution of the programming by the processor configures the condition responsive indicating device to implement the following functions. First, to receive an input message via the local transceiver, the input message including a protocol designator. Second, to select a protocol based on the protocol designator of the input message. Third, to transmit an output message via the remote transceiver, over at least one outbound network from the at least one network, utilizing the selected protocol.