Event Input Self-Testing While Maintaining Hazard Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual testing of event input devices in large facilities is prone to errors, time-consuming, and disruptive, often missing hazard events and requiring multiple users, which can lead to safety issues and prolonged testing times due to access difficulties.
Innovation Solution
An automated system where event input devices can perform self-testing while remaining in an active mode for hazard detection, using a controller to manage test sequences and alert users of any detected hazards, allowing for remote monitoring and reducing the need for multiple users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual testing of event input devices is performed, then testing can be conducted, but it is time-consuming and prone to errors
Solution Approach 1:
The event input device performs self-testing by automatically generating test signals and evaluating its own functionality, eliminating the need for manual operator intervention and reducing human error in the testing process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical testing procedures with automated electronic testing sequences controlled by a processor, which executes predefined test routines and automatically evaluates device responses
2Reliability
If manual testing is performed with multiple users, then hazard events can be monitored, but safety issues may arise from misinterpretation
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates automatic feedback mechanisms where the processor receives test results from event input devices and automatically determines whether hazard events are present, eliminating ambiguous human interpretation and providing clear objective feedback
Solution Approach 2:
The processor acts as an intermediary between the event input devices and the users, automatically interpreting test signals and hazard detections, thereby removing the need for multiple users to manually interpret device responses
3Productivity
If event input devices are taken offline for testing, then comprehensive testing can be performed, but disruption to facility occupants increases
Solution Approach 1:
The event input device maintains its hazard detection functionality continuously during the self-testing process, allowing the device to remain in service and continue protecting the facility while undergoing automated testing
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between testing modes and operational modes, allowing the event input device to perform self-tests during periods when hazard detection is less critical while maintaining overall continuous protection capability
4Loss of time
If automated testing is implemented, then testing time is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processor is designed to perform multiple functions including executing test sequences, analyzing test results, determining hazard events, and controlling device operation, consolidating what could be separate complex subsystems into a single multi-functional component
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems, and methods for event input device testing are described herein. In some examples, one or more embodiments include a controller comprising a memory and a processor to execute instructions stored in the memory to cause a first event input device of a group of event input devices to perform an automated test process, and determine whether a second event input device of the group of event input devices has detected a hazard event while the first event input device is performing the automated test process.