Mobile Interface for Fire Alarm Panel Testing and Text-to-Speech
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional fire alarm system walkthrough tests require multiple technicians to manually activate and verify fire detection and annunciation devices, which is inefficient and prone to errors, especially when documenting results.
Innovation Solution
A system allowing a single technician to remotely control a fire alarm system's control panel using a mobile computing device, with text-to-speech audio generation for event data, enabling remote access and streamlined testing processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple technicians perform walkthrough tests manually, then device functionality can be verified, but testing efficiency is reduced and human error increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the control panel interface on the mobile device, allowing technicians to interact with a digital representation of the control panel. This copy includes all control functions and displays event data, enabling remote operation without physical presence at the control panel and eliminating the need for multiple technicians to coordinate manually.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device acts as an intermediary between the technician and the control panel system. It communicates with the control panel via wireless connection, transmitting commands from the technician and receiving event data, thereby mediating the interaction and enabling single-technician operation while maintaining system reliability.
2Ease of operation
If technicians use two-way radios or mobile phones to coordinate testing, then communication is enabled, but testing complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the communication function with the control function by integrating two-way audio communication directly into the mobile device interface. The technician can communicate with occupants and receive verbal responses while simultaneously controlling panel functions and viewing event data on the same device, eliminating the need for separate coordination tools and reducing testing time.
3Loss of information
If event data is displayed only on the control panel, then information is available, but remote verification by technicians is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital copy of the control panel's event data display on the mobile device. The virtual interface replicates the event data showing functionality, allowing technicians to view alarm events, fault conditions, and system status remotely without being physically present at the control panel, thereby improving both information accessibility and remote operation capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for enabling one person testing and remote control of a fire control panel and generating text-to-speech audio during a walkthrough test of fire alarm system is disclosed. Typically, a technician interacts with a simulated interface displayed on the display of the mobile computing device. In response, commands are generated and sent to the control panel to cause the control panel to perform requested actions. The control panel then sends updated control panel user interface displayed information to the mobile computing device reflecting technician entered commands. Testing of the detection devices on the fire control panel generates event data that is sent to the mobile computing device, which receives the event data and enables a technician to select filtering options. The event data are then parsed to identify keywords and text-to-speech audio is generated for the filtered event data.