Automated Fire System Certification Evaluation Metric

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current certification methods for fire extinguishing system installation companies are inefficient and lack a uniform, objective assessment standard, leading to inconsistencies in evaluating the fulfillment of various criteria, which can result in certifications being issued despite minor deficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for automatic evaluation of installation companies using a specified evaluation metric that objectively assesses the fulfillment of criteria, incorporating evaluation attributes and fulfillment coefficients to ensure a uniform and efficient certification process, integrating expert knowledge to account for the relevance of criteria and tolerance in minor deficiencies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual evaluation of certification criteria is used, then flexibility in assessment is maintained, but evaluation consistency and objectivity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveevaluation consistencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical evaluation processes with an automated computer-based system that uses algorithms and data processing to assess certification criteria. This substitution eliminates human subjectivity and inconsistency while maintaining systematic evaluation, directly resolving the contradiction between evaluation consistency and system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms qualitative assessment parameters into quantitative measurable parameters through structured data collection and automated scoring mechanisms. By changing evaluation parameters from subjective judgments to objective measurable data, the system achieves consistent and reproducible certification assessments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If comprehensive criteria checking is performed, then certification reliability is improved, but evaluation time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecertification reliabilityVSAvoidevaluation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary data collection and organization steps where certification data is gathered and structured before the actual evaluation process. This preliminary action includes automated data validation and preparation, which reduces the time required for comprehensive criteria checking while maintaining certification reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables continuous automated evaluation processes that can assess multiple certification criteria simultaneously without interruption. The system processes comprehensive criteria checks in a continuous automated manner rather than sequential manual review, reducing total evaluation time while maintaining thoroughness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If automated evaluation is implemented, then evaluation efficiency is improved, but handling of nuanced criteria fulfillment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveevaluation efficiencyVSAvoidnuanced criteria assessment
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides complex certification criteria into smaller, discrete evaluable segments or sub-criteria. This segmentation allows the automated system to handle each aspect separately with specific evaluation rules, maintaining efficiency while capturing nuanced requirements through modular assessment units that can be independently evaluated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial fulfillment assessment where criteria can be satisfied to varying degrees rather than binary yes/no. The system allows for partial credit or weighted scoring that reflects nuanced levels of compliance, enabling automated evaluation to handle graduated levels of criteria fulfillment while maintaining processing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3696757A1Method and system for automatic evaluation of fire system installation companies
Publication Date: 2020.08.19 VDS SCHADENVERHUETUNG GMBH
  • EP3696757A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3696757A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3696757A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A procedure for the automatic evaluation of fire extinguishing system installation companies is proposed. This procedure defines several criteria for the certification of an installation company, and a system-defined evaluation metric is used to automatically assess the fulfillment of the criteria and determine whether the prerequisites for certification are met. Furthermore, a corresponding system for the automatic evaluation of fire extinguishing system installation companies is proposed.