Monitoring System Control Unit Database Serial Number Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Locating and identifying specific monitoring devices in large-scale alarm systems is a laborious and time-consuming process, as existing systems lack efficient methods to retrieve and compare device serial numbers based on specified criteria across multiple systems.
Innovation Solution
A system that queries a common database for device serial numbers via a computer network, allowing control panels to automatically download and compare serial numbers, enabling simultaneous identification and processing of matching devices across multiple monitoring systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual methods are used to locate and identify monitoring devices across multiple systems, then device identification can be completed, but the process is laborious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing device serial numbers and identifying information in a centralized database before the actual device location task. Control panels automatically download relevant serial numbers in advance, so when device identification is needed, the comparison can immediately begin without manual data collection, significantly reducing the time required to locate devices across multiple monitoring systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of locating devices with an automated electronic system. Control panels automatically query the centralized database, download serial numbers, and perform automated comparison with locally stored device information. This substitution of manual operations with automated electronic data retrieval and processing dramatically improves productivity and eliminates the laborious nature of manual device identification
2Productivity
If a centralized database system is implemented to store device information, then device retrieval efficiency improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a centralized database that serves multiple control panels and multiple monitoring systems simultaneously. The database is configured to store and retrieve device information for any number of systems, making a single database structure universally applicable across the entire network. This eliminates the need for separate databases for each control panel while maintaining efficient data retrieval for all systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a centralized database as an intermediary between multiple control panels and the device information they need. Rather than having control panels directly communicate with each other or maintain separate local databases, the centralized database mediates all data retrieval requests. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall system architecture by providing a single point of data storage and retrieval that all control panels can access uniformly
Data Source
AI summary
Information as to a group of devices which are part of a monitoring system, can be accumulated in one or more databases. The databases can be addressed via a computer network, such as the Internet. Monitoring systems can access one or more of the databases seeking identification of those devices that correspond to a selected criterion. A database can provide serial numbers of devices that meet the selected criteria. The respective monitoring system can determine if any local devices have serial numbers that match the received serial numbers. A trouble indicator can be generated in response thereto.