Unmanned System for Automated Safety Device Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for servicing safety devices in hard-to-reach areas, such as smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, pose risks to technicians due to the need for physical access, which can lead to injuries and inefficiencies in emergency situations.
Innovation Solution
An unmanned system (US) equipped with a processor, memory, imaging device, and communication capabilities that captures images of safety devices, determines their type, performs test procedures, and communicates results to a fire system network, allowing for remote and automated testing without human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If technicians manually service safety devices in hard-to-reach areas, then testing can be performed, but the risk of injury to technicians increases
Solution Approach 1:
An unmanned system equipped with imaging devices and test equipment serves as an intermediary to perform safety device testing in hard-to-reach areas, eliminating the need for technicians to physically access dangerous locations while maintaining testing reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical servicing with an automated unmanned system that uses imaging devices to identify safety devices and performs testing through automated mechanisms, substituting human physical intervention with robotic systems
2Reliability
If technicians manually access safety devices in difficult locations, then testing can be performed, but servicing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The unmanned system autonomously navigates to safety devices, automatically identifies them through imaging devices, and performs testing without human intervention, enabling the system to service itself and eliminating inefficiencies associated with manual scheduling and access
Solution Approach 2:
The patent accelerates the servicing process by using automated testing procedures that quickly assess safety device functionality, reducing the time required for testing compared to traditional manual methods
3Reliability
If traditional manual testing methods are used, then safety devices can be tested, but the complexity of accessing hard-to-reach areas increases
Solution Approach 1:
The unmanned system is designed with multi-functionality, incorporating imaging devices for identification, navigation capabilities for reaching difficult locations, and testing equipment for safety device verification, allowing a single system to perform multiple functions that would otherwise require different tools and personnel
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, devices, and systems for an unmanned system (US) for safety device testing are described herein. In some examples, one or more embodiments include a processor and a memory having instructions stored thereon which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to capture, using an imaging device of the US, an image of a safety device, determine information corresponding to the safety device based on the image, communicate the determined information to a fire system network, receive, from the fire system network, a test procedure associated with the safety device, perform the test procedure on the safety device, and communicate a result of the test procedure to the fire system network.