Wireless Service Tool for Fire Alarm Control Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fire and security protection systems require labor-intensive and costly routine testing and servicing, often necessitating multiple personnel and devices, and lack real-time location-specific information for technicians.
Innovation Solution
A wireless service tool that provides remote access to fire and security protection systems, enabling portable, real-time monitoring, troubleshooting, and control through wireless and wired communications, with a user interface for displaying system status and allowing remote operation of components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hardwired tools are used at dedicated access points, then system access is reliable, but technician mobility and real-time location-specific information are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical hardwired connection system with a wireless communication system. The service tool uses wireless transceivers to communicate with protection system components, eliminating the need for physical hardwired connections to dedicated access points while maintaining reliable system access and enabling technician mobility throughout the facility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wireless communication signals as an intermediary between the service tool and protection system components. This intermediary enables information transfer without physical connection, allowing technicians to access location-specific system information remotely while maintaining reliable communication channels.
2Reliability
If multiple personnel and devices are deployed for servicing, then system monitoring coverage is improved, but labor costs and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal service tool that can communicate with multiple different protection system components (detectors, alarms, control panels) using wireless communication. This single multi-functional device replaces the need for multiple specialized hardwired tools and personnel, maintaining comprehensive system monitoring coverage while reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple servicing functions and communication capabilities into a single wireless service tool. By merging diagnostics, monitoring, testing, and configuration functions into one portable device, the system achieves comprehensive monitoring coverage without requiring multiple separate devices and personnel.
3Ease of operation
If non-portable hardwired tools are used, then connection stability is maintained, but real-time remote access and responsiveness are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static hardwired connections to dynamic wireless communication. The service tool can dynamically establish and maintain wireless connections with moving protection system components, providing real-time remote access while adapting to changing spatial relationships between the technician and system components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical hardwired connection system with an electromagnetic wireless communication system. This replacement maintains connection stability through robust wireless protocols while enabling real-time remote access and technician mobility throughout the facility.
Data Source
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AI summary
A service tool (110, 210, 310, 410) accesses a building system (100) to wirelessly configure, test, troubleshoot and control a building fire protection system (100). Using wireless communication with a fire alarm control panel (104), the service tool (110, 210, 310, 410) provides for remote viewing of a control panel (104). The service tool (110, 210, 310, 410) may be used for remote control for functionality of a fire alarm control panel (104) or other devices of a building fire protection system (100) . The service tool (110, 210, 310, 410) may display information such as status indicators that correspond to a display on a remote control panel (104). The service tool (110, 210, 310, 410) may be used to confirm and/or monitor an installation, test functionality, diagnose and/or troubleshoot problems.