System and method for testing networked alarm units

Disclosed is an alarm unit having an alarm controller, the alarm controller being operatively connected to a plurality of implements within the alarm unit having a mechanical actuator and a magnetic sensor and at least one of a visual source and an audible source, wherein the alarm unit: monitors for input to initiate one of a plurality of self-tests including: a first test, initiated by actuation of the mechanical actuator without actuation of the magnetic sensor, and a second test, initiated by actuation of the mechanical actuator with actuation of the magnetic sensor, and wherein the first test differs from the second test.

BACKGROUND

Exemplary embodiments pertain to the art of testing alarm units and more specifically to performing a system test on networked alarm units.

In hotels, offices, dormitories, and the like, unauthorized initiating of a system test on networked alarm units may cause a significant nuisance that affects staff, guests, employees, residence, to name a few. In addition, unauthorized cancelling of a system test on a remote alarm unit in a network of alarm units, for example by premature actuating of the test/hush button, may skew test results for the remote alarm unit. Thus, a remote alarm unit may be deemed operational or defective when the opposite may be correct. A system is therefore needed where an ability to execute a system test and to cancel a test on a remote alarm unit is not readily accessible to unauthorized persons.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Disclosed is an alarm unit having an alarm controller, the alarm controller being operatively connected to a plurality of implements within the alarm unit having a mechanical actuator and a magnetic sensor and at least one of a visual source and an audible source, wherein the alarm unit: monitors for input to initiate one of a plurality of self-tests including: a first test, initiated by actuation of the mechanical actuator without actuation of the magnetic sensor, and a second test, initiated by actuation of the mechanical actuator with actuation of the magnetic sensor, and wherein the first test differs from the second test.

In addition to one or more of the above disclosed features or as an alternate the alarm unit is a first alarm unit of a plurality of alarm units, the plurality of alarm units forming an alarm system, and wherein the first test is a self-test initiated by the first alarm unit as a standalone test and the second test is a self-test initiated by the first alarm unit as part of an alarm system test.

In addition to one or more of the above disclosed features or as an alternate the first test comprises the first alarm unit performing the self-test when the mechanical actuator is first actuated and thereafter a first period of time lapses without a second actuation of the mechanical actuator.

In addition to one or more of the above disclosed features or as an alternate the first test comprises the first alarm unit cancelling the self-test upon the second actuation of the mechanical actuator within the first period of time.

In addition to one or more of the above disclosed features or as an alternate the second test comprises the first alarm unit providing the plurality of alarm units with a first instruction to perform the self-test after the mechanical actuator is first actuated and thereafter the magnetic sensor is engaged within a second period of time.

In addition to one or more of the above disclosed features or as an alternate the second test comprises the first alarm unit providing the plurality of alarm units with a second instruction to perform the self-test after a third period of time lapses without a second actuation of the mechanical actuator.

In addition to one or more of the above disclosed features or as an alternate the second test comprises the first alarm unit performing the self-test after the third period of time lapses without the second actuation of the mechanical actuator.

In addition to one or more of the above disclosed features or as an alternate the plurality of self-tests includes a third test, which is a self-test as a part of a system test, initiated by the first alarm unit following receiving a first instruction from a second alarm unit of the plurality of alarm units.

In addition to one or more of the above disclosed features or as an alternate the third test comprises the first alarm unit performing the self-test after receiving a second instruction from the second alarm unit during a fourth period of time that runs after receiving the first instruction.

In addition to one or more of the above disclosed features or as an alternate the third test comprises the first alarm unit cancelling the self-test after the fourth period of time has lapsed without receiving the second instruction from the second alarm unit.

DESCRIPTION

An environment for the disclosed innovation is illustrated inFIG. 1. A building or complex90, such as a commercial or residential building or set of buildings, may have a plurality of alarm units. The alarm units may include a first alarm unit102and a second alarm unit103. The alarm units may be communicatively connected detectors configured to detect hazardous conditions such as smoke, fire (heat), carbon monoxide, or the like. The alarm units102,103may be substantially identical in that they are configured to detect the same conditions, or each may detect different hazardous conditions. However, both alarm units102,103may be configured as described below. Accordingly, the following disclosure will focus on the first alarm unit102which will alternatively be referred to as alarm unit102. In addition, reference hereinafter to the second alarm unit103may be interpreted as reference to any of the plurality of alarm units other than the first alarm unit102.

The alarm unit102may include an alarm controller104which may be an electronic controller that is operably connected to a plurality of implements within the alarm unit102. The plurality of implements may include an audible source such as an alarm speaker or sounder106as well as a first actuator108which may be a mechanical actuator and more specifically a test/hush button. The plurality of implements may also include a second actuator110which may be a magnetic sensor which may be engaged when a magnet112is positioned proximate the alarm unit102. The plurality of implements may further include a visual implement114, which is a visual source such as a light emitting diode (LED). Operation of the plurality of implements106,108,110, and114is discussed below. Other implements (not shown) may be operably connected to alarm controller104such as a detection unit for detection of hazards such as smoke, fire (heat), carbon monoxide, gas, or the like.

The plurality of alarm units may communicate over a network116with a system monitor118which may be an electronic monitor within a network control hub120. In some embodiments network control hub120may be one of the plurality of alarm units, i.e. system monitor118may be housed within one of the plurality of alarm units. The system monitor118may be able to provide an alert when, for example, the second alarm unit103develops an operational fault and should be replaced. When the system monitor118is part of the control hub120and includes a screen or panel121, the alert may be in the form of a visual alert. When the system monitor118is part of an alarm unit, the alert may be in the form of an audio alert from the speaker106or a visual alert in the form of an emitted light pattern from the light source114.

The network116may include hard-wired communications paths. The network116may apply wireless telecommunication protocols such as electronic short range communications (SRC) protocols, such as private area network (PAN) protocols. PAN technologies include, for example, Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE), which is a wireless technology standard designed and marketed by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) for exchanging network access codes (credentials) over short distances using short-wavelength radio waves. PAN technologies also include Zigbee, a technology based on Section 802.15.4 from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). More specifically, Zigbee represents a suite of high-level communication protocols used to create personal area networks with small, low-power digital radios for low-power low-bandwidth needs, and is suited for small scale projects using wireless connections. Alternatively, the network116may utilize local area network (LAN) protocols such as WiFi, which is a technology based on the Section 802.11 from the IEEE. Alternatively, a proprietary communications protocol may be utilized. Of course, these are non-limiting examples of wireless telecommunication protocols.

Turning toFIG. 2, at step S200the alarm unit102executes a process for initiating one of a plurality of exemplary types of self-tests, disclosed in detail below. Note that although the process for initiating the tests is described below, the substance of the tests may involve additional steps such as testing the functionality additional implements of the units102and/or103such as detector modules configured to detect hazardous conditions, communications modules for hard-wired or wireless communications as described above, and other functions of a communicatively connected alarm unit102.

At step S212, the alarm unit102may monitor for input to perform one of the three exemplarity self-tests. Step S212may include step S216of the alarm unit102monitoring for depression of the button108, which would execute a first type of self-test, which is a self-test as part of a standalone test and which is further illustrated inFIG. 3and disclosed below.

Step S212may also include step S220of the alarm unit102monitoring for engagement of the magnetic sensor110for a first period of time followed by or, in some embodiments, accompanied by depression of the button108. This would to execute a second type of self-test, which is a self-test as part of a system (for example, system-wide) test (of one or more second alarm units103) initiated at the first alarm device102, which is further illustrated inFIG. 4and disclosed below. Having the magnetic sensor110engage with the magnet112for the first period of time may prevent an accidental execution of the system test by a technician. In addition, in one embodiment the magnetic sensor110engages the magnet112before the button108is depressed because the initial depression of the button108initiates the standalone test, as disclosed below.

Step S212may also include step S224of monitoring for communications over the network116for a command (e.g. one or more specific signals) to execute a self-test. Upon receiving such a command the alarm unit102would execute a third type of self-test, which is a self-test as part of a system test initiated at another alarm unit, and which is further illustrated inFIG. 5, and disclosed below. Such communications may come from, for example, a second alarm unit103. The order of steps S216-S224as provided herein is not exclusive. When the determination at each of steps S216-S224is “no”, the alarm unit102may loop through step S212and continue to monitor for input to perform one of the three exemplary tests. With reference toFIGS. 2 and 3, when the determination at step S216is “yes” then at step S232the alarm unit102may execute a self-test as part of a standalone test. Step S232includes step S234of providing a visual indicator of a standalone test. This indicator may be the visual implement114illuminating in a first color, such as green; in some embodiments the visual indicator may include the visual indicator114blinking in a first pattern of one or more colors. In some embodiments step S234may also or in the alternative include an audible indicator of a standalone test. This indicator may be the speaker106emitting a first tone, verbal announcement, or other audible sound for a limited duration.

After step S234the alarm unit102may perform step S235of starting a delay timer for a second period of time to determine whether to continue with the standalone test as described below. The second period of time may be a few seconds and may or may not differ from the first period of time. It is to be appreciated that the first period of time and second period of time may be considered independently as the function and result of these periods of time are not necessarily coupled.

So long as the timer has not run out, the alarm unit102may advance to step S240of monitoring for input to terminate the self-test, which may include step S244of monitoring for depression of the button108. If the determination at step S244is “yes” within the second period of time, the alarm unit102may terminate the alarm self-test at step S254and advance to step S256at which step the alarm unit returns to step S212.

When time has run out in step S235and the determination at step S244remains “no” then at step S260the alarm unit102may execute a self-test on, for example, the alarm controller104and plurality of implements including the speaker106, the actuators108,110, the visual implement114, and other elements of alarm unit102not shown. At step S264, at the completion of the self-test, via speaker106and/or visual indicator114the alarm unit102may provide an audio and/or visual confirmation that the self-test was successful and then advance to step S268to communicate the test results to the system monitor118. When the prescribed actions at steps S264or S268are not performed, or if the test results indicate a problem with one or more implements of alarm unit102, the alarm unit102may need to be replaced. The system monitor118may display the results visually and/or audibly and may provide an alert if an alarm unit needs to be replaced.

With reference toFIGS. 2 and 4, when the determination at step S220is “yes” then at step S270the alarm unit102may initiate a system test of all alarm units102,103in the system, including initiating a self-test. Steps in the second type of test that are the same as steps in the first test are identified with the same step numbers, and for brevity a further discussion of such steps will be omitted. Step S270includes step S274of providing a visual indicator of a system test. The indicator may be the visual implement114illuminating a second color, such as red; in some embodiments the visual indicator may include the visual indicator114blinking in a second pattern of one or more colors. In some embodiments step S274may also or in the alternative include an audible indicator of a standalone test. This indicator may be the speaker106emitting a second tone, verbal announcement, or other audible sound for a limited duration.

At step S278the alarm unit102may communicate via network116with the plurality of alarm units103with a first command to prepare to perform the system test. Each of the plurality of alarm units103will wait to perform a self-test until receiving a second command from the alarm unit102to perform the system test. Requiring the plurality of alarm units103to receive a sequence of commands to perform a self-test helps assure that a system wide self-test will not be performed accidentally.

After step S278thereafter the alarm unit102may perform step S280of starting a delay timer for a third period of time for delaying execution of the self-test and determining whether or not to continue with executing the system test. The third period of time may be a few seconds and may be longer than the second period of time. This time differential provides a longer opportunity to cancel a system test as described below as compared to a standalone test. This is because the widespread nuisances associated with a system test are typically more significant than localized nuisances associated with a standalone test. During this time the plurality of alarm units103are waiting for the second command to execute a self-test as part of the system test initiated at alarm unit102.

So long as the timer has not run out, the alarm unit102may advance to step S240of monitoring for input to terminate the self-test, which may include step S244of monitoring for depression of the button108, for example, by a technician. If the determination at step S244is “yes” within the third period of time, the alarm unit102may terminate the alarm self-test at step S254and advance to step S256at which step the alarm device returns to step S212. Each other alarm unit will terminate the self-test on its own based on failing to receive the second command to execute the self-test as part of the system test.

When the determination at step S244is “no” before the time runs out, then the alarm unit102may perform step S282of issuing the second command to the plurality of alarm units103to execute a self-test as part of the system test. The second command is communicated to alarm units103via network116. Thereafter steps S260, S264, S268and S256may be performed as indicated above. As indicated, when the prescribed actions at steps S264or S268are not performed, or if the test results indicate a problem with one or more implements of alarm unit102, the alarm unit102may need to be replaced. Additionally, the alarm unit may need to be replaced if the determination at step S244is “no” before the time runs out, but the alarm unit102does not perform step S282of instructing the plurality of alarm units103to execute a self-test.

Turning toFIGS. 2 and 5, when the determination at step S224is “yes” then another alarm unit, for example alarm unit103, has transmitted instructions to each alarm unit in the plurality of alarm units to perform a self-test. Such transmission occurs during a system test of the type discussed with step S270above. The alarm unit102may therefore execute step S290of executing a self-test as instructed by the other alarm unit103. It may be appreciated that the commands sent by alarm unit103and received by alarm unit102under this series of steps are essentially the same commands sent by alarm unit102and received by alarm unit103under the series of steps identified with step S270, above. Steps under the third type of test that are the same as steps in the first test are identified with the same step numbers, and for brevity a further discussion of such steps will be omitted.

Step S290also includes step S274of the alarm unit102providing a visual indicator of a system test. The indicator may be the visual implement114illuminating the second color, such as red; in some embodiments the visual indicator may include the visual indicator114blinking in the second pattern of one or more colors. In some embodiments step S274may also or in the alternative include an audible indicator of a standalone test. This indicator may be the speaker106emitting a second tone, verbal announcement, or other audible sound for a limited duration. In some embodiments, step S274may be omitted as the technician is at a different alarm unit in the system, that is, at alarm unit103which initiated the system test so that the technician would not see or hear the indicator at alarm unit102. In yet other embodiments, visual and/or audible indicators of which test is being performed may be omitted entirely from all tests.

Step S290includes step S292of the first alarm unit102starting a delay timer for a fourth period of time for delaying execution of the self-test as part of the system test and determining whether or not to proceed with the self-test. The fourth period of time under step S292may be at least as long as the third period of time under step S280. This is because the first alarm unit102executes a self-test depending on whether the second alarm unit103executes the self-test, as described below.

While the delay timer under step S292is running down, the alarm unit102is waiting to receive a second command from alarm unit103to execute a self-test as part of the system test. This process is analogous to the series of steps following step S280above. Thus if the system test is initiated at the second alarm unit103, then unless the system test is actively cancelled at the second alarm unit103before the delay timer runs down, the second alarm unit103will transmit the second command to the alarm unit102which instructs the alarm unit102to perform the self-test.

When time runs out, and the alarm unit102has not received instructions to execute the self-test, the alarm unit102may execute step S254of terminating the self-test. Thereafter the alarm unit102executes step S256of returning to step S212of monitoring for input to initiate a self-test.

While time has not run out, step S292will be followed by S294of the alarm unit102monitoring for communications over the network116for the second command to start the self-test. In this test the second command would come from the alarm unit which initiated the test, for example the second alarm unit103. While such sequence of communications from the second alarm unit103has not been received, the determination at step S298will be “no” and the alarm unit will cycle back to step S292. When such additional input is received at the first alarm unit102before the time runs out at step S292, the alarm unit102will execute steps S260, S264, S268and S256as indicated above. Here too, when the prescribed actions at steps S264or S268are not performed, or if the test results indicate a problem with one or more implements of alarm unit102, the alarm unit102may need to be replaced.

With the above embodiments, the system test mode is hidden from the end user. This is because without a magnet112, the end user will not be able to engage the magnetic sensor110and execute the system test mode. This will reduce a possibility of system-wide nuisance alarms due to unauthorized tampering or mishandling of the alarms. In addition, when a system test mode is initiated at an alarm unit, it cannot be cancelled at a remote alarm unit by depressing the button on the remote alarm unit. This prevents unwanted disruption of system tests which could lead to a faulty determination that the remote alarm unit is defective. The availability of the system test mode for the technician equipped with the magnet112will also preserve integrity of the interconnected devices and ensure all devices work together as a system. It is to be appreciated that the above process may be used in systems other than smoke detectors with networking features and a test requirement.

The term “about” is intended to include the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity based upon the equipment available at the time of filing the application. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, element components, and/or groups thereof.