Abstract:
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.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The application pertains to alarm monitoring systems and methods wherein data pertaining to devices in such systems can be retrieved from a common database. More particularly, the application pertains to such systems and methods wherein pre-stored information concerning device status can be retrieved from a common database via a computer network such as the Internet. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Monitoring systems, to detect fire conditions, gas concentrations, or intruders into a premises are known and very useful. Such systems might each include dozens or hundreds of detectors or other monitoring devices. At times there is a need to locate various of the detectors or devices based on a specified parameter. For example, a specific batch of devices might need to be located. Batches might be defined by a specified manufacturing facility, date, design version or the like. Determining where the detectors or devices of interest are installed can be a very laborious and time consuming activity. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]      FIG. 1  illustrates a block diagram of a system in accordance herewith; 
           [0004]      FIG. 2  is a flow chart which illustrates aspects of a method in accordance herewith; and 
           [0005]      FIG. 3  is a flow chart which illustrates additional aspects of a method in accordance herewith. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0006]    While disclosed embodiments can take many different forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles thereof as well as the best mode of practicing same, and is not intended to limit the application or claims to the specific embodiment illustrated. 
         [0007]    In one aspect, embodiments hereof can query a database for serial numbers of detectors or devices of interest, based on a specified criterion, which might have been installed in a particular monitoring system, or a plurality of monitoring systems. In response thereto, those serial numbers can be compared to the serial numbers of devices or detectors installed in a monitoring system. This process can be conducted substantially in parallel by each member of a plurality of monitoring systems. 
         [0008]    For example, the database could have stored therein serial numbers of detectors or devices made at a designated plant, or in accordance with a particular design or revision to a design. Other possibilities include, without limitation, detectors with a particular month or year of manufacture, or those that exhibit predetermined quality characteristics. Serial numbers of detectors or devices with other types of characteristics, without limitation, can also be stored in a database. 
         [0009]    In another aspect, control units, or control panels of monitoring systems can be in communication with the database via a computer network, such as the Internet. Based on a query from the control panel, one or more serial numbers of detectors or devices that fit the characteristics provided in the query can be automatically downloaded from the database to the control panel. 
         [0010]    The control panel can then automatically compare the received serial numbers to those coupled to that control panel and determine which if any have a serial number that is the same as one of those received from the database. Detectors or devices with matching serial numbers can be identified for removal or other processing. 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates a combination  10  in accordance herewith. The combination  10  includes a plurality of monitoring systems  12 - 1 , - 2  . . . - n  each of which is associated with a particular region such as R 1 , R 2  . . . Rn being monitored. The regions Ri need not be physically near one another. 
         [0012]    System  12 - 1  is representative of the remaining systems  12 - 2  . . .  12 - n  and a description of system  12 - 1  shall suffice as a description of the remaining systems as would be understood by those of skill in the art. System  12 - 1  includes a control unit, or panel  12   a.  Components of panel  12   a  include control circuits  12   b  which could be implemented at least in part by a programmed processor  12   c  and executable control instructions  12   d.  Circuits  12   b  are coupled to and communicate with local storage  12   e  which can store information including serial numbers, conditions of interest, lists of detectors and the like, all without limitation. 
         [0013]    The control panel  12   a  can also include a wired interface for communicating with wired devices or detectors  12   h  which are coupled to the interface  12   f  by a plurality of detector wired loops  12   i.  The panel  12   a  can also include a wireless interface  12   g.  Interface  12   g  can provide wireless communications to a plurality of wireless devices  12   n  which without limitation could include various types of ambient condition detectors, thermostats, door and window monitoring units, all without limitation. The wireless interface  12   g  can also provide communication with one or more computer networks, for example via an Ethernet connection to the internet I. 
         [0014]    The systems  12   i  function independently of one another but all are internet enabled either wirelessly, or by broadband cable and can communicate via the Internet I with one or more cloud servers such as  20 - 1  . . .  20 - 1 . The one or more cloud servers are in turn coupled to databases  22 - 1  . . .  22 - p . It will be understood that the servers  20 -I and databases  22 -I can be associated with different manufacturing sites. The database(s) can include information pertaining to detectors or devices, which can be automatically searched in response to a supplied key, parameter, or characteristic, all without limitation. 
         [0015]      FIGS. 2, 3  illustrate aspects of methods  100 ,  200  of operation of the system  12 - 1  in conjunction with a server  20 -I and a database  22 - i . It will be understood that while methods  100 ,  200  relate to determining if one or more detectors associated with panel  12   a  are in conformity with a predetermined condition, other conditions or criteria can be used to determine the locations and/or status of various of the detectors or devices such as  12   h,  or  12   n  all without limitation. 
         [0016]    In  FIG. 2 , a user can put the control panel  12   a  of system  12 - 1  for example, into a mode to locate non-conforming detectors or devices, as at  102 . The panel can determine the serial numbers of attached devices or detectors, as at  104 . 
         [0017]    A web server can be accessed by the panel, as at  106 . The panel  12   a  can send a request to the database, such as  22 - 1 , to identify non-conforming devices, as at  108 . 
         [0018]    Where the server is reachable, as at  110 , the request is responded to and where there are non-conforming devices to report, as at  112 , the control panel can specify addresses of local devices to be reported, as at  116 . 
         [0019]    In  FIG. 3  processing  200  at the server  20 - 1  and database  22 - 1  is illustrated. An incoming request is received as at  202 . The type of request is evaluated as at  204 . If a serial number request is received, a determination is made, as at  206 , as to the proper server to respond. The appropriate database is queried, as at  208 . Information as to that serial number can be return to the control panel, for example panel  12   a,  as at  210 . 
         [0020]    Where serial numbers that might be collected on a specified list are requested, as at  212 , the respective database is queried for all of the serial numbers that have a selected flag set, as at  214 . The appropriate group of serial numbers can then be returned to the requesting panel, as at  210 . 
         [0021]    In summary, in embodiments hereof a control panel can access a displaced database for information, for example a group of serial numbers, which are associated with a predetermined parameter, condition or state, without limitation. That information can then be returned to the panel so that those detectors, or devices in the group and associated with that panel can be removed, tested or adjusted as needed. This process can be on-going, essentially simultaneously at a plurality of panels such as  12 - 1  . . .  12 - n.    
         [0022]    From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope hereof. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims. Further, logic flows depicted in the figures do not require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. Other steps may be provided, or steps may be eliminated, from the described flows, and other components may be add to, or removed from the described embodiments.