Patent Publication Number: US-2019196424-A1

Title: Systems and methods for generating a zone configuration and cause and effect logic files

Description:
FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to a security system, a fire alarm system, or a home automation system. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for generating a zone configuration and cause and effect logic files for security devices of the security system, alarm devices of the fire alarm system, or connected devices of the home automation system based on a site map file received by a user interface device of the security system, the fire alarm system, or the home automation system. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Known systems and methods for generating a zone configuration and associated cause and effect logic files for a security system, a fire alarm system, or a home automation system require a user to manually divide a building, region, or site into zones, assign specific devices to those zones based on locations of the devices, and manually enter cause and effect relationships for each of the manually configured zones or for specific ones of the devices. However, known systems and methods do not automatically generate a zone configuration and associated cause and effect logic files based on a site map file received by a user interface device of the security system or the home automation system. 
     In view of the above, there is a continuing, ongoing need for improved systems and methods. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a security system, a fire alarm system, or a home automation system in accordance with disclosed embodiments; 
         FIG. 2  is a view of a window of a user interface device in accordance with disclosed embodiments; and 
         FIG. 3  is a view of a window of a user interface device in accordance with disclosed embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While this invention is susceptible of an embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention. It is not intended to limit the invention to the specific illustrated embodiments. 
     Embodiments disclosed herein may include systems and methods for generating a zone configuration and associated cause and effect logic files for a security system, a fire alarm system, or a home automation system. For example, systems and methods disclosed herein may automatically generate a zone configuration subdividing a layout from a site map file of a building into a plurality of zones and generate a respective cause and effect logic file for each of the plurality of zones. 
     Systems and methods as disclosed herein are described in connection with home automation systems, fire alarm systems, and security systems. It is to be understood that such systems may include, but are not limited to systems that include a control panel in communication with a user interface device and a plurality of security devices, a plurality of alarm devices, and/or a plurality connected devices. 
     In accordance with disclosed embodiments, a plurality of devices may be deployed throughout the building. In some embodiments, the plurality of devices may include connected devices (e.g. smart thermostat, smart speakers, location sensors, smart switches, etc.) of the home automation system. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the plurality of devices may include security devices or alarm devices (e.g. fire alarms, smoke sensors, alarm sirens, etc.) of the security system or the fire alarm system. The control panel may be coupled to each of the plurality of devices to receive respective signals therefrom and activate associated outputs of at least some of the plurality of devices, may include a programed processor to interface with each of the plurality of devices, and may be coupled to the user interface device for configuring operation of the control panel with respect to each of the plurality of devices. In some embodiments, the user interface device may be embedded in the control panel. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the user interface device may be remote from the control panel and connected to the control panel via a wired or wireless medium. In some embodiments, the user interface device may include a computer or mobile device (e.g. a smart phone, tablet, pda, etc.). In some embodiments, the user interface device may include a local thick client. In some embodiments, the user interface device may include a web based thin client. 
     In accordance with disclosed embodiments, the user interface device may receive the site map file documenting the layout of the building, including at least structural details of the building and a respective placement of each of the plurality of devices within the building. Furthermore, the user interface device may generate the zone configuration subdividing the layout into the plurality of zones using the structural details and the respective placement of each of the plurality of devices identified from the site map file. In some embodiments, the structural details of the building may include walls and other partitions within the building. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the site map file may include a computer aided drafting file, a building information model file, a map file, or an image file. 
     In accordance with disclosed embodiments, the user interface device may identify respective specifications for each of the plurality of devices. For example, in some embodiments, the respective specifications may detail respective functions and respective features of each of the plurality of devices. Furthermore, the user interface device may generate the respective cause and effect logic file for each of the plurality of zones based on the respective specifications for each of the plurality of devices and the respective placement of each of the plurality of devices with respect to each of the plurality of zones. In some embodiments, the user interface device may transmit the zone configuration and the respective cause and effect logic file for each of the plurality of zones to the control panel, and in some embodiments, the respective cause and effect logic file for each of the plurality of zones may be stored in one or more of a memory of the user interface device and a memory of the control panel. In some embodiments, a single mass data file may contain every respective cause and effect logic file for each of the plurality of zones and may be separately addressable to individually identify the respective cause and effect logic file for each of the plurality of zones. In some embodiments, generating the zone configuration and the respective cause and effect logic file for each of the plurality of zones may be done during a design phase of the building. Providing the configuration during the design phase may allow for easier reworking or adjusting of the plurality of devices within the building in response to the configuration. 
     In some embodiments, the user interface device may generate the zone configuration and generate the respective cause and effect logic file for each of the plurality of zones by using security system standards data or fire alarm system standards data. For example, the security system standards data or fire alarm system standards data may include specific requirements for an alert volume of alarms throughout the building and a distance measurement for linking together security zones based on a type of alarm condition. In some embodiments, the fire alarm system standards data may include one of EN54, UL864, and NFPA standards. 
     In some embodiments, the respective cause and effect logic file for a first of the plurality of zones may link activation of an output type of the plurality of devices for which the respective placement is within a second of the plurality of zones with activation of an input type of the plurality of devices for which the respective placement is within the first of the plurality of zones. In some embodiments, the second of the plurality of zones can be a nearest one of the plurality of zones geographically to the first of the plurality of zones. Additionally or alternatively, the respective cause and effect logic file for the first of the of the plurality of zones may link activation of the output type of the plurality of devices in any of the plurality of zones to activation of the input type of the plurality of devices for which the respective placement is within the first of the plurality of zones. Additionally or alternatively, the respective cause and effect logic file for the first of the of the plurality of zones may link activation of the output type of the plurality of devices for which the respective placement is within a same or adjacent one of the plurality of zones relative to the first of the plurality of zones with activation of the input type of the plurality of devices for which the respective placement is within the first of the plurality of zones. 
     In some embodiments, the user interface device may automatically generate the zone configuration and the respective cause and effect logic file for each of the plurality of zones in response to receiving the site map file. Additionally or alternatively, the user interface device may automatically generate the zone configuration and the respective cause and effect logic file for each of the plurality of zones in response to receiving user input requesting automatic configuration. 
     In some embodiments, the user interface device may display a graphical rendering of the site map file that includes an overlay showing each of the plurality of zones and a respective display of information contained within the respective cause and effect logic file for each of the plurality of zones. For example, in some embodiments, the respective display of information may include a listing of each of the plurality of devices for which the respective placement is within an associated one of the plurality of zones. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the graphical rendering may include recommendations for adding additional devices, moving some of the plurality of devices, or adjusting the zone configuration or the respective cause and effect logic file for some of the plurality of zones. 
     In some embodiments, the user interface may receive user input altering at least one of the zone configuration or the respective cause and effect logic file for some of the plurality of zones. For example, the user input may include dragging or adjusting boundary boxes for each of the plurality of zones displayed on the user interface device. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the user interface may receive user input identifying one of the plurality of zones, and in some embodiments, the respective display of information for the one of the plurality of zones may be displayed in response to the user input identifying the one of the plurality of zones, for example, user input received via a display of the graphical rendering. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the user interface device may receive user input confirming the zone configuration and the respective cause and effect logic file for each of the plurality of zones, responsive to which the user interface device may transmit the zone configuration and the respective cause and effect logic file for each of the plurality of zones to the control panel. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the user interface device may receive user input indicating a first real world scale for a portion of the site map file and may extrapolate a second real world scale for an entirety of the site map file from the first real world scale. 
     It is to be understood that the user interface device, the control panel, and each of the plurality of devices as disclosed herein can include a transceiver device and a memory device, each of which can be in communication with control circuitry, one or more programmable processors, and executable control software as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. In some embodiments, the control software can be stored on a transitory or non-transitory computer readable medium, including, but not limited to local computer memory, RAM, optical storage media, magnetic storage media, flash memory, and the like, and some or all of the control circuitry, the programmable processors, and the control software can execute and control at least some of the methods described herein. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a home automation system, a security system, or a fire alarm system,  20  protecting or controlling functions within a building  22 . As seen in  FIG. 1 , the home automation system, the security system, or fire alarm system  20  may include a control panel  24 , a user interface device  26  coupled to the control panel  24 , and a plurality of devices  28  deployed throughout the building  22 . 
       FIG. 2  is a view of a window  100  displayed on the user interface device  26  during a programming phase of the home automation system, the security system, or fire alarm system  20 . As seen in  FIG. 2 , the window  100  may display contents of and extracted from a site map file  102 , including a layout of the building  22 , graphical icons  104  depicting locations of the plurality of devices  28  within the building  22  and indicating types and/or functions of the plurality of devices  22  and, partitions  106  depicting wall placement and other structural segments that divide the building  22  into a plurality of zones. In some embodiments, the user input device  26  may receive user input adding scale information  108  to the site map file  102  and may incorporate the scale information  108  into the all of the site map file  102 . 
       FIG. 3  is a view of a window  200  displayed on the user interface device  26  following activation and completion of an automatic configuration option. As seen in  FIG. 3 , the window  100  may display one or more of a zone configuration overlay  202  subdividing the building  22  into the plurality of zones, a respective information overlay  204  corresponding to some of the plurality of zones and illustrating details of a respective configuration logic file associated with a respective one of the plurality of zones and/or a respective listing of the plurality of devices  22  deployed within the respective one of the plurality of zones, and a recommendations box  206  that includes recommendations for adding additional devices, moving some of the plurality of devices, or adjusting the zone configuration and the respective cause and effect logic file for some of the plurality of zones. 
     Although a few embodiments have been described in detail above, other modifications are possible. For example, the steps described above do not require the particular order described or sequential order to achieve desirable results. Other steps may be provided, steps may be eliminated from the described flows, and other components may be added to or removed from the described systems. Other embodiments may be within the scope of the invention. 
     From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific system or method described herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover all such modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.