Patent Publication Number: US-6657553-B1

Title: Method of monitoring a protected space

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The field of the invention relates to protected spaces and more particularly to the monitoring of such spaces. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Protected spaces such as computer rooms are well known. Such areas are characterized by a high asset value, a low level of human occupancy and a critical need for a stable operating environment. 
     In order to maintain the needed stable operating environment, such spaces are often equipped with extensive alarm systems and central station monitoring. Central stations are typically monitored twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. 
     The monitoring typically consists of set-point sensors (e.g., thermostats, humidistats, etc.) hardwired to the central station. Often the triggering of an alarm requires alerting some responsible party. Alerting a responsible party typically involves sequentially dialing telephone numbers of designated parties from a call list. Often the first to answer the telephone call is charged with investigating the cause for the alarm. 
     While such systems are effective, they often malfunction. Sensors function when they shouldn&#39;t or fail to function when they should, often resulting in significant damage to the equipment within the protected space. Because of the importance of the equipment within protected spaces a need exists for a more reliable method of monitoring such spaces. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system for monitoring a protected space in accordance with an illustrated embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 depicts a memory that may be used by the system of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 depicts a screen that may be display by the system of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 depicts another screen that may be displayed by the system of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 depicts a packet message that may be used by the system of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 6 depicts another screen that may be displayed by the system of FIG. 1; and 
     FIG. 7 depicts a graph that may be prepared by the system of FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     SUMMARY 
     A method and apparatus are provided for collecting and disseminating information regarding a protected space. The method includes the steps of detecting a signal event of the protected space, coding the signal event into a packet message and transferring the coded packet message to a database through an internet connection between the protected space and the database. The method further includes the steps of storing the coded message packet in a secure storage area of the database under a password assigned to a manager of the protected space and providing access to information of the coded message packet through an Internet connection between the manager and the database based upon the password assigned to the manager. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a monitoring system  10 , shown generally under an illustrated embodiment of the invention. As shown, one or more data collection central processing units (CPUs)  22  may be located within the protected space  12  monitoring an operating environment of the space  12  through one or more sensors  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30 . 
     The CPU  22  may be any appropriate processor (e.g., a Pentium III) using an appropriate software (e.g., Bridgeview run-time software). The sensors  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  may include any appropriate sensor technology (e.g., network power meters and network environmental sensors obtained from Veris Industries, Inc.). The sensors  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  may be connected to the CPU  22  using appropriate hardware (e.g., networked digital input modules obtained from Busware Direct) and an appropriate protocol (e.g., modbus rtu protocol operating under the RS-485 standard). 
     Periodically, or upon the occurrence of a predetermined event, the data collection CPU  22  (acting as a coding processor) may compose a packet message for transfer to a database  32 . The database  32  may rely upon custom software developed using Bridgeview Developers Package. The database  32  may collect information from a number of CPUs  22  in a number of different protected spaces  12  and store the information in a database, which could be Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, or mySQL. 
     The packet message may include at least an Internet address of the database  32 , an identifier of the originating data collection CPU  22  and information concerning the one or more sensors  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30 . The information concerning the one or more sensors may include an identifier of the type of information as well as a field of data. 
     The database  32  upon receiving the packet first decodes the packet to recover an identifier of the sending CPU  22 . With the identifier of the sending CPU  22 , the database is able to identify a storage location  50 ,  54 ,  58 ,  62  (FIG. 2) within a memory  38  of the database  32 . 
     Under the illustrated embodiment, each collection CPU  22  is allocated a specific area  50 ,  54 ,  58 ,  62  of memory  38  for the storage of sensor data. Associated with each storage area  50 ,  54 ,  58 ,  62  is a password  52 ,  56 ,  60 ,  64 . Associating a password  52 ,  56 ,  60 ,  64  with each storage space  50 ,  54 ,  58 ,  62  allows access to the data to be limited to a specific manager with responsibility for maintaining the space  12 . 
     Associated with the database  32  may be a data dissemination server (e.g., a CPU  36 ) supporting a website  34 . The server  36  may be a Pentium III based server running either Microsoft Windows 2000 IIS4 software or Slackware Linux with Apache Web Server. A custom user interface may be used to accept a user login and based upon that login display available data in either real-time or in a historical trending mode. 
     To access the data concerning a particular space, a responsible manager may access the website  34  using a terminal  16  with a web browser. A sign-on screen  70  (FIG. 3) may be presented to the manager. Within the sign-on screen  70  an interactive window  72  may be provided for entry of a password  52 ,  56 ,  60 ,  64 . 
     Upon the proper entry of his password  52 ,  56 ,  60 ,  64 , the manager may be allowed access to the information stored within his memory space  50 ,  54 ,  58   62 . To facilitate the presentation of information, the manager may be presented with a series of menu selections  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  88  (FIG.  4 ). By activation of appropriate menu selections  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  88 , the manager may be provided with full access to a complete selection of information collected regarding the space  12  from anywhere in the world. Collected information may be viewed in real-time or over selected time intervals. 
     Turning now to the space  12 , a more detailed description will be provided of the sensors  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  and collection CPU  22 . Following the description of the sensors  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  and CPU  22 , a detailed description will be provided of the database  32  and the processing of information stored within the database. Finally, examples will be provided of information available to a manager through the website  34 . 
     The sensors  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  may monitor and measure any of a number of parameters within the space. For example, a first set of sensors  24  may detect environmental factors. The sensor  24  may monitor temperature, humidity, air conditioner or heater operation. Moisture detectors may be monitored. Carbon monoxide and/or carbon dioxide may be measured. The condition of air makeup blowers or air conditioning compressors may be monitored for failures. 
     Monitoring may be based upon any number of trigger points. In the case of temperature, a deviation in a temperature by a predetermined percentage may trigger an event. Alternatively, a timer  23  within the CPU  22  may trigger a temperature measurement. Alternately, a contact closure indicating a motor failure may be used to trigger an event. 
     Another group of sensors  26  may be provided for security. The sensors  26  may be door switches, motion detectors or any other intrusion detector. The sensor  26  may also be a video camera using to transfer images at a relatively low frame rate. 
     A third group of sensors  28  may provide information regarding an uninterruptable power supply (UPS) system as well as batteries powering the UPS. Dry contact closure may be detected regarding alarms. A voltage (e.g., phase to phase, phase to neutral, etc.) may be measured regarding UPS operation. A power output (e.g., kWH, kW, kVA, etc.) of the USP may be measured. A power factor of the voltage and current (i.e., for each phase or all three phases) may be measured. Power demand may be measured. 
     Where the UPS is powered by an internal combustion engine, a voltage of a cranking motor may be measured and reported. Engine block and coolant temperature may be monitored and reported. Fuel levels may be monitored and reported. 
     Battery voltage of each battery of the UPS system may be monitored to determine a charge level. Battery current may be measured to determine a discharge rate. Battery temperature may be measured to track factors which may affect battery life. Each battery parameter may be reported and stored in the database  32  under an identifier of the battery. 
     When the UPS is in an inactive state, ripple, charge and float currents may be monitored. Battery charger, rectifier and load status may be monitored. A cell/bloc impedance of each battery may be determined and reported along with other monitored parameters. 
     A fourth group of sensors  30  may be provided to monitor power entering the space  12 . Voltage may be measured for dwell, dips and drop. Total harmonic distortion (THD) on supply mains may be measured. Harmonics on the power system to the 50th magnitude may be measured as well as voltage imbalances among phase connections. A power factor and/or the THD of the voltage and current may be periodically measured for purposes of negotiating utility rates with a power company. Flicker, PST and PLT based upon the CEI 868 and CEI 1000-4-15 standards may be measured. 
     The collecting CPU  22  may correlate measured events to further determine status factors. For example, in the case of battery data, the CPU  22  may calculate a discharge time remaining under a current discharge rate. A depth of discharge may be tracked by integrating discharge rates. A performance index may be determined by tracking discharge rates. A battery life expectancy may be estimated from voltage and current, performance index and battery temperatures. 
     With regard to power monitoring, the CPU  22  may determine an average power demand as well as maximum and minimum demand from measured values. Similarly, maximum and minimum power factors may be correlated to a time of day. Locally generated data for battery and power. monitoring may be reported under an appropriate format. 
     Periodically, or based upon the nature of the monitored information, the CPU  22  may compose a packet message  90  (FIG. 5) for transmission to the database  32 . The packet  90  may include an Internet address  92  and a source identifier  94 . The Internet address  92  identifies the database  32 . The source identifier  94  identifies the CPU  22 . 
     Also included within the packet  90  may be a data identifier  96 . The data identifier  96  may be an identifier of the type of information. It may identify the data  98  as being a current or a voltage. It may also identify a battery as being the source of the current. Where the current is a utility connection the data identifier  96  may identify the connection. 
     Associated with the data  98  may be a time stamp provided by a clock within the CPU  22 . The time stamp may be used to identify a time period when the data was collected. Alternatively, where the data  98  deals with averages, the time stamp may identify a time interval over which the data was collected. 
     Upon receipt of the packet  90 , the database  32  first identifies the memory area  50 ,  54 ,  58 ,  62  reserved for the space  12  and then a subarea  51 ,  53  reserved for the type of data involved. For example, one area (e.g.,  51 ) may be reserved for voltage measurements. Another area  53  may be reserved for current. 
     Upon accessing the website  34 , the manager working through a terminal  16  may enter a password  52 ,  56 ,  60 ,  64  through the window  72  using a keyboard  20  and be granted access. Upon being granted access, the manager may view the menu  80  activate a softkey  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  88 ,  89  of an area of interest (e.g., the POWER softkey  84 . 
     Upon activating the POWER softkey  84 , a parameter select screen  100  (FIG. 6) may be presented to the manager. The manager may select from any of a number of relevant factors, such as voltage  102 , current  104 , power factor  106  or demand  108 . Upon selection of a particular parameter (e.g., voltage  102 ), the data may be presented in tabular form along with a time of detection, with the most recent value presented first. 
     A set of selection windows  116 ,  118  may be provided for selection of data. Using the selection windows  116 ,  118 , the manager may select a time interval for data viewing. 
     The manager may also choose to have the data graphed. To graph data, the manager first selects a parameter by activation of an appropriate softkey  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108  and selects the GRAPH softkey  110 . In response a CPU  36  within the database  32  may graph and present the data within a window  120  in terms of amplitude  122  and time  124  (FIG.  7 ). 
     Alternatively, where a security softkey  89  (FIG. 4) is selected, the graphics displayed within the window  120  may include a physical layout of the protected space  12 . Displayed within the window  120  may be an indication of each security sensor as well as a graphical indication of any activated sensors. 
     Alternatively, the manager may enter a camera identifier in a window  114 . By identifying a camera, visual images may be displayed in the window  120 . 
     Under another illustrated embodiment, the spaces  50 ,  54 ,  58 ,  62  may contain a set of threshold values for each measured parameter. During operation, the CPU  36  continuously compares received parameters against corresponding threshold values. When a received value exceeds a threshold, the CPU  36  may compose and send an e-mail message to the managers terminal  16  notifying the manager of the condition. The manager may then log onto the website  34  and retrieve additional data regarding the source of the detected condition. By retrieving an analyzing the data from a remote location, the manager may be able to determine whether the detected condition is sufficient to require immediate attention or of a minor nature that may be corrected in the normal course of events. 
     A specific embodiment of a method and apparatus for monitoring a protected space according to the present invention has been described for the purpose of illustrating the manner in which the invention is made and used. It should be understood that the implementation of other variations and modifications of the invention and its various aspects will be apparent to one skilled in the art, and that the invention is not limited by the specific embodiments described. Therefore, it is contemplated to cover the present invention and any and all modifications, variations, or equivalents that fall within the true spirit and scope of the basic underlying principles disclosed and claimed herein.