Patent Publication Number: US-2023149759-A1

Title: Fire system interoperability protocol

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 63/278,543 filed Nov. 12, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to network communications, and more specifically, to a fire system interoperability protocol. 
     Emergency alarm systems such as fire alarm systems, for example, include various notification and input devices. In today&#39;s environment, emergency systems are generally independent of other emergency systems. These traditionally independent emergency systems have limited different products from the same brand from being able to interoperate without any prior cross configuration. In addition, these traditionally independent emergency systems have not enabled the emergency system to expand using different products from different brands (that have different function) to share a common set of functions. Accordingly, there remains a need to an improvement to enable interoperable emergency systems. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
     According to an embodiment, a method for performing a system interoperability protocol is provided. The method includes discovering, at a first interoperability node of a first network comprising a first plurality of network nodes, and a second interoperability node of a second network comprising a second plurality of network nodes, wherein the first network is different from the second network; and performing a protocol version compatibility check between the first interoperability node and the second interoperability node responsive to discovering the second interoperability node; performing a function availability check of the second interoperability node responsive to the protocol version compatibility check; and providing interoperability functions to the second interoperability node. In one or more embodiments, the first network and the second networks may be two independently configured networks. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments include discovering the second interoperability node enables the discovery of the second plurality of network nodes through the second interoperability node. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments include determining a set of interoperability functions that are available on the second network through the second interoperability node. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments include interoperability functions that comprise at least one of: a paging function, an external auxiliary input function, a pre-recorded network interoperability message function, and a request grant/deny priority function. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments include directly communicating with the second interoperability node. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments include detecting an updated configuration in the first network or the second network; and repeating the discovery step to perform an update based at least in part on the updated configuration in the first network or the second network. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments include using a first network and a second network that are independent fire system networks. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments include detecting an event in the first network; and transmitting a status message to the second network through the second interoperability node, wherein the status message provides an indication of the event in the first network. 
     According to an embodiment, an emergency system for implementing a system interoperability protocol is provided. The system can include a first interoperability node of a first network, the first network comprising a first plurality of network nodes; and a second interoperability node of a second network, the second network comprising a second plurality of network nodes, wherein the first network is different from the second network. The first interoperability node is configured to discover the second interoperability node of the second network; responsive to discovering the second interoperability node, perform a protocol version compatibility check between the first interoperability node and the second interoperability node; perform an interoperability function availability check of the second interoperability node; and responsive to the interoperability function availability check, provide one or more interoperability functions to the second interoperability node based at least in part on the interoperability function availability check. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments include discovering the second interoperability node enables the discovery of the second plurality of network nodes through the second interoperability node. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments include a first interoperability node that is configured to determine a set of interoperability functions that are available on the second network through the second interoperability node. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments include interoperability functions that comprise at least one of: a paging function, an external auxiliary input function, a pre-recorded network interoperability message function, and a request grant/deny priority function. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments include a first interoperability node that is configured to directly communicating with the second interoperability node. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments include a first interoperability node that is configured to detect an update of a configuration of the first network or the second network; and repeat the discovery step to perform an update based at least in part on the updated configuration to the first network or the second network. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments include a first network and a second network that are independent fire networks. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments include a first interoperability node that is configured to detect an event in the first network; and transmit a status message to the second network through the second interoperability node, wherein the status message provides an indication of the event in the first network. 
     The foregoing features and elements may be combined in various combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated otherwise. These features and elements as well as the operation thereof will become more apparent in light of the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following description and drawings are intended to be illustrative and explanatory in nature and non-limiting. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates an exemplary system for implementing a system interoperability protocol in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary node representative of a network node or an interoperability node in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  3    illustrates an overview of an exemplary system interoperability protocol in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure; and 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary method for establishing a communication using the system interoperability protocol in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Today, existing technologies do not enable direct interoperability between nodes of independent networks. Generally, a translation node is required to exchange messages between the two networks and direct communication is not enabled. The techniques described herein provide interoperability between two independent networks. Interoperability is a protocol that allows the independently configured systems that have no knowledge of each other to learn from each other and share basic functions that are required for a fire panel. That is, the techniques provide for dynamically sharing and interoperating on-demand between two or more independent fire networks without the need for prior across network device and node configuration. Although described herein that the interoperability protocol may be applied to fire systems, it should be appreciated that the interoperability protocol may be applied to other systems (which may include emergency systems, etc.). 
     A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed system and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures. 
       FIG.  1    depicts an example system  100  comprising a first network  110  and a second network  120  that is connected over a backbone network  130 . The first network  110  is shown comprising a plurality of network nodes A 1 . The plurality of network nodes A 1  is communicatively coupled to each other network node A 1  and can exchange messages between each of the connected network nodes A 1 . The first network  110  can include a network node that functions as an interoperability node N 1 . The interoperability node N 1  is configured to communicate with an interoperability node of a one or more other networks. The second network  120  is shown comprising a plurality of network nodes B 1 . The plurality of network nodes B 1  is communicatively coupled to each other and can exchange messages between each of the connected network nodes B 1 . The second network  120  can include a network node that functions as an interoperability node N 2 . 
     The first interoperability node of a first network  110  that communicates with a second interoperability node of the second network  120  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. The interoperability node N 2  is configured to communicate and exchange status and control/command messages with the interoperability nodes N 1  over the backbone network  130  after establishing a connection. The first network  110  and the second network  120  may be fire alarm system networks. Each of the network nodes A 1 , B 1  may be a fire panel, where each of the fire panels can be coupled to and control accessory devices such as smoke detectors, strobe lights, etc. In addition, the fire panels can be configured to obtain the status, detected alarms, etc. from the connected accessory devices. 
     The backbone network(s)  130  may include, but are not limited to, any one or more different types of communications networks such as, for example, cable networks, public networks (e.g., the Internet), private networks (e.g., frame-relay networks), wireless networks, cellular networks, telephone networks (e.g., a public switched telephone network), or any other suitable private or public packet-switched or circuit-switched networks. Such network(s) may have any suitable communication range associated therewith and may include, for example, global networks (e.g., the Internet), metropolitan area networks (MANs), wide area networks (WANs), local area networks (LANs), or personal area networks (PANs). In addition, such network(s) may include communication links and associated networking devices (e.g., link-layer switches, routers, etc.) for transmitting network traffic over any suitable type of medium including, but not limited to, coaxial cable, twisted-pair wire (e.g., twisted-pair copper wire), optical fiber, a hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) medium, a microwave medium, a radio frequency communication medium, a satellite communication medium, or any combination thereof. 
     In one or more embodiments of the disclosure, the network services/infrastructure can include an IP-based communication standard. For example, the IP standard may include IPv4, IPv6 unicast/multicast routing. In addition, various IPv4, IPv6 tables may be used for identifying the nodes in each of the networks. In some embodiments, a domain name service or (MDNS) may be used for identifying the network nodes in each of the networks. 
     The interoperability nodes N 1 , N 2  are configured to perform a sequence of steps to establish the interoperability protocol (which may be referred to herein as the fire panel interoperability protocol). The sequence of steps can include a discovery phase, an authorization/compatibility check phase, and an interoperability ready phase after establishing the connection between the interoperability nodes N 1 , N 2 . The discovery phase allows the interoperability nodes to discover the network nodes of the network. The authorization/compatibility phase ensures the correct nodes are provided access and determining the functions that are compatible between the one or more independent networks  110 ,  120 . Finally, the interoperability ready phase allows the interoperability nodes N 1 , N 2  to communicate over the established channel of the backbone network  130  that is used to provide status messages or command/control messages between the connected networks  110 ,  120 . Further details of each of the phases are discussed below with reference to  FIG.  3   . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  2   , in which an exemplary node  200 , representative of any of the network nodes and/or interoperability nodes of  FIG.  1   , that is used to implement the embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Node  200  is only illustrative and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of embodiments of the invention described herein. 
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , node  200  is shown in the form of a general-purpose computing device. The components of node  200  may include, but are not limited to, one or more processors  202 , a memory  204 , interface  206 , and network adapter  208 . In one or more embodiments of the disclosure, the processor  202  can include a processor  202  of a general-purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus configured to execute instruction via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus. 
     Nodes  200  can include a variety of computer system readable media. Such media may be any available media that is accessible by node  200 , and it includes both volatile and non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media. Memory  204  can include computer system readable media. The memory  204  can include any one or combination of volatile memory elements (e.g., random access memory (RAM, such as DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, etc.)) and nonvolatile memory elements (e.g., ROM, erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), electronically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), etc.). Node  200  may further include other removable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer system storage media. The processor  202  and a memory  204  are configured to carry out the operations for the fire system interoperability protocol. 
     The memory  204  may include one or more program modules (not shown) such as operating system(s), one or more application programs, other program modules, and program data. Each of the operating systems, one or more application programs, other program modules, and program data or some combination thereof, may include an implementation of a networking environment. The program modules generally carry out the functions and/or methodologies of embodiments of the invention as described herein. 
     Node  200  may also communicate with one or more external devices through the interface  206  such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a display, etc.; one or more devices that enable a user to interact with node  200 ; and/or any devices (e.g., network card, modem, etc.) that enable node  200  to communicate with one or more other computing devices. 
     Still yet, node  200  can communicate with one or more networks such as a local area network (LAN), a general wide area network (WAN), and/or a public network (e.g., the Internet) via network adapter  208 . As depicted, network adapter  208  communicates with the other components of node  200 . It should be understood that although not shown, other hardware and/or software components could be used in conjunction with node  200 . In one or more embodiments, the interoperability nodes N 1 , N 2  can include a communication interface(s) to communicate with the network nodes that are local to the network, and the interoperability node can include a communication interface to communicate with other interoperability nodes. It can be appreciated the node  200  can include other components or modules and is not limited by the components shown in  FIG.  2   . 
       FIG.  3    depicts a diagram  300  of a high-level overview of the fire interoperability protocol in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. To initiate the interoperability protocol, the interoperability node N 1  enters the discovery phase. In the discovery phase, the interoperability node N 1  discovers the network node A 1  in its network  110  and further discovers the network nodes B 1  of another network  120 . In one or more embodiments of the disclosure, the discovery process can be performed by exchanging a plurality of messages between each of the network nodes of the first network. The network nodes B 1  of the second network  120  may be similarly configured to exchange messages between each of the network nodes. It can be appreciated the discovery process may be repeated upon the detection of a configuration update in any of the network nodes or networks. 
     In the authorization/compatibility check phase, the interoperability node determines whether the interoperability node of both networks operate according to the same protocol version. For example, it may be determined whether the interoperability nodes support IPv4 or IPv6 or some other compatible protocol. In one or more embodiments of the disclosure, the interoperability node may query an IPv4 or IPv6 table to determine the compatibility, or in another embodiment, the interoperability nodes may query the other nodes directly. 
     If it is determined to be compatible, the next step is a function availability check is performed to determine the set of functions that are available in the network nodes of the other network. The functions that may be available in the fire system network nodes may include paging, external auxiliary input, pre-recorded network interoperability messages (evacuation, emergency), request grant/deny priority. Otherwise, if the compatibility check fails, the process is terminated. 
     The available functions are then compared to the functions of the first network, and if matching functions or common functions are found between the first interoperability node and the second operability node, those features can be enabled for the interoperability communications over the backbone network. 
     In one or more embodiments, an optional authorization process may be performed to restrict access to trusted nodes. In some embodiments, a handshake procedure may be performed between the interoperability nodes. The handshake procedure may be an exchange of a known identifier (UUID), hash, password, etc. The handshake procedure may be optional and not required in each of the embodiments. 
     Upon completion of the authorization/compatibility phase, the process enters the final phase which is the interoperability ready phase where the communication is established over the backbone network  130 . The interoperability nodes are now configured to exchange status messages, control/command messages, etc. The interoperability nodes may exchange network/system status information, alarm command and control messages, or provide live audio or pre-recorded audio to the other network through the interoperability node. It should be understood the functions are not limited to those described herein but other functions can be considered to be within the scope of the disclosure. 
     Turning now to  FIG.  4   , a process flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method  400  for implementing a fire system interoperability protocol to establish an interoperable communication between fire networks is generally shown in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Method  400  may be implemented in conjunction with any appropriate computer system, such as system  100  of  FIG.  1   . The method  400  begins in block  402 , and in block  404  of method  400 , a first interoperability node of a first network comprising a first set of network nodes discovers a second interoperability node of a second network comprising a second set of network nodes, wherein the first network is different from the second network. 
     In block  406 , a version compatibility check is performed between the first interoperability node and the second interoperability node responsive to discovering the second interoperability node. 
     In block  408 , a function availability check of the second interoperability node is performed responsive to the version compatibility check. In some embodiments of the disclosure, a security measure such as a handshake procedure is performed. The handshake process between the interoperability nodes can include exchanging a password or identifier to ensure no unauthorized access is provided to unwanted devices/systems. 
     In block  410 , interoperability functions to the second interoperability node are provided. In one or more embodiments of the disclosure, after the interoperability communication is established, the interoperability node of the first network can provide various status messages, control commands, etc. to the interoperability node of the second network. 
     The process flow diagram of  FIG.  4    is not intended to indicate that the operations of the method  400  are to be executed in any particular order, or that all of the operations of the method  400  are to be included in every case. Additionally, the method  400  can include any suitable number of additional operations. 
     The technical effect and benefits include enabling, at a local level, the rapid development of different fire network systems having their own distinct functions are able to interoperate without any prior cross configuration. At a broader level, it enables the expansion of current systems with devices having a different function yet are able to share a common set of available functions. 
     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. 
     While the present disclosure has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this present disclosure, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.