Patent Abstract:
Methods and systems consistent with the present invention provide an improved system that supervises the operation of a backup amplifier. The method comprises receiving an indication that a primary amplifier failed; determining a configuration of the primary amplifier; and configuring the backup amplifier to match the configuration of the primary amplifier.

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This patent document claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 and all other benefits from PCT Application No. PCT/US2014/022339, filed Mar. 10, 2014, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference to the extent permitted by law. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to methods and systems for integrating backup audio routing and supervisory circuitry into a voice control panel in an alarm system. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    In alarm systems, such as building fire alarm systems, audio capabilities enable emergency messages to be passed between fire control panels and/or audio panels. Since building alarm systems impact public safety, standards have been developed by organizations in the United States and Europe. For example, some standards require backup amplifiers as part of the audio circuitry in case a primary amplifier fails. 
         [0004]    Conventional voice control panels require users to manually wire backup amplifiers to primary amplifiers. In these systems, if the user decides to change the configuration of the amplifiers, the user needs to rewire the connections between the amplifiers. In addition, after the wiring is completed, these systems require the wiring to be tested manually to ensure the system is set up properly. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    Methods and systems consistent with the present invention overcome the limitations of conventional systems by integrating the wiring between primary and backup amplifiers into the card cage of a voice control panel. The integrated wiring reduces the complexity of the installation, reduces problems that may arise from faulty wiring, and results in reduced installation and wiring costs. In addition, the integrated wiring makes the voice control panels more modular because the user may modify the configuration between the primary and backup amplifiers with a flip of a switch. 
         [0006]    Methods and systems consistent with the present invention also overcome the shortcomings of conventional systems by providing supervisory circuitry for the backup amplifiers. The supervisory circuitry ensures that the desired configuration is setup and functioning properly without having to perform any manual tests. Thus, the supervisory circuitry adds a redundancy feature that previously did not exist in voice control panels. It provides a much better way to detect and address problems in the voice control panel before the system becomes nonoperational. 
         [0007]    In accordance with methods and systems consistent with the present invention, a method is performed by a backup amplifier. The method comprises receiving an indication that a primary amplifier failed; receiving an indication of a configuration for the failed primary amplifier; and configuring the backup amplifier to match the configuration of the failed primary amplifier. 
         [0008]    In accordance with articles of manufacture consistent with the present invention, a computer-readable medium is provided. The computer-readable medium contains instructions for controlling a data processing system to perform a method. The method comprises receiving an indication that a primary amplifier failed; receiving an indication of a configuration for the failed primary amplifier; and configuring the backup amplifier to match the configuration of the failed primary amplifier. 
         [0009]    In accordance with methods and systems consistent with the present invention, a method is performed by an amplifier for a voice control panel. The method comprises determining whether the amplifier is designated as a backup amplifier; and if it is determined that the amplifier is designated as a backup amplifier, determining whether the configuration of the voice control panel is correct. 
         [0010]    In accordance with articles of manufacture consistent with the present invention, a computer-readable medium is provided. The computer-readable medium contains instructions for controlling a data processing system to perform a method. The method comprises determining whether the amplifier is designated as a backup amplifier; and if it is determined that the amplifier is designated as a backup amplifier, determining whether the configuration of the voice control panel is correct. 
         [0011]    In accordance with methods and systems consistent with the present invention, a method is performed by a voice control panel. The method comprises determining a configuration of a primary amplifier; receiving an indication that the primary amplifier failed; and notifying a backup amplifier to match the configuration of the primary amplifier. 
         [0012]    In accordance with articles of manufacture consistent with the present invention, a computer-readable medium is provided. The computer-readable medium contains instructions for controlling a data processing system to perform a method. The method comprises determining a configuration of a primary amplifier; receiving an indication that the primary amplifier failed; and notifying a backup amplifier to match the configuration of the primary amplifier. 
         [0013]    Another embodiment consistent with the present invention is directed to a voice control panel comprising a first amplifier slot having a backup input, a second amplifier slot having a backup output, a third amplifier slot having a backup output, and a switch. The switch is connected to the backup input of the first amplifier slot that toggles between the backup output of the second amplifier slot and the backup output of the third amplifier slot. 
         [0014]    An additional embodiment consistent with the present invention is directed to a voice control panel comprising a first amplifier slot having a backup input, a second amplifier slot having a backup input and a backup output, and a switch. The switch is connected to the backup input of the first amplifier slot that toggles between the backup input of the second amplifier slot and the backup output of the second amplifier slot. 
         [0015]    Another embodiment consistent with the present invention is directed to a voice control panel comprising a first amplifier slot having a backup input and a second amplifier slot having a backup output, wherein the backup input of the first amplifier slot is connected to the backup output of the second amplifier slot. 
         [0016]    A further embodiment consistent with the present invention is directed to a card cage for a voice control panel comprising a primary amplifier having a backup input, a backup amplifier having a backup output, and a connector connecting the backup input of the primary amplifier to the backup output of the backup amplifier. 
         [0017]    Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present invention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an implementation of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the advantages and principles of the invention. In the drawings: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  depicts an exemplary topology diagram for a building fire alarm system; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  depicts a data processing system for a voice amplifier card (VAC) suitable for implementing methods and systems consistent with the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  depicts a data processing system for a voice control panel for implementing methods and systems consistent with the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  depicts a block diagram of exemplary circuitry between voice amplifier card slots in the cards cage of the voice control panel consistent with the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 5A-C  depict a flow diagram illustrating steps performed by the data processing system depicted in  FIG. 2 , in accordance with methods and systems consistent with the present invention; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  depicts a flow diagram illustrating steps performed by the data processing system depicted in  FIG. 3 , in accordance with methods and systems consistent with the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0025]    Reference will now be made in detail to the description of the invention as illustrated in the drawings. While the invention will be described in connection with these drawings, there is no intent to limit it to the embodiment(s) disclosed. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]      FIG. 1  depicts an exemplary topology diagram  100  for a building fire and audio alarm system approach. The building fire and audio alarm system may have numerous fire control panels  102  and  104 , fire and voice control panels  106  and  108 , and voice control panels  110 . In other implementations there may be more or fewer devices in the system. In yet other implementations, additional panels such as security panels or HVAC control panels may be present. The panels  102 - 110  may be networked together by a data network  112 . The data network may have a physical layer of wire, radio waves, fiber optic cables, coaxial cable, or a combination of any of the above. Over the physical layer, additional protocol layers may be implemented to carry data, such TCP/IP network (commonly called the internet). The data network  112  may be configured as a local area network (LAN) that connects only the panels and building automation systems. 
         [0027]    The fire and voice control panels, such as fire and voice control panel  106 , may have associated desk mounted microphones  114  and connections to emergency centers, such as a  911  dispatch center  116 . In other implementations, the desk microphone may be an internal microphone or other audio input device. Additionally, the voice control panels and the fire and voice control panels include voice amplifier cards (VAC)  118 - 122  with audio outputs for connection to speakers  124 - 128 , as depicted for fire and voice control panel  106 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 2  depicts an exemplary data processing system  200  for the VAC suitable for practicing methods and systems consistent with the present invention. Data processing system  200  includes a processor  202 , supervisory circuitry  204 , memory  206 , audio input/output  208 , backup input/output  210 , a backup relay  212 , and configuration relays  214 . These internal components exchange information with one another via a system bus  216 . The supervisory circuitry  204  can be implemented with hardware, software firmware or any combination thereof. Although data processing system  200  contains a single processor, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that methods consistent with the present invention operate equally as well with a multi-processor environment. More or less components can be used. For example, known data processing system components for VACs can be used, e.g., fire safety panel components. 
         [0029]    Configuration relays  214  control the configuration of the amplifier. In particular, configuration relays  214  identify whether the amplifier has a class A configuration or a class B configuration, as is well known to one having ordinary skill in the art. The backup relay  212  connects VAC to its backup amplifier when VAC fails. The backup input  210  for each VAC includes an on-board termination resistor (not shown). 
         [0030]    Memory  206  includes instructions  218  that may be executed to cause the data processing system  200  to perform any one or more of the methods or functions disclosed herein. The instructions  218  include a VAC supervisory backup manager application. The VAC supervisory backup manager application can be used to perform the logic described in  FIGS. 5A-5C . The data processing system  200  may operate as a standalone device or may be connected, e.g., using a network, to other computer systems or peripheral devices. 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  depicts an exemplary data processing system  300  for the voice control panel, e.g., panels  106 ,  108 ,  110  of  FIG. 1 , suitable for practicing methods and systems consistent with the present invention. Data processing system  300  can may include a processor  302 , memory  304 , display  306 , communication interface  308 , and a card cage  400 . The card cage  400  includes card cage slots  402 ,  404 ,  406  and  408  adapted to receive VACs. In one embodiment, shown in  FIG. 3 , the processor  302 , memory  304  including instructions  312  and communication interface  308  are incorporated into a mother board of the data processing system  300  (e.g., panels  106 ,  108 ,  110 ). In an alternative embodiment, the card cage  400  is adapted to include a slot for receiving a voice control card  301  (shown in phantom view in  FIG. 3 ) that incorporates the processor  302 , memory  304  including instructions  312  and communication interface  308 . In this embodiment, the voice control card  301  would be in signal and/or data communication with the display  306  of the data processing system  300  or respective panel  106 ,  108  and  110 . In either embodiment, the processor  302  is operatively configured to be in signal and/or data communication with the VACs inserted in the card cage slots  402 ,  404 ,  406  and  408  as described in further detail herein. More or less components and more or less card cage slots can be used. These components can exchange information with one another via a system bus  310 . The card cage  400  can connect with the system bus  310  directly and/or through the communication interface  308 . Communication interface  308  allows data processing system  300  to communicate with components of the system (e.g., VACs) and to the user, e.g., through a commissioning tool (described below). Although data processing system  300  contains a single processor, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that methods consistent with the present invention operate equally as well with a multi-processor environment. 
         [0032]    Memory  304  includes instructions  312  that may be executed to cause the data processing system  300  to perform any one or more of the methods or functions disclosed herein. The instructions  312  can include a VAC supervisory manager application. The VAC supervisory manager application can perform the logic described in  FIG. 6 . The data processing system  300  may operate as a standalone device or may be connected, e.g., using a network, to other computer systems or peripheral devices. 
         [0033]      FIG. 4  depicts a block diagram of exemplary circuitry between VAC slots in the card cage  400  of a voice control panel (e.g.,  106 - 110   FIG. 1 ) consistent with the present invention. In one example, card cage  400  includes four slots  402 - 408  adapted to contain the VACs. One having skill in the art will appreciate that methods and systems consistent with the present invention may include a different number of slots in the card cage  400 . The audio outputs  410 ,  412 ,  414  of slots  402 - 406  may be connected to speakers (e.g., consistent with speakers  124 ,  126 ,  128  in  FIG. 1 ). The backup output  424  of slot  408  is connected to the backup inputs  418 ,  420  of slots  404 ,  406 . Switch  426  switches the backup input  416  of slot  402  between the backup output  424  of slot  408  and the backup output  422  of slot  404 . Switch  426  may be any type of switching mechanism that can handle the voltage and current of the amplifier output. The slots  402 - 408  for VACs preferably are identical, except for addressing circuitry (e.g., hardwired identification pull-down resistors), which will allow the supervisory circuitry  204  of VAC to identify which slot the VAC is plugged into. 
         [0034]    For purposes of explanation,  FIG. 4  depicts two different backup configurations. Other types of configurations are possible. In the first configuration, when backup input  416  of slot  402  is connected to the backup output  424  of slot  408 , the VAC plugged into slot  408  is the backup amplifier for the primary amplifiers plugged into slots  402 ,  404 ,  406 . In the second configuration, when backup input  416  of slot  402  is connected to the backup output  422  of slot  404 , the VAC plugged into slot  408  is the backup amplifier for the primary amplifier plugged into slot  406 , and the VAC plugged into slot  404  is the backup amplifier for the primary amplifier plugged into slot  402 . 
         [0035]    Although card cage  400  includes four amplifier slots  402 - 408 , a user need not plug amplifiers into all amplifier slots. For example, if the system is configured to have one backup amplifier to three primary amplifiers (the “3-1 configuration”) and if only one primary amplifier is needed, the user may plug the primary amplifier into any of slots  402 - 406 . Similarly, if the system is configured to have two primary amplifiers, with each of those backed up by an individual backup amplifier (the “1-1 configuration”) and only one primary amplifier is needed, the user may decide whether to use slots  406  and  408  for the primary and backup amplifiers, or slots  402  and  404  for the primary and backup amplifiers. 
         [0036]    Using a commissioning tool, the user notifies VAC supervisory manager application  312  of the voice control panel how the card cage  400  is to be configured. For example, the user notifies VAC supervisory manager application  312  of the voice control panel whether the card cage  400  is in the 3-1 configuration or the 1-1 configuration, and the total number of primary and backup amplifiers that are included in the system. The VAC supervisory manager application  312  of the voice control panel, in turn, provides this information to the supervisory circuitry  204  of each VAC plugged into one of the card cage slots  402 - 408 . The supervisory circuitry  204  of VAC may thus determine whether the VAC functions as a primary amplifier or a backup amplifier depending on whether the card cage  400  is in the 3-1 configuration or in the 1-1 configuration. 
         [0037]    The flow chart of  FIGS. 5A-C  provides additional details regarding the operation of the VAC (e.g., the supervisory circuitry  204  in combination with the VAC supervisory backup manager application  218  of the VAC) consistent with an implementation of the present invention. Whether a VAC is being used as a primary amplifier or a backup amplifier can be determined when the VACs are placed into the slots  402 - 408  of the card cage  400 . Since the VAC knows whether the card cage  400  is in the 3-1 configuration or the 1-1 configuration, the VAC initially determines whether it is designated as a backup amplifier based on what slot it is plugged into ( 502 ). If the VAC determines that it is designated as a backup amplifier, it determines the number of primary amplifiers it is designated to backup ( 504 ). VAC also measures the end of line (“EOL”) termination resistance ( 506 ). As discussed above, each amplifier&#39;s backup input includes an on-board termination resistor. Thus, the supervisory circuitry  204  of the backup amplifiers can detect several levels of EOL termination resistance by putting minor DC current through the output circuit. 
         [0038]    VAC then determines if the EOL termination resistance is as expected ( 508 ). If VAC determines that the EOL termination resistance is not what it expects (i.e., if the system detects an error in the expected circuit connections), it sends an error notification to the VAC supervisory manager application  312  of the voice control panel ( 510 ). For example, if the backup amplifier sees no EOL resistor, then either it or the primary amplifier has a connection fault. In another example, if the backup amplifier in slot  408  sees one-third of the expected termination resistance, then switch  426  is in the wrong position. This could also be verified by the state of backup VAC in slot  404 , which should see an open in the same situation because it should not be connected to anything in the 1-1 configuration. The VAC supervisory manager application  312  of the voice control panel may notify the user regarding any detected error by displaying an appropriate message on the voice control panel display. 
         [0039]    After sending the error notification or if the EOL termination resistance is as expected, VAC waits until it receives an indication of a primary amplifier failure ( 512 ,  FIG. 5B ). After receiving an indication of a primary amplifier failure, VAC determines if it received an indication of whether the failed amplifier is a class A or a class B amplifier ( 514 ). If VAC did receive an indication of the failed amplifier class, VAC then adjusts its configuration relays  214  to match the configuration of the failed amplifier ( 516 ), and notifies the failed amplifier through the VAC supervisory manager application  312  of the voice control panel to switch to VAC as the backup amplifier ( 518 ). 
         [0040]    If at  502 , VAC determines that it is not designated as a backup amplifier (i.e., it determines that it is a primary amplifier), it waits until it detects a fault ( 520 ,  FIG. 5C ) and confirms that it is still functioning properly ( 522 ). If VAC determines that it is functioning properly, it notifies the system regarding the fault ( 524 ). If VAC does not receive a notification from the VAC supervisory manager application  312  to switch to the backup amplifier ( 526 ), it determines whether the system is functioning ( 528 ). If it determines that the system is functioning, it waits until it receives a notification from the system to switch to backup amplifier ( 526 ) and switches its backup relay to connect to its backup amplifier ( 530 ). If it determines at  522  or  528  that either it or the system is not functioning, it switches its backup relay to connect to its backup amplifier ( 530 ). 
         [0041]    In conventional systems, the backup amplifiers were required to have the same configuration as the primary amplifiers. With the implementation of supervisory circuitry  204  in the present invention, the configuration of the backup amplifiers no longer needs to be set during installation. Instead, the backup amplifiers may adjust their configuration relays  214  to match the configuration of the primary amplifier after the primary amplifier fails, as discussed with respect to  FIGS. 5A-C  above. 
         [0042]    The flow chart of  FIG. 6  provides additional details regarding the operation of the voice control panel consistent with the implementation of supervisory circuitry  204  of respective VACs. When the user is configuring the card cage  400 , the VAC supervisory manager  312  identifies whether each primary amplifier has a class A or class B configuration. Thus, the VAC supervisory manager application  312  of voice control panel may determine the configuration for each primary amplifier ( 602 ). After the VAC supervisory manager application  312  of voice control panel receives an indication that one of the primary amplifiers failed ( 604 ), it notifies the backup amplifier regarding the configuration of the failed primary amplifier ( 606 ) and notifies the failed primary amplifier switch to its backup amplifier ( 608 ). 
         [0043]    While various embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of this invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7