Patent ID: 12216464

While the disclosure is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit aspects of the disclosure to the particular illustrative embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

DESCRIPTION

The following description should be read with reference to the drawings wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some of the figures, elements not believed necessary to an understanding of relationships among illustrated components may have been omitted for clarity.

All numbers are herein assumed to be modified by the term “about”, unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers subsumed within that range (e.g., 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, and 5).

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include the plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

It is noted that references in the specification to “an embodiment”, “some embodiments”, “other embodiments”, etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is contemplated that the feature, structure, or characteristic may be applied to other embodiments whether or not explicitly described unless clearly stated to the contrary.

FIG.1is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative control system10. The illustrative control system10may be considered as being representative of any of a variety of different control systems. For example, the control system10may be part of a building management system. The control system10may be part of a Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system. The control system10may be part of an industrial process control system. The control system10may be part of an intrusion or security system. These are just examples.

The control system10includes a component12. In some cases, the component12may represent a control panel that is configured to regulate or control operation of at least part of the control system10. The component12may include a number of terminal blocks14, individually labeled as14a,14band14c. While a total of three terminal blocks14are shown, it will be appreciated that this is merely illustrative, as the component12may include any number of terminals blocks14, and in some instances may include more or less than three terminal blocks. Each of the terminal blocks14may include one or more distinct wiring terminals that are configured to allow a wire to be releasably secured to at least some of the one or more distinct wiring terminals.

In the example shown, the terminal blocks14allow a number of peripheral components16, individually labeled as16a,16band16c, to be operably coupled to the component12. While a total of three peripheral components16are shown, it will be appreciated that this is merely illustrative, as the control system10may include any number of peripheral components16. In some cases, the control system10may include a large number of peripheral components. In some cases, multiple components12may be operably coupled in order to provide enough terminal blocks14to accommodate all of the peripheral components16within the control system10. In some cases, at least some of the peripheral components16may be powered via wires connected to one of the terminal blocks14. In some cases, at least some of the peripheral components16may provide signals to the component12via the wires connected to one of the terminal blocks14.

The peripheral components16may represent a variety of different devices. For example, in some cases, at least some of the peripheral components16may be sensors. In cases where the control system10represents a security system, or is part of a security system, the sensors16may include door open sensors, window open sensors, motion sensors such as PIR (passive infrared) sensors, glass break detectors, and others. In an HVAC system, the peripheral components16may include temperature sensors, humidity sensors, airflow sensors and others. In some cases, at least some of the peripheral components16may be actuators, such as a door release actuator, a damper actuator, a valve actuator and/or any other suitable actuator. These are just examples.

The component12may include a controller18. In some cases, the controller18may be configured to control operation of the component12. This may include providing power to those peripheral components16that are wired to a terminal block14for power. The controller18may be configured to receive signals from at least some of the peripheral components16, and may control operation of various aspects of those and other peripheral components16in accordance with those received signals. In some cases, the component12may be operably coupled with a control panel20, and the control panel20may provide commands to the controller18. In some cases, the component12may be the control panel.

In some cases, the control panel20(or the component12) may communicate with a cloud-based server22. In some cases, operational control of the control system10may reside locally, at the edge, such as in the component12(and similar components12) and/or the control panel20. In some cases, operational control of the control system10may reside remotely, in the cloud, such as in the cloud-based server22. In some instances, the control system10may operate in a distributed manner, with some control features manifested locally and some control features manifested remotely.

In some cases, a user may utilize a mobile device24in order to obtain information regarding operation of the control system10. The mobile device24, which may for example be a tablet, a phablet, or a smartphone, may communicate directly or indirectly with the cloud-based server22, such as via WiFi, the Internet and/or a cellular network, in order to obtain information from the cloud-based server22. Because the cloud-based server22may be able to obtain operational information from the control panel20and/or the component12, the cloud-based server22thus has access to real-time electrical signals received from the component12and/or peripheral components16and is able to provide this information to the mobile device24. In some cases, the cloud-based server22may have access to previous, or historical, data for examination. In some cases, the mobile device24may obtain operational information directly from the control panel20and/or the component12such as via Bluetooth, thereby removing the need for the cloud-based server22.

In some instances, the phrase “real-time” need not require that the electrical signals are instantaneously updated. It is contemplated that the phrase “real-time” may include electrical signals that are current to within ten seconds or less, thirty seconds or less, one minute or less, five minutes or less, or ten minutes or less. Real-time electrical signals may include electrical voltage values, electrical current values, electrical resistance values, and/or any other suitable electrical values. It will be appreciated that the controller18, or the control panel20, or even the cloud-based server22, may be configured to interpret some or all of the real-time electrical signals, and will recognize the real-time electrical signals as representing a particular real-world parameter, such as a sensed temperature, a sensed humidity, a sensed motion or the like. These are just examples.

In the example shown, the mobile device24includes a camera26and a display28. The camera26may be used to take a picture of the component12in order to help identify the component12. In some cases, the mobile device24may execute a program that allows identification of the component12from a picture taken of the component12, either from information contained within the mobile device24, or by sharing the picture taken of the component12with the cloud-based server22. In some cases, a unique identifier30, may be disposed on the component12. The unique identifier30may be on a sticker, for example, and may include a bar code, a QR code, or an alphanumeric identifier code. In some cases, the unique identifier30may be detected within the picture taken of the component12. In some cases, the user may use the camera26of the mobile device24to directly take a picture of the unique identifier30.

It will be appreciated that the display28, particularly if the mobile device24is a smartphone, may be a touch screen display that allows the mobile device24to display information for the user as well as to solicit information from the user, and to accept the solicited information from the user. In some cases, the display28may be used to display the picture taken of the component12. In some cases, a diagnostic image of the component12may be captured from a video stream captured by the camera26showing the component12. The display28may be used to not only display a diagnostic image of the component12, but also to superimpose thereon at least some of the available real-time electrical parameters available from, for example, the cloud-based server22.

FIG.2is a flow diagram showing an illustrative method32of using a mobile device (such as the mobile device24) for diagnosing a system (such as the control system10). The mobile device includes a display (such as the display28) and a camera (such as the camera26). The system includes a component (such as the component12) having a plurality of wiring terminals (such as the terminal blocks14) for wiring the component to one or more other components (such as the peripheral components16) of the system. The system is configured to identify and report to a remote server (such as the cloud-based server22) one more real-time electrical parameter values that each correspond to one or more of the wiring terminals of the component.

The illustrative method32includes using the camera of the mobile device to capture an image of at least part of the component, as indicated at block34. In some instances, the system includes a security system, and the component may include a security component of the security system. In some cases, using the camera of the mobile device to capture the image of at least part of the component includes capturing an image of a unique identifier (such as the unique identifier30) that is displayed on the component. In some cases, the unique identifier includes a bar code, a QR code and/or an alphanumeric identifier code. The unique identifier may identify the component Model Number, Serial Number, MAC address and/or any other suitable identifying information. In some cases, the identifying information may be sufficient for the remote server to uniquely identify the component within the overall system10.

The component is identified based at least in part on the captured image, as indicated at block36. Once the component has been identified, the mobile device communicates with the remote server to receive one or more real-time electrical parameter values that correspond to the component, as indicated at block38. At least some of the real-time electrical parameter values may include a real-time electrical resistance value. At least some of the real-time electrical parameter values may include a real-time electrical voltage value. At least some of the real-time electrical parameter values may include a real-time electrical current value. These are just examples.

A diagnostic image of the component is displayed on the display of the mobile device. The diagnostic image may show one or more wiring terminals of the component, as indicated at block40. One or more of the real-time electrical parameter values received from the remote server are superimposed on the diagnostic image, wherein each of the one or more real-time electrical parameter values that is superimposed is positioned adjacent to the corresponding one or more of the wiring terminals, as indicated at block42. In some instances, the diagnostic image includes a video frame of a real-time video stream, and the method32includes repeating the display and superimposing steps over a plurality of video frames. In some cases, the diagnostic image is a still image, either taken by the camera of the mobile device or a stock image of the particular component.

FIG.3is a flow diagram showing an illustrative method44of using a mobile device (such as the mobile device24) for diagnosing a system (such as the control system10). The mobile device includes a display (such as the display28) and a camera (such as the camera26). The system includes a component (such as the component12) having a plurality of wiring terminals (such as the terminal blocks14) for wiring the component to one or more other components (such as the peripheral components16) of the system. The system is configured to identify and report to a remote server (such as the cloud-based server22) one more real-time electrical parameter values that each correspond to one or more of the wiring terminals of the component.

The illustrative method44includes using the camera of the mobile device to capture an image of at least part of the component, as indicated at block46. In some instances, the system includes a security system, and the component may include a security component of the security system. In some cases, using the camera of the mobile device to capture the image of at least part of the component includes capturing an image of a unique identifier (such as the unique identifier30) that is displayed on the component. In some cases, the unique identifier includes a bar code, a QR code and/or an alphanumeric identifier code. The unique identifier may identify the component Model Number, Serial Number, MAC address and/or any other suitable identifying information. In some cases, the identifying information may be sufficient for the remote server to uniquely identify the component within the overall system10.

The component is identified based at least in part on the captured image, as indicated at block48. Once the component has been identified, the mobile device communicates with the remote server to receive one or more real-time electrical parameter values that correspond to the component, as indicated at50. At least some of the real-time electrical parameter values may include a real-time electrical resistance value. At least some of the real-time electrical parameter values may include a real-time electrical voltage value. At least some of the real-time electrical parameter values may include a real-time electrical current value. These are just examples.

A diagnostic image of the component is displayed on the display of the mobile device. The diagnostic image shows one or more wiring terminals of the component, as indicated at block52. One or more of the real-time electrical parameter values received from the remote server are superimposed on the diagnostic image, wherein each of the one or more real-time electrical parameter values that is superimposed is positioned adjacent to the corresponding one or more of the wiring terminals, as indicated at block54. In some instances, the diagnostic image includes a video frame of a real-time video stream, and the method44includes repeating the display and superimposing steps over a plurality of video frames. In some cases, the diagnostic image is a still image, either taken by the camera of the mobile device or a stock image of the particular component.

In some cases, the method44may further include applying a filter to the real-time electrical parameter values using filter criteria, as indicated at block56. Only the real-time electrical parameter values that meet the filter criteria are superimposed, as indicated at block58. In some cases, the method44may further include allowing a user to change the filter criteria, as indicated at block60. The filter criteria may include, for example, displaying electrical information of only certain types such as electrical voltage information, electrical resistance information, and/or electrical current information. Alternatively, or in addition, the filter criteria may include, for example, displaying electrical information for only certain terminal types such as power terminals, signal terminals, or communication terminals. These are just examples.

FIG.4is a flow diagram showing an illustrative method62of using a mobile device (such as the mobile device24) for diagnosing a system (such as the control system10). The mobile device includes a display (such as the display28) and a camera (such as the camera26). The system includes a component (such as the component12) having a plurality of wiring terminals (such as the terminal blocks14) for wiring the component to one or more other components (such as the peripheral components16) of the system. The system is configured to identify and report to a remote server (such as the cloud-based server22) one more real-time electrical parameter values that each correspond to one or more of the wiring terminals of the component.

The illustrative method62includes using the camera of the mobile device to capture an image of at least part of the component, as indicated at block64. In some instances, the system includes a security system, and the component may include a security component of the security system. In some cases, using the camera of the mobile device to capture the image of at least part of the component includes capturing an image of a unique identifier (such as the unique identifier30) that is displayed on the component. In some cases, the unique identifier includes a bar code, a QR code and/or an alphanumeric identifier code. The unique identifier may identify the component Model Number, Serial Number, MAC address and/or any other suitable identifying information. In some cases, the identifying information may be sufficient for the remote server to uniquely identify the component within the overall system10.

The component is identified based at least in part on the captured image, as indicated at block66. Once the component has been identified, the mobile device communicates with the remote server to receive one or more real-time electrical parameter values that correspond to the component, as indicated at block68. At least some of the real-time electrical parameter values may include a real-time electrical resistance value, a real-time electrical voltage value and/or a real-time electrical current value.

A diagnostic image of the component is displayed on the display of the mobile device. The diagnostic image shows one or more wiring terminals of the component, as indicated at block70. One or more of the real-time electrical parameter values received from the remote server is superimposed on the diagnostic image, wherein each of the one or more real-time electrical parameter values that is superimposed is positioned adjacent to the corresponding one or more of the wiring terminals, as indicated at block72. In some instances, the diagnostic image includes a video frame of a real-time video stream, and the method62includes repeating the display and superimposing steps over a plurality of video frames. In some cases, the diagnostic image is a still image, either taken by the camera of the mobile device or a stock image of the particular component.

In some instances, the method62may further include identifying an access level of a user, as indicated at block74. The real-time electrical parameter values that are available to the user based on the access level of the user are identified, as indicated at block76. Only the real-time electrical parameter values that are available to the user are superimposed, as indicated at block78.

FIG.5is a flow diagram showing an illustrative method80of using a mobile device (such as the mobile device24) for diagnosing a system (such as the control system10). The mobile device includes a display (such as the display28) and a camera (such as the camera26). The system includes a component (such as the component12) having a plurality of wiring terminals (such as the terminal blocks14) for wiring the component to one or more other components (such as the peripheral components16) of the system. The illustrative method80includes identifying the component to the mobile device, as indicated at block82.

Once the component has been identified to the mobile device, the mobile device requests and receives one or more electrical parameter values that each correspond to one or more of the wiring terminals of the component, as indicated at block84. At least some of the electrical parameter values may include a real-time electrical resistance value, a real-time electrical voltage value and/or a real-time electrical current value.

In some cases, the mobile device requests and receives the one or more electrical parameter values that each correspond to one or more of the wiring terminals of the component from a remote server (such as the cloud-based server22). In some cases, the mobile device requests and receives the one or more electrical parameter values that each correspond to one or more of the wiring terminals of the component from the component via a wired or wireless (e.g. Bluetooth) connection with the component. In some cases, the mobile device requests and receives the one or more electrical parameter values that each correspond to one or more of the wiring terminals of the component from another component of the system.

A diagnostic image of the component is displayed on the display of the mobile device. The diagnostic image includes (i.e. show) one or more wiring terminals of the component, as indicated at block86. One or more of the electrical parameter values are superimposed on the diagnostic image, wherein each of the one or more electrical parameter values is superimposed adjacent to the corresponding one or more of the wiring terminals, as indicated at block88.

FIG.6is a flow diagram showing an illustrative method90of using a mobile device (such as the mobile device24) for diagnosing a system (such as the control system10). The mobile device includes a display (such as the display28) and a camera (such as the camera26). The system includes a component (such as the component12) having a plurality of wiring terminals (such as the terminal blocks14) for wiring the component to one or more other components of the system. The illustrative method includes identifying the component to the mobile device, as indicated at block92. Once the component has been identified to the mobile device, the mobile device requests and receives one or more real-time electrical parameter values that each correspond to one or more of the wiring terminals of the component, as indicated at block94.

In some cases, an augmented reality video feed captured by the camera of the mobile device is displayed on the display of the mobile device. The augmented reality video feed shows one or more wiring terminals of the component with one or more of the real-time electrical parameter values superimposed adjacent to the corresponding one or more of the wiring terminals, as indicated at block96. In some cases, the method90may further include superimposing a real-time status of one or more sub-components of the component in the augmented reality video feed, wherein the real-time status is superimposed adjacent to a corresponding sub-component in the augmented reality video feed, as indicated at block98. For example, real time status information of a communications sub-component may be superimposed on the augmented reality video feed (e.g. on-line, off-line, signal strength, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), error rate, channel utilization, number of collisions, number of retries, etc.). Likewise, real time status information of a processing sub-component may be superimposed on the augmented reality video feed (e.g. percent processor utilization, percent memory utilization, etc.). It is further contemplated that fault and/or other diagnostic information may be superimposed on the augmented reality video feed, as desired.

FIGS.7through9provide a step-by-step example of using a mobile device to diagnose a system or portions of a system.FIG.7shows a system100that includes an alarm security system102, an ARC (alarm receiving center)104and an ISP (integrated security platform) or ISMP (integrated security management platform)106. An installer has a mobile device108, which communicates with the ISP/ISMP106. The security system102includes a control panel110and a keypad with display112. The security system102includes a number of peripheral components114, individually labeled as114a,114b,114cand114d, which may be considered as being examples of the peripheral components16. The keypad with display112and the peripheral components114communicate with the control panel110via a Fieldbus or Communication bus116. The alarm security system102communicates with the ARC104and the ISP/IMSP106via a wide area network such as but not limited to the Internet118.

In Step1, as illustrated inFIG.7, the installer or engineer is authenticated through either ISP system credentials or ISMP system credentials. This helps to ensure that the person using the mobile device108is authorized to be accessing the data they will be accessing. This minimizes risk of exposing security system data to unauthorized users. Step2, as shown inFIG.8, is to identify components. In the example shown, this is done by scanning a QR code120, which may be considered as being an example of the unique identifier30. Step3, as shown inFIG.9, is to superimpose live peripheral data on an image of the identified component on the mobile device108.

FIG.10is an example of an illustrative panel122that may be considered as being an example of the component12. In this example, the panel122is a security system panel. The panel122includes a number of terminal blocks, including terminal blocks124,126,128,130,132,134,136and138. The panel122includes additional terminal blocks that are not expressly labeled. The panel122also includes an Ethernet connection140. The image of the panel122may be considered as being a diagnostic image of the panel122.

FIG.11also shows the diagnostic image of the panel122, but also includes electrical parameter values, which may be real-time values, superimposed on the diagnostic image of the panel122. For example, a bubble142pointing to one of the wire terminals within the terminal block124includes several AUX2 voltage values. A bubble144pointing to one of the wire terminals within the terminal block128includes several SIREN voltage values.

A bubble146pointing to one of the wire terminals within the terminal block130provides battery voltage information. A bubble148pointing to one of the wire terminals within the terminal block126includes zone status/resistance parameters. A bubble150pointing to one of the wire terminals within the terminal block134includes zone resistance values. A bubble152pointing to one of the wire terminals within the terminal block136includes zone resistance values. A bubble154pointing to one of the wire terminals within the terminal block132includes supply voltage data. A bubble156pointing to one of the wire terminals within the terminal block138includes AUX1 voltage values. A bubble158pointing to the panel122itself provides current load values. A bubble160pointing to the Ethernet connection140provides communication status values.

In some cases, some of the bubbles142,144,146,148,150,152,154,156and158may be classified into groups. For example, each of the bubbles showing voltages may be grouped together, each of the bubbles showing resistance values may be grouped together. Each bubble within a particular group may be displayed in the same color. This can make it easier for the installer to quickly find the information they are most interested in. In some cases, the installer is able to filter the superimposed information. For example, the installer could choose to only see voltage information, so only bubbles showing voltage information would be shown.

FIG.12is an example of a smart remote power supply162. The smart remote power supply162includes a number of terminal blocks, including terminal blocks164,166and168. The smart remote power supply162includes battery terminals170. A bubble172pointing to the terminal block164includes AUX1 voltage information. A bubble174pointing to the terminal block166includes AUX2 voltage information. A bubble176pointing to the terminal block168includes supply voltage information. A bubble178pointing to the battery terminals170includes battery charge current information. A bubble180pointing to the smart remote power supply162provides current load information. The smart remote power supply162includes a QR code182that may be used to identify the smart remote power supply162.

FIG.13is an example of a zone expander184. The zone expander184includes a number of terminal blocks, including terminal blocks186,188and190. A bubble192points to the terminal block186and includes resistance values for several zones. A bubble194points to the terminal block188and includes resistance values for additional zones. A bubble196points to the terminal block190and includes supply voltage values. The zone expander184includes a QR code198that may be used to identify the zone expander184.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present disclosure may be manifested in a variety of forms other than the specific embodiments described and contemplated herein. Accordingly, departure in form and detail may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure as described in the appended claims.