User interface with installment mode

• US 20030048304A1
• Filed: 07/19/2002
• Published: 03/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens Industry Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Building Technologies Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Pierce, Michael, Lontka, Bruce J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,380,210 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/771
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23313 Load program to initial configure machine, then erase and install userprogram
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/14 Central alarm receiver or annunciator arrangements

Abstract

A user interface is provided having a display for displaying information about a system, wherein said system is comprised of a plurality of elements. The user interface is provided with a plurality of modes of user operation, including an installment mode which allows the user to configure the user interface to perform in a desired manner while the element is being installed.

Claims

1. A method for displaying information about a system and controlling a system comprising:

providing a user interface having a display for displaying information about a system, wherein said system is comprised of a plurality of elements;

providing said user interface with an alert mode for displaying information about one or more system events detected by at least one of said plurality of elements; and

providing said user interface with an installation mode for allowing a user to install one or more elements in said system and to configure the user interface to perform in a desired manner while one or more elements are being installed.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a providing said user interface with a maintenance mode allowing a user to control one or more system elements from said user interface using a touch screen.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a report mode allowing a user to display information about one or more system elements on said display.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said system is a fire safety system.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein information about system outputs is displayed without said outputs being activated.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising using said interface to instruct one or more devices detecting a system event to reset without receiving a user input.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising testing device logic functions of one or more devices using said user interface without activating said devices.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving a user request to debug a device loop, wherein said user interface is operational for device loops not being debugged.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving a user request to debug a device loop, wherein said user interface only displays information about the device loop being debugged.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving a user request using said user interface to install a system node.

11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving a user request using said user interface to install a system module.

12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving a user request using said user interface to install a system device.

13. The method according to claim 1, further comprising, in response to a user input, displaying a map on said display showing where an element is being installed in a facility.