Integrated monitoring and damage assessment system
First Claim
1. A computer network backbone that provides monitoring and damage assessment functionality in order to detect and respond to abnormal events that may occur to a variety of equipment or devices, or occur in a variety of spaces including typically unmanned rooms or compartments, said computer network backbone comprising:
- a control unit having processing and communication capabilities, said control unit for receiving and responding to sensor data;
a sensor interface module (SIM) operatively connected with said control unit; and
a plurality of sensors operatively connected with said SIM wherein said sensors are responsible for monitoring for abnormal conditions, wherein said SIM receives sensor data from said sensors and multiplexes said sensor data onto a common bus for delivery to said control unit for processing.
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Abstract
A computer network backbone system that provides integrated monitoring and damage assessment functionality. The system provides equipment and area monitoring functions for the purpose of detecting actual hazards and conditions that can lead to potential hazards. In the case of the detection of an actual hazard such as a fire or a gas leak, the system is capable of automatically triggering remedial measures such as cutting off power, releasing water or CO2 to combat a fire, shutting off gas valves, etc. In the case of a potential hazard, such as items becoming overheated, or a rising water level, or an abnormal vibration pattern, the system can sound alarms and alert operators to a potentially hazardous condition. The system is configurable to integrate a multitude of sensor devices that monitor and respond to a variety of different conditions into a single computer backbone for processing by a single control unit. A single user interface that can be operated by single operator simplifies the operation of the system.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A computer network backbone that provides monitoring and damage assessment functionality in order to detect and respond to abnormal events that may occur to a variety of equipment or devices, or occur in a variety of spaces including typically unmanned rooms or compartments, said computer network backbone comprising:
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a control unit having processing and communication capabilities, said control unit for receiving and responding to sensor data;
a sensor interface module (SIM) operatively connected with said control unit; and
a plurality of sensors operatively connected with said SIM wherein said sensors are responsible for monitoring for abnormal conditions, wherein said SIM receives sensor data from said sensors and multiplexes said sensor data onto a common bus for delivery to said control unit for processing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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- 3. The computer network backbone of claim 3 wherein with said control unit is operatively coupled with alarm means such that an alarm can be issued if said control unit receives sensor data that indicates an abnormal condition.
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20. A computer network backbone that provides monitoring and damage assessment functionality in order to detect and respond to abnormal events that may occur to a variety of equipment or devices, or occur in a variety of spaces including typically unmanned rooms or compartments, said computer network backbone comprising:
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a control unit having processing and communication capabilities, said control unit for receiving and responding to sensor data;
a plurality of sensor interface modules (SIMs) that receive sensor data, said SIMs operatively connected with said control unit; and
a plurality of sensors per SIM operatively connected with said SIM, wherein said sensors are responsible for monitoring for abnormal conditions, said sensors include a photosensor for detecting changes in light, a thermal ionization detector (TID) for detecting electron levels that are altered when small particles are released into air, a pressure sensor, a smoke detector, a toxic gas sensor, and an accelerometer, and said SIMs multiplex said sensor data onto a common bus for delivery to said control unit for processing wherein said processing includes responding to a detected abnormal condition by taking immediate remedial action to neutralize the abnormal condition or minimize the effect of the abnormal condition.
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21. A method of providing centralized monitoring and damage assessment functionality in order to detect and respond to abnormal events that may occur to a variety of equipment or devices, or occur in a variety of spaces including typically unmanned rooms or compartments, said method comprising:
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placing a plurality of sensors that are capable of detecting a variety of different conditions about an area to be monitored and on machinery to be monitored;
having a set of said sensors feed into a sensor interface module where the sensor data obtained by said sensors is multiplexed onto a common bus;
forwarding said multiplexed sensor data from said sensor interface module to a control unit where said sensor data is processed by said control unit, said control unit being operatively connected with and having the ability to control a variety of safety devices and mechanisms such that when an abnormal event is detected remedial action is taken by having said control unit trigger the appropriate safety device or mechanism to minimize or eliminate the abnormal event. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification