Method and system for standardizing the quality of materials and services used in structured cabling networks

• US 20040236586A1
• Filed: 05/22/2003
• Published: 11/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Hirshkind, Richard J. Jr.
• Application Number:
  US10/443,942
• Publication Number:
  US 20040236586A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/018 Certifying business or products

Abstract

Uniform quality standards are applied to materials and workers provided for structured cabling networks such as home automation networks, distributed audio networks, distributed video networks, telephone networks, computer networks, lighting networks, security networks, fire safety networks, and climate control networks, in residences and light commercial buildings. Materials from different suppliers are tested and certified based on the uniform standards. Workers are also tested and certified in areas including installation and design. The certified materials and certified workers are offered to builders, homeowners and others under a brand name that is associated with the uniform quality standards to ensure good results.

Claims

1. A method for providing structured cabling networks in buildings in accordance with uniform quality standards, comprising:

defining uniform quality standards for materials for use in the structured cabling networks, and for workers for the structured cabling networks;

providing the uniform quality standards to at least one testing facility for use in;

(a) certifying materials that are available from a plurality of suppliers based on testing that indicates the materials meet first predetermined criteria under the uniform quality standards, and (b) certifying workers that are available to provide services based on testing that indicates the workers meet second predetermined criteria under the uniform quality standards; and

offering the certified materials and certified workers for use in providing the structured cabling networks.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the structured cabling networks comprise at least one of:

home automation networks, distributed audio networks, distributed video networks, telephone networks, computer networks, lighting networks, security networks, fire safety networks, and climate control networks.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the materials comprise at least one of;

cabling, outlets, control devices, and test equipment.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the services that the workers are available to provide include installation of the certified materials in the structured cabling networks.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the services that the workers are available to provide include design services which use the certified materials in the structured cabling networks.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the certified materials and certified workers are offered for use in providing the structured cabling networks in accordance with a brand name that is associated with the uniform quality standards.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the uniform quality standards include standards for new construction and retrofit structured cabling networks.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein:

at least some of the plurality of suppliers are substantially independent from one another.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the materials are certified by an entity that is substantially independent from the plurality of suppliers.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the uniform quality standards are defined by an entity that is substantially independent from an entity that certifies the materials.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the workers are certified by an entity that is substantially independent from the workers.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the buildings comprise at least one of residences and light commercial buildings.

13. A system for providing structured cabling networks in buildings in accordance with uniform quality standards, comprising:

at least one database for storing information regarding certified materials that are provided by a plurality of suppliers for use in the structured cabling networks, and regarding certified workers that are available to provide services for the structured cabling networks using the certified materials;

wherein the materials are certified based on testing that indicates the materials meet first predetermined criteria under the uniform quality standards, and the workers are certified based on testing that indicates the workers meet second predetermined criteria under the uniform quality standards.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein:

the information indicates classifications of the certified materials.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein:

the classifications of the certified materials include at least one of;

cabling, outlets, control devices, and test equipment.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein:

the information indicates classifications of the services that the workers are available to provide.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein:

the classifications of the services include at least one of;

installation of the certified materials in the structured cabling networks, and design services which use the certified materials in the structured cabling networks.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein:

the information indicates geographic areas in which the workers are available to provide their services.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein:

the information indicates at least one building type for which the materials have been certified.

20. The system of claim 13, wherein:

the information indicates at least one building type for which the workers have been certified.

21. The system of claim 13, wherein:

the buildings in which the structured cabling networks are provided comprise at least one of residences and light commercial buildings.

22. A method for providing materials and workers for structured cabling networks in buildings in accordance with uniform quality standards, comprising:

(a) certifying materials for use in the structured cabling networks that are available from a plurality of suppliers based on testing that indicates the materials meet first predetermined criteria under uniform quality standards; and

(b) certifying workers that are available to provide services for the structured cabling networks based on testing that indicates the workers meet second predetermined criteria under the uniform quality standards; and

providing information for offering the certified materials and certified workers for use in providing the structured cabling networks.