METHODS, APPARATUSES, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR IMPLEMENTING SITUATIONAL CONTROL PROCESSES

• US 20100019921A1
• Filed: 06/19/2007
• Published: 01/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property, Inc. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property, Inc. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kreiner, Barrett, Reeves, Jonathan
• Granted Patent: US 9,830,804 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/825.220
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/58 using Internet communication
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/009 Signalling of the alarm condition to a substation whose identity is signalled to a central station, e.g. relaying alarm signals in order to extend communication range
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/08 using communication transmission lines G08B13/19658, G08B21/0286, G08B25/016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/14 Central alarm receiver or annunciator arrangements

Abstract

A method, apparatus, and computer program product for implementing situational control processes is provided. The method includes transmitting a signal to a target device and determining whether a response signal has been received from the target device. The response signal indicates one of a presence status of the target device and an event condition. The method also includes performing a first action if no response signal is received. The first action includes generating an alert and/or determining a presence of an alternative target device.

Claims

1. A method for implementing situational control processes, comprising:

transmitting a signal to a target device;

determining whether a response signal has been received from the target device, the response signal indicating one of a presence status of the target device and an event condition; and

performing a first action if no response signal is received, the first action including at least one of generating an alert and determining a presence of an alternative target device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining a presence of an alternative target device includes transmitting a third signal.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising performing a second action if a response signal is received, the second action including:

transmitting another signal to the target device after a specified time interval if the response signal indicates the presence status of the target device; and

instructing the target device to perform an operation if the response signal indicates the event condition.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

performing the second action upon receiving a response signal from the alternative target device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the operation includes at least one of:

device activation;

device de-activation; and

device reset.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the target device and the alternative target device are safety devices comprising at least one of:

a sprinkler head;

a sprinkler system;

a detection device;

a pull station alarm;

an emergency light;

a safety light;

an emergency exit;

a utility connection;

a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system and components; and

a circuit panel.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the detection device comprises at least one of:

a smoke detector;

a carbon dioxide detector;

a carbon monoxide detector;

a temperature sensor;

a motion sensor; and

a hazardous materials detector.

8. An apparatus for implementing situational control processes, comprising:

a device; and

a device manager executing on the device, the device manager performing;

transmitting a signal to a target device;

determining whether a response signal has been received from the target device, the response signal indicating one of a presence status of the target device and an event condition; and

performing a first action if no response signal is received, the first action including at least one of generating an alert and determining a presence of an alternative target device.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the determining a presence of an alternative target device includes transmitting a third signal.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the device manager further performs a second action if a response signal is received, the second action including:

transmitting another signal to the target device after a specified time interval if the response signal indicates the presence status of the target device; and

instructing the target device to perform an operation if the response signal indicates the event condition.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the device manager further performs:

performing the second action upon receiving a response signal from the alternative target device.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the operation includes at least one of:

device activation;

device de-activation; and

device reset.

13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the target device and alternative target device are safety devices comprising at least one of:

a sprinkler head;

a sprinkler system;

a detection device;

a pull station alarm;

an emergency light;

a safety light;

an emergency exit;

a utility connection;

a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system and components; and

a circuit panel.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the detection device comprises at least one of:

a smoke detector;

a carbon dioxide detector;

a carbon monoxide detector;

a temperature sensor;

a motion sensor; and

a hazardous materials detector.

15. A computer program product for implementing situational control processes, the computer program product including instructions for performing a method, comprising:

transmitting a signal to a device;

determining whether a response signal has been received from the device, the response signal indicating one of a presence status of the device and an event condition; and

performing a first action if no response signal is received, the first action including at least one of generating an alert and determining a presence of an alternative device.

16. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the determining a presence of an alternative device includes transmitting a third signal.

17. The computer program product of claim 15, further comprising instructions for performing a second action if a response signal is received, the second action including:

transmitting another signal to the device after a specified time interval if the response signal indicates the presence status of the device; and

instructing the device to perform an operation if the response signal indicates the event condition.

18. The computer program product of claim 17, further comprising instructions for implementing:

performing the second action upon receiving a response signal from the alternative device.

19. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the operation includes at least one of:

device activation;

device de-activation; and

device reset.

20. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the device is a safety device comprising at least one of:

a sprinkler head;

a sprinkler system;

a detection device;

a pull station alarm;

an emergency light;

a safety light;

an emergency exit;

a utility connection;

a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system and components; and

a circuit panel; and

wherein further, the detection device comprises at least one of;

a smoke detector;

a carbon dioxide detector;

a carbon monoxide detector;

a temperature sensor;

a motion sensor; and

a hazardous materials detector.