Monitoring System Control Unit Coupled to Device Database Via the Internet
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:
- providing a plurality of devices to be evaluated in connection with a predetermined standard;
providing a machine readable serial number for each device;
providing a machine readable database which includes device information;
obtaining device serial numbers from the database in accordance with the standard; and
comparing the serial numbers received from the database to those of members of the plurality, and, responsive to the results of the comparison, automatically determining which, if any of the members of the plurality are not in compliance with the standard.
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Abstract
Information as to a group of devices which are part of a monitoring system, can be accumulated in one or more databases. The databases can be addressed via a computer network, such as the Internet. Monitoring systems can access one or more of the databases seeking identification of those devices that correspond to a selected criterion. A database can provide serial numbers of devices that meet the selected criteria. The respective monitoring system can determine if any local devices have serial numbers that match the received serial numbers. A trouble indicator can be generated in response thereto.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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providing a plurality of devices to be evaluated in connection with a predetermined standard; providing a machine readable serial number for each device; providing a machine readable database which includes device information; obtaining device serial numbers from the database in accordance with the standard; and comparing the serial numbers received from the database to those of members of the plurality, and, responsive to the results of the comparison, automatically determining which, if any of the members of the plurality are not in compliance with the standard. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus comprising:
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a monitoring system which includes a control unit, and, a plurality of monitoring devices, wherein the devices each communicate with the control unit; and a database in communication with the control unit, the database including information as to devices which need to be located, wherein the control unit includes circuitry to automatically obtain information as to the devices to be located from the database. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus comprising:
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at least one database; and a monitoring system which is coupled to a plurality of local devices wherein information as to a group of devices can be accumulated in the database, and where the database can be addressed by the system, via a computer network, seeking identification of those local devices that correspond to a selected criterion where the database can provide serial numbers of devices that meet the selected criteria, wherein responsive thereto, the monitoring system can determine if any local devices have serial numbers that match the received serial numbers, and a trouble indicator can be generated in response thereto. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification