Method to Auto-Configure Gas Detectors Based on Real-Time Location

• US 20160334378A1
• Filed: 06/04/2015
• Published: 11/17/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Maddila, Vidyasagar Baba, Thomas, Tijo, George, Kurian, Talluri, Suryaramya, Illuru, Swapna, Kamalakannan, Arunkumar
• Granted Patent: US 10,156,552 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0006 Calibrating gas analysers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0063 using a threshold to release an alarm or displaying means alarm arrangements G08B, e.g. fire alarm actuated by the presence of smoke or gases G08B17/10, for other abnormal conditions G08B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/14 Toxic gas alarms G08B21/16 takes precedence

Abstract

Embodiments relate generally to systems and methods for determining the location of a gas detector device, wherein the location may be within a predefined location zone, and automatically configuring the gas detector device based on the location zone. Each location zone in a facility may be associated with a configuration for the gas detector device. The location of the gas detector device may be monitored by a central station, and when it is determined that a gas detector device has moved from one location zone to another, the configuration of the gas detector device may be updated accordingly. Additionally, other parameters may be monitored by the central station and/or the gas detector device to determine the appropriate configuration of the gas detector device.

Claims

1. A method for configuring a gas detector device, the method comprising:

detecting gas, by the gas detector device, in a first location zone, wherein the gas detector device is configured for the first location zone;

determining that the gas detector device has entered a second location zone;

configuring the gas detector device for the second location zone;

detecting gas in the second location zone; and

alerting a user when the detected gas is over a threshold, wherein the threshold is defined by the configuration of the gas detector device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the gas detector device comprises a plurality of as sensors, and wherein configuring the gas detector device comprises deactivating one or more of the gas sensors and activating one or more of the gas sensors.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein configuring the gas detector device comprises changing the threshold for alert.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising

determining the identity of the user of the gas detector device;

and

configuring the gas detector device based on the identity of the user, wherein the user'"'"'s identity is associated with thresholds for alert.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

determining the time of day when the gas detector device is in use; and

configuring the gas detector device based on the time of day, wherein the time of day is associated with thresholds for alert and associated with types of gas that should be detected.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising determining the type of the gas detector device.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising defining a plurality of location zones within a facility, wherein each location zone is associated with a configuration for the gas detector device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the location of the gas detector device is accomplished using global positioning systems.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the location of the gas detector device is accomplished using wireless triangulation systems.

10. A method for configuring a gas detector device, the method comprising:

powering on the gas detector device;

configuring the gas detector device in a default configuration;

determining that the gas detector device has entered a first location zone;

configuring the gas detector device for the first location zone;

determining that the gas detector device has entered a second location zone; and

configuring the gas detector device for the second location zone,

wherein

each location zone is associated with a configuration for the gas detector device; and

configuring comprises defining threshold limits, and indicating gas sensor activation.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein determining the location of the gas detector device is accomplished using global positioning systems.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein determining the location of the gas detector device is accomplished using wireless triangulation systems.

13. The method of claim 10 further comprising defining a plurality of location zones within a facility, wherein each location zone is associated with a configuration for the gas detector device.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the gas detector device comprises a plurality of gas sensors, and wherein configuring the gas detector device comprises deactivating one or more of the gas sensors and activating one or more of the gas sensors.

15. A method for configuring a gas detector device, the method comprising:

receiving, by a central station, detected gas data from the gas detector device;

receiving, by the central station, location data from the gas detector device;

determining that the gas detector device has moved from a first location zone to a second location zone based on the received location data;

accessing, by the central station, configuration instructions associated with the second location zone; and

sending, by the central station, the configuration instructions associated with the second location zone to the gas detector device, wherein the gas detector device uses the configuration instructions to update the configuration of the gas detector device.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein receiving location data from the gas detector device occurs approximately every two Mutes.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the configuration instructions comprise defining threshold limits, and indicating gas sensor activation.

18. The method of claim 15 further comprising storing, by the central station, the received location data for future reference, wherein determining that the gas detector device has moved from a first location zone to a second location zone based on the received location data comprises comparing the currently received location data to previously sorted location data.

19. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

sending a confirmation message to the gas detector device before sending the configuration instructions; and

receiving a response from the gas detector device.

20. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

defining a plurality of location zones within a facility, wherein each location zone is associated with a configuration for the gas detector device; and

storing, by the central station, the location zone information and associations.