Fire Alarm Controller Configuration Apparatus And Configuration Method Thereof

• US 20170004693A1
• Filed: 07/01/2016
• Published: 01/05/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens Schweiz AG (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Schweiz AG (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Tian, Shui Ying, Zhao, Ya Ling
• Granted Patent: US 9,818,276 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0426 Programming the control sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23236 Table lookup driven system
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25118 Matrix to connect sensor to corresponding actuator
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/00 Fire alarms; Alarms responsive to explosion
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/14 Central alarm receiver or annunciator arrangements

Abstract

A configuration method for a fire alarm controller may include presenting a configuration matrix, in which either the rows represent inputs while the columns represent outputs, or the rows represent outputs while the columns represent inputs, with a matrix element in the configuration matrix being binary data, which indicates whether a causal relationship exists between the input and output in the row and column where the matrix element is located; receiving at least one external input adapted to amend the value of a matrix element in the configuration matrix; and according to the amended configuration matrix, generating a configuration file for updating linkage control logic of the fire alarm controller.

Claims

1. A configuration method for a fire alarm controller, the method comprising:

presenting a configuration matrix in which either the rows represent inputs and the columns represent outputs, or the rows represent outputs and the columns represent inputs,

wherein a matrix element in the configuration matrix comprises binary data that indicates whether a causal relationship exists between the input and output in the row and column in which the matrix element is located,

wherein the input comprises a signal received or sensed by the fire alarm controller, and the output comprises at least one enable signal capable of activating a linked apparatus connected directly or indirectly to the fire alarm controller in response to at least one of the inputs;

receiving at least one external input configured to amend the value of a matrix element in the configuration matrix; and

based on the amended configuration matrix, generating a configuration file for updating linkage control logic of the fire alarm controller.

2. The configuration method of claim 1, wherein the configuration matrix also comprises a preset disabled matrix element that indicates that no causal relationship exists between the input and output in the row and column in which the preset disabled matrix element is located, and wherein the preset disabled matrix element cannot be amended.

3. The configuration method of claim 1, wherein the configuration matrix also comprises a parameter selectable matrix element having two or more optional parameters, wherein a selected parameter indicates that a causal relationship exists between the input and output in the row and column in which the parameter selectable matrix element is located, wherein the output is related to the selected parameter.

4. The configuration method of claim 1, wherein the presenting step further comprises using a level structure to present two or more inputs of the configuration matrix.

5. The configuration method of claim 1, wherein the presenting step further comprises using a level structure to present two or more outputs of the configuration matrix.

6. The configuration method of claim 1, wherein the configuration matrix is presented on a terminal device connected to the fire alarm controller.

7. A configuration apparatus configured to connection to a fire alarm controller, the configuration apparatus comprising:

a display component;

an input component;

a presenting unit that presents via the display component a configuration matrix in which either the rows represent inputs and the columns represent outputs, or the rows represent outputs and the columns represent inputs,

with a matrix element in the configuration matrix comprises binary data that indicates whether a causal relationship exists between the input and output in the row and column in which the matrix element is located,

wherein the input comprises a signal received or sensed by the fire alarm controller, and the output comprises at least one enable signal capable of activating a linked apparatus connected directly or indirectly to the fire alarm controller in response to at least one of the inputs;

a receiving unit connected to the input component and configured to receive at least one external input from the input component, the external input being configured to amend the value of a matrix element in the configuration matrix; and

a generating unit connected to the presenting unit and the receiving unit and configured to generate a configuration file based on the amended configuration matrix, the configuration file being used to update linkage control logic of the fire alarm controller.

8. The configuration apparatus of claim 7, wherein the configuration matrix further comprises a preset disabled matrix element that indicates that no causal relationship exists between the input and output in the row and column in which the preset disabled matrix element is located, wherein the preset disabled matrix element cannot be amended.

9. The configuration apparatus of claim 7, wherein the configuration matrix further comprises a parameter selectable matrix element having two or more optional parameters, wherein a selected parameter indicates that a causal relationship exists between the input and output in the row and column in which the parameter selectable matrix element is located, wherein the output is related to the selected parameter.

10. The configuration apparatus of claim 7, wherein the presenting unit utilizes a level structure to present at least one of (a) two or more inputs of the configuration matrix or (b) two or more outputs of the configuration matrix.