Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for implementing situational control processes

• US 9,830,804 B2
• Filed: 06/19/2007
• Issued: 11/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kreiner, Barrett, Reeves, Jonathan
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): SAMSON, SARA B
• Application Number:
  US11/764,923
• Publication Number:
  US 20100019921A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,815 Days
• Field of Search: 340 564, 340 56, 340825, 340 51, 340 52, 340 11
• 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 comprising:

storing, in a device record of a safety device, an identifier of a first peer device and an identifier of a second peer device, and an identifier of a recording device that are within communicative range of the safety device, the safety device comprising a component configured to perform a safety-related function based on data received from the first peer device, and the second peer device comprising an exit light;

configuring, via a device manager application executed by a computer processor of the safety device, a first event condition and corresponding action for implementation by the safety device, the first event condition including an inspection due, and the corresponding action includes initiating an automated self-inspection of the safety device;

configuring, via the device manager application, a second event condition and corresponding actions for implementation by the safety device;

monitoring for the second event condition, comprising;

transmitting a signal to the first peer device;

receiving a response signal from the first peer device;

identifying the response signal according to a frequency;

wherein a first response signal transmitted at a first frequency indicates a presence of the first peer device, and a second response signal transmitted at a second frequency indicates the occurrence of the second event condition; and

in response to detecting an occurrence of the second event condition, performing the corresponding actions, the corresponding actions including the safety-related function of the safety device, activating the recording device via the identifier of the recording device in the device record to record images of the second event condition, and activating the exit light of the second peer device upon determining the exit light is within a pathway to an exit that is safe to traverse based on the second response signal;

configuring, via the device manager application, a third event condition and corresponding action for implementation by the safety device, the third event condition comprising a signal received at the safety device by a portable remote controller operable by a first responder; and

performing, upon receiving the signal from the portable remote controller, the action defined by the third event condition.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the corresponding actions further include transmitting a notification to a utility service provider providing information about the second event condition.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein upon determining the response signal is the first response signal, the corresponding actions include transmitting another signal to the first peer device after a specified time interval.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein a second safety device comprises a sprinkler system and the safety-related function includes activating operation of the sprinkler system.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first peer device comprises a smoke detector.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

refraining from activating the exit light of the second peer device upon determining the exit light is within a pathway to an exit that is unsafe to traverse based on the second response signal.

7. An apparatus comprising:

a safety device comprising a component configured to perform a safety-related function;

a device record stored on the safety device; and

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

storing, in the device record, an identifier of a first peer device and an identifier of a second peer device, and an identifier of a recording device that are within communicative range of the safety device, the safety device comprising a component configured to perform a safety-related function based on data received from the first peer device, and the second peer device comprising an exit light;

configuring a first event condition and corresponding action for implementation by the safety device, the first event condition including an inspection due, and the corresponding action includes initiating an automated self-inspection of the safety device;

configuring a second event condition and corresponding actions for implementation by the safety device;

monitoring for the second event condition, comprising;

transmitting a signal to the first peer device;

receiving a response signal from the first peer device;

identifying the response signal according to a frequency;

wherein a first response signal transmitted at a first frequency indicates a presence of the first peer device, and a second response signal transmitted at a second frequency indicates the occurrence of the second event condition; and

in response to detecting an occurrence of the second event condition, performing the corresponding action, the corresponding actions including the safety-related function of the safety device, activating the recording device via the identifier of the recording device in the device record to record images of the second event condition, and activating the exit light upon determining the exit light is within a pathway to an exit that is safe to traverse based on the second response signal;

configuring, via the device manager, a third event condition and corresponding action for implementation by the safety device, the third event condition comprising a signal received at the safety device by a portable remote controller operable by a first responder; and

performing, upon receiving the signal from the portable remote controller, the action defined by the third event condition.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the corresponding actions further include transmitting a notification to a utility service provider providing information about the second event condition.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein upon determining the response signal is the first response signal, the corresponding actions include transmitting another signal to the first peer device after a specified time interval.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein a second safety device comprises a sprinkler system and the safety-related function includes activating operation of the sprinkler system.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first peer device comprises a smoke detector.

12. A computer program product, tangibly embodied on a non-transitory computer readable medium, the computer program product including instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform operations comprising:

;

storing, in a device record of a safety device, an identifier of a first peer device and an identifier of a second peer device, and an identifier of a recording device that are within communicative range of the safety device, the safety device comprising a component configured to perform a safety-related function based on data received from the first peer device, and the second peer device comprising an exit light;

configuring a first event condition and corresponding action for implementation by the safety device, the first event condition including an inspection due, and the corresponding action includes initiating an automated self-inspection of the safety device;

configuring a second event condition and corresponding actions for implementation by the safety device;

monitoring for the second event condition, comprising;

transmitting a signal to the first peer device;

receiving a response signal from the first peer device;

identifying the response signal according to a frequency;

wherein a first response signal transmitted at a first frequency indicates a presence of the first peer device, and a second response signal transmitted at a second frequency indicates the occurrence of the second event condition; and

in response to detecting an occurrence of the second event condition, performing the corresponding actions, the corresponding actions including the safety-related function of the safety device, activating the recording device via the identifier of the recording device in the device record to record images of the second event condition, and activating the exit light of the second peer device upon determining the exit light is within a pathway to an exit that is safe to traverse based on the second response signal;

configuring a third event condition and corresponding action for implementation by the safety device, the third event condition comprising a signal received at the safety device by a portable remote controller operable by a first responder; and

performing, upon receiving the signal from the portable remote controller, the action defined by the third event condition.

13. The computer program product of claim 12, wherein the corresponding actions further include transmitting a notification to a utility service provider providing information about the event condition.

14. The computer program product of claim 12, wherein upon determining the response signal is the first response signal, the corresponding actions include transmitting another signal to the first peer device after a specified time interval.

15. The computer program product of claim 12, wherein a second safety device comprises a sprinkler system and the safety-related function includes activating operation of the sprinkler system.