Building management

• US 7,822,709 B2
• Filed: 06/22/2001
• Issued: 10/26/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Conssero PLC
• Original Assignee: Conssero PLC
• Inventors: Godwin, Adrian Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Mizrahi; Diane
• Application Number:
  US10/312,324
• Publication Number:
  US 20030172087A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,413 Days
• Field of Search: 707 1- 10, 707100-1041, 707200-205, 705/42, 705/79, 304/7.29, 370/395.52, 379/88.17, 709/205, 709/206, 709/207, 709/219, 709/231, 709/239, 709/240, 709/243, 709/244
• US Class Current: 707/617
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/27 with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/38 with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0686 Additional information in the notification, e.g. enhancement of specific meta-data

Abstract

A building events status network for monitoring building events such as the reporting of equipment failure and visits by third parties to a plurality of buildings replaces the traditional paper logs by providing at least one site terminal with a unique address at each building to be monitored. The terminals are connected at least to a remote web server at which a database is maintained of entry records such as fault logs, times of individuals using the site terminals to report a fault or record their access to a building in the network and status information concerning the nature and outcome of the event concerning the buildings. Preferably the internet is used as the network infrastructure and each terminal is provided with browser software that permits the user to access only the remote web server.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented building management system for monitoring site events at a plurality of buildings, wherein a site event is an event relating to the status of a building, a building'"'"'s visitor or a building'"'"'s equipment, the system comprising:

a database accessible via the internet;

a plurality of uniquely identified site terminals that each access the database by means of web browser software, each terminal having means for enabling a user with access rights to view data and enter data on line into the database;

wherein each of said buildings has physically secured or located thereat a respective one of said site terminals having a respective unique internet address that is used to identify the respective building at which that site terminal is physically secured or located,

such that the database provides current status information including entry records and times and associated information relating to site events for each said building.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the browser software permits the user to access only an internet site holding the database.

3. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each said site terminal includes means for reporting to the database by a user an instance of building equipment failure.

4. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said site terminals includes means for sending to the database a request for repair of an item of equipment.

5. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said site terminals includes means for recording in the database a visit of a maintenance contractor to the site.

6. A system as claimed in claim 5, wherein each of said site terminals includes means for recording in the database the time at which the maintenance contractor leaves the site and the outcome of the visit.

7. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said site terminals includes means for enabling a user to record in the database information about a visitor'"'"'s entry to the building.

8. A computer-implemented building management system for monitoring site events at a plurality of buildings, wherein a site event is an event relating to the status of a building, a building'"'"'s visitor or a building'"'"'s equipment, the system comprising:

a database accessible via the internet;

a plurality of uniquely identified site terminals that each access the database by means of web browser software, wherein each of said buildings has physically secured or located thereat a respective one of said site terminals having a respective unique internet address, each of said site terminals having means for enabling a user with access rights to view data and enter data online into the database concerning a site event at said respective building at which that site terminal is physically secured or located;

wherein the unique internet address of each site terminal is used by the database to identify the building at which the site terminal is physically secured or located, and wherein the database provides access to information relating to site events for each building.

9. A system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the browser software permits the user to access only an internet site holding the database.

10. A system as claimed in claim 8, wherein each said site terminal includes means for reporting to the database by a user an instance of building equipment failure.

11. A system as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of said site terminals includes means for sending to the database a request for repair of an item of equipment.

12. A system as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of said site terminals includes means for recording in the database a visit of a maintenance contractor to the site.

13. A system as claimed in claim 12, wherein each of said site terminals includes means for recording in the database the time at which the maintenance contractor leaves the site and the outcome of the visit.

14. A system as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of said site terminals includes means for enabling a user to record in the database information about a visitor'"'"'s entry to the building.