Interface Actuator Device and Method of Use

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017193811-A1
Application number	US-201614988949-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 6, 2016
Priority date	Jan 6, 2016
Publication date	Jul 6, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

An interface actuator device, an interface actuator system, and a system and method for remotely controlling an interface of a control panel are disclosed. The interface actuator device includes an actuator for controlling the interface of the control panel and an attachment mechanism for mounting the interface actuator device to the control panel. The system can further include a camera for capturing images of the interface and a mobile device for controlling the actuator and viewing the images from the camera.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An interface actuator device for a control panel of a fire alarm system, comprising:
an actuator for controlling an interface of the control panel; and an attachment mechanism for mounting the interface actuator device to the control panel.

2 . The interface actuator device of claim 1 , further comprising an actuator communication port for receiving an activation command from a service box causing the actuator to control the interface of the control panel.

3 . The interface actuator device of claim 1 , further comprising an actuator wireless interface for receiving an activation command from a service box or a mobile device causing the actuator to control the interface of the control panel.

4 . The interface actuator device of claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises an actuator plunger and a solenoid for driving the actuator plunger to control the interface of the control panel.

5 . The interface actuator device of claim 1 , further comprising an electronics module having a battery for powering the actuator and a charger port for receiving power for recharging the battery.

6 . The interface actuator device of claim 1 , wherein the attachment mechanism is a magnet, an adhesive pad, or a suction device.

7 . The interface actuator device of claim 1 , further comprising a frame for supporting the actuator on the attachment mechanism, wherein the frame includes an extension arm that telescopes to enable positioning of the actuator relative to the attachment mechanism.

8 . The interface actuator device of claim 7 , wherein the frame provides for height adjustment of the actuator relative to a surface of the control panel.

9 . An interface actuator system for a control panel of a fire alarm system, comprising:
an actuator for controlling an interface of the control panel; a camera for capturing images of the interface; and a mobile device for controlling the actuator and viewing the images from the camera.

10 . The system of claim 9 , further comprising a service box for receiving wireless communication from the mobile device and for controlling the actuator based on the received wireless communication.

11 . The system of claim 9 , further comprising a service box for powering the actuator.

12 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the actuator comprises an actuator plunger and a solenoid for driving the actuator plunger to control the interface of the control panel.

13 . The system of claim 9 , further comprising an attachment mechanism for mounting the actuator to the control panel.

14 . A system for remotely controlling an interface of a control panel of a fire alarm system, comprising:
an interface actuator device including an actuator for controlling the interface of the control panel, and an attachment mechanism for mounting the interface actuator device to the control panel; and a mobile device for communicating an activation command to the interface actuator device causing the actuator to control the interface.

15 . The system of claim 14 , further comprising a service box for wirelessly receiving the activation command, wherein the service box directs the interface actuator device to control the interface based on receipt of the activation command.

16 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the interface comprises a rubber switch, a membrane switch, or a touch-screen interface switch.

17 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the actuator comprises an actuator plunger and a solenoid for driving the actuator plunger to control the interface of the control panel.

18 . A method for remotely controlling an interface of a control panel of a fire alarm system, comprising:
mounting an interface actuator device to the control panel; using a mobile device to communicate an activation command to the interface actuator device; and the interface actuator device controlling the interface of the control panel.

19 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising a camera capturing images of the interface and using the mobile device to view the images from the camera.

20 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising using the mobile device to confirm that the interface actuator device controlled the interface based on the images from the camera.

Assignees

• Tyco Fire & Security Gmbh

Inventors

• Stowell John Bradley
• Roberts James T
• Piccolo Iii Joseph
• Dore Jean Claude

Classifications

• G08C17/02 Primary

  using a radio link · CPC title

• G08B29/12

  Checking intermittently signalling or alarm systems · CPC title

• H04N7/183

  for receiving images from a single remote source · CPC title

• G08B17/06

  Electric actuation of the alarm, e.g. using a thermally-operated switch · CPC title

• G08B29/145

  of fire detection circuits · CPC title