Computer-based notification system having redundant sensor alarm determination and associated computer-implemented method for issuing notification of events

A computer-implemented method of issuing a notification of an occurrence of an event within a defined area having a plurality of sensors positioned therein comprising the steps of:

• configuring each of said plurality of sensors as either a non-redundant type sensor or a redundant type sensor;
• assigning each of said sensors configured as a redundant type sensor into a sensor group, each of said sensor groups having at least two of said sensors included therein;
• detecting transitions by respective ones of said plurality of sensors into an alarm condition;
• determining if said sensors transitioning into said alarm condition includes at least one sensor configured as a non-redundant type sensor;
• if it is determined that said sensors transitioning into said alarm condition includes at least one sensor configured as a non-redundant type sensor, issuing a first notification to a first group of selected recipients;
• determining if said sensors transitioning into said alarms condition includes at least one sensor configured as a redundant type sensor;
• if it is determined that said sensors transitioning into said alarm condition includes at least one sensor configured as a redundant type sensor, determining, for each of said redundant type sensors transitioning into said alarm condition, if all of said sensors grouped with said redundant type sensors transitioning into said alarm condition have also transitioned into said alarm condition;
• if it is determined that all of said sensors grouped with said redundant type sensors transitioning into said alarm condition have also transitioned into said alarm condition, issuing said first notification to said first group of selected recipients;
• and
• if it is determined that all of said sensors grouped with said redundant type sensors transitioning into said alarm condition have not transitioned into said alarm condition, issuing a second notification to a second group of selected recipients.

A notification system for reporting events occurring within a defined area being monitored by said notification system, comprising:

• a plurality of sensors installed at selected locations within said defined area;
• a computer system coupled to each of said plurality of sensors, said computer system including:
• means for selectively configuring each of said plurality of sensors as either a non-redundant type sensor or a redundant type sensor;
• means for detecting an alarm condition for each of said plurality of sensors;
• means for determining, from said detected alarm conditions, if an event requiring issuance of a notification has occurred;
• and
• means for issuing a notification regarding said event to a recipient;
• wherein said means for determining if an event requiring issuance of a notification has occurred further comprises:
• means for determining if said detected alarm condition originated at a non-redundant type sensor;
• means for determining that an event requiring issuance of a notification has occurred if said detected alarm condition originated at a non-redundant type sensor;
• means for determining if said detected alarm condition originated at a redundant type sensor;
• and
• means for determining that an event requiring issuance of a notification has occurred if said detected alarm condition originated at a redundant type sensor and if an alarm condition has been detected for each of a preselected group of at least two of said plurality of sensors, said preselected group including said redundant type sensor at which said alarm condition originated.

A notification system for reporting events occurring within a defined area being monitored by said notification system, comprising:

• a plurality of sensors installed at selected locations within said defined area;
• a sensor interface coupled to each of said sensors, said sensor interface including means for periodically polling each of said sensors and means for storing status information for each of said sensors;
• a computer system coupled to said sensor interface, said computer system including:
• means for selectively configuring each of said plurality of sensors as either a non-redundant type sensor or a redundant type sensor;
• means for polling said sensor interface for said stored status information;
• means for determining, from said status information, whether an alarm condition has been detected for each of said plurality of sensors;
• means for determining, from said detected alarm conditions, if an event requiring issuance of a notification has occurred;
• and
• means for issuing a notification regarding said event to a recipient;
• wherein said means for determining if an event requiring issuance of a notification has occurred further comprises:
• means for determining if said detected alarm condition originated at a non-redundant type sensor;
• means for determining that an event requiring issuance of a notification has occurred if said detected alarm condition originated at a non-redundant type sensor;
• means for determining if said detected alarm condition originated at a redundant type sensor;
• and
• means for determining that an event requiring issuance of a notification has occurred if said detected alarm condition originated at a redundant type sensor and if an alarm condition has been detected for each one of a promulgated group of at least two of said plurality of sensors.