US Patent 8077026 Technician communications for automated building protection systems

A communication module communicates between the tools or control panel and the technician. A communications module connects to or by the control panel or other controller of the protection system. The communications module wirelessly communicates with a service tool, such as a personal data assistant. The technician may control the protection system with the service tool from a remote location, such as by a monitoring device or other component being tested. The communications module may be taken with the technician when testing is complete or left in the building for later use. The communications module is provided as part of the protection system or is added at a later time to an existing system.