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Wireless activation of multiple alarm devices upon triggering of a single device
| Details |
Inventors: Addy, Kenneth L.;
Assignee: Pittway Corporation (Chicago, IL)
Primary Examiner: Crosland; Donnie L.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Anthony R. Barkume, P.C.
A method and apparatus for use in wireless alarm systems is provided which enable the simultaneous sounding of any or all alarm devices in the system upon sensing of an alarm condition by at least one of the alarm devices. The alarm devices are battery powered and include a reduced power transmitter which transmits an alarm signal, with an optional address corresponding to the initiating alarm device. The alarm signal is received by a central receiver in communication with a central control unit. The central control unit transmits a broadcast signal to any or all alarm devices in the system via the central transmitter. The broadcast signal optionally includes address information regarding the alarm devices to be activated. Reduced power receivers in the alarm devices receive the broadcast signal, determine if the address corresponds to its own and activates alarm notification and illumination systems accordingly. The illumination systems may be independent from the alarm devices and may provide guidance to those trapped during an emergency. |
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION In accordance with the present invention, a method for activating an alarm notification device in response to occurrence of an alarm condition is provided comprising the steps of sensing an alarm condition, transmitting an alarm signal in response to the alarm condition to a central control unit, receiving the alarm signal at the central control unit, transmitting a broadcast signal from the central control unit to a plurality of alarm devices in response to receipt of the alarm signal, receiving the broadcast signal by the plurality of alarm devices, and activating an alarm notification device associated with at least one of the alarm devices in response to receipt of the broadcast signal.
In further accordance with the present invention, the method of the present invention comprises the steps of specifying an identity of a source of the transmission of the alarm signal, specifying an identity of the alarm notification device to be activated in response to receipt of the broadcast signal, and providing human-detectable emissions from the alarm notification device.
In still further accordance with the present invention, the method of the present invention comprises the step of synchronizing the occurrence of an active period of the plurality of alarm devices operating at a duty cycle of less than one hundred percent, the operating duty cycle comprising the active period and an inactive period, thereby enabling the alarm notification device associated with the alarm devices to be substantially simultaneously activated in response to receipt of the broadcast signal.
In accordance with the present invention, an alarm device is presented which comprises an alarm sensor, a transmitter which transmits an alarm signal in response to detection of an alarm condition by the alarm sensor, a receiver adapted to receive a broadcast signal indicative of the alarm condition, and an alarm notification device coupled to the receiver adapted to activate in response to receipt of the broadcast signal
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