Abstract: An intelligent switching mechanism for the backup batteries of an alarm system is disclosed. When AC input power has failed but no alarm has been declared, the batteries are switched into a parallel configuration, which is sufficient to supply the control panel, so that the batteries are drained in tandem. When AC input power has failed and an alarm has been declared, the batteries are switched into a series configuration to supply power at the higher voltage required by the alarm annunciators.

Abstract: A magnetic alarm sensor (80) includes a magnet (84) positioned so that dominant length components (108) of its magnetic field lines (104) are oriented so that they are transverse to a switch axis (96) of a magnetically sensitive switch (88). This orientation permits more versatile mounting options for placement of the alarm sensor, especially to positions that are less prone to displacements over time. A preferred embodiment of the magnetic alarm sensor (110) employs two spatially collinear magnetic switches (116, 118) vertically oriented along a door bracket (14) and a magnet (120) positioned on a door panel (22) such that the magnetic field lines (152) of the magnet are generally perpendicular to the switch axis (136) of the magnetic switches. The magnetic switches are electrically connected in parallel to extend the range of vertical critical distance between the magnet and the magnetic switches to inhibit false alarms caused by door sag.

Abstract: Self-contained smoke detector systems each have internal self-diagnostic capabilities and function as components of an automatic fire alarm communication system implemented with a conventional two-wire alarm initiating circuit. Each system includes a microprocessor-based self-diagnostic circuit that periodically checks sensitivity of radiation sensor electronics to smoke obscuration level. By setting tolerance limits on the amount of change in voltage measured in clean air, the system can provide an indication of when it has become either under-sensitive or over-sensitive to the ambient smoke obscuration level. An algorithm implemented in software stored in system memory determines whether and provides a sensitivity fault condition signal indicating that for a time (such as 27 hours) the clean air voltage has strayed outside established sensitivity tolerance limits.

Abstract: A plunger-operated alarm switch assembly (10) provides without visual inspection thereof an indication of whether a barrier (14) is in a secure position or whether the alarm switch assembly has been tampered with. A preferred embodiment includes a plunger housing (18) that is matable to a switch plate (20). The plunger housing supports a movable plunger (22) having a permanent magnet (24) that produces a magnetic field (26). The switch plate supports a magnetically actuatable reed switch (28) positioned in a predetermined relative alignment to a guide path (32) of the plunger when the plunger housing and the switch plate are matably fitted together.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus employing a compact magnetic security switch for detecting the open or closed position of corresponding fixed frame and movable closure members, such as door and window assemblies, of entryways of buildings. The security switch assembly includes a high intrinsic coercive force rare earth, preferably neodymium, alloy magnet mountable on a movable closure member within a close clearance and within a predetermined gap and break distance of a switch mounted on a corresponding fixed frame member when in closed position, such that the electrical contacts interact with the magnet and thereby place the switch in a nonalarm position. The method of the present invention provides for mounting the rare earth alloy magnet without invading the subsurface structural integrity of the movable closure member.

Abstract: An improved environmental alarm system has centralized control of local sensor display capabilities displays, on the sensor itself, a variety of sensor data including sensor address, and detected levels of one or more environmental conditions. Alphanumeric characters are displayed at individual sensors in response to commands from a master microprocessor directing local sensor display content and timing. A local microcontroller within each sensor interprets the detected signal and prepares a resulting data signal that is available for downloading into the alphanumeric display in compliance with a coded message from the master microprocessor.

Abstract: A self-contained smoke detector system has internal self-diagnostic capabilities and accepts a replacement smoke intake canopy (14) without a need for recalibration. The system includes a microprocessor-based self-diagnostic circuit (200) that periodically checks sensitivity of the optical sensor electronics (24, 28) to smoke obscuration level. By setting tolerance limits on the amount of change in voltage measured in clean air, the system can provide an indication of when it has become either under-sensitive or over-sensitive to the ambient smoke obscuration level. An algorithm implemented in software stored in system memory (204) determines whether and provides an indication that for a time (such as 27 hours) the clean air voltage has strayed outside established sensitivity tolerance limits. The replaceable canopy is specially designed with multiple pegs (80) having multi-faceted surfaces (110, 112, 114).

Abstract: A heat detector uses a single comparator operating in conjunction with a dynamically changing thermal reference that ensures quick response to rapid rates of thermal change and a fixed threshold that indicates an ambient temperature exceeds a threshold temperature. The inputs of the comparator receive different ones of the output signals of two thermal sensors. One thermal sensor responds nearly instantaneously to changes in ambient thermal conditions. The other thermal sensor is mounted on a printed circuit board operating as a heat sink and responds more slowly to changes in ambient thermal conditions. The difference between the thermal sensor output signals is zero at a lower ambient temperature when the rate of thermal change exceeds a preset amount and at a higher ambient temperature when the rate of thermal change is relatively slow.

Abstract: A magnetically actuated switch system (10) has reduced sensitivity to false alarms and reduced power consumption and resistance to physical and magnetic tampering. The system includes a signal processing circuit controlled by a microprocessor (16) that selectively enables magnetic sensors (12, 38), and compares the corresponding sensor outputs (76) to automatically calibrated level and predetermined timing characteristics.

Abstract: A glass break detector system (10) includes a low frequency (LF) detector (28) that is responsive to a pressure wave transducer (12) to detect the amplitude of a low frequency, generally sinusoidal acoustic wave signal resulting from a physical contact with a glass window. The LF detector includes a peak analyzer (42) that compares absolute values of sequential first and second amplitudes (P1, P2) of a low frequency signal derived from the low frequency acoustic wave signal to determine an appropriate alarm response. The LF detector enables the alarm if the absolute value of the first amplitude (P1) is greater than the absolute value of the second amplitude (P2) or if P1 or P2 amplitudes exceed saturation thresholds. The LF detector also includes a slope analyzer (40) that determines whether the low frequency signal exhibits atypical characteristics that generally indicate glass breakage.

Abstract: A security system (10), operable to produce an ALARM signal indicative of glass breakage in a region (16) in which a human being (24) may legitimately be present, has a human presence detector (12), a glass breakage detector (14), and an alarm signal activator (30) that includes a one-shot timer (52). A HUMAN PRESENCE DETECT signal (36, 38) output from the human presence detector triggers or retriggers the timer to produce an active output for a predetermined holdoff time interval T.sub.H. The active output causes a gate (58) to prevent a glass breakage alarm or GB DETECT pulse (46) from the glass breakage detector from reaching a control panel (34) and thus from triggering the ALARM signal if the GB DETECT signal occurs within the holdoff time interval after a HUMAN PRESENCE DETECT signal. Another gate (64) prevents a GB DETECT pulse (48) from reaching the control panel if that pulse occurs while the human presence detector is detecting human presence in the region (38).

Abstract: Fresnel lens elements in a lens grouping and mounted in a fixed relationship to a detector, to define a 360.degree. field of view for use in a sensor for passive detection of infrared radiation. Lens elements of the lens grouping can be selected by masking other lens elements, to leave a lens array defining a particular pattern of detection for a desired application. By masking certain of the lenses of the lens grouping, wide angle three-dimensional or fan-like planar curtain patterns of detection are obtained for use of the sensor in either a wall-mounted or ceiling-mounted installation, and vertical curtains of coverage can be obtained using ceiling-mounted installation. Lens elements of different sizes and focal lengths are arranged to gather ample radiation for detection of distant intruders in certain directions.

Abstract: A combination of a magnetically-actuated interlock switch assembly and an actuating magnet unit, and a method for their use, in which a supply current is connected to ground potential so as to overload and open a fuse in a power supply input line when the interlock fails to open in response to absence of the actuating magnet within a required proximity to the interlock switch assembly. A more sensitive magnetic reed contact opens upon approach of the actuating magnet, before a less sensitive magnetic reed contact closes in response to closer approach of the actuating magnet to provide a biasing control voltage to a transistor which is thereby turned on to provide power to the load. Should the transistor or the switch providing the biasing voltage to the base of the transistor remain in a conductive state when the actuating magnet is removed from proximity with the switch assembly supply power is short-circuited, opening the fuse. Provision may be made for an interlock status indicator.

Abstract: Four magnetically actuable reed switches are configured in a unique biasing configuration and physical arrangement for providing a defeat resistant interlock/monitoring system with minimal switching circuitry. The switches are physically arranged so that two switches, mechanically biased in a normally closed state, lie between two switches, mechanically biased closed but magnetically biased in an open state, and are mutually perpendicular. The relative positions and orientations of the biased and nonbiased switches require two separate magnetic fields to activate the system. The system is only activated by an actuator which emits the magnetic fields required to actuate only the magnetically biased switches. The actuator magnet fields are oriented in the same direction as the biasing magnet fields. Adjustability of biasing magnets and a minimal number of switches and actuation magnets increase reliability of the system despite variations in actuator position.

Abstract: A glass break detector for detecting the breaking of a window or the like includes an acoustic transducer having a wide band frequency response, coupled to a dual channel filter and signal processing circuit. A low frequency channel detects an initial positive compression wave caused by the inward flex of the window and a high frequency channel detects the acoustic spectrum which is characteristic of breaking glass. The two channels are combined in a logic circuit that is timed so that the low frequency positive flex is detected initially with the high frequency component following shortly thereafter. If both timing conditions are fulfilled, an alarm is initiated. Additional circuitry is provided to inhibit the alarm if a negative compression wave is initially detected. The detection sequence is initiated by a loud sound characteristic of breaking glass.

Abstract: A plunger-operated switch assembly, useful for sensing the presence of a movable object such as a door or window, in which a magnetic reed contact is actuated by a magnet in the form of a disk-like roller plunger, or by a smaller magnet carried in the center of a roller plunger. The roller plunger is located in a cavity defined by a housing and projects through an aperture in a face plate including a flange by which the housing can be mounted recessed in a desired location. The magnetic reed contact is held alongside the cavity containing the roller plunger, so that the housing can be compact. A magnetic electrical conductor lead connected with a magnetic reed is located so as to be effectively within the magnetic field of the actuating magnet when the roller plunger is depressed a small distance so that the magnetic reed switch is actuated by a small movement of the plunger.

Abstract: A self-powered sensor for a closed-loop security system includes a self-powered sensor network which provides a switch-actuating signal upon the detection of a physical condition. An electronic switch, which is in a normally closed position, is connected between the positive and negative poles of a closed-loop security system and opens the loop upon receipt of the switch-actuating signal thereby triggering an alarm. The self-powered sensor network may include a voltage doubler for converting the AC output of a transducer to a DC voltage of an amplitude sufficient to open the switch. When the switch is opened, voltage from the closed-loop security system becomes available to power a visible or audible alarm identifying the sensor that opened the loop.