Abstract: An alarm system includes a plurality of alarm devices connected to a load sensor. The load sensor senses the electrical load in the alarm system and indicates both the failure of the alarm devices in the system and the likely location of the failed devices.

Abstract: An audible alarm is provided for use in an alarm system which produces a plurality of distinct audible alarm signals in response to a control signal. The audible alarm can further produce a prerecorded voice message which can be stored at the audible alarm. A microcontroller at the audible alarm controls the audible alarm in response to the control signal which can be received from a control panel over a pair of lines. The control panel further supplies power over the pair of lines.

Abstract: An alarm system includes plural customer sites and first and second alarm monitoring stations. Each customer site has an alarm communicator for calling a monitoring station and transmitting an alarm message. The first and second monitoring stations are provided for receiving the alarm message through a telecommunications network. Each monitoring station includes an alarm processor system for processing the alarm message. Alternate routing in the network allows an alarm call to be rerouted from the first monitoring station to the second central monitoring station if the alarm call to the first station cannot be completed. The alarm message can include a video alarm image.

Abstract: A self-aligning electrical connector for providing electrical communication between two electrical devices includes an electrical contact. A terminal system is resiliently coupled to the electrical contact by a resilient frame. The resilient frame is capable of allowing the electrical contact to move relative to the terminal system along X and Y axes.

Abstract: A time recorder receives bar coded time cards, punches time data on the cards and stores the time data in memory. Each card has a bar code at each end corresponding to the same value. For each pay period, a unique bar code and the card on which it is printed are assigned to each employee during an initialization process. A card is inserted upside down into the time recorder for each employee and the bar code is read by the system and assigned to an employee. At the same time, employee information is printed on the card.

Abstract: An output voltage supplied to alarm devices in an alarm system is adjusted according to either a standby condition or an alarm condition. In the standby condition, a power control circuit adjusts power so that a standby voltage is supplied to the alarm devices which allows the alarm devices to respond to poll messages regarding their alarm status. An alarm condition is triggered when an alarm device responds with an alarm status indicating an alarm condition. During an alarm condition, the power control circuit adjusts power to provide a higher voltage to the alarm devices in order to allow additional alarm device functions to be operated.

Abstract: An emergency strobe light for warning the hearing impaired of emergency situations includes a bulb extending outwardly from a base along an axis. Reflectors extending outwardly from the base direct a high percentage of light output from the bulb along a horizontal plane and a vertical plane which intersect each other along the axis of the bulb. The strobe light draws little power and can be powered by a battery.

Abstract: A smoke/fire detector assembly having a base section and a removable sensor section. The base section includes a plurality of electrical contacts and the sensor section includes a corresponding plurality of electrical contacts. Each one of the sensor section electrical contacts includes a member having a first end, extending from the sensor section, and a second end electrically connected to electrical components within the sensor section. Each one of the base section electrical contacts has: a first section having a surface adapted for mounting to a surface of the base section; a second section, having an edge common with the first section and a surface extending perpendicular to the surface of the first section; and, a pair of finger-like members, extending from a second edge of the second section. The second edge of the second section is perpendicular to the common edge. The finger-like members are laterally spaced along, and cantilevered from, the second edge of the second section.

Abstract: In a building fire alarm system, the light strobes of a network of strobes are synchronized to flash simultaneously. Each strobe has a charging circuit to charge a capacitor which discharges through a flash tube. Once a capacitor is charged, the charging circuit is disabled. A synchronization pulse is applied through common power lines to trigger discharge of each strobe capacitor through the flash tube followed by recharging of the capacitor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus multiplexing multiple alarm and head type values in a peripheral fire alarm device includes a head component for sensing the presence or absence of smoke or heat and a base component for communicating with the control panel. A communication interface between the base and head components with no more than three connectors for multiplexing the values between the head component and the base component. The control panel stores algorithms particular to each type of head which may be used to determine if an alarm condition exists. Using data received from the peripheral fire alarm device, the control determines which type of head component is currently installed at the base component and selects the correct algorithm.

Abstract: A monitor/control communication net with intelligent peripherals, that is, peripherals which are capable of monitoring and/or controlling various devices in accordance with messages received from a central panel cpu and which are also capable of reporting to the central panel the status of one or more devices monitored by the peripheral. Each peripheral is assigned a unique address by which it is polled by the central panel. All communication messages between the central panel and peripherals include a format code which indicates the nature of the message and the length of any data field in the message. Communication time is minimized by permitting the data field to vary in length from one peripheral to another, depending on the number and type of devices being monitored and/or controlled by the peripherals.

Abstract: Walk through test system for testing devices such as pull stations, smoke detectors, alarm bells and the like for alarm and trouble conditions without the assistance of a central panel operator. The devices are connected in a loop or loops distributed throughout one or more zones remote from a central panel. Alarm and trouble conditions are detected at the central panel. When a device is placed in alarm by the workman, a coded alarm is sounded which is aurally detectable by the workman at the location of the device, remote from the central panel. The coded alarm identifies the zone loop in which the device is connected. When a trouble condition is created in a loop by the workman, an alarm is sounded which is aurally detectable at the location of the loop, remote from the central panel. The alarm is coded to indicate to the workman that a trouble condition has been detected at the central panel.

Abstract: A time card carrier has means for alterably storing employee identification, time and attendance data, and means for releasably retaining an employee time card having an imprintable portion. The time card has an extended tab portion for proper orientation of the card on the carrier. The time card carrier is reusable to allow a fresh time card to be inserted onto the time card carrier at the beginning of each new payroll period.

Abstract: A single piece trigger and knock off mechanism for a switch operated card printer includes a lever integrally connected to a resilient mounting bracket which provides a first flexural pivot. The lever comprises a pair of integrally connected arms, each provided with an ear. A moving card contacts the ear on one arm, causing the lever to swing about the first flexural pivot. As the lever swings, the ear on the other arm contacts a switch which triggers a card printer solenoid. The solenoid operates a card printer hammer. The card printer hammer is driven towards the card when the solenoid is triggered. As the hammer is driven towards the card, a moveable element associated with the card printer strikes the arm whose ear is in contact with the switch, causing the arm to swing about a second flexural pivot formed by a bend in the arm. As the arm swings, the ear releases the switch. This knocks off the solenoid just before the hammer contacts the card.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a card rack having a plurality of slots each aligned with an inclined channel adapted to receive a card. The rack has at least one longitudinally extending trough which communicates with each channel so that a portion of each card will be exposed in the trough. A card stripper is provided for stripping cards from the channels and through their associated slots. The card stripper has a portion receivable in the trough for contacting the ends of the cards as the stripper is moved along the trough.

Abstract: An apparatus for registering cards for printing in time recorders and the like uses a punch and die to form perforations which are co-linear with the printed information on the card. The perforations are sensed on subsequent insertions of the card and are used to prevent further insertion of the card and register the card in position so that each printing on the card will be made below previous printings.

Abstract: A printer countwheel mechanism in a time stamp machine keeps a running count of the number of groups of documents stamped by automatically advancing a countwheel to the next highest number when all documents in the group have been stamped. A document group comprises one or more documents. Each document in the group is stamped with the same countwheel number. When stamping single documents, i.e. groups consisting of only one document, the countwheel is advanced every stamping operation so that every document is stamped with a different number. When stamping duplicates, i.e. groups of two documents, the countwheel is advanced every other stamping operation so that duplicates are stamped with the same number. The mechanism may also be disengaged when it is not necessary to keep a count of the number of documents stamped.

Abstract: A programmed digital secondary clock which functions as a master clock, a sub-master clock or a slave clock. The master clock maintains an updated real time count based on a 50 hz or 60 hz ac line or digital oscillator signal, displays the count, and serially transmits digital information representative of the updated real time count for use by a slave clock. The sub-master clock, receives an hourly or twice-a-day correction signal from a conventional master clock or a conventional electronic receiver, corrects the real time count, displays the corrected count, and serially transmits digital information representative of the corrected real time count for use by a slave clock. Identical programmed digital secondary clocks can be connected in daisy chain. The first clock can operate as a master clock or as a sub-master clock. The following clocks can be operated as slave clocks.