Abstract: In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, a system and method for enabling preview, editing, and transmission of emergency notification messages is provided. The system includes a controller, a microphone, and a speech-to-text engine for receiving an audio message input to the microphone and for convert the audio message to a text message. The resulting text message is displayed on a local display, where a user can edit the message via a text editor. Text and/or audio notification devices are provided for displaying the edited text data as a text message. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to network controllers coordinating operation of alarm panels, and to an alarm network incorporating multiple alarm panels that each incorporate such a network controller and aspects of the coupling and interactions of those alarm panel components enabled by interactions among those network controllers. An alarm panel includes an alarm controller configured to monitor one or more points for an indication of an alarm condition and a network controller. The network controller includes a proxy server configured to present multiple proxies on an internal network and to receive multiple unicast packets, each proxy of the multiple proxies associated with an alarm panel of multiple alarm panels and each unicast packet of the multiple unicast packets directed to one of the proxies of the multiple proxies; and a multicast component to combine the multiple unicast packets received within a specified interval of time into a multicast packet.

Abstract: A device and method for facilitating convenient measurement of airflow in a duct detector. The device may include a detector assembly and an airflow sensor mounted within the detector assembly. The airflow sensor may be coupled to a remote control device, such as via control circuitry. A method for testing airflow in the duct detector may be performed by measuring airflow in the detector assembly, generating a signal that corresponds to the measured airflow in the detector assembly, and determining whether the generated signal exceeds a predetermined threshold signal level. If the generated signal does not exceed the threshold signal level, alarms may be activated and/or blowers in a ventilation system may be deactivated.

Abstract: A method for self-testing notification appliances in an alarm system, including the steps of measuring ambient noise at a notification appliance, comparing the measured ambient noise to a threshold ambient noise level, and performing a self-test of the notification appliance if the measured ambient noise does not exceed the threshold ambient noise level. The method may further include the step of recording a fail result for the notification appliance if the measured ambient noise exceeds the threshold ambient noise level. Performing the self-test of the notification appliance may include the steps of activating a notification feature of the notification appliance, measuring output of the notification feature, comparing the measured output to a predefined value, recording a pass result for the notification appliance if the measured output exceeds the predefined value, and recording a fail result for the notification appliance if the measured output does not exceed the predefined value.

Abstract: A notification appliance enclosure is disclosed that facilitates convenient attachment and removal of a cover thereof The enclosure may include a housing having at least one retaining catch extending from a first side thereof and at least one pivot catch extending from a second side thereof. The enclosure may further include a cover adapted to fit over the housing, the cover having at least one retaining catch recess and at least one pivot catch recess formed therein and adapted to receive the retaining catch and the pivot catch, respectively, to secure the cover against movement away from the housing when the cover and the housing are connected to one another. The cover may further include a catch release pocket adapted to receive the tip of a tool or implement for allowing the retaining catch and the retaining catch recess to be forcibly moved out of engagement with one another.

Abstract: An alarm system is disclosed for transmitting data over a data network at a monitored site. The alarm system may include at least two alarm panels operatively connected to the data network and connected to one another by an alternate data path. The alarm panels may be configured to communicate with one another via the data network if the data network is able to facilitate such communication. The alarm panels may further be configured to communicate with one another via the alternate data path if the data network is not able to facilitate such communication. A method of operating the disclosed system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for self-testing notification appliances in an alarm system by determining whether the performance of the notification appliances has degraded over time. The method may include the steps of measuring and recording initial output levels of notification features of the notification appliances at a first time, measuring test output levels of the notification features at a second time after the first time, and comparing the test output levels to respective threshold output levels that are derived from the initial output levels. The method may further include recording a pass result for notification appliances whose notification features produced test output levels that exceeded the respective threshold output levels, and recording a fail result for notification appliances whose notification features produced test output levels that did not exceed the respective threshold output levels.

Abstract: A method for testing notification appliances in an alarm system and creating a record of such testing including the steps of placing an alarm system in a test mode, actuating an input device of a notification appliance in the alarm system a first time, whereby a notification feature of the notification appliance is activated for a test period, and automatically entering a waiting period after expiration of the test period. The method may further include actuating the input device of the notification appliance a second time during the waiting period, whereby a pass signal is transmitted from the notification appliance, and creating a record of the pass signal. The method may further include transmitting a fail signal from the notification appliance after expiration of the waiting period if the input device of the notification appliance was not actuated during the waiting period and creating a record of the fail signal.

Abstract: A bracket is disclosed for managing the entry of one or more wires into an opening of an electronic equipment chassis. The bracket includes mounting holes configured to accept fasteners for engaging the bracket to the chassis. The bracket also includes a wire support portion having openings for receiving ends of a cable tie to secure one or more wires to the bracket. A faceplate portion of the bracket is positionable to overlie the portion of the chassis opening that is not occupied by the wire(s) to prevent access to the interior of the chassis. A plurality of brackets can be provided for electronic equipment chassis that have multiple openings. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: An interface system for providing a comprehensive user interface for alarm systems. The interface system may include two or more alarm system workstations, each having a user interface application installed thereon. One or more alarm panels may be connected to each of the alarm system workstations, and one or more points may be connected to each of the alarm panels. A broker workstation may be connected to the two or more alarm system workstations, and one or more client workstations may be connected to the broker workstation. A user interface broker may be installed on the broker workstation, wherein the user interface broker is configured to provide the one or more client workstations with a user interface that presents the status of, and that provides control over, all of the points.

Abstract: A pull station for an alarm includes a housing having an actuator mounted for movement with respect thereto. The actuator has a standby (i.e., normal) position and an alarm position. The actuator has a contoured actuation surface configured such that downward pressure on the actuation surface moves the actuator from the standby position to the alarm position. The actuator may be rotatably or slidably coupled to the housing. The actuation surface may extend beyond the front face of the housing when in the standby position. In some embodiments, the actuation surface is cup-shaped. In other embodiments, the actuation surface is v-shaped, with first and second angled portions forming oblique angles with respect to a lateral axis of the housing. Thus arranged, the actuator can be operated by a disabled who may not have complete hand or finger dexterity. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A notification appliance enclosure that facilitates convenient attachment and removal of a housing. The enclosure may include a mounting plate having a catch lip and a retaining wedge projecting from a surface thereof. The catch lip and the retaining wedge may be spaced apart to define a retaining pocket therebetween, and the catch lip may have a latch release aperture formed therethrough. A housing may fit over the mounting plate and may have a latch tongue extending from a surface thereof fits within the retaining pocket. A release latch may extend from a surface of latch tongue and may fit within the latch release aperture. The engagement between the release latch and the latch release aperture prevents the housing from being pulled away from the mounting plate. The retaining wedge resists movement of the latch tongue and thereby resists disengagement of the release latch from the latch release aperture.

Abstract: A fire control system may include a fire alarm control panel situated at a first location, the fire alarm control panel coupled to a first hardwire circuit. The fire control system may also include one or more telephone stations, wherein each telephone station of the one or more telephone stations is disposed at a different location than each other telephone stations and coupled through the first hardwire circuit to the fire alarm control panel, and one or more radio repeaters are each disposed at one or more respective locations, and wherein each radio repeater is operative to receive audio information as a radio signal and to transmit the audio information as an electrical signal through a second hardwire circuit to the central telephone.

Abstract: A device and method may include, in a display device, emitting visible light in a humanly imperceptible manner and sensing said light to verify operation of the display device.

Abstract: A transient electrical energy strike detector is disclosed. The detector may be integral with the circuitry of a fire alarm panel of a fire alarm system and may identify and record transient electrical energy strikes sustained by the electrical protection circuitry of the system. Particularly, voltage fluctuations in the fire alarm panel circuitry that are outside of a predefined operating voltage range may be identified by the pulse detector as representing transient electrical energy strikes. The pulse detector may increment a counter upon the occurrence of each identified transient energy strike, and may maintain a comprehensive record of such strikes in a memory unit, including a magnitude, duration, time, and date of each strike.

Abstract: A method and system for determining at least one property of a strobe cover are disclosed. The determined property of the strobe cover may then be analyzed to determine whether it is the proper property for the strobe device. The property of the strobe cover may include the color of the strobe cover (such as clear, blue, amber, etc.), the shape of the strobe cover (such as a strobe cover with a lens or a strobe cover without a lens), the material of the strobe cover, etc. The method and system may include determining the property of the strobe cover and checking whether the determined property is the expected property of the strobe cover (such as the expected color of the strobe cover). The strobe cover may include one or more property indicators. The one or more property indicators may interface with a circuit, such as mechanically interface with the circuit, in order for the circuit to determine the property of the strobe cover.

Abstract: A device and method may include, in a display device, emitting visible light in a humanly imperceptible manner and sensing said light to verify operation of the display device.

Abstract: A current regulating LED strobe drive circuit is disclosed for efficiently producing a LED strobe that is consistent in both intensity and color. The circuit may include an inrush control for limiting an amount of current that is allowed to flow through the drive circuit upon activation, an energy storage component for storing and supplying power for flashing a LED, a current regulator electrically coupled to the energy storage component for sensing and regulating a current supplied by the energy storage element, a LED electrically coupled to the current regulator, and a flash control element electrically coupled to the current regulator for communicating a flash pulse signal that provides a pulsed pattern with which current is allowed to flow from the current regulator to the LED. The circuit may further include an output control having an operator interface for allowing an operator to define a desired light output level.

Abstract: A sprinkler drop ruler is provided for measuring the sprinkler drop from a roughed-in outlet. The sprinkler drop ruler includes a rigid frame having an opening, a handle connected to the rigid frame and in fixed relation to the rigid frame, and a ruler with an end shaped to seat in the opening and configured to move inside or along a side of the handle in order to measure a sprinkler drop. The sprinklerfitter may thus use the sprinkler drop ruler in order to measure the sprinkler drop. In this way, the sprinklerfitter does not need to climb a ladder to measure the sprinkler drop.

Abstract: A system and apparatus to reduce current peaking in notification appliances are described. The apparatus may include a current peaking compensation circuit comprising two or more transistors and one or more capacitors configured to reduce a start-up frequency of a pulse-width modulated signal during a first time period and to add a time constant decaying voltage across a resistor divider network to increase a reference voltage during the first time period. Other embodiments are described and claimed.