Abstract: A fire alarm network fiber optic multiplex modem includes plural local interfaces, a fiber optic interface, a multiplexor, a fiber optic modem, and a demultiplexor. The multiplexor combines data received at the local interfaces into an outgoing data stream. The fiber optic modem transmits, at a first wavelength, the outgoing data stream to the fiber optic interface and receives, at a second wavelength, an incoming data stream via the fiber optic interface. The demultiplexor separates the incoming data stream into separate data streams, and forwards each of the separate data streams to its corresponding local interface.

Abstract: A hazard alarm includes: a detector for detecting a hazard parameter, trigger logic; and reset logic. The trigger logic triggers an alarm state when the measured parameter reaches a predetermined trigger threshold. The alarm state is maintained until a reset is successfully performed. The reset logic, upon a reset command, resets the alarm state if the measured parameter is below a predetermined reset threshold, and inhibits resetting of the alarm state if the measured parameter is above the predetermined reset threshold.

Abstract: The present invention provides a non-addressable notification appliance having multiple (e.g., dual) visual alarms such as strobes for notifying individuals of different types of detected events. For example, the notification appliance of the present invention could have a first strobe for indicating a fire, and a second strobe for providing mass notification of a different emergency such as a terrorist threat or attack. In one embodiment, the visual alarms could be colored differently from one another (e.g., clear and amber). In a typical embodiment, the dual notification appliance could be one of many non-addressable dual notification appliances utilized in a single alarm system that are controlled by a system controller.

Abstract: In a fire alarm system, a message is sent on a pair of power lines to a notification appliance. The notification appliance responds to the message by activating one or more of its notification devices. In a standby mode, only enough power is supplied to the plural notification appliances, at a first voltage level, to support two-way communications between a system controller and the notification appliances. In an active mode, power is supplied at a second voltage sufficient to operate audible and visible alarms of the notification appliance. The notification appliance may include an addressable speaker. The addressable speaker connects to and receives messages over the pair of power lines, has plural taps for selecting audio power. In response to a command, a selector in an addressed smart speaker selects a tap to select a particular audio power.

Abstract: A smoke detector includes a smoke detection chamber containing a white light LED and a light detector. The light detector detects light within at least two distinct optical wavelength bands, and generates respective signals indicative of the intensities of the detected light. An analyzer determines, based on the measured light intensities of the different wavelength bands, whether a dangerous smoke/fire condition is present.

Abstract: Optical element driving circuits flexibly configure energy sources to cause a flash tube to produce illumination at one of multiple output intensities. The driving circuits allow a single strobe alarm to take the place of multiple strobe alarms individually dedicated to specific output intensities. The driving circuits may also mitigate or eliminate high voltage arcing within the driving circuit.

Abstract: A method for performing voltage drop calculations in an alarm circuit comprises creating a circuit to be controlled. A first device is selected from a list of devices to add to the circuit. An estimated power supply of the first device is calculated using modified nodal analysis of the circuit and it is determined whether the estimated power supply of the first device is sufficient power for the first device to operate.

Abstract: An alarm system with improved power is provided. The improved power comprises at least two batteries. Each battery has the capacity to individually back up the alarm system for a standby period. The alarm system selects either battery and operates from that battery. A switching network is coupled to a power source and to the batteries. The switching network is capable of transferring one battery to charge and the other battery to discharge, with the discharge battery providing power to the alarm system. A battery charger circuit is powered from a power source. The battery charger circuit is used to charge the battery that is not powering the alarm system. Circuitry and software can be provided to monitor the health of the batteries.

Abstract: Optical element driving circuits flexibly configure energy sources to cause a flash tube to produce illumination at one of multiple output intensities. The driving circuits allow a single strobe alarm to take the place of multiple strobe alarms individually dedicated to specific output intensities. The driving circuits may also mitigate or eliminate high voltage arcing within the driving circuit.

Abstract: An emergency lighting unit includes a lamp, a backup battery, and controller and a network interface. The controller connects the backup battery to the lamp upon detection of an emergency condition and loss of main power. The network interface interfaces with and receives commands via a fire alarm network. Each emergency lighting unit has a unique identifier with respect to the fire alarm network.

Abstract: A notification appliance and an alarm system are provided. The notification appliance comprises an alarm indicator and a control module, which is configured to perform notification applications by turning on/off the alarm indicator. The control module receives at least one of command instructions and notification signals, and directs the operation of the alarm indicator based on the command instructions and notification signals. The power condition of the notification appliance within the alarm system may be determined by comparing the notification signal and a predefined operating range for the notification signal. A fault indicator indicates a relationship between the notification signal and the predefined operating range.

Abstract: An alarm system notification device includes a strobe, a communication port, a manual selector that allows manual selection of strobe intensity, and a communication port through which the device transmits an indication of a selected strobe intensity. The device may also include a commandable selector that selects a strobe intensity in response to a command received from the communication port.

Abstract: A method for verifying operation of notification appliances on a notification appliance network during low input voltage conditions is provided. An output voltage is supplied to a network and is measured at a control panel. An input parameter is measured at a notification appliance connected to the network. A supply line impedance is calculated for the notification appliance based on at least one of the output voltage and the input parameter. At least one of the supply line impedance, the output voltage and the input parameter are used to determine a pass/fail condition for the notification appliance during a low voltage condition.

Abstract: A smoke detector includes a smoke detection chamber containing a white light LED and a light detector. The light detector detects light within at least two distinct optical wavelength bands, and generates respective signals indicative of the intensities of the detected light. An analyzer determines, based on the measured light intensities of the different wavelength bands, whether a dangerous smoke/fire condition is present.

Abstract: A fire alarm system includes a fire alarm notification appliance, and a warning detector which detects a warning alert from an external source. The fire alarm notification appliance provides notification of the warning alert in response to detection of the warning alert.

Abstract: Mis-wired addressable loops are determined by enabling all loops and identifying all devices communicating on all loops. A list of all identified devices is recorded. One at a time, each loop is disconnected, a list of devices that are disabled is determined and recorded for the disconnected loop, and the loop is reconnected. When all of the loops have been processed, the lists of disabled devices are compared and those devices that are wired improperly are determined.

Abstract: A smoke detector includes a smoke detection chamber containing a white light LED and a light detector. The light detector detects light within at least two distinct optical wavelength bands, and generates respective signals indicative of the intensities of the detected light. An analyzer determines, based on the measured light intensities of the different wavelength bands, whether a dangerous smoke/fire condition is present.

Abstract: A notification appliance and an alarm system are provided. The notification appliance comprises an alarm indicator and a control module, which is configured to perform notification applications by turning on/off the alarm indicator. The control module receives at least one of command instructions and notification signals, and directs the operation of the alarm indicator based on the command instructions and notification signals. The power condition of the notification appliance within the alarm system may be determined by comparing the notification signal and a predefined operating range for the notification signal. A fault indicator indicates a relationship between the notification signal and the predefined operating range.

Abstract: An addressable smart speaker for use in a fire alarm system connects to and receives messages over a network, has plural taps for selecting audio power. In response to a command, a selector in an addressed smart speaker selects a tap to select a particular audio power.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system of walk through testing a fire alarm system without disrupting the building occupants. A communications channel is setup between a control panel and a communicator carried by a human tester. The tester triggers an alarm or trouble condition in a device. The control panel detects the address of the device and automatically returns to the communicator, over the communications channel, the location of the device.