Abstract: A wireless fire detection monitoring system comprises a control unit which includes a wireless transceiver and control software to implement a wireless multi-hop communications protocol. A network of battery powered monitoring devices is provided for monitoring alarm conditions. Each monitoring device includes software to implement the wireless communication protocol with one of, the control unit and at least one other child member of the plurality, or, at least two other members of the plurality where a selected device communicates with at least one child device and at least one parent device. The wireless multi-hop communications protocol comprises a time division multiple access communications protocol with the monitoring devices being time synchronized and the control unit and the monitoring devices are adapted to communicate compliant with the IEEE 802.11 standard.

Abstract: Planning a wireless network is described herein. One method includes navigating a first unmanned mobile vehicle to a location in an environment, navigating a second unmanned mobile vehicle along a route through the environment, capturing, by the second unmanned mobile vehicle while navigating along the route, data associated with a wireless signal emitted by the first unmanned mobile vehicle at the location and locations of the second unmanned mobile vehicle while the second unmanned mobile vehicle is capturing the data associated with the wireless signal, and determining locations to place a number of wireless network access points in the environment based on the captured data.

Abstract: Systems and methods of backup battery support for switches and access points in fire detection systems are provided. Methods can include identifying a communications time interval for a plurality of devices, detecting a power failure, identifying a start time for a next scheduled communications time interval for a respective one of the plurality of devices, placing a wireless access point in a low power mode, and, substantially immediately prior to the start time, removing the wireless access point from the low power mode.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that uses the steps of providing a plurality of wireless sensor devices coupled to a controller in a security system configured into a wireless network where at least one is a child sensor device that communicates with the controller through at least first and second parent sensor devices, the child sensor device measuring an environmental parameter within the secured area and transmitting a message to the controller through the at least two parents, the message is transmitted during a first time period and on a first frequency to the first parent and a copy is transmitted during a second time period and on a second frequency to the second parent wherein the first and second times and first and second frequencies are all different and wherein the first and second time periods are directly adjacent to one another in time.

Abstract: A method for determining the displacement of or the tampering with a device is provided. The method includes determining an effective displacement in an X direction of a device, determining an effective displacement in a Y direction of the device, and determining an effective displacement in a Z direction of the device. The method also include determining if any one of the effective displacement in the X direction, the effective displacement in the Y direction, or the effective displacement in the Z direction is greater than a predetermined threshold, and when at least one of the effective displacement in the X direction, the effective displacement in the Y direction, and the effective displacement in the Z direction is great then the predetermined threshold, determining that the device has been displaced.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing battery life in wireless multi-hop communication systems are provided. Some methods include a child node transmitting a data packet to a parent node in a wireless system, wherein the data packet includes a parent node identifier, data information, and a length of the data information, and wherein the data packet omits inclusion of a child node identifier. Some methods include a parent node receiving a data packet from a child node in a wireless system, wherein the data packet includes a parent node identifier, data information, and a length of the data information, and wherein the data packet omits inclusion of a child node identifier.

Abstract: Systems and methods of backup battery support for switches and access points in fire detection systems are provided. Methods can include identifying a communications time interval for a plurality of devices, detecting a power failure, identifying a start time for a next scheduled communications time interval for a respective one of the plurality of devices, placing a wireless access point in a low power mode, and, substantially immediately prior to the start time, removing the wireless access point from the low power mode.

Abstract: A Wi-Fi mesh fire detection system and methods therefor are provided. The system can include a plurality of access points, where each access point in the plurality of access points is wirelessly connected to at least two other access points in the plurality of access points. For example, a first access point can be assigned as a primary parent device to a third access point, and a second access point can be assigned as a secondary parent device to the third access point. The third access point can transmit a message to the secondary parent device when the third access point fails to confirm that the primary parent device successfully received the message transmitted by the third access point.

Abstract: A wireless fire detection monitoring system comprises a control unit which includes a wireless transceiver and control software to implement a wireless multi-hop communications protocol. A network of battery powered monitoring devices is provided for monitoring alarm conditions. Each monitoring device includes software to implement the wireless communication protocol with one of, the control unit and at least one other child member of the plurality, or, at least two other members of the plurality where a selected device communicates with at least one child device and at least one parent device. The wireless multi-hop communications protocol comprises a time division multiple access communications protocol with the monitoring devices being time synchronized and the control unit and the monitoring devices are adapted to communicate compliant with the IEEE 802.11 standard.

Abstract: A firefighter tracking system is provided for use in conjunction with a fire truck to track firefighters at the scene of a fire.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a plurality of transceivers arranged in a mesh network that each synchronously communicate with at least one other of the plurality of transceivers in an assigned slot of a TDMA channel, at least a first of the plurality of transceivers asynchronously transmitting a priority message on a priority channel that is different than the TDMA channel and at least a second of the plurality of transceivers that detects an information content of the asynchronous priority message on the priority channel and retransmits the detected information content synchronously on the TDMA channel to a third transceiver of the plurality of transceivers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for setting up a fire alarm system. The method includes the steps of coupling a user interface to a wireless fire detection system having a wireless gateway and a plurality of wireless fire detectors, receiving a selection through the user interface of a wireless transmission parameter used in transmitting messages between the wireless gateway and the plurality of wireless fire detectors, determining a latency time value associated with use of the received selection of the wireless transmission parameter in the transmission of messages between the wireless gateway and the plurality of fire detectors, displaying the calculated latency time value on the user interface and changing an operating mode of the plurality of wireless fire detection devices in accordance with the received selection.

Abstract: Members of a plurality of loud speakers receive control commands or signals via audio communication lines. The control commands, or, signals are responded to by those speakers which have been previously addressed.

Abstract: A method for determining the displacement of or the tampering with a device is provided. The method includes determining an effective displacement in an X direction of a device, determining an effective displacement in a Y direction of the device, and determining an effective displacement in a Z direction of the device. The method also include determining if any one of the effective displacement in the X direction, the effective displacement in the Y direction, or the effective displacement in the Z direction is greater than a predetermined threshold, and when at least one of the effective displacement in the X direction, the effective displacement in the Y direction, and the effective displacement in the Z direction is great then the predetermined threshold, determining that the device has been displaced.

Abstract: A public address system installed in a building or other region being monitored can communicate with a regional fire detection system. Responsive to information received from the fire detection system as to developing dangerous conditions, a control unit for the public address system can adaptively create one or more evacuation routes for a region associated with a developing condition. One or more loud speakers in the region can be used to communicate a preferred evacuation route to individuals in the region. The route can be dynamically altered as the condition varies over time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for setting up a fire alarm system. The method includes the steps of coupling a user interface to a wireless fire detection system having a wireless gateway and a plurality of wireless fire detectors, receiving a selection through the user interface of a wireless transmission parameter used in transmitting messages between the wireless gateway and the plurality of wireless fire detectors, determining a latency time value associated with use of the received selection of the wireless transmission parameter in the transmission of messages between the wireless gateway and the plurality of fire detectors, displaying the calculated latency time value on the user interface and changing an operating mode of the plurality of wireless fire detection devices in accordance with the received selection.

Abstract: A firefighter tracking system is provided for use in conjunction with a fire truck to track firefighters at the scene of a fire.

Abstract: A monitoring system includes a multi-hop time division multiple access communication system to link a control unit wirelessly and redundantly with a plurality of modules. Communications to modules occur during predetermined time slots in a first portion of a selected frame. Communications from the modules occur during corresponding time slots during a second portion of the frame.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a plurality of transceivers arranged in a mesh network that each synchronously communicate with at least one other of the plurality of transceivers in an assigned slot of a TDMA channel, at least a first of the plurality of transceivers asynchronously transmitting a priority message on a priority channel that is different than the TDMA channel and at least a second of the plurality of transceivers that detects an information content of the asynchronous priority message on the priority channel and retransmits the detected information content synchronously on the TDMA channel to a third transceiver of the plurality of transceivers.

Abstract: A model-based system and method for analyzing power source performance and optimizing operational costs are provided. Data from the power source (such as a battery) and/or a device associated with the power source is analyzed and processed to predict an operating life of the power source. This could allow, for example, a power source replacement schedule to be generated for the device. If the analysis indicates that abnormal conditions exist or that any user-defined alerts are warranted, a message could also be sent to an operator terminal. The system and method may continue to monitor the device and thus provide real-time data. The data may also be stored in memory, collected over time, and analyzed or used in various ways. The system and method thus provide a cost effective and reliable analysis of power source performance and any associated operational and replacement costs.