Abstract: An alarm system sensor topology to reduce susceptibility to configuration errors and component failures includes a sensor configured to differentiate between system status conditions, including electrical power isolation for power polarity independence and for sustained sensor operation during power interruptions. A topological method for reducing fire sensor susceptibility to configuration errors and component failures includes configuring a sensor with capability to operate using electrical input power independent of power polarity, and providing capability to operate at least a part of the sensor circuitry for at least a specified time interval in the absence of applied electrical power.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that includes housing in which a speaker and strobe light are located with the speaker linked to an audio alert adjuster and a strobe light linked to a visual alert adjuster. The alert levels of both the speaker and the strobe are shown on the exterior of the housing for ease of inspection. The adjusters are located within or outside the housing. The adjuster located within the housing aid in preventing tampering with the levels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for activating a fire-alarm pull station. The pull stations includes a non-contact switch located within a housing, a movable actuation device linked to the non-contact switch wherein the device moves between an activation and non-activation position and an actuator protector linked to the non-contact switch to aid in preventing improper activation of the non-contact switch.

Abstract: A manually operated pull-station for activating an alarm system is provided having a housing which contains a manually actuated lever. The lever is moveable between armed and activated positions. In addition, the manually operated pull-station has a camera mounted in the housing.

Abstract: An emergency alarm system is provided having a manually operated pull-station that activates the system. The emergency alarm system has a camera that provides image data of the area surrounding the pull-station. The emergency alarm system also has a control panel having an image memory that is operable to provide storage for the image data from the camera.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that includes housing in which a speaker and strobe light are located with the speaker linked to an audio alert adjuster and a strobe light linked to a visual alert adjuster. The alert levels of both the speaker and the strobe are shown on the exterior of the housing for ease of inspection. The adjusters are located within or outside the housing. The adjuster located within the housing aid in preventing tampering with the levels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for activating a fire-alarm pull station. The pull stations includes a non-contact switch located within a housing, a movable actuation device linked to the non-contact switch wherein the device moves between an activation and non-activation position and an actuator protector linked to the non-contact switch to aid in preventing improper activation of the non-contact switch.

Abstract: An emergency alarm system is provided having a manually operated pull-station that activates the system. The emergency alarm system has a camera that provides image data of the area surrounding the pull-station. The emergency alarm system also has a control panel having an image memory that is operable to provide storage for the image data from the camera.

Abstract: A life safety system with a micro-controller that is programmed to operate both a visual signal and an audible signal. One feature of the system is that a user is permitted to enter a temporal signaling mode for not only the audible signal, but also the visual signal. The program includes an energy saving routine that operates the visual signal in the temporal mode with an energy consumption that is substantially smaller than required for operation in a continuous mode. The temporal pattern has four cycles with one flash pulse per cycle for the first three cycles and no flash pulse for the fourth cycle.

Abstract: A life safety system with a micro-controller that is programmed to operate both a visual signal and an audible signal. One feature of the system is that a user is permitted to enter a temporal signaling mode for not only the audible signal, but also the visual signal. The program includes an energy saving routine that operates the visual signal in the temporal mode with an energy consumption that is substantially smaller than required for operation in a continuous mode. The temporal pattern has four cycles with one flash pulse per cycle for the first three cycles and no flash pulse for the fourth cycle.

Abstract: An auto synchronous output module for use at a plurality of zones in a fire alarm and detection system consisting of a power source and output devices selectively coupled to the power source so as to provide audible and visual signals, and a microprocessor within the module for coupling to a data line so as to enable transmission of data signals to and from a loop controller. Moreover, there is within the processor, responsive to an activate command from the loop controller for applying the power source to the output devices responsive to an alarm condition. In addition, within the processor, responsive to a synchronize command, sent subsequently to the activate command, from the loop controller, for applying power to the output devices in synchronism with application of other power sources to output devices at other respective modules.

Abstract: There is provided an audio communication system for a life safety system. The audio communication system includes an audio data line having a plurality of audio channels for transmitting audio data and a CPU for controlling the transmission of the audio data along the audio data line. An audio source module and an audio amplifier module are coupled to the audio data line. To produce an audible sound, the CPU selects a particular channel of the plurality of audio channels for transmitting the audio data and sends this selection to the audio source module. The audio source module then places one or more audio packets, corresponding to the audible sound, on the selected channel. The audio amplifier module then receives a signal from the CPU that identifies the selected channel and, thus, the audio amplifier module will know which channel to find the audio packets. The audio packets are converted and directed to speakers to produce the audible sound.

Abstract: An automatic addressing scheme for a life safety system having a local rail, and a plurality of modules inter-connected by the local rail, a first of the modules being a central processing unit, and the remainder being I/O modules having a variety of functions, as well as a common line forming part of the local rail; an arrangement is provided for detecting the location of each of the I/O modules and assigning addresses thereto without human intervention, the arrangement including a resistor and transistor, capable of being conductive to ground, associated with each I/O module. A constant current source is located at the central processing unit, connected by the common line to the resistors in series circuit, and with a common address input means connected from the central processing unit to said common line and thereby to the I/O modules.

Abstract: There is provided a phone control system for a life safety network which comprises a panel arrangement, a control center module, a loop controller module, a transponder and a remote handset. The panel arrangement has a local rail for receiving a plurality of control modules and for interconnecting the control modules in which inter-module data is transmitted and received along the local rail. The control center module and the loop controller module are control modules positioned on the local rail. The control center module includes a processor, a memory portion, input keys for receiving user input, an output screen for displaying alpha-numeric text output, a central handset for communication of voice messages along a voice communication line. Similarly, the loop controller module includes a processor, a memory portion, and a data line interface for receiving and transmitting loop controller signals along a loop controller line. The transponder and remote handset are position remote from the panel arrangement.

Abstract: An alarm system for detecting and warning of the presence of alarm and trouble conditions in transponders located in a plurality of zones consisting of a loop controller having a plurality of input signal and power supply lines connected to the respective transponder units, and having a plurality of initiating and indicating devices in a respective plurality of circuits. Further, the system has a module, including a microcontroller, connected in each of the transponder units to the plurality of input lines and to the plurality of circuits, the module being capable of initiating communication of the conditions of the circuits to the loop controller. Moreover, it includes a plurality of smoke detectors, which are connected in the circuits and to respective modules. A load shed arrangement is provided for sensing the alarm conditions of the smoke detectors and reporting their conditions to the loop controller.

Abstract: A life safety system having message priority of a network of panels, each panel including a first module in the form of a central processing unit, and a plurality of local I/O modules connected to the central processing unit and to each other. To establish a message priority in communication between the panels, including a two-state token form of coded invitations to transmit messages, the first state of the token represents the low priority invitation and the second state of the token represents the high priority invitation. Moreover, to further establish message priority including the passing of tokens continuously between panels to determine if any panel has the high priority message, that panel having the high priority message preempts communication of such messages between panels by first capturing the high priority state token.