Abstract: A braille cell and associated braille pin support and pin actuation assemblies are disclosed. The braille cell can include a frame, braille pins movable up and down between raised and lowered positions, and a pin actuation assembly to individually move the pins. The braille cell can include support arms, each of which having a base end connected to the frame and a pin end connected to and following a motion of a respective pin between its raised and lowered positions. The pin actuation assembly can include pin actuation units, each having a motor with a rotatable motor shaft and multiple cams mounted on the shaft, each for selectively actuating a respective pin. Each pin actuation unit can also include an angular position sensing system for monitoring, for example magnetically, a passage of the shaft through a reference angular position, and deriving information about a current angular position of the shaft.

Abstract: A braille cell and associated braille pin support and pin actuation assemblies are disclosed. The braille cell can include a frame, braille pins movable up and down between raised and lowered positions, and a pin actuation assembly to individually move the pins. The braille cell can include support arms, each of which having a base end connected to the frame and a pin end connected to and following a motion of a respective pin between its raised and lowered positions. The pin actuation assembly can include pin actuation units, each having a motor with a rotatable motor shaft and multiple cams mounted on the shaft, each for selectively actuating a respective pin. Each pin actuation unit can also include an angular position sensing system for monitoring, for example magnetically, a passage of the shaft through a reference angular position, and deriving information about a current angular position of the shaft.

Abstract: A system and method for synchronizing a plurality of networked fire alarm panels is disclosed. A plurality of fire panels (i.e., nodes) are arranged on a peer-to-peer network, such as a token ring network. One node is designated as a SyncHost, and the remaining nodes are periodically reset to the clock time associated with the SyncHost to ensure all nodes remain substantially synchronized to a single time. As such, when an alarm condition is signaled, the visual notification devices (i.e., strobe lights) of all the fire panels (nodes) will flash at substantially the same time, in accordance with government guidelines. To accomplish the synchronization, the SyncHost sends periodic attendance polls around the network, noting the transit times of the polls. The individual nodes on the network also note times associated with the polls.

Abstract: A system and method for synchronizing a plurality of networked fire alarm panels is disclosed. A plurality of fire panels (i.e., nodes) are arranged on a peer-to-peer network, such as a token ring network. One node is designated as a SyncHost, and the remaining nodes are periodically reset to the clock time associated with the SyncHost to ensure all nodes remain substantially synchronized to a single time. Upon alarm, the visual notification devices (i.e., strobe lights) of all the fire panels (nodes) will flash at substantially the same time. To accomplish the synchronization, the SyncHost sends periodic attendance polls around the network, noting the transit times of the polls. The nodes also note times associated with the polls. The SyncHost sends a sync message to the nodes, and each of the nodes resets its clock according to the sync message and internal compensations. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.