Patents by Inventor James B. Edson

James B. Edson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4683459
    Abstract: Test apparatus for a wireless system is provided in which an audible annunciation is produced which is an accurate indication of the measured received signal strength. A signal is derived from the receiver which is representative of the signal strength and which is employed to activate a speech synthesizer which provides annuciation of each of a range of digits, each digit annunication representing a predetermined increment of received signal strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1987
    Assignee: ADT, Inc.
    Inventor: James B. Edson
  • Patent number: 4636774
    Abstract: The motion detector of the present invention, together with associated AC switching circuitry form a lighting control system which turns on room lights when the room is occupied, and extinguishes the lights when unoccupied. The detector sensitivity or threshold is adjusted in response to the previously detected conditions, providing reliable indication of both entry and continued presence in the controlled area, and producing few false alarms. The present embodiment of the invention has two threshold levels of detection, the higher level being used to detect initial entry into the room. After entry is detected, the motion detector lowers the threshold to detect the weaker signals usually occurring for continued presence in the area of the detector. When the occupant leaves the area, the motion detector threshold or sensitivity returns to the original value after a timeout period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1987
    Assignee: American District Telegraph Company
    Inventors: Aaron A. Galvin, James B. Edson, John K. Guscott
  • Patent number: 4532507
    Abstract: A security system is provided with multiple levels of access in which a higher level pass code gives the user access to numerous system functions, such as disarming of the system, resetting, system testing, loop by-passing, and system programming, whereas a lower level pass code gives the user access to less functions, in one embodiment to disarming only a portion of the system. In one embodiment, an eraseable memory is programmed with a number representing a temporary pass code after the entry of a higher order pass code by the individual setting the temporary pass code. The permanent pass code may be made more complex than the temporary pass code to provide an extra level of security by providing that the permanent pass code have more digits. Timing circuitry is provided to establish a temporary pass code entry window during which a temporary pass code may be entered into the eraseable memory. No entry of a temporary pass code within the alloted time results in a disabling of the temporary pass code system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1985
    Assignee: American District Telegraph Company
    Inventors: James B. Edson, Patrick G. Monroe
  • Patent number: 4412211
    Abstract: A system for providing a distinctive indication that a system, such as a security system, is in a test mode in which the distinctive indication includes audible and/or visual indications that a test sequence has been initiated, followed by testing of the system during the test sequence, with test results being indicated by altering the format of the audible or visible signal. In one embodiment involving a security system, a periodic signal is changed to a steady state signal when a sensor has been violated, thereby to provide a reminder that the system is in the test mode followed by instantaneous communication to the user of not only the operability of the sensor but also both the transmission of the sensor's output to a central control unit and the operability of this control unit itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1983
    Assignee: American District Telegraph Co.
    Inventors: William J. Lautzenheiser, Richard A. Simonetti, Martin E. Henderson, James B. Edson, Kenneth E. Beeson
  • Patent number: 4032916
    Abstract: A cable supervision system especially adapted for use in an intrusion alarm installation and which is capable of monitoring at a central control unit all lines of an interconnection cable for proper signal levels and balance. Under intended cable signal conditions a predetermined sensible impedance is provided which is monitored at the control unit. A monitoring circuit is coupled to the end of a system cable remote from the control unit, this circuit being operative to monitor the signal conditions of all lines of the cable. In response to proper signal conditions on the cable as determined by this monitoring circuit a predetermined impedance is provided which is sensed at the control unit to detect a change in impedance which would signal a tamper or cable failure alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1977
    Assignee: American District Telegraph Company
    Inventors: Aaron A. Galvin, James B. Edson, James O. C. Bean
  • Patent number: 4024519
    Abstract: For use in a multiple zone intrusion alarm system having a central control unit and a plurality of remote transceivers or other sensors, apparatus for testing the operability of the transceivers wherein the control unit includes means for deactivating all of the transceivers, and each transceiver includes means by which that transceiver can be reactivated by connection of a test circuit thereto. The test circuit is operative to measure background noise levels and alarm levels for the associated area being tested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1977
    Assignee: American District Telegraph Company
    Inventors: Aaron A. Galvin, James B. Edson