Abstract: A fire protection system includes a first transceiver communicatively coupled with a first end of a communication link; a second transceiver communicatively coupled with a second end of the communication link and configured for communicating a signal with the first transceiver via the communication link; a first coupling/decoupling circuit configured to provide overlayed power by overlaying power from a first power source onto the signal at the first end of the communication link; and a second coupling/decoupling circuit configured to provide separated power by separating the signal from the overlayed power at the second end of the communication link, wherein the separated power is configured to power the second transceiver.

Abstract: A gunshot detection system takes advantage of existing fire alarm system infrastructure by tapping a fire alarm communication network for a fire alarm system. Gunshot sensor units and/or a gunshot detection control panel receive power from the fire alarm communication network via tap units and/or tap wires, which provide electrical connectivity between the fire alarm communication network and the devices of the gunshot detection system. At the same time, the gunshot detection devices communicate via wireless links to an ancillary high-speed network. The gunshot sensor units can communicate with the fire alarm control panel via the fire alarm communication network. Even more comprehensive integration with the fire alarm system involves a hybrid gunshot detection and fire alarm control panel for controlling devices of both the gunshot detection system and the fire alarm system. Hybrid gunshot sensor units include fire detection elements such as smoke sensors and/or fire notification elements.

Abstract: A gunshot detection system takes advantage of existing fire alarm system infrastructure by tapping a fire alarm communication network for a fire alarm system. Gunshot sensor units and/or a gunshot detection control panel receive power from the fire alarm communication network via tap units and/or tap wires, which provide electrical connectivity between the fire alarm communication network and the devices of the gunshot detection system. At the same time, the gunshot detection devices communicate via wireless links to an ancillary high-speed network. The gunshot sensor units can communicate with the fire alarm control panel via the fire alarm communication network. Even more comprehensive integration with the fire alarm system involves a hybrid gunshot detection and fire alarm control panel for controlling devices of both the gunshot detection system and the fire alarm system. Hybrid gunshot sensor units include fire detection elements such as smoke sensors and/or fire notification elements.

Abstract: A fire alarm system includes an alarm panel, one or more notification appliances, one or more initiating devices, one or more wires, and one or more alternate building systems. The one or more wires couple the alarm panel to the one or more notification appliances and to the one or more initiating devices. The one or more alternate building systems are coupled to the one or more wires. The one or more alternate building systems each include one or more components configured to receive power from the one or more wires.

Abstract: A notification device includes a processing module configured to determine a communication mode capability of an alarm panel. The processing module communicates with the control using the determined communication mode. The notification device also includes an output module that is in electrical communication with the processing module. The output module is configured to produce an output signal in response to a signal communicated by the alarm panel.

Abstract: A self-testing notification appliance includes a notification emitter, a verification circuit, and a controller. The notification emitter is operable to output light or light and sound based on a control signal. The verification circuit includes a notification sensor to detect the light or light and sound and generate a verification signal. The controller sends the control signal to the notification emitter and receives information based on the verification signal from the verification circuit. The self-testing notification appliance may be part of a network including a fire control panel and a plurality of additional self-testing notification appliances. The self-testing notification appliances may be assigned addresses on the network.

Abstract: A notification device includes a processing module configured to determine a communication mode capability of an alarm panel. The processing module communicates with the control using the determined communication mode. The notification device also includes an output module that is in electrical communication with the processing module. The output module is configured to produce an output signal in response to a signal communicated by the alarm panel.

Abstract: A self-testing notification appliance includes a notification emitter, a verification circuit, and a controller. The notification emitter is operable to output light or light and sound based on a control signal. The verification circuit includes a notification sensor to detect the light or light and sound and generate a verification signal. The controller sends the control signal to the notification emitter and receives information based on the verification signal from the verification circuit. The self-testing notification appliance may be part of a network including a fire control panel and a plurality of additional self-testing notification appliances. The self-testing notification appliances may be assigned addresses on the network.

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: 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: 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.

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.

Abstract: An alarm system is provided which includes multiple notification appliances for signaling an alarm condition. The system controller intelligently controls the notification appliances including notification devices such as an audible or visual alarm through multi-bit digital messages sent over communication lines. The alarm system has both a standby and active mode of operation in which communication between the controller and notification appliances is possible in both modes of operation. In the standby mode, the notification appliances are powered at a first voltage level. Communication between the notification appliances and the system controller is provided by sending data pulses along the communication lines relative to the first voltage level.

Abstract: An alarm system is provided which includes multiple notification appliances for signaling an alarm condition. The system controller intelligently controls the notification appliances including notification devices such as an audible or visual alarm through multi-bit digital messages sent over communication lines. The alarm system has both a standby and active mode of operation in which communication between the controller and notification appliances is possible in both modes of operation. In the standby mode, the notification appliances are powered at a first voltage level. Communication between the notification appliances and the system controller is provided by sending data pulses along the communication lines relative to the first voltage level.

Abstract: An alarm system is provided which includes multiple notification appliances for signaling an alarm condition. The system controller intelligently controls the notification appliances including notification devices such as an audible or visual alarm through multi-bit digital messages sent over communication lines. The alarm system has both a standby and active mode of operation in which communication between the controller and notification appliances is possible in both modes of operation. In the standby mode, the notification appliances are powered at a first voltage level. Communication between the notification appliances and the system controller is provided by sending data pulses along the communication lines relative to the first voltage level. In an active mode of operation, the first voltage level is raised to a second voltage level.

Abstract: A building alarm system includes addressable notification appliances connected to a system controller, with each notification appliance having a status indicator and an alarm indicator. The status indicator, such as an LED, provides for system test modes that avoid disruption of building occupants. To test the alarm system, the system controller selects which notification appliances to operate in response to a test alarm input and communicates to each selected appliance an instruction to operate its associated status indicator without operating its associated audible or flashing visible alarm indicators. In a troubleshooting mode, the system controller polls each of the notification appliances and receives an answer in response to the poll from any of the appliances. The controller operates the LED indicators of those appliances which answer the poll.

Abstract: An alarm system which includes multiple notification appliances for signaling an alarm condition. The system controller intelligently controls the notification appliances including notification devices such as an audible or visual alarm through multi-bit digital messages sent over common communication lines. The alarm system has both a supervisory or standby mode and an active mode of operation. In the standby mode, the notification appliances are powered at a first polarity DC voltage. In an active mode of operation, the first polarity voltage is reversed (or forward biased) to energize all the notification appliances on the communication lines. The system controller controls operation of the visual alarms by issuing synchronization signals, wherein the line voltage drops to zero, which trigger the visual alarms. An audible alarm command signal is embedded within the synchronization signal to control operation of the audible alarm.

Abstract: A building alarm system includes addressable notification appliances connected to a system controller, with each notification appliance having a status indicator and an alarm indicator. The status indicator, such as an LED, provides for system test modes that avoid disruption of building occupants. To test the alarm system, the system controller selects which notification appliances to operate in response to a test alarm input and communicates to each selected appliance an instruction to operate its associated status indicator without operating its associated audible or flashing visible alarm indicators. In a troubleshooting mode, the system controller polls each of the notification appliances and receives an answer in response to the poll from any of the appliances. The controller operates the LED indicators of those appliances which answer the poll.