Abstract: A safety system receives inputs from safety related input devices such as smoke detectors and the like and provides triggering outputs to notification appliances such as bells and the like and/or safety functions such as door releases. To facilitate testing of the input devices the system incorporates a timer operative to disconnect the output devices for a period of time during which testing may be achieved, automatically reconnects the output devices at the end of the time, records the number of triggering outputs received at the outputs during that period.

Abstract: Timeline presentations of process control system alarms are described. An operator interface apparatus for a process control system is described that includes an operator display module to present an operator application on a display. The operator interface also includes an alarm presentation interface to be presented on the display via the operator application. The alarm presentation interface includes a timeline to graphically indicate a temporal relationship of a plurality of active alarms of the process control system.

Abstract: The event message is transmitted from an operative event detection device to the application, the transmission history is held by a device different from the operative event detection device, an event identifier of an event message and a time stamp in the generation history held by a standby event detection device is compared with an event identifier of an event message and a time stamp in the transmission history when the standby event detection device detects an abnormal condition of the operative event detection device, thereby transmitting an event message that has not been transmitted by the operative event detection device through the standby event detection device, and allowing the standby event detection device to transfer from the standby event detection device to an operative system.

Abstract: A controller system in which a plurality different main functions are integrated includes a plurality of microcontrollers. Each of the microcontrollers is associated with one of the main functions. At least one monitoring unit is implemented for the plurality of the main functions, for example a brake monitor and a comfort monitor. When the at least one monitoring unit detects a defect of a main function in the controller, only the defective main function is deactivated.

Abstract: Techniques are described for handling an event where a control panel or an alarm signaling device is tampered with or destroyed by a disablement tactic, e.g., a “crash and smash intrusion”.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ignoring a duplicated alarm in a communications network are described. In one embodiment, at least one alarm message associated with at least one event is received. A determination of whether the at least one event exists in a database is subsequently made. The at least one event is recorded in the database if the at least one event does not exist in the database. Conversely, the at least one alarm message is suppressed if the at least one event exists in the database.

Abstract: A device for fire extinguishing is described, comprising a fire retardant cloth, which is arranged to cover objects upon a fire or the beginnings of a fire, to put out or prevent the fire from developing, wherein the fire retardant cloth is mounted in a release mechanism arranged to release the fire retardant cloth, in such a way that the cloth covers said objects, upon detection of the fire or development of the fire. A method for same is also disclosed.

Abstract: A code bit level redundancy method for a computer interlocking system is provided. The method includes: (1) controlling the output in parallel, and (2) sharing the collected information.

Abstract: A method and system for identifying systemic failures and a root cause of incidents in a work environment. Failures, causes, and impacts related to a sample of incidents can be investigated in order to identify one or more systemic failures and root causes of the systemic failure(s). The incident details can be utilized to identify one or more root cause manifestation for each root cause of the systemic failure(s). The gaps in an existing system can be analyzed and one or more improvement solutions based on corrective actions can be identified. The improvement solutions with a highest priority can be selected and implemented to address the gaps identified in the current system based on the analysis of systemic failures and root causes. The effectiveness of the improvement solutions can be tracked and monitored to prevent the recurrence of future incidents.

Abstract: A sensor activated broken screen simulator is provided for simulating a screen breaking in response to a detected motion. The simulator includes a frame configured for coupling to a monitor. The monitor has a viewing portion and the frame is positioned such that the frame extends around the viewing portion of the monitor. A screen is coupled to and positioned in the frame such that the screen is positioned over the viewing portion of the monitor when the frame is coupled to the monitor. The screen is transparent when inactive but displays an image of broken glass when activated. A sensor is coupled to the frame and operationally coupled to the screen to activate the screen upon detection of a pre-determined condition.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for communicating heartbeat signals representative of the condition of a security system to a monitoring station. A controller is provided that transmits a heartbeat signal to a monitoring station within a given time period and awaits an acknowledgement signal from the monitoring station. If an acknowledgement signal is received within a time interval from the transmission of the heartbeat signal, then the time period is reset and another heartbeat signal is not sent until the next time period. If an acknowledgement signal is not received by the controller within a few seconds of transmitting the heartbeat signal, then another heartbeat signal is sent from the controller to the monitoring station. Heartbeat signals are only transmitted from the controller if an acknowledgement signal is not received from the monitoring station. In this manner, the amount of data sent over a communication link is reduced.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for stage evaluation of a state machine model. Two types of transitions are used: first-stage transitions and second-stage transitions for a two-stage evaluation. In one embodiment, top-down processing and bottom-up processing may be combined using a two-stage evaluation. First-stage transitions are used with top-down processing while second-stage transitions are used with bottom-up processing. Certain conditions are used to determine if a switch from one type of stage processing to another type of stage processing is needed.

Abstract: Remote monitoring and inspection of measurement devices, emergency equipment, parking spaces, and other items is accomplished by using an image sensor (e.g., a CMOS sensor) to capture an image containing information about the monitored item. A signal containing information about the image (e.g., data representing the captured image or data indicating the state of the captured image) is transmitted to a remote central station.

Abstract: An alarm system controller is provided, having a packet data network interface; a security alarm system interface configured to communicate with security alarm sensors; and a controller configured to receive at least one input from the security alarm system interface, to process the at least one input to determine an alarm condition, and to communicate the alarm condition and a markup language interface through the packet data network interface. The packet data network interface may communicate with the Internet. An environmental control system interface may also be provided to communicate with an environmental control system and to communicate the markup language interface through the packet data network interface, wherein the packet data network interface is configured to control the environmental control system. The markup language interface may be, for example HTML or XML.

Abstract: Some embodiments for a fault detection apparatus may include one or more monitors to detect at least three operating states of a sensor, such as pass, fail, and inoperative so as to enable a manufacturing facility to differentiate between situations in which a container does not have the appropriate machine readable label and situations wherein the sensor is actually inoperative. The fail state may be indicative of an object on a conveyor system not matching a predetermined description, identity or characteristic. The pass state may be indicative of an object on a conveyor system matching the predetermined description, identity or characteristic. The inoperative state may be indicative of a sensor output associated with a malfunction in the sensor itself. The fault detection apparatus may also include a fail-to-safe controller configured to detect these operating states.

Abstract: In a closed-loop monitoring system, a host device is operable to output encoded signals at a coupling side to a single transmission line. Each of monitoring devices includes: a current inducting generating unit generating induced encoded signals when the encoded signals pass through a signal current generating element coupled across an input side coupled to the transmission line; a control unit identifying a monitoring signal from the induced encoded signals generated by the current inducting generating unit; and a detecting unit detecting, in response to the monitoring signal, whether each of electronic devices coupled thereto is activated ox deactivated and transmitting a reply signal associated with states of the electronic devices to the transmission line based on a detection result made thereby. The host device receives the reply signal from each monitoring device through the transmission line and the coupling side to obtain state information associated with the electronic devices.

Abstract: A testing device for hazard alarm systems, particularly fire alarm systems, having a hazard alarm control panel connected with a variety of devices via a device loop configured as a ring bus system, and has at least one communication circuit for communication with the individual devices. The communication circuit comprises multiple functional units. The current measurement unit is checked and monitored by a device simulation unit that is completely integrated into the communication circuit and is controlled by a control unit configured as a microcontroller.

Abstract: A power supply unit for a fire detector, especially a smoke alarm, includes a power unit and battery terminals for connecting a predeterminable battery. The power unit has first connection means for connection to a power supply network and second connection means for connecting the fire detector. In order to increase the functionality of a fire alarm, the battery terminals are operatively connected by at least one first electric connection with the second connection means. The first electric connection includes hereby at least one diode.

Abstract: A system and method of handling poll-based alarms. The method begins by detecting a high-priority problem in a network. Next, network elements in the network related to the high-priority problem are mapped. The mapping step includes grouping network elements into focus groups wherein each focus group includes network elements having the same alarm. The mapped network elements are then polled for alarms. The polled alarms of the network elements are then correlated and processed.

Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and systems for information collecting and decision making based on one or more tiered networks of sensors and communication nodes for security monitoring and warning, disaster warning, counter-terrorism, and other applications associated with information collecting and decision making. In implementations, the one or more tier networks in the plurality of different tier networks include network nodes at roadway intersections; the sensors include automatic license plate recognition sensors to obtain data on vehicle license plates; and the response produced by the processing mechanism includes controlling traffic controllers to alter traffic routes at one or more locations.

Abstract: An alarm trend summary display system and method can utilize an alarm trend list that works together with an alarm summary list. A set of rows in the alarm trend list can be organized in a top-to-bottom manner. A set of alarm indicators within each row in the alarm trend list can be arranged in a right-to-left horizontal arrangement. The set of alarm indicators can be aligned with most recent alarms appearing on a right side of the alarm trend list. The specific alarm indicators can be selected in the alarm trend list, so that a corresponding item can be highlighted in the alarm summary list, if the alarms are active. Hence, the system and method can allow an operator to see when alarms occur, their sequence, relations and priority, which aid the operators cope with inevitable alarm floods.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a vital bus system for communicating data in a control system are provided. The system includes a plurality of data communication buses configured in a multiple redundant orientation and at least one safety supervisor module including a database including a plurality of logic rules. The logic rules are programmed to receive data from the plurality of data communication buses and to determine the validity of the received data from each bus using one or more of the plurality of the logic rules. If the received data is invalid, the logic rules are programmed to restore the validity of the data using one or more of the plurality of the logic rules. If the data can not be restored the logic rules are programmed to transmit an alert to the control system. Otherwise, the logic rules are programmed to transmit the validated data to an intended destination.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for suppressing a duplicated alarm in a communications network are described. In one embodiment, at least one alarm message associated with at least one event is received. A determination of whether the at least one event exists in a database is subsequently made. The at least one event is recorded in the database if the at least one event does not exist in the database. Conversely, the at least one alarm message is suppressed if the at least one event exists in the database.

Abstract: Remote monitoring and inspection of measurement devices, emergency equipment, parking spaces, and other items is accomplished by using an image sensor (e.g., a CMOS sensor) to capture an image containing information about the monitored item. A signal containing information about the image (e.g., data representing the captured image or data indicating the state of the captured image) is transmitted to a remote central station.

Abstract: Systems and methods for mitigating failure mode effects in a steer-by-wire system. The system includes a controller configured to alter a direction of the vehicle when the controller is in a failure mode. A steering device is coupled to a detector. The detector is configured to detect a steering input from a driver and output a signal representative of the steering input. A first actuator is coupled to a first control device. The first control device is configured to generate a first control signal representative of the steering input when the controller is in the failure mode. The first actuator alters the direction of the vehicle by removing energy from the vehicle. A second actuator is coupled to a second control device. The second control device is configured to generate a second control signal representative of the steering input when the controller is in the failure mode. The second actuator alters the direction of the vehicle by adding energy to the vehicle.

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 portable electronics includes detection unit which detects a state of the portable electronics, storage unit which stores a detection result of the detection unit at a first period, and determination unit which reads out, every time a second period longer than the first period has elapsed, a plurality of detection results stored in the storage unit during the second period and determines the state of the portable electronics based on the plurality of readout detection results.

Abstract: An electronic device may include a wireless transceiver for establishing a wireless interface with a wireless transceiver of another device. The electronic device may further include a wake-up assembly including a permanent magnet that generates a magnet field and a sensor that outputs a signal corresponding to sensed magnetic field. A control assembly of the electronic device may be configured to control at least one of activation or deactivation of the wireless transceiver when the output from the sensor indicates that the magnetic field of the permanent magnet has been disturbed by presence of a magnet external to the electronic device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a range reduction detection apparatus that is able to detect blocking of its field of view. Detection of an event, due to movement or intrusion within the field of view, is arranged to start a timer, which will time-out thereby providing an indication of such blocking unless a subsequent event is detected within the time-period.

Abstract: Changes in equipment cooling performance may be detected by indirectly measuring cooling performance by way of a cooling efficiency indicator. An operating cooling efficiency indicator is calculated as a ratio between equipment electrical power consumption and a temperature differential between the equipment and an ambient temperature. The operating cooling efficiency indicator is compared to a baseline cooling efficiency indicator to detect changes in cooling performance.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of electrical switches. Every switch is associated with at least one monitoring device for detecting the respective switching condition of the switch. All of the monitoring devices are interconnected through a data connection through which the switching conditions of all of the switches are made known to every monitoring device.

Abstract: A fire detection system comprises a detection unit (2A) able to measure an electrical quantity between a first (BOA) and a second (B1A) terminal, and a first detector (11A) connected to the first and second terminals (BOA, B1A) and able to form a first value of the electrical quantity in a determined state of the first detector, for example in the event of the detecting of a fire in a first zone (Z). A second detector (12A) connected to the first and second terminals (BOA, B1A) is able to form a second value of the electrical quantity in said determined state, that is to say for example in the event of the detecting of a fire in a second zone, and a third value of the electrical quantity in another state different from the determined state, that is to say for example during normal operation. The first value and the third value are different from the second value.

Abstract: An on-vehicle display control unit includes a CPU to which vehicle data of various kinds are inputted and a graphic LSI arranged to generate display data to be outputted to a display. The graphic LSI is arranged to generate predetermined display data from image data generated by a meter ECU. However, if there is a problem in a state of the meter ECU or an input status of 3D moving picture data, the graphic LSI receives a fail safe control from the CPU (4), thereby to generate fail safe display data corresponding to the predetermined display data. This realizes an on-vehicle display system capable of stably displaying important vehicle information.

Abstract: A mobile security monitoring method and system are provided. An alarm security node communicates with an intelligent security that is activated by a breach in a security zone. This breach starts a video monitoring/recording sequence that is sent out via broadband link to an alarm center. The alarm center forwards this alarm information to a user as SMS/MMS information through a mobile network. The user can view and evaluate what is going on at the security zone and can decide what action to initiate. This minimizes false alarm generation and thus cuts down the costs of following upon false alarm(s) by an alarm security provider. For security and cost reasons, the intelligent security system may be the only client of the server-side alarm center. Existing IT infrastructure at the security zone can be used such as W-LAN, broadband, GPRS, and mobile devices. A mobile phone can be used for activation and deactivation of intelligent security system based on a manual push of a button on the user device.

Abstract: Some embodiments for a fault detection apparatus may include one or more monitors to detect at least three operating states of a sensor, such as pass, fail, and inoperative so as to enable a manufacturing facility to differentiate between situations in which a container does not have the appropriate machine-readable label and situations wherein the sensor is actually inoperative. The fail state may be indicative of an object on a conveyor system not matching a predetermined description, identity or characteristic. The pass state may be indicative of an object on a conveyor system matching the predetermined description, identity or characteristic. The inoperative state may be indicative of a sensor output associated with a malfunction in the sensor itself. The fault detection apparatus may also include a fail-to-safe controller configured to detect these operating states.

Abstract: Provided is a method for designing, managing and executing response plans. Specific plan and resources are defined and a defined plan is executed either automatically or manually according to pre-determined or “real-time” parameter definitions. An executed plan notifies, by various user-defined means, actively or pre-defined parties in a near simultaneous fashion of security communications, notifications, directives and/or information. One embodiment of the system includes a component that requires a notified party to acknowledge a particular notification event by responding with a personal identification number (PIN) or calling a specified telephone number and entering the PIN. The system enables parties to be organized into groups based upon member profiles. Individual parties can be assigned to sub-groups, enabling specifically designed communications to go to the parties of any particular sub-group.

Abstract: An interface device for interfacing a set of wayside systems with a radio transmitter includes a plurality of input ports each having at least one input for receiving a signal representing a state of a corresponding wayside system and first and second parallel data paths coupled to the plurality of input ports. Each data path includes input protection circuitry coupled to the inputs of the input ports for preventing short-circuit and open-circuit conditions from triggering a false input state, a multiplexer for selecting between the input port; and a processor for scanning the input ports with the multiplexer to determine the state of current signals appearing at the inputs. In response to determining the state of the current signals appearing at the inputs, the processor generates a message communicating a current state of the wayside systems for delivery to the radio transmitter.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is an anti-intrusion system for protecting electronic components (3) including a substrate (2) on which the electronic components are placed. A conducting enclosure (1) encapsulates the electronic components on the surface of the substrate (2). The system also includes a warning device. The system includes a transmitting antenna on the surface of the substrate (2), and a capacitive electromechanical microswitch. The microswitch is linked to the warning device by a signal line, so as to be able to activate it.

Abstract: A normality determination unit determines that a communication function for an outdoor unit of its own is normal when receiving a signal from one of indoor units, and writes a normality flag into an EEPROM. Further, the normality determination unit determines that it is not asserted that the communication function for the outdoor unit of its own is normal when not receiving a signal from any of the indoor units for a predetermined time period, and deletes the normality flag in the EEPROM.

Abstract: An ambient condition monitoring system includes a plurality of detectors such as smoke detectors, gas detectors, or fire detectors. Each of the detectors has two sets of input/output ports. One port can communicate with a system control unit. The second port can communicate with a local wired network to which is coupled a plurality of output devices. The output devices can be activated by the respective detector using a modulated control signal.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a range reduction detection apparatus that is able to detect blocking of its field of view. Detection of an event, due to movement or intrusion within the field of view, is arranged to start a timer, which will time-out thereby providing an indication of such blocking unless a subsequent event is detected within the time-period.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes an output pad, an alarm output pad, and a test mode output pad. A first multi-bit register is programmable to store programmable data such as data that identifies a customer for whom the integrated circuit has been manufactured. A second multi-bit register is programmable to store customer specified threshold data. A first circuit selectively couples the first and second multi-bit registers to the output pad. The first circuit is operable responsive to the integrated circuit being placed into a test mode to perform parallel-to-serial conversion of either the customer identification data stored in the first multi-bit register or the customer specified threshold data stored in the second multi-bit register and drive the converted data for output through the output pad. The integrated circuit further includes a tamper detection circuit operable responsive to the customer specified threshold data to generate a tamper alarm signal.

Abstract: A security system comprises a system control panel for arming and disarming the security system. A door sensing unit comprises a first radio frequency (RF) transceiver interconnected with the system control panel over a network. The first RF transceiver is mounted proximate to a door that defines at least a portion of a perimeter around an area to be monitored by the security system. The first RF transceiver has an RF detection field proximate to the door. A disarm device comprises a second RF transceiver that automatically transmits a disarm device packet. The first RF transceiver receives the disarm device packet when the second RF transceiver is within the RF detection field. The first RF transceiver sends a disarm message to the system control panel over the network to disarm the security system based on at least the disarm device packet.

Abstract: A method for operating a failsafe-enabled wireless device is provided that includes monitoring a signal quality for a wireless signal between a failsafe-enabled wireless device and a controller. A determination is made regarding whether the signal quality is poor. A failsafe procedure is initiated when the signal quality is poor.

Abstract: A communication system for monitoring the health status of a patient includes a communication device and a sensor device, the communication device comprising a first communication interface for communication with the sensor device and comprising a second communication interface for communication with a health care center, the communication device being able to generate a warning message upon failure of either the first communication interface or the second communication interface, wherein the generation of a warning message is prevented if the failure of the first communication interface begins and ends during a first time interval and/or the generation of a warning message is prevented if the failure of the second communication interface begins and ends during a third time interval and/or the communication device comprises a detection device for detecting a critical or non-critical health status, and the generation of a warning message is prevented if both the duration of failure of the second communication

Abstract: An alarm filter (22) for use in a security system (14) to reduce the occurrence of nuisance alarms receives sensor signals (S1-Sn, Sv) from a plurality of sensors (18, 20) included in the security system (14). The alarm filter (22) produces an opinion output as a function of the sensor signals and selectively modifies the sensor signals as a function of the opinion output to produce verified sensor signals (S1?-Sn?).

Abstract: The present embodiments generally relate to an alarm management system for providing a time to manage value enabling a user to respond to an abnormal situation for at least one device and prevent the at least one device from reaching a trouble point value.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a volume of space surrounding an aircraft having a plurality of extremity portions includes a plurality of sensors. Each sensor is disposed at a respective corresponding one of the aircraft extremity portions. Each sensor is configured to generate an image of a monitored area covering a predetermined distance from the extremity portion at which the sensor is disposed. A processing device is configured to determine, from an image generated by a first sensor of the plurality, a characteristic of an object within the monitored area covering the predetermined distance from the extremity portion at which the first sensor is disposed. The processing device is further configured to generate a signal in response to determining the object characteristic.

Abstract: There is described a method for motion monitoring of a machine, comprising a sensor, wherein a sensor signal is transmitted from the sensor to a controller and/or to a drive device, a failsafe controller or drive device being employed as controller or drive device. The controller or drive device comprises three independent monitoring devices in which the sensor signal is formed from a first and a second redundant actual position value.

Abstract: An improved life safety system provides ability to detect a catastrophic failure within a network node of the life safety system, and to subsequently pass a failsafe alarm signal through a network node, and through the life safety system, despite the catastrophic failure, which may be a failed main processor of a main panel, a failed main processor of a loop expander module, a failed main processor of an amplifier, or a failed main processor of a liquid crystal display controller.