Abstract: A physiological parameter system has one or more parameter inputs responsive to one or more physiological sensors. The physiological parameter system may also have quality indicators relating to confidence in the parameter inputs. A processor is adapted to combine the parameter inputs, quality indicators and predetermined limits for the parameters inputs and quality indicators so as to generate alarm outputs or control outputs or both.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system comprising an occupancy sensor for sensing occupancy of an area, able to activate upon sensing occupancy of the area, maintain activation when sensing continuing occupancy, to include settings therefor, and to enable self-adjusting of the settings. It includes an infrared sensor section, able to passively sense occupancy and activate a signal, continue to activate upon sensing continuing occupancy, and enable separate processing of the settings. It also includes an ultrasonic sensor section, able to actively sense occupancy, activate a signal upon sensing continuing occupancy, and enable separate processing of the settings. The occupancy sensor is able to activate when the infrared sensor section senses occupancy, and to maintain activation when either the infrared sensor section or the ultrasonic sensor section senses continuing occupancy of the area.

Abstract: The invention discloses a photo meter comprising a light emitting device, a photo sensor, and a controller. The controller has a look-up table, wherein the look-up table records a plurality of control signals and a plurality of standard lightness values. The controller is used for transmitting a plurality of control signals for controlling the light emitting device to generate a plurality of lightness. The photo sensor is used for sensing the lightness to generate a plurality of corresponding lightness values. Afterward, the controller receives the lightness values from the photo sensor and then broadcasts an alert signal to notify the user that the photo sensor should be replaced if the difference between each of the lightness values and each of the corresponding standard lightness values recorded in the look-up table is greater than a threshold value.

Abstract: An emergency lighting unit includes a lamp, a backup battery, and controller and a network interface. The controller connects the backup battery to the lamp upon detection of an emergency condition and loss of main power. The network interface interfaces with and receives commands via a fire alarm network. Each emergency lighting unit has a unique identifier with respect to the fire alarm network.

Abstract: A notification appliance and an alarm system are provided. The notification appliance comprises an alarm indicator and a control module, which is configured to perform notification applications by turning on/off the alarm indicator. The control module receives at least one of command instructions and notification signals, and directs the operation of the alarm indicator based on the command instructions and notification signals. The power condition of the notification appliance within the alarm system may be determined by comparing the notification signal and a predefined operating range for the notification signal. A fault indicator indicates a relationship between the notification signal and the predefined operating range.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing interference caused by fluorescent light on alarm system components using synchronous sampling is provided. The system incorporates a detector for detecting the line frequency of a power line and synchronizes the security system to the detected line frequency. The detector employed may be a light emitting diode configured as a photodetector, an antenna tuned for frequencies near 55 Hz, or a filter connected to an output of a Microwave channel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for controlling operation of an anti-masking system that detects tampering with a motion detection system. The control system may include a selective adjustment mechanism for adjusting a sensitivity level of the anti-masking system and a trigger mechanism for triggering the selective adjustment mechanism upon occurrence of an event to raise the sensitivity level of the anti-masking system. The control system may additionally include a timer for extending the raised sensitivity level for a predetermined time period beyond the occurrence of the event. The control system may operate in conjunction with a motion detection system that includes at least one motion detection sensor for detecting motion.

Abstract: A parallel alarm processor has a threshold detector, a pattern extractor, a predetermined reference pattern, a first alarm and a second alarm. The threshold detector has a first output responsive to relatively long duration oxygen desaturations. The pattern extractor has a second output responsive to relatively short duration oxygen desaturations. The predetermined reference pattern is indicative of a series of intermittent oxygen desaturations. A first alarm is triggered when the first output crosses a lower limit threshold. A second alarm is triggered when the second output matches the predetermined reference pattern. In an embodiment, an integrator inputs smoothed oxygen saturation measurements to the threshold detector, and a predictor inputs predictive oxygen saturation measurements to the pattern extractor.

Abstract: A system to monitor item placement and item movement on surfaces includes an identification system embedded in one or more surfaces and a computer. The identification system periodically scans the surfaces to generate data related to items placed on the surfaces. The data includes item type, item location on each surface, and number of items placed on each surface. The computer receives and processes the data to monitor item placement and item movement on the surfaces.

Abstract: An alarm configuration system comprises a receiver component that receives parameters relating to an industrial process. An alarm generator component automatically configures an alarm during run-time based at least in part upon an analysis of the received parameters. Thus, the alarm generator component can alter alarm instructions during run-time within an industrial environment.

Abstract: Outputs from a plurality of different ambient condition sensors are cross correlated so as to adjust a threshold value for a different, primary, sensor. Cross-correlation processing can be carried out locally in a detector or remotely. To minimize false alarming, the alarm determination can be skipped if the output from the primary sensor does not exhibit at least a predetermined variation from an average value thereof.

Abstract: A combined doorbell and smoke detection device includes a housing that has monolithically formed sides. One side includes openings formed adjacent to the housing top corners for receiving fasteners therethrough. Nested within the housing are a door bell chime, a first control unit, a carbon monoxide smoke detector, and an ionization smoke detector. A second control unit is coupled to the carbon monoxide and ionization smoke detectors, and includes an amplifier. A power interrupt diverting switch is disposed within the housing and is mated to an external power source. An internal power supply source is nested within the housing and is coupled to the power interrupt diverting switch. A transformer is coupled to the power interrupt diverting switch, and the first and second control units for converting a first voltage level to a second voltage level transmitted to the first and second control units respectively.

Abstract: To provide a sensitivity adjustable intrusion detecting system capable of detecting the presence of a person assuredly even under the environment where the object such as a person is difficult to be detected, thereby avoiding an erroneous operation, the sensitivity adjustable intrusion detecting system is so designed that since the detecting sensitivity of the main detecting unit 1 is altered in response to detection by the auxiliary detecting unit 2 and when such detecting sensitivity of the main detecting unit is so increased at the time the necessity to detect the presence or absence of the human body H entering in one of the main detection areas encompassed within the supervised sector, the detecting sensitivity of the main detecting unit is increased to allow the human body to be assuredly detected under the environment where the human body is difficult to be detected, thereby avoiding an erroneous operation.

Abstract: An intelligent medical vigilance system that observes and analyzes, and, only in the event of a clinically significant negative condition, notifies and reports the event to the care staff utilizing the hospital's existing nurse call system. The device includes a bedside unit connected to a pad or coverlet with a sensor array (placed under the patient) and also to an existing hospital nurse call system via an interface. Within the physical bedside unit are a signal processor and an alarm processor that measure data and evaluate whether a clinically significant event is occurring. The bedside unit is a wall-mounted unit with a display that becomes active when an alarm condition is enabled. The sensing pad or coverlet is a thin, piezoelectric film, or other similar sensing technology, with an array of sensors sheathed in soft padding and is not directly in contact with the skin of the patient.

Abstract: Security systems, such as in a home or other building, periodically transmit status data to a remote facility so that the remote facility is continuously informed of the security systems' status. A user interface device at one security system, or a web browser at a personal computer, can obtain information regarding, or provide commands to, one or more other security systems at remote locations by communicating with the remote facility. The remote facility also reports specified events, such as alarms, that occur at a security system to one or more other security systems. Other information, such as video and audio data from a security system, can also be provided to the remote facility for sharing with other security systems. An intercom feature can also be established via the remote facility.

Abstract: A detector mountable on either a planar wall or an interior corner and having an adjustable field of view. The detector includes first and second sensors positioned to provide a horizontal field of view defining an angle of approximately 180 degrees. At least one blinder has a first position wherein the first and second sensors have a horizontal field of view defining an angle of approximately 180 degrees and a second position wherein the first and second sensors have a horizontal field of view defining an angle of approximately 90 degrees. A biasing member biases the blinder toward a first one of the first and second positions. A positioning member has a first member position wherein the positioning member biases the blinder toward the other of the first and second positions and a second member position wherein the biasing member biases the blinder into the first one of the first and second positions.

Abstract: A status information determining and outputting device updates the oldest data stored in a memory using a captured A/D value, finds an average value of six stored data items by calculation, and stores the calculated value in the memory as a current sensitivity. A status information transmitting device determines which grade of sensitivity level within a sensitivity tolerance range the current sensitivity data matches, sets a pulse spacing corresponding to the matched grade of sensitivity level, and makes two pulses emit from a sensitivity data transmitting light-emitting element using the set pulse spacing.

Abstract: A method for generating alerts from a periodically sampled system is disclosed. The method includes maintaining a sampling window having a predefined number of most-recently collected samples. The method further includes calculating an alert value, the alert value representing a ratio of a first value to a total number of samples in the sampling window, the first value representing a total number of samples in the sampling window having parameters exceeding a predefined sample alert threshold. The method additionally includes generating a first alert if the alert value exceeds a predefined alert threshold.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for processing, at a sensor node within a sensor network, a set of sensor readings to determine whether an event has occurred, the set of sensor readings including one or more sensor readings for corresponding environmental conditions. The processing includes determining whether a sensor reading exceeds its corresponding threshold value for an environmental condition, and if so, comparing the set of sensor readings with a history log file to determine whether a false alarm event has occurred. The history log file includes one or more sets of historic sensor readings for corresponding environmental conditions, each set being associated with an environmental situation.

Abstract: A method for indicating an alarm condition in an industrial process includes measuring a parameter of the industrial process that varies over time and determining at least one parameter limit as a function of the parameter and also varying over time. The method further includes comparing the parameter to the parameter limit or limits and indicating an alarm condition when the parameter is outside of a bound set by the parameter limit or limits when the parameter is compared to the parameter limit or limits.

Abstract: An arrhythmia alarm processor has a pattern extractor and a predetermined reference pattern. The pattern extractor has an output responsive to short duration, intermittent oxygen desaturations of a patient as determined by a fast blood oxygen saturation processor incorporated within a pulse oximeter. The reference pattern is indicative of a series of oxygen desaturations resulting from an irregular heartbeat. An alarm is triggered when the pattern extractor output matches the predetermined reference pattern.

Abstract: A tool for sensor management and fault visualization in machine condition monitoring. The method and system are able to monitor a plurality of sensors at one time. The sensors may be used in a power plant system monitoring system. The method and system may display a fault status for each sensor in the plurality of sensors in a single display, wherein the fault status for each sensor is displayed over time. The method and system also provide a mechanism that permits a user to examine details of each sensor in the plurality of sensors at any given time. In addition, the method and system are capable of categorizing each fault in the fault status using one or more properties or categorizing criteria. The method and system also permit sensors to be tested such that different operating models may be examined by utilizing different sensors.

Abstract: Device to deliver an alarm signal upon detection of a gravitational wave generated by a body falling into a swimming pool, using a differential detector that includes a comparison device for comparing a sensitivity threshold value to the value of the electrical signal received, and to deliver an alarm signal when the received electrical signal exceeds the sensitivity threshold value. The electrical signal resulting from the detected waves is delivered to a comparator and allows a programmed microprocessor to deliver variable-width pulses to the input of the comparator so as to reduce the sensitivity of the device when the device detects an atmospheric disturbance. The microprocessor triggers the alarm when the width of the output pulses from the comparator is larger than a predetermined critical reference and when the frequency F of the analogue electrical signal lies between two predetermined values F1 and F2.

Abstract: A high/low level alarm controller having ability to interface with level sensing equipment and instrumentation in a manner that isolates the controller from downstream components is presented. The controller accepts power, logic and transduced level inputs; output from the controller is available to drive relays, solenoid valves, motors, pumps, alarm horns, etc. The high/low level alarm controller is ideal for existing/retrofit applications and new installations alike.

Abstract: An apparatus and method monitor the operational status of one or more other systems or components. Each of the other systems has a primary operational function such as message repeating, environmental control, hazardous condition monitoring or regional security. The systems or components feedback information as to their functionality to the apparatus for analysis and presentation.

Abstract: To detect flames burning carbon-free hydrogen-bearing fuels, first, second, and third sensors sense first, second and third regions of an infrared water emission band, and generate first, second, and third signals. A processor generates an alarm when the sensors indicate flame. The first region low cut-off wavelength may be lower than the second region low cut-off wavelength. The third region high cut-off wavelength may be higher than the second region high cut-off wavelength. The combined regions may include nearly the entire water emission band. The processor may discriminate distances to flames using the sensor signals. A fourth sensor may sense moisture concentration, and the processor may discriminate distances based thereon. The regions may be defined such that for a fire, all three regions receive substantial energy, with second region to first region energy ratio less than 1:1 and a second region to third region energy ratio less than 1:1.

Abstract: A security system utilizes danger sensors (3) and a central unit connected wirelessly to the danger sensors (3). The danger sensors (3) have a communication module (8) which has the same dimensions and same shape for all sensor types, and which is intended to attach the danger sensor (3) to a mounting plate (2). In addition to the communication module (8), the danger sensor (3) contains a detection module (9) where the communication module (8) has a mechanical and electrical/electronic interface with the detection module (9).

Abstract: A chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapon detection system is disclosed that incorporates a mechanism to reduce the probability that a false alarm will be issued. In particular, the mechanism causes an alarm to be triggered when the amount of a hazardous material reaches a threshold, but changes the threshold based, at least in part, on environmental (e.g., meteorological, etc.) characteristics (e.g., whether is it precipitating or not, whether it is sunny or not, etc) that effect the efficacy of a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear weapon. Given that there are environmental factors that make an attack less effective, and given that terrorists are aware of this, the illustrative embodiment is less likely to issue an alarm when the environmental factors suggest that an attack is less effective, and, therefore, less likely. The illustrative embodiment accomplishes this by changing the threshold needed to issue an alarm based on one or more the environmental factors.

Abstract: A compact size wireless sensor for sensing a change of state that includes a sensor switch, a microprocessor, a wireless transmitter, a timer (e.g., a low power clock circuit), an antenna, and a coin cell battery power source. The coin cell battery, which is positioned in a stacking arrangement with the microprocessor, switch, and transmitter, allows the sensor to be of a significantly reduced size. Moreover, to provide long life despite a small battery, the microprocessor is run in a standby mode in which the microprocessor draws little power unless it actually samples the state of the sensor switch during select intervals. Various electronic components individually, or in combination, assist in the sampling (monitoring mode) in such a way as to reduce current consumption from the power source. The compact size makes the sensor ideally applicable for wireless intrusion systems embedded within hollow frames of windows and doors.

Abstract: A security system utilizes danger sensors (3) and a central unit connected wirelessly to the danger sensors (3). The danger sensors (3) have a communication module (8) which has the same dimensions and same shape for all sensor types, and which is intended to attach the danger sensor (3) to a mounting plate (2). In addition to the communication module (8), the danger sensor (3) contains a detection module (9) where the communication module (8) has a mechanical and electrical/electronic interface with the detection module (9).

Abstract: Portable and wearable chemical detector devices, such as badges, that are analyte-general, rather than analyte-specific, and which provide an optimal way to notify and protect personnel against known and unknown airborne chemical hazards. The devices are advantageously low-cost, have low-power requirements, may be wearable and are designed to detect and alarm to a general chemical threat. A sensor device includes two or more sensor devices, a processing module coupled to each of the sensor devices and configured to process signals received from each of the two or more sensor devices to determine an environmental state; and a communication module that communicates information about the environmental state to a user.

Abstract: An intrusion detection system includes a microwave transceiver detecting motion in a protected space. The microwave transceiver generates a first signal. A first infrared sensor detects a source of infrared energy in a plurality of upper detection zones within the protected space. The first infrared sensor generates an upper sensor signal. A second infrared sensor detects a source of infrared energy in a plurality of lower detection zones positioned below the upper detection zones within the protected space and intersecting a floor surface within the protected space. The second infrared sensor generates a lower sensor signal. A processor receives the first signal, the upper sensor signal and the lower sensor signal. The processor generates an alarm signal in response to the first signal exceeding a threshold value. The threshold value is varied in response a relationship between the lower sensor signal and the upper sensor signal.

Abstract: A method to detect a change in a condition of a system including: sensing the condition of the system and capturing data values indicative of the sensed condition; periodically determining a difference between a first data value and a second data value; determining a characteristic representative of a series of differences representative of a predetermined period; comparing the characteristic to at least one threshold level, and generating an alarm if the characteristic is beyond the threshold level.

Abstract: An alarm processor suppresses alarms when a physiological parameter is below a predetermined value but recovering toward a normal range.

Abstract: Automatic environmental measuring stations (10, 10a, 10b, 10c) are connected in a physical connection with base stations (11; 11a; 11b; 11c) of a cellular radio system which stations measure certain basic phenomena of the atmosphere and/or the concentrations of certain substances in the air. The information of the measurements is transferred using a base station over the cellular radio system to a central equipment (14) either as regular reports or as acute alarms if any alarm limit is exceeded. The information may also be transmitted over the base station of the cellular radio system to mobile stations (15) in the area of the base station in the form of individually tailored reports and alarms.

Abstract: Signals from a plurality of detectors are evaluated to establish an ingress or an egress path or paths to and from a region. Where the detectors indicate flame or smoke concentrations, the ingress paths lead first responders to the source of the flame or smoke while egress paths lead evacuees away from the flame or smoke.

Abstract: The invention solves a problem of fluctuation in performance in the conventional peripheral monitor for monitoring periphery of a vehicle that measures a distance to other vehicle or any other object by transmitting radio waves and informs a driver of the distance due to variation in environmental conditions such as water drop sticking onto the cover. A peripheral monitor 1 including a transmission antenna 2 for radiating transmission waves through the cover, a receiving antenna 3 for receiving reflected waves through the cover, and a data processor for measuring a distance to any object are disposed together in a cover 7. A transmission frequency at which reflected wave quantity is minimized is detected by detecting a first reflected signal level from the cover 7, and this frequency is a command to a variable frequency oscillator to conduct a transmission at this frequency at all times.

Abstract: A method for detecting smoke detector alarms comprises analyzing at least two parameters of ambient sound over a period of time to detect a temporal pattern of the alarm. In one embodiment, a series of samples are taken over a period of time sufficiently long to include at least one full period of a repeating sound pattern, and the two parameters are frequency and amplitude of the loudest sound in each sample. The algorithmic analysis may be triggered by a detection algorithm that utilizes a lower amount of power than the algorithmic analysis. In other embodiments, the detection apparatus is incorporated into a conventional smoke detector that will detect both smoke and an alarm from another detector. In another embodiment, a smoke detector includes a transceiver to transmit an activation signal to neighboring smoke detectors when a fire is detected and to receive an activation signal from neighboring detectors.

Abstract: A hardware monitoring device suitable for use to monitor performance of hardware installed in a computer host system is disclosed. For example, the operating temperature and transmission speed of a hard disk or the temperature of a central processing unit can all be monitored by such device. The monitored information can also be displayed on a panel as a reference for adjustment of a heat dissipation fan. By the connection via a firmware, the adjustment of the heat dissipation fan and the monitored information of the hardware can be directly accessed from the operation system of the computer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and to an arrangement for evaluating in a defined space or area a delimited area (7) in which there is a degree of urgency greater than the degree of urgency in respect of the remainder of said space (1), wherein there is disposed within said space or area (1) a plurality of sensors which can evaluate the current or ongoing degree of urgency on the basis of one or more criteria. Selected sensors (2, 3, 4) shall be connected to computer equipment (50) which includes storage elements (52, 53, 54) adapted for storing current criteria-related values in a chosen time order, and wherein a calculating circuit (51) included in or connected to said computer equipment (50) is adapted for evaluation of a calculated degree of urgency on the basis of time-dependent changes in the evaluated current values, and determining and establishing the local orientation or geographic location of the delimited area through the medium of the calculating circuit.

Abstract: An abnormality detection device includes small motion sensors that detect small motions of a person in a house; a data collecting unit that collects and stores sensor signals from the small motion sensors as sensor patterns, and a Markov chain operating unit 33 that transforms the sensor patterns into a cluster sequence by vector-quantizing input patterns which are obtained by averaging and normalizing the sensor patterns, and calculates a transition number matrix and a duration time distribution of a Markov and so on using a Markov chain model. The abnormality detection device also includes a comparing unit that calculates a characteristic amount (Euclid distance and average log likelihood in an appearance frequency of a Markov chain and an average log likelihood to the duration time distribution of a Markov chain) of a sample activity as against a daily activity based on the obtained transition number matrix and the duration time distribution and so on.

Abstract: A system for processing alerts receives alerts from managed elements on different specific transport mechanisms. An interpreter converts alerts in different specific formats to a system format. A notifier notifies a user about the alert in a user identified manner. The system is modular in that functions may be added as components which are available to multiple modules. Managed elements may be queried to determine new types of alerts, and the state of an element. Further, multiple events may be correlated to determine the state of an element.

Abstract: A detection system is provided for detecting at least one hazardous condition in an enclosure including a ventilation system, where the ventilation system is capable of operating in either an on or off mode. The system includes at least one detector capable of detecting at least one level representative of the severity of the hazardous conditions within the enclosure, where each level is associated with a pre-alarm threshold and an alarm threshold that is higher than the pre-alarm threshold. The detection system also includes a controller capable of operating the ventilation system in the off or on mode when at least one level detected by the detectors is above or below the respective pre-alarm threshold, respectively. The controller is also capable of reporting the hazardous condition when the at least one level is above or below the respective alarm threshold, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to providing systems and methods for remotely monitoring sites to provide real time information which can readily permit false alarms to be distinguished, and which can identify and track the precise location of an alarm. In exemplary embodiments, monitoring capabilities such as intrusion/fire detection and tracking capabilities, can be implemented through the use of multistate indicators in a novel interface which permits information to be transmitted using standard network protocols from a remote site to a monitoring station in real-time over preexisting communication networks, such as the Internet. A wireless network can also be established using browser encapsulated communication programs (for example, active X control, Java applets, and so forth) to transmit data packets which comply with any standard wireless local area network protocol.

Abstract: A high/low level alarm controller having ability to interface with level sensing equipment and instrumentation in a manner that isolates the controller from downstream components is presented. The controller accepts power, logic and transduced level inputs; output from the controller is available to drive relays, solenoid valves, motors, pumps, alarm horns, etc. The high/low level alarm controller is ideal for existing/retrofit applications and new installations alike.

Abstract: A system for operating a plurality of power generation stations. The system comprises: a general control device for monitoring a plurality of power generation stations, each of the stations including at least one electric power generation unit; a plurality of unit control devices, each of which monitoring each of the generation units, the unit control devices producing alarm data; and communication means for exchanging data between the general control device and each of the unit control devices. Only part of the alarm data produced in the unit control devices are displayed at the general control device.

Abstract: A sensor system in which a sensor suite has a locally located field sensing unit (FSU) that converts and evaluates sensor information using sensor fusion algorithms and is thereby able to send qualitative low-bandwidth, low power usage signals to a remote command post.

Abstract: An RF generating system operates with high efficiency to supply RF output power to a plasma load. The RF generating system is capable of modulating the RF output power at frequencies up to the frequency of the RF output power while maintaining high efficiency operation. Broadband frequency modulation of the RF output power suppresses instabilities thereby minimizing unstable behavior of the plasma load.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to providing systems and methods for remotely monitoring sites to provide real time information which can readily permit distinguishing false alarms, and which can identify and track the precise location of an alarm. In embodiments, monitoring capabilities such as intrusion/fire detection and tracking capabilities, can be implemented through the use of multistate indicators in a novel interface which permits information to be transmitted using standard network protocols from a remote site to a monitoring station in real-time. In embodiments, communications can be handed from the centrally located host monitoring station to a mobile monitoring station (for example, a laptop computer in a responding vehicle, such as a police or fire vehicle). Additional embodiments include high, low, and rate-of-change alarms; chromagraphic representation of the value of an environmental or other parameter measured in a space; and detection and location of portable interface devices in a space.

Abstract: In a monitoring apparatus, a target-object to be monitored is observed by an observing unit and a countermeasure is applied depending on an observed situation. The knowledge and information on the general feature relating to the target-object, the observing method and the countermeasure method are prepared in the storing unit of the monitoring apparatus. The individual knowledge and information relating to the target-object are registered by the user in the storing unit by utilizing the general monitor-knowledge. In the monitor-plan executing unit, the observing method and the countermeasure method of the target-object are planned in accordance with the situation by utilizing the general monitor-knowledge and the individual monitor-knowledge, and the plan is executed.