Programmable event driver/interface apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A programmable annunciator control system, comprising:
- a set of stored-sequence executable instructions to implement functions of the annunciator control system;
an annunciator control unit capable of executing said stored-sequence executable instruction set;
a computer-readable clock to furnish timekeeping information to said annunciator control unit; and
a set of annunciators controlled by said annunciator control unit.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A programmable event driver/interface has timekeeping and scheduling functions and tone and voice capabilities. A software-based interface allows for direct communication with individual annunciators and dynamic grouping of annunciators by zone. System state of health can be ascertained periodically for each annunciator, displayed in a visual summary, stored, and time tagged. Both tones and audio signals such as voice and radio can be commanded to be output by individual annunciators as well as by zones and by all annunciators at once. Schedules, including time-of day, day-of week, and date for annunciator outputs can be programmed for any or all annunciators.
12 Citations
31 Claims
-
1. A programmable annunciator control system, comprising:
-
a set of stored-sequence executable instructions to implement functions of the annunciator control system;
an annunciator control unit capable of executing said stored-sequence executable instruction set;
a computer-readable clock to furnish timekeeping information to said annunciator control unit; and
a set of annunciators controlled by said annunciator control unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
-
- 15. The programmable annunciator control system of claim 15, wherein said communications subsystem further comprises an RS-485 bidirectional differential serial peripheral communications port and interface electronics.
-
22. An annunciator control system, comprising:
-
a set of stored-sequence executable instructions implementing functions of the annunciator control system;
an annunciator control unit capable of executing said stored-sequence executable instruction set; and
a computer-readable clock to furnish timekeeping information to said annunciator control unit.
-
-
23. A programmable annunciator control system, comprising:
-
means for processing electronic signals;
means for annunciating messages in response to signals from said processing means;
means for communicating between said processing means and at least one said annunciating means;
means for assigning each of said annunciating means to at least one zone in accordance with user-defined criteria;
means for measuring clock time in a form readable by said processing means;
means for scheduling command events affecting at least one of said annunciating means; and
means for activating command events affecting at least one of said annunciating means. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
-
-
31. A process for announcing, comprising the steps of:
-
communicating between an annunciator control unit and at least one annunciator;
assigning at least one annunciator to at least one zone in accordance with user-defined criteria;
measuring clock time in a form readable by a local annunciator control unit;
scheduling command events affecting at least one annunciator; and
activating command events affecting at least one annunciator.
-
Specification