SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING INDICATORS OF A PROPERTY MONITORING SYSTEM

• US 20100253531A1
• Filed: 04/02/2009
• Published: 10/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc. (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Original Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc. (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Inventors: Huang, Zhenhua, Luo, Xiao, Shu, Baohua, QIU, Rongbin, Qin, Laigui, Becker, Donald Edward
• Granted Patent: US 8,416,096 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/691.300
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/04 using a single signalling line, e.g. in a closed loop
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/36 using visible light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 Controlling the colour of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/18 via data-bus transmission

Abstract

Property monitoring system and method of operating. Two signal lines are used to couple a master controller in series with a plurality of indicators. Each indicator has a visual display. Each visual display has a plurality of LEDs, or other type of lighting device. The master controller is configured to generate a multi-bit digital command message to be transmitted serially to the plurality of indicators over the second signal line upon receipt of an alarm condition message. Each command message has a predetermined time delay for activating each of the indicators, or a component thereof, so that all indicators activate in unison.

Claims

1. A property monitoring system, comprising:

a first signal line;

a second signal line;

a plurality of indicators coupled, in series, to each of the first signal line and the second signal line; and

a master controller also coupled, in series, to each of the first signal line and the second signal line, wherein the master controller is configured to generate a multi-bit digital command message to be transmitted serially to the plurality of indicators over the second signal line,

wherein each command message has a different predetermined time delay that is unique to each indicator of the plurality of indicators and that is configured to cause the plurality of indicators to activate in unison.

2. The property monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the master controller and the plurality of indicators are each components of a control panel.

3. The property monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the first signal line is a clock signal line, and wherein the second signal line is a data signal line.

4. The property monitoring system of claim 3, further comprising:

a visual display of each of the plurality of indicators; and

a micro-controller in each of the plurality of indicators that is configured to communicate with the visual display.

5. The property monitoring system of claim 2, wherein each indicator is removably coupled with said control panel.

6. The property monitoring system of claim 4, wherein the visual display comprises a plurality of LEDS.

7. The property monitoring system of claim 6, wherein the plurality of LEDs is arranged in the visual display in groups, each group having a different color, wherein each color indicates a different alarm condition.

8. A method, comprising:

receiving an alarm condition message from a remote unit coupled with a control panel of a property monitoring system; and

sending at least two command messages to multiple indicators coupled with the control panel from a master controller based on the received alarm condition message,

wherein each command message of the at least two command messages comprises at least a synchronization field having therein a predetermined time delay.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the predetermined time delay is different for each command message.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said indicator comprises:

a visual display; and

a micro-controller configured to receive one of the at least two command messages and to drive a visual display based on the received command message.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the visual display comprises a plurality of LEDs.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the plurality of LEDs is arranged in groups, each group having a different color LEDs, and each color indicating a different alarm condition.

13. A control panel configured for use in a property monitoring system, the control panel comprising:

a pair of signal lines;

a master controller coupled, in series, with a plurality of indicators via the pair of signal lines,

wherein the master controller is configured to communicate alarm conditions received from one or more remote units,

wherein each indicator of the plurality of indicators has a microcontroller and a visual display that is configured to alert of the alarm condition,

wherein the visual display is configured to display information received from one or more drivers communicating with the micro-controller,

wherein the microcontroller is configured to receive a command message from the master controller, the command message having a time delay therein unique to the micro-controller and its corresponding indicator.

14. The control panel of claim 13, wherein an indicator of the plurality of indicators is removably coupled with the control panel.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the visual display comprises a plurality of LEDs.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the plurality of LEDs is arranged in groups, each group having a different color LEDs, and each color indicating a different alarm condition.

17. An indicator for use in a property monitoring system, the indicator comprising:

a micro-controller, the micro-controller having a timer that is configured to control timed operation of the indicator;

a visual display configured to alert of an alarm condition,

wherein the visual display is configured to respond to the timer, when the timer receives a time delay unique to the indicator; and

at least one driver operated by said micro-controller for operating a plurality of LEDs in said visual display in accordance with the unique time delay.

18. The indicator of claim 17, wherein the plurality of LEDs is arranged in groups, each group having a different color LEDs, and each color indicating a different alarm condition.