Battery operated transmitter circuit

• US 4,056,815 A
• Filed: 02/03/1976
• Issued: 11/01/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC (Brookfield Asset Management Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC (Brookfield Asset Management Incorporated)
• Inventors: Anderson, Arthur Ernest
• Primary Examiner(s): Swann, III, Glen R.
• Application Number:
  US05/655,036
• Time in Patent Office: 637 Days
• Field of Search: 340/224, 340/411
• US Class Current: 340/539.3
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/36 Arrangements for testing, measuring or monitoring the electrical condition of accumulators or electric batteries, e.g. capacity or state of charge [SoC]
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3648 comprising digital calculation means, e.g. for performing an algorithm
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/00 Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/00 Fire alarms; Alarms responsive to explosion
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/14 checking the detection circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/181 due to failing power supply

Abstract

A battery operated code producing wireless RF alarm detection circuit is designed to continuously monitor the condition of the battery and periodically determine the operational integrity of the detection circuit as well as communicate distinct codes indicative of the operational integrity of the detection circuit and alarm conditions. A local receiver circuit responds to the RF transmitted codes from one or more alarm detection circuits.

Claims

1. A battery operated RF transmitter circuit, comprising:

a battery,

an ON-OFF condition responsive device for connecting said battery through a high impedance means when said ON-OFF condition responsive device is in an OFF state to provide minimum current drain from said battery,

transmitter circuit means including;

a cycle timer means,

first switch means responsive to the ON state of said ON-OFF condition responsive device for activating said cycle timer means to connect said battery to said transmitter circuit means,

Rf oscillator means connected to said cycle timer means, said cycle timer means periodically activating said RF oscillator means to produce an RF output waveform,

tone code generator means connected to said RF oscillator means and responsive to the ON state of said ON-OFF condition responses means to frequency modulate said RF output to transmit a first predetermined tone indicative of the ON state of said ON-OFF condition responsive device,

self-test circuit means,

second switch means connected between said self-test circuit means and said cycle timer means to periodically activate said cycle timer means in response to said self-test circuit means to connect said battery to said transmitter circuit means and activate said RF oscillator means to produce an RF output signal, the activation of said cycle timer means by said second switch means further activating said tone code generator means to frequency modulate said RF output at a frequency to transmit a second predetermined tone distinct from said first predetermined tone and indicative of a circuit test signal, said cycle timer means determining the duration and repetition rate of said first and second predetermined tones.

2. A battery operated RF transmitter circuit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tone code generator means includes a first and second astable oscillator circuit to produce said first predetermined tone, and third oscillator circuit means operating to produce said second predetermined tone.

3. A battery operated RF transmitter circuit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said self-test circuit means includes control means for periodically activating said second switch means to transmit said second predetermined tone on a periodic basis.

4. A security system comprising, a plurality of RF signal producing alarm circuits wherein each alarm circuit includes:

a battery,

an ON-OFF condition responsive device for connecting said battery through a high impedance means when said ON-OFF condition responsive device is in an OFF state to provide minimum current gain from said battery,

transmitter circuit means including;

a cycle timer means,

first switch means responsive to the ON state of said ON-OFF condition responsive device for activating said cycle timer means to connect said battery to said transmitter circuit means,

Rf oscillator means connected to said cycle timer means, said cycle timer means periodically activating said RF oscillator means to produce an RF output waveform,

tone code generator means connected to said RF oscillator means and responsive to the ON state of said ON-OFF condition responses means to frequency modulate said RF output to transmit a first predetermined tone indicative of the ON state of said ON-OFF condition responsive device,

self-test circuit means,

second switch means connected between said self-test circuit means and said cycle timer means to periodically activate said cycle timer means in response to said self-test circuit means to connect said battery to said transmitter circuit means and activate said RF oscillator means to produce an RF output signal, the activation of said cycle timer means by said second switch means further activating said tone code generator means to frequency modulate said RF output at a frequency to transmit a second predetermined tone distinct from said first predetermined tone and indicative of a circuit test signal,

said first and second predetermined tones of the respective alarm circuits being different, and

receiver circuit means for receiving and distinguishing the transmitted first and second predetermined tones of the respective alarm circuits.