Electronic warning apparatus

• US 5,061,917 A
• Filed: 04/10/1990
• Issued: 10/29/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Higgs & Higgs Holdings Inc.
• Original Assignee: John R. Storey, Nigel H. Higgs, Sean D. Mclaughlin
• Inventors: Higgs, Nigel H., Storey, John R., McLaughlin, Sean D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US07/506,999
• Time in Patent Office: 567 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539, 340/531, 340/525, 340/442, 340/445, 340/447
• US Class Current: 340/539.22
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0408 transmitting the signals by non-mechanical means from the wheel or tyre to a vehicle body mounted receiver
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0433 Radio signals
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/00 Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems

Abstract

Warning apparatus comprising a transmitter for producing a coded signal and a monitor for detecting such signal; the transmitter including a detection circuit comprising sensors responsive to abnormal conditions at a location in a region near the transmitter, a circuit for generating a coded signal in response to the abnormal condition detected, and a circuit for transmitting the coded signal for reception by the monitor; the monitor including a circuit for receiving the coded signal transmitted, an electronic circuit for decoding the coded signal received, and an electronic circuit for displaying the type of abnormal condition detected by the sensor and the location of the transmitter which detected the abnormal condition.

Claims

1. A warning system for sensing conditions at a remote source comprising a transmitter located in the region of said remote source for transmitting a coded signal in response to an abnormal condition sensed at said remote source, said coded signal comprising information of the abnormal condition sensed and the location of said transmitter, and a monitor for receiving said transmitted coded signal and indicating said abnormal condition sensed and the location of said transmitter;

said transmitter comprising a power supply for said transmitter, sensing means responsive to an abnormal condition at said remote source, coding means comprising a silicon controlled rectifier gate array connected to said power supply and said sensing means for activating said transmitter when said sensing means detects an abnormal condition, and comprising means for generating a coded signal in response to said activation of said transmitter when said sensing means detects an abnormal condition, and means connected to said coding means for transmitting said generated coded signal;

said monitor comprising a power supply for said monitor, means for receiving said transmitted coded signal, means connected to said detecting means for decoding said signal received, and means connected to said decoding means for indicating said abnormal condition sensed by said sensing means of said transmitter and comprising matrix means for indicating said location of said transmitter.

2. A warning system according to claim 1 wherein said coding means of said transmitter comprises a parallel to serial converter.

3. A warning system according to claim 2 wherein said parallel to serial converter of said coding means of said transmitter is a universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter circuit.

4. A warning system according to claim 1 wherein said coding means of said transmitter comprises an encoder circuit connected to said silicon controlled rectifier gate array, a data latch circuit connected to said encoder circuit, and a parallel to serial converter connected to said data latch circuit.

5. A warning system according to claim 4 wherein said parallel to serial converter of said coding means of said transmitter is a universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter circuit.

6. A warning system according to claim 2, or 4, wherein said transmitting means of said transmitter comprises a transmit timing circuit connected to said parallel to serial converter, an inverter circuit connected to said parallel to serial converter, an amplification circuit connected to said inverter circuit, and an oscillator circuit connected to said amplification circuit, and said coded signal generated is transmitted by said transmitting means of said transmitter as a radio frequency signal.

7. A warning signal according to claims 1, 2, or 3, wherein said coded signal generated comprises a first part identifying the location of said remote source where said abnormal condition is sensed, and a second part identifying the type of abnormal condition sensed.

8. A warning system according to claims 2, or 3, wherein said coded signal generated comprises a first part identifying the location of said remote source where said abnormal condition is sensed, and a second part identifying the type of abnormal condition sensed, and said coding means of said transmitter comprises a dip switch assembly connected to said parallel to serial converter for supplying said first part of said coded signal identifying the location of said transmitter.

9. A warning system according to claim 2, or 4, wherein said transmitting means of said transmitter comprises a transmit timing circuit connected to said parallel to serial converter, an inverter circuit connected to said parallel to serial converter, an amplification circuit connected to said inverter circuit, and an oscillator circuit connected to said amplification circuit, and said coded signal generated comprises a first part identifying the location of said remote source where said abnormal condition is sensed, and a second part identifying the type of abnormal condition sensed, and said coded signal generated is transmitted by said transmitting means of said transmitter as a radio frequency signal.

10. A warning system according to claim 2, or 4, wherein said coded signal generated comprises a first part identifying the location of said remote source where said abnormal condition is sensed, and a second part identifying the type of abnormal condition sensed, and said coding means of said transmitter comprises a dip switch assembly connected to said parallel to serial converter for supplying said first part of said coded signal identifying the location of said transmitter, and said transmitting means of such transmitter comprises a transmit timing circuit connected to said parallel to serial converter, an inverter circuit connected to said parallel to serial converter, an amplification circuit connected to said inverter circuit, and an oscillator circuit connected to said amplification circuit, and said coded signal generated is transmitted by said transmitting means of said transmitter as a radio frequency signal.

11. A warning signal according to claims 2, or 4, wherein said decoding means of said monitor comprises a serial to parallel converter.

12. A warning system according to claims 3, or 5, wherein said decoding means of said monitor comprises a universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter circuit as a serial to parallel converter.

13. A warning system according to claims 2, or 4, wherein said transmitting means of said transmitter comprises a transmit timing circuit connected to said parallel to serial converter, an inverter circuit connected to said parallel to serial converter, an amplification circuit connected to said inverter circuit, and an oscillator circuit connected to said amplification circuit, and said coded signal generated is transmitted by said transmitting means of said transmitter as a radio frequency signal, and said means for receiving said transmitted coded signal from said transmitter of said monitor comprises an antenna, a tuned circuit connected to said antenna, amplification circuits connected to said tuned circuit, and an inverter circuit connected to said amplification circuits.

14. A warning system according to claims 3, or 5, wherein said transmitting means of said transmitter comprises a transmit timing circuit connected to said parallel to serial converter, an inverter circuit connected to said parallel to serial converter, an amplification circuit connected to said inverter circuit, and an oscillator circuit connected to said amplification circuit, and said coded signal generated is transmitted by said transmitted means of said transmitter as a radio frequency signal, and said means for receiving said transmitted coded signal from said transmitter of said monitor comprises an antenna, a tuned circuit connected to said antenna, amplification circuits connected to said tuned circuit, and an inverter circuit connected to said amplification circuits, and said decoding means of said monitor comprises a universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter circuit as a serial to parallel converter connected to said inverter circuit of said receiving means of said monitor.

15. A warning system according to claims 2, or 4, wherein said decoding means of said monitor comprises a serial to parallel converter, and said means for indicating said abnormal condition sensed of said monitor comprises electronic circuit means including, an audio warning circuit connected to said serial to parallel converter, a decoder circuit connected to said serial to parallel converter, and a visual display circuit connected to said decoder circuit.

16. A warning system according to claims 2, or 4, wherein said decoding means of said monitor comprises a serial to parallel converter, and said means for indicating said abnormal condition sensed of said monitor comprises electronic circuit means including an audio warning circuit connected to said serial to parallel converter, a decoder circuit connected to said serial to parallel converter, and a visual display circuit connected to said decoder circuit, and said matrix means of said monitor for indicating the location of said transmitter includes said visual display circuit in the form of an L.E.D. matrix.

17. A warning system according to claims 3, or 5, wherein said coded signal generated comprises a first part identifying the location of said remote source where said abnormal condition is sensed, and a second part identifying the type of abnormal condition sensed, and said coding means of said transmitter comprises a dip switch assembly connected to said parallel to serial converter for supplying said first part of said coded signal identifying the location of said transmitter, and said transmitting means of such transmitter comprises a transmit timing circuit connected to said parallel to serial converter, an inverter circuit connected to said parallel to serial converter, an amplification circuit connected to said inverter circuit, and an oscillator circuit connected to said amplification circuit, and said coded signal generated is transmitted by said transmitting means of said transmitter as a radio frequency signal, and said means for receiving said transmitted coded signal from said transmitter of said monitor comprises an antenna, a tuned circuit connected to said antenna, amplification circuits connected to said tuned circuit, and an inverter circuit connected to said amplification circuits, and said decoding means of said monitor comprises a universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter circuit as a serial to parallel converter connected to said inverter circuit of said receiving means of said monitor, and said means for indicating said abnormal condition sensed of said monitor comprises electronic circuit means including, an audio warning circuit connected to said serial to parallel converter, a decoder circuit connected to said serial to parallel converter, and a visual display circuit connected to said decoder circuit.

18. A warning system according to claim 3, or 5, wherein said coded signal generated comprises a first part identifying the location of said remote source where said abnormal condition is sensed, and a second part identifying the type of abnormal condition sensed, and said coding means of said transmitter comprises a dip switch assembly connected to said parallel to serial converter for supplying said first part of said coded signal identifying the location of said transmitter, and said transmitting means of such transmitter comprises a transmit timing circuit connected to said parallel to serial converter, an inverter circuit connected to said parallel to serial converter, an amplification circuit connected to said inverter circuit, and an oscillator circuit connected to said amplification circuit, and said coded signal generated is transmitted by said transmitting means of said transmitter as a radio frequency signal, and said means for receiving said transmitted coded signal from said transmitter of said monitor comprises an antenna, a tuned circuit connected to said antenna, amplification circuits connected to said tuned circuit, and an inverter circuit connected to said amplification circuits, and said decoding means of said monitor comprises a universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter circuit as a serial to parallel converter connected to said inverter circuit of said receiving means of said monitor, and said means for indicating said abnormal condition sensed of said monitor comprises electronic circuit means including an audio warning circuit connected to said serial to parallel converter, a decoder circuit connected to said serial to parallel converter, and a visual display circuit connected to said decoder circuit, and said matrix means of said monitor for indicating the location of said transmitter includes said visual display circuit in the form of an L.E.D. matrix.

19. A warning system according to claim 1 wherein said coding means of said transmitter comprises an inverter circuit connected to said silicon controlled rectifier gate array, an encoder circuit connected to said inverter circuit, and a parallel to serial converter connected to said encoder circuit.

20. A warning system according to claim 19 wherein said parallel to serial converter of said coding means of said transmitter is a universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter circuit.

21. A warning system according to claim 19, wherein said transmitting means of said transmitter comprises a transmit timing circuit connected to said parallel to serial converter, a modulator circuit connected to said parallel to serial converter, an amplification circuit connected to said modulator circuit, and an oscillator circuit connected to said amplification circuit, and said coded signal generated is transmitted by said transmitting means of said transmitter as a radio frequency signal.

22. A warning signal according to claim 19 wherein said coded signal generated comprises a first part identifying the location of said remote source where said abnormal condition is sensed, and a second part identifying the type of abnormal condition sensed, and said coding means of said transmitter comprises a dip switch assembly connected to said parallel to serial converter for supplying said first part of said coded signal identifying the location of said transmitter, and said transmitter means of such transmitter comprises a transmit timing circuit connected to said parallel to serial converter, a modulator circuit connected to said parallel to serial converter, an amplification circuit connected to said modulator circuit, and an oscillator circuit connected to said amplification circuit, and said coded signal generated is transmitted by said transmitting means of said transmitter as a radio frequency signal.

23. A warning system according to claim 19 wherein said decoding means of said monitor comprises a serial to parallel converter.

24. A warning system according to claim 20 wherein said decoding means of said monitor comprises a universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter circuit as a serial to parallel converter.

25. A warning system according to claim 20 wherein said transmitting means of said transmitter comprises a transmit timing circuit connected to said parallel to serial converter, a modulator circuit connected to said parallel to serial converter, an amplification circuit connected to said modulator circuit, and an oscillator circuit connected to said amplification circuit, and said coded signal generated is transmitted by said transmitting means of said transmitter as a radio frequency signal, and said means for receiving said transmitted coded signal from said transmitter of said monitor comprises an antenna, a tuned circuit connected to said antenna, amplification circuits connected to said tuned circuit, and a demodulator circuit connected to said amplification circuits, and said decoding means of said monitor comprises a universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter circuit as a serial to parallel converter connected to said demodulator circuit of said receiving means of said monitor.

26. A warning system according to claim 19 wherein said decoding means of said monitor comprises a serial to parallel converter, and said means for indicating said abnormal condition sensed of said monitor comprises electronic circuit means including, an audio warning circuit connected to said serial to parallel converter, a decoder circuit connected to said serial to parallel converter, and a visual display circuit connected to said decoder circuit.

27. A warning system according to claim 19 wherein said decoding means of said monitor comprises a serial to parallel converter, and said means for indicating said abnormal condition sensed of said monitor comprises electronic circuit means including an audio warning circuit connected to said serial to parallel converter, a decoder circuit connected to said serial to parallel converter, and a visual display circuit connected to said decoder circuit, and said matrix means of said monitor for indicating the location of said transmitter includes said visual display circuit in the form of an L.E.D. matrix.

28. A warning system according to claim 20 wherein said coded signal generated comprises a first part identifying the location of said remote source where said abnormal condition is sensed, and a second part identifying the type of abnormal condition sensed, and said coding means of said transmitting comprises a dip switch assembly connected to said parallel to serial converter for supplying said first part of said coded signal identifying the location of said transmitter, and said transmitting means of such transmitter comprises a transmit timing circuit connected to said parallel to serial converter, a modulator circuit connected to said parallel to serial converter, an amplification circuit connected to said modulator circuit, and an oscillator circuit connected to said amplification circuit, and said coded signal generated is transmitted by said transmitting means of said transmitter as a radio frequency signal, and said means for receiving said transmitted coded signal from said transmitter of said monitor comprises an antenna, a tuned circuit connected to said antenna, amplification circuits connected to said tuned circuit, and a demodulator circuit connected to said amplification circuits, and said decoding means of said monitor comprises a universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter circuit as a serial to parallel converter connected to said demodulator circuit of said receiving means of said monitor, and said means for indicating said abnormal condition sensed of said monitor comprises electronic circuit means including, an audio warning circuit connected to said serial to parallel converter, a decoder circuit connected to said serial to parallel converter, and a visual display circuit connected to said decoder circuit.

29. A warning system according to claim 20 wherein said coded signal generated comprises a first part identifying the location of said remote source where said abnormal condition is sensed, and a second part identifying the type of abnormal condition sensed, and said coded means of said transmitter comprises a dip switch assembly connected to said parallel to serial converter for supplying said first part of said coded signal identifying the location of said transmitter, and said transmitting means of such transmitter comprises a transmit timing circuit connected to said parallel to serial converter, a modulator circuit connected to said parallel to serial converter, an amplification circuit connected to said modulator circuit, and an oscillator circuit connected to said amplification circuit, and said coded signal generated is transmitted by said transmitting means of said transmitter as a radio frequency signal, and said means for receiving said transmitted coded signal from said transmitter of said monitor comprises an antenna, a tuned circuit connected to said antenna, amplification circuits connected to said tuned circuit, and a demodulator circuit connected to said amplification circuits, and said decoding means of said monitor comprises a universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter circuit as a serial to parallel converter connected to said demodulator circuit of said receiving means of said monitor, and said means for indicating said abnormal condition sensed of said monitor comprises electronic circuit means including an audio warning circuit connected to said serial to parallel converter, a decoder circuit connected to said serial to parallel converter, and a visual display circuit connected to said decoder circuit, and said matrix means of said monitor for indicating the location of said transmitter includes said visual display circuit in the form of an L.E.D. matrix.