Door ajar signalling device
First Claim
1. A system for alerting a user when a predetermined condition exists, comprising:
- a host telephone having an on/off-hook indicator and an alert device;
a controller coupled to the host telephone;
an indicator circuit providing an indicator signal to the controller when the predetermined condition exists;
means for timing a preset time duration when the predetermined condition exists, said timing means providing a time-out signal when the preset time duration elapses;
means for operating the controller to signal the host telephone when the time-out signal is provided in order to activate the alert device for a first preset alert duration;
means for providing a warning signal to the host telephone when the on/off indicator indicates an off-hook condition of the host telephone; and
means for stopping the warning signal via a stop signal input to the controller through the host telephone;
wherein an on-hook signal from the on/off-hook indicator also operates the means for stopping the warning signal; and
wherein the indicator circuit is a door ajar indicator switch and the predetermined condition is a door ajar condition.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A door phone controller has a door ajar feature for alerting a user that a door was left open. The door phone controller accommodates the door ajar feature in several different ways depending upon how it is configured to interface with the central office line. If the door phone controller is configured to interface with the central office line as an individual station, then when a door is left open, the controller alerts the user via auxiliary alert contacts specifically provided for activating a customer chime. When the door phone controller is configured as a ring-down station, the door phone controller alerts the user that the door was left ajar by dialing a pre-programmed telephone number and sending a door ajar tone. If the door phone controller is configured as an interface with a trunk port, then when the door is left open, the controller alerts the user by ringing the trunk line and also energizing the auxiliary alert contacts. The user can both enable and disable the door ajar features via the telephone interface.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A system for alerting a user when a predetermined condition exists, comprising:
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a host telephone having an on/off-hook indicator and an alert device; a controller coupled to the host telephone; an indicator circuit providing an indicator signal to the controller when the predetermined condition exists; means for timing a preset time duration when the predetermined condition exists, said timing means providing a time-out signal when the preset time duration elapses; means for operating the controller to signal the host telephone when the time-out signal is provided in order to activate the alert device for a first preset alert duration; means for providing a warning signal to the host telephone when the on/off indicator indicates an off-hook condition of the host telephone; and means for stopping the warning signal via a stop signal input to the controller through the host telephone; wherein an on-hook signal from the on/off-hook indicator also operates the means for stopping the warning signal; and wherein the indicator circuit is a door ajar indicator switch and the predetermined condition is a door ajar condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. In a system including a controller, an indicator switch, and a host telephone having an on/off-hook indicator and a ringer, a method for alerting a user that the indicator switch indicates a status condition, the method comprising the steps of:
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starting a timer when the status condition occurs and providing a time-out signal when said timer elapses; operating the controller to call the host telephone when the time-out signal is generated to enable the ringer for a pre-set ring duration; providing a status tone to said host telephone when the on/off-hook indicator indicates an off-hook condition of the host telephone; stopping the status tone when a stop signal is input through the host telephone or the on/off-hook indicator indicates an on-hook condition; and stopping the ringer via the controller when the pre-set ring duration expires if the on/off-hook indicator does not indicate an off-hook condition; wherein said indicator switch is a door ajar indicator switch and the status condition is a door open condition. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. In a system including a controller, a host telephone, and a status indicator, a method for alerting a user when the status indicator provides a first status signal, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) calling the host telephone via the controller to begin an for a pre-set alert duration time period when the first status signal is present; (b) repeating step (a) if an off-hook condition of the host telephone is detected within the pre-set alert duration time period; (c) sending a warning signal to the host telephone if the first status signal is present when the off-hook condition is detected; (d) stopping the warning signal via a user generated stop signal sent to the controller via the host telephone; and (e) detecting an on-hook condition of the host telephone after the off-hook condition was detected and further including the step of repeating steps (a)-(e) if the first status signal is still present; wherein said status indicator is a door ajar indicator switch and the first status signal indicates a door was left ajar. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification