Alarm system with remote module and associated alarm
First Claim
1. An indicating system including a controller and at least one remote module,an indicating device coupled to the remote module,means in the controller to provide a control signal for activating the indicating device,means, including a rechargeable battery, positioned in close proximity to the remote module for supplying the electrical power to energize the indicating device when activated, andan electrically conductive path between the controller and the remote module, for passing electrical current from the controller to the rechargeable battery to provide a charge current level to the battery which is substantially less than the current level required to activate the indicating device, and for passing the control signal to the remote module to energize the indicating device.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An alarm system has a controller which communicates over a conductive path with a remote module. An indicating device, such as an alarm bell, strobe light, audible horn or other device is coupled to the remote module and activated when a control signal is received from the controller. A rechargeable battery is provided in or adjacent the remote module, and acts as a reservoir for the power to energize the indicating device upon connection. The remote module receives charging current over the conductive path from the controller, and this current is very low, substantially less than the current level required to energize the bell, horn, or strobe. A constant power dc-to-dc converter is provided to charge the battery at the appropriate rate, while drawing a substantially lesser amount of power from the controller. Both the rechargeable battery and the indicating device are supervised, and any malfunction reported to the controller.
-
Citations
27 Claims
-
1. An indicating system including a controller and at least one remote module,
an indicating device coupled to the remote module, means in the controller to provide a control signal for activating the indicating device, means, including a rechargeable battery, positioned in close proximity to the remote module for supplying the electrical power to energize the indicating device when activated, and an electrically conductive path between the controller and the remote module, for passing electrical current from the controller to the rechargeable battery to provide a charge current level to the battery which is substantially less than the current level required to activate the indicating device, and for passing the control signal to the remote module to energize the indicating device.
-
12. An alarm indicating system including a controller and a plurality of remote modules, each of which modules includes a transponder having an individual address which differs from the other transponder addresses, and means affording communication between said controller and the transponders such that each transponder recognizes when it has been individually addressed, comprising
an alarm indicating device coupled to at least one of the modules, an electrically conductive path between the controller and the remote modules, to pass communications and charging current thereover, a rechargeable battery for actuating the indicating device upon receipt of a control signal, means in the controller to provide a control signal to the remote module for activating the alarm indicating device, means, including the transponder, for receiving control signals from the controller to turn on the indicating device, and for passing a trouble signal to the controller when an abnormal condition is detected in the remote module, and for providing charging current to the rechargeable battery, which charging current is at a level substantially less than the current level required to activate the indicating device, and means, including the rechargeable battery, for supplying electrical energy to power the indicating device when commanded.
-
26. An indicating system including a controller and at least one remote module,
an indicating device coupled to the remote module, means in the controller to provide a control signal for activating the indicating device, means, including a rechargeable battery, positioned in close proximity to the remote module for supplying the electrical power to energize the indicating device when activated, said indicator device being energized from said rechargeable battery, and an electrically conductive path between the controller and the remote module, for passing electrical current from the controller to the rechargeable battery to provide a charge current level to the battery which is substantially less than the current level required to activate the indicating device, and for passing the control signal to the remote module to energize the indicating device.
-
27. An alarm indicating system including a controller and a plurality of remote modules, each of which modules includes a transponder having an individual address which differs from the other transponder addresses, and means affording communication between said controller and the transponders such that each transponder recognizes when it has been individually addressed, comprising
an alarm indicating device coupled to at least one of the modules, an electrically conductive path between the controller and the remote modules, to pass communications and charging current thereover, a rechargeable battery for actuating the indicating device upon receipt of a control signal, said indicating device being energized from said rechargeable battery, means in the controller to provide a control signal to the remote module for activating the alarm indicating device, means, including the transponder, for receiving control signals from the controller to turn on the indicating device, and for passing a trouble signal to the controller when an abnormal condition is detected in the remote module, and for providing charging current to the rechargeable battery, which charging current is at a level substantially less than the current level required to activate the indicating device, and means, including the rechargeable battery, for supplying electrical energy to power the indicating device when commanded.
Specification