Method and apparatus for remotely controlling devices in response to a detected environmental condition
First Claim
1. A system for controlling devices comprising:
- at least one sensor for sensing a predetermined environmental condition and generating a transmitter activating signal in response to the detection of said condition;
at least one transmitter in communication with said at least one sensor, said transmitter broadcasting a receiver activating signal in response to receipt of said transmitter activating signal from said at least one sensor;
at least one receiver, located remotely from said transmitter, capable of detecting said receiver activating signal and generating, in response to receipt of said signal receiver activating signal, a controller activating signal;
at least one controller in communication with said device for activating/deactivating said device in response to said controller activating signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method is disclosed for detecting a condition indicative of fire or elevated potential for fire, broadcasting a signal in response to its detection and for operating various controlling devices in response to the broadcast signal in order to enable or disable valves or appliances connected to a power supply through the controllers. Also disclosed is a system having a sensor, a transmitter responsive to the sensor, a receiver for receiving signals from the transmitter and controllers responsive to a signal from the receiver for controlling devices in accordance with the method of the invention. Each of the controllers is shifted from its normal position to a second position upon the receipt of a signal from any one of the sensors, and more than one controller device may be controlled by a given receiver. Multiple sensors, each capable of detecting a different condition, indicative of fire or elevated potential for fire such as the presence of smoke or strong vibration, can be used in a single system for activating all the controller devices upon the detection of a condition indicative of fire or elevated potential for fire.
61 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A system for controlling devices comprising:
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at least one sensor for sensing a predetermined environmental condition and generating a transmitter activating signal in response to the detection of said condition; at least one transmitter in communication with said at least one sensor, said transmitter broadcasting a receiver activating signal in response to receipt of said transmitter activating signal from said at least one sensor; at least one receiver, located remotely from said transmitter, capable of detecting said receiver activating signal and generating, in response to receipt of said signal receiver activating signal, a controller activating signal; at least one controller in communication with said device for activating/deactivating said device in response to said controller activating signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system for enabling a first set of devices and simultaneously disabling a second set of devices comprising:
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a plurality of sensors, comprising at least one sensor for detecting a first environmental condition and a second sensor for detecting a second environmental condition, said first and second sensors generating a signal in response to the detection of said first or second condition; a transmitter in communication with each one of said plurality of sensors, said transmitter broadcasting a radio frequency signal after receiving said signal from one of said plurality of sensors; a plurality of receivers located remotely from said sensors capable of detecting said signal from any one of said plurality of transmitters and generating a signal for activating the controllers after the detection of said signal; a first controller operatively connected to one of said plurality of receivers and being openable in response to the receipt of said controller activating signal, and a second controller operatively connected to one of said plurality of receivers and being closeable in response to the receipt of said controller activating signal.
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18. A system for controlling devices comprising:
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sensing means for sensing a condition indicative of fire or elevated potential for fire and generating a first signal in response to the detection of said condition; transmitting means in communication with said sensing means for broadcasting a second signal after receiving said first signal from said sensing means; receiver means located remotely from said transmitter means for detecting said second signal and generating a third signal after the detection of said second signal; controller means operatively connected to said receiving means for shifting between first and second positions in response to the receipt of said third signal. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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24. A method for enabling or disabling devices comprising the steps of:
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providing a sensor for sensing the presence of a first selected condition; broadcasting a signal in response to the detection of said selected condition; operatively connecting selected devices to a plurality of controllers responsive to said signal; and
;enabling or disabling said devices in response to the receipt of said signal.
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Specification