Alarm system having improved communication
First Claim
1. A method for communication in a fire alarm system, comprising:
- sending a message to a notification appliance, the notification appliance including at least one notification device that alerts a person during a fire alarm condition, said message comprising a first synchronization signal, a command field, a data field, and a second synchronization signal, said second synchronization signal synchronizing and initiating a response from said notification appliance; and
at said notification appliance, responding as directed by said command field after said second synchronization signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An alarm system is provided which includes multiple notification appliances for signaling an alarm condition. The system controller intelligently controls the notification appliances including notification devices such as an audible or visual alarm through multi-bit digital messages sent over communication lines. The alarm system has both a standby and active mode of operation in which communication between the controller and notification appliances is possible in both modes of operation. In the standby mode, the notification appliances are powered at a first voltage level. Communication between the notification appliances and the system controller is provided by sending data pulses along the communication lines relative to the first voltage level. In an active mode of operation, the first voltage level is raised to a second voltage level. Communication in the active mode is accomplished by reducing the second voltage level to about the first voltage level and sending data pulses along the power lines relative to the first voltage level. According to a further aspect of the present invention, the system controller can synchronize respective timers of each notification appliance with a Synchronization Poll. The system controller can also program application specific group numbers into a first or second notification device of a notification appliance via a Notification First or Second Notification Device Assignment Command. Furthermore, the system controller can solicit general status information from a cluster of notification appliances via a Cluster Service Poll.
119 Citations
96 Claims
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1. A method for communication in a fire alarm system, comprising:
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sending a message to a notification appliance, the notification appliance including at least one notification device that alerts a person during a fire alarm condition, said message comprising a first synchronization signal, a command field, a data field, and a second synchronization signal, said second synchronization signal synchronizing and initiating a response from said notification appliance; and
at said notification appliance, responding as directed by said command field after said second synchronization signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A notification appliance for use in an alarm system, comprising:
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means for decoding a message comprising a first synchronization signal, a command field, a data field, and a second synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal synchronizing and initiating a response from said notification appliance;
means for alerting a person during a fire alarm condition; and
means for responding as directed by said command field after said second synchronization signal.
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5. A notification appliance for use in an alarm system, comprising:
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at least one notification device that alerts a person during a fire alarm condition; and
an electronic circuit that receives a message comprising a first synchronization signal, a command field, a data field, and a second synchronization signal that synchronizes and initiates a response from said notification appliance, said notification appliance responding as directed by said command field after said second synchronization signal.
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6. A fire alarm system, comprising:
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a system controller for generating a plurality of multi-bit digital messages that control at least one notification appliance, said notification appliance including at least one notification device that alerts a person during a fire alarm condition;
a pair of communication lines connecting said at least one notification appliance to said system controller; and
said at least one notification appliance including an electronic circuit that receives a message comprising a first synchronization signal, a command field, a data field, and a second synchronization signal that synchronizes and initiates a response from said notification appliance, said notification appliance responding as directed by said command field after said second synchronization signal.
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7. A method for communication in a fire alarm system, comprising:
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providing a plurality of notification appliances in a standby mode of operation wherein said plurality of notification appliances are powered at a first voltage level, at least one notification appliance including at least one notification device that alerts a person during a fire alarm condition;
communicating with said plurality of notification appliances in said standby mode with data pulses relative to said first voltage level;
raising said first voltage level to a second voltage level in an active mode of operation; and
communicating with said plurality of notification appliance in said active mode by reducing said second voltage level to about said first voltage level and communicating with data pulses relative to said first voltage level. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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10. A fire alarm system, comprising:
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a plurality of notification appliances powered at a first voltage level in a standby mode of operation, at least one notification appliance including at least one notification device that alerts a person during a fire alarm condition; and
a system controller that communicates with the notification appliances in the standby mode with data pulses relative to the first voltage level, the system controller raising the first voltage level to a second voltage level in an active mode of operation and communicating with the notification appliances in the active mode by reducing the second voltage level to about the first voltage level and communicating with data pulses relative to the first voltage level. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. A notification appliance for use in a fire alarm system, comprising:
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at least one notification device powered at a first voltage level in a standby mode of operation, said notification device alerting a person during a fire alarm condition; and
a system controller that communicates with the notification device in the standby mode with data pulses relative to the first voltage level, the system controller raising the first voltage level to a second voltage level in an active mode of operation and communicating with the notification devices in the active mode by reducing the second voltage level to about the first voltage level and communicating with data pulses relative to the first voltage level. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A fire alarm system, comprising:
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a plurality of notification appliances powered at a first voltage level in a standby mode of operation, at least one notification appliance including at least one notification device that alerts a person during a fire alarm condition; and
means for communicating with the appliances in the standby mode with data pulses relative to the first voltage level;
means for raising the first voltage level to a second voltage level in an active mode of operation; and
means for communicating with the notification appliances in the active mode by reducing the second voltage level to about the first voltage level and communicating with the data pulses relative to the first voltage level.
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17. A fire alarm system, comprising:
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a system controller for generating a plurality of multi-bit digital messages for controlling at least one notification appliance;
a pair of communication lines connecting said at least one notification appliance to said system controller; and
said at least one notification appliance including;
a notification device that alerts a person during a fire alarm condition;
a timer used to control timed operation in the notification appliance; and
an electronic circuit which decodes a multi-bit time descriptor of a synchronization poll and resets the timer of said notification appliance to the time of the time descriptor. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A notification appliance for use in a fire alarm system, comprising:
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a timer used to control timed operation in the notification appliance, said notification appliance including at least one notification device that alerts a person during a fire alarm condition; and
an electronic circuit which decodes a multi-bit digital message identifying the message as a synchronization poll, the circuit further decoding a multi-bit time descriptor and resetting the timer to the time of the time descriptor. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method of communication in a fire alarm system, comprising:
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generating a plurality of multi-bit digital messages for controlling at least one notification appliance, said notification appliance including at least one notification device that alerts a person during a fire alarm condition;
receiving a digital message at a notification appliance;
decoding a multi-bit command identifying said digital message as a synchronization poll;
decoding a multi-bit time descriptor of said digital message; and
resetting a timer of said notification appliance to the time of the time descriptor.
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29. A notification appliance for use in a fire alarm system, comprising:
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first means for controlling timed operation in the notification appliance, said notification appliance including at least one notification device that alerts a person during a fire alarm condition; and
second means for decoding a multi-bit message identifying the message as a synchronization poll, said second means further decoding a multi-bit time descriptor and resetting the first means to the time of the time descriptor.
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30. A fire alarm system, comprising:
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a system controller for generating a plurality of multi-bit messages for controlling at least one notification appliance, said notification appliance having at least a first notification device that alerts a person during a fire alarm condition and a second notification device, each notification device having at least one group number;
a pair of communication lines connecting said at least one notification appliance to said system controller; and
said notification appliances including an electronic circuit that receives a digital message and decodes a multi-bit command identifying said digital message as a notification appliance group identification query, the circuit further decoding an address field directing said digital message at said notification appliance and decoding a data field directing said digital message at a particular group of said first notification device or said second notification device. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33)
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34. A notification appliance for use in a fire alarm system, comprising:
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a first notification device and a second notification device, each notification device alerting a person during a fire alarm condition; and
an electronic circuit that receives a digital message and decodes a multi-bit command identifying said digital message as a notification appliance group identification query, the circuit further decoding an address field directing said digital message at said notification appliance and decoding a field directing said digital message at a particular group of said first notification device or said second notification device. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37)
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38. A method of communication in a fire alarm system, comprising:
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generating a plurality of multi-bit messages for controlling at least one notification appliance, said notification appliance having at least a first notification device and a second notification device for alerting a person during a fire alarm condition, each notification device having at least one group number;
receiving a digital message at the notification appliance;
decoding a multi-bit command identifying the digital message as a notification appliance group identification query;
decoding an address field directing the digital message to the notification appliance;
decoding a field directing the digital message at a particular group at said first notification device or said second device; and
responding to the digital message with an identification and group number of the particular group.
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39. A notification appliance for use in a fire alarm system, comprising:
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at least a first notification device and a second notification device for alerting a person during a fire alarm condition;
means for receiving a digital message; and
means for decoding;
a) multi-bit command identifying said digital message as a notification group identification query;
b) an address field directing said digital message at said notification appliance; and
c) a field directing said digital message at a particular group of the first notification device or the second notification device. - View Dependent Claims (40)
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41. A fire alarm system, comprising:
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a system controller for generating a plurality of multi-bit messages for controlling at least one notification appliance, said notification appliance having at least a first notification device that alerts a person during a fire alarm condition;
a pair of communication lines connecting said at least one notification appliance to said system controller; and
said notification appliance including an electronic circuit that receives a digital message and decodes a multi-bit command identifying said digital message as a notification appliance first notification device group assignment command, the circuit further decoding an address field which identifies an address of the appliance, the circuit further decoding a group identification field assigning said first notification device a first particular group number by which the device is addressed in subsequent polls as a group member. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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47. A notification appliance for use in a fire alarm system, comprising:
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at least one notification device that alerts a person during a fire alarm condition; and
an electronic circuit that receives a digital message and decodes a multi-bit command identifying said digital message as a notification appliance first notification device group assignment command, the circuit further decoding an address field which identifies an address of the notification appliance, the circuit further decoding a group identification field assigning said first notification device a first particular group number by which the device is addressed in subsequent polls as a group member. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
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53. A method of communication in a fire alarm system, comprising:
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generating a plurality of multi-bit messages for controlling at least one notification appliance, said notification appliance having at least a first notification device that alerts a person during a fire alarm condition;
receiving a digital message at the notification appliance;
decoding an address field which identifies an address of the appliance;
decoding a group identification field; and
assigning the first notification device a first particular group number by which the device is addressed in subsequent polls as a group member. - View Dependent Claims (54, 55, 56)
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57. A notification appliance for use in a fire alarm system, comprising:
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at least one notification device that alerts a person during a fire alarm condition;
means for receiving a digital message;
means for decoding;
a) a multi-bit command identifying said digital message as a notification appliance first notification device group assignment command;
b) an address field which identifies an address of the notification appliance; and
c) a group identification field assigning said first notification device a first particular group number or a second particular group number by which the device is addressed in subsequent polls as a group member. - View Dependent Claims (58)
a) a multi-bit command identifying said digital message as a notification appliance second notification device group assignment command; and
b) a group identification field assigning the second notification device a first particular group number or a second particular group number by which the device is addressed in subsequent polls as a group member.
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59. A fire alarm system, comprising:
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a system controller for generating a plurality of multi-bit messages for controlling a plurality of notification appliances;
a pair of communication lines connecting said plurality of notification appliance to said system controller; and
said notification appliances including an electronic circuit that receives a digital message and decodes a multi-bit command identifying said digital message as a cluster service poll, the circuit further decoding a cluster group address field which addresses a cluster of notification appliances, each individual notification appliance including at least one notification device that alerts a person during a fire alarm condition, each notification appliance of a cluster responding at a designated response time. - View Dependent Claims (60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66)
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67. A notification appliance for use in a fire alarm system, comprising:
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at least one notification device that alerts a person during a fire alarm condition; and
an electronic circuit that receives a digital message and decodes a multi-bit command identifying said digital message as a cluster service poll, the circuit further decoding a cluster group address field which addresses a cluster of notification appliances, each individual notification appliance of a cluster responding at a designated response time. - View Dependent Claims (68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74)
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75. A method of communication in a fire alarm system, comprising:
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sending a digital message to a cluster of notification appliances, each notification appliance including at least one notification device that alerts a person during a fire alarm condition;
decoding a multi-bit command identifying said first message as cluster service poll;
decoding a cluster group address field which addresses a cluster of notification appliances; and
receiving a response from each of said cluster of notification appliances at a designated response time. - View Dependent Claims (76, 77, 78, 79, 80)
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81. A notification appliance for use in a fire alarm system, comprising:
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means for receiving a digital message;
means for alerting a user during a fire alarm condition; and
means for decoding;
a) a multi-bit command identifying said digital message as a cluster service poll; and
b) a cluster group address field which addresses a cluster of notification appliances, each individual notification appliance of a cluster responding at a designated response time.
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82. A method of initializing a fire alarm system, comprising:
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sending initial power to a plurality of notification appliances, at least one notification appliance including at least one notification device that alerts a person during a fire alarm condition;
sending a digital message to a cluster of notification appliances; and
responding from individual notification appliances of a cluster at designated response times. - View Dependent Claims (83)
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84. A fire alarm system, comprising:
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a plurality of notification appliances, at least one notification appliance including at least one notification device that alerts a person during a fire alarm condition;
a system controller that communicates with the plurality of notification appliances in a standby mode of operation; and
a notification circuit that powers the notification appliances and carries the communications between the system controller and the notification appliances;
the notification appliances responding to the system controller with indications of appliance state. - View Dependent Claims (85)
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86. A method of communication in a fire alarm system, comprising:
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communicating from a system controller to a plurality of notification appliances in a standby mode of operation, at least one notification appliance including at least one notification device that alerts a person during a fire alarm condition;
providing a notification circuit that powers the notification appliances and carries the communications between the system controller and the notification appliances; and
receiving indications of appliance state at the system controller.
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87. A method for communication in a fire alarm system, comprising:
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communicating from a system controller to a plurality of notification appliances in a standby mode of operation, at least one notification appliance including at least one notification device that alerts a person during a fire alarm condition; and
receiving indications of appliance state from the notification appliances.
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88. A notification appliance for use in a fire alarm system, comprising:
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at least one notification device that alerts a person during a fire alarm condition; and
an electronic circuit that receives communications from a system controller in a standby mode of operation and responds to the system controller with indications of appliance state. - View Dependent Claims (89)
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- 90. A control panel for use in a fire alarm system comprising a system controller that communicates with the plurality of notification appliances in a standby mode of operation, at least one notification appliance including at least one notification device that alerts a person during a fire alarm condition, the notification appliances responding to the system controller with indications of appliance state.
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92. A method for communication in a fire alarm system comprising:
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sending a message from a control panel to an isolator that is connected between the control panel and a plurality of notification appliances, at least one notification appliance including at least one notification device that alerts a user during a fire alarm condition; and
disconnecting, with the isolator, at least one notification appliance while maintaining power to the remaining notification appliances. - View Dependent Claims (93)
at said isolator, responding as directed by said command field after said synchronization signal.
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94. A fire alarm system, comprising:
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a system controller for generating a plurality of multi-bit digital messages for controlling a plurality of notification appliances, at least one notification appliance including at least one notification device that alerts a user during a fire alarm condition;
a pair of communication lines connecting the notification appliances to the system controller; and
an isolator connected to the communication lines that disconnects one or more notification appliances from the communicating lines while maintaining power to the remaining notification appliances. - View Dependent Claims (95, 96)
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Specification