Self-testing system and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An alarm indicating apparatus comprising:
- a source of first synchronizing control pulses usable to synchronize alarm indicating output devices in a first, normal, mode of operation;
a communications medium;
at least one output device couplable to the source, via the medium, the device having a normal mode of operation responsive to the first control pulses and a second mode of operation, activated for a limited, predetermined time interval, upon being coupled to the medium, and responsive to different control pulses whereupon the output device emits at least one non-alarm indicium indicative of normal device operation.
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Abstract
Newly installed electrical units emit, for a brief install interval, an “installed” output either audibly or visually, or both in response to an install mode input signal. After the install interval, the “installed” output ceases. As more units are installed, the earliest installed units remain silent in the presence of the install mode input signal.
51 Citations
25 Claims
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1. An alarm indicating apparatus comprising:
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a source of first synchronizing control pulses usable to synchronize alarm indicating output devices in a first, normal, mode of operation; a communications medium; at least one output device couplable to the source, via the medium, the device having a normal mode of operation responsive to the first control pulses and a second mode of operation, activated for a limited, predetermined time interval, upon being coupled to the medium, and responsive to different control pulses whereupon the output device emits at least one non-alarm indicium indicative of normal device operation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An alarm indicating output device comprising:
an input port for receipt of at least two different control signals as well as electrical energy; at least one transducer for emitting human perceptible indicia; and control circuitry coupled to the input port and the at least one transducer, the control circuitry responsive to applied electrical energy to cause the transducer to emit an alarm indicating output, and responsive to a selected control signal to emit a different output indicative of a selected, non-alarm, state for only a predetermined time interval notwithstanding the subsequent presence of the selected control signal. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An indicating unit comprising:
a port for receipt of electrical energy and control signals; control circuitry, coupled to the port, for receipt of the control signals, including circuitry for responding to the control signals to enter at least an install output mode, the install output mode being entered into in the on-going presence of the install mode control signals. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of installing an electrical unit in a system comprising:
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providing a first, non-alarm indicating signal sequence; energizing a unit being installed in the system and coupling the first sequence thereto; providing at least one of an audible or a visual indicator indicative of normal operation of the unit for a predetermined period of time during which the first sequence is coupled to the unit. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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25. A method of installing an electrical unit in a system comprising:
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providing a first, non-alarm indicating signal sequence; energizing a unit being installed in the system and coupling the first sequence thereto; providing at least one of an audible or a visual indicator indicative of normal operation of the unit for a predetermined period of time during which the first sequence is coupled to the unit;
which includes modulating delivery of electrical energy with at least the first sequence; andcoupling the first sequence to a second previously installed unit at a selected time, determining that the second unit was previously installed at an earlier time with the interval between the selected time and the earlier time exceeding the predetermined period of time and, responsive thereto, not providing the indicator of normal operation in response to the first sequence.
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Specification