Method and apparatus for monitoring and controlling warning systems
First Claim
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1. A system for monitoring and controlling activation of a warning system, comprising:
- a sensor module locally coupled to the warning system and configured to sense and control a flashing light of the warning system, said sensor module comprising a sensor arranged for sensing the flashing light during ON and OFF periods of operation, a microcontroller coupled to said sensor, and a power supply for providing power to said sensor module;
a transceiver responsive to said microcontroller; and
a power line interface configured to interface between said transceiver and the power line servicing the warning system.
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Abstract
A system for monitoring and controlling activation of a warning system includes a sensor module locally coupled to the warning system for sensing and controlling a flashing light of the warning system, a transceiver responsive to a microcontroller, and a power line interface for interfacing between the transceiver and the power line servicing the warning system. The sensor module includes a sensor arranged for sensing the flashing light, the microcontroller coupled to the sensor, and a power supply for providing power to the sensor module.
31 Citations
37 Claims
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1. A system for monitoring and controlling activation of a warning system, comprising:
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a sensor module locally coupled to the warning system and configured to sense and control a flashing light of the warning system, said sensor module comprising a sensor arranged for sensing the flashing light during ON and OFF periods of operation, a microcontroller coupled to said sensor, and a power supply for providing power to said sensor module; a transceiver responsive to said microcontroller; and a power line interface configured to interface between said transceiver and the power line servicing the warning system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for monitoring and controlling a warning system, comprising:
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receiving power from a power supply; receiving a sensor input at a microcontroller, the sensor input including a first sensor input when a flashing light is ON and a second sensor input when the flashing light is OFF; processing the sensor input at the microcontroller; communicating the sensor input to an equipment bungalow via a power line interface; and recording the sensor data from the sensor input at a data recorder. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for estimating the light intensity of a flashing light at a warning system, comprising:
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processing a sensor signal to identify flash intensity during “
ON” and
“
OFF”
portions of a flashing light cycle;comparing light intensity values between the “
ON” and
“
OFF”
portions of the flashing light cycle; anddetermining lamp “
ON”
intensity above ambient light. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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24. A system for monitoring and controlling a warning system, comprising:
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a power supply means for providing power to monitor and control the warning system; a control means for controlling the warning system; a monitoring and recording means for monitoring the warning system and recording information relating thereto; a mounting means for mounting a sensor locally to the warning system;
wherein the sensor is configured to sense a flashing light of the warning system during ON and OFF periods of operation;a communication means for communication sensed information relating to the warning system to maintenance personnel; a detection means for detecting performance degradation of the warning system; a status detection means for detecting the status of the warning system; a warning means for detecting abnormal conditions at the warning system; a detection means for detecting negative influences from environmental effects at the warning system; and a communication means for accessing operating standards stored at a data recorder.
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25. A system for monitoring and controlling activation of a light system serviced by a power line, comprising:
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a sensor module locally coupled to the light system and configured to sense and control a light of the light system, said sensor module comprising a sensor arranged for sensing the light during ON and OFF periods of operation and a microcontroller coupled to said sensor; a transceiver responsive to said microcontroller; and a power line interface configured to interface between said transceiver and the power line servicing the light system; wherein said microcontroller is adapted to activate said light from an OFF state to an ON state and from an ON state to an OFF state. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A method for monitoring and controlling activation of a light in a light system, comprising:
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receiving at a microcontroller and via a power line interface a command to activate a light state of the light; controlling the ON and OFF states of the light in response to said activation command; sensing the state of the light during ON and OFF periods of operation via a light sensor and providing a signal representative thereof; receiving and processing at the microcontroller the signal representative of the state of the light; and communicating the content of said signal to an equipment bungalow via a power line interface. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification