Circuit and method for prioritization of hazardous condition messages for interconnected hazardous condition detectors
First Claim
1. An interface circuit for a hazardous condition detector, the hazardous condition detector being capable of communicating with other hazardous condition detectors via an interconnect signal wire, comprising:
- a first circuit adapted to apply a first voltage to the interconnect signal wire upon detection of a first hazardous condition; and
a second circuit adapted to apply a second voltage to the interconnect signal wire upon detection of a second hazardous condition; and
wherein the first hazardous condition is of greater immediate threat than the second hazardous condition; and
wherein the first voltage has a magnitude greater than the second voltage.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An interface circuit and method for use in interconnected hazardous condition detectors is provided. This circuit and method prioritizes the various hazardous condition alarms to ensure that only the highest priority or greatest threat alarm is sounded when such a condition is detected. In this way a lower priority alarm that may be sounding will be switched to a higher priority alarm so that all interconnected detectors that have the capability will sound the higher priority alarm. This will reduce occupant confusion during a hazardous condition. The circuit and method also provides the ability to silence all interconnected detectors except for those sensing the hazardous condition to allow the occupant to locate the triggering alarm, and there for the location of the sensed hazardous condition.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An interface circuit for a hazardous condition detector, the hazardous condition detector being capable of communicating with other hazardous condition detectors via an interconnect signal wire, comprising:
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a first circuit adapted to apply a first voltage to the interconnect signal wire upon detection of a first hazardous condition; and a second circuit adapted to apply a second voltage to the interconnect signal wire upon detection of a second hazardous condition; and wherein the first hazardous condition is of greater immediate threat than the second hazardous condition; and wherein the first voltage has a magnitude greater than the second voltage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of prioritizing hazardous condition messages for hazardous condition detectors interconnected by an interconnect signal wire, comprising the steps of:
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determining a level of urgency for each of the hazardous condition which the hazardous condition detector can detect; applying a first voltage to the interconnect signal wire when a first hazardous condition of a first urgency is detected; and applying a second voltage to the interconnect signal wire when a second hazardous condition of a second urgency is detected; and wherein the second hazardous condition is of a lesser urgency than the first hazardous condition; and wherein the first voltage is greater than the second voltage. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of prioritizing hazardous condition alarms sounded based on information transmitted on an interconnect signal wire, comprising the steps of:
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sensing a voltage on the interconnect signal wire; and sounding an appropriate alarm condition based on a magnitude of the voltage. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification