Programmable event driver/interface apparatus and method
First Claim
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1. A programmable annunciator control system, comprising:
- a set of stored-sequence executable instructions to implement functions of the annunciator control system;
an annunciator control unit capable of executing said stored-sequence executable instruction set;
a computer-readable clock to furnish timekeeping information to said annunciator control unit; and
a set of annunciators controlled by said annunciator control unit;
wherein said annunciator control unit comprisesa human interface subsystem supporting command and configuration input and display for said annunciator control unit, wherein said human interface subsystem comprises a microphone audio input device which converts sounds to electronic signals for further processing within said human interface subsystem; and
a first sound signal processing device to convert electronic signals from said microphone audio input device into a form in which said audio input can be processed by said annunciator control unit;
a nonvolatile storage subsystem storing and retrieving data on behalf of said annunciator control unit; and
a communications subsystem establishing a communication link between said annunciators and said annunciator control unit.
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Abstract
A programmable event driver/interface has timekeeping and scheduling functions and tone and voice capabilities. A software-based interface allows for direct communication with individual annunciators and dynamic grouping of annunciators by zone. System state of health can be ascertained periodically for each annunciator, displayed in a visual summary, stored, and time tagged. Both tones and audio signals such as voice and radio can be commanded to be output by individual annunciators as well as by zones and by all annunciators at once. Schedules, including time-of day, day-of week, and date for annunciator outputs can be programmed for any or all annunciators.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A programmable annunciator control system, comprising:
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a set of stored-sequence executable instructions to implement functions of the annunciator control system; an annunciator control unit capable of executing said stored-sequence executable instruction set; a computer-readable clock to furnish timekeeping information to said annunciator control unit; and a set of annunciators controlled by said annunciator control unit; wherein said annunciator control unit comprises a human interface subsystem supporting command and configuration input and display for said annunciator control unit, wherein said human interface subsystem comprises a microphone audio input device which converts sounds to electronic signals for further processing within said human interface subsystem; and
a first sound signal processing device to convert electronic signals from said microphone audio input device into a form in which said audio input can be processed by said annunciator control unit;a nonvolatile storage subsystem storing and retrieving data on behalf of said annunciator control unit; and a communications subsystem establishing a communication link between said annunciators and said annunciator control unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A programmable annunciator control system, comprising:
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means for processing electronic signals; means for annunciating messages in response to signals from said processing means; means for communicating between said processing means and at least one said annunciating means; means for assigning each of said annunciating means to at least one zone in accordance with user-defined criteria; means for measuring clock time in a form readable by said processing means; means for scheduling command events affecting at least one of said annunciating means; means for activating command events affecting at least one of said annunciating means; and means for recovering system configuration information from automated records of the status of at least one annunciating means maintained in nonvolatile storage media. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification