Enhanced visual signaling for an adverse condition detector
First Claim
1. An adverse condition detection apparatus operable to detect at least the presence of smoke and generate a visual alarm signal and an audible alarm signal to indicate the presence of smoke, the apparatus comprising:
- a smoke sensor operable to detect the presence of smoke and generate a detection signal;
a control unit coupled to the smoke sensor for receiving the detection signal, the control unit being operable to control the generation of both the visual alarm signal and the audible alarm signal during the generation of the detection signal;
an audible indicator coupled to the control unit, wherein the control unit activates the audible indicator to generate the audible alarm signal upon detection of smoke; and
a visual indicator coupled to the control unit, the visual indicator being operable to generate the visual alarm signal upon detection of smoke, wherein the visual indicator is an LCD screen selectively operable to display the visual alarm signal such that the visual alarm signal visually simulates a characteristic of smoke.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An adverse condition detector that allows the user to visually determine the type of adverse condition being detected. The adverse condition detector includes a sensor and a control unit coupled to the sensor. When the sensor detects an adverse condition above a selected level, the control unit generates an audible alarm signal and a visual alarm signal. The visual alarm signal simulates the type of adverse condition being detected. In one embodiment of the invention, the visual alarm signal includes a plurality of visual indicators operated in a random fashion to simulate the appearance of a flame.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. An adverse condition detection apparatus operable to detect at least the presence of smoke and generate a visual alarm signal and an audible alarm signal to indicate the presence of smoke, the apparatus comprising:
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a smoke sensor operable to detect the presence of smoke and generate a detection signal; a control unit coupled to the smoke sensor for receiving the detection signal, the control unit being operable to control the generation of both the visual alarm signal and the audible alarm signal during the generation of the detection signal; an audible indicator coupled to the control unit, wherein the control unit activates the audible indicator to generate the audible alarm signal upon detection of smoke; and a visual indicator coupled to the control unit, the visual indicator being operable to generate the visual alarm signal upon detection of smoke, wherein the visual indicator is an LCD screen selectively operable to display the visual alarm signal such that the visual alarm signal visually simulates a characteristic of smoke. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 11)
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6. A method of operating an adverse condition detection apparatus having at least a smoke sensor operable to detect the presence of smoke, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a control unit coupled to the smoke sensor to receive a detection signal upon the smoke sensor detecting the presence of smoke; activating an audible indicator to generate an audible alarm signal upon receipt of the detection signal by the control unit; and selectively activating a visual indicator to display a visual alarm signal including a pattern that visually simulates the a characteristic of smoke. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification