Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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- SPECIFICATIONS
1 The present invention relates to various deteeting apparatus which can
sense, or receive and register various predefined conditions and trans-
mits an audible alarm signal to at least one other, or many more similar
equipment in a system, including alarm monitoring and control devices.
It is common in alarm monitoring and sensing devices that they are wired
together into a system locally and to a remote station. The wiring
requires labour and material which are expensive and time consuming to
install. The present invention describes a new apparatus for the registra-
tion of alarms and other special conditions of sensing elements and deteetors,
sounds an audible alarm in turn and re-transmits it to other apparatuses
in a building, or other locations without the need of wiring. The trans-
mission of these wireless signals are in the audio and or sonic ranges,
by eoded messages earrying a speeific set of information and instructions
for system coordination, supervision, timing and security from false
triggering. Another advantage is the apparatus is that it will not inter-
fere with radio, or electro magnetic radiation in general, thus may be
applied without a license. This is in drawings which illustrate embodiments
shown of the invention: Figure 1 ib-;s-Block-~iayram of the apparatus as
a reeeiving and re-transmitting device. Figure 2 is a block diagram of the
Apparatus ineorporated as a System Controller and Monitor. Figure 3 is
~- a bloek diagram showing the invention in a system, including the Apparatus
for Wireless Transmission of Coded Audio and/or Sonic Alarm shown, as being
part of the sensing apparatus with block diagram details, and without
`~ these details as the signal is transmitted to other Coded Audio Alarm
Deviees, to a System Controller and Monitor. Figure 4 is a bloek diagram
showing an alternate solution to the eireuitry of the apparatus, having
a single input from the sensor (or deteetor) and the sonie reeeiver to
the Trigger Proeessor Logle, and two instead of one audio and sonie trans-
mitters. Figure 5 is a bloek diagram of the apparatus in a eircuit detail,
where no more re-transmissions of the reeeived signal is necessary, but
actuators and devices activated by them eomprise a final aetion of the
alarm system. Such actions are; sounding of bells activated, illuminating
announeiated locations, elosing of air ducts, shutting off air circulating
fans opening emergency exits and others.
~ .
Page 2.... Specifications Con'd.
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l Figure l shows sensing elements S and the sonic ReceiVer R, both as input
devices to a Signal Processing and Generating Subsystem X, and an output
stage A for Audio and Sonic Transmitters. The -totality of these d vices
;~ comprises a wireless alarm system K, in dotted-dashed lines, capable of
sensing, registering, detecting any pre-set condition and when the condi-
tion violates a set value, or values, an audible alarm is sounded, alerting
people throughout the whole system, or in one part of it, as a zone alarm.
; Since this invention is applicable to all presently known detectors, gauges,
sensors, metering, monitoring and other devices, it is not the particular
sensing element or apparatus but a method of attaching to them, or using
it in conjunction with them, this new apparatus that enables any and all
of the said sensors to work within a system to receive, sound, and trans-
mit a partial or a general alarm. Thus any smoke, flame, heat, motion,
level, vibration, tension, or other condition detector, contact closure,
or opening may be the trigger for this new Coded Audio Alarm Device and
System, which has two major properties. First, that when triggered by a
said sensor S, the apparatus K will sound an audible alarm, via A and
- simultaneously the initiating device and in turn each member in the system
may generate and transmit a sonic code for other Coded Audio Alarm Device
~; 20 or Devices. Second, that each member of the system can also receive an
alarm condition indirectly via the Receiver R, not from a sensing apparatus,
; but from any other sonic transmitter, designated by a specific code. The
main components of this new apparatus and system are: one or two trigger
inputs S and R, a sound element such as a bell, suzzer, siren, loudspeaker,
horn and other transducers, a power device to drive the sound element
contained in A, coding-decoding subunits, a sonic generator, mixers, ampli-
- fyers, drivers, clock and timers, On-Off and reset stages, battery level
sensors all contained in X and receiver R that receives coded signals from
the sonic transmitters A, a code recognition circuit, a triggering device,
timing, synchronizing, level sensing automatic and manual control subsystems.
In total these elements comprise a Coded Audio Alarm Device, which receives
a detected condition either directly from a sensor and sounds an alarm, or
indirectly from another sensor, or sensors in a system and transmits it,
thus creating a general alarm in the whole system, or in a part of it, accord-
ing to the said coding applied. The apparatus and the system uses standard
components. The newness in the present apparatus is the speaific dual use
of the low fre~uencv sonic sPectrum in an aPParatus that Picks up a detected
Page 3.... Specifications Con'd.
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1 condition directly from sensors or indirectly by way of coded sonic signals
and/or by an audible alarm also capable of registering and retransmitting
it to other such devices in the system. In addition, the apparatus is
capable of self-supervision of such functions as low battery voltage, circuit
failure, interrogation, remote shut down and restart, as well as a test,
fault identification and exclusion circuitry. All these functions may also
be communicated and controlled to and rom one or more master controller
and monitor for the whole system. The means of communication remains the
same, that is a coded sonic signal. Depending upon the content of the
lo sonic aode all specific conditions are transmitted, received, decoded and- proeessed in between the master controller and the sensory apparatus, as
initiated, or responded to by their respective subcircuitry, thus in turn
all speeific funetions listed are earried out aeeording to the message
eontent earried by the said code. The bloek diagram of the Deviee and
System is shown in Figure 3. Anothpr component and feature of the said
apparatus and system is illustrated by Figure 2. Encircled by dashed-
;` dotted lines is the System Controller and Monitor M performing supervisory,
automatie and, or manual eontrolling, remote interfaeing and telemetering,
loeal annuneiating, transmitting and reeeiving function. The individual
subsystems shown in Figure 2 are the Receiver R and Transmitter A, both
" audio-sonie, carrying coded information and instruction back and forth from
the individual members of the system, as shown by K in Figure 1. This
information is processed and/or generated by the Monitoring and Supervisory
Control 5ubsystem Y, in Figure 2. This subsystem in Y fulfills all
funetions deseribed for X above. In addition, it is also eapable of inter-
faeing with remotely loeated systems, monitoring and telemetering sites
and personnel via its Remote Monitoring and Control Interface Q. The
eireuitry in Y are also eapable of intercommunicating with another sub unit,
ealled the Local Annunciators and Controls interfaee unit LA. This part
of the apparatus enables the System Controller and Monitor M, to inter-
- eommunieate with Audio and Visual annuneiators, test circuits, manual and
automatic controls, synchronizing eircuits, timers, clocks, silencers,
resetting devices, zone unit and condition indicators that are part of a
eomplex alarm system. The unique feature of this part of the system is
manifested in its ability to aeeomplish this intereommunieating funetion
by means of eoded sonie signals, between each member of the system and the
System Controller and Monitor M.
Page 4.... Specifications Con'd.
1 The operation of the Coded Audio Alarm Device and System is as follows:
(Shown in Figure 3). When a Detector or Sensors S transmit a signal into
input 1 of the Trigger Processor Logic P an alarm condition is registered
:- and processed. The processed signal contains a code, which is passed
~ 5 into the Signal Decoder D. Once validated, this signal is passed two ways.
- First, through port 1 to the Mixer Mx in which it may become mixed with
another code from within. This sacond signal is generated upon the receipt
of the signal from Decoder D, port 2, into an internal coding subsystem
C, via the Code Generator G and back to the Mixer Mx. These two signals
pass intermixed into the Wide Band Amplifier W and to the Audio and Sonic
transmitter, or transmitters A. When this happens an alarm sound is
transmitted for people and together with it, or simultaneously, a sonic
code is transmitted also. This signal is received by other Coded Audio
.
Alarm Devices in the System, including a System Controller/Monitor, and
in turn retransmitted, as coded, to other members marked from L... .to N,
thus comprising the said whole alarm system. The apparatus described
`` within K of the dotted-dashed lines is the same as within L to.... N, or
in any other member of the group. The Internal Systems Monitor and
Controller I initiates housekeeping functions, such as handshake routines
between the System Controller and Monitor M, low battery condition, fault
indicating signals, remote shut down and start up, and functions internal
within the apparatus. The above described the receipt of an alarm, which
was initiated by a Sensor S. Similarily an alarm can~-be initiated by the
; receipt of a coded audio signal indirectly by the Sonic Receiver R, also.
Whether a detector~ or a sonic trigger signal is received, the electronic
processing remains the same as described above. The exclusiveness of the
Coded Audio Alarm Device and System is the capability of the member devices
of the system to receive direct inputs from sensors and also indirect
inputs from other sensors, by coded sonic signals and also transmit coded
`; 30 sonic signals both containing alarm control and supervisory signals in
` comprising a wireless alarm system. In order to control and monitor the
alarms, there are built in Timers T, for exittentry interval, reset timing,
a master clock for coding and a provision for manual controls and indicator
lamps as well, which are parts together as a subsystem of the CAADS
apparatus. All above components may not be necessary in lower cost and
smaller alarm systems. However, even the smallest system of -two units
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1 shall be c~mprised of the sonic transmitters, receivers, direct sensing
elements and coding/decoding and alarming subsystems. For the purpose of
clarity of explanation and description, an actual alarm recept.ion and
re-transmission throughout the system will be described in -the following,
with the aid of Figure 3. It is presumed that S is a smoke detector in
this specific example, however not explicity, nor is it exclusive of other
detectors or sensors. When this smoke detector is triggered, Input 1 will
be energized. The Trigger Processor Logic P has a specific pass through
channel for signals at Input 1, being a directly sensed smoke condition
and no specific coding/decoding is necessary. Thus the signal simply
passed through to Ports 1 and 2 of the Decoder D. The first signal gener-
ated is an audible alarm signal at Port 1 which may get mixed with a sonic
code generated by the Coding Subsystem C and Code Generator G, upon the
receipt of the trigger signal at Port 2 simultaneously. This case is
assumed as one of the possibilities for the time being. The coding sub-
system will generate a unique code, which may also contain identification
and internal system monitoring and control messages. The mixed output
from Mx becomes amplified by W, the Wide Band Amplifier and Driver stages
and becomes transmitted as a mixture of audible alarm and coded sonic
signals. The number of audio-sonic transducers or transmitters activated
may be one bo several, and they may belong to the several families of
sound reproducing devices available commercially. The Timers T, as a
whole subsystem, were also activated by the Trigger Processor Logic and
since this was a direct sensing of a smoke alarm the Audio Transmitters
A were activated without delay. However, the duration of the alarm condi-
tion and the resetting of the apparatus may be either according to built
in interval and reset timers, or accomplished automatically by the System
Controller and Monitor Mx or by the manual controls provided. This alarm
transmission is both heard by people and reaeived by the other Coded Audio
Alarm Devices in the System~ marked L.... to N and the System Controller/
Monitor M, in Figure 3. In this case, the alarm will be detected through-
out the system by the reception of the transmitted coded signal by the said
first apparatus marked K in Figure 3, encircled by dotted-dashed lines.
Each member of the system receives this coded signal which goes through
Input 2 of the Sonic Reaeivers R and become processed by the Trigger Pro-
cessor Logic P, decoded by D and passed on only if and when the code is
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1 sonic, or electrical noise and disturbances. Since all units in the
system K....to....N are capable of receiving a signal, it is a matter of
, ..
pre-set timing and synchronizing by an internal clock, before the whole
system, each and every one of the units go into an alarm condition, sounding
a general alarm throughout a whole building or a coded section or zone of
the same. In certain cases the system may be engineered in such a way,
that first the system Controller/Monitor M responds to the alarming code
; received. After a brief validating process only, will the monitor senda control signal to sound a general alarm. In such cases the members of
the Coded Audio Alarm Devices will only respond to the system c`ontrollers'
commands. Another important feature of the CAAD system is its ability to
supervise itself by the use of the same coded signals. These supervisory
signals are also in coded form and are transmitted similarily, as described
above, in the sonic range. These signals may be in the hearing, or ultra-
sonic range. In any case they contain supervisory and control codes to
and from various subsystem circuitry. Such circuits are components, or
subsystems without specific claim, such as low battery voltage monitors,
remote manual or automatic silencing, resetting, shut-off, sound and lamp
announciating elements and they are parts of many commercially available
alarm systems. The advancementof the present CA~ Device and System is in
its ability to intercommunicate, control and respond to all necessary
validation, system supervisory and announciating functions by way of direct
sensing and/or coded audio-sonic signals, without the need for wiring.
Another version of the same invention is possible by eliminating the dual
input and the Mx mixer. In that case there may be a provision of two
separate amplifier routes, such as is illustrated in Figure 4. There is
no difference in the innovative device and system concept between the two
alternative block diagrams. Functionally Figures 3 and 4 are identical,
which fact is the point in case demonstrated. This will also serve as
one of the demonstrations of the many possible alternatives of the Coded
Audio Alarm Devices and Systems, however, all common in the utilization
` of sensing coded audio-sonic transmission and reception,of signal carrying
` alarm and/or system supervisory and control signals. In Figure 4 both the
direct input from a Detector D, or a Sonic Receiver R, go to the same
input instead of two separate inputs. In both cases the Trigger Processor
Logic P and the isolated outputs of S and R assure proper processing oE
the signals received. The Decoder D will only allow valid inputs to pass
Page 7.... SpeciEications Con'd.
to the following stages. Al90 it is immaterial whether the two signals,
the Audio and Coded-Sonic get mixed in a mixer Mx or processed, amplified
and transmitted by different stages AA, AT and W, ST, respectively. The
- result remains the same, that is; a composition of signals is produced,
one audible and other may or may not be audible, but one or both of them
coded, and may be ~rom a wide band of sonic range, are transmitted either
simultaneously or independently upon the receipt of an alarm input, and
that each and every member of the group is capable of retransmitting a
signal received whether directly from a sensor S, or indirectly through
the air, received as a signal, transmitted by other members of the system
in a suitable code. In each case the total system concept and the duality
of sensing, coding/decoding, retransmitting, receiving a uniquely coded
mixture of audible and sonic signals are the significant and characteristic
elements of this invention and not the specific circuit details of elements.
Another important innovation is the system's ability of self-supervisory
and manual or automatic control functions, by the application-of the said
coded sonic signal transmitters and receivers, as used for an alarm condi-
tion. By the selection of the appropriate code, each member of the system
may be supervised and controlled during normal and non-alarming conditions.
Under these circumstances the audio spectrum may be omitted and signal
communication be independent in the ultrasonic range. In summary, Figure
` l and its description demonstrated the new Coded Audio Alarm Device marked
with K, also in the other Figures 3 and 4. This device is capable of
detecting directly, or indirectly by reception and transmission of other
Coded Audio Alarm signals from any other member so designated in the system.
Other system aonponents are indicated as K....to....N having the same
properties. Another system component was illustrated in Figure 2, called
System Controller and Monitor M, which also utilizes the same media for
coded audio-sonic alarm transmission and reception, but in addition to
those it can fulfill system supervisory and control functions utilizing
the same channels of communication, and others ~or local and remote
functions as well. It is the general solutions of Figure l and 2 rather
than the narrower, more specific systems solutions presented by Figures
3 and 4, axe the main subjects of this disclosure, since it is ~uite
possible to construct many other alternatives of the Coded Audio Alarm
Device and System, essentially all encompassing the same principles and
media, as given by Figures 1 and 2. Another configuration of the Coded
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1 Audio Alarm Device and System is illustrated in Figure 5. There the
i received signal is processed by the Responder Actuator RA. After decoding
and validating the coded signal received, RA will command the various
devices, or Device to be activated, marked DA in Figure 5. The devices
activated may be one or more bells, door releases, annunciators, remote
controls for On-Off or reset functions. Any device in the system may be
activated or deactivated by the CAADS configuration of Figure 5. IJnlike
the other system configurations of Figure 1 to 4, this one does not have
any signals from sensors, and does not transmit any signals, but as an
end configuration, serves as an activating device for coded audio alarms.
