CA1116284A - Apparatus and system for wireless reception and transmission of coded audio and/or sonic alarm signals - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
The Apparatus and System for Wireless Reception and Transmission of Coded Audio and/or Sonic Alarm Signal mobilizes people, by sounding an audible alarm, without the need for interconnection wiring through the system.
The advancement in this art is accomplished by several factors: 1) By the use of coded audio signals, 2) The absence of radio waves, thus the absence for licensing, 3) A combination of audio alarm signals within hearing range, with coded transmission and reception of other related data, in a broader sonic range, for further processing, 4) The absence of extensive labour for wiring. The invention finds a utility is a broad range of alarm detecting, transmitting and receiving equipment and systems, such as fire, smoke, gas holdup burglary, telementery and control apparatus.
As an illustration, one of the many applications of the said Apparatus and System, is described in conjunction with a conventional smoke detector.
With the existing technology when a smoke detector is triggered by fire, all others are triggered via interconnecting wire, as well as the alarm monitoring and control unit, as a system. This invention accomplishes both the detection and the transmission of the alarm without wiring. When any one of the smoke detectors is triggered, it will sound an audible alarm and simultaneously transmit a coded signal to all other detectors in the system and to the central control and monitoring unit, to sound a general alarm within the whole system.

Description

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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.

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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.

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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 Page 5.... Specifications Con'd.
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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 Page 6.... Specifications Con'd.
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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 Page 8.... Specifications Con'd.
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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.

Claims (4)

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   The embodiments of the invention is which exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 1) An apparatus for wireless reception and transmission of coded audio and/or sonic alarm signals and system, for selective zone detection, transmission of audio and/or sonic signals com-prising, a plurality of coded audio-sonic alarm devices, intercommunicating with each other, and with system controller and monitor device by wireless reception and retransmission of coded audio and/or sonic signals, each audio-sonic alarm device comprising sensor or detector for receiving direct input uncoded signals, sonic receiver for receiving coded audio-sonic signals, signal processing and generating subsystem receiving input signals from sensor/detector, or sonic receiver for processing, decoding and encoding the input signals audio and sonic transmitters for sounding local audible alarm and/or retransmitting said encoded signals to other selected coded audio-sonic alarm devices within the system for sounding a general alarm themselves, as well as via a remote monitoring interface and/or by a local annunciator and controls and/or by responder actuators and specific devices activated within the alarm system.
2. 2) An apparatus as defined in Claim 1 as a Coded Audio-Sonic Alarm System receiving direct input signals from detectors and sensors and indirectly by wireless audio-sonic signals, where said coded audio-sonic alarm device comprising, a trigger processor logic, a decoder and an encoder circuitry to secure that only a verified and validated signal information will be per-mitted to pass to other subsystems contained, for alarm generation, retrans-mission, timing and control circuitry, whereby these validated signals are mixed together by a mixer and transmitted to one output of audio-sonic transmitters, or processed independently by internal system monitors and controls and directed towards two independent outputs, the audio and sonic transmitters.
3. 3) An apparatus as defined in Claim 1 as the broadest aspect of the invention, a Coded Audio-Sonic Alarm System, where said system controller and monitor device receives and retransmits alarms for system supervision, automatic and/or manual controls, central station signalling, setting and re-setting, battery status monitoring, self-checking and manual testing, visual and supplementary audio annunciation, and zone controls, by remote monitoring and control interface and/or local annunciator and controls.
4. 4) An apparatus as defined in Claim 1 as a wireless Coded Audio-Sonic Alarm System, as defined in the broadest aspect of the invention, where said Page 10.... Specifications Con'd.
   system for verification and for further activation of alarm, annunciating and control devices for final action, without the need of direct inter-facing with sensors and detectors and without the need for retransmission of coded audio-sonic signals.