Fiber-sync communications channel
US6265971A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 9, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jul 24, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 9, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04B10/0793
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A monitoring system in an alarm apparatus includes a central panel for controlling operation of the alarm apparatus, first and second terminals, the second terminal including a communication device, such as a microcontroller, to communicate with the central panel. A communication link comprising fiber-optic cables is further provided to connect the first and second terminals. The first terminal includes a signaling device to signal to the communication device when there is a break in the communication link. Responsive to the signal, the communication device signals to the central panel that there is a break in the communication link. In accordance with other aspects of the present invention, a plurality of intelligent peripherals, such as detectors and audible and visual alarms, are connected and controlled by the central panel via the fiber-optic cables. Because the system controller uses messages comprising a three-state signaling scheme and the fiber-optic cables can only support a two-state signaling scheme, the first terminal includes a converter to convert the three-state messages to two-state messages. In this manner, the peripherals connected to the central panel can be con…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.