Communication protocol for interconnected hazardous condition detectors, and system employing same

US7449990B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• WALTER KIDDE PORTABLE EQUIPMENT, INC. · US

Inventors

• John Andres · Chapel Hill, US
• Michael W. Apperson · Chapel Hill, US
• Joseph G. DeLuca · Colorado Springs, US
• Chris R. Gilbert · Colorado Springs, US
• Craig Kleinberg · Colorado Springs, US
• Larry R. Ratzlaff · Elgin, US
• Stephen M. Ernst · Colorado Springs, US
• John Wurtenberger · Colorado Springs, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 17, 2004
• Grant date: Nov 11, 2008
• Expiry date: Aug 5, 2024

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G08B25/009
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Presented is a communications protocol for use by interconnected hazardous condition detectors, such as smoke and carbon monoxide detectors for use in dwellings and other structures. This communications protocol provides conventional signaling to indicate the presence of a smoke condition necessitating the generation of a smoke temporal pattern by all interconnected detectors. The protocol further defines a signaling method by which conventional smoke detectors that are incapable of providing temporal patterns other than that required for a smoke alarm condition will not be sent into an alarm mode of operation upon receipt of a signal other than the conventional smoke alarm signal. This communications protocol defines a pulsed signal to indicate a non-smoke alarm condition that is of a duration that will not trigger the conventional smoke alarms. To allow for the transmission of multiple hazardous conditions alarm notifications, as well as the transmission of additional hazardous condition detector control signals, the communications protocol utilizes a multi-bit signal transmitted via the conventional single signal I/O wire of currently existing interconnect wiring. Through the us…