Patent ID: 6078269
Filing Date: 2000-06-20
Classification: G08B

Abstract:
A wireless, battery-operated detection system of a plurality of RF-interconnected detectors operable over a CSMA-type network and intended to detect the occurrence of a local phenomena and transmit at least one signal to at least one other detector to remotely sound an alarm, each said detector operable in a plurality of modes including standby, alarm, test, reset, auxiliary and wait, each said detector comprising a sensor for sensing said local phenomena, a transmitter for transmitting amplitude modulated RF messages indicative of said phenomena, a receiver for receiving said RF messages, alarm means for sounding said audible alarm indicative of said phenomena and mode, and a controller operable to control the mode of operation of each said detector, each said controller operable to control all said detectors in said system in response to a stimulus and for controlling multiple and conflicting signals transmitted among said detectors, said controller includingprioritization means for determining the relative priority of said received RF signals and stimuli indicative of a particular condition to enable the appropriate mode of operation;timer means responsive to said detector operating mode for enabling said transmitter to transmit RF messages immediately after said receiver is sensed and no longer detects incoming message activity, wherein said receiver is sensed at a randomized time interval to reduce the probability of multiple simultaneous transmissions.