Abstract:
A microprocessor-based electronic control system allows firefighters and emergency response personnel the ability to assign individual sleeping quarters, dorm rooms or an area of a facility to a specific apparatus/vehicle/unit that is dispatched through an existing electronic fire station alert notification system. The control system controls actuation of devices throughout a building from any location as well as from remote locations. The devices can be anything such as lights, speakers, appliances, watering systems, and other devices. This is accomplished by a network of nodes including a master controller and a plurality of slaves. The system is modular and scalable according to need. It is also flexible for use on various applications. Programmable switches are used for displaying statuses and for selecting various options.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to a fire station alerting system (FSAS) and, more particularly, to techniques for enhancing the FSAS to establish configurable alert zones within the station. 
     BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
     An FSAS is generally comprised of a station-alert receiver and a station-alert transmitter. Examples of station-alert receivers include a Model 6 Fire Station Transponder and a Model 6203 Fire Station Unit, both of which are available from Zetron, Inc. of Redmond, Wash. Examples of station-alert transmitters include a Model 26 Status/Control Panel and an Internet Protocol (IP) Fire Station Alerting (FSA) system, both of which are also available from Zetron, Inc. The station-alert receiver is typically located at a fire station to provide, among other things, an audio interface to the station&#39;s public address (PA) system. And the station-alert transmitter is typically located at an emergency telephone call dispatch center to provide an interface between manual dispatch or computer aided dispatch (CAD) and the station-alert receiver of the FSAS. 
     In some embodiments, after a dispatcher enters information about an emergency situation into a CAD system, the CAD system then automatically selects one or more fire stations and specific resources (e.g., a fire engine, also known as an apparatus) capable of providing a rapid and suitable response to the situation. The CAD system then provides the information to the station-alert transmitter of the FSAS. In response, the station-alert transmitter sends alert information in the form of data packets or voice transmission through a radio or wired communication link—e.g., private telephone communication lines or IP wide area network (WAN)—to one or more station-alert receivers at addressed stations having the desired resources. 
     When it receives the alert information, a station-alert receiver switches an internal relay connecting the station-alert receiver to the fire station&#39;s PA system. At that point, the station-alert receiver causes an audible tone—specific sounds corresponding to an apparatus and its response team—to be played through a loud speaker. In some embodiments, the audible tone is played throughout the station so that everyone in the station can hear the alert and respond if they are members of the response team for the apparatus identified by a pattern of sounds included in the audible tone. Following the tone, the station-alert receiver typically actuates audio equipment so as to broadcast a dispatcher&#39;s voice from the PA system and thereby allow dispatch to announce details of the emergency situation. Concurrently, the station-alert receiver may also activate its other control relays that activate fire station lights, disable cooking appliances, raise bay doors, or perform other actions reducing response time. 
     Previous attempts at delivering flexible zoned-alerting in areas of the fire station have employed a holistic approach entailing installation of new station-alert receiver equipment or other proprietary equipment by which to receive specific data protocols and radio signals. In other words, such systems are generally intended for new fire stations or for situations in which preexisting FSAS equipment is entirely replaced. But some stations having preexisting station-alert receivers and insufficient financial resources available for an expensive FSAS upgrade might still benefit from flexible zoned-alerting. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Techniques of the present disclosure provide options to retrofit an existing station-alert receiver to accommodate control over which dispatch alarms are audible in individual zones (rooms). Retrofitting an existing station-alert receiver (by attaching to it a zone controller that controls relays in zones) provides an affordable solution for controlling flexible zoned-alerting, thereby lessening financial barriers to reducing sleep disruptions of station personnel who would otherwise be awoken by audible tones meant for members of other response teams. Accordingly, this disclosure describes a zoned-alerting control system that, at the physical layer, operates in conjunction with an existing station-alert receiver and is not reliant upon proprietary data transmission protocols between dispatch and system components at the station. For example, the system is activated by an existing station-alert receiver&#39;s relay outputs and is not dependent on any specific data protocols or radio signals from systems at a dispatch center. Thus, the zoned-alerting control system may be used to retrofit any existing FSAS without changing underlying alerting infrastructure at the station. 
     The system improves a firefighter&#39;s or a rescue personnel&#39;s health and wellness by reducing sleep disruptions. Firefighters and rescue personnel may use the disclosed technology to assign their designated sleeping quarters (e.g., bunk rooms), or other zones in the station, to receive only specific dispatch alert calls, such as those calls for specific resources (e.g., vehicles). The system interfaces with existing relays to provide alerts to users based on their specific selections, thereby reducing disruptions otherwise caused by conventional station-wide, fixed-zone-alerting techniques. Thus, the system provides fire station personnel an ability to suppress superfluous alerts, which improves sleep and reduces stress attributable to irrelevant alert disruptions. The ability to screen and localize dispatch alerts within a fire station improves the overall performance and health of firefighters and rescue personnel. 
     Additional aspects and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top plan view of a fire station floor plan showing a layout including various rooms and other configurable alert zones within the station. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing components of a zoned-alerting control system enhancing a preexisting station-alert receiver of a legacy FSAS, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing connections between a zone-controller master module and dry contact relay outputs of the preexisting station-alert receiver of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing connections between a selector-interface slave module and local room relay for connections between existing alert lighting and paging speakers. 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram showing interactions between the components of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIGS. 6 and 7  are front and rear elevation views of a user interface including an alert-configuration selection switch and a volume control mounted in a three-gang electrical faceplate. 
         FIG. 8  is a table describing a list of various display states and resource selections. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  shows a layout of a typical fire station  100 . Station  100  includes individual rooms  110  that may house a firefighter, emergency medical technician (EMT), ambulance technician, lieutenant, battalion chief, or other personnel. Each individual room  110 —in addition to other zones indicated in  FIG. 1  by a reference label “Z” followed by a two-digit address—may be configured as an independent alert zone for receiving dispatch alerts that are calling for a particular selected apparatus while suppressing other alerts that may be calling for different (unselected) resources. If personnel periodically switch room or equipment assignments, then the zones may be readily re-configured by the personnel to provide alerts that are appropriate for the new assignment. 
     Each alert zone is configurable from a user interface  120  mounted in a standard electrical-type faceplate ( FIG. 6 ) that is located next to existing room-light switches. This arrangement provides an ability to use industry standard electrical mounting devices and products. User interface  120  is operatively associated with a selector-interface slave module  130  that provides data to and control over user interface  120  and auxiliary relay outputs  140 . A display panel  150 , operatively associated with a display-driver slave module  160 , is another type of user interface included in a watchman room (zone Z32) to provide an indication of selections made to each user interface  120  in alert zones. 
     As explained subsequently in further detail, slave modules  130  and  160  are networked with and controlled by communications from a zone-controller master module  170 . As a brief initial overview, however, when a legacy FSAS station-alert receiver  180  signals an alert at its relay outputs, master module  170  provides serial communication commands received by selector-interface slave modules  130  to control states (on, off) of associated auxiliary relay outputs  140  and thereby control preexisting alerting system lights  190  and paging speakers  194  based on the serial communication commands. Some fire stations also have paging microphones  198  for local, in-building paging. To allow activation of paging speakers  194 , microphones  198  utilize built-in switches to trigger auxiliary inputs of modules that in turn actuate relays controlling the PA system in zones. 
     When an emergency dispatch alarm call is received at the station—for example, a call for a fire engine—only the zone(s) selected for engine will receive the dispatch signal as the zone relays are activated thereby energizing existing alert lights and audio paging speakers. In other words, a selector-interface slave module  130  at zone Z21 receives serial communication commands from zone-controller master module  170  in response to master module  170  detecting a signal on one of its inputs indicating that an alert received by legacy FSAS station-alert receiver  180  is applicable to zone Z21 based on selections previously made at user interface  120  of zone Z21. Accordingly, selector-interface slave module  130  at zone Z21 switches states (on and off) of its associated auxiliary relay outputs  140  to control preexisting alerting system lights  190  and paging speakers  194  in response to the network communication commands provided through a network protocol such as serial (e.g., RS-485) or packet (e.g., Ethernet) data. 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram providing an overview of components forming a zoned-alerting control system  200 , in which the components show in greater detail a subset of those depicted in  FIG. 1 . Consistent with the example of  FIG. 1 , system  200  includes a plurality of networked control modules that allow predefined dispatch alerts to be passed to certain zones (e.g., rooms) within a fire station or emergency response facility. 
     The right side of  FIG. 2  indicates that master module  170 , along with display-driver slave module  160  and display panel  150 , may be mounted in an enclosure that is located in zone Z32, which (in  FIG. 1 ) is the watchman room that also stores legacy FSAS station-alert receiver  180 . 
     Master module  170  includes a printed circuit board assembly  204  having a microprocessor  208 . In some embodiments, microprocessor is a PIC microcontroller available from MicroChip Technology Inc. of Chandler, Ariz. as part no. PIC18F46J11, which is an 8-bit microcontroller unit (MCU) including a flash program memory and 3,800 bytes of SRAM. 
     Microprocessor  208  is configured to generate serial communications, monitor eight main trigger inputs  212  that receive voltage signals from dry contact outputs of existing FSAS station-alert receiver  180 , switch seven 12 volt direct current (VDC) outputs  218  to control associated relays  140 , and monitor other optional auxiliary inputs. For example, assembly  204  also includes eight auxiliary trigger inputs  220  to allow an additional level of control over outputs  218  to associated relays  140 . 
     An example use of trigger inputs  220  controlling outputs  218  is as follows. A doorbell provides a signal to a trigger input  220 . That signal, when detected by microprocessor  208 , causes microprocessor  208  to change the state of a corresponding output  218 . That output  218  actuates a relay to signal a bell or other alert equipment (e.g., lights, speakers, PA systems) in certain zones configured to receive an indication that the doorbell has been pushed. Another example, discussed previously, is microphones  198  that trigger paging speakers  194 , thereby allowing fire station audio paging microphones to act as input sources holding relays in an on position during a page call. Thus, system  200  includes independent dry contact triggered inputs, separate from the main dispatch input triggers, that provide additional options to trigger any output relay in system  200 . 
     All relay connections have the ability to receive an 18 AWG cable  222 , but wire gauge size is dependent on current load and voltage drop requirements. 
     To facilitate a daisy-chain linear bus interconnection to all other modules in system  200 , assembly  204  includes an eight-pin modular jack port  226  suitable for establishing a network connection  228  with a downstream slave module (e.g., display-driver slave module  160 ). Examples of network cabling used for network connection  228  include RS-422 (RS-485 serial), CAT-5 (Ethernet), or other network connection. 
     Assembly  204  is powered with 12 VDC, which is applied from a power source (not shown) through a two-pin screw terminal  230  or via port  226 . An optional battery backup power supply may supply power, e.g., in the event of a power failure. 
     There is also a mini-universal serial bus (USB) port  236  to facilitate a connection to a host computer (not shown) used for programming software, capturing data, or controlling specific system functions. Accordingly, master module  170  may be connected with a host computer via a USB interface, which allows the host computer to monitor system status, capture historical data, and provide additional control options. To facilitate firmware programming of microprocessor  208 , a four-pin header  242  provides a connection for a programming interface adapter. 
     Display-driver slave module  160  includes a printed circuit board assembly  246 , which is substantially similar to assembly  204 . Several differences are noted as follows. To facilitate the daisy-chain interconnection to all other modules in system  200 , assembly  246  includes a pair of eight-pin modular jack ports: a first port  250  suitable for extending network connection  228  to a downstream switch-interface slave module  130 , and a second port  254  suitable for establishing network connection  228  with an upstream module (e.g., master module  170 ). Assembly  246  is also powered by 12 VDC through a power source or battery backup as described previously, but power can also be received through either port  250  or port  254 . Assembly  246  connects to display panel  150  through a 14-pin header  256  and a 14×28 AWG ribbon cable  258  suitable for sending serial peripheral interface (SPI) control and power signals to display panel  150 . 
     Display panel  150  has an on-board processor (not shown) to process the SPI commands from display-driver slave module  160 . The commands control the presentation on a grid layout of 16 liquid crystal display (LCD) regions  262  of 64×32 pixels each that present a status screen in both color and text formats. Display panel  150  includes a 14-pin header (not shown) used to connect via cable  258  to display-driver slave module  160  that provides power and communication signals. 
     Each display region presents selections made at corresponding user interfaces  120  ( FIG. 1 ) of zones in station  100 . The selections are presented at corresponding regions based on an addressing format that matches the zone address scheme mechanically configured (e.g., by DIP switches, described subsequently) on a selector-interface slave module  130 . In other words, when an alert selection is made for a zone, the selection is shown at a region of display panel  150  that has an address matching that of the zone. Each vehicle type that has been selected is presented according to a customizable theme on display panel  150 , the theme including both color and text graphics. The color and text displayed are designated by the fire district or department administration, with unlimited naming conventions and 64 different colors. A default theme for groups of selectable vehicles is as follows: engine (red), truck (yellow), squad (green), rescue (blue), and chief (white). For example, if a user is assigned to an engine and is sleeping in zone Z21, the user makes that selection at the Z21 user interface and that selection is shown as a red “Engine” box in the Z21 display region of display panel  150 . 
     Selector-interface slave module  130  includes a printed circuit board assembly  266 , which is substantially similar to assembly  246 . Several differences are noted as follows. A connector  268  provides, through a 12-pin cable assembly  270 , a connection to an alert-configuration selector switch  276  ( FIG. 6 ) of user interface  120  that a user manipulates for selecting alerts desired in an associated zone. For example, a user can select which vehicle they are assigned to so that any dispatch calls for that vehicle are provided to the user&#39;s room. Individual room control via alert-configuration selector switch  276  allows personnel an ability to assign their zones to a specific vehicle. 
     Each assembly  266  also includes an eight-position DIP switch  280  used to manually establish a unique eight-bit address for each selector-interface slave module  130  present in system  200 . An address is manually set by switching up or down each of the eight pin positions to select a binary digit at the position. The eight selections then collectively form an eight-bit address. Although the present embodiment provides for 16 addresses on display panel  150 , it is possible to define addresses for many more selector-interface slave modules  130  in a single network. 
     The left side of  FIG. 2  indicates that zones Z11 and Z21 each have an identical assembly  266 . Although these assemblies have different addresses and series (daisy-chained) connections to other modules, the underlying components of modules in zones are identical. Furthermore, modules share a common printed circuit board layout and hardware design, which further enhances the modularity of the design. 
       FIG. 2  also illustrates the various cables used for interconnecting system  200  components. Serial communication cabling between modules is Category 5 UTP cabling. Modules can be powered using 18/2 AWG UTP cabling to terminal  230  or through communication cables via eight-pin modular jack ports. Cabling used for main trigger inputs and auxiliary local trigger inputs can be any conductor size between 18 AWG and 24 AWG. The cable size is dependent upon installation conditions and the distance to existing FSAS station-alert receiver  180 , and other equipment connection specifications. 
       FIG. 3  shows example connections  300  between master module  170  and existing FSAS station-alert receiver  180 . FSAS station-alert receiver  180  has a set of four dry contact trigger relays  310  (R1-R4). Each member of the set of relays  310  is a single throw double pole (STDP) relay having a corresponding set of six wire-terminal blocks  320  (P1-P4) that act as outputs  330  providing dry contacts of existing FSAS station-alert receiver  180 . 
     Outputs  330  are activated in response to a particular apparatus dispatch alert call received by FSAS station-alert receiver  180 . A particular relay is tripped in response to FSAS station-alert receiver  180  receiving an alert identifying a corresponding resource. For example, a leftmost relay of relays  310  trips in response to FSAS station-alert receiver  180  receiving an alert dispatch call for a station truck. Similarly, a rightmost relay of relays  310  trips in response to FSAS station-alert receiver  180  receiving an alert dispatch call for a station engine. Then, a voltage (e.g., a high or low logic level) is established across common (C) contacts  340  and normally open (NO) contacts  350  of terminal  320  that correspond to the triggered relay. That voltage level is detected at an associated one of inputs  212  on master module  170 . For example, when a relay is latched by the specific alert call, NO and C contacts are connected, thereby pulling associated input  212  to ground. This change in voltage level is detected by microprocessor  208  ( FIG. 2 ), which then starts its sequence of program logic to generate serial communications for broadcasting the alert to selector-interface slave modules  130 . 
     According to one embodiment, a first set of contacts (nos. 1-3)  360  are wired together to control station-wide alerts to existing infrastructure  370 . A second set of contacts (nos. 4-6)  380  are separately wired to individual inputs  212 . Each of individual inputs  212  may be predefined to detect a different type of alert (e.g., a squad alert for a first input and an engine alert for a second input) or combinations of individual inputs  212  may be detected to define additional types of alerts (e.g., all individual inputs  212  pulled low signals a squadron alert). In some embodiments, each relay indicates a different type of dispatch call. For example, as shown in table 1 (described subsequently) R1 indicates an all-call, R2 indicates an engine dispatch, R3 indicates a truck dispatch, and R4 indicates a squad dispatch. A second FSAS station-alert receiver, which includes a second set of relays R5-R8 (not shown), is configured so that R5 indicates a rescue dispatch and R8 indicates a chief dispatch. 
       FIG. 4  shows zone relay connections  400 , which define how selector-interface slave modules  130  interface with existing alerting system infrastructure such as lights  190  ( FIG. 1 ) and paging speakers  194  ( FIG. 1 ) in a typical zone. Two standard off-the-shelf dual relays in box (RIB)  410  are STDP with an activation coil that operates at 12 VDC. These relays  410  act as both a control (to open and close circuits based on an alert command) and also as a fail-safe (to restore existing alert circuits in case of a power failure). Cabling  222  is field installed between relays  410  and relay outputs  218  of assembly  266 . 
       FIG. 5  is a high-level flowchart  500  showing how system  200  handles dispatch alarm calls received by existing FSAS station-alert receiver  180 , as well as showing user interaction with alert-configuration selector switch  276  during a process of assigning a zone to receive alerts designated for a particular vehicle (apparatus). Also shown are details of triggering of relays in connection with a dispatch alert call and how a selection is presented on an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display region of alert-configuration selector switch  276 . 
     Master module  170  continuously monitors dispatch alert calls, all slave modules, and host computer requests. Master module  170  also continuously polls all address settings, broadcasts all dry contact input triggers, and maintains time and date information broadcast to slave modules so that they can update the time on user interface  120  ( FIG. 1 ). Accordingly, although system  200  may handle multiple simultaneous alerts and selections, the following paragraph provides a description of a response to a single alert call. 
     The RS-485 bus uses a master-slave architecture, in which each device on the RS-485 bus has a unique address identifier (ID). In some embodiments, master module  170  transmits through the bus commands that are addressed (e.g., sequentially) to different IDs in system  200 , such that each slave module has an opportunity to respond immediately after its ID is polled. The default request to send (RTS) state is off, which means that all devices on the bus are normally in a receive state waiting to receive data (either a command or a response to a command) from one of the other devices on the bus. 
     A typical transmit and receive scenario is as follows. First, master module  170  switches to a transmit state and transmits a command to query an addressed device, at which point master module  170  immediately switches back to a receive state awaiting a response. Second, a selector-interface slave module  130  (or display-driver slave module  160 ) having an ID matching that of the command query address ID switches to a transmit state and transmits its response, at which point it immediately switches back to a receive state. According to some embodiments, the types of commands include the aforementioned query message or other types of status query message, graphics related messages (e.g., time-of-day to be displayed), programming messages, trigger messages, and other messages. 
     Master module  170  monitors its inputs  212  to detect signals from contacts  380  of outputs  330 , as explained previously with reference to  FIG. 3 . When dry contacts trigger, master module  170  detects  510  the trigger and determines which apparatus is being dispatched based on the pin location of input  212  that is triggered. According to some embodiments, master module  170  associates  520  the trigger using a programming table (e.g., tables 1 and 2) that maps the pin location to a desired resource. A valid trigger causes master module  170  to start  530  a latch timer. Information about the alert is then broadcast  540  to all selector-interface slave modules  130  via network connection  228 . 
     The broadcast information is then received  550  by selector-interface slave module  130  that validates  560  the information against a current resource selection  570  (i.e., engine) previously made to alert-configuration selector switch  276  of zone Z21. Upon confirming that the alert resource specified in the information matches current selection  570 , relay outputs  218  ( FIG. 4 ) are actuated  580  to control external devices associated with the specific alert. Based on specific timing configurations of existing FSAS station-alert receiver  180 , relays are held on for any duration of time (e.g., between one and 60 minutes) of the latch timer—typically five minutes is used. Once the time has expired, relays of system  200  are switched to an off status. 
     Tables 1 and 2 show how inputs  212  and  220  are mapped to relay outputs  218 . Hexadecimal numbers in the table define which outputs are activated in response to a particular input trigger. For example, 01H (0001b) indicates a first output of relay outputs  218  should be actuated, 02H (0010b) indicates a second output of relay outputs  218  should be actuated, 03H (0011b) indicates both the first and second outputs should be actuated, 04H (0100b) controls the third output, 05H (0101b) controls both the first and third outputs, and so forth. As explained previously, the first output controls relays  410  ( FIG. 4 ) for an external light  190  and the second output controls relays  410  ( FIG. 4 ) for an external speakers  194 . 
     
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Main Trigger Inputs (212)/ 
               
               
                   
                 Relay Outputs (R1-R8) 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 2 
                   
                   
                 5 
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Relay 
                 1 
                 En- 
                 3 
                 4 
                 Re- 
                   
                   
                 8 
               
               
                 Outputs 
                 All 
                 gine 
                 Truck 
                 Squad 
                 scue 
                 6 
                 7 
                 Chief 
               
               
                 (218) 
                 Call 
                 Call 
                 Call 
                 Call 
                 Call 
                 Other 
                 Other 
                 call 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 of  
                 02H 
                 02H 
                 02H 
                 02H 
                 02H 
                 02H 
                 02H 
                 02H 
               
               
                 Master  
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Module 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 170 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 of  
                 03H 
                 03H 
                 03H 
                 03H 
                 03H 
                 03H 
                 03H 
                 03H 
               
               
                 Slave  
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Module 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 160  
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 (Watchman) 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 of Slave  
                 03H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
               
               
                 Module 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 130  
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Having 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Resource  
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Selection 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 “All” 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 of Slave  
                 03H 
                 03H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
               
               
                 Module 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 130  
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Having 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Resource 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Selection 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 “Engine” 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 of Slave  
                 03H 
                 00H 
                 03H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
               
               
                 Module 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 130  
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Having 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Resource  
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Selection 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 “Truck” 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 of Slave  
                 03H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
                 03H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
               
               
                 Module 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 130  
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Having 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Resource  
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Selection 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 “Squad” 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 of Slave  
                 03H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
                 03H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
               
               
                 Module 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 130  
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Having 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Resource  
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Selection 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 “Rescue” 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 of Slave  
                 03H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
                 03H 
               
               
                 Module 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 130  
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Having 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Resource  
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Selection 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 “Chief” 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Relay 
                   
               
               
                 Outputs  
                 Aux. Trigger Inputs (220) 
               
             
          
           
               
                 (218) 
                 1 
                 2 
                 3 
                 4 
                 5 
                 6 
                 7 
                 8 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 of Master  
                 01H 
                 02H 
                 04H 
                 08H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
               
               
                 Module 170 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 of Slave  
                 01H 
                 02H 
                 04H 
                 08H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
               
               
                 Module 160 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 (Watchman) 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 of Slave  
                 01H 
                 02H 
                 04H 
                 08H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
               
               
                 Module 130  
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Having 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Resource 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Selection  
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 “All” 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 of Slave  
                 01H 
                 02H 
                 04H 
                 08H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
               
               
                 Module  
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 130 Having 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Resource 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Selection  
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 “Engine” 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 of Slave  
                 01H 
                 02H 
                 04H 
                 08H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
               
               
                 Module 130  
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Having 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Resource 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Selection  
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 “Truck” 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 of Slave  
                 01H 
                 02H 
                 04H 
                 08H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
               
               
                 Module 130  
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Having 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Resource 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Selection  
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 “Squad” 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 of Slave  
                 01H 
                 02H 
                 04H 
                 08H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
               
               
                 Module 130  
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Having 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Resource 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Selection  
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 “Rescue” 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 of Slave  
                 01H 
                 02H 
                 04H 
                 08H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
                 00H 
               
               
                 Module 130  
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Having 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Resource 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Selection 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 “Chief” 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     In some embodiments, master module  170  is configured to initialize each slave module with a mapping, such as the mapping defined in tables 1 and 2. Thus, master module  170  broadcasts which of its inputs was triggered and each slave module responds by checking its resource selection and actuating the appropriate outputs according to the corresponding hexadecimal value in the mapping. For example, when R1 is triggered for an all-call dispatch, master module  170  sends this information to all slave modules in a binary serial bit stream. Slave modules receive the information and check their mapping (i.e., table 1). In this example, because table 1 shows a 03H for all possible resource sections under the R1 trigger, each slave module  130  will actuate both first and second 12 VDC outputs to actuate external relays for a speaker and a light. In another example, R2 is triggered for an engine call, in which case master module  170  sends this information to all slave modules in another binary serial bit stream. In this case, however, just modules  130  having an “Engine” resource selection will close 12 VDC outputs to active speaker and light external relays. 
     With reference to alert-configuration selector switch  276  and establishing current selection  570 , selector-interface slave module  130  sends  550  (broadcasts) both its switch selection and address information across network connection  228 . Display-driver slave module  160  receives  596  selection and address information and, based on the information, generates to SPI commands to update display panel  150 . Display panel  150 , in response to the SPI commands, presents associated text and color on one of 16 regions  262  having an address that corresponds to that of zone Z21. 
     According to some embodiments, a daily reset of previous selections made to alert-configuration selector switches is programmed to reset the switches at a desired time. This forces individuals into a habit of reselecting their assigned apparatus each day (or at another interval). For example, the switches may be reset at 7:00 PM (e.g., before bedtime). If no selection is made after that, the zone receives all alerts, so it is in the user&#39;s best interest to not forget to make a selection after the reset. 
       FIG. 6  shows, according to one embodiment, a user interface  600  that includes as alert-configuration selector switch  276  an OLED, a programmable rocker switch  610  for selecting alerts that are desired for the zone, and an independent volume control  620  for adjusting volume levels of an existing paging system. Rocker switch  610  and volume control  620  are mounted in a custom cut, stainless steel, three-gang electrical faceplate  630 . 
     According to one embodiment, rocker switch  610  is an OLED SmartSwitch™ Rocker (part no. IS18WWC1VV) available from NKK Switches of America, Inc. of Scottsdale, Ariz. This programmable device includes a white monochrome OLED display featuring sharp contrast and high resolution with 96×64 pixels, which provides a wide viewing angle of 180° and a large 0.92″ display with suitable contrast. It is a multifunction and programmable device. The multiple functions include updating display menus based on up or down (rocker) presses and providing an output indicating the currently displayed menu in response to a center press (e.g., to enter a selection indicated by the display menus). 
     Rocker switch  610  uses the SPI to communicate with and receive commands from an associated selector-interface slave module  130 . Accordingly,  FIG. 7  shows that rocker switch  610  has a connector  710  that provides a connection to selector-interface slave module  130  via cable assembly  270  ( FIG. 2 ). 
     In the present embodiment, a user presses down to update a display showing an available resource selection, and locks in the resource selection for the zone by pressing up. For example, when the user presses down, an SPI request for a display graphic is generated and sent to an associated slave module. That slave module processes the request and provides a SPI response including the proper graphic for presenting on the display the next selectable resource. Accordingly, selector-interface slave modules  130  store graphics for rocker switches  610 , which are dynamically transferred for changing the display menus. In other words, display menus are updated dynamically from a slave module each time a user presses down so that the display shows the desired text and related graphics. In some embodiments, display menu graphics for an entire system may be changed by accessing master module  170  and requesting it propagate new graphics to slave modules through network connection  228 . 
     The SmartSwitch also allows for dimming of display intensity. The SmartSwitch backlight may be programmed to turn off after a specific duration of time following the last use, typically 30 seconds. This feature reduces ambient light generated by the SmartSwitch during sleep hours. A simple press of the SmartSwitch restores backlight condition, allows new selection, and restarts the backlight 12 VDC power supply with battery backup in case of power failure. 
     Volume control  620  is a standard off-the-shelf device operating at 70/25V and allows the control of the volume level of existing alert paging speakers. Volume control  620  is mounted in a faceplate as a component of user interface  600 . 
       FIG. 8  shows a table  800  of display image selections and explains how the selections are changed in response to user inputs made to a rocker switch  610 . Note that table  800  does not specify particular graphics, but instead refers to a generic graphic “OPTION” under the “Image Description” column. For use in an FSAS, however, OPTION1 might be a “Not Selected” text graphic, OPTION2 might be an “Engine” text graphic, OPTION3 might be a “Truck” text graphic, and so forth. 
     With reference to table  800 , when powered on, slave modules first check whether their ID is outside of a predefined address range (e.g., 1-16). If so, then the module updates an associated display to present a graphic located at an address  16  (10H), which is shown in  FIG. 8  as a user defined ERROR graphic. In this case, the ERROR graphic is shown with a “00” error code. In this mode, the module does not participate in communication and simply remains in this mode. Thus, pressing the associated rocker switch results in no change of displayed graphics. But if the ID is within the acceptable address range, the module presents on the associated display a graphic located at the address  17  (11H), which indicates the module is being programmed (e.g, it is receiving a mapping of the type shown in tables 1 and 2). The module then waits for master module  170  to activate it. It also stay in this mode while being programmed by master module  170 . Accordingly, pressing the associated rocker switch results in no change in this mode. 
     After activation by master module  170 , the module displays a graphic at address  1  (01H), which is shown in  FIG. 8  as an OPTION1 (e.g., “Not Selected”) graphic associated with a “1” mode for no selection. Other modes may be activated and graphic options may be shown on the OLED upon pressing the rocker switch as indicated in table  800 . 
     Master module  170  continuously asks which mode a module is in as well as checking the status of inputs  212  and  220 . Master module  170  continuously informs the slaves of the relay status as well as the time. Slave modules insert the time information in the image being presented and they control outputs as described previously with reference to tables 1 and 2. If communication ceases from master module  170 , the OLED is updated to present an image at the address  16  (10H), which is another ERROR graphics that includes a “01” error code. The error mode continues until communication is resumed under normal operation. 
     Skilled persons will understand that many changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the invention. The scope of the present invention should, therefore, be determined only by the following claims.