Abstract:
Parameters defining operational characteristics of audible, visual or audible/visual alarm indicating output devices, can be transmitted to the respective devices from common output control circuitry to avoid having to set up the devices electromechanically in the field upon installation, or upon replacement for maintenance purposes. The downloaded parameters can be stored locally at the respective device and can include prerecorded verbal messages, horn or chime output volumes, tonal patterns and repetition rates. Candela settings for strobes can also be downloaded from the control circuitry.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention pertains to fire monitoring systems and output devices therefore. More particularly, the invention pertains to audible, visual or audible/visual output devices which incorporate circuitry by which parameters therefore can be downloaded from a remote source. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   It has been known to incorporate audible and visual output alarm indicating devices in connection with various types of fire monitoring systems. Such systems, which are usually installed to monitor conditions in a region of interest, often include a plurality of audible and visible output devices scattered throughout the region being monitored. Such devices usually receive electrical energy from the monitoring system. Optionally, they can be energized via a local power supply. 
   In some known systems the audible and visual output devices incorporate switches, jumpers and the like for purposes of setting device parameters. For example, representative parameters include output volume and/or tone pattern for horns, output volume and/or repetition rate and tonal characteristics for chimes, input power and amplifier voltages for speakers. For visual devices, such as strobes, light intensity or candela setting is required. Very often establishing such settings requires that the installers read blueprints or wiring diagrams. All of these steps are error prone and also slow down the installation process. 
     FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary prior art alarm and monitoring system  10  which can be installed in and usable to monitor a region R. The system  10  includes a plurality of spaced apart detectors  14 . The detectors  14  could include fire detectors, smoke detectors, gas detectors and the like, all without limitation. The detectors are in communication via a medium  16 , which could be wired or wireless, with a common monitoring control system  20 . System  20  which could incorporate one or more programmed processors communicates with the members of the plurality  14 . 
   System  20  also incorporates audible, visible output control circuitry  22 . The circuitry  22  can be used to provide electrical energy to a notification appliance circuit indicated generally at  26 . The circuit  26  has coupled thereto a plurality of audible, visible devices indicated generally at  28 . The devices  28  could include audible only, visual only or combined audible/visual devices. 
   The devices on the notification appliance circuit  26  are energized by the output control circuitry  22  in response to the monitoring system  20  determining that an alarm condition, perhaps a fire or gas condition is present somewhere in the region R. When the notification appliance circuit  26  has been energized, all of the devices  28  receive power from the control circuits  22  and enter an active state emitting their respective audible or visual alarm indicating outputs in accordance with their respective previously established switch settings. 
     FIG. 2  illustrates a representative member  28   i  of the plurality of output devices  28 . As noted above, the device  28   i  receives electrical energy via the notification appliance circuitry  26 . The device  28   i  incorporates both audible and visual outputs. In this embodiment, an installer would set one or more switches  30   a  to establish the audio outputs and one or more switches  30   b  to establish the visual intensity outputs. 
   Switches  30   a ,  30   b  are in turn coupled to control circuitry  34  which could be implemented, at least in part, with a programmed processor and executable instructions  34   a . The executable instructions  34   a  can provide functionality to  34   b,c  to read the audio select switch(s),  30   a  as well as the candela select switch(s)  30   b.    
   The executable instructions  34   a  can additionally generate one or more audio output waveforms, in combination with appropriate output hardware as would be understood by those of skill in the art. Output signals from the audio waveform generator  34   d  can be in turn coupled to audio drive circuitry  38   a  which can in turn drive the physical audio output device  38   b.    
   Strobe control instructions  34   e , in combination with any needed processor hardware, as would be understood by those of skill in the art, can couple strobe control signals to strobe circuit  40   a . The circuit  40   a  in response to signals received from the hardware/software combination  34 ,  34   e  can in turn drive strobe light  40   b.    
   The switches  30   a ,  30   b  are, as noted above, set when the respective device  28   i  is being installed. They are hidden from view when the device is mounted on a base or on a electrical box. To change the settings the respective device must be removed from its installed location, usually on a wall or on a ceiling. The switches are readjusted and then the device  28   i  can be reinstalled. 
   In view of the above, it would be desirable to be able to minimize the actions the installer would have to take to install the respective device, such as the device  28   i . It would also be desirable to be able to take advantage of economies of scale and to the greatest extent possible, install common audible, visual or combined audible/visual output devices throughout a region irrespective of whether the devices are to produce horn or chime type outputs or verbal inputs, or, visual indicia, light. Further, it would be desirable to replace existing audible, visual or audible/visual units with another unit in the field without having to determine what the prior switch settings had been so as to replicate them in the replacement unit. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an exemplary prior art regional monitoring system; 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram of an exemplary prior art audible/visual output device; 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a monitoring system in accordance with the present invention; and 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram of an audible/visual output device in accordance with the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
   While embodiments of this invention can take many different forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated. 
   Systems and methods in accordance with the invention simplify the procedure for installing audible, visual and audible/visual devices. The same type of product could potentially be installed in every location throughout the region R being monitored where required. 
   Systems and methods in accordance with the invention relieve the installers from having to read the blueprints and/or wiring diagrams as well as having to spend time figuring out settings for the audible/visual devices. They minimize installer errors in setting output device characteristics. Further, changes in settings can be effected without having to have an installer go into the respective region and remove the device from its installed location for purposes of adjusting the parameter settings thereon. 
   The systems and methods in accordance with the invention provide enhanced flexibility in that output device settings can be changed virtually instantaneously from the monitoring system control panel to fit changing circumstances. For example, it at times might be desirable to alter the output light intensity from a strobe unit, change the output volume of chimes or horns or tone pattern and/or repetition rates therefore in view of redecorating, altering walls and spaces within the region being monitored or other regional changes. Systems and methods which embody the invention make it possible to respond quickly and efficiently to such changes. 
   Finally, in accordance with the invention, the audible, visible products can be simplified by eliminating switches on the respective product for the purpose of setting parameters. Products can then be made less expensive and smaller. 
   In accordance with the invention, audible, visible or audible/visible output device parameter settings can be established at respective devices by downloading same from the monitoring system control panel to the respective device or devices. Settable parameters include a light intensity setting, a candela setting, for strobes. The output volume, tonal patterns such as temporal or continuous can be remotely set for horns. The output volume, repetition rate and tone characteristics can be remotely set for chimes. Devices which incorporate both audible and visual devices can have both sets of parameters set, after installation, from the monitoring system control panel. 
   Where the region also includes a displaced plurality of speakers for purposes of providing audible output messages, such messages can be downloaded in a digital format from the monitoring system and then reconstituted at the appropriate speaker module(s) for output. 
     FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a system  10 ′ in accordance with the invention. The system  10 ′ incorporates a plurality  14 ′ of fire, smoke, gas detectors or the like, which are in communication via a medium  16 ′, which could be wired or wireless with a regional monitoring system  20 ′. 
   The regional monitoring system  20 ′ incorporates audible/visual output control circuits  22 ′, discussed in more detail subsequently. Circuits  22 ′ are coupled by a signaling loop circuit  26 ′ to a plurality  28 ′ of audible, visual or audible/visual output devices. The output control circuits  22 ′ can individually address each of the members of the plurality  28 ′, for example, the device  28   i′.    
   In alternate types of systems, individual addresses need not be used. Some or all devices in this alternate would be addressable simultaneously. 
   It will be understood by those of skill in the art that the plurality of the devices  28 ′ could be powered directly off of the signaling loop circuit  26 ′. Alternately, respective of the devices such as  28   i ′, could be provided with a local, optional, power supply indicated generally at  50 . 
   As discussed in more detail subsequently, the output control circuits  22 ′ can couple address signals as well as parameter signals, via signaling loop circuit  26 ′ to one or more of the output devices, such as the device  28   i ′. The output control circuits  22 ′ can turn any of the devices on or off, as well as download data and/or parameters to the respective device(s). 
   The downloaded data can include parametric information as to all settings which are required to define device operation. Alternately, messages to be audibly output can be downloaded. In addition to downloading parametric information via the circuit  26 ′, the output control circuits  22 ′ can also download replacement or updated control programs to the respective output devices, such as the device  28   i′.    
     FIG. 4  is a block diagram of an output device  28   i ′ which could correspond to an audible output device, such as a horn or chimes, or alternately, a loud speaker. Device  28   i ′ could correspond to a visual output device such as a strobe light or, a combination of audible/visual output device. 
   The device  28   i ′ includes control circuitry  60  which could be implemented with a programmable processor  60   a  and associated executable instructions or control programs  60   b . Some or all of such programs could be stored in programmable read-only memory such as flash memory  62 . The control circuitry  60  can include executable instructions and associated hardware  64   a  for implementing an audio waveform generator. Additionally, where the device  28   i ′ also includes a visual output, the control circuitry  60  can include executable instructions and/or output hardware  64   b  to carry out a strobe control function. 
   The output from the audio waveform generator software and hardware  64   a  can be coupled to an audio drive circuit  66   a  which could include an optional amplifier as would be understood by those of skill in the art. The audio driver circuitry  66   a  can in turn drive an audio transducer such as a sounder or a loud speaker  66   b . Alternately, or in addition thereto, the output device  28   i ′ can incorporate strobe control circuitry  68   a  which is in turn coupled to a high intensity strobe light  68   b  of a type which would be known to those of skill in the art. 
   Parameters, programs, messages and the like all without limitation, can be downloaded from the output control circuits  22 ′ to and installed in the device  28   i ′ via signaling loop circuit  26 ′ and a duplex communications interface circuit  70 . Circuit  70  is coupled to and in communication with the signaling loop circuit  26 ′. 
   Duplex communication circuitry  70  has associated therewith a device address  70   a . It will be understood that the device address  70   a  can be set in a variety of fashions and is unique to the respective device  28   i′.    
   The address can be set using mechanical switches, jumpers or the like at the device  28   i ′. Such settings can be effected in the field at the time the device is installed in the respective system  10 ′. Alternately address settings can be established using read-only memories or programmable read-only memories, either at the time the respective device is manufactured or in the field with an appropriate programmer as would be understood by those of skill in the art. 
   Each of the devices of the plurality  28 ′ would be installed in loop  26 ′ with a unique address. The duplex communication interface circuitry  70  can in turn forward to control circuits  60 , parameters, instructions, additions to or replacement control programs or software which are directed to the address of the device  28   i ′. Such information can be stored for subsequent use in flash memory  62 . It will be understood that other types of programmable read-only memory come within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Further, the processor  60  can incorporate read-write memory as appropriate. 
   Representative parameters which can be downloaded to the device  28   i ′ include, where the sounder  66   b  corresponds to a horn, output volume and/or tonal pattern, temporal or continuous. Where the sounder  66   b  corresponds to chimes, the downloaded parameters can include output volume, repetition rate, and tonal characteristics. 
   Where the audible output device is a loud speaker which is intended to provide verbal type audio outputs, the downloaded parameters can include one or more predetermined messages. Such messages can be stored in the memory  62 . All such stored messages can be extracted and presented to the speaker  66   b  via control circuit  60  in accordance with commands received from the output control circuitry  22 ′. 
   It will also be understood that the device  28   i ′ could incorporate, optionally, audio specification switches  72   a  and/or output intensity switch(s)  72   b . However, such switches are optional and could in fact be omitted. 
   Duplex communication circuitry  70  can be coupled to a power control switch  74  for purposes of coupling power from a local supply  50  to the device  28   i ′ as needed. Alternatively, instead of a local supply, power can be delivered by circuit  26 ′ to each of the devices on the loop. As those of skill will understand, the downloaded parameters and/or control programs stored in the memory  62  can specify all device settings as well as functionality needed to define how the respective output device  28   i ′ is to carry out its predetermined function. 
   From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.