Patent ID: 7292141

Claim:
An alarm system comprising: a main processor and a first speaker in a computer-based monitoring system; a sensor communicatively connected to said main processor for receiving input; a second processor communicatively connected to said main processor for exchange of messages; and a second speaker; wherein: A) said main processor sends periodic status messages to said second processor to notify said second processor that said main processor is running; B) said second processor sends periodic status messages to said main processor to notify said main processor that said second processor is running; C) said main processor will set an alarm condition to true based on input from said sensor according to a predetermined alarm logic; D) said main processor will generate an audible alarm in said first speaker if said alarm condition is true; E) said main processor will send a control message to said second processor to generate an audible alarm in said second speaker when said first speaker has been sounding for a predetermined time interval; F) said second processor will generate an audible alarm in said second speaker if no status message is received within a predetermined time interval or if said control message is received from said main processor; and G) said main processor will generate a visual or audible alarm if said status message from said second processor is not received within a predetermined time interval.