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US 2005/0088313 A1Published application
Programmable external event triggering apparatus and method
AssigneeEdwards Systems Technology, Inc.
InventorsRay LeBlanc, Angelo Arcaria, Kenneth Taylor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A programmable event driver/interface can respond to external inputs. A combined hardware/software interface allows for direct communication with individual annunciators and dynamic grouping of annunciators by zone. Events originating outside the system can be looked for at a selectable rate, announced, and monitored as separate annunciator operations.
Claims32
A programmable annunciator system, comprising:
- a master controller;
- a satellite controller distal to said master controller, wherein said satellite controller is linked to a device external to the programmable annunciator system, said satellite controller comprising an interface device configured to receive an information element concerning the external device;
- a communications medium that links said master controller and said satellite controller;
- and
- a message protocol configured to support signal interchange between said master controller and said satellite controller.
2 more elements
A programmable annunciator system, comprising:
- means for generating a polling message in a master controller, wherein the polling message comprises an address for a satellite controller;
- means for transmitting the polling message from the master controller;
- and
- means for conveying the polling message from the master controller to at least one satellite controller, wherein the at least one satellite controller is configured to acquire an information element from an external source.
1 more element
A method for annunciating in a system that accepts external inputs, comprising the steps of:
- transmitting a polling message from a master controller, wherein the polling message comprises an address for a satellite controller, and wherein the polling message further comprises a request for a reply from the satellite controller;
- receiving the polling message at the satellite controller;
- analyzing the polling message at the satellite controller;
- generating a reply at the satellite controller, wherein the reply comprises a plurality of information elements, and wherein the information elements comprise:
- an address echo for the satellite controller;
- a signal indicating whether the satellite controller is external-input capable;
- and
- a status signal for the satellite controller;
- and
- transmitting the reply by the satellite controller to the master controller.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.