Apparatus for signalling system

In a signalling system, apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of remote control means each having an identification number assigned thereto differing from the identification numbers of at least some of the other remote control means, each of the remote control means comprising:
• self-check timing means for storing self-check timing data therein;
• clocking means operative to alter the self-check timing data stored in the self-check timing means so as to have a predetermined value at the expiration of a predetermined period of time, said expiration initially corresponding to a time of day directly related to the identification number of the remote control means;
• and
• self-check message generating means operative at or after the self-check data in the self-check timing means having the predetermined value to initiate a self-check operation and to produce a self-check message indicative of the self-check operation;
• and
• processing means arranged to receive and process messages produced by the plurality of remote control means, said processing means being operative in response to each message from a remote control means to derive self-check timing data for use by the remote control means in the next self-check operation, said self-check timing data representing a period of time the expiration of which corresponds to a predetermined time of day associated with the remote control means and differing from the expirating times of day of at least some of the other remote control means, said processing means being operative to generate a message containing the self-check timing data;
• and
• said remote control means further including means operative to receive the message produced by the processing means and in response thereto to cause the self-check timing data in the message to be applied to and stored in the self-check timing means for use thereby in initiating the next self-check operation.

In a signalling system, apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of remote control means each having an identification number assigned thereto differing from the identification numbers of at least some of the other remote control means, each of the remote control means comprising:
• self-check timing means for storing self-check timing data therein, said self-check timing means being initially operative to store self-check timing data therein having a value directly related to the identification number of the associated remote control means, said self-check timing data representing a predetermined period of time;
• clocking means operative to alter the self-check timing data initially stored in the self-check timing means so as to have a predetermined value at the expiration of the predetermined period of time;
• and
• self-check message generating means operative at or after the self-check data in the self-check timing means having the predetermined value to initiate a self-check operation and to produce a self-check message indicative of the self-check operation;
• and
• processing means arranged to receive and process messages produced by the plurality of remote control means, said processing means being operative in response to each message from a remote control means to derive self-check timing data for use by the remote control means in the next self-check operation, said self-check timing data representing a period of time and having a value whereby the expiration of the period of time corresponds to a predetermined time of day associated with the remote control means and differing from the expiration times of day of at least some of the other remote control means, said processing means being operative to generate a message containing the self-check timing data;
• and
• said remote control means further including means operative to receive the message produced by the processing means and in response thereto to cause the self-check timing data in the message to be applied to and stored in the self-check timing means for use thereby in initiating the next self-check operation.