Method and apparatus for adapting voltage control in alarm systems
AssigneeSimplex Time Recorder Company
InventorsMark P. Barrieau, Mike A. Faulkner, Paul H. Maier, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An output voltage supplied to alarm devices in an alarm system is adjusted according to either a standby condition or an alarm condition. In the standby condition, a power control circuit adjusts power so that a standby voltage is supplied to the alarm devices which allows the alarm devices to respond to poll messages regarding their alarm status. An alarm condition is triggered when an alarm device responds with an alarm status indicating an alarm condition. During an alarm condition, the power control circuit adjusts power to provide a higher voltage to the alarm devices in order to allow additional alarm device functions to be operated.
Claims22
An alarm system having an adjustable power supply for conserving energy during operation, the alarm system comprising:
- a plurality of alarm devices;
- a control panel coupled to the alarm devices, the control panel supplying power to the alarm devices;
- and
- a power control circuit within the control panel providing a standby voltage to the alarm devices while the alarm system is in a standby condition and providing a boosted alarm voltage while the alarm system is in an alarm condition, the standby voltage being less than the alarm voltage.
A power control circuit for conserving power in an alarm system, comprising:
- an input receiving a reference voltage;
- an output providing an output voltage at a standby voltage level and at an alarm voltage level;
- and
- a boost input receiving a first signal that causes the power control circuit to convert the reference voltage received on the input to a standby voltage for use in a standby condition and when the boost input receives an absence of the first signal, the boost input causes the power control circuit to convert the reference voltage received on the input to an alarm voltage for use in an alarm condition, the alarm voltage being greater than the standby voltage.
A method for controlling power in an alarm system, comprising the steps of:
- receiving a boost signal at a power control circuit;
- determining if the boost signal indicates a standby condition, and if so, supplying a standby voltage to alarm devices in the alarm system from the power control circuit;
- determining if the boost signal indicates an alarm condition, and if so, supplying an alarm voltage to the alarm devices in the alarm system from the power control circuit, the alarm voltage being greater than the standby voltage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.