Hazard alarm, system, and communication therefor

An alarm system comprising:

• a plurality of hazard alarms including a plurality of first type hazard alarms and a plurality of second type hazard alarms;
• each one of said plurality of hazard alarms including at least one interconnect port;
• said first type hazard alarms including an interface circuit coupled to said interconnect port to respectively transmit and receive information with others of said plurality of hazard alarms interconnected thereto;
• wherein an alarm event in any one of said plurality of first type hazard alarms triggers an alarm indicator in at least one other of said plurality of first type hazard alarms interconnected thereto, while not triggering an alarm indicator in any of said plurality of second type hazard alarms interconnected thereto;
• wherein said interface circuit transmits and receives said information at a bit rate of greater than about 100 bits per second.

A combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarm system, said system comprising:

• a plurality of carbon monoxide alarms;
• a plurality of smoke alarms;
• each of said plurality of carbon monoxide alarms and each said plurality of smoke alarms including at least one interconnect port;
• each of said plurality of carbon monoxide alarms including an interface circuit coupled to said interconnect port to transmit and receive information with other hazard alarms interconnected thereto;
• wherein an alarm event in at least one of said smoke alarms does not trigger an alarm indicator in any of said carbon monoxide alarms interconnected thereto and an alarm event in at least one of said carbon monoxide alarms does not trigger an alarm indicator in any of said smoke alarms interconnected thereto.

A kit for upgrading a smoke alarm system having a plurality of smoke alarms electrically connected to one another, the kit comprising a plurality of carbon monoxide alarms, each of said carbon monoxide alarms including:

• at least one interconnect port;
• an interface circuit coupled to said interconnect port to communicate information with other hazard alarms interconnected thereto;
• a sensor coupled to the interface circuit to detect an alarm event;
• an alarm indicator coupled to the sensor;
• a transmitter coupled to said interconnect port to generate a first signal type in response to the alarm event, the first signal type being receivable by at least one other carbon monoxide detector to trigger an alarm indicator therein, while not triggering an alarm indicator in any of the smoke alarms connected thereto;
• a signal receiver operatively coupled to said interconnect port to receive signals of the first and a second signal types, and to selectively actuate and not actuate said alarm indicator upon receipt of signals of the first and second types, respectively.

A method of fabricating a hazard alarm for use in a hazard alarm system, said method comprising:

• providing an interface circuit;
• coupling a first type sensor to said interface circuit;
• coupling a first type alarm indicator to said first type sensor;
• coupling a transmitter to said interface circuit to generate a first type signal in response to a first type alarm event detected by the first type sensor, the first type signal being receivable by at least one other hazard alarm connected thereto, to trigger a first type alarm indicator therein, while being free from triggering any second type alarm indicator connected thereto;
• and
• operatively coupling a signal receiver to said interface circuit to receive first type signals and second type signals, and to selectively actuate and not actuate said first type alarm indicator upon respective receipt thereof.

A method for upgrading an existing smoke alarm system, having a plurality of smoke alarms electrically connected to one another, said method comprising:

• providing a plurality of carbon monoxide alarms, each of said carbon monoxide alarms including an interface circuit coupled to an interconnect port to transmit and receive information with other hazard alarms interconnected thereto;
• configuring the carbon monoxide alarms to trigger an alarm indicator in at least one other of said plurality of carbon monoxide alarms in response to an alarm event, while not triggering an alarm indicator in any of the plurality of smoke alarms;
• and
• electrically coupling said plurality of carbon monoxide alarms to said smoke alarm system.