Premises entry and exit signaling system

Claim 2

A premises protection system comprising a power supply, an alarm-sensing circuit, a signalling circuit for indicating the setting of said alarmsensing circuit, a multi-position switch having a rotor and a plurality of operating positions including an OFF position, an ON position, and an intermediate position, a two-position switch, a two-position relay having an armature, first and second contacts, and an electrical winding, the armature being normally in a first position in which it is in contact with said first contact, said intermediate contact of said multi-position switch being connected to one side of said power supply and the rotor of said multiposition switch being connected to the other side of said power supply, movement of the rotor of said multi-position switch from said OFF position through said intermediate position to said ON position completing a current flow path through said winding of said relay and causing said armature of said relay to switch from its first position to a second position in which said armature is in contact with said second contact and said power supply is disconnected from said alarm-sensing circuit, operation of said two-position switch disconnecting said winding of said relay from said power supply and releasing said armature from said second position in which it is in contact with said second contact and causing it to return to its first position in which it is in contact with said first contact whereby said power supply is connected to said alarm-sensing circuit and said signalling circuit is energized to transmit a signal which indicates that power has been connected to said alarm-sensing circuit.

Claim 3

The system defined in claim 1 and including in said alarm-sensing circuit first alarm signalling means, a first electronic circuit module including first bistable switching means having two states of operation, in one of which it is unenergized and quiescent and, in the second of which, it senses a first alarm condition and generates a first electrical signal in response thereto, said first electrical signal operating said first alarm signalling means, a second electronic circuit module including second bistable switching means having two states of operation, in one of which it is unenergized and quiescent and, in the second of which, it senses a second alarm condition and generates a second electrical signal in response thereto, said second electrical signal operating said first alarm signalling means, a third electronic circuit module coupled to said first and second electronic circuit modules and having input terminals coupled to said first and second circuit modules and having first and second output terminals for indicating which of its two states each of said first and second electronic circuit modules is in, and a fourth circuit module including second signalling apparatus and coupled to said first and second output terminals, said output terminals of said third electronic circuit module carrying one set of potentials and energizing one portion of said fourth circuit module when said first and second circuit modules are in an unenergized and quiescent state, said output terminals carrying a second set of potentials and energizing another portion of said fourth circuit module when one or both of Said first and second electronic circuit modules is in an alarm-signalling state.

Claim 4

The system defined in claim 2 wherein one of said first or second circuit modules includes time delay means for delaying its operation of said first alarm signalling means.

Claim 5

The system defined in claim 2 wherein said fourth circuit module is coupled to said third module and said second signalling apparatus includes a first indicator means indicating a normal state for said system when said output signal is not present and said third module is in its first state, and a second indicator means indicating an alarm state when said output signal is present and said third module is in its second state.

Claim 6

The system defined in claim 4 wherein, in said fourth module, said first indicator means includes a normal condition indicator and a gate, and said second indicator means includes an alarm condition indicator and a gate, first power supply means coupled to and applying an AC signal across both said alarm condition indicator and gate, and said normal condition indicator and gate, each said gate preventing said AC signal from turning on its associated indicator, and a second power supply means coupled through control means to said gates for applying an enabling signal thereto and for operating the same and their associated indicators under control of said control means.

Claim 7

The system defined in claim 2 wherein said first and second output terminals of said third circuit module are coupled through a first pair of oppositely oriented diodes to first and second switching devices which are connected so that they turn ON and OFF together in response to the potentials on said first and second output terminals of said third module, said first switching device being coupled through a first circuit path to a first ''''trouble'''' indicator having a first gate, said second switching device being connected through a second circuit path to a second ''''normal'''' indicator having a second gate, said first and second output terminals also being connected through a second pair of oppositely connected diodes to third and fourth circuit paths, said third path including a switching device connected to a third ''''alarm'''' indicator having a third gate, said fourth path being coupled to a fourth remote ''''alarm'''' indicator having a fourth gate, and a signal source providing signals for operating said first, second, and third indicators and coupled to said first, second, and third circuit paths, said paths being open or blocked to said signals depending on the conductive state of said switching devices, and the state of said diodes being determined by the potentials on said first and second output terminals of said third circuit module.

Claim 8

The system defined in claim 1 wherein said alarm-sensing circuit includes positive and negative buses, and said alarm-sensing circuit in addition is coupled through transmission lines to a remote indicator circuit at a location remote from the protected premises, a normally open switch across said transmission lines, and a series-connected transistor switch and lamp connected between said positive and negative buses whereby closure of said switch turns on said transistor switch and said lamp.

Claim 9

The system defined in claim 7 including an auxiliary switch ganged to said three-position switch and including OFF and ON terminals, between which a potentiometer is connected, the slider of said potentiometer being connected to positive potential, and a circuit connected between said transmission lines at said remote location comprising a transistor switch having a meter in its output circuit, said meter providing one reading when said auxiliary switch is in the OFF state and a second reading when said auxiliary switch is in the ON state.

Claim 10

The system defined in claim 1 wherein said alarm-sensing circuit includes an alarm means, a microphone and a first audio Amplifier at said premises, said first audio amplifier having a pair of output lines and a power line, all normally open, a remote indicating circuit at a remote location coupled through transmission lines to said first alarm-sensing circuit, means associated with and operated by said alarm means and coupled to said output and power lines to couple said output lines of said first audio amplifier to said transmission lines to transmit sound from said premises along said transmission lines, a second audio amplifier and a speaker connected to said transmission lines at said remote location whereby said sounds can be heard at said remote location.

Claim 11

The system defined in claim 1 wherein said alarm-sensing circuit includes an alarm means, a relay connected across said alarm means and having three armatures, a first audio amplifier having a pair of output lines coupled to but normally not contacting two of said armatures, a power lead extending from said audio amplifier to said third armature but normally not in contact therewith, a remote indicating circuit at a remote location coupled through transmission lines to said alarm-sensing circuit, said two of said armatures being connected to said transmission lines whereby, when said armatures close into contact with said two output lines, the output of said audio amplifier can be transmitted along said transmission lines to said remote indicating circuit, and a second audio amplifier and a speaker connected to said transmission lines at said remote location whereby personnel at said remote location can receive transmissions from said first audio amplifier.

Claim 12

The system defined in claim 1 wherein said first alarm-sensing circuit includes an alarm means, a connection from said alarm means to a semiconductor amplifier means and to a programmable unijunction transistor having a time delay circuit at its input, the output of said unijunction transistor being connected through a switching circuit to a relay having a normally closed switch means in the power line of said system whereby operation of said alarm means turns on said semiconductor amplifier and charges said time delay circuit which fires said unijunction transistor and said switching circuit to operate said relay and thus to open said power line and disable said alarm-sensing circuit whereupon said relay closes said switch and re-establishes the continuity of said power line.

Claim 13

The system defined in claim 2 wherein said first output terminal is coupled to a first pair of oppositely oriented diodes and said second output terminal is coupled to a second pair of oppositely oriented diodes, said first pair of diodes being coupled through first and second switching devices to first and second circuit paths, the first circuit path including a ''''trouble'''' indicator means and the second circuit path including a ''''normal'''' indicator means, said second pair of diodes being connected through third and fourth switching devices to third and fourth circuit paths, the third circuit path including a first ''''alarm'''' indicator means and the fourth circuit path including a second ''''alarm'''' indicator means, and a signal source providing signals for operating said first, second, and third indicator means and coupled to said first, second, and third circuit paths, said paths being open or blocked to said signals depending on the conductive state of said first and second pairs of switching devices, and the state of said diodes being determined by the potentials on said first and second output terminals of said third circuit module.

Claim 14

The system defined in claim 12 wherein said first, second, third and fourth switching devices are semiconductor devices.

Claim 15

The system defined in claim 12 wherein said first, second, and third switching devices are transistors having at least three electrodes and said fourth switching device is a three-electrode controlled rectifier.

Claim 16

The system defined in claim 12 wherein one diode of said first pair of diodes is connected to an input electrode of each of said first and second switching devices and one diode of said second pair of diodes is connected to an input electrode of each of said third and fourth switching devices.

Claim 17

The system defined in claim 12 wherein said fourth circuit path includes a time-delay pulse generating circuit which comprises said fourth switching device and a capacitor, said fourth switching device being rendered conductive to operate said second ''''alarm'''' indicator means when said capacitor is charged by current flowing in said fourth circuit path as the result of an alarm condition sensed by said system.

Claim 18

The system defined in claim 12 and including a normally open relay connected across said ''''trouble'''' indicator means and coupled to said fourth switching device whereby, whenever said ''''trouble'''' indicator means turns on, said fourth switching device and said second ''''alarm'''' indicator means are operated.

Claim 19

The system defined in claim 6 wherein said first and second switching devices comprise first and second semiconductor devices coupled together and adapted to be ON or OFF together in response to signals on said first and second output terminals of said third module, when said first and second switching devices are ON together due to first ones of said signals on said output terminals, said second switching device couples signals from said signal source to said second gate to operate said ''''normal'''' indicator and said first switching device prevents said signals from said signal source from operating said first gate and said first ''''trouble'''' indicator, and when said first and second switching devices are OFF together due to others of said signals at said output terminals of said third module, said others of said signals operate said third switching device and said fourth gate and said third and fourth circuit paths are operative and operate the ''''alarm'''' indicators therein.

Claim 20

Premises protection apparatus comprising a signaling circuit, a double-acting master switch coupled to said circuit for fully setting said circuit into operation or for partially setting said circuit, depending on which of the two actions of said switch is employed, a first switch coupled to said signaling circuit and adapted to be operated by authorized personnel to complete the setting and operation thereof when said circuit has been partially set and authorized personnel leave the premises, a second switch coupled to and operated by said master switch for partially setting said circuit, said first switch being coupled to and operating said second switch for completing the setting of and operation of said circuit, said master switch including an OFF contact, an ON contact, and an intermediate contact, said intermediate contact being coupled to and causing operation of said second switch to partially set said signaling circuit, said second switch including a contactor arm and first and second contacts, said apparatus further including a power source, said signaling circuit including a first gate portion and a second portion which can operate a signal system, turning of said master switch through said intermediate contact serving to momentarily complete a circuit path from said power source through said second switch whereby said contactor arm is moved from normal contact with said first contact into contact with said second contact whereby power is coupled to said signaling circuit and said first gate portion thereof is energized but not said second portion thereof, said first switch being normally closed and being in said circuit path, momentary opening of said first switch de-activating said second switch and moving said contactor from said second contact to said first contact, whereby power is removed from said first portion of said signaling circuit Whereby said second portion of said signaling circuit can operate and can energize said signal system.

Claim 21

Premises protection apparatus comprising a signaling circuit, a double-acting master switch coupled to said circuit for fully setting said circuit into operation or for partially setting said circuit, depending on which of the two actions of said switch is employed, a first switch coupled to said signaling circuit and adapted to be operated by authorized personnel to complete the setting and operation thereof when said circuit has been partially set and authorized personnel leave the premises, a second switch coupled to and operated by said master switch for partially setting said circuit, said first switch being coupled to and operating said second switch for completing the setting of and operation of said circuit, said master switch including an OFF contact, an ON contact, and an intermediate contact, said intermediate contact being coupled to and causing operation of said second switch to partially set said signaling circuit, said second switch including a contactor arm and first and second contacts, said apparatus further including a power source, said signaling circuit including a first gate portion and a second portion which can operate a signal system, turning of said master switch through said intermediate contact serving to momentarily complete a circuit path from said power source through said second switch whereby said contactor arm is moved from normal contact with said first contact into contact with said second contact whereby power is coupled to said signaling circuit and said first gate portion thereof is energized but not said second portion thereof, said first switch being normally closed and being in said circuit path, momentary opening of said first switch de-activating said second switch and moving said contactor from said second contact to said first contact, whereby power is removed from said first portion of said signaling circuit Whereby said second portion of said signaling circuit can operate and can energize said signal system.

Claim 22

The circuit defined in claim 19 wherein said first gate portion of said signaling circuit includes a capacitor arrangement which charges and holds off said second portion of said signaling circuit, discharge of said capacitor arrangement when said first switch is operated serving to energize said second portion of said signaling circuit.

Claim 23

The circuit defined in claim 19 wherein said first gate portion of said signaling circuit includes a capacitor arrangement which charges and holds off said second portion of said signaling circuit, discharge of said capacitor arrangement when said first switch is operated serving to energize said second portion of said signaling circuit, and said second portion of said signaling circuit including a first sub-circuit and a second sub-circuit, said first sub-circuit having a short time constant for operating a remote light-flashing arrangement, said second sub-circuit having a longer time constant for controlling the time duration of the operation of said first sub-circuit.

Claim 24

A premises protection system comprising a power supply, an alarm-sensing circuit, a signalling circuit for indicating the setting of said alarm-sensing circuit, a multi-position switch having a rotor and a plurality of operating positions including an OFF position, an ON position, and an intermediate position, a two-position switch, a two-position relay having an armature, first and second contacts, and an electrical winding, the armature of said relay being normally in a first position in which it is in contact with said first contact, said intermediate contact of said multi-position switch being connected to one side of said power supply and the rotor of said three-position switch being connected to the other side of said power supply, a door in said premises and a door switch mounted in said door, said switch being open when the door is closed and closed when the door is open, a first connection from said ON position of said multi-position switch to said door switch, movement of the rotor of said multi-position switch from said OFF Position through said intermediate position to said ON position completing a current flow path through said winding of said relay and causing said armature of said relay to switch from its first position to its second position in which said armature is in contact with said second contact and said power supply is disconnected from said alarm-sensing circuit, a switching circuit including said two-position switch coupled to and adapted to operate said relay and having a second connection to said first connection through said door switch, said switching circuit including a transistor having its input coupled to said second connection and its output coupled to first and second semiconductor switches, said transistor and said first semiconductor switch being turned on when said multi-position switch is turned ON, subsequent closing of said door and opening of said door switch serving to apply operating potential to said second semiconductor switch to operate said relay and said signalling circuit to signal the arming of said alarm-sensing circuit.

Claim 25

A premises protection system comprising a power supply, an alarm-sensing circuit, a signalling circuit for indicating the setting of said alarm-sensing circuit, a multi-position switch having a rotor and a plurality of operating positions including an OFF position, an ON position, and an intermediate position, a two-position switch, a two-position relay having an armature, first and second contacts, and an electrical winding, the armature of said relay being normally in a first position in which it is in contact with said first contact, said intermediate contact of said multi-position switch being connected to one side of said power supply and the rotor of said three-position switch being connected to the other side of said power supply, a door in said premises and a door switch mounted in said door, said switch being open when the door is closed and closed when the door is open, a first connection from said ON position of said multi-position switch to said door switch, movement of the rotor of said multi-position switch from said OFF Position through said intermediate position to said ON position completing a current flow path through said winding of said relay and causing said armature of said relay to switch from its first position to its second position in which said armature is in contact with said second contact and said power supply is disconnected from said alarm-sensing circuit, a switching circuit including said two-position switch coupled to and adapted to operate said relay and having a second connection to said first connection through said door switch, said switching circuit including a transistor having its input coupled to said second connection and its output coupled to first and second semiconductor switches, said transistor and said first semiconductor switch being turned on when said multi-position switch is turned ON, subsequent closing of said door and opening of said door switch serving to apply operating potential to said second semiconductor switch to operate said relay and said signalling circuit to signal the arming of said alarm-sensing circuit.

Claim 26

A premises protection system including an alarm-sensing circuit for detecting alarm conditions at said premises, a signaling circuit for indicating the state of said alarm-sensing circuit and whether it has been disabled or enabled by an occupant of the premises, a first switch which is a multi-position switch and includes an OFF position, an intermediate position, and an ON position, a door associated with said premises, a door switch coupled to said door and open when said door is closed and closed when said door is open, a power supply, a first relay having an armature, a first contact, a second contact, and a winding, said fiRst contact being connected through a normally closed switch to a second relay having a contact, an armature, and a winding, said armature of said first relay being connected to one side of said power supply, a connection from said intermediate contact of said multi-position switch through said winding of said first relay to the other side of said power supply, a circuit loop including a transistor coupled through a diode to a first SCR switch to a second SCR switch through a diode and a third SCR switch to the winding of said second relay, a connection from said ON contact of said switch through said door switch (1) through a diode to said transistor and (2) through a lead to the alarm-sensing circuit, a connection from a contact of said multi-position switch to said alarm-sensing circuit, a connection from said intermediate position of said multi-position switch to said winding of said first relay whereby, when the rotor of said multi-position switch is moved from the OFF position through the intermediate position to the ON position, a current flow path is completed from said power supply through said winding of said relay and said armature is moved to said second contact, a connection from said ON position to said signalling circuit for partially setting the same when said rotor is moved from said OFF position to said ON position and potential is coupled from said power supply to said signalling circuit, opening of said door causing said door switch to close and couple potential from said power source to said transistor to cause it to conduct and apply operating potential to an electrode of said second SCR switch, closing of said door causing said door switch to open and apply positive potential to the gate of said second SCR switch which fires and causes said second relay winding to conduct and open and cut off current from the winding of said first relay whereby its armature goes back to said first contact to apply arming potential to said alarm-sensing circuit and to operate said signalling circuit.

Claim 27

A premises protection system including an alarm-sensing circuit for detecting alarm conditions at said premises, a signaling circuit for indicating the state of said alarm-sensing circuit and whether it has been disabled or enabled by an occupant of the premises, a first switch which is a multi-position switch and includes an OFF position, an intermediate position, and an ON position, a door associated with said premises, a door switch coupled to said door and open when said door is closed and closed when said door is open, a power supply, a first relay having an armature, a first contact, a second contact, and a winding, said fiRst contact being connected through a normally closed switch to a second relay having a contact, an armature, and a winding, said armature of said first relay being connected to one side of said power supply, a connection from said intermediate contact of said multi-position switch through said winding of said first relay to the other side of said power supply, a circuit loop including a transistor coupled through a diode to a first SCR switch to a second SCR switch through a diode and a third SCR switch to the winding of said second relay, a connection from said ON contact of said switch through said door switch (1) through a diode to said transistor and (2) through a lead to the alarm-sensing circuit, a connection from a contact of said multi-position switch to said alarm-sensing circuit, a connection from said intermediate position of said multi-position switch to said winding of said first relay whereby, when the rotor of said multi-position switch is moved from the OFF position through the intermediate position to the ON position, a current flow path is completed from said power supply through said winding of said relay and said armature is moved to said second contact, a connection from said ON position to said signalling circuit for partially setting the same when said rotor is moved from said OFF position to said ON position and potential is coupled from said power supply to said signalling circuit, opening of said door causing said door switch to close and couple potential from said power source to said transistor to cause it to conduct and apply operating potential to an electrode of said second SCR switch, closing of said door causing said door switch to open and apply positive potential to the gate of said second SCR switch which fires and causes said second relay winding to conduct and open and cut off current from the winding of said first relay whereby its armature goes back to said first contact to apply arming potential to said alarm-sensing circuit and to operate said signalling circuit.