US4361832A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic centralized monitoring system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-01-12
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Granted: 1982-11-30
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Expires: 1998-01-12
Abstract
Abstract An automatic centralized monitoring system capable of monitoring various sensors in a plurality of premises with rapidity; this is accomplished by combining the premises into a plurality of groups; the central station is provided with as many computer-controlled line drivers as there are groups; all of the line drivers are able to simultaneously read the sensors in one premise of each group. The sensor readings are multiplexed and returned to the computer which interprets the readings.
Inventors
- 👤 Martin T. Cole
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 16:20
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B26/00; G08B25/00; G08B25/01; G08B25/08; G08B25/085
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
255 words
An automatic centralized monitoring system capable of monitoring various functions in a plurality of premises: comprising, a central station, said premises being adapted to be linked to said central station, monitoring means comprising one or more sensors adapted to be located in each of said premises, a plurality of m line driver means located at said central station linked to said premises, said premises being arranged in m unique groups with each group having a capacity of n premises, (m and n each being integers greater than one), each of the m line driver means being connected to a respective one of the unique groups, said line driver means being controlled by a computer means which is arranged to cause all the line driver means to: (a) simultaneously select a predetermined first one of each of the n premises of its respective group of premises; (b) read the sensor, or sensors, at each of the predetermined premises simultaneously, multiplex the readings, and transmit the multiplexed readings from all of the line driver means to the computer which can then rapidly interpret the received readings; (c) simultaneously select a predetermined second one of the n premises of its respective group of premises, and repeat the process of "b;" (d) continue to select an additional predetermined premise in each group in the manner described in a and b until all n premises have been interrogated, whereby the total time of scanning and interpreting is made short by using the speed of the computer for demultiplexing and interpreting.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
255 words
An automatic centralized monitoring system capable of monitoring various functions in a plurality of premises: comprising, a central station, said premises being adapted to be linked to said central station, monitoring means comprising one or more sensors adapted to be located in each of said premises, a plurality of m line driver means located at said central station linked to said premises, said premises being arranged in m unique groups with each group having a capacity of n premises, (m and n each being integers greater than one), each of the m line driver means being connected to a respective one of the unique groups, said line driver means being controlled by a computer means which is arranged to cause all the line driver means to: (a) simultaneously select a predetermined first one of each of the n premises of its respective group of premises; (b) read the sensor, or sensors, at each of the predetermined premises simultaneously, multiplex the readings, and transmit the multiplexed readings from all of the line driver means to the computer which can then rapidly interpret the received readings; (c) simultaneously select a predetermined second one of the n premises of its respective group of premises, and repeat the process of "b;" (d) continue to select an additional predetermined premise in each group in the manner described in a and b until all n premises have been interrogated, whereby the total time of scanning and interpreting is made short by using the speed of the computer for demultiplexing and interpreting.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
A monitoring system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each line driver means is adapted to transmit a signal to a predetermined number of monitored premises via a selector means coupled into the signal carrier channel between each line driver means and the premises, each said premises being coupled to said selector means by a branch carrier channel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
97 words
A monitoring system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said computer means comprise a plurality of independent micro computer means, and said plurality of line driver means are each adapted to be coupled to a separate one of said independent micro computer means at said central station, each combination of a line driver means and a micro computer being referred to herein as a scanner means to maintain monitoring of the plurality of premises under the control of said line driver means in the event of any failure in neighboring scanner means which may be connected thereto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
A monitoring system as claimed in claim 3, wherein a plurality of said scanner means is adapted to be coupled to a data bus which in turn is adapted to be coupled to a data logging printer or interpretive computer means or both whereby the action to be taken by the operator in the instance of a monitored alarm is printed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A monitoring system as claimed in claim 1 wherein command signals are adapted to be produced at said central station to control equipment at a given premises.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
A monitoring system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said monitoring means includes at least one latchable alarm monitor having a predetermined input circuit loop resistance, the arrangement being such that should the resistance fall outside a predetermined range caused by abnormal conditions, the alarm is raised.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A monitoring system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said monitoring means includes a line circuit coupled to said latchable alarm monitor and a light emitting diode adapted to display the condition of each alarm monitor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
A monitoring system as claimed in claim 2, further including a portable scanner means being adapted to be coupled to said selector means in the event of a communication channel fault to monitor the premises coupled to said selector means isolated from said central control.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
A monitoring system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said monitoring means at said premises includes a back-up means whereby a local alarm, such as an automatic telephone dialer, is activated if said monitoring means fails to receive interrogation signals after a predetermined delay period.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A monitoring system as in claim 3, wherein said central station and said premises are all within a single building complex or property.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
A monitoring system as in claim 1 wherein said monitoring means are interrogated by a complex code which provides for different codes, for the same monitored condition, at different premises thereby providing a high degree of line security.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-11-29 | 1986-05-31 | 1986-11-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-11-29 | 1990-05-31 | 1990-11-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-11-29 | 1994-05-31 | 1994-11-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |