US4827244A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Test initiation apparatus with continuous or pulse input
Assignee: FIRST ALERT TRUST
•
Filing: 1988-02-26
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Granted: 1989-05-02
•
Expires: 2008-02-26
Abstract
Abstract A system for testing a remotely located sensing unit includes a photosensor located within the sensing unit. A control beam of incident electromagnetic energy can be provided from a remotely located portable source such as a flashlight. Directing the beam of radiant energy from the flashlight against the sensor in the unit causes the unit to initiate a test sequence. The unit can be equipped with a photo-detector to terminate an alarm generated in response to a sensed condition. The unit can include a sonic detector. Control circuitry in the unit can decode a sensed encoded incident beam to minimize false tests or to provide multiple remotely initiated functions.
Inventors
- 👤 Nicholas J. Bellavia
- 👤 Daniel J. Birk
- 👤 Fred J Conforti
- 👤 Ronald Sisselman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 16:53
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B29/00; G08B29/12; G08B29/14; G08B29/145; G08B17/00; G08B17/10; G08B17/11; G08B17/113
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 64
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A unit attachable to a fixed member for executing a selected function and which may be easily tested from a remote location using a transmitter of energy pulses, the unit comprising: means for executing said selected function; means responsive to a selected condition for testing the operation of at least a portion of said executing means and for generating an indicium of the result thereof; means for detecting a predetermined plurality of incident, test initiating energy pulses and means, coupled between said detecting means and said testing means, for providing said selected condition in response to detection of said plurality of pulses and then for as long as said incident test initiating pulses continue to be detected.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
A unit attachable to a fixed member for executing a selected function and which may be easily tested from a remote location using a transmitter of energy pulses, the unit comprising: means for executing said selected function; means responsive to a selected condition for testing the operation of at least a portion of said executing means and for generating an indicium of the result thereof; means for detecting a predetermined plurality of incident, test initiating energy pulses and means, coupled between said detecting means and said testing means, for providing said selected condition in response to detection of said plurality of pulses and then for as long as said incident test initiating pulses continue to be detected.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
An easily tested unit as in claim 1 with said executing means including predetermined condition sensing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
An easily tested unit as in claim 1 with said executing means including predetermined control means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
An easily tested unit as in claim 1 with said unit including a power source.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
An easily tested unit as in claim 4 with said power source being substantially self-contained.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
An easily tested unit as in claim 4 with said power source including a battery.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
An easily tested unit as in claim 4 with said detecting means including means for sensing selected, remotely generated, radiant energy incident thereon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
An easily tested unit as in claim 7 with said sensing means including radiant energy responsive switching means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
An easily tested unit as in claim 7 with said sensing means including an incident sonic energy detector.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
An easily tested unit as in claim 7 with said sensing means including an incident radio frequency energy detector.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
An easily tested unit as in claim 7 with said sensing means including an incident infrared beam detector.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
An easily tested unit as in claim 1 with said executing means including indicium generating means for identifying that said function has been executed, and means for sensing a remotely generated, incident signal including means for terminating said generated indicium in response thereto.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
An easily tested unit as in claim 1 with said executing means including means for detecting smoke.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
An easily tested unit as in claim 13 including means for providing an alarm indicative of detected smoke.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
An easily tested unit as in claim 14 including means for detecting a remotely generated, alarm terminating, incident signal and means for terminating said alarm, at least for a predetermined period of time, in response thereto.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
An easily tested unit as in claim 14 with said detecting means including means for sensing selected radiant energy incident thereon.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
An easily tested unit as in claim 16 with said selected radiant energy being electro-magnetic energy and with said sensing means including an incident electro-magnetic energy responsive sensor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
An easily tested unit as in claim 16 with said selected radiant energy being radio frequency electro-magnetic energy and with said sensing means including an incident radio frequency receiving means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
An easily tested unit as in claim 1 with said executing means including means for providing illumination in response to a sensed, predefined condition.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
93 words
An easily tested sensor unit comprising: sensing means for detecting a predetermined condition and for generating an electrical signal responsive thereto; indication means, responsive to said electrical signal, for providing a detectable alarm identifying said condition; manually operable means for initiating a test condition of the sensor unit including initiating said detectable alarm in response to the presence of said test condition; and means responsive to a selected number of pulses in a selected incident beam of radiant energy for initiating said test condition in response to detection of said selected incident energy.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
93 words
An easily tested sensor unit comprising: sensing means for detecting a predetermined condition and for generating an electrical signal responsive thereto; indication means, responsive to said electrical signal, for providing a detectable alarm identifying said condition; manually operable means for initiating a test condition of the sensor unit including initiating said detectable alarm in response to the presence of said test condition; and means responsive to a selected number of pulses in a selected incident beam of radiant energy for initiating said test condition in response to detection of said selected incident energy.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
An easily tested sensor unit as in claim 20 wherein said sensing means includes means for detecting a condition selected from a group including voltage; current; pressure; fluid flow.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
An easily tested sensor unit as in claim 21 with said indication means including means for generating an audible alarm signal.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
43 words
An easily tested sensor unit as in claim 21 with said incident energy responsive means including photo sensitive means for switching from a first state to a second state in response to an incident beam of electro-magnetic radiant energy of a selected frequency.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
74 words
An indicating unit for sensing a predetermined condition and for providing an indicium thereof comprising: means for sensing the predetermined condition and for generating an electrical signal responsive thereto; indication means, responsive to said electrical signal, for providing a detectable indicium identifying said condition; and means, responsive to selected, remotely transmitted incident energy, for terminating, at least for a selected period of time, said indicium in response to detection of said selected incident energy.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
74 words
An indicating unit for sensing a predetermined condition and for providing an indicium thereof comprising: means for sensing the predetermined condition and for generating an electrical signal responsive thereto; indication means, responsive to said electrical signal, for providing a detectable indicium identifying said condition; and means, responsive to selected, remotely transmitted incident energy, for terminating, at least for a selected period of time, said indicium in response to detection of said selected incident energy.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
86 words
A sensor unit easily tested from a remote location using a transmitter of energy comprising: sensing means for detecting a predetermined condition and for generating an electrical signal responsive thereto; indication means, responsive to said electrical signal, for providing a detectable indicium identifying said condition; and receiving means, responsive to selected incident energy from the transmitter, for initiating a selected unit test in response to detection of said selected incident energy and for continuing said test only for so long as said incident energy is detected.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
86 words
A sensor unit easily tested from a remote location using a transmitter of energy comprising: sensing means for detecting a predetermined condition and for generating an electrical signal responsive thereto; indication means, responsive to said electrical signal, for providing a detectable indicium identifying said condition; and receiving means, responsive to selected incident energy from the transmitter, for initiating a selected unit test in response to detection of said selected incident energy and for continuing said test only for so long as said incident energy is detected.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
59 words
An easily tested unit as in claim 25 including: means for coupling the unit to an adjacent source of electrical energy; said sensing means including means for detecting an absence of expected electrical energy at the adjacent source with said indication means providing a selected indicium in response to said sensing means detecting said absence of expected electrical energy.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
36 words
An easily tested unit as in claim 26 with said incident energy responsive means including photosensitive switching means for changing from a first condition to a second condition in response to detecting said selected incident energy.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
108 words
A unit remotely mountable with respect to a displaced test initiation area, the unit comprising: a housing defining an interior region, said housing including means for mounting; means carried by said housing for executing a preselected function; radiant energy beam collecting means, carried by said housing, for collecting a signaling beam of energy generated at the test initiation area and directed so as to be incident on an exterior surface of said housing; means for sensing the presence of said collected signaling beam; and means responsive to said sensing means for initiating a predetermined test of the unit only for as long as the signaling beam is sensed.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
108 words
A unit remotely mountable with respect to a displaced test initiation area, the unit comprising: a housing defining an interior region, said housing including means for mounting; means carried by said housing for executing a preselected function; radiant energy beam collecting means, carried by said housing, for collecting a signaling beam of energy generated at the test initiation area and directed so as to be incident on an exterior surface of said housing; means for sensing the presence of said collected signaling beam; and means responsive to said sensing means for initiating a predetermined test of the unit only for as long as the signaling beam is sensed.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
32 words
A unit as in claim 28 with said executing means including means for detecting a predetermined alarm condition with said initiation means including means for testing the operation of said detecting means.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
17 words
A unit as in claim 28 with said collecting means including a radiant energy plastic collecting member.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
26 words
A unit as in claim 28 with said test initiating means adopted to continuously test the unit so long as said collected signaling beam is sensed.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
109 words
A system for easily initiating a secondary function of a remotely located unit having a primary function, the system comprising: a selected, remotely located unit which includes means for executing a secondary function in response to a seletcted condition and including condition initiating means responsive to the presence of an incident, remotely generated, control beam of radiant energy for generating said selected condition during the duration of said presence; and means, separated from said unit, for generating said control beam of radiant energy such that said beam is directable so as to be incident on at least a portion of said condition initiating means thereby generating said selected condition.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
109 words
A system for easily initiating a secondary function of a remotely located unit having a primary function, the system comprising: a selected, remotely located unit which includes means for executing a secondary function in response to a seletcted condition and including condition initiating means responsive to the presence of an incident, remotely generated, control beam of radiant energy for generating said selected condition during the duration of said presence; and means, separated from said unit, for generating said control beam of radiant energy such that said beam is directable so as to be incident on at least a portion of said condition initiating means thereby generating said selected condition.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
80 words
An easily tested sensor unit comprising: a housing; means carried by said housing means for detecting a selected condition; means, responsive to said detected condition, for generating a selected alarm indicium; means, carried by said housing, for detecting an incident radiant energy control beam and for generating an electrical signal responsive thereto; and means, carried by said housing, for executing a test of said detecting means only in response to and for so long as said electrical signal is generated.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
80 words
An easily tested sensor unit comprising: a housing; means carried by said housing means for detecting a selected condition; means, responsive to said detected condition, for generating a selected alarm indicium; means, carried by said housing, for detecting an incident radiant energy control beam and for generating an electrical signal responsive thereto; and means, carried by said housing, for executing a test of said detecting means only in response to and for so long as said electrical signal is generated.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
29 words
An easily tested sensor unit as in claim 33 with said detecting means including means for detecting combustion and with said control beam detecting means including infrared sensing means.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
42 words
An easily tested sensor unit as in claim 34 with said infrared sensing means having a first state in response to incident infrared radiant energy in the incident control beam with said electrical signal generated only in response to said first state.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
58 words
An easily silence smoke detector comprising: means for detecting smoke; means for generating an alarm signal in response to detected smoke; means for detecting an incident infrared control beam and for generating an electrical signal responsive thereto; and means for terminating, only for a predetermined period of time, said alarm signal in response to said generated electrical signal.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
58 words
An easily silence smoke detector comprising: means for detecting smoke; means for generating an alarm signal in response to detected smoke; means for detecting an incident infrared control beam and for generating an electrical signal responsive thereto; and means for terminating, only for a predetermined period of time, said alarm signal in response to said generated electrical signal.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
62 words
An easily tested detector comprising: means for detecting smoke; means for generating an alarm signal in response to detected smoke; means for detecting an incident infrared control beam and for generating an electrical signal in response (responsive) thereto; and means for testing the detector including said alarm signal in response to detection of said electrical signal and then for the duration thereof.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
62 words
An easily tested detector comprising: means for detecting smoke; means for generating an alarm signal in response to detected smoke; means for detecting an incident infrared control beam and for generating an electrical signal in response (responsive) thereto; and means for testing the detector including said alarm signal in response to detection of said electrical signal and then for the duration thereof.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of conducting a test of a remotely located electrical unit using a selected command beam generated outside of the unit comprising the steps of: directing the selected command beam at a region of the unit; detecting the presence of the incident command beam when it encounters the region; initiating a test of the unit in response to the detected incident beam; continuing the test so long as the incident beam is detected; and terminating the test when the incident beam is no longer detected.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of conducting a test of a remotely located electrical unit using a selected command beam generated outside of the unit comprising the steps of: directing the selected command beam at a region of the unit; detecting the presence of the incident command beam when it encounters the region; initiating a test of the unit in response to the detected incident beam; continuing the test so long as the incident beam is detected; and terminating the test when the incident beam is no longer detected.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
101 words
A unit attachable to a fixed member for executing a selected function and which may be easily tested from a remote location, the unit comprising: means for executing said selected function; means responsive to a selected condition for testing the operation of at least a portion of said executing means and for generating an indicium of the result thereof; means for detecting a remotely generated, incident coded, test initiating signal; and means, coupled between said detecting means and said testing means, for providing said selected condition in response to and for as long as said incident test initiating signal is detected.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
101 words
A unit attachable to a fixed member for executing a selected function and which may be easily tested from a remote location, the unit comprising: means for executing said selected function; means responsive to a selected condition for testing the operation of at least a portion of said executing means and for generating an indicium of the result thereof; means for detecting a remotely generated, incident coded, test initiating signal; and means, coupled between said detecting means and said testing means, for providing said selected condition in response to and for as long as said incident test initiating signal is detected.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
17 words
An easily tested unit as in claim 39 with said executing means including predetermined condition sensing means.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
16 words
An easily tested unit as in claim 39 with said executing means including predetermined control means.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
15 words
An easily tested unit as in claim 39 with said unit including a power source.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
15 words
An easily tested unit as in claim 39 with said power source being substantially self-contained.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
15 words
An easily tested unit as in claim 39 with said power source including a battery.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
24 words
An easily tested unit as in claim 39 with said detecting means including means for sensing selected, remotely generated coded, radiant energy incident thereon.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
18 words
An easily tested unit as in claim 45 with said sensing means including radiant energy responsive switching means.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
91 words
An easily tested sensor unit comprising: sensing means for detecting a predetermined condition and for generating an electrical signal responsive thereto; indication means, responsive to said electrical signal, for providing a detectable alarm identifying said condition; manually operable means for initiating a test condition of the sensor unit including initiating said detectable alarm in response to the presence of said test condition; and means responsive to a selected, incident pulsed beam of radiant energy, for initiating said test condition in response to detection of a predetermined plurality of incident energy pulses.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
91 words
An easily tested sensor unit comprising: sensing means for detecting a predetermined condition and for generating an electrical signal responsive thereto; indication means, responsive to said electrical signal, for providing a detectable alarm identifying said condition; manually operable means for initiating a test condition of the sensor unit including initiating said detectable alarm in response to the presence of said test condition; and means responsive to a selected, incident pulsed beam of radiant energy, for initiating said test condition in response to detection of a predetermined plurality of incident energy pulses.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
29 words
An easily tested sensor unit as in claim 47 wherein said sensing means includes means for detecting a condition selected from a group including voltage; current; pressure; fluid flow.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
21 words
An easily tested sensor unit as in claim 48 with said indication means including means for generating an audible alarm signal.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
44 words
An easily tested sensor unit as in claim 48 with said incident energy responsive means including photo sensitive means for switching from a first state to a second state in response to an incident pulsed beam of electro-magnetic radiant energy of a selected frequency.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
59 words
A unit comprising: means for detecting a predetermined condition and for generating an electrical signal responsive thereto; indication means, responsive to said electrical signal, for providing a detectable indicium identifying said condition; and means, responsive to selected incident intermittent energy, for determining, for a selected period of time, said indicium in responsive to detection of said selected incident energy.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
59 words
A unit comprising: means for detecting a predetermined condition and for generating an electrical signal responsive thereto; indication means, responsive to said electrical signal, for providing a detectable indicium identifying said condition; and means, responsive to selected incident intermittent energy, for determining, for a selected period of time, said indicium in responsive to detection of said selected incident energy.
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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) | 1992-05-01 | 1992-10-31 | 1993-05-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-05-01 | 1996-10-31 | 1997-05-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-05-01 | 2000-10-31 | 2001-05-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |