The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 23, 2002
Filed:
Apr. 18, 2000
James S. Slater, Maple Park, IL (US);
Hsing C. Jen, Buffalo Grove, IL (US);
Timothy A. Rauworth, Aurora, IL (US);
Pittway Corporation, Chicago, IL (US);
Abstract
A software driven monitoring system includes a common control element coupled to a plurality of monitoring devices. The devices can indicate to the control element that a predetermined condition has been detected. Where the control element transmits a status inquiry command to the devices, those devices exhibiting the status provide the same indication to the control element as is indicative of the predetermined condition. One indication is a shunt or a short circuit of a medium between the common control element and the devices. An existing system can be upgraded by installing the control element, or upgrading an existing control program. Alternately, the devices can be installed in a system wherein the control element does not issue the status inquiry command. In those installations, the monitoring devices never issue a status reply as the required command is never received.