A heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and/or refrigeration (HVAC&R) system includes a process fluid loop configured to receive a process fluid, an internal fluid cooling loop configured to receive a cooling fluid, an air cooled heat exchanger configured to cool the cooling fluid, a vapor compression loop configured to receive a working fluid, and a condenser configured to place the cooling fluid and the working fluid in a first heat exchange relationship. The HVAC&R system also includes a heat exchanger configured to place the cooling fluid and the process fluid in a second heat exchange relationship. The heat exchanger and the condenser are disposed in series relative to a flow of the cooling fluid through the internal fluid cooling loop. The HVAC&R system also includes a pump configured to bias the cooling fluid through the internal fluid cooling loop.
A heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and/or refrigeration (HVAC&R) system includes a first modular central utility plant (mCUP) including a first chiller and a first free cooling heat exchanger, and a second mCUP including a second chiller and a second free cooling heat exchanger. The HVAC&R system also includes at least one dry cooler assembly having an air cooled heat exchanger with one or more fans, wherein the at least one dry cooler assembly is shared between the first mCUP and the second mCUP
A system includes a vapor compression assembly and a free cooling assembly. The free cooling assembly corresponds to a cooling fluid and includes an air cooled heat exchanger, an additional heat exchanger, and a valve. The system also includes a controller configured to receive data indicative of an ambient condition, an operating condition of the system, or both. The controller is also configured to actuate, based on the data, the valve between a first setting in which the cooling fluid is directed to the additional heat exchanger and blocked from a condenser of the vapor compression assembly, a second setting in which the cooling fluid is directed to the condenser and blocked from the additional heat exchanger, and a third setting in which a first portion of the cooling fluid is directed to the additional heat exchanger and a second portion of the cooling fluid is directed to the condenser.
An evaporative cooling unit includes a first V-shaped portion of a winding of microporous hollow fibers configured to receive a liquid. The evaporative cooling unit also includes a second V-shaped portion of the winding of microporous hollow fibers configured to receive the liquid, where the second V-shaped portion is coupled with the first V-shaped portion. The evaporative cooling unit also includes an internal cavity disposed between the first V-shaped portion and the second V-shaped portion.
F28D 1/047 - Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or mo with the heat-exchange conduits immersed in the body of fluid with tubular conduits the conduits being bent, e.g. in a serpentine or zig-zag
F28D 21/00 - Heat-exchange apparatus not covered by any of the groups
F24F 3/14 - Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling by dehumidification
5.
AIR CONDITIONER INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF EVAPORATIVE COOLING UNITS
An air conditioning system (200) includes evaporative cooling units (10), each evaporative cooling unit (10) including a first V-shaped portion (31) of a winding (11) of microporous hollow fibers (12) that are configured to receive a liquid (52), and a second V-shaped portion (38) of the winding (11) of microporous hollow fibers (12) that are configured to receive the liquid (52), where the second V-shaped portion (38) is coupled to the first V-shaped portion (31), and an internal cavity (46) is disposed between the first V-shaped portion (31) and the second V-shaped portion (38). The air conditioning system (200) also includes a plumbing assembly (500) configured to supply the liquid (52) to the plurality of evaporative cooling units (10). The air conditioning system (200) also includes a controller (254) configured to control the plumbing assembly (500) to change a flow rate of the liquid (52), or to block the liquid (52) from at least one evaporative cooling unit (10) of the plurality of evaporative cooling units (10).
F24F 5/00 - Air-conditioning systems or apparatus not covered by group or
F28D 21/00 - Heat-exchange apparatus not covered by any of the groups
F28D 1/047 - Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or mo with the heat-exchange conduits immersed in the body of fluid with tubular conduits the conduits being bent, e.g. in a serpentine or zig-zag
F24F 3/14 - Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling by dehumidification
6.
LIQUID IMMERSION COOLING TANK WITH VARIABLE FLOW FOR HIGH DENSITY COMPUTER SERVER EQUIPMENT
An immersion cooling system includes an electronic component, a thermally conductive dielectric liquid, and a tank defining a tank interior configured to receive the electronic component and the thermally conductive dielectric liquid for cooling the electronic component. The immersion cooling system also includes a wall positioned external to the tank to coordinate with the tank to define an overflow gap extending between the tank and the wall. The overflow gap is configured to receive an overflow of the thermally conductive dielectric liquid from the tank interior.
A liquid immersion cooling system includes a tank defining a tank interior configured to receive electronic components (e.g., servers) and a thermally conductive dielectric liquid to cool the electronic components. The liquid immersion cooling system also includes a power shelf external to the tank interior, where the power shelf includes a converter configured to receive an alternating current (AC) power supply and convert the AC power supply to a direct current (DC) power supply. The liquid immersion cooling system also includes a DC bus configured to route the DC power supply from the power shelf, into the tank interior, and to the electronic components.
A multi-stage thermal management system includes a fluid loop configured to supply a chilled heat transfer fluid to a plurality of thermal loads having different cooling demands. The system includes a plurality of heat rejection components arranged in stages and fluidly coupled to the fluid loop. The plurality of heat rejection components is configured to receive a return heat transfer fluid from the plurality of thermal loads and extract heat from the return heat transfer fluid to generate the chilled heat transfer fluid. A control system is configured to selectively draw the chilled heat transfer fluid from each heat rejection component individually and to direct the chilled heat transfer fluid to the plurality of thermal loads based on the different cooling demands of the plurality of thermal loads to meet each of the different cooling demands via supply of the chilled heat transfer fluid.
F24F 3/06 - Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the arrangements for the supply of heat-exchange fluid for the subsequent treatment of primary air in the room units
F24F 11/30 - Control or safety arrangements for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
F24F 11/83 - Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof for controlling the temperature of the supplied air by controlling the supply of heat-exchange fluids to heat-exchangers
F24F 11/89 - Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
F24F 11/46 - Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
F24F 11/84 - Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof for controlling the temperature of the supplied air by controlling the supply of heat-exchange fluids to heat-exchangers using valves
An air conditioner (400) includes an air flow path (408) configured to direct an airflow (115, 105) in a direction. The air conditioner (400) also includes an evaporative cooling membrane panel (100) disposed within the air flow path (408) and including a face (113) disposed at an oblique angle (409) relative to the direction. The face (113) is defined by microporous fibers (104) of the evaporative cooling membrane panel (100). Each microporous fiber (104) is configured to receive liquid (107) in a fluid flow path (112) of the microporous fiber (104) such that the air flow (115, 105) over the microporous fiber (104) generates a vapor (114). Each microporous fiber (104) is also configured to release the vapor (114) into the air flow (115, 105) via pores (111) of the microporous fiber (104).
Described is a fire alarm system comprising a call station having a fire alarm switch and a drill operation switch. The fire alarm switch causes a first fire alarm signal and the drill operation switch causes a second fire alarm signal different from the first fire alarm signal. The system also includes a fire alarm control panel including a processor configured to: detect a fire alarm signal and determine whether it is the first or second fire alarm signal. The processor is also configured to transmit a first notification signal to one or more notification appliances and transmit a second notification signal to a fire department in response to determining that the fire alarm signal is the first fire alarm signal, but to bypass sending the second notification signal to the fire department in response to determining that the fire alarm signal is the second fire alarm signal.
G08B 17/00 - Fire alarms; Alarms responsive to explosion
G08B 25/04 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium using a single signalling line, e.g. in a closed loop
A voice alarm notification device of a fire alarm system, comprising: a network port for receiving an alarm notification signal; an audio file library in which the audio files include audio voice message files; a speaker; a processor unit connected to the network port for processing an alarm notification signal and for selecting one of the audio files from the library to be played through the speaker; and a Bluetooth module for establishing a Bluetooth communication link to the voice alarm notification device, via which link an audio voice file can be received. The device is arranged to add the audio voice file received via the Bluetooth communication link to the library so as to be available for selection by the processor unit when it receives an alarm notification signal.
G08B 3/10 - Audible signalling systems; Audible personal calling systems using electromagnetic transmission
G08B 7/06 - Signalling systems according to more than one of groups ; Personal calling systems according to more than one of groups using electric transmission
G08B 17/00 - Fire alarms; Alarms responsive to explosion
G08B 25/04 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium using a single signalling line, e.g. in a closed loop
The present invention relates to a voice alarm device which forms part of a fire alarm system loop. Upon detection of a fire, a control panel instructs appropriate voice alarm devices to retrieve relevant audio from local storage and output the audio via a local speaker.
G08B 3/10 - Audible signalling systems; Audible personal calling systems using electromagnetic transmission
G08B 17/00 - Fire alarms; Alarms responsive to explosion
G08B 25/04 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium using a single signalling line, e.g. in a closed loop
G08B 7/06 - Signalling systems according to more than one of groups ; Personal calling systems according to more than one of groups using electric transmission
A contact sensor includes a permanent magnet, first and second magnetic field sensors, and a computing device in communication with the first and second magnetic field sensors and configured to execute an "Open/Close" function to generate an "Open/Close" decision, and a "Masking" function to generate a "Masking" decision, based on at least one of a first measurement from the first magnetic field sensor or a second measurement from and the second magnetic field sensor.
Managing foreign RFID tags within a secured area involves use of a first RFID portal system to read tag data from an RFID tag present within a first portal zone. A processing device associated with the first RFID portal system is used to determine whether the RFID tag is entering the secured area. The determination is based on an evaluation of a direction of travel of the RFID tag through the first portal zone. Responsive to determining that the RFID tag is in fact entering the secured area, one or more operations are performed to cause a first tag value corresponding to the tag data to be added into a safe to exit (STE) list.
A networked unit of a fire alarm system comprises: a housing; a network port; a functional unit connected to the network port for network communication;a camera having a field of view extending from the networked unit, and arranged to generate images; a camera controller arranged to control the operation of the camera and manage its communication; and a wireless port connected to the camera controller via which the images can be transmitted from the networked unit, transmission via the wireless port being separate from the network communication.
A control panel of a fire alarm system comprises: a processor unit; a display screen; and a network hub through which the control panel communicates with a plurality of fire detector units, wherein the control panel is arranged to interoperate with a separate security system of a guarded premises in which the security system is of the type having addressable surveillance cameras, and the control panel further comprises the following interoperability elements: (a) an index of the surveillance cameras of the security system which includes the address of the cameras and a concordance of cameras and fire detector units which are located close to each other; and (b) a communication interface arranged to compile and send requests from the control panel to the security system, and to receive data from the security system; wherein the display screen is able to display images from surveillance cameras of the security system that are contained in the data received by the communication interface.
G08B 13/196 - Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems using television cameras
G08B 25/14 - Central alarm receiver or annunciator arrangements
G08B 17/12 - Actuation by presence of radiation or particles, e.g. of infrared radiation or of ions
Systems and methods for providing a tag. The tag comprising a flexible elongate structure comprising a cord or a cable; an electronic thread device integrated into the cord or cable that is operative to wirelessly communicate with external devices for inventory management or security purposes; and/or an Electronic Article Surveillance ("EAS") component integrated into the cord or cable.
Systems and methods for deactivating an Electronic Article Surveillance ("EAS") tag. The methods comprising: using an AC drive signal to charge an energy storage component of the tag deactivator; selectively actuating a switch so that a closed circuit is formed between the energy storage component and at least one deactivation coil of the tag deactivator; generating a tag deactivation field to deactivate the EAS tag by energizing the at least one deactivation coil with current supplied from the energy storage component; and using a step down transformer, disposed between the energy storage component and the at least one deactivation coil, to decrease a frequency of a decaying coil current waveform representing a current flowing through the at least one deactivation coil.
G08B 13/24 - Electrical actuation by interference with electromagnetic field distribution
H02M 5/10 - Conversion of ac power input into ac power output, e.g. for change of voltage, for change of frequency, for change of number of phases without intermediate conversion into dc by static converters using transformers
The circuit is of a loop-mountable unit of a fire alarm system, and includes: an adjustable current source, arranged to adjust the current from the loop through the power control circuit based on a control signal; an inverting amplifier, arranged to provide the control signal to the adjustable current source in which the control signal is based on the loop voltage; and a damper having an input for connection to a loop and an output connected to the inverting input of the inverting amplifier such that the voltage at the output of the damper is smoothed with respect to the voltage at its input.
G08B 25/04 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium using a single signalling line, e.g. in a closed loop
G08B 25/14 - Central alarm receiver or annunciator arrangements
20.
GUNSHOT DETECTION SYSTEM WITH FORENSIC DATA RETENTION, LIVE AUDIO MONITORING, AND TWO-WAY COMMUNICATION
A gunshot detection system includes gunshot sensor units with microphones for detecting gunshots and capturing audio data depicting the detected gunshots and other ambient sounds, an environmental board with various environmental sensors for generating environmental data indicating environmental conditions. The audio data, environmental data, and position information can be stored locally on local nonvolatile storage of the gunshot sensor unit for later retrieval by law enforcement entities. In one embodiment, the gunshot sensor units include a wired and/or wireless data transfer interface for transferring the audio data, environmental data and/or position information to handheld units of law enforcement entities. The gunshot sensor unit can also stream live captured audio data for live monitoring by a control panel, and might also include speakers for providing audio playback of audio data from the control panel.
A gunshot detection system synchronizes timing information across gunshot sensor units and/or a control panel. The gunshot sensor units exchange timing information with each other and/or with the control panel, which is then used by the gunshot sensor units to generate the event data for detected gunshot events. In one embodiment, the gunshot sensor units are configured as master and slave nodes. The master node periodically distributes a master time reference to the slave nodes, and the slave nodes calibrate local times based on the master time reference. The slave nodes can detect whether the current master node has become non-functional (e.g. based on a time elapsed since the most recently sent master time reference) and configure a new master node based on exchanging predetermined priority information for the slave nodes.
A gunshot detection system provides anti-tampering protection for gunshot sensor units and a control panel. The control panel monitors for tampering events, including monitoring for changes to configuration settings. When the settings are changed, even by an authorized user, the control panel generates a tampering alert and sends the alert to an operator of the control panel and/or administrators for the gunshot detection system. A similar notification might also occur when a sensor is taken offline or when an anti-tamper sensor on a housing of the gunshot sensor unit detects manipulation or opening of the housing. The control panel also monitors for tampering using machine certificates associated with the gunshot sensor units. In one example, the gunshot sensor units sign event data using the machine certificates and an arbitrary reference number known to the control panel. The control panel then verifies the signed event data to detect tampering events.
G08B 29/12 - Checking intermittently signalling or alarm systems
G08B 29/14 - Checking intermittently signalling or alarm systems checking the detection circuits
G08B 17/00 - Fire alarms; Alarms responsive to explosion
G08B 25/04 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium using a single signalling line, e.g. in a closed loop
G08B 25/14 - Central alarm receiver or annunciator arrangements
G08B 19/00 - Alarms responsive to two or more different undesired or abnormal conditions, e.g. burglary and fire, abnormal temperature and abnormal rate of flow
23.
GUNSHOT DETECTION SYSTEM WITH AMBIENT NOISE MODELING AND MONITORING
A gunshot detection system continually monitors ambient noise throughout a building, learns the building's auditory patterns, and alerts users when sounds are found to be unusual or generally indicative of a dangerous situation. For example, gunshot sensor units positioned throughout the building include microphones. During a learning period (e.g. during normal conditions), these microphones capture ambient noise. The gunshot detection system generates ambient noise models representing the ambient noise during the normal conditions. The gunshot detection system then continually processes currently captured audio data depicting ambient noise (and potential acoustic anomalies) against the ambient noise models to detect and/or identify the acoustic anomalies and to determine whether to generate an alert.
G08B 13/16 - Actuation by interference with mechanical vibrations in air or other fluid
G08B 25/04 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium using a single signalling line, e.g. in a closed loop
G08B 25/14 - Central alarm receiver or annunciator arrangements
G08B 19/00 - Alarms responsive to two or more different undesired or abnormal conditions, e.g. burglary and fire, abnormal temperature and abnormal rate of flow
G08B 17/00 - Fire alarms; Alarms responsive to explosion
24.
GUNSHOT DETECTION SYSTEM WITH FIRE ALARM SYSTEM INTEGRATION
A gunshot detection system takes advantage of existing fire alarm system infrastructure by tapping a fire alarm communication network for a fire alarm system. Gunshot sensor units and/or a gunshot detection control panel receive power from the fire alarm communication network via tap units and/or tap wires, which provide electrical connectivity between the fire alarm communication network and the devices of the gunshot detection system. At the same time, the gunshot detection devices communicate via wireless links to an ancillary high-speed network. The gunshot sensor units can communicate with the fire alarm control panel via the fire alarm communication network. Even more comprehensive integration with the fire alarm system involves a hybrid gunshot detection and fire alarm control panel for controlling devices of both the gunshot detection system and the fire alarm system. Hybrid gunshot sensor units include fire detection elements such as smoke sensors and/or fire notification elements.
A gunshot detection system provides integration with building management systems installed in a common building. Distributed devices of the building management systems (e.g. light fixtures, smoke detectors, thermostats, exit signs) are positioned throughout the building, and gunshot sensor units of the gunshot detection system are incorporated with, attached to and/or combined with the building management distributed devices. The gunshot sensor units share a common housing with the distributed building management devices, attach to the devices via attachment mechanisms, and/or are incorporated into hybrid devices that include gunshot sensor and building management elements. The gunshot sensor units might comprise reflectors for collecting and focusing sound waves onto microphones of the gunshot sensor units. These reflectors could be existing parts of building management devices, or common housings for the gunshot sensor units and the building management devices, and/or parts of the gunshot sensor units independent of the building management devices.
A gunshot detection system includes gunshot sensor units and a control panel. The gunshot sensor units generate audio data and encrypt the audio data using an encryption key before storing the audio data and/or sending it to the control panel. The control panel decrypts received encrypted audio data using a decryption key. The encryption keys might be programmed at the control panel and distributed to the gunshot sensor units. The control panel would also store decryption keys for decrypting the audio data from each of the different gunshot sensor units. An additional layer of end-to-end encryption is provided for messages exchanged between the devices. The gunshot sensor units can also be equipped with wireless interfaces for communicating with the control panel over a communication network. To address potential bandwidth issues, the gunshot sensor units determine current network conditions and compress the audio data based on the current network conditions.
A gunshot detection system detects shooting events within a premises and interacts with building management systems installed within the same premises to guide occupants to safety and/or obstruct or trap an active shooter. Gunshot sensor units detect the gunshots and generate event information based on the detected gunshots. A shooting event response module generates and sends building management instructions to the building management systems. In response, distributed devices of the building management systems perform effect changes within the premises according to the functionality of the distributed devices (e.g. locking/unlocking doors, turning off lights, flashing strobe lights). A control panel of the gunshot detection system presents a graphical user interface for presenting response options and receiving selections of response actions to be performed by the building management systems. The shooting even response module also receives gunshot and building management event data and generates recommendation information based on the event data.
A gunshot detection system includes a control panel that receives event data from gunshot sensor units detecting gunshots and generates location information pertaining to a shooting event based on the event data. The control panel includes a display on which a graphical user interface (GUI) is rendered. The GUI displays maps of a building with icons overlaid on the maps based on the generated location information. In one example, the GUI displays a map with an icon representing the active shooter, the position of the icon with respect to the floorplan image corresponding to an area of the building. In another example, the GUI displays a map with icons representing different gunshot sensor units, the icons having different visual characteristics to indicate that the gunshot sensor units detected the gunshots and/or which of the gunshot sensor units was determined to be closest to the detected gunshots.
Systems and methods for managing inventory. The methods comprise: generating sensor data by an Electronic Smart Tag ("EST"); processing, by the EST or a computing device remote from the EST, the sensor data to transform the same into information specifying at least one of a first person's intention with regard to an item to which the EST is coupled and the first person's interest in the item; generating a notification or a recommendation relating to inventory management, based on at least one of the first person's intention with regard to the item and the first person's interest in the item; and providing the notification or recommendation to a second person.
Systems and methods for managing inventory pricing. The methods comprise: programming, at a first location, an Electronic Smart Tag ("EST") with at least first item level information comprising a first item description in a first language and a first item price in a first monetary currency; outputting the first item level information from the EST; and automatically replacing the first item level information being output from the EST with second item level information in response to the ESTs arrival at a second location different than and remote from the first location. The second item level information comprises the first item description in a second language different than the first language and the first item price in a second monetary currency different than the first monetary currency.
Systems and methods for operating a Radio Frequency Identification ("RFID") tag. The methods comprise: monitoring a level of Radio Frequency ("RF") energy being received by the RFID tag; performing operations by a circuit of the RFID tag to compare the level of RF energy in a given frequency band to a first threshold value; and transitioning an operational mode of the RFID tag from a first operational mode in which a receiver is disabled to a second operational mode in which the receiver is enabled, when the level of RF energy exceeds the first threshold value. The RFID tag is able to communicate with a remote tag reader when the RFID tag is in the second operational mode and not when the RFID tag is in the first operational mode.
G06K 19/07 - Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards with integrated circuit chips
32.
NETWORKED ELECTRONIC ARTICLE SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS WITH SYNCHRONIZED TRACKING
Systems and methods for operating an Electronic Article Surveillance ("EAS") system. The method comprising: receiving, by an electronic device, a synchronization signal transmitted from a remote Wireless Device Manager ("WDM"); performing first transmit and receive operations at the electronic device that are synchronized in accordance with the remote WDM's AC power line zero crossing specified by the synchronization signal; detecting when the synchronization signal is no longer being received by the electronic device; and performing second transmit and receive operations at the electronic device that are synchronized in accordance with the electronic device's local AC power line zero crossing, when the synchronization signal has not been received by the electronic device for a specified period of time.
A door\window opening detector including an antenna having at least a first resonant frequency and a second resonant frequency associated therewith, the second resonant frequency being different from the first resonant frequency, the antenna having the first resonant frequency when in proximity to a door\window having a given dielectric constant and the second resonant frequency when not in proximity to a door\window having the given dielectric constant, and an alarm indication generator operable, in response to receiving an indication that a resonant frequency of the antenna has changed from the first resonant frequency to the second resonant frequency, for generating an alarm indication of opening of the door\window.
G08B 13/08 - Mechanical actuation by opening, e.g. of door, of window, of drawer, of shutter, of curtain, of blind
G01D 5/24 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using electric or magnetic means influencing the magnitude of a current or voltage by varying capacitance
A security system including a sensor communication interface configured to communicate with a plurality of sensors, an output interface, and at least one processor in communication with the communication interface. The at least one processor is configured to: receive, via the sensor communication interface, sensor data from one or more of the plurality of sensors; determine, from a plurality of tiers, a respective tier associated with the sensor data; and determine, based on the sensor data and the respective tier, whether to change a state of the security system. The at least one processor is further configured to: in response to determining to change the state of the security system, change the state of the security system; and determine, based on the changed state of the security system, whether to generate an output via the output interface.
Techniques for detecting changes in operational characteristics of a group of sensor devices are described. The techniques collect sensor information from plural sensor devices deployed in a system, with the collected sensor information including sensor data and sensor device metadata. The techniques continually analyze the collected sensor information to detect changes in the operational characteristics of a sensor device in the group of sensor devices. Upon detection of changes in the operational characteristics of the sensor, a database that stores maintenance organization contact information is accessed and a request is generated for maintenance on the sensor device, which request is sent to the maintenance organization.
A system for automatically disarming an intrusion detection system protecting a premises and having at least an armed state of operation and a disarmed state of operation, the system for automatically disarming the intrusion detection system including an intrusion detection system state of operation ascertainer operable for receiving an indication of activation of an armed state of operation of the intrusion detection system; and a registered mobile communicator proximity detector communicating with the intrusion detection system state of operation ascertainer and operable, responsive to receiving the indication of activation of the armed state of operation by the intrusion detection system state of operation ascertainer for ascertaining at least a subset of a multiplicity of registered mobile communicators which are located in a vicinity of the premises during an activation time of the armed state of operation and for deactivating the subset of the multiplicity of registered mobile communicators.
Systems and methods for making a marker. The methods comprise: obtaining a marker housing having first and second cavities formed therein; disposing a first resonator in the first cavity and a second resonator in a second cavity; and placing a bias element at a location on or in the marker so that the first and second resonators are (a) equally spaced apart from the same bias element and (b) biased by the same bias element when the marker is in use to oscillate at a frequency of a received transmit burst.
A system for automatically disarming an intrusion detection system, the intrusion detection system protecting a premises and having an armed state and a disarmed state of operation, including an intrusion detection system state of operation ascertainer operable, responsive to receiving an indication of detection of an intrusion, for ascertaining whether the intrusion detection system is in the armed state; a registered mobile communicator proximity detector communicating with the intrusion detection system state of operation ascertainer and operable, responsive to ascertaining that the intrusion detection system is in the armed state of operation, for ascertaining whether at least registered mobile communicator is in a vicinity of the premises; and an automatic intrusion detection system disarmer communicating with the registered mobile communicator proximity detector and operable, responsive to the ascertaining that at least one registered mobile communicator is in the vicinity of the premises, for automatically disarming the intrusion detection system.
Systems and methods for operating a tag. The methods comprise: actuating a telescoping actuator of the tag to transition a pin from an unengaged position in which the pin is retracted into a first portion of the tag's housing to an engaged position in which the pin extends through an insert space and into a second portion of the tag's housing; and mechanically securing the pin in the engaged position using a securement mechanism disposed in the second portion of the tag's housing. The pin is securely coupled to a movable component of the telescoping actuator so as to be integrated into the tag's body, and the first and second portions of the tag's housing are coupled to each other so as to form a unitary piece.
A wireless dual technology displacement sensor ("displacement sensor system") and method are disclosed. The displacement sensor system includes an analyzing sensor for determining a range to a measuring point and a trigger sensor for activating the analyzing sensor. The trigger sensor is an accelerometer or an optical proximity sensor (OPS), in examples. The analyzing sensor is preferably a time of flight range sensor. When installed as part of a door system having a door and door frame, for example, the trigger sensor detects movement of the door, and activates the analyzing sensor in response. The analyzing sensor then determines the range to the measuring point, such as the door frame. This two sensor system can be thus used to prevent the high current consumption of existing displacement sensor systems.
A system for generating a false alarm rule for preventing a false alarm that occurs at a building includes a processing circuit configured to generate a false alarm rule based on an event sequence, where the event sequence indicates relationships between the events that is indicative of a situation at the building that causes the false alarm to occur. The processing circuit is configured to determine whether the false alarm rales are triggered a recommendation based the triggered false alarm rules. Furthermore, the processing circuit is configured to generate a user interface comprising an indication of an addressable false alarm and the recommendation and cause a display of a user device to display the user interface.
A fire alarm system includes an alarm panel, one or more notification appliances, one or more initiating devices, one or more wires, and one or more alternate building systems. The one or more wires couple the alarm panel to the one or more notification appliances and to the one or more initiating devices. The one or more alternate building systems are coupled to the one or more wires. The one or more alternate building systems each include one or more components configured to receive power from the one or more wires.
G08B 29/14 - Checking intermittently signalling or alarm systems checking the detection circuits
G08B 25/04 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium using a single signalling line, e.g. in a closed loop
G08B 25/08 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium using communication transmission lines
G08B 25/10 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium using wireless transmission systems
43.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AIDING WITH REPORTING AN EMERGENCY AND SUBSEQUENT EVACUATION PROCEDURES
A system and method aimed to assist with the reporting of an emergency (e.g., a fire) and subsequently thereto, if required, to assist with the evacuation process is disclosed. The system and method of the present disclosure uses an internet enabled device (e.g., a smartphone) to run an APP to assist and/or supplement in the reporting or notifying of a fire in a building and subsequently to assist with the evacuation of the occupants. The system and method of the present disclosure may assist occupants in quickly notifying others of an emergency (e.g., fire) by enabling them to use their smartphone to report a dangerous situation. In addition, the system and method may utilize real-time location tracking services to provide additional information on the location of a fire and building occupants.
G08B 21/02 - Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
G08B 25/00 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems
G08B 25/10 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium using wireless transmission systems
44.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ENCODING SECURITY TAGS WITH DYNAMIC DISPLAY FEATURE
Systems and methods for operating an Electronic Smart Tag ("EST"). The methods comprise: harvesting, by an energy harvesting circuit of the EST, energy from an external energy source; using the energy to power at least a receiver and a display device of the EST; performing signal reception operations by the receiver to receive an original information bearing signal modulated in the external energy source; processing the original information bearing signal to obtain item related information therefrom; and causing the item related information to be displayed on the display device.
G06K 19/07 - Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards with integrated circuit chips
G06K 19/077 - Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
45.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING A SECURITY TAG WITH SYNCHRONIZED DISPLAY
Systems and methods for operating a Security Tag ("ST") coupled to an item. The methods comprise: storing first Item Related Information ("IRI") is a datastore of ST that is associated with an output device and second IRI in an integrated RFID element of ST; receiving third IRI at a microcontroller of ST; performing comparison operations by the microcontroller to compare the third IRI with the first and/or second IRI; using the third IRI to write over the first and/or second IRI based on results of the comparison operations; and synchronizing advertised information and register information for the item by outputting the third IRI from the output device and the integrated RFID element.
The present invention relates to a system for testing the availability of a detector for detecting smoke. More specifically, the present invention relates to a detector with a testing unit arranged to detect whether the detector has been covered, such that it is unable to perform its function as a smoke detector.
G08B 25/10 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium using wireless transmission systems
G08B 29/14 - Checking intermittently signalling or alarm systems checking the detection circuits
G08B 29/22 - Provisions facilitating manual calibration, e.g. input or output provisions for testing; Holding of intermittent values to permit measurement
47.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING AND LOCATING SENSED EVENTS
Method and system for detecting multiple alarms triggered by the same event and suppressing the duplicate detections, reducing false alarm rate. The first sensor to be activated is identified via a timestamp associated to the activation, then it is identified whether the other sensors have been activated by the same event. In particular a plurality of microphones is deployed in separate rooms to detect gunshots from firearms in a indoor setting.
A passive infrared motion detector discriminates between the motion of humans and pets in a premises. The motion detector includes an infrared sensor and a mirror for focusing infrared radiation from distinct fields of view. In one embodiment, a mask prevents infrared radiation from reaching the infrared sensor, and cut away regions on the surface of the mask allow selective passage of infrared radiation to the infrared sensor. In an alternative embodiment, the cylindrical mirror elements includes reflective and unreflective regions, which allow selective passage of infrared radiation to the infrared sensor. The cut away regions and the reflective regions are elongated to correspond to the shape of standing humans. As a result, the infrared radiation from animals only partially reaches the infrared sensor.
G08B 13/193 - Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using infrared-radiation detection systems using focusing means
An electromagnetic circuit-opening detector including a sealed housing; an outer electromagnetic oscillator circuit residing outside of the sealed housing and including an outer inductive coiI residing adjacent to an outer side of the seal ed housing; an inner electromagnetic oscillator circuit residing within the sealed housing and including an inner inductive coil residing adjacent to an inner side of the sealed housing, opposite the outer inductive coil and electromagnetically coupled thereto, the inner electromagnetic oscillator circuit being operable to oscillate at a first frequency when the outer electromagnetic oscillator circuit is closed and at a second frequency when the outer electromagnetic oscillator circuit is open; and an alarm indication generator operable, in response to receiving an indication that the frequency of the inner electromagnetic oscillator circuit has changed from the first frequency to the second frequency, for generating an indication indicating that the outer electromagnetic oscillator circuit is open.
G08B 13/08 - Mechanical actuation by opening, e.g. of door, of window, of drawer, of shutter, of curtain, of blind
H01H 13/18 - Operating parts, e.g. push-button adapted for actuation at a limit or other predetermined position in the path of a body, the relative movement of switch and body being primarily for a purpose other than the actuation of the switch, e.g. door switch, limit switch, floor-levelling swi
50.
LOCATION- AWARE PROVISIONING SYSTEM FOR FIRE ALARM SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREFOR
A fire alarm system design layout map is used in conjunction with a mobile computing device, an indoor tracking system and a connected services system to automate the process of determining the intended slave address for each slave device, assigning the slave address to the slave device, and verifying the assignment of the slave address to the slave device. The mobile computing device sends the location of a slave device to the connected services system, which maps the location to its corresponding position on the layout map and returns the intended slave address for that slave device. The slave address is assigned wirelessly to the slave device. The assignment of the slave address to the slave device is then verified by the connected services system.
Systems and methods for operating an Electronic Smart Tag ("EST"). The methods involve: operating the EST in a first operational state in which first item related information is output from an electronic output device of the EST that is powered by an energy storage device storing energy harvested from an external energy source; detecting when a charge level of the energy storage device reaches or falls below a first threshold level; and transitioning an operational state of the EST from the first operational state to a second operation state in which a message is output from EST requesting that a mobile device be placed in proximity to the EST for purposes of obtaining at least a first portion of the first item related information, in response to the detection that the charge level of the energy storage device has reached or fallen below the first threshold level.
Systems and methods for creating a data mapping to be used in a subsequent inventorying process to locate objects within an area. The methods comprise: identifying, by a robot, at least one first marker disposed within the area which should be re-programed; autonomously transforming, by the robot, a first programmed state of the at least one first marker to a second programmed state, and autonomously creating, by the robot, the data mapping specifying a current physical location of the at least one first marker which was re- programed and current physical locations of second markers also disposed within the area.
Systems and methods for harvesting mechanical energy in a security tag. The methods involve: applying by a tool a pushing force so as to cause a securement mechanism disposed within the security tag to deform; transferring mechanical energy to a spring sleeve when the securement mechanism deforms due to loading applied by the tool; using an energy harvester (e.g., a piezo element or a magnet/solenoid element) to harness the mechanical energy applied by the tool, where the energy harvester is at least partially coupled to the securement mechanism; and converting the mechanical energy to electrical energy. The energy harvester is disposed between the securement mechanism and an Electronic Article Surveillance ("EAS") or Radio Frequency IDentification ("RFID") component of the security tag.
Systems and methods for harvesting mechanical energy in a security tag. The methods involve: applying by a tool a pushing force so as to cause a securement mechanism disposed within the security tag to deform; transferring mechanical energy to a spring sleeve when the securement mechanism deforms due to loading applied by the tool; using an energy harvester (e.g., a piezo element or a magnet/solenoid element) to harness the mechanical energy applied by the tool, where the energy harvester is at least partially coupled to the securement mechanism; and converting the mechanical energy to electrical energy. The energy harvester is disposed between the securement mechanism and an Electronic Article Surveillance ("EAS") or Radio Frequency IDentification ("RFID") component of the security tag.
Method for synchronizing a non-symmetrical tonal pattern in a wireless alerting system involves receiving at a plurality of alerting devices a beacon message. The beacon message is used at the alerting devices to synchronously generate a synchronization pulse signal comprised of a plurality of synchronization pulses which are periodic in accordance with a predetermined synchronization pulse interval. A cadence section indicator (CSI) in the beacon message is used in combination with the synchronization pulse signal to determine a portion of an alarm cadence to sound at each of the alerting device so that the alarm cadence is synchronized among the plurality of the alerting devices.
G08B 3/10 - Audible signalling systems; Audible personal calling systems using electromagnetic transmission
G08B 25/00 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems
G08B 25/10 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium using wireless transmission systems
G08B 29/18 - Prevention or correction of operating errors
56.
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MONITORING FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS
The near-universal connection between control panels and monitoring stations is used to transmit status information for non-compatible control panels to connected services systems. In this way, connected services systems can incorporate monitoring and tracking of non-compatible control panels as well as compatible control panels.
G08B 25/14 - Central alarm receiver or annunciator arrangements
G08B 25/08 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium using communication transmission lines
G08B 25/10 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium using wireless transmission systems
G08B 29/12 - Checking intermittently signalling or alarm systems
G08B 29/14 - Checking intermittently signalling or alarm systems checking the detection circuits
A hand hygiene monitoring system is provided. The hand hygiene monitoring system includes a wearable device coupled to a user, and a beacon associated with a hand hygiene station and configured to communicate with the wearable device. The wearable device is configured to initiate monitoring for a hand hygiene operation based on determining the wearable device is located within a predetermined distance from the beacon, and monitor hand hygiene parameters associated with the hand hygiene operation. The hand hygiene parameters are associated with a quality level of the hand hygiene operation performed by the user.
A smoke detector test apparatus comprises an aerosol generator; a reservoir for holding a test fluid; a compressor for pressurising the test fluid in the reservoir; and a valve for releasing a measured dose of the test fluid from the reservoir to the aerosol generator for aerosolization of the measured dose of the test fluid.
The present invention relates to systems and methods for testing nodes within a fire detector system. The system comprises an aerial platform, such as a drone, and a base station in communication with the aerial platform and a fire control panel. The base station, in conjunction with the control panel, determines which of the nodes are to be tested and the aerial platform positions itself such that it is able to test the selected nodes.
Systems and methods for determining a physical location of a first Radio Frequency Identification ("RFID") tag. The methods involve: analyzing timestamped tag read information acquired during multiple tag reads to determine a first physical location for the first RFID tag read by the mobile reader while moving through a facility; identifying second RFID tags from a plurality of RFID tags read by the mobile reader that are located in proximity to the first RFID tag and that are coupled to objects similar to an object to which the first RFID tag is coupled; selecting an RFID tag from the second RFID tags that has a first location confidence value associated therewith which is greater than second location confidence values associated with other RFID tags of the second RFID tags; and modifying the first physical location based on a second physical location of the RFID tag selected from the second RFID tags.
G01S 13/75 - Systems using reradiation of radio waves, e.g. secondary radar systems; Analogous systems using transponders powered from received waves, e.g. using passive transponders
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
G06K 7/10 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation
G06Q 10/08 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
61.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ACOUSTICALLY IDENTIFYING GUNSHOTS FIRED INDOORS
A system and method for acoustically detecting the firing of gunshots indoors employs multiple microphones (15, 20) which are utilized individually and in combination to detect sounds inside a building or other structure and, upon sensing a loud impulsive sound which is indicative of a gunshot, processing signals from both microphones (15, 20) to determine if the sound is that of a gunshot. The system and method relies on the acoustic signature of the noise as collected, with the acoustic signature being analyzed to arrive at values which are then compared to adjustable levels that signify a gunshot.
After determining that a gunshot has been fired, particularly indoors, the method of the invention is employed to determining the number of gunshots fired by analyzing consecutive windows of time over a certain time period. That is, after it is determined that a gun has been fired, the method is employed to identify that the gun is an automatic or rapid fire weapon by quickly counting the number of rounds shot over short periods of time. This information can be used to provide shooting details, both in connection with notifying emergency personnel and enabling the personnel to assess details of the shooting incident.
Systems and methods for finding tags which are unreadable at a particular time. The methods comprise: performing first operations by a first mobile tag reader to read tags at a first time and to determine physical locations of the tags which were read at the first time; and performing second operations by the first mobile tag reader or a second mobile tag reader at a second later time for determining a first geographic area in which a first tag which is unreadable resides. The second operations comprise: analyzing tag read data associated with the first operations to identify second tags which were read along with the first tag on a previous occasion; and selecting the first geographic area to comprise a second geographic area defined by the physical locations of the second tags which were determined during the first operations by the first mobile tag reader.
G01S 13/75 - Systems using reradiation of radio waves, e.g. secondary radar systems; Analogous systems using transponders powered from received waves, e.g. using passive transponders
64.
PULSED ELECTRONIC ARTICLE SURVEILLANCE DETECTION SYSTEM ABSENT OF A PHASING REQUIREMENT
Systems and methods for detecting a marker in a pulsed Electronic Article Surveillance ("EAS") system. The methods comprise transmitting, from an EAS detection system, an excitation signal having a first frequency into an interrogation zone during a transmit phase of the EAS detection system. The excitation signal causes the marker to transmit a response signal having a second frequency different from the first frequency. The response signal is received at the EAS detection system during a receive phase of the E AS detection system.
Systems and methods for detecting a security tag. The methods comprise: detecting motion of the security tag while in use to protect an article from unauthorized removal from a protected area; and emitting a first waveform from a radiating device of the security tag in response to the motion's detection. The first waveform is detectable by an Electronic Article Surveillance ("EAS") monitoring system. The radiating device comprises a device other than an EAS element, a Radio Frequency Identification ("RFID") device and a Near Field Communication ("NFC") enabled device.
Techniques for detecting conditions at a geographic location are described. The techniques receive plural information feeds, aggregate the information according commonality of information, and analyze information from the plural information feeds according to rules. Upon detection of a rule being triggered for a particular user, the techniques produce or spawn an instruction thread that is controlled or scheduled by an instruction thread scheduler and which filters the received information from the data feeds according to the triggered rule, (and user, user location) and produce an instruction thread that continually analyzes the filtered information from the data feeds to produce operational decisions based on the information and data feeds, detect during the continual analysis changes in risk of a threat according to the triggered rule, produce response messages based on the determined change, and send the generated response messages as an alert to a system/device of a user.
A system and method for providing temporary power to an intermittent unit of a fire alarm system device. The intermittent unit is intermittently activated. The fire alarm system device includes a power storage unit for providing temporary power to the intermittent unit and a voltage converter for providing power at a voltage required by the intermittent unit. The fire alarm system device also includes a power control circuit for discharging the power storage unit through the intermittent unit when the intermittent unit first is activated and then switching to enable the voltage converter to power the intermittent unit.
Systems (100) and methods (800) for operating a pin tag. The methods comprise: moving a first structure with a flange in a first direction; and sliding a chamfered surface of the flange against a chamfered surface of a second structure so as to move the second structure in a second direction away from the first structure. The second direction is angled relative to (e.g., perpendicular to) the first direction. Thereafter, the second structure is resiliently biased towards the first structure when the first structure has moved a certain distance in the first direction to a first position. The first structure is retained at the first position through an engagement of the second structure with the flange which is resiliently biased towards to the second structure in a third direction opposed from the first direction.
System (100) and method (900) for detecting the presence of a security tag. The method involves performing operations by a master pedestal of an EAS system to determine a first Tx/Rx scheme to be used during a first iteration of an EAS tag detection process based on (A) a first total number of time windows randomly selected from a plurality of total number of time windows in which an EAS exciter signal should be transmitted from at least one pedestal, and (B) first time windows randomly selected from a plurality of time windows in which the EAS exciter signal can be sent during the EAS tag detection process. Information specifying the first Tx/Rx scheme is communicated from the master pedestal to at least one slave pedestal. Transmit and receive operations are performed by the master and slave pedestals in accordance with the first Tx/Rx scheme.
Monitoring a water intrusion condition at a facility (100) comprises using an optical data transceiver (111) to illuminate a monitored interior space with an optical data signal which has been modulated to contain a first data sequence. The optical data transceiver receives one or more retroreflected optical data signals which have been respectively retroreflected in response to the optical data signal. A water intrusion event notification is communicated to an enterprise monitoring controller (122) if a variation occurs in regard to at least one optical beam condition associated with one or more of the retroreflected optical data signals.
A glass break detection system using dual detection technology, namely shock detectors and acoustic detectors. The shock detectors is configured to detect a shock wave indicative of a particular glass breakage event and, upon such detection, emit an acoustic signal indicative of the particular glass breakage event. The acoustic detector is configured to detect a sound signature of a glass breakage event and also the acoustic signal emitted by the shock sensor. Reliabilty of the glass break detector in improved as false positives are reduced.
A system includes plural sensor devices installed at a premises and a server computer coupled to a network and in communication with a gateway, which receives a risk profile for a physical premises, collect sensor information from the plural sensor devices and receives data feeds relevant to a location of the physical premises and execute one or more learning models to continually analyze the collected sensor information and data feeds to produce operational decisions based on the sensor information and data feeds to predict changes to risk profiles based on the continual analysis of sensor information and which determines responses to new risk profiles that are produced. The system also includes an engine for monitoring the sensor devices to recognize occurrences of events, and ask, through an interface to a human for additional information to confirm an occurrence of one or more of the events.
Optical data transceiver is used to illuminate a secured space with an optical data signal which has been modulated to contain a first data sequence. One or more retroreflected optical data signals are received at the optical data transceiver from reflector elements disposed in the secured space. The retroreflected optical data signals are authenticated and a security event notification is selectively communicated to an enterprise security management controller if a variation occurs in regard to at least one retroreflected optical beam condition. The variation can involve a disruption of the optical beam and/or a displacement of the optical beam.
G08B 13/184 - Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using active radiation detection systems by interruption of a radiation beam or barrier using radiation reflectors
74.
ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEM USING OPTICAL COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL
System for controlling access comprises a reader unit (108) which is disposed at a portal (102) to a controlled access area (118) and a wearable access device (WAD) (114) which is worn by a user (116). The reader and the WAD implement a bidirectional optical communication protocol (BOCP) to communicate digital data. The WAD receives an interrogation signal from the reader for initiating an access control interaction. At least one of the reader and the WAD uses a predetermined optical beam width (142, 308) and a boresight direction (140, 306) of an optical beam associated with the wireless optical communication link to facilitate a selective determination as to whether the WAD will respond to the interrogation signal with a reply signal to continue with the access control interaction.
A fire detection system has a system controller (160) with a digital processor and a wireless interface for communicating in a local area within a building (156, 155), and at least one drone (150-152) having a body and at least one rotor (3), a controller, and a wireless interface for communicating with said system controller. Fire sensors (4, 5) are mounted on the drone, and it flies on a flight path within the building and to send fire alert data to the system controller upon sensing of a fire condition by said sensor. At least one smoke sensor (4) is located on a rotor axis on the upstream so that rising smoke (S) is drawn back downwardly past the smoke sensor. The flight path of a drone may be chosen for optimum detection, such as for validation of a fire event if potential incipient fire stage is detected.
Adaptive system for communicating with a customer in a retail store environment includes a sensor disposed at a sensor location in a retail environment The sensor location is selected so that the sensor captures information' that facilitates identification of at least one trait associated with a customer located proximate to the sensor location, A processing system is configured to use the information to determine the at least one trait. Thereafter; in response to such determination, the processing system selectively determines a message or content selection to be displayed to the customer based at least in part on the at least one trait that has been identified.
System and method for detaching a tag (300) from an article. The methods comprise: detecting when the tag is in proximity to a detaching unit; verifying that the article has been accepted for a purchase transaction or has been successfully purchased using information received from the tag; mechanically coupling a tag body (318) to the detaching unit when it has been verified that the article has been accepted for a purchase transaction or has been successfully purchased; detecting when a pin (306) of the tag is no longer in proximity of the detaching unit; and mechanically decoupling the tag body from the detaching unit when the pin is no longer in proximity to the detaching unit.
Method and system for reading radio frequency identification (RFID) tags in a portal system comprises performing a first detection and a second detection of the RFID tags in a portal zone. The method further involves performing a first and second sampling of the RFID tags in the portal zone. Thereafter, based on the first detection, second detection, first sampling and second sampling, an occurrence is determined of at least one of the RFID tags transitioning between a first physical space on one side of the portal system and a second physical space on an opposing side of the portal system.
Tracking items of items in a facility involves using an RFID portal system to determine when an EAS tag (112) containing an RFID element (210) has exited from a secured area within the facility. The EAS tag is triggered to initiate a wireless beacon signal upon exiting. Thereafter, control logic (218) associated with the EAS tag is used to cause the wireless beacon signal to be communicated at predetermined intervals. The wireless beacon signal includes unique identifier information concerning the EAS tag. When the beacon signal is received at one or more short range communication (SRC) devices outside the secured area, its location is determined.
Systems (100) and methods for determining a location of a tag (310). The methods involve : receiving, at each detector of a plurality of detectors (202-216, 306, 308), a device transmission periodically transmitted from the tag; determining, by the detectors, Received Signal Strength indictors ("RSSIs") for the device transmission received thereat; determining, by a computing device (218), a probable location of the tag within the passage, first demarcated area or second demarcated area using the RSSIs and relationships between the RSSIs; determining a first likelihood value indicating the likelihood that the probable location is correct; and determining an estimated location of the tag within the passage, first demarcated area or second demarcated area based on the probable location when the first likelihood value meets a first criteria.
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
G01S 13/87 - Combinations of radar systems, e.g. primary radar and secondary radar
81.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ADAPTIVE CANCELLATION OF A MOVING METAL OBJECT'S EFFECT ON RECEIVED SIGNALS
Metal detection process includes calibration operations to determine a plurality of gain settings and a plurality of model parameters, each corresponding to a region through which a moving metal door travels as it traverses a predefined motion path. Thereafter, a corresponding one of the plurality of gain settings is selected, and a corresponding set of the model parameters are selected. The selected gain setting control AFE gain so as to maintain the output of the AFE within a predetermined valid operating range. The model parameters are used to cancel the influence of the moving metal door from output controlled AFE signal.
G08B 29/18 - Prevention or correction of operating errors
G08B 13/24 - Electrical actuation by interference with electromagnetic field distribution
G01V 3/10 - Electric or magnetic prospecting or detecting; Measuring magnetic field characteristics of the earth, e.g. declination or deviation operating with magnetic or electric fields produced or modified by objects or geological structures or by detecting devices using induction coils
Systems (100, 150) and methods (700, 800) for transitioning a handheld device (100) from a partially inoperative state to a fully operative state. The methods comprise performing operations to pair a first communication device (150) and a second communication device (100). In response to the pairing of the first and second communication devices, the second communication device is transitioned from the partially inoperative state in which deactivation operations for deactivating an active security tag (124) are disabled to the fully operative state in which said deactivation operations are enabled.
In an Electronic Article Surveillance ("EAS") system a response is detected to an electromagnetic field. The response is caused by one or more objects present within the surveillance zone and an alarm condition is then selectively generated in accordance with one or more detection algorithms. A speed of a person traveling through the surveillance zone is measured, and if the speed exceeds a threshold then at least one characteristic of the detection algorithm(s) is varied to decrease a rigor of the detection algorithm.
Security tag and method of using same facilitates authorized removal of items from a controlled area where the items have been marked with an item identification code. The method involves providing a transaction software application to facilitate use of a personal mobile communication device/PMCD (118) to obtain the item identification code and participate in a wireless communication session with a transaction server to receive an authorization for release of the item from the controlled area. The application uses the PMCD to access from the security tag (106) certain security tag information available from the security tag. The security tag information is used at the PMCD to determine an unlock code for the security tag. The PMCD is then used to wirelessly communicate the unlock code to the security tag after the authorization for release has been received.
An apparatus (100) comprising: first and second structural parts (102, 104) that are formed of a rigid material or a semi-rigid material; and a bond comprising a first adhesive (304) and at least one conductive member (502) disposed in a bonding area (306) between the first and second structural parts so as to securely couple the first and second structural parts together. The cure time of the first adhesive is decreased and a strength of the bond is increased during a bonding process by increasing a temperature of the first adhesive using the conductive member having electricity traveling therethrough.
C09J 5/06 - Adhesive processes in general; Adhesive processes not provided for elsewhere, e.g. relating to primers involving heating of the applied adhesive
B29C 65/00 - Joining of preformed parts; Apparatus therefor
B29C 65/48 - Joining of preformed parts; Apparatus therefor using adhesives
Systems and methods for uniquely identifying areas within a facility for location services. The methods involve: operating a plurality of beacons disposed within the facility; emitting, from a first beacon of the plurality of beacons, a first beam having a first beamwidth in a manner so as to communicate at least a unique identification code associated with a first physical area of the facility; changing a value for a beamwidth parameter to modify an area of coverage for the first beacon; and emitting, from the first beacon, a second beam having a second beamwidth in a manner so as to communicate at least the unique identification code associated with the first area of the facility, where the second beamwidth is different from the first beamwidth. The changing is performed autonomously by the first beacon or in response to the first beacon's reception of a command from a remote beacon receiver.
H04B 7/06 - Diversity systems; Multi-antenna systems, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas at the transmitting station
87.
PREDICTING WORK ORDERS FOR SCHEDULING SERVICE TASKS ON INTRUSION AND FIRE MONITORING
A work order prediction system is described. The system includes computers that implement a recommendation engine that receives historical job records from customer jobs and produces a listing of rules comprising rules of the form A - > B or A,B -> C or A,B > C, D, where A, B, C, D are work order jobs and a calculated confidence value for a result of each of the rules. The system includes a key phrase extraction module and a site similarity computation module, which feed a prediction engine that generates a prediction of a work order and basis of the prediction.
Systems and methods for operating a security tag (500). The methods involve: coupling the security tag to an article by at least partially inserting an attachment assembly (512) into a tag body (502); performing core security tag functions by a first electronic circuit (508) disposed within the tag body of the security tag to protect the article from an unauthorized removal of the article from an area; and performing at least one first peripheral security tag function by a second electronic circuit (504) disposed within the attachment assembly of the security tag.
Systems (100) and methods (600) for determining a location of an object within space. The methods comprise: generating Inertial Reference Measurement Data ("IRMD"); reading RFID inventory tags by an RF ID reader; processing IRMD to determine an RFID reader orientation and position estimates at a time of each RFID inventory tag read; defining cones associated with each RFID inventory tag, mapping the cones to a model; analyzing the model to identify a set of cones which overlap each other and are associated with reads for a respective RFID inventory tag; and deriving a position estimate for the respective inventory tag based on intersecting portions of the cones in the set of cones. Each cone has: a vertex which is the RFID reader position estimate at a respective time; and an angle which is in inverse proportion to a signal strength of a signal received from a respective RFID inventory tag.
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
90.
WEARABLE RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION ENABLED DEVICES
Systems (100) and methods (900) for reading Radio Frequency Identification ("RFID") tags. The methods comprise: coupling a wearable RFID tag reader directly to a person's hand or forearm; transmitting a first interrogation signal from a first antenna of the wearable RFID tag reader being worn on a person's hand or forearm; receiving, by the wearable RFID reader, a first response signal generated by and transmitted from a first RFID tag in response to the first interrogation signal; and processing the first response signal to identify, locate or track a first object of interest.
Systems and methods for operating a security tag (132, 300). The methods comprise: wirelessly receiving at the security tag a signal sent from a remote device (104, 190); and preventing alarm issuance when first and second Magnetic Attracting ("MA") halves (302, 312, 702, 704) of the security tag are pulled apart by deactivating alarm circuitry (264, 340) internal to the security tag in response to the security tag's reception of the signal.
Systems and methods for operating a security tag. The methods involve: establishing an electrical connection between the security tag and an external Power Removal Station ("PRS"); performing operations by the security tag to authenticate a detach command sent from the external PRS; allowing power to be supplied from the external PRS to an electro¬ mechanical component of the security tag when the detach command is authenticated; and actuating the electro-mechanical component so that a pin of the security tag transitions from an engaged position to an unengaged position without any human assistance or mechanical assistance by a device external to the security tag.
Systems (100) and methods (400) for determining a Handheld Reader's ("HR") location within a facility. The methods involve: performing first operations by HR to read RFID tags having locations within the facility that are unknown to the handheld reader; performing second operations by HR to receive signals from RF Enabled Devices ("RFED") located at known locations within the facility; and determining HR's location/orientation using RSSI levels or TOF values of signals received from RFEDs, known locations of RFEDs, sensor data, known antenna patterns of RFEDs, a known antenna pattern of HR, and/or (9) information indicating which RFID tags were read by HR and at least one RFED, The first and second operations are performed while HR is being carried by a person throughout the facility.
Systems (100) and methods (500, 600) for adaptively managing power for an Energy Harvesting System ("EHS"). The methods involve: measuring a light intensity level available in a surrounding environment; wirelessly communicating a first wireless signal from the EHS (100) to a remote device (700) for causing the light intensity level to be increased by remotely turning on a light source (106, 108) or opening a cover preventing light emitted from the light source from reaching the EHC, when the light intensity level is below a pre-specified level; using an Energy Harvesting Circuit ("EHC") to recharge a rechargeable battery (310) when the light intensity level rises above the pre-specified level; and wirelessly communicating a second wireless signal from the EHS to the remote device for causing the light source be turned off or the cover to be closed, when the capacity or state-of-charge of the rechargeable battery reaches a pre-specified value.
Systems (100) and methods (400) for determining a location of an object within a facility. The methods involve: performing operations by beacons to illuminate a plurality of Zone-Of-Interests ("ZOIs") including objects within the facility; performing operations by a handheld reader to read RFK) tags coupled to the objects; performing operations by a beacon receiver to obtain a first location identifier transmitted from a first beacon while the handheld reader is reading the RFID tags; using the first location identifier to determine approximate locations of the RFID tags which were read in time proximity to the beacon receiver's reception of the location identifier; and optionally generating a three dimensional map showing locations of the RFID tags. Notably, the beacon receiver is an accessory of the handheld receiver or a standalone device worn by an operator of the handheld device.
Systems and methods for operating an RFID tag. The methods comprise: inducing current through a magnetic loop or solenoid disposed within the RFID tag that is caused by a inductive field, a magnetic field or an RF field being generated within a surrounding environment; using the current which is induced through the magnetic loop or solenoid to charge a capacitor disposed within the RFID tag; decreasing the amount of current induced through the magnetic loop or solenoid; receiving a detaching signal at the RFID tag; electrically connecting the capacitor to a detaching unit disposed within the RFID tag in response to the detaching signal; and activating the detaching unit by supplying current from the capacitor to the detaching unit, whereby the RFID tag can be detached from an article.
G06K 19/07 - Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards with integrated circuit chips
Systems and methods for detecting an opening and closing of an object, such as a door or window. The methods comprise: causing a piezoelectric transducer (310) to oscillate in response to an opening of the object; harvesting energy generated as a result of the piezoelectric transducer's oscillation to power a transceiver (514); and transmitting, from the transceiver to a remote device, information indicating that the opening of the object has been detected by a wireless sensor coupled to the object. The information may specify a logical address linked to a physical location of the object (e.g., a MAC address).
A networked system for authenticating devices that comprise constrained devices connected in a network either directly to cloud based and/or dedicated servers or though gateways to cloud based and/or dedicated servers.
Antenna system includes a fixture having a first portion and a second portion joined along an alignment axis. A first planar antenna element having a first polarization direction is aligned with a first plane, and secured to the first portion of the antenna fixture. A second planar antenna element has a second polarization direction aligned with a second plane. The second planar antenna element is secured to the second portion of the antenna fixture so that the second plane is transverse to the first plane and the first and second planes intersect along a line parallel to the alignment axis. At least one tuned element mitigates near-field interference as between the first planar antenna element and the second planar antenna element. Signals applied to the antenna feed port will result in three-polarization radiation.
G06K 7/10 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation
H01Q 1/22 - Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles
G06K 7/00 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers
H01Q 1/52 - Means for reducing coupling between antennas; Means for reducing coupling between an antenna and another structure
H01Q 21/24 - Combinations of antenna units polarised in different directions for transmitting or receiving circularly and elliptically polarised waves or waves linearly polarised in any direction
100.
SELF-DETACHING ANTI-THEFT DEVICE FOR RETAIL ENVIRONMENT
Systems (100) and methods (1500) for operating a security tag. The methods involve: converting rotational motion of a pinion gear in a first direction into linear motion of a rack gear in a second direction so as to cause a pin to transition from an unengaged state in which the pin is retracted into a first portion of an enclosure to an engaged state in which an end of the pin resides within an aperture formed in a second portion spaced apart from the first portion of the enclosure; mechanically retaining the pin in the engaged position using a pawl that prevents movement of the pinion gear in a third direction opposed to the first direction; and automatically releasing the pawl in response to a reception of a wireless signal at the security tag, whereby the pin is returns to the unengaged state.
patents
