In 1608, Dutch eyeglass maker Hans Lipperhey filed the first patent for a working telescope. The patent was denied.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 6606028 | Apparatus and method for supervision A supervisable multi-processor communication system includes circuitry and executable instructions for evaluating the communication capability of a plurality of branches in the system. Branches which exhibit a non-communicating condition, such as an open ... | 08/12/2003 |
| 6521907 | Miniature photoelectric sensing chamber A low profile, low volume smoke chamber displaces a light source, such as a light emitting diode or laser diode, and a sensor, such as photodiode or phototransistor, to the exterior of the sensing volume. A symmetrical sensing volume results which can be ... | 02/18/2003 |
| 6498563 | Synchronized communication system A communication protocol facilitates transmission at maximum rates for various types of cables. Signal to noise characteristics are improved by using voltage waveforms. The protocol can be used to transmit information between a common control unit and a p... | 12/24/2002 |
| 6480109 | Alarm lockout apparatus A multi-mode electrical device for a communications system exhibits at least two different modes manually selectable at the device. A mode setting switch carried by the device has at least two states. One state is associated with a normal operational mode... | 11/12/2002 |
| 6472980 | Device with built-in signal discrimination and output synchronization circuits An electrical unit, such as an ambient condition detector, incorporates pattern discrimination circuitry. A received pattern is analyzed and, if it is in accordance with a predetermined pattern, the unit outputs an audible and/or visible indicium synchron... | 10/29/2002 |
| 6462653 | System and method of group definition An event detection system has a control element coupled to a plurality of detectors, such as smoke detectors. The control element can be implemented with a programmed processor. The detectors can include a base which removably receives a separable detecto... | 10/08/2002 |
| 6462655 | Zone check test system A fluid flow detector test system includes a flow conduit and a pump for providing a test fluid flow at the detector. A test unit includes a programmed processor coupled to the pump by a drive circuit such as a solid state switch or a relay. The detector'... | 10/08/2002 |
| 6445291 | Adaptive console for augmenting wireless capability in security systems A security system comprising a plurality of remote wireless units, a central control unit and an adaptive console for translating messages in radio frequency signals into messages in signals suitable for transmission over a wire in order to augment the wi... | 09/03/2002 |
| 6424257 | Bidirectional communication between control element and electrical devices 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 sta... | 07/23/2002 |
| 6384723 | Digital communication system and method A communication protocol facilitates transmission at maximum rates for various types of cables. Signal to noise characteristics are improved by using voltage waveforms. The protocol can be used to transmit information between a common control unit and a p... | 05/07/2002 |
| 6380846 | Pull station A pull station for an alarm includes a housing with a handle mounted for sliding movement within the housing. The housing includes a window for a user to access the handle for forcibly sliding the handle in a vertical direction. A latch is rotatably mount... | 04/30/2002 |
| 6366215 | Communications systems and methods The members of a multi-processor communication system can be loaded with a common set of control programs. Subsequently, the functionality of the various processors can be specified by providing linking information to the respective processors. The linkin... | 04/02/2002 |
| 6331820 | Explosion proof water flow detector A paddle type flow detector for an explosive environment is mountable onto a pipe. The detector includes a structure for mounting to a pipe, a substantially sealed switch housing containing an electrical switch, and a paddle located within the pipe. A lev... | 12/18/2001 |
| 6326880 | Detector with control switch An ambient condition detector incorporates a control switch which can be actuatable by one of a plurality of circumstances. In a response to an actuated switch, control circuitry of the detector selects at least one predetermined function or process to ca... | 12/04/2001 |
| 6320501 | Multiple sensor system for alarm determination with device-to-device communications A multi-unit ambient condition detecting system incorporates either a wired or a wireless communication medium wherein the units are in bi-directional communication with one another. Units can incorporate programmed processors and ambient condition sensor... | 11/20/2001 |
| 6314772 | Lock mechanism for pull station A lock for locking closed a housing for an alarm pull station includes a lock cam and a lock cylinder assembly. The lock cylinder assembly includes: a lock actuation cylinder having a keyhole exposed on a front side of the housing and a key actuation sock... | 11/13/2001 |
| 6292541 | Line shunt and ground fault apparatus method A system and method to detect ground faults in a multi-processor communication system that includes a communications link that extends between the processors. The processors isolate different sections of the link. Measurements made with different isolated... | 09/18/2001 |
| 6288639 | Low power installation of wireless security system devices A method for ensuring that an adequate signal margin exists between an alarm system's central control unit and its wireless devices during normal operation. The wireless devices include a remote dialer, a remote siren, and a user interface device. During ... | 09/11/2001 |
| 6275160 | Multi-mode waterflow detector with electronic timer A flow detector includes solid state delay circuitry coupled to a flow indicating device. In response to flow being indicated, the delay circuitry is enabled. After a preset delay interval, if flow is still being indicated, an output signal can be generat... | 08/14/2001 |
| 6252501 | Message repeating apparatus and method A multi-processor communication system includes a plurality of processors in bidirectional communication with one another. One processor can transmit a message to an intended recipient. The message can be correctly received by other processors. In the eve... | 06/26/2001 |
| 6167447 | Multi-processor communication system wherein multiple sources can transmit information during the transmission of a single message A multi-processor system makes it possible to enhance information transmitted between processors. Any one of the processors can inject information into a data transmission between other processors. The injected information can identify or indicate the loc... | 12/26/2000 |
| 6166648 | Aspirated detector An aspirated-type detector includes a housing with an internal ambient condition sensing region and a sensor carried therein. The housing is perforated with ambient atmosphere inflow ports. A fan or similar device lowers the pressure in the internal regio... | 12/26/2000 |
| 6163263 | Circuitry for electrical device in multi-device communications system A self-monitoring power supply can be incorporated into electrical devices which are part of a multi-device communication system. The power supply is energized by electrical energy received from a medium on an intermittent basis. The self-monitoring circu... | 12/19/2000 |
| 6150935 | Fire alarm system with discrimination between smoke and non-smoke phenomena An alarm system which incorporates a plurality of highly sensitive, early warning, smoke detectors incorporates functionality for distinguishing between detector signals in response to ambient smoke and detector signals in response to the presence of non-... | 11/21/2000 |
| 6127935 | Reversible speaker/strobe module A system for mounting two alarm-indicating or condition-sensing modules side-by-side onto a junction box provides installation flexibility to locate a particular module on the right or left side of the respective other module. A loudspeaker module can be ... | 10/03/2000 |
| 6124795 | Detector interconnect system A duct mountable smoke detector includes a smoke sensor, an alarm indicating output relay, and an air flow control relay. In the presence of an alarm condition, the alarm indicating relay is energized thereby producing an alarm indicating signal. The air ... | 09/26/2000 |
| 6087933 | Antenna switching for amplitude degradation during supervision and installation of wireless security systems A method for testing the signal margin of an alarm system during installation of the alarm system and during the alarm system supervision time. The alarm system comprises a plurality of remote transmitting devices and a receiver/control unit. The receiver... | 07/11/2000 |
| 6084521 | Waterflow detector with electronic timer A flow detector includes solid state delay circuitry coupled to a flow indicating device. In response to flow being indicated, the delay circuitry is enabled. After a preset delay interval, if flow is still being indicated, electrical energy can be provid... | 07/04/2000 |
| 6057778 | Modular interchangeble cover system A family of covers having identical indented base regions for receiving a plurality of diverse alarm indicating and/or condition-sensing modules thereon. The alarm indicating modules each have a common "footprint" for being snugly received into the indent... | 05/02/2000 |
| 6049446 | Alarm systems and devices incorporating current limiting circuit Electrical modules which incorporate multiple state input circuitry limit the in-rush current thereto when electrical energy is initially applied. The input circuitry exhibits a high impedance and subsequently a very low impedance state. When electrical e... | 04/11/2000 |
| 6037867 | Plug-in type supervisory switch A device for supervising movable articles or objects has a supervising member which can be attached thereto. The device includes a connector disposed in a housing. The housing includes an aperture and a rotary blocking member positionable between the conn... | 03/14/2000 |
| 6028513 | Wireless activation of multiple alarm devices upon triggering of a single device A method and apparatus for use in wireless alarm systems is provided which enable the simultaneous sounding of any or all alarm devices in the system upon sensing of an alarm condition by at least one of the alarm devices. The alarm devices are battery po... | 02/22/2000 |
| 6026165 | Secure communications in a wireless system Disclosed are three major aspects relating to wireless transmission of encrypted data messages in a security system wherein the receiver stores locally an encryption key utilized by the transmitting device to encrypt the data message and the receiver uses... | 02/15/2000 |
| 6014084 | Electronic self-locating system and method A method and an apparatus for automatically locating detectors in an ambient condition monitoring system incorporate a normally closed contact for open circuiting the associated communication link. A command can be issued to the detectors and which identi... | 01/11/2000 |
| 6005890 | Automatically adjusting communication system A dynamically adjustable communication system and method automatically adjust transmission rates of discontinuous waveforms from one signal level to another for the purpose of optimizing a quality parameter of a transmitted signal. Circuitry coupled to th... | 12/21/1999 |
| 5969604 | System and method of adjusting smoothing An ambient condition detector includes a sensor for a first ambient condition and a second, sensor which is responsive to a second ambient condition not necessarily correlated to the first condition. Control circuitry, coupled to both sensors, processes a... | 10/19/1999 |
| 5947207 | Dual sprinkler system A dual mode fire suppression system includes first and second, different, fire suppression nozzles. Each nozzle is coupled to a fire suppressing medium. A fire detector is coupled to at least one of the nozzles. The detector monitors an adjacent region, a... | 09/07/1999 |
| 5936544 | Wireless access system A modular door access control system incorporates a plurality of wireless door modules. Access request signals are transmitted to a remote access control unit. The control unit transmits access authorizing control signals to a respective one of the module... | 08/10/1999 |
| 5931569 | Reflector with strobe light extending therefrom A wall-mountable strobe unit emits radiant energy over a one hundred eighty degree arc in a horizontal plane and over a ninety degree arc in a vertical plane when so mounted. The unit includes a reflector and an elongated light source. The elongated light... | 08/03/1999 |
| 5926098 | Aspirated detector An aspirated-type detector includes a housing with an internal ambient condition sensing region and a sensor carried therein. The housing is perforated with ambient atmosphere inflow ports. A fan or similar device lowers the pressure in the internal regio... | 07/20/1999 |