In some embodiments, a power supply in a doorbell system includes a boost rectifier circuit with a plurality of active devices arranged in a bridge topology that are configured to receive an AC input voltage, generate a DC output voltage by rectifying the AC input voltage, drive an electric load using the rectified DC voltage, and boost an amplitude of the AC input voltage. Two of the plurality of active devices in the boost rectifier circuit may be pulse driven and can control an operation of a mechanical or digital chime device. The chime device can include a solenoid and the boost rectifier circuit may utilize the solenoid as an energy storage element to facilitate the boosting of the amplitude of the AC input voltage. The boost rectifier circuit may boost the AC input voltage by at least a multiplication factor of two.

In some embodiments, a power supply in a doorbell system includes a boost rectifier circuit with a plurality of active devices arranged in a bridge topology that are configured to receive an AC input voltage, generate a DC output voltage by rectifying the AC input voltage, drive an electric load using the rectified DC voltage, and boost an amplitude of the AC input voltage. Two of the plurality of active devices in the boost rectifier circuit may be pulse driven and can control an operation of a mechanical or digital chime device. The chime device can include a solenoid and the boost rectifier circuit may utilize the solenoid as an energy storage element to facilitate the boosting of the amplitude of the AC input voltage. The boost rectifier circuit may boost the AC input voltage by at least a multiplication factor of two.

Example implementations include a method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium comprising first broadcasting, by at least one primary speaker of a control panel, a first sound toward a front or a side of the control panel; and second broadcasting, concurrently with the first broadcasting, by a removable back speaker that is removably attachable to a back side of the control panel, a second sound toward the back side of the control panel. In some aspects, the removable back speaker is configured as a stand for placing the control panel on a flat surface.

Example implementations include a method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium comprising first broadcasting, by at least one primary speaker of a control panel, a first sound toward a front or a side of the control panel; and second broadcasting, concurrently with the first broadcasting, by a removable back speaker that is removably attachable to a back side of the control panel, a second sound toward the back side of the control panel. In some aspects, the removable back speaker is configured as a stand for placing the control panel on a flat surface.

A detector unit for use in a fire detection system is provided, comprising: a sensor for monitoring an environmental condition; an indicator for generating a visible indication; and a controller in connection with the sensor and the indicator, wherein the controller is configured to communicate with a fire alarm control panel of the fire detection system; wherein the controller is configured to operate the detector unit in a testing mode, the testing mode being for testing a response of the fire detection system to an environmental condition that is indicative of a fire; and wherein the controller is configured to cause the indicator to indicate an outcome of a test carried out on the detector unit when the detector unit is operating in the testing mode.

A detector unit for use in a fire detection system is provided, comprising: a sensor for monitoring an environmental condition; an indicator for generating a visible indication; and a controller in connection with the sensor and the indicator, wherein the controller is configured to communicate with a fire alarm control panel of the fire detection system; wherein the controller is configured to operate the detector unit in a testing mode, the testing mode being for testing a response of the fire detection system to an environmental condition that is indicative of a fire; and wherein the controller is configured to cause the indicator to indicate an outcome of a test carried out on the detector unit when the detector unit is operating in the testing mode.

Disclosed are systems and methods for playback and monitoring of playback of audio signals. In an aspect, a system includes an audio signal generating module configured to generate an audio signal; an identification signal generating module configured to generate an identification signal associated with the audio signal; a combining module configured to combine the audio signal and the identification signal into a combined audio signal; a playback module configured to play back a sound based on the combined audio signal; and a verifying module configured to process the played back sound in order to verify that the played back sound contains the identification signal.

Devices, methods, and systems for a self-testing fire sensing device are described herein. One device includes a fan, an optical scatter chamber configured to measure a quantity of particles therein, and a controller configured to compare the quantity to a baseline quantity and transmit a command to a fan responsive to the quantity being greater than the baseline quantity, wherein the fan is configured to activate for a particular period of time to remove particles from the optical scatter chamber responsive to receiving the command, wherein the optical scatter chamber is configured to measure the quantity of particles therein after the particular period of time, and wherein the controller is configured to compare the quantity of particles after the particular period of time to the baseline quantity and report a confirmed fire responsive to the quantity of particles after the particular period of time being greater than the baseline quantity.

A control panel is used to monitor events within a security system or other automation system. In the event an intruder enters a physical location, the intruder may attempt to damage the control panel to disrupt its operation. One or more sensors of the control panel may detect disruption in the operation of the control panel. Example sensors may detect an impact force, sudden acceleration, removal from a mounted location, or disruption of communication with an input/output element, such as a display device. When an event is detected at the control panel itself, the control panel can send a signal to a remote service provider, and the remote service provider can follow-up with the customer. The control panel and/or remote service provider may also determine when the control panel loses partial or complete power loss to identify the disruption as a potential crash-and-smash entry.

A control panel is used to monitor events within a security system or other automation system. In the event an intruder enters a physical location, the intruder may attempt to damage the control panel to disrupt its operation. One or more sensors of the control panel may detect disruption in the operation of the control panel. Example sensors may detect an impact force, sudden acceleration, removal from a mounted location, or disruption of communication with an input/output element, such as a display device. When an event is detected at the control panel itself, the control panel can send a signal to a remote service provider, and the remote service provider can follow-up with the customer. The control panel and/or remote service provider may also determine when the control panel loses partial or complete power loss to identify the disruption as a potential crash-and-smash entry.