Title: Security control and communication system and method
Abstract: An integrated security control system and method which integrate the functions of a wireless security system control panel and a radio transceiver in an integrated security control system unit. The integrated control unit includes a first telephone communication system for communicating security system data by wired telephone communications, and a second radio frequency (RF) cellular communication system for communicating security system data by communications through an RF communication network. The cellular communication system is the primary communication network for reporting a security event, thereby leaving the first telephone communication system open for telephone communications during the reporting of a security event. A separate unit of the security system, such as a wireless RF status display or a wireless RF keypad, is provided with a beeper transducer for sounding entry and exit beeps. The separate unit is positioned at a separate location from the integrated security control system unit, such that the entry beeps do not alert an entering person to the location of the integrated security control system unit. When a security event is triggered, the control unit delays activating a security alarm sounder in the control unit until after the second RF communication system has finished transmitting the alarm message.
Patent Number: 6,999,562 Issued on 02/14/2006 to Winick
| Inventors:
|
Winick; Steven J. (Woodmere, NY)
|
| Assignee:
|
Honeywell International Inc. (Morristown, NJ)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
410463 |
| Filed:
|
April 9, 2003 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
379/42; 379/37; 455/404.01; 340/531; 340/532 |
| Current Intern'l Class: |
H04M 11/04 (20060101) |
| Field of Search: |
379/37- 51
340/506-508,531-533,539.1,539.11,53914-53916,539.19
455/404.1,418,419
|
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Chan; Wing
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Scully, Scott, Murphy & Presser
Parent Case Text
This application claims the benefit of Provisional application No. 60/370,619,
filed Apr. 9, 2002.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An integrated security control and communication system comprising:
an integrated security control system unit including a first telephone communication
system for communicating security system data by wired telephone communications
through a first communication network, and a second radio frequency (RF) communication
system for communicating security system data by communications through an RF communication
network, wherein the second RF communication system is the security system primary
communication network for reporting a security event, thereby leaving the first
telephone communication system open for telephone communications during the reporting
of a security event, and a control system for determining under what circumstances
communications are directed through the first telephone communication system and
through the second RF communication system;
a separate unit of the security system includes a beeper transducer for sounding
entry and exit beeps, to alert a person entering the premises to disarm the security
system, and to alert a person leaving the premises that the security system has
been properly armed, wherein the separate unit is positioned at a separate location
from the integrated security control system unit, such that the entry beeps do
not alert an entering person to the location of the integrated security control
system unit, to prevent the entering person from possibly attempting to damage
or destroy the integrated security control system unit, wherein the integrated
security control system unit includes a security alarm sounder, and when a person
enters the premises, the beeper transducer in the separate unit emits entry beeps
to alert the entering person to disarm the security system before the expiration
of a given time period, during which time period the integrated security control
system unit transmits an RF security message alerting a security service center
of the entry and then awaits receiving back an acknowledge RF message acknowledging
the successful receipt by the security service center of the security message,
and after receiving back the acknowledge RF message, if the entering person has
not disarmed the alarm system within the given time period, the integrated security
control system unit activates the alarm sounder to sound a security alarm, such
that after the alarm sounder sounds a security alarm, even if the entering person
attempts to damage or destroy the integrated security control system unit, the
integrated security control system unit has already successfully transmitted a
security alarm message.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the integrated security control system unit
includes a microprocessor and control unit coupled to a modem and digital dialer
unit, a long range cellular RF transceiver, a short range RF transceiver, a power
supply and battery charger unit, and a security alarm sounder for sounding an alarm
when a security event is detected.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the microprocessor and control unit is further
coupled to a fixture power line control unit which uses a power line carrier communication
protocol to communicate with and control other power line control units over the
AC power supply line.
4. The system of claim 2, wherein when a security event is triggered, the control
unit delays activating the security alarm sounder until the second RF communication
system has finished transmitting the alarm message.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the security system further includes a short
range RF transceiver for communicating with other components of the security system.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein the separate unit comprises a wireless RF keypad
which bidirectionally communicates with the short range RF transceiver.
7. The system of claim 5, wherein the separate unit comprises a wireless RF status
display which bidirectionally communicates with the short range RF transceiver.
8. The system of claim 5, further including a wireless RF key unit for transmitting
arm and disarm messages to the short range RF transceiver.
9. The system of claim 1, further including a security system housing for enclosing
the integrated security system control unit, wherein the housing includes an AC
plug projecting from a back of the housing which plugs into an AC outlet receptacle
to provide primary power for the integrated security control system unit, and the
integrated security control system unit also includes a back up battery for continued
operation during a power outage.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein the integrated security control system unit
further includes an AC power line control module which uses a power line carrier
communication protocol to control at least one appliance in a premises protected
by the security system.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein the second RF communication system comprises
a long range RF transceiver and a control channel cellular RF communication network
which forwards data packets of a security message to a security service center,
which then sends a security message through a separate communication network to
a security monitor center which responds to the security message with an appropriate
security action.
12. The system of claim 1, wherein the first telephone communication system includes
a modem and digital dialer to provide bi-directional telephone communications.
13. A method of operating an integrated security control and communication system comprising:
providing an integrated security control system unit with a first telephone communication
system for communicating security system data by wired telephone communications
through a first communication network, and a second radio frequency (RF) communication
system for communicating security system data by communications through an RF communication network;
utilizing the second RF communication system as the security system primary communication
network for reporting a security event, thereby leaving the first telephone communication
system open for telephone communications during the reporting of a security event;
controlling which communications are directed through the first telephone communication
system and which communications are directed through the second RF communication system;
providing a separate unit of the security system with a beeper transducer for
sounding entry and exit beeps, to alert a person entering the premises to disarm
the security system, and to alert a person leaving the premises that the security
system has been properly armed;
positioning the separate unit at a separate location from the integrated security
control system unit, such that the entry beeps do not alert an entering person
to the location of the integrated security control system unit, to prevent the
entering person from possibly attempting to damage or destroy the integrated security
control system unit; and
providing the integrated security control system unit with a security alarm sounder,
and when a person enters the premises, the beeper transducer in the separate unit
emits entry beeps to alert the entering person to disarm the security system before
the expiration of a given time period, during which time period the integrated
security control system unit transmits an RF security message alerting a security
service center of the entry and then awaits receiving back an acknowledge RF message
acknowledging the successful receipt by the security service center of the security
message, and after receiving back the acknowledge RF message, if the entering person
has not disarmed the alarm system within the given time period, the integrated
security control system unit activates the alarm sounder to sound a security alarm,
such that after the alarm sounder sounds a security alarm, even if the entering
person attempts to damage or destroy the integrated security control system unit,
the integrated security control system unit has already successfully transmitted
a security alarm message.
14. The method of claim 13, including providing the integrated security control
system unit with an AC power line control module which uses a power line carrier
communication protocol to control at least one appliance in a premises protected
by the security system.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein a component of the security system for disarming
the security system by simply pressing a button is a separate component which is
positioned at a separate nonobvious location from a component for arming the security
system or having the beeper transducer.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein the second RF communication system comprises
a long range RF transceiver and a control channel cellular RF communication network
which forwards data packets of a security message to a security service center,
which then sends a security message through a separate communication network to
a security monitor center which responds to the security message with an appropriate
security action.
17. The method of claim 13, including providing the first telephone communication
system with a modem and digital dialer to provide bi-directional telephone communications.
18. The method of claim 13, including providing the security system with a short
range RF transceiver for communicating with other components of the security system.
19. The method of claim 18, including providing the separate unit as a wireless
RF keypad which bidirectionally communicates with the short range RF transceiver.
20. The method of claim 18, including providing the separate unit as a wireless
RF status display which bidirectionally communicates with the short range RF transceiver.
21. The method of claim 18, including providing a wireless RF key unit for transmitting
arm and disarm messages to the short range RF transceiver.
22. The method of claim 13, including providing a security system housing for
enclosing the integrated security system control unit with an AC plug projecting
from a back of the housing, and plugging the AC plug into an AC outlet receptacle
to provide primary power for the integrated security control system unit, and providing
the integrated security control system unit with a back up battery for continued
operation during a power outage.
23. A method of programming an integrated security control system unit including
a telephone communication system for communicating security system data by wired
telephone communications through a communication network, the method comprising:
providing a web site hosted by a security system service center, and storing
configuration data at the web site which can be accessed through the internet;
accessing the web site through the internet by a web browser of a security system
end user computer to provide access to end user configuration data, both for security
system information and for programming of the security system;
the control system initiates a telephone call through the telephone communication
system to access the security system service center through the telephone network
to complete a secure data connection to transmit updated configuration data to
the control system.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein a security system monitoring center controls
what features and data the end user can access through the end user computer and
the internet.
25. The method of claim 23, wherein the end user computer and a security system
monitoring center are supplied with forms and enables a complete system feature
configuration via their web browser.
26. A method of programming an integrated security control system unit including
a first telephone communication system for communicating security system data by
wired telephone communications through a first communication network, and a second
radio frequency (RF) communication system for communicating security system data
by communications through a radio frequency (RF) communication network, wherein
the second RF communication system is the security system primary communication
network for reporting a security event, thereby leaving the first telephone communication
system open for telephone communications during the reporting of a security event,
and a control system for determining under what circumstances communications are
directed through the first telephone communication system and through the second
RF communication system, the method comprising:
providing a web site hosted by a security system service center, and storing
configuration data at the web site which can be accessed through the internet;
accessing the web site through the internet by a web browser of a security system
monitoring center to provide access to security system monitoring center configuration
data, both for security system information and for programming of the security system;
accessing the web site through the internet by a web browser of a security system
end user computer to provide access to end user configuration data, both for security
system information and for programming of the security system;
the security system service center signals the control system through the radio
communication network that configuration data is waiting to be downloaded to program
the control system;
the control system then initiates a telephone call through the first telephone
communication system to access the security system service center through the telephone
network to complete a secure data connection to transmit updated configuration
data to the control system.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein the end user computer and the security system
monitoring center are supplied with forms and tables to enable a complete system
feature configuration via their web browsers.
28. The method of claim 26, wherein the security system monitoring center controls
what features and data the end user can access through the end user computer and
the internet.
29. A method of programming an integrated security control system unit including
a telephone communication system for communicating security system data by wired
telephone communications through a communication network, the method comprising:
providing a web site hosted by a security system service center, and storing
configuration data at the web site which can be accessed through the internet;
accessing the web site through the internet by a web browser of a security system
monitoring center to provide access to security system monitoring center configuration
data, both for security system information and for programming of the security
system; and
a communication is initiated through the telephone communication system to access
the security system service center through the telephone network to complete a
secure data connection to transmit updated configuration data to the control system.
30. The method of claim 29, wherein an end user computer and the security system
monitoring center are supplied with forms and tables to enable a complete system
feature configuration via their web browsers.
31. The method of claim 29, wherein the security system monitoring center controls
what features and data the end user can access through an end user computer and
the internet.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to security control and communication systems and
methods in which the functions of a security system control panel are integrated
with a radio transceiver to provide protection against burglary, fire and other
emergency conditions.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
Security control systems currently fall into two main categories, self-contained
security control systems and traditional two-box configurations for security control systems.
Self-contained security control systems comprise a keypad-like package
which combines a control panel, a short-range radio frequency (RF) receiver, a
keypad, a sounder (loud audible device) and a communicator. The keypad-like package
is mounted in visible plain site at a convenient location or multiple locations
throughout a premises. A self-contained security system is operated by an AC power
supply with a plug-in external transformer. A backup battery is also provided to
maintain the system operational in the event of a power outage. This type of system
configuration is very convenient, but suffers from a major security problem. If
the keypad-like package is damaged or destroyed, as by an intruder, the security
system can become non-functional. Such self-contained systems typically contain
a delay feature before arming the alarm system in order to allow a user to exit
the premises or to enter a preset code to disarm the system when entering the premises.
Since the delay feature may produce audible beeps to warn the user, it also draws
attention to the location of the keypad-like package containing the control panel.
If the control panel in the keypad-like package is damaged or destroyed by an intruder
during the expiration of the delay, the security system can be effectively defeated.
In traditional two-box configurations, a separate metal box houses the control
processor, the battery and the communicator. The separate metal box is typically
mounted in an inconspicuous location, such as in a closet, basement or attic. Keypads,
short-range radio (RF) receivers and sounders are generally mounted separately
in more strategically relevant and visible locations. While providing much higher
levels of security, such configurations are much more labor intensive to install
and are thus more costly.
A typical self-contained system is primarily an RF-based system having wireless
RF communicating remote sensors. A self-contained system may contain a small number
of hard-wired inputs to the control panel. Traditional two-box configurations are
generally hybrid systems, in that they contain both hard-wired and wireless RF
sensors and accessories.
Both types of systems have an additional common problem. Both types of systems
are based on POTS dial-up hard-wire communications (i.e. normal analog dial-up
communications) as their primary communications technology, which requires that
they be wired at the entry point for phone service to the premises. This wiring
arrangement permits "line seizure", a condition wherein the alarm control can effectively
disconnect all of the downstream telephone service to the premises and capture
the line for its own purposes in order to permit uninterrupted communications during
a security event. While this is the conventional and best method commonly used
today, the installation and wiring of such a system is difficult, time consuming
and expensive, and presents a potential operating inconvenience for the user. During
a security event, when the user might likely be attempting to contact the central
station, or the central station might be attempting to contact the user in order
to avoid a false alarm and dispatching of the police or fire department, the phone
line is seized by the security system and is unavailable for such communications.
In addition to the problems associated with wiring and line seizure, a more basic
problem exists in the fact that the dial-up hard-wire line is very easy to defeat.
The line can be cut easily by any of a number of different means, and most security
systems do not monitor the status of the phone line. The security systems that
do monitor the status of the phone line are plagued with false alarms, since most
phone outages do not result from a security incident, but instead are caused by
issues with the phone company such as storms, accidents, maintenance, etc. Accordingly,
there is no suitable response to each such event from the security monitoring company,
as central station personnel can't call the local police every time the phone is
out. Moreover, monitoring the phone line is not the critical issue, which is making
sure that a security incident is reported, even if it is accomplished redundantly.
This problem can be solved by a radio communication system that includes a low
cost, long range radio transceiver at the user's site and a communications infrastructure
that is capable of delivering an alarm signal to the central station in seconds.
Such a system network can be set up in any defined geographical area, such as anywhere
in North America. The system can be configured to provide a service that "supervises"
the proper functioning of the radios it monitors, notifying the central station
only if there is a communications problem. A variety of services are also available
that permit central stations and dealers to sell radios, and to report alarms through
those services.
One type of radio communication system uses the control channels of an analog
cellular telephone network to communicate. It essentially utilizes the coverage
of the cellular network, but doesn't have to place an actual phone call in order
to communicate. Digital packets are sent from the user's system through the cellular
network to an intermediate switching monitoring center, and then on to the central
station. The intermediate center does not respond to alarms from the user's system,
as that is the responsibility of the central station. It merely ensures that the
radio communication portion of the user's system is functioning properly. This
type of system overcomes some of the shortcomings discussed above and serves a
certain niche in the marketplace, but is relatively expensive to install and maintain
for the average user.
It has been suggested to combine a radio communication system in the separate
metal box of the two-box configuration described above in order to reduce installation
complexity and reduce costs. However, such a configuration does not accomplish
this objective because there is no cost saving in hardware, and such a system would
not work as well as it should. The radio communication device is more complex than
the panel to which it is connected and requires its own power supply. In addition,
the panel is typically mounted in a location that is not an optimal location for
a radio device. The radio device is preferably mounted higher up near the outer
walls of the premises, while the metal box is ideally mounted in an inconspicuous
location such as in a closet or in a basement.
Ease of usage is another common problem encountered by security system users.
Current systems have keypads with numeric keys and functions along with an LCD
display that is typically two lines with sixteen characters per line. Users have
to remember a code for arming and disarming the system, as well as procedures for
a variety of functions. Most users find the procedures for functions too complex
to fully utilize, as they essentially only want to be able to arm and disarm the
security system. In order to simplify the system, the system can be equipped with
a remote transmitter having RF keys (similar to a remote device for an automobile)
that can arm and disarm the security system, turn on lights, open a garage door,
etc. However, adding users, programming the system and other functions still require
a keypad.
Another problem area involves installing and programming the security system.
Most current security systems permit two programming/setup methods. The first method
involves manual programming on a keypad. Each parameter is programmed individually
with simple two-line programming. A skilled installer must program the system manually.
The second method is called "downloading". This is accomplished by software that
is present on a computer at a center station and contains forms and questions relating
to the system's configuration. The user's configuration is then produced on a personal
computer (PC). When complete, the configuration "memory map" is downloaded to the
security system control over a telephone line and a built-in modem. This usually
involves ringing the user's phone in some predetermined fashion and signaling the
control to answer the phone in order to complete the download through the built-in modem.
A difficulty with this procedure is that it can only be accomplished by the central
station after it receives all the data. While many configurations of parameters
and setups can be accomplished by a system user having access to the system, only
the central station can accomplish the downloading procedure. Thus, the user is
limited to manual programming on a keypad.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an integrated security control system and method
which integrate the functions of a wireless security system control panel and a
radio transceiver in an integrated security control system unit which can be placed
in a secure location. The invention provides for convenient programming of the
wireless security system by an end user, and provides a wireless security system
in which ease of installation is balanced against the security of a two-box design.
The integrated security system control unit includes a first telephone communication
system for communicating security system data by wired telephone communications
through a first communication network. A second radio frequency (RF) cellular communication
system is also provided for communicating security system data by communications
through an RF communication network. The cellular communication system is the primary
communication network for reporting a security event, thereby leaving the first
telephone communication system open for telephone communications during the reporting
of a security event. A control system determines under what circumstances communications
are directed through the first telephone communication system and through the second
RF communication system.
A separate unit of the security system, such as a wireless RF status display
or
a wireless RF keypad is provided with a beeper transducer for sounding entry and
exit beeps, to alert a person entering the premises to disarm the security system,
and to alert a person leaving the premises that the security system has been properly
armed. The separate unit is positioned at a separate location from the integrated
security control system unit, such that the entry beeps do not alert an entering
person to the location of the integrated security control system unit, to prevent
the entering person from possibly attempting to damage or destroy the integrated
security control system unit.
For similar security reasons, the security system is preferably configured such
that the component for disarming the security system by simply pressing a button,
such a wireless RF keyfob or a wireless RF status display, is a separate component
which is positioned at a separate nonobvious location from the component for arming
the security system or having the beeper transducer.
The integrated security control system unit also includes a security alarm sounder,
and when a person enters the premises, the beeper transducer in the separate unit
emits entry beeps to alert the entering person to disarm the security system before
the expiration of a given time period. During that time period the integrated security
control system unit transmits an RF security message alerting a security service
center of the entry and then awaits receiving back an acknowledge RF message acknowledging
the successful receipt by the security service center of the security message.
After receiving back the acknowledge RF message, if the entering person has not
disarmed the alarm system within the given time period, the integrated security
control system unit activates the alarm sounder to sound a security alarm. The
arrangement is such that after the alarm sounder sounds a security alarm, even
if the entering person attempts to damage or destroy the integrated security control
system unit, the integrated security control system unit has already successfully
transmitted a security alarm message.
The security control system is preferably provided in a compact housing with
an AC plug at the back of the housing which can be plugged into an AC power receptacle
at the premises being protected.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing objects and advantages of the present invention for a security
control and communication system and method may be readily understood by one skilled
in the art with reference being had to the following detailed description of several
embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein
like elements are designated by identical reference numerals throughout the several
views, and in which:
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a security system pursuant to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the security system of FIG. 1, and illustrates
an A/C plug for mounting directly into an A/C outlet.
FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the security system of FIGS. 1 and 2 showing
the mounting plate separated from the security system.
FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration and block diagram of a security system pursuant
to the present invention, and shows the components of the security system at a
premises being secured and connections to a service center and a monitoring center.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a security system pursuant to
the present invention showing the major components of the security system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an integrated security control and communication
system having the functions of a security system control panel integrated into
the base or platform of an RF transceiver in an integrated security control system
unit
10. The unit
10 is preferably physically positioned at an inconspicuous
location in a premises being protected by the security system which is also advantageous
for the transmission and reception of RF signals. The functions of a security system
control panel are integrated into the base or platform of an RF transceiver, rather
than the opposite approach of integrating the functions of an RF transceiver into
the base or platform of a security system control panel. This approach of the present
invention results in an easier design of power supplies, and also allows placement
of the integrated security control and communication system at a position which
is more advantageous for the transmission and reception of RF signals.
A two-box system configuration includes an A/C power supply with an internal
transformer,
a backup battery, a short range radio transceiver, a long range radio transceiver,
a sounder for sounding a security alarm, an interface control module (to control
lighting and other non-security devices), a modem for downloading, a digital dialer,
and optional line-seizure circuits.
A separate unit of the security system, such as a wireless RF keypad or a wireless
RF status display unit, contains a beeper transducer for sounding entry and exit
beeps so that a user is alerted upon entering the premises to disarm the security
system, as by entering the proper security code in a wireless RF keypad or by pressing
a disarm button on a wireless RF key fob, and is alerted upon leaving the premises
that the security system has been properly armed. The beeper transducer is provided
in a separate unit positioned at a separate location from the integrated control
system unit
10, such that the entry beeps do not alert an intruder to the
location of the integrated control system unit
10, to allow the intruder
to attempt to damage or destroy the unit
10.
When a person enters the premises, the separate beeper unit emits entry beeps
to alert the person that he or she has a given time period to disarm the security
system, during which time period the integrated control system unit
10 transmits
an RF security message alerting an outside service center of the entry and then
awaits the receipt back of an acknowledge RF message acknowledging the successful
receipt by the outside service center of the security message. After the receipt
back of the acknowledge RF message, and if the entering person has not disarmed
the alarm system within the given time period, the integrated control system unit
10 activates the sounder in the unit
10 to sound a security alarm.
With this type of operation, after the sounder sounds a security alarm and thus
alerts the enterer to the location of the unit
10, even if the enterer attempts
to damage or destroy the unit
10, the unit
10 has already successfully
dispatched a security alarm message.
FIGS. 1 and 2 are respective front and rear perspective views of one embodiment
of the integrated security control system
10. FIG. 2 illustrates the simplicity
of installing the system by simply inserting an A/C plug
12 at the back
of the unit into an A/C outlet receptacle located anywhere in the premises being secured.
FIG. 3 shows the security control system
10 with a back mounting plate
14 shown separated from the back of the unit. In some embodiments, a complementary
wall-mounting bracket (not shown) mounted directly on or into an electrical outlet
box can replace the wall outlet receptacle cover plate
14. The wall-mounting
bracket can contain conventional locking tabs for securing the security control
system
10 to the bracket and wall. The system can be designed to include
a feature whereby once the system is plugged onto an A/C outlet receptacle and
locked onto the mounting bracket, if the unit is removed from the receptacle and
disengaged from the bracket, an alarm signal is triggered to indicate that the
system has been tampered with. Various configurations of the mounting plate
14
and mounting brackets are available to accommodate a variety of different outlet
receptacle configurations.
FIG. 4 illustrates premises
16 having an installed security control and
communication system which consists of a self-contained integrated security control
system unit
10 and wireless RF local sensors
18. As previously discussed,
the integrated security control system unit
10 is preferably placed at an
inconspicuous location on the premises in order to prevent possible tampering and
incapacitation of the system during a security event. Typical sensors
18
can include door contacts, window contacts, motion sensors, fire or smoke sensors,
shock sensors and glass break sensors, which unidirectionally transmit data to
the security control system
10.
In addition, one or more wireless RF keypads
20 with an RF transceiver
can be placed conveniently throughout the premises at a separate location from
the integrated security control system unit
10. The wireless RF keypad
20
bidirectionally communicates with the control system
10. One example of
such a wireless system is the 5800 series made by ADEMCO, a division of Honeywell
Corporation. The wireless RF keypad can be used to arm and disarm the security
system, and also to program the security system. The wireless RF keypad can also
include an audible warning transducer for emitting audible entry and exit beeps,
in which case it would be an always-on device and would be positioned at a separate
location from the unit
10.
A wireless RF status display unit
21 may also be placed conveniently throughout
the premises at a separate location from the security system
10 and includes
a battery-operated display and an RF transceiver for bidirectionally communicating
with the control system
10. The unit
21 may be placed in a convenient
location on the premises, such as on a counter top or mounted on a wall. The status
display unit provides a convenient display of system status, such as system readiness,
any possible open zones or points of entry, the cause of the last alarm, etc. The
wireless RF status display unit
21 can also include an audible warning transducer
for emitting audible entry and exit beeps, in which case it would be an always-on
device and would be positioned at a separate location from the unit
10.
Either the wireless RF keypad
20 or the status display unit
21
can include an audible warning transducer beeper device to provide the function
of producing entry and exit warning beeps, so that a user can exit and reenter
the premises without triggering a security event, in which case it would be an
always-on device.
The security control system
10 receives its primary power from any A/C
power receptacle
22 connected to an A/C power line in the premises, and
also includes a back up battery for continued operation during power outages.
An A/C power line control module
24, which can utilize ADEMCO's X-10 line
carrier communication protocol, may also be plugged into an A/C power receptacle
on the same A/C power source, and thereby control a lamp
26 or other appliance
in the premises.
The self-contained security control system
10 is also connected to a local
POTS telephone service jack
28 for conventional modem and security digital
dialer communications through a communication service network
30 operating
in the local area, such as a conventional telephone service network and the internet.
Control system
10 communicates with its sensors
18, keypads
20, status displays
21, and wireless RF key fobs
23, which
are wireless keys which unidirectionally transmit commands such as arm and disarm,
by low power RF communications. The control system communicates outside the premises
by conventional wired telephone dial-up communications, and also communicates outside
the premises through an alternative primary communications network
32. In
a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the alternative primary communications
network
32 comprises a control channel cellular telemetry service, such
as a offered by Aeris.Net of San Diego, Calif. Packets of data may be communicated
as needed from control system
10 to network
32 by radio transmissions
33. Data packets are forwarded to a service center
34, which then
sends messages through the communications network
30 to a monitoring center
36 that responds to the message.
For example, if a wireless sensor
18 is a smoke detector and is activated
by a fire, a message is sent from sensor
18 to control system
10,
which receives and interprets the message as a fire alarm. The control system
10
sends the alarm message by a radio transmission
33 to the communication
network
32, which sends the alarm message to the service center
34,
which in turn forwards the message through the communication network
30
to the monitoring center
36. The monitoring center
36 would then
promptly notify the fire department to immediately dispatch help to the premises.
In a preferred embodiment, the service center
34 is the Alarm Net service
from Honeywell international Inc., and the communication network
30 is either
the internet or the Mobitex data network provided by Cingular Wireless Communications.
If control system
10 is unable to deliver the alarm message by this primary
wireless means, it can deliver the alarm message by a conventional security digital
dialer through its connection to the POTS phone network through the service jack
28. The alarm message is then forwarded through the communication network
30 to the service center provider
34, and then through the communication
network
30 to the monitoring center
36.
To enhance security, the security system is preferably configured such that the
component for disarming the security system by simply pressing a button, such a
wireless RF keyfob
23 or a wireless RF status display
21, is a separate
component which is positioned at a separate nonobvious location from the component
for arming the security system or having the beeper transducer.
FIG. 5 illustrates the control system
10, including a power supply/battery
charger unit
44 and a lighting control unit
46, which receive power
from a 120V AC source (outlet receptacle). The lighting control unit
46
can use well know X-10 technology to communicate and control other power line control
modules, such as a module
24 shown in FIG. 4. Units
44 and
46
communicate with and are controlled by the microprocessor and control module
48,
which sends control signals to units
44 and
46. Three other modules
provide input signals to and receive output signals from module
48. A 2400
baud modem and digital dialer with optional line seizure module
50 and an
AlarmNet-C cellular long range RF transceiver
52 provide secondary and primary
security communications, as well as conventional modem communications with a programming
service provided by the service center
34.
When an alarm event occurs, as described above, the cellular control channel
communicator module
52 sends its signal to network
32, as shown in
FIG. 4. If this communication fails, or if redundant communication is desired,
the
2400 baud modem and digital dialer module
50 and telephone connection
51 provide a signal through communication network
30 when a security
event is triggered at the premises. Control system
10 can be programmed
or contain logic to determine under what circumstances such communications should
occur and over which medium. A short range transceiver module
56 also provides
input signals to and receives output signals from the microprocessor and control
module
48, and provides short range RF communications within the components
of the security system at the premises, such as RF communications from the wireless
RF sensors and the wireless RF key fobs and RF communications with the wireless
RF keypads and wireless RF status displays.
When a security event is triggered, the microprocessor and control module
48
controls the cellular module
52 and/or the digital dialer
50 to first
place a call to the monitoring center
36 via the service center
34
to alert them of the security event, and then the microprocessor and control module
48 sends a signal to an audible alarm sounder
54 to alert persons
in the general vicinity of the premises.
In conventional security systems, a security event will directly trigger an audible
sounder on the premises, such a sounder
54. One of the disadvantages of
this type of setup is that the sounder may be located at or near the alarm control
panel. In such a case, the audible sound draws attention to the location of the
control panel and can possibly permit an intruder to damage or destroy the alarm
system before it has successfully communicated its message to the monitoring center
36.
In a security system according to the present invention, a separate unit of the
security system, such as the wireless RF keypad
20 or the wireless RF status
display unit
21, contains a beeper transducer for sounding entry and exit
beeps so that a user is alerted upon entering the premises to disarm the security
system, as by entering the proper security code in the wireless RF keypad
20
or by pressing a disarm button on a wireless RF key fob
43, and is alerted
upon leaving the premises that the security system has been properly armed. The
beeper transducer is provided in a separate unit separate from the integrated control
system unit
10, such that the entry beeps do not alert an intruder to the
location of the integrated control system unit
10, to allow the intruder
to possibly attempt to damage or destroy the unit
10.
When a person enters the premises, the separate beeper unit emits entry beeps
to alert the person that he or she has a given time period to disarm the security
system, during which time period the integrated control system unit
10 transmits
an RF security message alerting an outside service center of the entry and then
awaits the receipt back of an acknowledge RF message acknowledging the successful
receipt by the outside service center of the security message. After the receipt
back of the acknowledge RF message, and if the entering person has not disarmed
the alarm system within the given time period, the integrated control system unit
10 activates the sounder in the unit
10 to sound a security alarm.
With this type of operation, after the sounder sounds a security alarm and thus
alerts the enterer to the location of the unit
10, even if the enterer attempts
to damage or destroy the unit
10, the unit
10 has already successfully
dispatched a security alarm message.
The present invention delays actuation of the audible sounder
54 until
after the cellular module has finished transmitting the alarm message through the
cellular radio network. The result is that once the sounder is audible, the system
can no longer be defeated since the alarm message has already been sent. Such a
delay is not practical in a conventional dial-up system as its primary method of
communication is typically a digital dialer, which is a slow device that can take
between thirty seconds and many minutes to complete its communication task. It
would therefore not be practical to delay the audible signal from the sounder until
the completion of that task.
The security system of the present invention may be manually programmed by the
installer in a conventional manner on a wireless keypad
20, or by downloading
of security and configuration data from the monitoring center
36 by a conventional
telephone communications network
30 to the control system
10.
A preferred method of programming the security system is via the internet and
the
world-wide web. A web site hosted by the system service center
34 can be
accessed through the internet
38 to provide both the monitoring center
36
and an end-user computer
40 with access to their respective configuration
information, both for information and for programming purposes. The monitoring
center
36 typically controls what features and data the end-user has access
to and can program through computer
40 and the internet
38. The end-user
computer
40 and/or monitoring center
36 are supplied with forms and
tables to enable a complete system feature configuration via their web browsers.
This frees the monitoring center from having to maintain current download software
and the end-user's configuration data. In addition, since access can be granted
directly to the end-user, many programmable functions can now be delegated to the
enduser so that the monitoring center does not have to be an intermediary.
The following is a preferred method of installing and programming the security
system by a downloading operation, and avoids the problems and disadvantages of
prior art downloading operations wherein the monitor center must ring the user's
phone in some predetermined fashion, to avoid problems, such as with an answering
machine for example, to signal the control system to answer the phone in order
to complete a download operation through the built-in modem. The configuration
data is stored by the service center
34. On command, the service center
signals the control system
10 through radio communications network
32
that configuration data is waiting to be programmed. The control system
10
then initiates the telephone call and dials the service center
34 through
the telephone network
30 to complete a secure data connection using the
modem module
50 shown in FIG. 5. The control system
10 can then receive
updated parameters, as well as other useful user content, such as weather, reminders,
stock prices, etc.
The security system according to the present invention provides the following
advantages over the prior art:
single plug-in package;
all wireless devices (hard-wired phone connection optional);
integral long range radio communications (faster primary alarm delivery);
line seizure is not required as a radio is the primary means of communication
(the phone line remains free during a security event);
no separate sounder is needed;
no keypads are needed for basic operation (no user codes are needed, with concept
being a user governed by wireless keys, not by conventional "user numbers" entered
on a conventional key pad);
system retains high security feature of two-box configuration;
easier to install than conventional self-contained systems;
system downloadable through a web-based service;
system can be signaled from a central station to call out (via radio) without
ringing the user's phone;
system can be mounted securely in living areas (favorable locations for sounder,
short range RF reception and long range RF communication);
user interaction is greatly simplified (the primary interface is wireless key,
and primary status and delay beeps are provided by a low-cost display for wall
mounting or tabletop placement);
system contains built in lighting control unit;
code is contained in flash memory and is able to be upgraded through a web-based
service over the phone; and
system is simple enough to be installed by a user while still providing professional
class security.
Possible additional options could be added to the display unit including
buttons to:
arm the system (without violating system security by arming without a key or
user code),
such as at night on a display unit on a nightstand;
bypass open zones;
request past alarm data for review;
turn lights off or on; and
provide voice prompts and or status information.
While several embodiments and variations of the present invention for a security
control and communication system and method are described in detail herein, it
should be apparent that the disclosure and teachings of the present invention will
suggest many alternative designs to those skilled in the art.
*
