RFID based security system

• US 20040150521A1
• Filed: 02/03/2003
• Published: 08/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The ADT Security Corporation (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: LifeShield LLC (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: Stilp, Louis A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,888,459 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/545.1
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/27 with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2417 having a radio frequency identification chip
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2454 Checking of authorisation of a person accessing tagged items in an EAS system
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2462 Asset location systems combined with EAS inventory, tracking, logistic G06Q10/00; entrance control systems G07C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/248 EAS system combined with another detection technology, e.g. dual EAS and video or other presence detection system
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/002 Generating a prealarm to the central station
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/008 Alarm setting and unsetting, i.e. arming or disarming of the security system
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/06 using power transmission lines
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/08 using communication transmission lines G08B13/19658, G08B21/0286, G08B25/016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/16 Security signalling or alarm systems, e.g. redundant systems
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/1083 Pager locating systems

Abstract

A system and method for constructing a security system for a building using at least one RFID reader to communicate with at least one RFID transponder to provide the radio link between each of a number of openings and a controller capable of causing an alert in the event of an intrusion. The RFID transponder is connected to an intrusion sensor. The controller preferably communicates with the RFID reader using a power line communications protocol. The RFID transponder can contain a battery. The RFID reader contains means for transferring power to an RFID transponder for the purpose of charging any battery. The security system can contain more than one controller, whereby the RFID reader can communicate with more than one controller.

Claims

1. A security system for use in a building with at least a first opening to be monitored for intrusion, containing:

At least a first controller,

At least a first intrusion sensor monitoring at least the first opening, connected to a first RFID transponder,

At least a first RFID reader, in wireless communications with at least the said first RFID transponder, and in communications with at least the first controller,

Wherein at least the first controller can receive a communications from the said RFID reader indicating whether the said intrusion sensor has detected an intrusion, and in turn causing an alert indicating that said intrusion sensor has detected an intrusion.

2. The security system of claim 1, wherein the said first RFID transponder includes a battery to power at least a portion of the circuits in the said first RFID transponder.

3. The security system of claim 1, wherein the said first RFID reader communicates with at least the said first controller using a power line carrier protocol.

4. The security system of claim 1, including:

A second intrusion sensor monitoring a second opening, connected to a second RFID transponder,

Wherein the first RFID reader is in wireless communications with both the said first RFID transponder and second RFID transponder, and

Wherein at least the said first controller can receive a communications from the RFID reader indicating which of the said intrusion sensors have detected an intrusion.

5. The security system of claim 1, wherein at least the said first controller causes an alert by sending a message to at least one emergency response agency using the public switched telephone network.

6. The security system of claim 1, wherein at least the said first controller causes an alert by sending a message to at least one emergency response agency using at least one commercial mobile radio service.

7. The security system of claim 1, wherein the said first RFID reader communicates with at least the said first controller using a hardwired connection.

8. The security system of claim 1, wherein the said first RFID reader includes means for transferring power to the said first RFID transponder using radio waves.

9. The security system of claim 2, wherein the said first RFID transponder includes means for receiving power from radio waves, converting the power received from the radio waves, and using the converted power to charge the battery.

10. The security system of claim 8, wherein the said first RFID reader can switch its means for transferring power to one or more said RFID transponders on or off.

11. The security system of claim 8, wherein the said first RFID reader receives a status message, consisting of at least a single bit, from at least one RFID transponder, wherein the status message indicates whether said RFID transponder requires power for charging the battery on said RFID transponder.

12. The security system of claim 2, wherein the said first RFID transponder includes means for conserving stored energy in the battery by placing at least a portion of the said RFID transponder into a sleep mode during periods of inactivity.

13. The security system of claim 1, wherein a first controller and a second controller both receive a communications from the said RFID reader indicating whether the said intrusion sensor has detected an intrusion, and wherein the first controller and second controller contain arbitration logic to determine which controller will in turn cause an alert indicating that said intrusion sensor has detected an intrusion.

14. The security system of claim 1, wherein the said first RFID reader also contains an acoustic transducer, coupled with algorithms, capable of detecting the breakage of glass.

15. The security system of claim 1, wherein the said first RFID reader also contains an acoustic transducer capable of receiving sound waves, and a means for sending the said sound waves to the controller.

16. The security system of claim 1, wherein the said first RFID reader also contains processing and algorithms using microwave Doppler analysis capable of detecting motion.

17. The security system of claim 1, wherein the said first RFID reader is in wireless communications with an RFID tag carried by a person or animal or placed on an object of value.

18. The security system of claim 1, including an interface module containing means whereby the controller can monitor the contact “

closed”

or “

open”

status of at least one wired sensor.

19. The security system of claim 1, wherein at least a first controller is in communications with at least one passive infrared sensor using a power line communications protocol.

20. An RFID reader for use in a security system that monitors a building for possible intrusion, containing:

Means for communicating with at least a first controller in a security system capable of causing an alert,

Means for communicating with at least a first RFID transponder using wireless communications techniques,

Logic, implemented in either firmware or software, for receiving a message from at least said first RFID transponder indicating whether an intrusion sensor has detected an intrusion,

Logic, implemented in either firmware or software, for sending a message to at least said first controller of a security system indicating whether an intrusion sensor has detected an intrusion.

21. The RFID reader of claim 20, wherein the RFID reader includes means for transferring power to one or more RFID transponders using radio waves for the purpose of charging batteries, if present, in the said one or more RFID transponders.

22. The RFID reader of claim 21, wherein the RFID reader can switch its circuit for transferring power to one or more RFID transponders using radio waves on or off.

23. The RFID reader of claim 22, wherein the RFID reader receives a status message, consisting of at least a single bit, from at least one RFID transponder, wherein the status message indicates whether said RFID transponder requires power for charging the battery on said RFID transponder.

24. The RFID reader of claim 20, wherein the RFID reader communicates with at least the said first controller using a power line carrier protocol.

25. The RFID reader of claim 20, wherein the RFID reader communicates with at least the said first controller using a hardwired connection.

26. The RFID reader of claim 20, wherein the RFID reader also contains an acoustic transducer, coupled with algorithms, capable of detecting the breakage of glass.

27. The RFID reader of claim 20, wherein the RFID reader also contains an acoustic transducer capable of receiving sound waves, and a means for sending the said sound waves to the controller.

28. The RFID reader of claim 20, wherein the RFID reader also contains processing and algorithms for using microwave Doppler analysis to detect motion.

29. The RFID reader of claim 20, wherein the RFID reader is in wireless communications with an RFID tag carried by a person or animal or placed on an object of value.

30. A method of monitoring intrusion in a building containing at least a first opening, comprising the steps:

Detecting an intrusion with at least a first intrusion sensor,

Receiving a message from at least a first RFID transponder at a first RFID reader indicating whether said intrusion sensor has detected an intrusion,

Receiving a message at one or more controllers from at least said first RFID reader, indicating whether said first intrusion sensor has detected an intrusion, and

Causing an alert if said first intrusion sensor has detected an intrusion.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein at least a first controller causes an alert by sending a message to at least one emergency response agency using at least one commercial mobile radio service.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein at least a first controller causes an alert by sending a message to at least one emergency response agency using the public switched telephone network.

33. The method of claim 30, wherein the first RFID reader sends its message to at least one controller using a power line carrier protocol.