Device enrollment in a security system

• US 20040160306A1
• Filed: 02/14/2003
• Published: 08/19/2004
• 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 7,119,658 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.61
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0701 at least one of the integrated circuit chips comprising an arrangement for power management
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/003 Address allocation methods and details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/009 Signalling of the alarm condition to a substation whose identity is signalled to a central station, e.g. relaying alarm signals in order to extend communication range

Abstract

A method for enrolling devices in a security system based upon RFID techniques. The method prevents unauthorized devices from engaging in communications by and between the various devices in the security system. While the security system may have long RF range during normal operation, the RFID readers of the security system reduce their read range during an enrollment operation. A user must be physically proximate to an RFID reader to enroll any device. The controller has an associated master key RFID transponder containing at least one code necessary for enabling enrollment of an RFID reader. This master key RFID transponder can only be read during enrollment. RFID transponders and RFID readers also exchange at least one code during the enrollment of RFID transponders. The codes can enable encrypted communications during normal system operation.

Claims

1. A method of enrolling devices in a security system containing at least a first controller and at least a first RFID reader, comprising the steps of:

Placing the said first controller into enrollment mode,

Reducing the transmit power of the said RFID reader to a predetermined threshold, wherein the predetermined threshold causes the said RFID reader to reduce its read zone to an area proximate to the said RFID reader,

Placing a first RFID transponder within the reduced read zone of the said first RFID reader,

Exchanging information between the said RFID reader and the said RFID transponder,

Using the exchanged information to enroll a device in the said first controller of the security system.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the enrolled device is the said RFID reader.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the enrolled device is the said RFID transponder.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the said RFID transponder is a master key RFID transponder associated with the said controller.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the master key RFID transponder contains at least a first code usable for enabling encrypted communications between the said controller and the said RFID reader.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the said first code is never sent over the communications medium used between the said controller and the said RFID reader.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the said exchanged information includes at least one code usable in encrypting communications.

8. A security system for use in a building to be monitored for intrusion, containing:

At least a first controller,

At least a first RFID reader capable of communications with at least the first controller,

Wherein the said first controller only engages in communications with the said first RFID reader if the said first RFID reader has been enrolled with the said first controller.

9. The security system of claim 8, including a table for storing enrollment information.

10. The security system of claim 8, including at least a first RFID transponder, wherein the first RFID reader is capable of wireless communications with at least the said first RFID transponder.

11. The security system of claim 10, wherein the first RFID reader only engages in communications with the said first RFID transponder if the said first RFID transponder has been enrolled with the said first controller.

12. The security system of claim 8, wherein the communications between the said first RFID reader and said first controller is encrypted using a key known to both the said first RFID reader and said first controller.

13. The security system of claim 12, wherein the said first RFID reader obtains the said key from a master key RFID transponder.

14. The security system of claim 10, wherein the communications between the said first RFID reader and said first RFID transponder is encrypted using a key known to both the said first RFID reader and said first RFID transponder.

15. A first controller for use in a security system containing at least a first RFID reader, wherein the said first controller contains at least a first table capable of storing enrollment information for the said first RFID reader.

16. The controller of claim 15, wherein the said controller contains a copy of at least one code contained in a first master key RFID transponder associated with the said controller.

17. The controller of claim 15, wherein the said controller only enters the enrollment information of the said RFID reader into the said table when the said controller has been placed into enrollment mode.

18. The controller of claim 15, wherein the said controller only enters the enrollment information of the said RFID reader into the said table if the said RFID reader can read at least one code from a master key RFID transponder associated with the said controller.

19. The controller of claim 18, wherein the said controller only enters the enrollment information of the said RFID reader into the said table if the said RFID reader has reduced its transmit power to at least a predetermined threshold, wherein the predetermined threshold causes the said RFID reader to reduce its read zone to an area proximate to the said RFID reader.

20. The controller of claim 16, wherein the said controller only enters the enrollment information of the said RFID reader into the said table if the said RFID reader can read at least one code from the said master key RFID transponder associated with the said controller.

21. The controller of claim 20, wherein the said controller only enters the enrollment information of the said RFID reader into the said table if the said RFID reader has reduced its transmit power to at least a predetermined threshold, wherein the predetermined threshold causes the said RFID reader to reduce its read zone to an area proximate to the said RFID reader.

22. The controller of claim 17, wherein the said controller only enters the enrollment information of the said RFID reader into the said table if the said RFID reader can read at least one code from a master key RFID transponder associated with the said controller.

23. The controller of claim 22, wherein the said controller only enters the enrollment information of the said RFID reader into the said table if the said RFID reader has reduced its transmit power to at least a predetermined threshold, wherein the predetermined threshold causes the said RFID reader to reduce its read zone to an area proximate to the said RFID reader.

24. The controller of claim 15, wherein the said table contained in the said controller is capable of storing enrollment information for at least a first RFID transponder, when said first RFID transponder is also included in the said security system.

25. The controller of claim 24, wherein the said controller only enters the enrollment information of the said RFID transponder into the said table when the said controller has been placed into enrollment mode.

26. The controller of claim 25, wherein the said controller only enters the enrollment information of the said RFID transponder into the said table if the said RFID reader has reduced its transmit power to at least a predetermined threshold, wherein the predetermined threshold causes the said RFID reader to reduce its read zone to an area proximate to the said RFID reader.