Controller for a security system

• US 20040160324A1
• Filed: 02/14/2003
• Published: 08/19/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LifeShield LLC (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: LifeShield LLC (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: Stilp, Louis A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,053,764 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/008 Alarm setting and unsetting, i.e. arming or disarming of the security system

Abstract

A controller for use in a security system based upon RFID techniques. The controller can use power line carrier communications to communicate with other devices in the security system. The controller can use a modem or wireless module to connect to public networks. Multiple controllers can be used in a system, and the controllers can arbitrate to determine a master controller. The controller contains configuration data and tables that define the relationships between devices in the security system. The controller can receive communications from other devices in the system and can interface with legacy devices previously used with wired security systems. The controller can send messages based upon predetermined events, and can support a remote alerting function.

Claims

1. A first controller for use in a security system including at least a first RFID reader, wherein the first controller contains:

a power line carrier communications interface,

a power supply,

a processor,

memory for storing program code, and

memory for storage configuration information.

2. The controller of claim 1, wherein the said first controller further contains a modem module capable of connecting to the public switched telephone network.

3. The controller of claim 1, wherein the said first controller further contains a wireless module capable of connecting to a commercial mobile radio network.

4. The controller of claim 1, wherein the said first controller further contains an interface to a keypad through which the said controller can accept input from a user of the said security system.

5. The controller of claim 1, wherein the said security system includes a second controller and wherein the said first controller include means to arbitrate with the said second controller to determine which of them shall be the master controller for the said security system.

6. The controller of claim 1, wherein the said first controller is the master controller for the said security system, and the said first controller communicates with a second controller included in the said security system.

7. The controller of claim 6, wherein the said first controller sends a copy of its stored configuration information to the said second controller.

8. The controller of claim 6, wherein the said first controller ceases to be the master controller if the said first controller fails a self-test, and the said second controller becomes the master controller.

9. The controller of claim 1, wherein the said first controller determines the times at which the said first RFID reader transmits its wireless communications.

10. The controller of claim 1, wherein one criteria for determining the said times is whether the security system is in an armed or disarmed state.

11. The controller of claim 1, wherein the said first controller interprets any messages received by the said first RFID reader via wireless communications.

12. The controller of claim 3, wherein the said first controller sends a message using a short message service to a predetermined address when the security system has been disarmed.

13. The controller of claim 12, wherein the message contains an indication identifying the code that was used to disarm the security system.

14. The controller of claim 3, wherein the said first controller sends a message to a predetermined remote processor when the security system enters a pre-alert stage.

15. The controller of claim 3, wherein the said first controller sends a message to a predetermined remote processor when the security system has been disarmed with a normal disarm code.

16. The controller of claim 3, wherein the said first controller sends a message to a predetermined remote processor when the security system has been disarmed with a disarm code indicating distress.

17. The controller of claim 1, wherein the said first controller causes an alert if the said first RFID reader detects a jamming signal.

18. The controller of claim 1,

wherein the said RFID reader further includes motion detection algorithms and the security system further includes at least a first passive infrared sensor, and

wherein the stored configuration information includes a table associating the motion detection functions of the said RFID reader with the said passive infrared sensor.

19. The controller of claim 18, wherein the said first controller causes an alert if the said passive infrared sensor and the said motion detection function of the said RFID reader each separately report motion, and the separate reports occur within a predetermined time of each other, and the said motion detection function and the said passive infrared sensor have been associated with each other in the said table.

20. The controller of claim 1, wherein the stored configuration information includes parameters used in the operation of a glass breakage algorithm.

21. The controller of claim 20, wherein the parameters used in the operation of a glass breakage algorithm can be downloaded from a remote processor to the controller.

22. The controller of claim 1,

wherein the security system further includes a interface module,

wherein said interface module can interpret the status of wired sensors that use a contact open or contact closed output, and

wherein the said controller can communicate with the said interface module to receive the interpreted status of said wired sensors.

23. The controller of claim 1,

wherein the security system further includes a interface module,

wherein the said controller can communicate with the said interface module, and

wherein the said interface module contains an interface to a keypad designed for use with a wired security system.

24. The controller of claim 23, wherein the said keypad designed for use with a wired security system is the keypad described in design Pat. No. D389,762 issued Jan. 27, 1998 to Yorkey.

25. The controller of claim 1,

wherein the said controller is mechanically mounted to a plate, and

wherein the plate can be mechanically mounted to an outlet.

26. The controller of claim 1, wherein the controller communicates with the said RFID reader using a hardwire interface.