Security system user interface

• US 20040174256A1
• Filed: 03/05/2003
• Published: 09/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Paradox Security Systems Limited
• Original Assignee: Paradox Security Systems Limited
• Inventors: Lauzon, Stephane, Hershkovitz, Shmuel, Ouellet, Christian
• Granted Patent: US 7,046,142 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/506
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/008 Alarm setting and unsetting, i.e. arming or disarming of the security system

Abstract

A security system user interface comprising a graphical display, a communication link, a memory, and a display controller. The communication link receives detector unit status data from detector units located at selected location on the premises protected by the security system. The memory stores floor plan diagram data and detector unit location data. Finally, the display controller generates a modified view of at least a portion of the floor plan diagram data in accordance with the detector unit status data to indicate the status data, and displaying the modified view on the graphical display. The invention also provides, in combination, a user interface and a user programming interface for transmitting the floor plan diagram data and the detector unit location data to the communications interface of the user interface.

Claims

1. A user interface for a security system comprising:

a. a graphical display;

b. a security control detector unit communication link receiving detector unit status data;

c. a memory storing floor plan diagram data and detector unit location data; and

d. a display controller generating a modified view of at least a portion of said floor plan diagram data in accordance with said detector unit status data to indicate said status data, and displaying said view on said display.

2. The user interface of claim 1, wherein said user interface comprises a data entry keypad permitting user interaction with said user interface.

3. The user interface of claim 1, wherein said display comprises a liquid crystal display.

4. The user interface of claim 1, wherein said user interface receives said detector unit status data from a number of detector units each covering a protected zone, and when said status data indicates a condition to be reported in one of said protected zones, said view includes said one of said protected zones.

5. The user interface of claim 4, wherein said display controller automatically switches from a stand-by display to said view in response to indication of said condition.

6. The user interface of claim 5, wherein said condition is one of a trouble condition and an alarm condition.

7. The user interface of claim 4, wherein said view shows said one of said protected zones by at least one of flashing, color change and symbol change.

8. The user interface of claim 4, wherein said view shows said one of said protected zones and a text representation of said status data.

9. The user interface of claim 4, wherein when said status data indicates a condition to be reported in two or more of said protected zones and said two or more of said protected zones cannot be shown on said display efficiently in a single view, said controller alternates between a plurality of said views indicating said status data for said two or more of said protected zones.

10. The user interface of claim 2, wherein said display comprises a touch screen, and said keypad is provided using said touch screen.

11. The user interface of claim 2, further comprising a housing for holding said display and said keypad.

12. The user interface of claim 1, further comprising a communications interface for communicating said floor plan diagram data and detector unit location data to said memory.

13. The user interface of claim 12, wherein said communications interface restricts access to said user interface so as to allow only said memory to be updated, said display controller displaying a text-based message providing said status data when a condition is to be reported concerning one of said detector units and said one of said detector units is not defined by said detector unit location data in said memory.

14. The user interface of claim 1, wherein said display controller displays a text-based message providing said status data when a condition is to be reported concerning one of said detector units and said one of said detector units is not defined by said detector unit location data in said memory.

15. The user interface of claim 1, wherein said user interface comprises a time clock, said user interface further comprising a message manager unit storing special graphics message data and related display time data, and causing said display to display said special graphics message data according to said display time data.

16. The user interface of claim 15, wherein said user interface comprises a sound generator, said special graphics message data include music data to be played by said message manager unit,

17. In combination, a user interface and a user programming interface,

a. said user interface comprising:

i. a graphical display;

ii. a security control detector unit communication link receiving detector unit status data;

iii. a memory storing floor plan diagram data and detector unit location data;

iv. a display controller generating a modified view of at least a portion of said floor plan diagram data in accordance with said detector unit status data to indicate said status data, and displaying said view on said display; and

v. a communications interface for communicating said floor plan diagram data and detector unit location data to said memory,

b. said user programming interface comprising;

i. a floor plan drawing module adapted to specify said floor plan diagram data and said detector unit location data, said drawing module displaying a view of said floor plan with detector units in location; and

ii. an upload module for transmitting said floor plan diagram data and said detector unit location data to said communications interface.

18. A method of displaying information on a user interface for a security system having detector units, said method comprising:

a. producing, displaying and storing a floor plan diagram with detector unit location data;

b. generating a modified view of at least a portion of said floor plan diagram data in accordance with said detector unit status data to indicate said status data.

c. displaying said modified view.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising permitting user interaction with said user interface using a data entry keypad.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein said user interface receives said detector unit status data from a number of detector units each covering a protected zone, and when said status data indicates a condition to be reported in one of said protected zones, said view includes said one of said protected zones.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein user interface automatically switches from a stand-by display to said view in response to indication of said condition.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said condition is one of a trouble condition and an alarm condition.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein said view shows said one of said protected zones by at least one of flashing, color change and symbol change.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein said view shows said one of said protected zones and a text representation of said status data.

25. The method of claim 20, wherein when said status data indicates a condition to be reported in two or more of said protected zones and said two or more of said protected zones cannot be shown on said display efficiently in a single view, said controller alternates between a plurality of said views indicating said status data for said two or more of said protected zones.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein said communications interface restricts access to said user interface so as to allow only said memory to be updated, said display controller displaying a text-based message providing said status data when a condition is to be reported concerning one of said detector units and said one of said detector units is not defined by said detector unit location data in said memory.

27. The method of claim 18, wherein said display controller displays a text-based message providing said status data when a condition is to be reported concerning one of said detector units and said one of said detector units is not defined by said detector unit location data in said memory.

28. The method of claim 18, further comprising storing special graphics message data and related display time data, and causing said display to display said special graphics message data according to said display time data.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein said special graphics message data comprises music data and wherein said method further comprises generating a sound using said music data.