Multi-controller security network

• US 20040212497A1
• Filed: 03/09/2004
• Published: 10/28/2004
• 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 7,079,020 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.17
• 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 13/248 EAS system combined with another detection technology, e.g. dual EAS and video or other presence detection system
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 19/005 combined burglary and fire alarm systems
• 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 25/009 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
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/14 checking the detection circuits

Abstract

A security network containing multiple controller functions that communicate using wireless communications. The controller functions are contained within base units. One controller function may be the master controller. Other controller functions may receive a copy of the configuration data contained within the master controller. If the master controller fails, another controller function may become the master controller. The controller functions may use encryption keys to encrypt and/or authenticate communications. Some base units may contain a telecommunications interface. Controller units may relay communications between themselves to reach a telecommunications interface. Controller functions located in different buildings may communicate. Controller functions may each receive wireless communications from a transponder and combine the received communications to reduce errors.

Claims

1. A security network for monitoring at least a first opening for intrusion, including at least a first controller function and a second controller function, wherein the second controller is in wireless communication with the first controller function.

2. The security network of claim 1, wherein the said first controller function is the master controller for the security network.

3. The security network of claim 1, wherein the said first controller function includes means to arbitrate with the said second controller function to determine which of them shall be the master controller for the security network.

4. The security network of claim 1, wherein if the first controller function fails, the said second controller function becomes the master controller.

5. The security network of claim 2, wherein the said first controller function ceases to be the master controller if the said first controller function fails a self-test and the said second controller function becomes the master controller.

6. The security network of claim 1, wherein the said first controller function sends a copy of its configuration data to the said second controller function.

7. The security network of claim 1, wherein the said first controller function is contained within a first base unit and the said second controller function is contained within a second base unit.

8. The security network of claim 1, wherein the said first controller function downloads software into the said second controller function.

9. The security network of claim 1, further including a first transponder, wherein

the first transponder transmits a first transmitted message using wireless communications,

the said second controller function receives the first received message, derived from the said first transmitted message, and

the said second controller function sends the said first received message to the said first controller function.

10. The security network of claim 9, wherein

the said first controller function receives a second received message, derived from the said first transmitted message,

the said first controller function combines the said first received message and the said second received message to produce a third received message.

11. The security network of claim 10, wherein the said first controller function combines the said first received message and the said second received message in a manner that reduces any errors between the said third received message and the said first transmitted message.

12. The security network of claim 1, wherein the said first controller function is contained within a first base unit located in a first building and the second controller function is contained within a second base unit located in a second building.

13. The security network of claim 1, wherein the said first controller function is contained within a first base unit that is in a fixed location and the said second controller function is contained within a second base unit that is portable.

14. The security network of claim 1, wherein the said first controller function is contained within a first base unit that further includes a first telecommunications interface connected to a first telecommunications network.

15. The security network of claim 14, wherein the said first controller function relays a first message from the said second controller function to the said first telecommunications network.

16. The security network of claim 1, wherein the said first controller function receives a message from the said second controller function to cause an alert, and the said first controller function causes an alert.

17. The security network of claim 1, wherein the said first controller function uses a first encryption key to encrypt communications sent to the said second controller function.

18. The security network of claim 1, wherein the said first controller function uses a first encryption key to authenticate communications sent to the said second controller function.

19. The security network of claim 1, wherein the said second controller function receives wireless communications from the said first controller function and adjusts a timing means within the said second controller function based upon the wireless communications from the said first controller function.

20. The security network of claim 14, wherein the said second controller function further includes a first acoustic transducer capable of supporting audio communications, and wherein the said first controller function relays the said audio communications from the said first acoustic transducer to the said first telecommunications network.