Alarm status voice annunciation using broadcast band transmissions

• US 20050280529A1
• Filed: 06/17/2004
• Published: 12/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ademco Inc. (Resideo Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Hinkson, Richard H., Addy, Kenneth L., Lizza, Alfred M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,094,007 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/008 Alarm setting and unsetting, i.e. arming or disarming of the security system
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/012 using recorded signals, e.g. speech G08B25/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/10 using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission

Abstract

A security system, such as in a home or other building, includes a broadcast band RF transmitter for transmitting an audio message that can be received by a user on a common home or car radio, for example. The audio message may be provided in response to a command that is transmitted to the security system by a user from a wireless key fob or the like. The user command may instruct the security system to arm or disarm itself, for instance. The audio message, which can be received on a selected channel on a car'"'"'s radio receiver, informs the user that the command has been executed. The audio message may include a voice message such as “system armed” or“system disarmed”, a musical passage, a beep, chirp, or the like.

Claims

1. A security apparatus, comprising:

a control for controlling a security system that secures a building; and

a transmitter associated with the control for transmitting a broadcast band RF transmission that comprises at least one audio message regarding a status of the security system.

2. The security apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the at least one audio message comprises a voice message.

3. The security apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the broadcast band RF transmission comprises an FM band transmission having a frequency between about 88 to 108 MHz.

4. The security apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the broadcast band RF transmission comprises an AM band transmission having a frequency between about 535 to 1605 kHz.

5. The security apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the status of the security system indicated by the at least one audio message indicates whether the security system is armed or disarmed.

6. The security apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the status of the security system indicated by the at least one audio message indicates whether an alarm in the security system has been tripped.

7. The security apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a memory associated with the control for storing data for providing the at least one audio message.

8. The security apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a receiver associated with the control for receiving a wireless signal from a user comprising a command for controlling the security system;

wherein;

the transmitter transmits the broadcast band RF transmission responsive to the receiving of the command by the receiver; and

the status of the security system indicated by the at least one audio message provides a confirmation to the user that the command has been executed.

9. The security apparatus of claim 8, wherein:

the command received from the user comprises a command for at least one of arming and disarming the security system.

10. A security method, comprising:

controlling a security system that secures a building; and

responsive to the controlling, transmitting a broadcast band RF transmission that comprises at least one audio message regarding a status of the security system.

11. The security method of claim 10, wherein:

the at least one audio message comprises a voice message.

12. The security method of claim 10, wherein:

the broadcast band RF transmission comprises an FM band transmission having a frequency between about 88 to 108 MHz.

13. The security method of claim 10, wherein:

the broadcast band RF transmission comprises an AM band transmission having a frequency between about 535 to 1605 kHz.

14. The security method of claim 10, wherein:

the status of the security system indicated by the at least one audio message indicates whether the security system is armed or disarmed.

15. The security method of claim 10, wherein:

the status of the security system indicated by the at least one audio message indicates whether an alarm in the security system has been tripped.

16. The security method of claim 10, further comprising:

storing data for providing the at least one audio message.

17. The security method of claim 10, further comprising:

receiving a wireless signal from a user comprising a command for controlling the security system;

wherein;

the transmitting comprises transmitting the broadcast band RF transmission responsive to the receiving of the command; and

the status of the security system indicated by the at least one audio message provides a confirmation to the user that the command has been executed.

18. The security method of claim 17, wherein:

the command received from the user comprises a command for at least one of arming and disarming the security system.