Automatic panel configuration upload to a central station automation system

• US 20060022820A1
• Filed: 08/02/2004
• Published: 02/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ademco Inc. (Resideo Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Martin, Christopher D., Hinkson, Richard H., Boodoosingh, Narine, Piel, Kevin G.
• Granted Patent: US 7,250,859 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.190
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/22 Electrical actuation
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/14 Central alarm receiver or annunciator arrangements

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and system for automatically uploading the configuration of a security system to a central station automation system via telephonic lines, long-range radio (e.g., cellular), or Internet. The end result is that the automation system has sufficient information regarding the type and configuration of the system installed at the protected premises to properly handle alarms reports from that system.

Claims

1. A method for automatically updating security control panel parameters, the method comprising the steps of:

determining at least one zone characteristic response type parameter;

programming a security system control panel with the determined zone characteristic parameter;

transmitting the determined zone characteristic parameters to a network interface;

transmitting the determined zone characteristic parameters to a central station server; and

storing the zone characteristics in the central station server.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of programming the security system control panel comprises entering a first user authorization code into a keypad that is in communication with the security system control panel.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein upon determining that the first user authorization code is valid a system user is prompted to enter zone characteristic parameters into the keypad, thereafter the zone characteristics are transmitted to the security control panel.

4. The method of claim 3, further including the step of saving the entered zone characteristic parameters in the security control panel.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the entered zone characteristic parameters are transmitted from the security control panel to the network interface in response to a second activation code entered at the keypad.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the network interface comprises a dedicated receiver that is accessed via at least one of a dedicated telephonic connection, a cellular communication connection and the Internet.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the zone characteristic parameters include information pertaining to security system type, number of security zones in a structure, definition of each security zone in a structure, alpha descriptors that describe each zone, a reporting format for each zone and a reporting code for each zone.

8. A system for automatic security control panel configuration upload, comprising:

a keypad comprising a first processor, a display device and a speaker device;

a security control panel in communication with the keypad, wherein the security control panel comprises a memory means;

a network interface in communication with the security control panel; and

a central server in communication with the network interface.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein a first user authorization code is entered into the keypad.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein upon determining that the first user authorization code is valid, the keypad audibly and visually prompts a system user to enter zone characteristic parameters into the keypad.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the entered zone characteristics are transmitted from the keypad to the security control panel and saved within the memory means of the security control panel.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the entered zone characteristic parameters are transmitted from the security control panel to the network interface in response to a second activation code entered at the keypad.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the network interface comprises a dedicated receiver that is accessed via at least one of a dedicated telephonic connection, a cellular communication connection and the Internet.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the network interface transmits zone characteristic parameters to a central server.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the zone characteristic parameters include information pertaining to security system type, number of security zones in a structure, definition of each security zone in a structure, alpha descriptors that describe each zone, a reporting format for each zone and a reporting code for each zone.