Transmission technique for a portable alarm system

• US 20060109103A1
• Filed: 12/13/2004
• Published: 05/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/11/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bradus, Robert
• Application Number:
  US11/010,728
• Publication Number:
  US 20060109103A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/531
• 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 25/08 using communication transmission lines G08B13/19658, G08B21/0286, G08B25/016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/16 Security signalling or alarm systems, e.g. redundant systems

Abstract

A method is provided for transmitting an alarm message from a portable alarm system to a remote monitoring station. Upon determining an alarm condition, an alarm message is transmitted via a wireless communication link to a remotely located monitoring station. Prior to receiving an acknowledgement regarding the transmission sent over the wireless communication link, the alarm message is also transmitted to the monitoring station using a landline. This approach improves the likelihood that at least one alarm message sent from the alarm system will reach the monitoring station.

Claims

1. A method for transmitting data from a portable alarm system to a remote monitoring station, comprising:

determining an alarm condition has occurred in an area being monitored by the portable alarm system;

transmitting an alarm message via a wireless communication link to a remotely located monitoring station; and

transmitting the alarm message to the monitoring station using a landline prior to receiving an acknowledgement regarding the transmission sent over the wireless communication link.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprises verifying the success of each transmission and re-transmitting the alarm message when both of the earlier transmissions failed.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprises monitoring receipt of an acknowledge message sent over the wireless communication link after transmitting the alarm message using a landline.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprises checking for presence of a dial tone on the landline prior to transmitting the alarm message using the landline.

5. A method for transmitting data from a portable alarm system to a remote monitoring station, comprising:

determining an alarm condition has occurred in an area being monitored by the portable alarm system;

transmitting an alarm message via a wireless communication link to a remotely located monitoring station; and

concurrently transmitting the alarm message to the monitoring station using a landline.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprises verifying the success of each transmission and re-transmitting the alarm message when both of the transmissions failed.

7. The method of claim 5 further comprises monitoring receipt of an acknowledge message sent over the wireless communication link after transmitting the alarm message using a landline.

8. The method of claim 5 further comprises checking for presence of a dial tone on the landline prior to transmitting the alarm message using the landline.

9. A method for transmitting data from a portable alarm system to a remote monitoring station, comprising:

determining an alarm condition has occurred in an area being monitored by the portable alarm system;

transmitting an alarm message via a primary communication link to a remotely located monitoring station; and

transmitting the alarm message to the monitoring station using a secondary communication link prior to receiving an acknowledgement regarding the transmission sent over the primary communication link.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprises verifying the success of each transmission and re-transmitting the alarm message when both of the transmissions failed.

11. The method of claim 9 further comprises monitoring receipt of an acknowledge message sent over the primary communication link after transmitting the alarm message using the secondary communication link.