Method and apparatus for providing information to a user of a security system

• US 20060226977A1
• Filed: 04/11/2005
• Published: 10/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bosch Security Systems Incorporated (Robert Bosch GmbH), Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Bosch Security Systems Incorporated (Robert Bosch GmbH), Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Markham, Steven A., DeLozier, Paul, Caler, Dennis M.
• Application Number:
  US11/103,155
• Publication Number:
  US 20060226977A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/541
• 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 25/14 Central alarm receiver or annunciator arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/10 using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 27/00 Combined visual and audible advertising or displaying, e.g. for public address

Abstract

A method of operating a security system includes detecting a presence of a person in proximity to a user interface. The user interface is caused to generate audible messages dependent upon the detection of the presence of a person in proximity to the user interface.

Claims

1. A method of operating a security system, said method comprising the steps of:

detecting a presence of a person in proximity to a user interface; and

causing said user interface to generate audible messages dependent upon said detecting step.

2. The method of claim 1 comprising the further steps of:

sensing a predefined event; and

issuing an alarm signal dependent upon said sensing step and independent of said detecting step.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said causing step includes:

causing said user interface to generate a first type of audible message only when the presence of the person in proximity to said user interface is detected; and

causing said user interface to generate a second type of audible message regardless of whether the presence of the person in proximity to said user interface is detected.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the second type of audible message includes audible messages related to at least one of an intruder and a fire sensed by said security system.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said user interface includes an infrared sensor, said detecting step being performed by said infrared sensor.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said user interface includes a visual display.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said user interface includes a keypad.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said audible messages are related to said security system.

9. A security system comprising:

a first sensor configured to detect a predefined event;

a user interface including;

an audio speaker; and

a second sensor configured to detect a presence of a person in proximity to said user interface; and

a control device in communication with said first sensor and said user interface, said control device being configured to;

issue an alarm signal in response to said first sensor detecting the predefined event; and

cause said audio speaker to generate audible messages dependent upon whether said second sensor detects the presence of a person in proximity to said user interface.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the issuance of the alarm signal by said control device is independent of the detection of a person in proximity to said user interface.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein the audible messages are related to said security system.

12. The system of claim 9 wherein said control device is configured to:

cause said audio speaker to generate a first type of audible message only when the presence of the person in proximity to said user interface is detected; and

cause said audio speaker to generate a second type of audible message regardless of whether the presence of the person in proximity to said user interface is detected.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the second type of audible message includes audible messages related to at least one of an intruder and a fire detected by said first sensor.

14. The system of claim 9 wherein said second sensor comprises an infrared sensor.

15. The system of claim 9 wherein said user interface includes a visual display.

16. The system of claim 9 wherein said user interface includes a keypad.

17. A security system comprising:

an audio speaker;

a sensor configured to detect a presence of a person in proximity to said audio speaker; and

a control device in communication with said sensor and said audio speaker, said control device being configured to;

cause said audio speaker to generate audible messages of a first type, the generation of the audible messages of the first type being dependent upon whether said sensor detects the presence of a person in proximity to said audio speaker; and

cause said audio speaker to generate audible messages of a second type regardless of whether said sensor detects the presence of a person in proximity to said audio speaker.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the audible messages are related to said security system.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein the audible message of the second type includes audible messages related to at least one of an intruder and a fire detected by said security system.

20. The system of claim 17 wherein said sensor comprises an infrared sensor.