Method and apparatus for using a wireless controller in a wired security system

• US 20070063832A1
• Filed: 09/16/2005
• Published: 03/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: General Instrument Corporation (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: General Instrument Corporation (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Coogan, John, Ollis, Jeffrey, Panacek, James
• Application Number:
  US11/228,171
• Publication Number:
  US 20070063832A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/510
• 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 25/14 Central alarm receiver or annunciator arrangements

Abstract

An apparatus for use in a wired security system includes a bridge. The bridge includes a network interface for receiving a wired status signal from at least one sensor employed in the wired security system and a first processor for converting the wired status signal to a wireless status signal in conformance with a prescribed protocol. A wireless transmitter is provided for transmitting the wireless status signal. The apparatus also includes a controller. The controller has a receiver for receiving the wireless status signal from the bridge a second processor for interpreting the status of the wireless status signal.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use in a wired security system, comprising:

a bridge, said bridge including;

a network interface for receiving a wired status signal from at least one sensor employed in the wired security system;

a first processor for converting the wired status signal to a wireless status signal in conformance with a prescribed protocol;

a wireless transmitter for transmitting the wireless status signal;

a controller, said controller including;

a receiver for receiving the wireless status signal from the bridge; and

a second processor for interpreting the status of the wireless status signal.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a wired security sensor coupled to the network interface of the bridge.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the bridge includes a database relating wired status signal formats and wireless status signal formats.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the wireless transmitter and the wireless receiver are ZigBee compliant.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the database is stored in ROM.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said controller is a wireless controller.

7. A method for receiving a wired status signal from a wired security system, comprising:

receiving a wired status signal from a wired security system;

converting the wired status signal to a wireless status signal; and

transmitting the wireless status signal to a network controller.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the converting step includes the step of accessing a database relating wired status signal formats to a wireless status signal format.

9. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of replacing a wired controller employed in the wired security system with a wireless control apparatus.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein said wireless control apparatus includes a wireless controller and a bridge.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the receiving, converting and transmitting steps are performed by the bridge.

12. The method of claim 7 wherein the wireless status signal is ZigBee compliant.

13. The method of claim 7 wherein said network controller is a wireless network controller.

14. At least one computer-readable medium encoded with instructions which, when executed by a processor, perform a method including the steps of:

receiving a wired status signal from a wired security system;

converting the wired status signal to a wireless status signal; and

transmitting the wireless status signal to a wireless network controller.

15. The computer-readable medium of claim 14 wherein the converting step includes the step of accessing a database relating wired status signal formats to a wireless status signal format.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 14 wherein the wireless status signal is ZigBee compliant.