Method and apparatus for adding wireless devices to a security system

• US 20070063836A1
• Filed: 09/20/2005
• Published: 03/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• 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: Caler, Dennis, Hayter, Alan, Parker, Patrick, Berube, James, Crosier, John, Hayden, Craig
• Granted Patent: US 7,576,646 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/540
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/003 Address allocation methods and details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence

Abstract

A method of installing a security system includes transmitting an air-borne request signal to a security device. An air-borne reply signal is transmitted from the device in response to the request signal. The reply signal includes identification information corresponding to the device.

Claims

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

transmitting an air-borne request signal to a security device; and

transmitting an air-borne reply signal from said device in response to the request signal, the reply signal including identification information corresponding to said device.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the request signal is transmitted from a system controller, and the reply signal is transmitted to said system controller.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said system controller comprises a control device and a hub, the request signal being transmitted to a plurality of security devices, said hub receiving a respective said reply signal including nonextraneous identification information from each of said security devices and at least one extraneous identification signal including extraneous identification information from at least one extraneous device, said method comprising the further steps of:

storing the nonextraneous identification information and the extraneous identification information in said hub; and

transferring from said hub to said control device only an amount of the identification information that corresponds to a number of said security devices that said control device is capable of supporting.

4. The method of claim 3 comprising the further steps of:

causing each of said security devices to transmit a respective confirmation signal including the nonextraneous identification information to said hub;

recognizing nonextraneous identification information as identification information received by said hub in both the reply signals and the confirmation signals; and

overwriting any of the extraneous identification information that is in said control device with at least portions of the nonextraneous information from said hub.

5. The method of claim 1 comprising the further step of mounting said device at a desired location before said transmitting steps.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the identification information designates said device as at least one of a window sensor, a door sensor, a motion detector, a smoke detector, a panic device, a gas detector and a keyfob.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the identification information designates a function of said device.

8. The method of claim 1 comprising the further step of accessing an installer interface to thereby initiate said step of transmitting the request signal.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said installer interface comprises a telephone.

10. A security system comprising:

a system controller configured to transmit an air-borne request signal; and

at least one security device configured to receive the request signal and transmit an air-borne reply signal in response to the request signal, the reply signal including identification information corresponding to said device.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the reply signal is received by said system controller.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein said system controller comprises a control device and a hub, said at least one security device comprising a plurality of security devices, said hub being configured to:

receive a respective said reply signal including nonextraneous identification information from each of said security devices and at least one extraneous identification signal including extraneous identification information from at least one extraneous device;

store the nonextraneous identification information and the extraneous identification information; and

transfer from said hub to said control device only an amount of the identification information that corresponds to a number of said security devices that said control device is capable of supporting.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein each of said security devices is configured to transmit a respective confirmation signal including the nonextraneous identification information to said hub, said system controller being configured to recognize the nonextraneous identification information as identification information that is received by said hub in both the reply signals and the confirmation signals.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein said control panel includes a telephone interface.

15. The system of claim 10 wherein said device comprises at least one of a window sensor, a door sensor, a motion detector, a smoke detector, a panic device, a gas detector and a keyfob.

16. The system of claim 10 further comprising an installer interface in communication with said system controller.

17. A method of installing a security system for a structure, said method comprising the steps of:

remotely transmitting an installation initiation signal from outside of the structure to a system controller within the structure;

transmitting an air-borne request signal from said system controller to a security device in response to the installation initiation signal; and

transmitting an air-borne reply signal from said device in response to the request signal, the reply signal including identification information corresponding to said device.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the installation initiation signal is remotely transmitted to said system controller via a telephone.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the reply signal is transmitted to said system controller.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said system controller comprises a control device and a hub, the request signal being transmitted to a plurality of security devices, said hub receiving a respective said reply signal including nonextraneous identification information from each of said security devices and at least one extraneous identification signal including extraneous identification information from at least one extraneous device, said method comprising the further steps of:

storing the nonextraneous identification information and the extraneous identification information in said hub; and

transferring from said hub to said control device only an amount of the identification information that corresponds to a number of said security devices that said control device is capable of supporting.

21. The method of claim 20 comprising the further steps of:

causing each of said security devices to transmit a respective confirmation signal including the nonextraneous identification information to said hub;

recognizing nonextraneous identification information as identification information received by said hub in both the reply signals and the confirmation signals; and

overwriting any of the extraneous identification information that is in said control device with at least portions of the nonextraneous information from said hub.

22. The method of claim 17 comprising the further step of mounting said device at a desired location before said transmitting steps.

23. The method of claim 17 wherein the identification information designates said device as at least one of a window sensor, a door sensor, a motion detector, a smoke detector, a panic device, a gas detector and a keyfob.

24. The method of claim 17 wherein the identification information designates a function of said device.