Method and apparatus for automated activation of a security system

• US 20080072314A1
• Filed: 09/15/2006
• Published: 03/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Safety Products Canada Limited (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Frenette, Stephan
• Granted Patent: US 10,354,516 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/19
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/14 Central alarm receiver or annunciator arrangements

Abstract

A security system comprises at least one component interconnected with the security system for detecting an alarm condition. A control panel is interconnected with the security system for at least one of controlling and communicating with the at least one component. A memory is interconnected with the control panel for storing a system identifier (ID) associated with the control panel and for storing connection information for accessing a system configuration file associated with the system ID. The system ID and the connection information are stored prior to interconnecting the control panel and the security system. The system configuration file identifies the at least one component and is stored remote from the security system.

Claims

1. A security system, comprising:

at least one component interconnected with a security system for detecting an alarm condition;

a control panel interconnected with the security system for at least one of controlling and communicating with the at least one component; and

a memory interconnected with the control panel for storing a system identifier (ID) associated with the control panel, the memory storing connection information for accessing a system configuration file associated with the system ID, the system ID and the connection information being stored prior to interconnecting the control panel and the security system, the system configuration file identifying the at least one component and being stored remote from the security system.

2. The security system of claim 1, further comprising an I/O port interconnected with the control panel, the I/O port using a wireless communication service for accessing the system configuration file.

3. The security system of claim 1, wherein the system ID is associated with a wireless service provider.

4. The security system of claim 1, wherein the system ID being one of a wireless phone number, a wireless SIM card identifier (ID), an internet protocol (IP) address, a media access control (MAC) address.

5. The security system of claim 1, further comprising a second I/O port located remote from the security system, the system configuration file being at least one of defined and populated by data input through the second I/O port.

6. The security system of claim 1, further comprising:

a configuration module located remote from the security system for storing the system configuration file; and

a second I/O port interconnected with the configuration module, the configuration module generating a service activation request after receiving the system ID through the second I/O port, the configuration module transmitting the service activation request to a wireless service provider associated with the system ID.

7. A method for installing a security system, comprising:

storing a first system identifier (ID) in a control panel of a security system, the first system ID being stored prior to interconnecting the control panel and the security system;

storing connection information in the control panel prior to interconnecting the control panel and the security system, the control panel using the connection information to communicate with a configuration module located remote from the security system, the configuration module storing system configuration files for at least one security system; and

transmitting a first system configuration file from the configuration module based on the first system ID.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising using an input terminal remote from the security system to input configuration information based on the security system, the configuration information comprising data associated with at least one component interconnected with the control panel and being used to at least one of create and define the first system configuration file.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

prompting a user to input configuration information based on the security system, the configuration information being input at a location remote from the security system; and

storing the configuration information in the first system configuration file at the configuration module.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising using an input terminal remote from the security system to activate a wireless identifier card interconnected with the control panel, the wireless identifier card being associated with the system ID.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the system ID is associated with a wireless communication system.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the system ID comprising at least one of a wireless phone number, a wireless SIM card identifier (ID), an internet protocol (IP) address, and a media access control (MAC) address.

13. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

storing the first system configuration file remote from the security system, the first system configuration file being associated with a second system ID; and

downloading the first system configuration file to the security system when the first and second system IDs are the same.

14. The method of claim 7, wherein the system ID and the connection information are hard-coded within the control panel.

15. The method of claim 7, further comprising initiating a start-up sequence at the control panel to connect the control panel to the configuration module to download the first system configuration file.

16. A security system, comprising:

at least one component interconnected with a security system for detecting an alarm condition;

a control panel interconnected with the security system for at least one of controlling and communicating with the at least one component;

a first memory interconnected with the control panel for storing a system identifier (ID) associated with a wireless communication service provided by a wireless service provider; and

an I/O port interconnected with the control panel, the I/O port using the wireless communication service for downloading a system configuration file to the control panel, the system configuration file identifying the at least one component and being stored remote from the security system.

17. The security system of claim 16, further comprising a second memory located remote from the security system and storing the system configuration file, the first memory storing connection information for automatically connecting to the second memory.

18. The security system of claim 16, the first memory further storing connection information for identifying a location remote from the security system where the system configuration file is being stored, the system ID and the connection information being stored in the first memory prior to interconnecting the control panel and the security system.

19. The security system of claim 16, further comprising means for remotely inputting data associated with the security system to at least one of define and populate the system configuration file.

20. The security system of claim 16, further comprising means for activating a wireless communication account associated with the system ID of the security system at a time period defined by a user, the wireless communication account being provided by the wireless service provider.