SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RELIABLE COMMUNICATIONS IN A ONE-WAY COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
First Claim
1. An alarm system, comprising:
- at least one main alarm unit configured to receive messages generated by the alarm system, the messages including predetermined alarm event messages; and
at least one remote alarm device configured to detect predetermined alarm events and transmit messages, the messages including predetermined alarm event messages,wherein the messages are represented by codes;
wherein the messages are classified as either high priority or low priority; and
wherein all codes in low priority messages differ in a plurality of binary bit locations from all codes in high priority messages.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An alarm system, including ease of programming of a family or group of interoperating alarm devices via a learn mode that detects new devices and provides reliable accounting of the group via state dumps to an external system. Reliable communications with the external system are provided via a set of protocols. Disabling of the alarm system is prevented, by transmitting a pre-alarm signal prior to expiration of an entry delay, and by verifying communications with an external device, prior to an alarm-triggering event. Multi-priority message code assignment, including error tolerance, employs n-bit codes with maximized error tolerance. Message transmissions include multiple levels of error protection. The group of monitored alarm devices can be easily set up, purchased and activated by a consumer, and do not become permanent fixtures.
255 Citations
25 Claims
-
1. An alarm system, comprising:
-
at least one main alarm unit configured to receive messages generated by the alarm system, the messages including predetermined alarm event messages; and at least one remote alarm device configured to detect predetermined alarm events and transmit messages, the messages including predetermined alarm event messages, wherein the messages are represented by codes; wherein the messages are classified as either high priority or low priority; and wherein all codes in low priority messages differ in a plurality of binary bit locations from all codes in high priority messages. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
-
-
5. A method for assigning message codes in an alarm system, comprising:
-
classifying a set of messages into high priority messages and low priority messages; and assigning codes such that all codes in low priority messages differ in a plurality of bit locations from all codes in high priority messages. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A method of unilateral packet transmission in systems with multiple independent transmitters, comprising:
-
transmitting a packet; waiting a randomly determined amount of time less than a predetermined maximum amount of time; retransmitting the packet; and repeating the waiting and the retransmitting a predetermined number of times. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A method of encoding a message to increase error correction and detection in an alarm system, comprising:
-
encoding a message with an error detection code; appending the error detection code to the encoded message; and encoding the resulting encoded message and error detection code with an error correction code. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
-
-
24. A method for activating an alarm system, comprising:
-
receiving information to create a customer account, the customer account including a customer contact telephone number; receiving an alarm notification produced by performing a single manual input action on an alarm unit; telephoning the customer contact telephone number; requesting a passcode; receiving the passcode; and activating a monitoring account for monitoring the alarm system after receiving the passcode. - View Dependent Claims (25)
-
Specification