Alarm system providing multiple network routing, interface module and method

• US 20080240372A1
• Filed: 03/26/2007
• Published: 10/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2007
• 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 8,036,344 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/40
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/004 Alarm propagated along alternative communication path or using alternative communication medium according to a hierarchy of available ways to communicate, e.g. if Wi-Fi not available use GSM
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/14 Multichannel or multilink protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/18 Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/04 with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0057 Services where the data services network provides a telephone service in addition or as an alternative, e.g. for backup purposes, to the telephone service provided by the telephone services network

Abstract

In an alarm system, outgoing calls representing a sensed alarm condition are routed to one of several communications networks. The calls are routed by first initiating a telephone call to a defined number, in response to sensing the alarm condition, and then selecting one of plurality a plurality of available networks based on called number information. A communication over the chosen network is placed to signal the alarm condition. Routing may be performed at an interface module in communication with a conventional alarm panel.

Claims

1. In an alarm system, a method comprising:

sensing an alarm;

initiating a telephone call to a defined number, in response to sensing said alarm;

receiving called number information for said call;

selecting one of a plurality of available networks, based on said called number information;

placing a communication over said one of said plurality of available networks, to signal said alarm.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a destination address for said communication based on said called number information.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving data from said call to signal said alarm, and re-encoding said data for transmission over said one of said plurality of available networks, to signal said alarm.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said call is received from an alarm panel, and further comprising providing a handshake signal to said alarm panel to receive said data from said call.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said plurality of networks comprise a wireless voice network and a wireless data network.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said selecting comprises comparing said called number information to stored called number information.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein said selecting further comprises selecting a default network in the absence of matching said called number information to said stored called number information.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein said default network comprises a cellular voice network.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said called number information is encoded using DTMF codes.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said data is received as encoded DTMF tones.

11. In an alarm system, a method comprising:

receiving signals signifying an outgoing call;

selecting one of a plurality of available networks, based on called number information in said signals;

placing a communication over said one of a plurality of available networks as selected, to route said call.

12. A network interface module comprising:

a line interface for receiving communications to initiate outgoing calls;

a plurality of communication network interfaces, each in communication with a communication network;

a selector to select connection with one of said communication network interfaces;

a processor in communication with said line interface, and said selector, and operable to select connection with one of said communication network interfaces, in response to received an outgoing call at said line interface, based on called number information in said outgoing call.

13. The module of claim 12, wherein said plurality of communication network interfaces include a GPRS interface, a PSTN network interface, and a GSM network interface.

14. The module of claim 12, wherein said line interface comprises a loop current generator.

15. The module of claim 12, further comprising a DTMF decode in communication with said processor to decode said called number information.

16. The module of claim 12, wherein said memory stores called number identifiers, and corresponding networks over which associated calls with said called number identifiers should be routed.

17. The module of claim 12, wherein said processor and line interface are further operable to provide a handshake signal by way of said line interface to an interconnected alarm panel to data from said outgoing call.

18. An alarm system comprising a panel operable to generate outgoing calls in response to sensed condition, and the interface module of claim 12 connected to said panel to receive said outgoing calls.