SECURITY SYSTEM INCLUDING AUDIO ALARM DETECTION

• US 20100127865A1
• Filed: 11/21/2008
• Published: 05/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2008
• 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: Riley, James W., Markham, Stevemn, Marriam, Michael G.
• Granted Patent: US 8,085,147 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/541
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 1/08 using electric transmission ; transformation of alarm signals to electrical signals from a different medium, e.g. transmission of an electric alarm signal upon detection of an audible alarm signal
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/10 Actuation by presence of smoke or gases , e.g. automatic alarm devices for analysing flowing fluid materials by the use of optical means

Abstract

A building security arrangement includes a sensor for emitting an audible alarm signal. A security system installed in the building detects the audible alarm signal and transmits an electrical alarm signal over a public switched telephone network in response to the detection of the audible alarm signal. A central monitoring station receives the electrical alarm signal over the public switched telephone network and notifies an alarm authority in response to receiving the electrical alarm signal.

Claims

1. A building security arrangement, comprising:

a sensor configured to emit an audible alarm signal;

a security system configured to be installed in the building, the security system further configured to detect the audible alarm signal, and to transmit an electrical alarm signal over a public switched telephone network in response to the detection of the audible alarm signal; and

a central monitoring station configured to receive the electrical alarm signal over the public switched telephone network, and to notify an alarm authority in response to receiving the electrical alarm signal.

2. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the sensor comprises an off-the-shelf security sensor.

3. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the sensor comprises a smoke detector.

4. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the security system is configured to identify the sensor based upon characteristics of the audible alarm signal.

5. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the security system includes at least one non-audible security device.

6. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the security system is configured to store characteristics of the audible alarm signal in association with identification information for the sensor.

7. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the sensor is disposed outside of the building.

8. A building security method, comprising the steps of:

providing a sensor associated with the building;

sensing an alarm condition, the sensing being performed by the sensor;

emitting an audible alarm signal from the sensor in response to the sensing of the alarm condition;

installing a security system in the building;

providing the security system with a sound detector;

using the sound detector to detect the audible alarm signal; and

transmitting an electrical alarm signal from the security system over a public switched telephone network in response to the detection of the audible alarm signal.

9. The method of claim 8 comprising the further step of receiving the alarm signal at a central monitoring station.

10. The method of claim 9 comprising the further step of notifying an alarm authority in response to receiving the electrical alarm signal.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein the installing step includes storing a sound characteristic of the audible alarm signal in association with identification information for the sensor.

12. The method of claim 11 comprising the further step of identifying the sensor based upon characteristics of the audible alarm signal.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the identifying step occurs after the using step and before the transmitting step.

14. The method of claim 8 wherein the sensor comprises an off-the-shelf security sensor.

15. A building security arrangement, comprising:

a security sensor configured to be installed in the building and to emit an audible alarm signal in response to sensing an alarm condition;

a security system including a sound detector configured to detect the audible alarm signal, the security system being configured to be installed in the building and to transmit an electrical alarm signal in response to the detection of the audible alarm signal;

a telephone network connected to the security system and configured to receive and carry the electrical alarm signal; and

a central monitoring station connected to the telephone network and configured to receive the electrical alarm signal and to notify an alarm authority in response to receiving the electrical alarm signal.

16. The arrangement of claim 15 wherein the sensor comprises an off-the-shelf security sensor.

17. The arrangement of claim 15 wherein the sensor comprises a smoke detector.

18. The arrangement of claim 15 wherein the security system is configured to identify the sensor based upon characteristics of the audible alarm signal.

19. The arrangement of claim 15 wherein the security system includes at least one non-audible security device.

20. The arrangement of claim 15 wherein the security system is configured to store characteristics of the audible alarm signal in association with identification information for the sensor.