Home alarm system

• US 5,877,683 A
• Filed: 05/26/1998
• Issued: 03/02/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eldon W. Sheasley
• Original Assignee: Eldon W. Sheasley
• Inventors: Sheasley, Eldon W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pope, Daryl C.
• Application Number:
  US09/085,073
• Time in Patent Office: 280 Days
• Field of Search: 340/506, 340/526, 340/528, 340/531, 340/539, 340/541, 340/825.06, 340/825.32, 340/825.36, 340/309.15, 379/39-45
• US Class Current: 340/506
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/08 by opening, e.g. of door, of window, of drawer, of shutter, of curtain, of blind
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/008 Alarm setting and unsetting, i.e. arming or disarming of the security system

Abstract

A home alarm system for use by an authorized user while in the home, manual input commands to the system being required by the user as events around the home might occur for proper system operation. The system includes a programmable microcomputer having a specific preprogrammed operating logic and a multi-key control panel operably connected to the microcomputer. By manually depressing an arming key, the microcomputer is activated to initiate a first time delay. This would typically be done by a user at the ring of a doorbell or upon hearing strange noises and the like. Unless a multi-key disarming code is entered before the end of the first timing delay, a warning signal is activated and continues for a second preprogrammed time delay. Again, unless the disarm code is timely entered before the end of the second time delay, a very loud siren or other wide area broadcast alarm signal is activated. A remote control unit is also provided for instant alarm signal activation, along with an automatic emergency phone number dialer which is activated when the alarm signal is activated.

Claims

1. A home alarm system comprising:

a logic and data storing microcomputer including a multi-key control panel operably connected to said microcomputer;

a manually activated key pad arming means operably connected to said microcomputer for starting a first preselected time delay and for activating a corresponding advisory indicia to advise the user that said first time delay has been initiated;

a coded disarm means manually activated by entering a coded series of preselected key pads of said control panel for terminating said first time delay prior to an end thereof;

a warning signal means activated by said microcomputer for providing a corresponding advisory warning signal that said disarm means has not been manually activated and that said first time delay has ended;

a means within said microcomputer for starting a second preselected time delay, said disarm means also for manually terminating said second time delay prior to an end thereof;

a wide area broadcast audible or visible alarm signal unit operably connected to a first output signal of said microcomputer, said first output signal activating said alarm signal unit to alert those in the vicinity of the house after the end of said second time delay of a potential distress situation;

said disarm means further for manually terminating said first output signal and said alarm signal unit;

a manually operated remote control means positionable a distance from, and in operable communication with, an input of said microcomputer for immediately activating said alarm signal unit.

2. A home alarm system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

an automatic phone dialer operably connected to a second output signal of said microcomputer which dials a preselected emergency phone number substantially simultaneously with activation of said alarm signal unit by said first output signal.

3. A home alarm system comprising:

a logic and data storing microcomputer including a multi-key control panel operably connected to said microcomputer;

a manually activated key pad arming key of said control panel for starting a first preselected time delay within said microcomputer and for activating a corresponding advisory indicia to advise the user that said first time delay has been initiated;

a preprogrammed disarm code in said microcomputer which is manually activated by entering said disarm code by depressing selected key pads of said control panel corresponding to said disarm code for terminating said first time delay prior to an end thereof;

a warning signal automatically activated by said microcomputer for providing a corresponding advisory warning signal to the user that said disarm code has not been manually timely activated and that said first time delay has ended;

said microcomputer further including a second preselected time delay which is automatically activated after said warning signal is activated, said disarm code also for manually terminating said second time delay prior to an end thereof;

a wide area broadcast audible or visible alarm signal unit operably connected to a first output signal of said microcomputer, said first output signal activating said alarm signal unit to alert those in the vicinity of the house after the end of said second time delay of a potential distress situation;

said disarm code further for manually terminating said first output signal and said alarm signal unit;

a manually operated remote control unit positionable a distance from, and in operable communication with, an input of said microcomputer which immediately activates said alarm signal unit when manually activated.

4. A home alarm system as set forth in claim 3, further comprising:

an automatic phone dialer operably connected to a second output signal of said microcomputer which dials a preselected emergency phone number substantially simultaneously with activation of said alarm signal unit by said first output signal.