Programmable temperature sensor for security system

• US 6,215,405 B1
• Filed: 05/11/1998
• Issued: 04/10/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tyco Safety Products Canada Limited (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Digital Security Controls Limited (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Parker, James, Handley, Lucas
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US09/075,177
• Time in Patent Office: 1,065 Days
• Field of Search: 340/584, 340/585, 340/588, 340/589, 340/506, 340/521, 340/531, 340/533, 374/101, 374/110, 374/116, 374/141, 374/149, 993/44, 165/11.1, 165/11.2, 236/DIG.8, 379/37
• US Class Current: 340/584
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/06 Electric actuation of the alarm, e.g. using a thermally-operated switch
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 19/00 Alarms responsive to two or more different undesired or abnormal conditions, e.g. burglary and fire, abnormal temperature and abnormal rate of flow
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/182 Level alarms, e.g. alarms responsive to variables exceeding a threshold

Abstract

The present invention in one aspect, provides for a programmable temperature sensor for a device as part of a security or alarm system. The programmable temperature sensor is capable of having multiple set points programmed, each set point individually programmable as to effect. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided a keypad controller having a programmable temperature sensor for use in an alarm system. The keypad controller includes an input for allowing a user to interface with the keypad controller and an alarm system to which the keypad controller is connected, an output display for providing one or more of visual and auditory feedback to a user on the status of the system, an interface for communicating with an alarm control panel of an alarm system, a processor for processing inputs from the input or an alarm control panel and causing the appropriate information to be provided to the output display, and a programmable temperature sensor for monitoring the temperature in the space in which the keypad controller is to be located, the temperature sensor being provided with at least one alarm set point programmable as to level.

Claims

1. A detection device for use in an alarm system, the device comprising the combination of an alarm system sensor selected from the group consisting of motion detectors, glass break detectors, shock sensors, fire or smoke detectors, and water detectors, and a programmable temperature sensor for monitoring the temperature in the space in which the device is to be located, the temperature sensor being provided with a plurality of individual alarm set points, each set point being independently programmable as to level and effect.

2. A device for use in an alarm system according to claim 1 wherein the temperature sensor comprises a temperature sensing means for sensing the temperature in the space, a processing means for comparing the temperature against the alarm set points and an interface or signal conditioning means for providing an indication of the temperature to the processing means.

3. A keypad controller for use in an alarm system, the keypad controller comprising, an enclosure having an input means for allowing a user to interface with the keypad controller and an alarm system to which the keypad controller is connected, and an output means for providing one or more of visual and auditory feedback to a user on the status of the system, the enclosure containing an interface means for communicating with an alarm control panel of the alarm system, a processing means for processing inputs from the input means or the alarm control panel and causing the appropriate information to be provided to the output means, and a programmable temperature sensor for monitoring the temperature in the space in which the keypad controller is to be located, the temperature sensor having at least one alarm set point programmable as to level.

4. A keypad controller as claimed in claim 3 wherein the temperature sensor includes a temperature sensing means for sensing the temperature in the space, and an interface or signal conditioning means for providing an indication of the temperature to the processing means.

5. A keypad controller as claimed in claim 3 wherein the alarm set point is also programmable as to effect.

6. A keypad controller as claimed in claim 3 wherein the temperature sensor is provided with a plurality of alarm set points, each set point being independently programmable as to level and effect.