Adaptive console for augmenting wireless capability in security systems

• US 6,445,291 B2
• Filed: 01/11/2001
• Issued: 09/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Pittway Corporation (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Linford, Karl, Addy, Kenneth L.
• Primary Examiner(s): POPE, DARYL C
• Application Number:
  US09/758,508
• Publication Number:
  US 20010001234A1
• Time in Patent Office: 600 Days
• Field of Search: 340/506, 340/539, 340/531, 340/533, 340/3.1, 340/825.36, 340/825.49, 340/5.2
• US Class Current: 340/539.22
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/007 Details of data content structure of message packets; data protocols
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence

Abstract

A security system comprising a plurality of remote wireless units, a central control unit and an adaptive console for translating messages in radio frequency signals into messages in signals suitable for transmission over a wire in order to augment the wireless capability of the system. The adaptive console has a wireless receiver for receiving the radio frequency signal, which includes identification and status information from a wireless remote units. The adaptive console also has a processing unit which translates the identification and status information from the radio frequency signal to corresponding function data derived from a mapping of valid identification and status information to function data, the function data representative of a function to be performed by the security system. The adaptive console also has a transmitter which transmits a signal over a wired connection which includes the corresponding function data to the central control unit or a wired security unit. The adaptive console may additionally have components enabling it to receive a signal from a wired connection, translate that signal to valid identification and status information, and then transmit a second radio frequency signal to the wireless remote units. Alternatively, the central control unit may contain the mapping and perform the translation from valid identification and status information to function data.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a security system with a bi-directional wireless key, comprising the steps of

activating an input button on a wireless key;

in response to activation of the input button, transmitting an RF control signal from the wireless key to a wireless adapter, the RF control signal comprising control data;

the wireless adapter receiving the RF control signal and using the control data contained therein to retrieve a function data from a memory map, the function data previously programmed during an installation phase and emulating keypresses on a keypad that represent a function to be performed by the security system;

the wireless adapter transferring a control word over a wired security system data bus, the control word comprising the function data retrieved from the memory map;

a control unit interconnected to the security system data bus using the function data to perform a security system function;

the control unit generating a response data word;

the control unit transferring the response data word over the security system data bus to the wireless adapter;

the wireless adapter utilizing the response data word to generate and transmit an RF response signal; and

the wireless key receiving the RF response signal.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the memory map is programmed with function data by performing the steps of:

causing the wireless key to transmit an RF control signal comprising control data to the wireless adapter;

entering function data on a keypad in communication with the wireless adapter, the function data to be associated with the wireless key;

associating in the memory map the control data received in the wireless adapter with the entered function data.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the keypad is integral with the wireless adapter.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the keypad is a discrete unit separate from the wireless adapter and in communication therewith.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the function performed by the security system is arming the security system.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the function performed by the security system is disarming the security system.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the control data comprises identification data that identifies the wireless key and status data that identifies the activated input button on the wireless key.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the response data word is a function of the security system function performed by the control unit.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of the wireless key displaying the response data derived from the RF response signal.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the response data displayed by the wireless key indicates a status condition of the security system.

11. A security system comprising:

a) a bi-directional wireless key comprising;

a plurality of input buttons;

RF transmitter means for transmitting, in response to activation of an input button, an RF control signal comprising control data;

b) a wireless adapter comprising;

means for receiving the RF control signal;

a memory map comprising a plurality of records, each record comprising control data and associated function data, wherein the records are previously programmed during an installation phase and emulate keypresses on a keypad that represent a function to be performed by the security system;

means for retrieving function data from the memory map that is associated with the control data received in the RF control signal;

means for transferring a control word over a wired security system data bus, the control word comprising the function data retrieved from the memory map;

c) a security system data bus interconnected to the wireless adapter, and;

d) a control unit, interconnected to the security system data bus, comprising;

means for performing a security system function as a result of receiving the function data over the security system data bus;

means for generating a response data word; and

means for transferring the response data word over the security system data bus to the wireless adapter;

wherein the wireless adapter further comprises means for utilizing the response data word to generate and transmit an RF response signal; and

the wireless key further comprises means for receiving the RF response signal.

12. The security system of claim 11 further comprising a keypad in communication with the wireless adapter, and wherein the memory map is programmed with function data by performing the steps of:

causing the wireless key to transmit an RF control signal comprising control data to the wireless adapter;

entering function data on the keypad, the function data to be associated with the wireless key;

associating in the memory map the control data received in the wireless adapter with the entered function data.

13. The security system of claim 11 wherein the keypad is integral with the wireless adapter.

14. The security system of claim 12 wherein the keypad is a discrete unit separate from the wireless adapter and in communication therewith.

15. The security system of claim 12 wherein the control data comprises identification data that identifies the wireless key and status data that identifies the activated input button on the wireless key.

16. The security system of claim 11 wherein the wireless key further comprises a display means for displaying the response data derived from the RF response signal.

17. The security system of claim 11 wherein the response data displayed by the wireless key indicates a status condition of the security system.

18. A method of controlling a security system comprising the steps of:

activating an input button on a wireless key;

in response to activation of the input button, transmitting an RF control signal from the wireless key to a wireless adapter, the RF control signal comprising control data;

the wireless adapter receiving the RF control signal and using the control data contained therein to retrieve function data from a memory map, the function data previously programmed on a keypad integral with the wireless adapter during an installation phase and emulating keypresses on a keypad that represent a function to be performed by the security system;

the wireless adapter transferring a control word over a wired security system data bus, the control word comprising the function data retrieved from the memory map; and

a control unit interconnected to the security system data bus using the function data to perform a security system function.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the step of programming the memory map with function data comprises the steps of:

causing the wireless key to transmit an RF control signal comprising control data to the wireless adapter;

entering function data on the keypad integral with the wireless adapter, the function data to be associated with the wireless key;

associating in the memory map the control data received in the wireless adapter with the entered function data.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein the function performed by the security system is arming the security system.

21. The method of claim 18 wherein the function performed by the security system is disarming the security system.

22. The method of claim 18 wherein the control data comprises identification data that identifies the wireless key and status data that identifies the activated input button on the wireless key.

23. A security system comprising:

a) a wireless key comprising;

a plurality of input buttons;

RF transmitter means for transmitting, in response to activation of an input button, an RF control signal comprising control data;

b) a wireless adapter comprising;

means for receiving the RF control signal;

keypad means for inputting keypresses;

a memory map comprising a plurality of records, each record comprising control data and associated function data, wherein the records are previously programmed during an installation phase and emulate keypresses on the keypad that represent a function to be performed by the security system;

means for retrieving function data from the memory map that is associated with the control data received in the RF control signal;

means for transferring a control word over a wired security system data bus, the control word comprising the function data retrieved from the memory map;

c) a security system data bus interconnected to the wireless adapter, and;

d) a control unit, interconnected to the security system data bus, comprising means for performing a security system function as a result of receiving the function data over the security system data bus.

24. The security system of claim 23 wherein the memory map is programmed with function data by performing the steps of:

causing the wireless key to transmit an RF control signal comprising control data to the wireless adapter;

entering function data on the keypad, the function data to be associated with the wireless key;

associating in the memory map the control data received in the wireless adapter with the entered function data.

25. The security system of claim 23 wherein the control data comprises identification data that identifies the wireless key and status data that identifies the activated input button on the wireless key.