Programming of RF transmitter identification data by monitoring power

• US 6,603,387 B1
• Filed: 06/18/1999
• Issued: 08/05/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Pittway Corporation (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Addy, Kenneth L., Marino, Francis C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): BROWN, VERNAL U
• Application Number:
  US09/335,570
• Time in Patent Office: 1,509 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.23, 340/5.25, 340/5.22, 340/539, 340/514, 340/5.28, 340/500, 340/506, 379/37
• US Class Current: 340/5.23
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence

Abstract

A device and a method used during installation of a security system that allows the security system control panel to learn the IDs of the wireless transmitters in the security system without receiving an RF transmission from the wireless transmitter. The installation device comprises a power supply means, a first and second interface means, monitoring means for monitoring the current drawn from the power supply means, and processing means for producing a digital signal based on the current monitored. The first interface means connects the power supply means of the installation device to the battery terminal of the transmitter, and the second interface means connects the output of the installation device to the control panel. The monitoring means, comprising a resistor and a comparator, monitors the current drawn from the power supply means, wherein the current drawn corresponds to the data transmitted by transmitter. The resultant digital signal is processed by a microprocessor and transmitted to the control panel via a common interface bus. The control panel then stores the ID of the transmitter.

Claims

1. In a security system comprising a plurality of wireless transmitting devices, a receiver configured for wireless communication with the transmitting devices, and a control panel in communication with the receiver, wherein each of the transmitting devices comprises a unique identification number;

a method of programming the control panel with the identification number of a transmitting device comprising the steps of;

a) connecting a power supply means to a power input port of the transmitting device,

b) initiating the transmitting device to transmit a radio frequency signal encoded with the identification number,

c) monitoring the current drawn from the power supply means by the transmitting device during transmission of the radio frequency signal encoded with the identification number,

d) producing a digital signal based on the current monitored from the power supply, the digital signal encoded with the identification number, and

e) providing the digital signal to the control panel for storage in a transmitter identification number table therein.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of initiating an installation mode in the control panel prior to the step of connecting a power supply means to the power input port of the transmitting device.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the steps (a) through (e) are performed at the installation location.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the steps (a) through (e) are performed at a manufacturing facility.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of initiating an installation mode in the control panel is performed by user input to a console.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of removing a battery from the power input port prior to the step of connecting a power supply means to a power input port.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of connecting a power supply means to a power input port of the transmitting device is accomplished by connecting test leads from an installation device to the transmitter battery terminals.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of initiating the transmitting device to transmit a radio frequency signal encoded with the identification number is accomplished by activating a manual switch.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of initiating the transmitting device to transmit a radio frequency signal encoded with the identification number is accomplished by connecting the power supply means to the power input port.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of monitoring the current drawn from the power supply means by the transmitting device during transmission of the radio frequency signal encoded with the identification number comprises the steps of:

a) generating a voltage level based on the current drawn from the power supply means,

b) comparing the generated voltage level to a constant voltage level,

c) producing a digital signal based on the comparison.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein generating a voltage level based on the current drawn from the power supply means is performed by a resistor.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of producing a digital signal based on the current monitored is performed by a microprocessor.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of providing the digital signal to the control panel is performed over a common interface bus.

14. A device for programming a security system control panel with the identification number of a transmitting device comprising:

a) power supply means,

b) first interface means for connecting the power supply means to a wireless transmitting device,

c) monitoring means for monitoring the current drawn from the power supply means by the transmitting device during transmission of a radio frequency signal encoded with the identification number,

d) processing means for producing a digital signal based on the current monitored, the digital signal being representative of the identification number, and

e) second interface means for providing the digital signal to the control panel for storage in a transmitter identification number table therein.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein the first interface means for connecting the power supply means to a wireless transmitting device comprises a pair of test leads from the power supply means to battery terminals associated with the wireless transmitting device.

16. The device of claim 14 wherein the monitoring means comprises:

a) a resistor that generates a voltage level based on the current drawn from the power supply means,

b) a comparator that compares the generated voltage level to a constant voltage level and produces a digital signal based on the comparison.

17. The device of claim 14 wherein the second interface means is a common interface bus.

18. The device of claim 17 wherein the common interface bus further interfaces to a console.

19. The device of claim 17 wherein the common interface bus further interfaces to a receiver.

20. The device of claim 14 wherein the power supply means, the first interface means, the monitoring means, the processing means and the second interface means are contained in a hand holdable housing.

21. The device of claim 18 wherein the power supply means, the first interface means, the monitoring means, the processing means and the second interface means are integrated within the console.