Distributed residental alarm system and method therefor

• US 6,756,896 B2
• Filed: 04/11/2002
• Issued: 06/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael Brent Ford
• Original Assignee: Michael Brent Ford
• Inventors: Ford, Michael Brent
• Primary Examiner(s): POPE, DARYL C
• Application Number:
  US10/122,878
• Publication Number:
  US 20030193393A1
• Time in Patent Office: 810 Days
• Field of Search: 340/506, 340/507, 340/508, 340/509, 340/522, 340/523, 340/531, 340/539, 390/517-521, 390/524, 390/525, 390/539.1, 390/539.14, 390/3.1, 390/507
• US Class Current: 340/506
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/001 Alarm cancelling procedures or alarm forwarding decisions, e.g. based on absence of alarm confirmation
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/009 Signalling of the alarm condition to a substation whose identity is signalled to a central station, e.g. relaying alarm signals in order to extend communication range
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence

Abstract

A distributed residential alarm system and method provides protection of occupants and property from loss due to theft or hazardous conditions in the residence such as fire or flooding. The alarm system includes multiple alert detectors coupled via a wireless connection to multiple control units each capable of providing master control functions. The control units and detectors communicate with the detectors and each other via a token-passing scheme, whereby unit pairs may be located within the distance limitations of each nodal connection, thus providing coverage over a longer distance than would be possible with communication to a central unit. The system also provides modularity and scalability in that sensors may be easily added to the system and the system is not dependent on any one of the control units in order to function. An apartment management system provides an alternative organization wherein apartment dwellers all can be notified of an alert condition in one of the premises, while preventing false alarm nuisance by initially limiting the alarm to the unit where the alarm condition exists. If after a predetermined time, the alarm in the originating unit has not been cancelled, the other units are notified.

Claims

1. An alarm system for alerting an occupant of emergency conditions within a residence, said system comprising:

a plurality of alert detectors for detecting said emergency conditions and generating a wireless alert signals;

a plurality of master control units coupled via a wireless connection to said alert detectors and to each other, each of said master control units configured to receive alerts from any of said alert detectors within a wireless reception range, whereby each of said master control units receives wireless control signals and said wireless alert signals from any of said alert detectors that are within said wireless reception range, wherein each of said master control units communicates wireless control signals for reception by other master control units within said wireless reception range, and wherein each of said master control units can control said system independently of the remaining master control units; and

at least one alarm generator coupled to said plurality of master control units for generating an alarm in response to at least one of said plurality of master control units receiving an alert from at least one of said plurality of alert detectors.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said master control units provide a distributed control function wherein said wireless alert signal is received by a first one of said master control units and communicated to a second one of said master control units.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said master control units provide a distributed control function wherein a control input activated at a first one of said master control units is communicated to a second one of said master control units.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said wireless connection between said plurality of master control units is a token passing connection, whereby operational distance between said plurality of master control units is maximized by passing control and alert signals from a first one of said master control units to a second one of said master control units.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein each of said master control units includes a radio-frequency transmitter and a radio-frequency receiver, and wherein said wireless connection is a radio frequency connection.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein each of said master control units includes an infrared transmitter and an infrared receiver, and wherein said wireless connection is an infrared connection.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of master control units includes a battery, whereby all of the power required for operating said master control unit is provided within said master control unit.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein each of said plurality of master control units includes a photo-voltaic cell coupled to said battery, whereby said battery may be recharged by conversion of energy from light incident on said master control unit.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one alarm generator is coupled to said plurality of master control units via a wireless connection.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said at least one alarm generator comprises a global positioning system emergency signaling generator.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein said at least one alarm generator comprises a standard telephone connection.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein said at least one alarm generator comprises a cellular telephone transceiver.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein said at least one alarm generator comprises a satellite telephone transceiver.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein said at least one alarm generator comprises an INTERNET connection.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one alarm generator is contained within at least a given one of said plurality of master control units.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said at least one alarm generator includes a high output alarm buzzer within said given master control unit.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein said at least one alarm generator comprises a global positioning system emergency signaling generator located within said given master control unit.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein said at least one alarm generator comprises a cellular telephone transceiver located within said given master control unit.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein said at least one alarm generator comprises a satellite telephone transceiver located within said given master control unit.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one alarm generator comprises a local alarm generator associated with a given one of said plurality of master control units and at least one additional remote alarm generator, and wherein said local alarm generator is activated in response to said wireless alert signal without activating said remote alarm generator, and wherein if said local alarm generator is not deactivated within a predetermined time period, said remote alarm generator is activated in response to expiration of said predetermined time period.

21. An alarm system for alerting an occupant of emergency conditions within a residence, said system comprising:

a plurality of alert detectors for detecting said emergency conditions and generating a plurality of wireless alert signals;

wireless control means for controlling said alarm system from a plurality of locations, wherein said control means provides independent master control of said system, said wireless control means comprising a plurality of master units configured to receive alerts from any of said alert detectors within a wireless reception range, whereby each of said master units receives wireless control signals and said wireless alert signals from any of said alert detectors that are within said wireless reception range, wherein each of said master units communicates wireless control signals for reception by other master units within said wireless reception range; and

at least one alarm generator coupled to said wireless control means for generating an alarm in response to said wireless control means receiving an alert from at least one of said plurality of alert detectors.

22. The alarm system of claim 21, wherein said wireless control means further comprises at least one local alarm generator.

23. A method for alerting an occupant of emergency conditions within a residence, said method comprising:

detecting an emergency condition at an alert detector;

transmitting a wireless alert signal from said alert detector;

receiving said wireless alert signal at a master control unit;

transmitting an alarm signal from said master control unit to an alarm generator;

second receiving user input of a control command at said master control unit;

responsive to said second receiving, transmitting a wireless control signal from said master control unit;

third receiving said wireless control signal from said master control unit at another master control unit; and

responsive to said third receiving, setting a control state of said other master control unit.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

retransmitting said wireless alert signal from said master control unit to a second master control unit; and

receiving said wireless alert signal at said second master control unit.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein said alarm generator is a local alarm generator, and wherein said method further comprises:

determining whether or not a predetermined time period commencing with said transmission of said alarm signal has elapsed;

determining whether or not a deactivation has been received at said master control unit; and

in response to determining that said predetermined time period has elapsed and a deactivation has not been received, transmitting a second alarm signal to a second master control unit.