Security system with remote indication device

• US 6,798,342 B2
• Filed: 06/26/2002
• Issued: 09/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ademco Inc. (Resideo Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Addy, Kenneth L.
• Primary Examiner(s): POPE, DARYL C
• Application Number:
  US10/180,804
• Publication Number:
  US 20040000996A1
• Time in Patent Office: 825 Days
• Field of Search: 340/506, 340/524, 340/525, 340/539.16, 340/539.17, 340/545.1, 340/565, 340/69.16, 340/3.1, 340/825.36, 340/825.49, 340/286.02
• US Class Current: 340/539.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/008 Alarm setting and unsetting, i.e. arming or disarming of the security system
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/14 Central alarm receiver or annunciator arrangements

Abstract

A method and device for providing status of a security system to a user by a remote indication device in response an external stimulus. A status request trigger signal is generated as a result of the stimulus, and status data is then retrieved from an externally located central control unit in response to the status request trigger signal. The status data is then presented via the remote indication device to the user, either by providing a visual display or sounding an audible representation of the status data. The external stimulus may be the motion of a user within proximity of the remote indication device, and the generating of a status request trigger signal may includes the detecting of the motion of the user by a motion detector such as a PIR or a microwave detector.

Claims

1. In a security system comprising a central control unit located within a premises being monitored, a remote indication device in wireless communication with the central control unit, and a plurality of security system peripheral devices in communication with the central control unit;

a method for providing status of the security system to a user, comprising the steps of;

(a) generating, as a result of a stimulus external to the remote indication device, a status request trigger signal at the remote indication device;

(b) the remote indication device retrieving, from the central control unit, status data in response to the status request trigger signal;

(c) the remote indication device presenting the status data to the user;

(d) storing the status data for a timeout period; and

(e) re-presenting the status data to the user in response to a subsequent status request trigger signal prior to lapse of the timeout period.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the stimulus external to the remote indication device is the motion of a user within proximity of the remote indication device, and wherein the step of generating a status request trigger signal comprises the step of detecting the motion of the user.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of detecting motion of a user is implemented with a passive infrared motion detector operably associated with the remote indication device.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of detecting motion of a user is implemented with a microwave motion detector operably associated with the remote indication device.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the stimulus external to the remote indication device is the opening of a door, and wherein the step of generating a status request trigger signal comprises the step of detecting the opening of the door.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of detecting the opening of the door is implemented with a door closure detection switch operably associated with the remote indication device.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of detecting the opening of the door is implemented with a magnetic reed switch assembly operably associated with the remote indication device.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the stimulus external to the remote indication device is a radio frequency signal generated by a remote control device operated by the user.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the remote indication device normally operates in a reduced power level mode, and wherein the remote indication device switches to an increased power level mode in response to receiving the status request trigger signal.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the remote indication device subsequently switches from the increased power level mode to the reduced power level mode after a timeout period has lapsed.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of presenting the status data comprises the step of providing a visual representation of the status data to the user.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of presenting the status data comprises the step of providing an audible representation of the status data to the user.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of retrieving the status data comprises the steps of:

transmitting a status request signal to the central control unit; and

receiving an RF status signal comprising the status data from the central control unit, the status signal transmitted by the central control unit in response to receipt of the status request signal.

14. A remote indication device for providing status of a security system to a user comprising:

means for generating, as a result of a stimulus external to the remote indication device, a status request trigger signal;

means for retrieving, from an externally located central control unit, status data in response to the status request trigger signal;

means for presenting the status data to the user;

means for storing the status data for a timeout period; and

means for re-presenting the status data to the user in response to a subsequent status request trigger signal prior to lapse of the timeout period.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein the means for generating a status request trigger signal comprises a motion detector for detecting the motion of a user within proximity of the remote indication device as the stimulus external to the remote indication device.

16. The device claim 15 wherein the motion detector is a passive infrared motion detector operably associated with the remote indication device.

17. The device claim 15 wherein the motion detector is a microwave motion detector operably associated with the remote indication device.

18. The device of claim 14 wherein the means for generating a status request trigger signal comprises a door closure detection switch operably associated with the remote indication device for detecting the opening of a door as the stimulus external to the remote indication device.

19. The device of claim 14 wherein the means for generating a status request trigger signal comprises a magnetic reed switch assembly operably associated with the remote indication device for detecting the opening of a door as the stimulus external to the remote indication device.

20. The device of claim 14 wherein the means for generating a status request trigger signal comprises a remote control device for generating an RF remote control signal as the stimulus external to the remote indication device.

21. The device of claim 14 further comprising means for switching from a reduced power level mode to an increased power level mode as a result of the status request trigger signal.

22. The device of claim 21 further comprising means for switching from the increased power level mode to the reduced power level mode after a timeout period has lapsed.

23. The device of claim 14 wherein the means for presenting the status data comprises a visual display.

24. The device of claim 14 wherein the means for presenting the status data comprises an audible output device.

25. The device of claim 14 wherein the means for retrieving status data comprises:

means for transmitting a status request signal to a central control unit; and

means for receiving a status signal comprising the status data from the central control unit, the status signal transmitted by the central control unit in response to receipt of the status request signal.

26. A security system comprising:

a central control unit comprising a first RF transmitter and a first RF receiver;

a plurality of security system peripheral devices in communication with the central control unit to provide signals representative of operating status thereof; and

a remote indication device in communication with the central control unit comprising;

trigger generation means for generating a status request trigger signal as a result of an external stimulus;

a second RF transmitter;

a second RF receiver;

a presentation device; and

a processor unit operatively coupled to the trigger generation means, the second RF transmitter, the second RF receiver, and the presentation device, the processor unit adapted to cause the second RF transmitter to transmit a status request signal to the first RF receiver of the central control unit in response to the status request trigger signal generated by trigger generation means, to extract status data from a status message received by the second RF receiver from the first RF transmitter;

to provide the status data to the presentation device for presentation to the user;

to store the status data for a timeout period; and

to re-present the status data to the user in response to a subsequent status request trigger signal prior to lapse of the timeout period.

27. The system of claim 26 wherein the trigger generation means for generating a status request trigger signal as a result of an external stimulus comprises a motion detecting module suitable for detecting motion of a user within proximity of the remote indication device.

28. The system of claim 27 wherein the motion detecting module is a passive infrared motion detector.

29. The system of claim 27 wherein the motion detecting module is a microwave motion detector.

30. The system of claim 26 wherein the trigger generation means for generating a status request trigger signal as a result of an external stimulus comprises a door closure detection switch for detecting the opening of a door as the stimulus external to the remote indication device.

31. The system of claim 26 wherein the trigger generation means for generating a status request trigger signal as a result of an external stimulus comprises a magnetic reed switch assembly for detecting the opening of a door as the stimulus external to the remote indication device.

32. The system of claim 26 wherein the trigger generation means for generating a status request trigger signal as a result of an external stimulus comprises a remote control device for generating an RF remote control signal as the stimulus external to the remote indication device.

33. The system of claim 26 wherein the processor unit is further adapted to switch the remote indication device from a reduced power level mode to an increased power level mode as a result of the status request trigger signal.

34. The system of claim 33 wherein the processor unit is further adapted to switch the remote indication device from the increased power level mode to the reduced power level mode after a timeout period has lapsed.

35. The security system of claim 26 wherein the presentation device comprises a visual display.

36. The security system of claim 26 wherein the presentation device comprises an audible output device.

37. In a security system comprising a central control unit located within a premises being monitored, a remote indication device in wireless communication with the central control unit, and a plurality of security system peripheral devices in communication with the central control unit;

a method for providing status of the security system to a user, comprising the steps of;

(a) generating, as a result of a stimulus external to the central control unit, a status request trigger signal by a security system peripheral device in communication with the central control unit;

(b) the central control unit receiving the status request trigger signal from the peripheral device;

(c) the central control unit transmitting an RF status signal comprising status data of the security system;

(d) the remote indication device receiving the RF status signal;

(e) the remote indication device extracting the status data from the status RF signal;

(f) the remote indication device presenting the status data to the user;

(g) storing the status data for a timeout period; and

(h) re-presenting the status data to the user in response to a subsequent status request trigger signal prior to lapse of the timeout period.

38. The method of claim 37 wherein the peripheral device generating the status request trigger signal is a motion detector in communication with the central control unit, wherein the stimulus external to the central control unit is the motion of a user within proximity of the motion detector.

39. The method of claim 37 wherein the peripheral device generating the status request trigger signal is a door closure detection switch in communication with the central control unit, wherein the stimulus external to the central control unit is the opening of a door being monitored by the door closure detection switch.

40. The method of claim 37 wherein the peripheral device generating the status request trigger signal is a magnetic reed switch in communication with the central control unit, wherein the stimulus external to the central control unit is the opening of a door being monitored by the magnetic reed switch.

41. The method of claim 37 wherein the peripheral device generating the status request trigger signal is a remote control device operated by the user, wherein the stimulus external to the central control unit is an RF remote control signal generated by the remote control device.

42. The method of claim 37 wherein the remote indication device is adapted to receive the status request trigger signal transmitted by the peripheral device, and the remote indication device normally operates in a reduced power level mode, and wherein the remote indication device switches to an increased power level mode in response to receiving the status request trigger signal from the peripheral device.

43. The method of claim 42 further comprising the step of switching the remote indication device from the increased power level mode to the reduced power level mode after a predetermined time has expired.

44. The method of claim 37, wherein said step of presenting said status data comprises the step of providing a visual representation of said status data to said user.

45. The method of claim 37, wherein said step of presenting said status data comprises the step of providing an audible representation of said status data to said user.

46. A security system comprising:

a plurality of security system peripheral devices;

a central control unit in communication with the plurality of security system peripheral devices, and comprising;

means for receiving a status request trigger signal from one of the peripheral devices as a result of a stimulus external to the central control unit, and

means for transmitting an RF status signal comprising status data of the security system; and

a remote indication device in communication with the central control unit comprising;

an RF receiver;

a presentation device; and

a processor unit operatively coupled to the RF receiver and the presentation device, the processor unit adapted to extract the status data from the RF status signal received by the RF receiver from the central control unit;

to provide the status data to the presentation device for presentation to the user;

to store the status data for a timeout period; and

to represent the status data to the user in response to a subsequent status request trigger signal prior to lapse of the timeout period.

47. The system of claim 46 wherein the peripheral device generating the status request trigger signal is a motion detector in communication with the central control unit, wherein the stimulus external to the central control unit is the motion of a user within proximity of the motion detector.

48. The system of claim 47 wherein the motion detector is a passive infrared motion detector.

49. The system of claim 47 wherein the motion detector is a microwave motion detector.

50. The system of claim 46 wherein the peripheral device generating the status request trigger signal is a door closure detection switch in communication with the central control unit, wherein the stimulus external to the central control unit is the opening of a door being monitored by the door closure detection switch.

51. The system of claim 46 wherein the peripheral device generating the status request trigger signal is a magnetic reed switch in communication with the central control unit, wherein the stimulus external to the central control unit is the opening of a door being monitored by the magnetic reed switch.

52. The system of claim 46 wherein the peripheral device generating the status request trigger signal is a remote control device operated by the user, wherein the stimulus external to the central control unit is an RF remote control signal generated by the remote control device.

53. The system of claim 46 wherein the remote indication device is adapted to receive the status request trigger signal transmitted by the peripheral device, and the remote indication device normally operates in a reduced power level mode, and wherein the remote indication device switches to an increased power level mode in response to receiving the status request trigger signal from the peripheral device.

54. The system of claim 46 wherein the remote indication device switches from the increased power level mode to the reduced power level mode after a predetermined time has expired.

55. The system of claim 46, wherein the presentation device is a visual display.

56. The system of claim 46, wherein the presentation device is an audible output device.