Method of providing alarm based wireless security monitoring

• US 6,831,557 B1
• Filed: 03/23/2000
• Issued: 12/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tattletale Portable Alarm Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Tattletale Portable Alarm Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Hess, Brian K.
• Primary Examiner(s): POPE, DARYL C
• Application Number:
  US09/534,293
• Time in Patent Office: 1,727 Days
• Field of Search: 340/506, 340/507, 340/517, 340/521, 340/539.1, 340/534.14, 340/539.16, 340/3.1, 340/825.36, 340/825.49
• US Class Current: 340/539.16
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/016 Personal emergency signalling and security systems emergency non-personal manually actuated alarm activators G08B25/12
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/08 using communication transmission lines G08B13/19658, G08B21/0286, G08B25/016 take precedence

Abstract

A method of providing simple, low-cost and effective alarm system protection. The method is especially useful in locations where the installation of a conventional, hard-wired alarm system would be impossible or economically impractical. The method utilizes a portable alarm system which incorporates wireless technology along with wireless transmission service, therefore providing the ability to protect virtually anything, anywhere, at any time. The present invention also provides for both automated and manned monitoring of the alarm location by a security monitoring company, which may be contacted at any time, from any location, at a single phone number or internet address, for example. The method of the present invention also utilizes a method of call retainment and multiple redundancy to ensure that any calls placed by the portable alarm system are received by the security monitoring company. Additionally, the present invention contemplates a method by which false alarms after initial set up of the alarm system may be reduced, and also a method which allows the user of the alarm system to abort known false alarms by contacting the security monitoring company.

Claims

1. A method of providing alarm based security monitoring, said method comprising the steps of:

obtaining a wireless transmitting, portable alarm system;

contacting a security monitoring company to procure security monitoring service;

providing said security monitoring company with subscription information to activate said security monitoring service;

transporting said portable alarm system to a space to be protected; and

connecting said portable alarm system to an appropriate power source;

wherein substantially no other steps are required to have a functioning, monitored alarm system.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein a provider of said portable alarm system obtains information from a user of said portable alarm system, said provider thereafter contacting said security monitoring company to establish security monitoring service for the benefit of said user.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of providing said user with a choice between more than one security monitoring company.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein said security monitoring company contacts said user to confirm initiation of said security monitoring service.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein said user contacts said security monitoring company to confirm initiation of said security monitoring service.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said user contacts said security monitoring company and provides said subscription information necessary to establish said security monitoring service.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein a user obtains said portable alarm system from a provider by ordering said portable alarm system via a remote communication method.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein a user obtains said portable alarm system by visiting a provider.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said transporting of said portable alarm system comprises said portable alarm system being delivered to a user at a location of said user'"'"'s choosing.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said transporting of said portable alarm system comprises said user transporting said portable alarm system from a place of sale to said place to be protected.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of installing at least one remote sensor on at least one entry point into said space to be protected, said at least one remote sensor adapted for wireless communication with said portable alarm system.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of installing at least one smoke detector in said space to be protected, said at least one smoke detector adapted for wireless communication with said portable alarm system.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of installing at least one remote motion sensor in said space to be protected, said at least one motion sensor adapted for wireless communication with said portable alarm system.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the order of accomplishing the steps of claim 1 is as listed in claim 1.

15. A method of providing alarm based security monitoring, said method comprising the steps of:

obtaining a wireless transmitting, portable alarm system, said portable alarm system having an alarm module and at least one mountable sensor;

transporting said portable alarm system into a space to be protected;

mounting said at least one remote sensor on at least one entry point into said space to be protected;

connecting said alarm module to an appropriate power source;

contacting a security monitoring company to procure security monitoring service; and

confirming initiation of said security monitoring service, wherein substantially no other steps are required to have a functioning, monitored alarm system.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein a provider of said portable alarm system obtains subscritption information from a user of said portable alarm system, said provider thereafter contacting said security monitoring company to establish security monitoring service for the benefit of said user.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of providing said user with a choice between more than one security monitoring company.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein said security monitoring company contacts said user to confirm initiation of said security monitoring service.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein said user contacts said security monitoring company to confirm initiation of said security monitoring service.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein said user contacts said security monitoring company and provides said subscription information necessary to establish said security monitoring service.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein a user obtains said portable alarm system from a provider by ordering said portable alarm system via a remote communication method.

22. The method of claim 15, wherein a user obtains said portable alarm system by visiting a provider.

23. The method of claim 15, wherein said transporting of said portable alarm system comprises said portable alarm system being delivered to a user at a location of said user'"'"'s choosing.

24. The method of claim 15, wherein said transporting of said portable alarm system comprises said user transporting said portable alarm system from a place of sale to said place to be protected.

25. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of installing at least one smoke detector in said space to be protected, said at least one smoke detector adapted for wireless communication with said portable alarm system.

26. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of installing at least one remote motion sensor in said space to be protected, said at least one motion sensor adapted for wireless communication with said portable alarm system.

27. A method of providing alarm based security monitoring, said method comprising the steps of:

obtaining a wireless portable alarm system capable of wireless transmission, said portable alarm system having a self-contained alarm module and at least one remote, wireless sensor;

supplying a provider of said portable alarm system with subscription information from a user of said portable alarm system, said provider thereafter contacting a security monitoring company and using said subscription information to establish security monitoring service for the benefit of said user;

transporting said portable alarm system to a space to be protected;

mounting said at least one sensor on at least one entry point into said space to be protected;

connecting said alarm module to an appropriate power source; and

confirming initiation of said security monitoring service,

wherein substantially no other steps are required to have a functioning, monitored alarm system.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of providing said user with a choice between more than one security monitoring company.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein said security monitoring company contacts said user to confirm initiation of said security monitoring service.

30. The method of claim 27, wherein said user contacts said security monitoring company to confirm initiation of said security monitoring service.

31. The method of claim 27, wherein a user obtains said portable alarm system from a provider by ordering said portable alarm system via a remote communication method.

32. The method of claim 27, wherein a user obtains said portable alarm system by visiting a provider.

33. The method of claim 27, wherein said transporting of said portable alarm system comprises said portable alarm system being delivered to a user at a location of said user'"'"'s choosing.

34. The method of claim 27, wherein said transporting of said portable alarm system comprises said user transporting said portable alarm system from a place of sale to said place to be protected.

35. The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of installing at least one smoke detector in said space to be protected, said at least one smoke detector adapted for wireless communication with said portable alarm system.

36. The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of installing at least one) remote motion sensor in said space to be protected, said at least one motion sensor adapted for wireless communication with said portable alarm system.

37. A method of providing alarm based security monitoring, said method comprising the steps of:

transmission of a signal from a portable alarm system in response to a security breach;

receipt of said signal by a gateway;

retention of said signal by said gateway; and

transmission of said signal by said gateway to a first security monitoring company facility;

wherein said gateway is adapted to retransmit said signal to said first security monitoring company facility if said gateway does not receive confirmation of signal receipt from said first security monitoring company facility, and wherein said gateway is further adapted to transmit said signal to an alternate security monitoring company facility after a predetermined number of unsuccessful attempts to transmit said signal to said first security monitoring company facility.

38. The method of claim 37, further comprising the transmission of a confirmation of signal receipt to said portable alarm system by said gateway, upon the receipt by said gateway of a confirmation of signal receipt from said security monitoring company.

39. The method of claim 38, further comprising the indication by said portable alarm system of receipt of said confirmation of signal receipt from said gateway.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein an LED on said portable alarm system is used to provide said indication.

41. The method of claim 37, wherein said gateway will make at least two attempts to transmit said signal to said first security monitoring company facility before attempting to transmit said signal to an alternate security monitoring company facility.

42. The method of claim 37, wherein said security monitoring company attempts to contact the location of said portable alarm system in response to receipt of said signal.

43. The method of claim 37, wherein said security monitoring company contacts the proper local authorities in response to receipt of said signal.

44. The method of claim 37, wherein said signal from said portable alarm system includes an identifier, which enables said gateway to recognize said signal as originating from said portable alarm system.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein said gateway retains said signal based on the recognition of said identifier.

46. A method of providing alarm based security monitoring, said method comprising the steps of:

transmission of a signal from a portable alarm system in response to a security breach;

receipt of said signal by a gateway;

identification by said gateway of said portable alarm system as the origin of said signal;

retention of said signal by said gateway based on said identification;

transmission of said signal by said gateway to a first security monitoring company facility;

retransmission of said signal to said first security monitoring company facility if said gateway does not receive confirmation of signal receipt from said first security monitoring company facility; and

transmission of said signal to an alternate security monitoring company facility after a predetermined number of unsuccessful attempts to transmit said signal to said first security monitoring company facility.

47. The method of claim 46, further comprising the transmission of a confirmation of signal receipt to said portable alarm system by said gateway, upon the receipt by said gateway of a confirmation of signal receipt from said security monitoring company.

48. The method of claim 47 further comprising the indication by said portable alarm system of receipt of said confirmation of signal receipt from said gateway.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein an LED on said portable alarm system is used to provide said indication.

50. The method of claim 46, wherein said gateway will make at least two attempts to transmit said signal to said first security monitoring company facility before attempting to transmit said signal to an alternate security monitoring company facility.

51. The method of claim 46, wherein said security monitoring company attempts to contact the location of said portable alarm system in response to receipt of said signal.

52. The method of claim 46, wherein said security monitoring company contacts the proper local authorities in response to receipt of said signal.

53. The method of claim 46, wherein said signal from said portable alarm system includes an identifier, which enables said gateway to recognize said signal as originating from said portable alarm system.

54. A method of providing alarm based security monitoring, said method comprising the steps of:

providing an alarm system, said alarm system comprising;

an enclosure;

a microprocessor secured within said enclosure;

a motion sensor in electrical communication with said microprocessor; and

a wireless communication device secured within said enclosure and in electrical communication with said microprocessor;

detecting a security breach via said motion sensor;

transmitting a wireless alarm signal from said wireless communication device to a remote location in response to detection of a security breach by said motion sensor; and

causing some action to occur in response to the receipt of said alarm signal at said remote location.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein said motion sensor is secured within said enclosure and is adapted to alert said microprocessor of a security breach upon the detection of a change in certain conditions within a zone outside of said enclosure.

56. The method of claim 54, further comprising a wireless receiver secured within said enclosure, said wireless receiver adapted to communicate with one or more wireless transmitting remote devices, and to alert said microprocessor of a security breach upon the receipt of an appropriate transmission therefrom.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein said one or more wireless transmitting remote devices includes a remote control.

58. The method of claim 56, wherein said one or more wireless transmitting remote devices includes a remote sensor.

59. The method of claim 54, wherein said remote location is a monitoring facility.

60. The method of claim 54, wherein said remote location is at least one personal communication device.

61. The method of claim 54, wherein said remote location is at least one e-mail address.

62. The method of claim 54, wherein said remote location is at least one internet URL.

63. The method of claim 54, wherein said alarm signal is transmitted to more than one remote location.

64. The method of claim 54, wherein a user of said alarm system is directly notified of an indication of a security breach.

65. The method of claim 54, wherein a user of said alarm system is notified of an indication of a security breach by an already notified entity.

66. The method of claim 54, wherein the proper authorities are contacted in response to receipt of said alarm signal.

67. The method of claim 54, further comprising the activation of an audible siren located within said enclosure to indicate a security breach.

68. The method of claim 54, further comprising the activation of a strobe light located on said enclosure to indicate a security breach.

69. The method of claim 54, further comprising a motion detector secured within said enclosure and in electrical communication with said microprocessor, said motion detector adapted to detect unauthorized movement of said enclosure and to alert said microprocessor accordingly.

70. The method of claim 69, further comprising transmitting a wireless alarm signal from said wireless communication device to a remote location in response to the detection of unauthorized movement of said enclosure by said motion detector.