Multi-controller security network

• US 7,079,020 B2
• Filed: 03/09/2004
• Issued: 07/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The ADT Security Corporation (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: LifeShield LLC (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: Stilp, Louis A.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US10/795,368
• Publication Number:
  US 20040212497A1
• Time in Patent Office: 861 Days
• Field of Search: 340/506, 340/507, 340/508, 340/539.1, 340/541, 340/572.1, 340/10.1, 340/531, 700/3, 700/101, 700/300, 700/301, 701/185, 714/10
• US Class Current: 340/506
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/248 EAS system combined with another detection technology, e.g. dual EAS and video or other presence detection system
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 19/005 combined burglary and fire alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/002 Generating a prealarm to the central station
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/008 Alarm setting and unsetting, i.e. arming or disarming of the security system
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/14 checking the detection circuits

Abstract

A security network containing multiple controller functions that communicate using wireless communications. The controller functions are contained within base units. One controller function may be the master controller. Other controller functions may receive a copy of the configuration data contained within the master controller. If the master controller fails, another controller function may become the master controller. The controller functions may use encryption keys to encrypt and/or authenticate communications. Some base units may contain a telecommunications interface. Controller units may relay communications between themselves to reach a telecommunications interface. Controller functions located in different buildings may communicate. Controller functions may each receive wireless communications from a transponder and combine the received communications to reduce errors.

Claims

1. A security network having a plurality of components for monitoring at least a first opening for intrusion, the security network including:

a first controller function comprising both program code and configuration data whereby each of the components are identified, enrolled, and placed under control of the first controller function; and

at least one second controller function comprising both the program code and the configuration data,

wherein the second controller function is in wireless communication with the first controller function and the first and second controller functions share configuration data and component-specific code or parameters.

2. The security network of claim 1, wherein the first controller function is the master controller for the security network.

3. The security network of claim 2, wherein if the first controller function fails, the second controller function becomes the master controller.

4. The security network of claim 2, wherein the first controller function ceases to be the master controller if the first controller function fails a self-test and the second controller function becomes the master controller.

5. The security network of claim 1, wherein the first controller function includes means to arbitrate with the second controller function to determine which of them shall be the master controller for the security network.

6. The security network of claim 1, wherein the first controller function sends a copy of its configuration data to the second controller function.

7. The security network of claim 1, wherein the first controller function is contained within a first base unit and the second controller function is contained within a second base unit.

8. The security network of claim 1, wherein the first controller function downloads software to the second controller function.

9. The security network of claim 1, further including a first transponder, wherein the first transponder transmits a first transmitted message using wireless communications, the second controller function receives a first received message, derived from the first transmitted message, and the second controller function sends the first received message to the first controller function.

10. The security network of claim 1, wherein the first controller function is contained within a first base unit located in a first building and the second controller function is contained within a second base unit located in a second building.

11. The security network of claim 1, wherein the first controller function is contained within a first base unit that is in a fixed location and the second controller function is contained within a second base unit that is portable.

12. The security network of claim 1, wherein the first controller function is contained within a first base unit that further includes a first telecommunications interface connected to a first telecommunications network.

13. The security network of claim 12, wherein the first controller function relays a first message from the second controller function to the first telecommunications network.

14. The security network of claim 12, wherein the second controller function further includes a first acoustic transducer capable of supporting audio communications, and wherein the first controller function relays the audio communications from the first acoustic transducer to the first telecommunications network.

15. The security network of claim 1, wherein the first controller function receives a message from the second controller function to cause an alert, and the first controller function causes an alert.

16. The security network of claim 1, wherein the first controller function uses a first encryption key to encrypt communications sent to the second controller function.

17. The security network of claim 1, wherein the first controller function uses a first encryption key to authenticate communications sent to the second controller function.

18. The security network of claim 1, wherein the first controller function receives updated program code and (a) if the first controller function updates its program code and operates successfully, then the second controller function receives the updated program code, but (b) if the first controller function cannot successfully update its program code and operate, then the first controller function reverts to the previously stored program code.

19. A security network for monitoring at least a first opening for intrusion, the security network including:

at least a first controller function and a second controller function, wherein the second controller function is in wireless communication with the first controller function; and

a first transponder,

wherein the first transponder transmits a first transmitted message using wireless communications, the second controller function receives a first received message, derived from the first transmitted message, and the second controller function sends the first received message to the first controller function, and wherein the first controller function receives a second received message, derived from the first transmitted message, and the first controller function combines the first received message and the second received message to produce a third received message.

20. The security network of claim 19, wherein the first controller function combines the first received message and the second received message in a manner that reduces any errors between the third received message and the first transmitted message.

21. A security network for monitoring at least a first opening for intrusion, including at least a first controller function and a second controller function, wherein the second controller function is in wireless communication with the first controller function and wherein the second controller function receives wireless communications from the first controller function and adjusts a timing means within the second controller function based upon the wireless communications from the first controller function.