Systems and methods for providing non-dedicated wireless backup service for monitored security systems

• US 7,085,551 B1
• Filed: 10/13/2003
• Issued: 08/01/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cingular Wireless LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cingular Wireless II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bonner, Thomas Wayne, Baggett, Russell
• Primary Examiner(s): D AGOSTA, STEPHEN M
• Application Number:
  US10/684,876
• Time in Patent Office: 1,023 Days
• Field of Search: 455/41.2, 455/404.1, 455/404.2, 455/445, 455/464, 455/552.2, 455/556.1, 379/39, 379/45, 340/539.1, 340/686.6
• US Class Current: 455/404.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/004 Alarm propagated along alternative communication path or using alternative communication medium according to a hierarchy of available ways to communicate, e.g. if Wi-Fi not available use GSM
• 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 25/08 using communication transmission lines G08B13/19658, G08B21/0286, G08B25/016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/16 Security signalling or alarm systems, e.g. redundant systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/04 with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems

Abstract

An intelligent interface provides a non-dedicated wireless communications path for reporting alarm events from a landline-based alarm system to a remote monitoring system. The intelligent interface includes a cradle for a cellular handset or other wireless device, and a network connector (such as an RJ31X jack) between an alarm system control panel and the PSTN. When a wireless device is present in the cradle, the intelligent interface bypasses the landline and routes all security calls from the alarm system control panel through an analog-to-digital digital signal processor and to the wireless device, which places a call to the remote monitoring center. When no wireless device is present, the intelligent interface allows the alarm system control panel to seize the landline to place the security call.

Claims

1. A system for transmitting signals from an alarm system control panel to a remote monitoring center, comprising:

an intelligent interface for receiving the signals from the alarm system control panel, and for selectively relaying the signals to the remote monitoring center via either a wireless device or a landline based on the presence of the wireless device, the intelligent interface comprising;

a cradle for receiving the wireless device;

means for detecting that the wireless device has been received and for determining whether the wireless device is is sufficiently powered to place a wireless call, said means for detecting comprising a switching mechanism selected from the group consisting of a mechanical switching mechanism and an electronic switching mechanism;

upon detecting that the wireless device has been received and that the wireless device is is sufficiently powered to place a wireless call, means for causing the intelligent interface to bypass the landline and to relay the signals to the remote monitoring center via the wireless device; and

a converter interposed between the alarm system control panel and the wireless device, the converter being for;

intercepting the signals that have been relayed to the wireless device;

converting the signals into digital signals; and

outputting the converted signals to the wireless device; and

a landline connector communicatively associated with a public switched telephone network, wherein if the detecting means fails to detect that the wireless device has been received, the intelligent interface relays the signals to the remote monitoring center via the landline connector.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the landline connector is a two-wire voice jack.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the landline connector is an RJ31X jack.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein upon receiving the converted signals, the wireless device places a wireless call to the remote monitoring center and transmits the signals to the remote monitoring center over a wireless network.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the converter is a digital signal processor (DSP).

6. A method for transmitting signals from an alarm system control panel to a remote monitoring center, comprising;

relaying the signals from the alarm system control panel to an intelligent interface comprising a cradle for receiving the wireless device;

selectively relaying the signals to the remote monitoring center by;

determining whether a wireless device has been received and whether the wireless device is sufficiently powered to place a wireless call, using a switching mechanism selected from the group consisting of a mechanical switching mechanism and an electronic switching mechanism;

upon detecting that a wireless device has been received and that the wireless device is sufficiently powered to place a wireless call, bypassing the landline, converting the signals into digital signals, outputting the converted signals to the wireless device, and relaying the signals to the remote monitoring center via the wireless device; and

upon detecting that if a wireless device has not been received, relaying the signals to the remote monitoring center over the landline via a landline connector communicatively associated with a public switched telephone network.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising determining whether the wireless device has sufficient signal strength to access a wireless network.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein relaying the signals to the remote monitoring center via a wireless device comprises breaking a circuit between the alarm system control panel and the landline and creating a circuit between the alarm system control panel and the wireless device.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein relaying the signals to the remote monitoring center via a wireless device comprises mechanically breaking a circuit between the alarm system control panel and the landline and mechanically creating a circuit between the alarm system control panel and the wireless device.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein relaying the signals to the remote monitoring center via a wireless device comprises electronically breaking a circuit between the alarm system control panel and the landline and electronically creating a circuit between the alarm system control panel and the wireless device.

11. A system for transmitting signals from an alarm system control panel to a remote monitoring center, comprising;

an intelligent interface for receiving the signals from the alarm system control panel, and for selectively relaying the signals to the remote monitoring center via either a wireless device or a landline based on the presence of the wireless device, the intelligent interface comprising;

means for receiving the wireless device;

means for detecting that the wireless device has been received and for determining whether the wireless device is sufficiently powered to place a wireless call, said means for detecting comprising a switching mechanism selected from the group consisting of a mechanical switching mechanism and an electronic switching mechanism; and

upon detecting that the wireless device has been received and that the wireless device is sufficiently powered to place a wireless call, means for causing the intelligent interface to bypass the landline and to relay the signals to the remote monitoring center via the wireless device, said means for causing comprising an electronic switching mechanism; and

a converter interposed between the alarm system control panel and the wireless device, the converter being for;

intercepting the signals that have been relayed to the wireless device;

converting the signals into digital signals; and

outputting the converted signals to the wireless device.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the means for receiving comprises an interface consisting any of or any combination of:

a cradle, a communications port, an RS-232 connector, an infrared port, a BLUETOOTH transceiver.

13. A system for transmitting signals from an alarm system control panel to a remote monitoring center, comprising:

an intelligent interface for receiving the signals from the alarm system control panel, and for selectively relaying the signals to the remote monitoring center via either a wireless device or a landline based on the presence of the wireless device, the intelligent interface comprising;

a cradle for receiving the wireless device,

means for detecting that the wireless device has been received and for determining whether the wireless device is sufficiently powered to place a wireless call; and

a mechanical switching mechanism for, upon detecting that the wireless device has been received and that the wireless device is sufficiently powered to place a wireless call, causing the intelligent interface to;

bypass the landline, convert the signals into digital signals, output the converted signals to the wireless device, and to relay the signals to the monitoring center via the wireless device; and

a landline connector communicatively associated with a public switched telephone network, wherein if the detecting means fails to detect that the wireless device is present, the intelligent interface relays the signals to the remote monitoring center via the landline connector.

14. A method for transmitting signals from an alarm system control panel associated with a landline to a remote monitoring center, comprising:

relaying the signals from the alarm system control panel to an intelligent interface comprising a cradle for receiving a wireless device;

selectively relaying the signals to the remote monitoring center by;

determining whether a wireless device has been received and whether the wireless device is sufficiently powered to place a wireless call, using means selected from the group consisting of a mechanical switching mechanism and an electronic switching mechanism; and

upon detecting that a wireless device has been received and that the wireless device is sufficiently powered to place a wireless call, intercepting the signals that have been relayed to the wireless device, converting the signals into digital signals, outputting the converted signals to the wireless device, and using an electronic switching mechanism to bypass the landline and relay the signals to the remote monitoring center via the wireless device.

15. A method for transmitting signals from an alarm system control panel associated with a landline to a remote monitoring center, comprising:

relaying the signals from the alarm system control panel to an intelligent interface comprising means for receiving a wireless device;

selectively relaying the signals to the remote monitoring center by;

determining whether a wireless device has been received and whether the wireless device is sufficiently powered to place a wireless call;

upon detecting that a wireless device has been received and that the wireless device is sufficiently powered to place a wireless call, bypassing the landline, intercepting the signals that have been relayed to the wireless device, converting the signals into digital signals, outputting the converted signals to the wireless device, and relaying the signals to the remote monitoring center via the wireless device; and

upon detecting that if a wireless device has not been received, using an electronic switching mechanism to relay the signals to the remote monitoring center over the landline via a landline connector communicatively associated with a public switched telephone network.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the means for receiving comprises a physical interface consisting any of or any combination of:

a cradle, a communications port, an RS-232 connector, an infrared port, a BLUETOOTH transceiver.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein relaying the signals from the alarm system control panel to an intelligent interface comprising means for receiving the wireless device comprises relaying the signals from the alarm system control panel to an intelligent interface comprising any of the following:

a cradle, a communications port, an RS-232 connector, an infrared port, a BLUETOOTH transceiver.