Stigmergic sensor security system

• US 7,158,021 B2
• Filed: 04/22/2004
• Issued: 01/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Scientific-Atlanta Incorporated (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hammett, Geoffrey G.
• Primary Examiner(s): La; Anh V.
• Application Number:
  US10/829,563
• Publication Number:
  US 20050237176A1
• Time in Patent Office: 985 Days
• Field of Search: 340/500, 340/628, 340/541, 340/522, 340/508, 340/523, 340/526, 340/552, 340/565
• US Class Current: 340/500
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 1/08 using electric transmission ; transformation of alarm signals to electrical signals from a different medium, e.g. transmission of an electric alarm signal upon detection of an audible alarm signal
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/00 Fire alarms; Alarms responsive to explosion
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/002 Generating a prealarm to the central station
• 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 27/008 with transmission via TV or radio broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/188 Data fusion; cooperative systems, e.g. voting among different detectors

Abstract

A system and method for providing security utilizing stigmergic behavior. A plurality of sensors is adapted to communicate with one another. Each sensor may be elevated from a stable state corresponding with a secure environment into an elevated state corresponding with a first detection event. Each sensor after detecting a first detection event communicates with another sensor in order to elevate the other sensor into the elevated state. An alarm signal is generated in response to one or more second detection events subsequently occurring within the security system.

Claims

1. A security system comprising first and second sensors, each said sensor adapted to be elevated from a stable state corresponding with a secure environment into an elevated state corresponding with a first detection event, each said sensor configured to communicate with the other said sensor in order to elevate the other said sensor into said elevated state, and a first central controller adapted to generate an alarm signal in response to one or more second detection events occurring at one of said sensors in said elevated within said security system.

2. The security system of claim 1 wherein one of said sensors generates said alarm signal in response to detecting said second detection event.

3. The security system of claim 1 wherein one of said sensors generates said alarm signal in response to the other of said sensors detecting said second detection event.

4. The security system of claim 1 wherein either of said sensors generates said alarm signal corresponding with said second detection event occurring at either of said sensors.

5. The security system of claim 1 wherein said alarm signal is generated as a result of both said sensors being in said elevated state and one of said sensors in said elevated state detecting said second detection event.

6. The security system of claim 1 wherein each said sensor is configured to communicate current state status to the other said sensor.

7. The security system of claim 1 wherein said central controller generates said alarm signal as a result of the same said sensor detecting said first and second detection events.

8. The security system of claim 1 wherein said central controller generates said alarm signal as a result of different said sensors detecting said first and second detection events.

9. The security system of claim 1 wherein said first and second sensors are at one premises.

10. The security system of claim 1 wherein said first sensor is at one premises and said second sensor is at a second premises.

11. The security system of claim 1 wherein said first detection event occurs at one premises and said second detection event occurs at another premises.

12. The security system of claim 1, wherein said alarm signal generated by the first central controller in response to a second detection event at one premises is transmitted across a network to a second central controller at another premises.

13. The security system of claim 12, wherein the first central controller transmits the alarm signal to a control center via a two-way cable system, and wherein the control center transmits the alarm signal via the two-way cable system to the second central controller.

14. The security system of claim 12, wherein the first central controller transmits the alarm signal to a control center via a two-way cable system, and wherein the control center transmits the alarm signal via the two-way cable system to a plurality of coupled central controllers, wherein each coupled central controller is located at discrete premises.

15. The security system of claim 14 wherein each of the central controllers is a DHCT, and wherein the control center is located in a headend.

16. The security system of claim 14 wherein both said second detection events are detected by the same said sensor.

17. The security system of claim 1 wherein both said sensors detect the same said second detection event.

18. A method for providing security comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of sensors adapted to communicate with one another,

elevating one of said sensors from a stable state corresponding with a secure environment into an elevated state corresponding with a first detection event;

communicating to at least one other said sensor to elevate the at least one other said sensor into said elevated state, wherein one of said sensors communicates its current state to the plurality of sensors; and

generating an alarm signal in response to one or more second detection events occurring at one of said sensors in said elevated state.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein said alarm signal generating step comprises one of said sensors generating said alarm signal in response to detecting said second detection event.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein said alarm signal generating step comprises one of said sensors generating said alarm signal in response to another of said sensors detecting said second detection event.

21. The method of claim 18 wherein said alarm signal generating step comprises either of said sensors generating said alarm signal corresponding with said second detection event occurring at either of said sensors.

22. The method of claim 18 further comprising the steps of providing a central controller and said central controller generating said alarm signal as a result of at least one of said sensors being in said elevated state and at least one of said sensors detecting said second detection event.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein said central controller is a DHCT.

24. The method of claim 22 wherein said alarm signal generating step comprises said central controller generating said alarm signal as a result of different said sensors detecting said first and second detection events.

25. The method of claim 18 wherein said first detection event occurs at one premises and said second detection event occurs at another premises.

26. The method of claim 25 further comprising the step of transmitting across a two-way network said alarm signal to a control center generated in response to said second detection event occurring at another premises.

27. The method of claim 18 wherein said alarm signal generating step comprises one of said sensors detecting said second detection event and one of said sensors detecting another said second detection event.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein said alarm signal generating step comprises one of said second detection events detected by one of said sensors and the other of said second detection events detected by another said sensor.

29. The method of claim 27 wherein said alarm signal generating step comprises said second detection events detected by the same said sensor.

30. The method of claim 18 wherein said alarm signal generating step comprises different said sensors detecting the same said second detection event.