Multi-level meshed security network

• US 7,283,048 B2
• Filed: 12/29/2005
• Issued: 10/16/2007
• 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): Pope; Daryl C
• Application Number:
  US11/321,429
• Publication Number:
  US 20060145842A1
• Time in Patent Office: 656 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.1, 340/539.11, 340/539.13, 340/539.21
• US Class Current: 340/539.21
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 9/03 with multiple-channel loop, i.e. redundant control systems
• 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 25/009 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 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/06 Monitoring of the line circuits, e.g. signalling of line faults
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/14 checking the detection circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2825 Reporting to a device located outside the home and the home network access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with telemetering systems H04M11/002
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/1408 by monitoring network traffic monitoring network traffic per se H04L43/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/04 for emergency applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/12 Marking faulty circuits "busy"; Enabling equipment to disengage itself from faulty circuits ; Using redundant circuits; Response of a circuit, apparatus or system to an error
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/126 Anti-theft arrangements, e.g. protection against subscriber identity module [SIM] cloning
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A multi-level meshed security network. The network includes a first level having a plurality of base units, supporting relatively high power RF communications, and a controller function. The second level has a plurality of transponders, supporting relatively low power RF communications, and at least one sensor. Each of the components of the first level communicates with each other and with each of the components of the second level.

Claims

1. A multi-level meshed security network comprising:

a first level having a plurality of base units, supporting RF communications at average power levels of 10 milliwatts or more, and a controller function; and

a second level having a plurality of transponders, supporting RF communications at average power levels under 10 milliwatts, and at least one sensor,

each of the components of the first level being capable of communicating with each other and with each of the components of the second level.

2. The security network according to claim 1 wherein any one or more of the components of the first level communicates with an external network.

3. The security network according to claim 1 wherein the base units are configured as one or more of a handheld unit, a tabletop unit, a wall unit, a ceiling unit, and a console or other unit having the controller function.

4. The security network according to claim 1 wherein the at least one sensor is integrated with a corresponding transponder into the same physical package.

5. The security network according to claim 1 wherein the at least one sensor is a separate component associated with a corresponding transponder.

6. The security network according to claim 1 wherein the components of the first level are AC powered, have rechargeable batteries, or both.

7. The security network according to claim 1 wherein a fixed and static relationship exists between the base units of the first level and the transponders of the second level.

8. The security network according to claim 1 wherein the base units operate as a network of receivers to demodulate and interpret responses from each transponder.

9. The security network according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the base units uses different power levels when communicating with each transponder.

10. The security network according to claim 9 wherein the power level used by a base unit when communicating with each transponder is the lowest necessary power level for communicating with that transponder.

11. The security network according to claim 1 wherein the controller function determines and stores the characteristics of communication between each base unit and each transponder.

12. The security network according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the base units has receivers or transceivers to communicate with the transponders using low power RF communications.

13. The security network according to claim 1 wherein the transponders transmit using the 300 to 500 MHz band.

14. The security network according to claim 1 wherein the base units also communicate with the transponders and controller function of a second security network.

15. The security network according to claim 1 further comprising a passive infrared sensor communicating with the controller function.

16. The security network according to claim 1 wherein the base units are organized into a common frequency plan.

17. The security network according to claim 1 wherein the base units have synchronized internal timing.

18. The security network according to claim 1 wherein each of the components of the second level communicates only with components of the first level.

19. The security network according to claim 1 further comprising a computer having a computer usable medium with first computer readable program code means embodied in the medium for downloading, uploading, or editing the configuration stored in the controller function;

second computer readable program code means embodied in the medium for monitoring the status of each of the other components of the security network; and

third computer readable program code means embodied in the medium for facilitating communications between and among those components.

20. A multi-level meshed security network for use in a building having an opening to be monitored for intrusion, the security network comprising:

a first level having a plurality of REID base units, supporting RF communications at average power levels of 10 milliwatts or more, and a controller function; and

a second level having a plurality of REID transponders, supporting RF communications at average power levels under 10 milliwatts, and a sensor monitoring the opening, at least one of the RFID transponders coupled to the sensor and communicating a present state of the sensor to the plurality of RFID base units,

each of the components of the first level being capable of communicating with each other and with each of the components of the second level.

21. The security network of claim 20 wherein each of the components of the second level communicates only with components of the first level.

22. A multi-level meshed security network comprising:

a first level having a plurality of base units, supporting relatively high power RF communications, and a controller function storing a configuration, wherein the components of the first level are AC powered, have rechargeable batteries, or both and any one or more of the components of the first level communicates with an external network;

a second level having a plurality of transponders, supporting relatively low power RF communications, and at least one sensor, wherein a fixed and static relationship exists between the base units of the first level and the transponders of the second level and wherein the base units operate as a network of receivers to demodulate and interpret responses from each transponder; and

a computer having a computer usable medium with first computer readable program code means embodied in the medium for downloading, uploading, or editing the configuration stored in the controller function, second computer readable program code means embodied in the medium for monitoring the status of each of the other components of the security network, and third computer readable program code means embodied in the medium for facilitating communications between and among those components,

each of the components of the first level being capable of communicating with each other and with each of the components of the second level.

23. The security network of claim 22 wherein each of the components of the second level communicates only with components of the first level.

24. A multi-level meshed security network comprising:

a first level having a plurality of base units, supporting RF communications at average power levels of 10 milliwatts or more, and a controller function; and

a second level having a plurality of transponders, supporting RF communications at average power levels under 10 milliwatts, and at least one sensor,

each of the components of the first level communicating with at least one other component of the first level and with at least one of the components of the second level.

25. The security network of claim 24 wherein each of the components of the second level communicates only with components of the first level.

26. The security network according to claim 24 wherein the base units are configured as one or more of a handheld unit, a tabletop unit, a wall unit, a ceiling unit, and a console or other unit having the controller function.

27. The security network according to claim 24 wherein a fixed and static relationship exists between the base units of the first level and the transponders of the second level.

28. The security network according to claim 24 wherein the base units operate as a network of receivers to demodulate and interpret responses from each transponder.

29. The security network according to claim 24 wherein at least one of the base units uses different power levels when communicating with each transponder.

30. The security network according to claim 24 wherein at least one of the base units has receivers or transceivers to communicate with the transponders using low power RF communications.

31. The security network according to claim 24 wherein the transponders transmit using the 300 to 500 MHz band.

32. The security network according to claim 24 wherein the base units also communicate with the transponders and controller function of a second security network.

33. The security network according to claim 24 wherein the base units are organized into a common frequency plan.

37. The security network of claim 28 wherein each of the components of the second level communicates only with components of the first level.

38. The security network according to claim 28 wherein the base units are configured as one or more of a handheld unit, a tabletop unit, a wall unit, a ceiling unit, and a console or other unit having the controller function.

39. The security network according to claim 28 wherein at least one of the base units uses different power levels when communicating with each transponder.

40. The security network according to claim 28 wherein at least one of the base units has receivers or transceivers to communicate with the transponders using low power RF communications.

41. The security network according to claim 28 wherein the transponders transmit using the 300 to 500 MHz band.

42. The security network according to claim 28 wherein the base units also communicate with the transponders and controller function of a second security network.

43. The security network according to claim 28 wherein the base units are organized into a common frequency plan.

34. A multi-level meshed security network for use in a building having an opening to be monitored for intrusion, the security network comprising:

a first level having a plurality of RFID base units, supporting RF communications at average power levels of 10 milliwatts or more, and a controller function; and

a second level having a plurality of REID transponders, supporting RF communications at average power levels under 10 milliwatts, and a sensor monitoring the opening, at least one of the RFID transponders coupled to the sensor and communicating a present state of the sensor to the plurality of REID base units,

each of the components of the first level communicating with at least one other component of the first level and with at least one of the components of the second level.

35. The security network of claim 34 wherein each of the components of the second level communicates only with components of the first level.

36. A multi-level meshed security network comprising:

a first level having a plurality of base units, supporting relatively high power RF communications, and a controller function storing a configuration, wherein the components of the first level are AC powered, have rechargeable batteries, or both and any one or more of the components of the first level communicates with an external network;

a second level having a plurality of transponders, supporting relatively low power RF communications, and at least one sensor, wherein a fixed and static relationship exists between the base units of the first level and the transponders of the second level and wherein the base units operate as a network of receivers to demodulate and interpret responses from each transponder; and

a computer having a computer usable medium with first computer readable program code means embodied in the medium for downloading, uploading, or editing the configuration stored in the controller function, second computer readable program code means embodied in the medium for monitoring the status of each of the other components of the security network, and third computer readable program code means embodied in the medium for facilitating communications between and among those components,

each of the components of the first level communicating with at least one other component of the first level and with at least one of the components of the second level.