Remote camouflage keypad for alarm control panel
First Claim
1. An automatic premise-monitoring alarm system, comprising:
- a control panel;
a plurality of remote sensors linked to the control panel for communicating alarm events;
a remote glass keypad linked to and providing a user interface for exchanging inputs and outputs with the control panel;
said glass keypad comprising a planar screen formed predominantly of see-through glass and having a peripheral edge spacing inboard and outboard faces wherein the planar screen is adapted for mounting relative to a vertical support surface or wall such that the inboard face is generally flush thereagainst or closely gapped therefrom, said glass keypad further comprising operative circuitry and devices as well as a diminutive housing that conceals the operative circuitry and devices and is mounted to the peripheral edge and/or outboard face;
said glass keypad'"'"'s operative circuitry and devices including a source of illumination such that said glass keypad has an display mode as well as a sleep mode;
wherein the display mode illuminates a display on or in the screen which display includes illuminated keys that respond to a user'"'"'s keystroke or apparent keystroke with an operative signal, such that one or more keystrokes allow entry of inputs to the control panel;
wherein the sleep mode switches the illumination to a reduced power state such that the keypad display is invisible, thereby disguising the glass keypad'"'"'s utility from unsuspecting passersby.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A glass keypad for an automatic premise-monitoring alarm system of remote sensors linked to a control panel has a screen defined by a peripheral edge spacing inboard and outboard faces and allowing a flush or closely gapped mounting to a wall. There is also operative circuitry and devices as well as a diminutive housing that conceals the circuitry and devices and is mounted to the peripheral edge and/or outboard face. Thus, the glass keypad has display mode, where a display is illuminated on the screen including illuminated keys for entry of inputs to the control panel, as well as a sleep mode in which the illumination is switched to reduced power such that the keypad display is invisible. The reduced power state is off or very low such that any color, texture or design on the wall shows through, the glass keypad thus self-camouflaging itself.
31 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An automatic premise-monitoring alarm system, comprising:
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a control panel; a plurality of remote sensors linked to the control panel for communicating alarm events; a remote glass keypad linked to and providing a user interface for exchanging inputs and outputs with the control panel; said glass keypad comprising a planar screen formed predominantly of see-through glass and having a peripheral edge spacing inboard and outboard faces wherein the planar screen is adapted for mounting relative to a vertical support surface or wall such that the inboard face is generally flush thereagainst or closely gapped therefrom, said glass keypad further comprising operative circuitry and devices as well as a diminutive housing that conceals the operative circuitry and devices and is mounted to the peripheral edge and/or outboard face; said glass keypad'"'"'s operative circuitry and devices including a source of illumination such that said glass keypad has an display mode as well as a sleep mode; wherein the display mode illuminates a display on or in the screen which display includes illuminated keys that respond to a user'"'"'s keystroke or apparent keystroke with an operative signal, such that one or more keystrokes allow entry of inputs to the control panel; wherein the sleep mode switches the illumination to a reduced power state such that the keypad display is invisible, thereby disguising the glass keypad'"'"'s utility from unsuspecting passersby. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A show-through keypad for an automatic premise-monitoring alarm system of the type characterized by a control panel and a plurality of remote sensors linked to the control panel for communicating alarm events, said show-through keypad comprising:
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a screen formed predominantly of see-through material and having a peripheral edge spacing inboard and outboard faces wherein the screen is adapted for mounting relative to a vertical support surface or wall such that the inboard face is generally flush thereagainst or closely gapped therefrom; said show-through keypad being for locating remote from and linking to provide a user interface for exchanging inputs and outputs with the control panel, and further comprising operative circuitry and devices as well as a diminutive housing that conceals the operative circuitry and devices and is mounted to the peripheral edge and/or outboard face; said show-through keypad'"'"'s operative circuitry and devices including a source of illumination such that said show-through keypad has an display mode as well as a sleep mode; wherein the display mode illuminates a display on or in the screen which display includes illuminated keys that respond to a user'"'"'s keystroke or apparent keystroke with an operative signal, such that one or more keystrokes allow entry of inputs to the control panel; wherein the sleep mode switches the illumination to a reduced power state such that the keypad display is invisible, thereby disguising the show-through keypad'"'"'s utility from unsuspecting passersby. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A show-through keypad for an automatic premise-monitoring alarm system of the type characterized by a control panel and a plurality of remote sensors linked to the control panel for communicating alarm events, said show-through keypad comprising:
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a screen formed predominantly of see-through material and having a peripheral edge spacing inboard and outboard faces wherein the screen is adapted for mounting relative to a vertical support surface or wall such that the inboard face is generally flush thereagainst or closely gapped therefrom; said show-through keypad being for locating remote from and linking to control panel in order to provide a user interface for exchanging inputs and outputs, and further comprising operative circuitry and devices as well as a diminutive housing that conceals the operative circuitry and devices and is mounted to not obstruct or impede the screen'"'"'s mounting to the vertical support surface or wall; said show-through keypad'"'"'s operative circuitry and devices including a source of illumination such that said show-through keypad has an display mode as well as a non-display mode; wherein the display mode illuminates a display on or in the screen which display includes illuminated keys that respond to a user'"'"'s keystroke or apparent keystroke with an operative signal, such that one or more keystrokes allow entry of inputs to the control panel; wherein the non-display mode switches the illumination to a reduced power state such that the keypad display is practicably imperceptible, thereby disguising the show-through keypad'"'"'s utility from unsuspecting passersby. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification