System and method for automatic enrollment of two-way wireless sensors in a security system

• US 8,373,553 B2
• Filed: 10/27/2009
• Issued: 02/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Safety Products Canada Limited (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Bell, Dwayne A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Previl, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US12/606,311
• Publication Number:
  US 20110095882A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,204 Days
• Field of Search: 340/505, 340/6.1, 340/7.2, 340/7.21, 340/10.4, 340/10.42, 340/905, 340/7.27, 340/7.25, 340/501, 340988-990, 340/7.51, 340/7.55
• US Class Current: 340/505
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/003 Address allocation methods and details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence

Abstract

A system and method are disclosed for enrolling two-way wireless security system devices (alarms, detectors, lights) in a security system. A controller is provided and is capable of exchanging wireless signals with the two-way wireless devices. The system has an enroll mode where the two-way wireless devices transmit enroll signals to the controller. The enroll signals contain an identifier associated with each device. An installer uses a keypad or other interface device to confirm enrollment of each of the devices. The controller sends an enroll confirmation signal back to the two-way wireless devices confirming that the devices have been enrolled. In response, each of the devices emits an audible or visual enroll confirmation signal to the installer.

Claims

1. A method for enrolling two-way wireless devices in a security system, comprising:

receiving, at a controller, a wireless signal from each of a plurality of two-way wireless devices, the wireless signal from each two-way wireless device containing a unique identifier associated with that two-way wireless device;

storing the unique identifiers in memory associated with the controller; and

transmitting, from the controller, a wireless signal to each of the plurality of two-way wireless devices, the signal confirming enrollment of the plurality of two-way wireless devices.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving step comprises receiving, at the controller, wireless signals from each of the plurality of two-way wireless devices in series.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving step comprises receiving, at the controller, wireless signals from each of the plurality of two-way wireless devices in a predetermined sequence.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the predetermined sequence corresponds to predetermined zones in the controller.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of two-way wireless devices automatically transmits the unique identifier associated with that two-way wireless device upon engagement of the device with an associated mounting bracket.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein, in response to the signal confirming enrollment, at least one of the plurality of two-way wireless devices emits an audible or visual alert.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the audible alert comprises a series of pulsed sounds, the series of pulsed sounds corresponding to a strength of the wireless signal sent by the controller and received by the device that is being enrolled.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of two-way wireless devices comprises a two-way wireless keypad.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein in response to the wireless signal transmitted by the controller, a visual confirmation is displayed on the keypad to confirm that at least one of the two-way wireless devices has been enrolled.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein, in response to the signal confirming enrollment, the keypad emits an audible or visual alert.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless signal from at least one of the plurality of two-way wireless devices is transmitted via a method selected from the list consisting of radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR) and laser.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal confirming enrollment of the plurality of two-way wireless devices further instructs the associated wireless device to reconfigure from an enroll mode to a normal operation mode.

13. A system for enrolling wireless devices in a security system, comprising a controller having a processor, and a plurality of two-way wireless devices, the controller performing the steps comprising:

receiving, at a controller, a wireless signal from each of a plurality of two-way wireless devices, the wireless signal from each two-way wireless device containing a unique identifier associated with that two-way wireless device;

storing the unique identifiers in memory associated with the controller; and

transmitting, from the controller, a wireless signal to each of the plurality of two-way wireless devices, the signal confirming enrollment of the plurality of two-way wireless devices.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the receiving step comprises receiving, at the controller, wireless signals from each of the plurality of two-way wireless devices in series.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the receiving step comprises receiving, at the controller, wireless signals from each of the plurality of two-way wireless devices in a predetermined sequence.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the predetermined sequence corresponds to predetermined zone in the controller.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein each of the plurality of two-way wireless devices automatically transmits the unique identifier associated with that two-way wireless device upon engagement of the device with an associated mounting bracket.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein, in response to the signal confirming enrollment, at least one of the plurality of two-way wireless devices emits an audible or visual alert.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the audible alert comprises a series of pulsed sounds, the series of pulsed sounds corresponding to a strength of the wireless signal sent by the controller.

20. The system of claim 13, wherein at least one of the plurality of two-way wireless devices comprises a two-way wireless keypad.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein in response to the wireless signal transmitted by the controller, a visual confirmation is displayed on the keypad to confirm that at least one of the two-way wireless devices has been enrolled.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein, in response to the signal confirming enrollment, the keypad emits an audible or visual alert.

23. The system of claim 13, wherein the wireless signal from at least one of the plurality of two-way wireless devices is transmitted via a method selected from the list consisting of radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR), laser and ultrasound.

24. The system of claim 13, wherein the signal confirming enrollment of the plurality of two-way wireless devices further instructs the associated wireless device to reconfigure from an enroll mode to a normal operation mode.

25. A method for enrolling a two-way wireless device in a security system, comprising:

receiving, at a controller, a wireless signal from a two-way wireless device, the wireless signal from the two-way wireless device containing a unique identifier associated with the two-way wireless device;

storing the unique identifier in memory associated with the controller; and

transmitting, from the controller, a wireless signal to the two-way wireless device, the signal confirming enrollment of the two-way wireless device in the security system.