RFID reader for a security network

• US 20040212493A1
• Filed: 06/25/2003
• Published: 10/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The ADT Security Corporation (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: LifeShield LLC (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: Stilp, Louis A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,023,341 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/531
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 11/006 Automatic identification systems for animals, e.g. electronic devices, transponders for animals identification systems for access to feeding pens A01K1/0209; ear tags with electronic identification means A01K11/004
• 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 25/002 Generating a prealarm to the central station
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/008 Alarm setting and unsetting, i.e. arming or disarming of the security system
• 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 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/14 checking the detection circuits

Abstract

An RFID reader for use in a security network based upon RFID techniques. The RFID reader can use wireless communications to communicate with RFID transponders and other devices in the security network. The RFID reader of the security network can be provided with multiple modulation techniques, multiple antennas, and the capability to vary its power level and carrier frequency. The RFID reader can transmit RF energy useful for detecting motion or for charging the batteries in RFID transponders. The RFID reader can contain an audio transducer, a camera, or various environmental sensors to detect parameters such as smoke, temperature, and water, among others. The program code of the RFID reader can be updated. A master controller within the security network can control operations within the RFID reader.

Claims

1. A first RFID reader for use in a security network, containing:

a processor,

memory for storing program code and configuration data,

a control function contained within the program code, and

at least a first antenna for use in wireless communications.

2. The RFID reader of claim 1, wherein the security network can be used in a building with at least one opening to be monitored for intrusion.

3. The RFID reader of claim 1, wherein the security network can be used in a building to be monitored for smoke or fire.

4. The RFID reader of claim 1, wherein the security network also contains at least a first RFID transponder, and wherein the first RFID reader can receive wireless communications from at least the said first RFID transponder.

5. The RFID reader of claim 1, wherein the security network also contains a second RFID reader, and wherein the said first RFID reader can receive wireless communications from the said second RFID reader.

6. The RFID reader of claim 1, wherein the security network also contains at least a first RFID transponder and a second RFID reader, and wherein the said first RFID reader can receive a wireless communications from the said first RFID transponder to the said second RFID reader.

7. The RFID reader of claim 1, wherein the said first RFID reader further contains a second antenna for use in wireless communications.

8. The RFID reader of claim 7, wherein the said first RFID reader uses only one of the said first antenna or the said second antenna in each wireless communications.

9. The RFID reader of claim 8, wherein the configuration data contains parameters that predetermine which of the said first antenna or the said second antenna to use in each wireless communications.

10. The RFID reader of claim 1, wherein the said first RFID reader further contains a battery backup.

11. The RFID reader of claim 1, wherein the said first RFID reader supports more than one modulation technique.

12. The RFID reader of claim 11, wherein at least one modulation technique is continuous wave.

13. The RFID reader of claim 11, wherein at least one modulation technique is Gaussian Frequency Shift Keying.

14. The RFID reader of claim 1, wherein the said first RFID reader supports multiple transmit power levels.

15. The RFID reader of claim 1, wherein the said first RFID reader can vary its rate of transmitting RF energy.

16. The RFID reader of claim 1, wherein the said first RFID reader further contains algorithms for using microwave Doppler analysis to detect motion.

17. The RFID reader of claim 16, wherein the said first RFID reader applies the said algorithms for using microwave Doppler analysis to detect motion to the response wireless communications from a first RFID transponder.

18. The RFID reader of claim 1, wherein the said first RFID reader further contains an acoustic transducer.

19. The RFID reader of claim 18, wherein the said first RFID reader further contains algorithms to process audio waves received by the acoustic transducer, and wherein the algorithms are designed to detect glass breakage.

20. The RFID reader of claim 18, wherein the said first RFID reader further contains algorithms to process audio waves received by the acoustic transducer, and wherein the algorithms are designed to perform voice recognition.

21. The RFID reader of claim 19, wherein the control function contained within the said first RFID reader accepts commands received via voice recognition.

22. The RFID reader of claim 18, wherein the said first RFID reader further contains algorithms to digitize the audio waves received by the acoustic transducer, and retransmit the digitized audio waves via wireless communications.

23. The RFID reader of claim 1, wherein the said first RFID reader further contains a sensor that can monitor an environmental parameter in at least one portion of the building.

24. The RFID reader of claim 23, wherein the said environmental parameter is the presence of smoke.

25. The RFID reader of claim 23, wherein the said environmental parameter is temperature.

26. The RFID reader of claim 23, wherein the said environmental parameter is the presence of water.

27. The RFID reader of claim 1, wherein the said first RFID reader further contains a camera.

28. The RFID reader of claim 27, wherein the said first RFID reader further contains algorithms to digitize pictures recorded by the camera, and transmit the digitized pictures via wireless communications.

29. The RFID reader of claim 1, wherein at least one operation of the said first RFID reader is under the control of a master controller contained within the security network.

30. The RFID reader of claim 29, wherein the said master controller is contained within a device in the security network other than the said first REID reader.

31. The RFID reader of claim 29, wherein the said master controller is contained with the said first RFID reader.

32. The RFID reader of claim 31, wherein the said master controller can send a command controlling at least one operation of another device contained within the security network.

33. The RFID reader of claim 1, wherein the configuration data contained with the said first RFID reader can be changed under the control of a master controller or control function contained within the security network.

34. The RFID reader of claim 1, wherein the program code contained with the said first RFID reader can be updated under the control of a master controller or control function contained within the security network.

35. The RFID reader of claim 1, wherein the said first RFID reader further contains an RFID transponder within the physical packaging of the said first RFID reader.

36. The RFID reader of claim 1, wherein the said first RFID reader further contains an interface to a prior art security system.

37. The RFID reader of claim 36, wherein the said first RFID reader can receive power via the interface to the said prior art security system.

38. The RFID reader of claim 36, wherein the said first RFID reader can receive commands via the interface to the said prior art security system.

39. The RFID reader of claim 1, wherein the said first RFID reader is mechanically mounted to a plate, and wherein the plate can be mechanically mounted to an outlet.

40. The RFID reader of claim 1, wherein the said first RFID reader is integrated with an outlet, and the physical packaging of the integrated RFID reader and outlet can be installed within a standard outlet box approved for use within buildings.

41. The RFID reader of claim 1, wherein the said first RFID reader is integrated with a light switch, and the physical packaging of the integrated RFID reader and light switch can be installed within a standard outlet box approved for use within buildings.