Component diversity in a RFID security network

• US 20060132303A1
• Filed: 12/29/2005
• Published: 06/22/2006
• 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 7,495,544 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.220
• 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 25/004 Alarm propagated along alternative communication path or using alternative communication medium according to a hierarchy of available ways to communicate, e.g. if Wi-Fi not available use GSM
• 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

Abstract

An RFID security network using system component diversity and system spatial diversity is disclosed. The security network includes a plurality of network base units, each communicating with a plurality of transponders, or security transmitters. Through appropriate distributive placement of the plurality of base units, along with appropriate placement of the transponders, the redundancy and reliability of the RF communication links between one or more base units and one or more transponders is increased. Moreover, because each of the base units is capable of being a communications gateway with an external network, including a telecommunications network, the security network'"'"'s access to an outside telecommunications network is redundant and highly reliable. Accordingly, even if an intruder attempts to disable the security system communications to an external network, the inventive security network has redundant and alternative communication links to an external network. Such component and spatial diversity substantially enhances the security network'"'"'s reliability.

Claims

1. An RFID security network for monitoring a structure, comprising:

two base units; and

a plurality of transponders, each said transponder having two-way communications with the two base units;

wherein the two base units are appropriately located within the structure to provide redundant communication links between each of the two base units and the plurality of transponders.

2. An RFID security network for monitoring a structure, comprising:

a plurality of base units; and

a plurality of transponders, each said transponder being in two-way communications with the plurality of base units;

wherein the plurality of base units are appropriately located within the structure to provide multiple communications links between each of the plurality of base units and each of the plurality of transponders.

3. The RFID security network for monitoring a structure of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of transponders transmit messages at approximately 345 MHz.

4. The RFID security network for monitoring a structure of claim 2, wherein the plurality of base units transmit messages to the plurality of transponders at approximately 2.4 GHz.

5. An RFID security network for monitoring a structure, comprising:

a plurality of base units, each said base unit having a controller function, and each said base unit being a separate gateway to at least one external network; and

a plurality of transponders, each said transponder being in two-way communications with the plurality of base units;

wherein if a base unit is disabled, at least one other network base unit has a communications link to the at least one external network.

6. The RFID security network for monitoring a structure of claim 5, further wherein the plurality of base units are appropriately located within the structure to provide multiple communications links between each of the plurality of base units and each of the plurality of transponders.

7. The RFID security network for monitoring a structure of claim 5, wherein at least one of the plurality of base units is located within a structure separate from the structure being monitored.

8. The RFID security network of claim 5 wherein one of the external networks is the PSTN (“

Public Switched Telephone Network”

).

9. The RFID security network of claim 5 wherein one of the external networks is the Internet.

10. The RFID security network of claim 5 wherein one of the external networks is a broadband internet network.

11. The RFID security network of claim 5 wherein one of the external networks is a CMRS (“

Commercial Mobile Radio Service”

) network.

12. An RFID security network for monitoring a structure, comprising:

at least two base units, each said base unit having at least two antennas; and

a plurality of transponders, each said transponder having at least one antenna, and each said transponder having two-way communications with the at least two base units;

wherein the at least two base units are appropriately located within the monitored structure to provide redundant communication links between each of the at least two base units and the plurality of transponders; and

further

wherein each base unit that receives a message from a transponder transmits a response message to the sending transponder at least once from each of the at least two antennas within each transmitting base unit.

13. The RFID security network for monitoring a structure of claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of transponders transmit messages at approximately 345 MHz.

14. The RFID security network for monitoring a structure of claim 12, wherein the at least two base units transmit messages to the plurality of transponders at approximately 2.4 GHz.

15. The RFID security network for monitoring a structure of claim 12, wherein each of the at least two base units have an antenna in an approximate horizontal orientation, and an antenna in an approximate vertical orientation.

16. A method for an RFID security network, monitoring a structure, to alert an emergency response entity, said RFID security network including a plurality of base units, with each said base unit being a separate gateway to an external network, and said RFID security network including a plurality of security transmitters in two-way communications with each of the plurality of base units, the method comprising the steps of:

at least one of the plurality of base units receiving an alert notification from at least one of the security transmitters;

a first base unit that received the transmitter alert notification attempting to contact an emergency response entity through an external network;

if the first base unit'"'"'s attempt to contact an emergency response entity fails, then a second base unit attempting to contact an emergency response entity through an external network;

if the second base unit'"'"'s attempt to contact an emergency response entity fails, then a third base unit attempting to contact an emergency response entity through an external network; and

each base unit in succession continuing to attempt to contact an emergency response entity through an external network until a successful notification is achieved.

17. The method for an RFID security network to alert an emergency response entity of claim 16, wherein the external network is a PSTN.

18. The method for an RFID security network to alert an emergency response entity of claim 16, wherein at least one of the plurality of base units is located in a structure separate from the structure being monitored.