System and method for capturing and rerouting an individual local security system

• US 20060232399A1
• Filed: 04/15/2005
• Published: 10/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ademco Inc. (Resideo Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Martin, Christopher D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,330,109 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.160
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/008 Alarm setting and unsetting, i.e. arming or disarming of the security system
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/14 Central alarm receiver or annunciator arrangements

Abstract

A method and system used by a central monitoring station to monitor and control a local installed security system. The method includes programming into a receiver an identifier for a local security system to be captured and controlled. Programming a control instruction for the local installed system into a receiver. Transmitting the control instruction to a local security system. The method and apparatus allows a central monitoring station to obtain control of an installed security system even in the case where ownership of the security system has changed hands and the identification number has changed. The apparatus includes a plurality of receivers and transmitters for transmitting information between the central monitoring station and a plurality of installed security systems, an automation computer for processing received messages from the installed security systems, and a configuration computer that configures and controls the installed local security systems.

Claims

1. A method of controlling an installed security system that is reporting to a central monitoring station, the method including the steps of:

programming one or more individual security system identifiers into a receiver;

capturing one of said one or more of individual security systems when said one individual security system reports into said central monitoring station; and

transmitting at least one preprogrammed message to a captured individual security system.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of programming said one or more individual security system identifiers further comprises the steps of:

navigating through a series of menus using a user interface means;

selecting from said series of menus a capture option; and

entering said one or more individual security system identifiers into the receiver.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

receiving a signal from one or more individual security system; and

responding to said signal prior to capturing said one or more individual security system.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of capturing one or more individual security system, further comprises:

sending a capture signal to said one or more individual security system; and

receiving said capture signal from the central monitoring station wherein said one or more individual security system remains connected to one of a plurality of receivers in response to said capture signal.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transmitting at least one preprogrammed message occurs after said one or more individual security system is captured.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said preprogrammed message is an instruction to said one or more local security system to download a new configuration computer identification number and to callback the central monitoring station using said new configuration number.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said preprogrammed message is an instruction to download new contact numbers such that the local installed security system is redirected to a different receiver.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said preprogrammed message is an instruction to shutdown at least a portion of the one or more local security system such that said one or more local security system cannot contact said plurality of receivers.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

entering a plurality of preprogrammed messages into one of a plurality of receivers.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of entering said plurality of predetermined messages include for each of said plurality of predetermined messages:

entering said preprogrammed message into one of a plurality of receivers using a user interface means.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of determining whether said local security system has been programmed into said receiver in the programming step indicating that said local security system should be captured.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one preprogrammed message is displayed on a display means of a user interface of said installed security system.

11. A monitoring system for monitoring and controlling a plurality of local security systems comprising:

means for capturing one or more local security system; and

means for reprogramming one or more functions of a captured local security system.

12. The monitoring system according to claim 11, further comprising a means for programming one or more local security system to be captured.

13. The monitoring system according to claim 11, wherein said means for capturing said one or more local security system includes a capture signal transmitted from a receiver to said local security system.

14. The monitoring system according to claim 11, wherein said means for reprogramming includes a means for programming one or more preprogrammed messages.

15. The monitoring system according to claim 12, further comprising means for determining whether a local security system has been programmed into a receiver indicating that said local security system should be captured as the captured local security system.

16. The monitoring system according to claim 15, further comprising:

means for transmitting one or more of said preprogrammed message to said captured local security system.

17. The monitoring system according to claim 14, wherein said preprogrammed message is an instruction to said one or more local security system to download a new configuration computer identification number and to callback said new configuration number.

18. The monitoring system according to claim 14, wherein said preprogrammed message is an instruction to download new contact information such that the local installed security system is redirected to a different receiver.

19. The security control system according to claim 14, wherein said preprogrammed message is an instruction to shutdown at least a portion of the local installed security system such that said one or more local security system cannot contact said plurality of receivers.

21. A monitoring receiver for monitoring and controlling local installed security systems comprising:

user interface means for inputting an identifier corresponding to a local security system that an operator desires to capture and for entering a plurality of messages to be transmitted to a captured local security system;

determination means for determining whether said identifier stored in a memory section corresponds to a local security system that is calling said receiver; and

control section for capturing said local security system based upon a determination by said determination means.

22. The monitoring receiver according to claim 21, wherein said control section transmits one of said plurality of messages to said local security system after capturing said local security system.

24. A local security system device comprising:

a processor for executing computer-readable program code provided on computer-readable storage medium, the computer-readable program code having instructions which causes said processor to execute the following steps;

receiving a unique control signal from a remote monitoring receiver;

remaining in contact with said remote monitoring receiver upon receipt of said unique control signal;

receiving at least one instruction from said remote monitoring receiver; and

executing said at least one instruction which is received from said remote monitoring receiver.

25. The local security system of claim 24 wherein said computer-readable program code is remotely uploaded to said local security system from a central monitoring station.

26. A computer program product comprising a computer usable storage medium having computer-readable program code embodied in the medium for controlling a processor in a local security system, the computer-readable program code comprising:

program code for receiving a unique control signal from a remote monitoring receiver;

program code for remaining in contact with said remote monitoring receiver upon receipt of said unique control signal;

program code for receiving at least one instruction from said remote monitoring receiver; and

program code for executing said at least one instruction which is received from said remote monitoring receiver.