Security system with audible link and two-way communication

• US 6,175,307 B1
• Filed: 03/18/1997
• Issued: 01/16/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tyco Safety Products Canada Limited (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Digital Security Controls Limited (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Peterson, John
• Primary Examiner(s): POPE, DARYL C
• Application Number:
  US08/819,769
• Time in Patent Office: 1,400 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.31, 340/825.32, 340/825.06, 340/539, 340/531, 340/541, 340/545.1, 340/545.2, 340/17, 379/95, 379/103, 379/104, 379/105, 379/39
• US Class Current: 340/531
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/014 Alarm signalling to a central station with two-way communication, e.g. with signalling back

Abstract

The security system uses two-way audible type communication signals between a detector and a control panel. Each of these devices include microphones and processing arrangements for filtering the signals to recognize and evaluate the communication signals. The microphone of the control panel can preferably be part of an alarm detection and also part of a two-way voice communication with a monitoring station. This arrangement is convenient to install, reliable and cost effective.

Claims

1. A security system for monitoring a space and reporting unauthorized entry, said security system comprising a control panel and a combination keypad and door sensor, said control panel including an arrangement connected to a telephone system for originating, a telephone communication with a monitoring station, said control panel including a microphone, a signal processing arrangement for the signal from said microphone, a microprocessor and a sound generating arrangement,

said combination keypad and door sensor comprising a plurality of keys for entering codes into said keypad for arming and disarming of said system, a microphone, signal processing means for the signal of said microphone, a microprocessor and a sound generating arrangement,

said control panel and said combination keypad and sensor using said sound generators and said microphones to form a high frequency free air broadcast communication link therebetween, said sound generator of said combination keypad and sensor producing as part of said communication link a communication signal in a high frequency and producing an audible signal portion for the user indicating a requirement to enter information via said keypad which information is communicated to said control panel by said combination key pad door sensor through said communication signal, whereby said control panel and said combination keypad and sensor interact to allow a user to arm and disarm the system at said combination keypad and sensor and have said instructions communicated to said control panel by the two-way free air broadcast communication signal therebetween.

2. A security system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said combination keypad and sensor also uses said microphone as part of a sensing arrangement for detecting other events in the space being monitored.

3. A security system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said microphone and sound generating arrangement of said control panel is used by said control panel as part of a two-way communication channel with said monitoring station when an alarm condition has been communicated to said monitoring station.

4. A security system as claimed in claim 3 wherein control panel also processes the signal of its microphone for signals indicative of an alarm condition in the monitored space and thereby acts as a further sensor of said system.

5. A security system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said control panel also processes the signal of its microphone for signals indicative of an alarm condition in the monitored space and thereby acts as a further sensor of said system.

6. A security system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said high frequency communication signal is at a frequency in the upper audible range.

7. A security system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said high frequency communication signal is at a frequency of about 20,000 kHz.

8. A security system as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said control panel and said combination keypad and sensor include a filter arrangement for partially processing the signals produced by the respective microphones as part of the processing to obtain the communication signal.