Bi-directional wireless detection system

• US 6,759,956 B2
• Filed: 09/19/2001
• Issued: 07/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Philips North America LLC (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Royal Thoughts LLC
• Inventors: Menard, Raymond J., Quady, Curtis E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pope, Daryl
• Application Number:
  US09/956,474
• Publication Number:
  US 20020080029A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,021 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.1, 340/539.14, 340/539.19, 340/506, 340/531, 340/517, 340/511, 340/524, 340/537, 340/533, 340/3.1, 340/225.36, 340/825.49
• US Class Current: 340/539.19
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 1/08 using electric transmission ; transformation of alarm signals to electrical signals from a different medium, e.g. transmission of an electric alarm signal upon detection of an audible alarm signal
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/001 Alarm cancelling procedures or alarm forwarding decisions, e.g. based on absence of alarm confirmation
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/008 Alarm setting and unsetting, i.e. arming or disarming of the security system
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

A system is described for detecting at least one event of interest. The system comprises a detector, a programmable controller, and a network. Upon detection of an event of interest, the detector communicates that information to the programmable controller through the network. The programmable controller allows a user, who may be in diverse geographic locations, to control the detector.

Claims

1. A security system adapted to communicate over a wireless network, comprising:

a wireless portable detector including a first security sensor, the detector programmable for production of a detection message upon detection of an event by the first security sensor; and

a wireless portable personal control panel adapted for communications with at least the detector over the wireless network; and

wherein the wireless network includes a short range network and a long range cellular network.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising an appliance coupled to the wireless portable detector, the appliance programmable for production of a status signal and wherein the wireless portable personal control panel is adapted for communications with the appliance and wherein the communications include a control message for receipt by the appliance.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the communications include a cancellation message for receipt by the detector.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the communications include a cancellation message for receipt by a central station.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the communications include an arm message for receipt by the detector.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the communications include a disarm message for receipt by the detector.

7. The system of claim 1 further comprising a cellular transceiver coupled to the detector.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the cellular transceiver includes a telephone type transceiver.

9. The system of claim 1 further comprising a cellular transceiver coupled to the control panel.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the cellular transceiver includes a telephone type transceiver.

11. The system of claim 1 further comprising a user interface coupled to the control panel.

12. The system of claim 11 further comprising a keypad coupled to the user interface.

13. The system of claim 1 further comprising a second security sensor coupled to the detector.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the detector is coupled to an appliance.

15. The system of claim 1 further comprising a cellemetry transceiver coupled to the control panel.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein the first security sensor includes a motion detector.

17. The system of claim 1 wherein the first security sensor includes a door switch.

18. The system of claim 1 wherein the first security sensor includes a water sensor.

19. The system of claim 1 wherein the first security sensor includes a smoke detector.

20. The system of claim 1 wherein the first security sensor includes a temperature sensor.

21. The system of claim 1 wherein the first security sensor includes a vibration detector.

22. The system of claim 1 wherein the first security sensor includes a breakage detector.

23. The system of claim 1 wherein the first security sensor includes a carbon monoxide detector.

24. The system of claim 1 wherein the first security sensor includes a proximity detector.

25. A method comprising:

receiving wireless notification of a security event from a portable security detector;

wirelessly transmitting a password to the portable security detector using a portable wireless device; and

wirelessly transmitting an instruction to the portable security detector; and

wherein wirelessly transmitting includes using programmable electronics to select between a long range communication network and a short range communication network.

26. The method of claim 25 further comprising transmitting an instruction to an appliance coupled to the portable security detector.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein transmitting an instruction to an appliance includes transmitting a control message for receipt by the appliance.

28. The method of claim 25 further comprising receiving a wireless status signal from an appliance coupled to the portable security detector.

29. The method of claim 25 wherein receiving wireless notification includes receiving a short range communication.

30. The method of claim 25 wherein receiving wireless notification includes receiving a long range communication.

31. The method of claim 25 wherein wirelessly transmitting an instruction to the portable security detector includes transmitting an arm message.

32. The method of claim 25 wherein wirelessly transmitting an instruction to the portable security detector includes transmitting a disarm message.

33. The method of claim 25 further comprising manually entering a password using a keypad of the portable wireless device.

34. The method of claim 25 wherein wirelessly transmitting includes transmitting using a cellular network.

35. The method of claim 25 wherein transmitting an instruction includes transmitting a cancellation command.

36. The method of claim 25 wherein transmitting an instruction includes transmitting a disarm command.

37. The method of claim 25 further comprising wirelessly transmitting an alarm signal to an emergency response facility after waiting for a predetermined period of time.

38. The method of claim 25 further comprising wirelessly transmitting a cancel signal to an emergency response facility after waiting for a predetermined period of time.

39. The method of claim 25 further comprising receiving an authentication request from an emergency response facility after receiving the wireless notification.

40. A method comprising:

operating programmable electronics to select a network from a long range wireless communication network and a short range wireless communication network;

wirelessly transmitting a signal on the selected network based on a detected security condition;

monitoring for an incoming wireless verification signal from a remote device based on the signal; and

if the verification signal is received, and the verification signal includes a confirmation message, then transmitting an alarm signal to an emergency response facility.

41. The method of claim 40 wherein wirelessly transmitting the signal includes transmitting an appliance status signal.

42. The method of claim 40 wherein monitoring for an incoming wireless verification signal includes monitoring for an incoming instruction.

43. The method of claim 40 further comprising, if the verification signal includes a cancellation message and a password, then cancelling the detected security condition.

44. The method of claim 40 further comprising, if the verification signal does not include a password, then wirelessly transmitting the alarm signal to an emergency response facility.

45. The method of claim 40 further including monitoring for a password with the incoming wireless verification signal.