Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing timed functions in battery-powered, wireless electronic devices, such as sensors or control modules. Such electronic devices comprise a main processor and a co-processor. When the main processor enters a quiescent state in order to preserve battery life, one or more timed functions are transferred from the main processor to the co-processor just before the main processor enters the quiescent state. When the co-processor determines that it is time to perform the timed function, the co-processor wakes the main processor in order for the main processor to perform the timed function.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for detecting the presence of a person in an area monitored by an electronic person detector that may operate both as a security motion sensor and a home automation occupancy sensor.

Abstract: An electronic device lacking an internal power supply comprises electronic circuitry, an external power adapter having an input connector for receiving AC power from a conventional AC power outlet and for providing a low-voltage output signal to an output connector, and a first port electronically coupled to the electronic circuitry for receiving the low-voltage output signal from the output connector of the power adapter and for providing the low-voltage output signal to the electronic circuitry.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for interacting with a security system using a television remote control. Commands sent by the remote control are received by an auxiliary interface device, which then provides the commands to a security system controller either directly, via a local-area network, or via a wide-area network and server. Status and acknowledgement messages are transmitted from the security system controller to the auxiliary device, whereupon they are provided to and displayed by a television in the form of a security dashboard.

Abstract: A light switch cover for converting a standard toggle switch into a remote-controlled toggle switch.

Abstract: An electronic device lacking an internal power supply comprises electronic circuitry, an external power adapter having an input connector for receiving AC power from a conventional AC power outlet and for providing a low-voltage output signal to an output connector, and a first port electronically coupled to the electronic circuitry for receiving the low-voltage output signal from the output connector of the power adapter and for providing the low-voltage output signal to the electronic circuitry.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for configuring a person detection sensor. The person detection sensor may limit its transmissions in accordance with a pre-configured dwell time. The person detection sensor may receive a new dwell time from a remote device. When the new dwell time is received, it is stored in memory and is then used to regulate the number of transmissions of the person detection sensor in accordance with the new dwell time.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an illumination feature for an electronic device. A light cone is used to direct light from a light emitter to an interior surface of a housing of an electronic device in one of a variety of geometric, alphabetic, or numerical designs.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for temporarily disarming a barrier alarm in a security system. In one embodiment, a method is described, performed by a barrier alarm in communication with a central controller, where the barrier alarm receives a first signal from a user interface on the barrier alarm to disarm the barrier alarm, disables the barrier alarm in response to receiving the indication, and re-arming the barrier alarm upon receipt of a second signal from a sensor that forms part of the barrier alarm.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring a door or a window is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method is described, comprising receiving, by a processor, an electronic signal from a motion sensor in response to movement of the door or window, determining a direction of movement of the door or window from the electronic signal by the processor, comparing the direction of movement to a predetermined direction by the processor, detecting, by the processor, an alarm condition of the door or window if the electronic signal indicates that the door or window is being opened, and transmitting, by a transmitter coupled to the processor, an alarm signal when the alarm condition has been detected.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods and apparatus for detecting a pattern warning signal from a hazard detector in the presence of a second pattern warning signal from a second hazard detector. In one embodiment, hazard detector monitoring device converts a pattern warning signal and a second pattern warning signal into a composite electronic signal, each of the first and second pattern warning signals comprising an on-time period followed by an off-time period. Next, the composite electronic signal is converted into a digital signal and then an on-time duration of the digital signal is determined as a time that the digital signal exceeded a first voltage threshold. Finally, an alarm signal is transmitted to a receiver when the pattern warning signal has been determined to be present, based on the on-time duration.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are directed towards identifying users in a room by an intelligent personal assistant for automatic control of certain devices controlled by the assistant. The assistant may have a retractable, reflector that is used to identify persons in the vicinity of the assistant when the retractable, reflector is in an extended position. The retractable, reflector may additionally be stowed inside the assistant to stop processing visual information in the vicinity of the assistant.

Abstract: Embodiments of a central security monitoring device for reducing incidences of false alarms in a security system is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method is described, comprising receiving an alarm signal from an occupancy sensor via a receiver, receiving a second alarm signal from a barrier alarm device after receiving the alarm signal, determining, by a processor, an elapsed time from when the alarm signal from the occupancy sensor was received to when the second alarm signal from the barrier alarm device was received, transmitting, by the processor via a network interface, a message to a personal communication device indicating that a false alarm has occurred when the elapsed time is less than the predetermined time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for providing energy system status information. A status indication device may be mounted near an entry door for determining when an individual is about to leave an area. When the status indication device determines that an individual is about to leave an area, it displays an energy status to the individual, so that the individual can decide whether to place energy-consuming devices in a conservation mode of operation.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for programming a sensor at a customer location is disclosed. A defective sensor at a customer location is replaced by a new sensor that is programmed at the customer location using a programming device or a transducer coupled to a computing device. The new sensor is programming using the sensor's detector normally used to sense a change in a magnetic field, an RF signal, infra-red light, or some other emission or property.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for automatically disarming a security system. For example, a method for automatically disarming a security system is described, comprising determining, by a personal communication device, when a person is in proximity to the person's home or business and, in response to determining that the person is in proximity to the person's home or business, transmitting a disarm command by the personal communication device to a security controller for the security controller to disarm the security system.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a software application used on mobile devices that enables professional monitoring services to DIY monitoring systems that lack an ability to communicate with remote monitoring facilities. In one embodiment, alert messages are transmitted by a monitoring system gateway and received by a personal communication device. The alert messages indicate occurrences of events at a monitored premises. When the software application determines that an incoming communication is an alert message, an indication is provided to a user of the mobile device that an event has occurred at the premises, and giving the user a predetermined time period in which to respond to the indication. If the user fails to respond to the indication within a predetermined time period, a message is transmitted to a remote monitoring facility, alerting the remote monitoring facility of the event.

Abstract: A barrier alarm device for reducing the number of false alarms that may occur in a home or business security system. In one embodiment, a barrier alarm device, such as a door or window sensor, determines whether a barrier, such as a door or a window, has been opened, and determines whether a human being is inside a premises in proximity to the door or window. If a human being is inside the monitored premises when the door or window is opened, it indicates that the human being is authorized to be inside the monitored premises, and the barrier alarm device transmits a timed alarm signal to a central security panel, causing a security response to be generated by the central security panel if a predetermined time period elapses without a user canceling the security response.