Abstract: A communications scheme enables a central communications station to assist two communications systems located behind firewalls that prevent communication initiated from an external data network to establish direct communication with each other. In one embodiment, the systems separately establish communications with the central communications station and obtain from it the connection information (e.g., IP address, port, etc.) of the other. The systems then directly communicate with each other using the obtained connection information while pretending to be the central communications station. In another embodiment in which the firewalls include NAT devices that implement network address translation, the systems exchange connection information for establishing a new connection through the central communications station and then complete a three-way handshake with the assistance of the central communications station, thereby allowing the central communications station to remove itself from the communication.

Abstract: A bi-polar battery has a positive electrode unit, a negative electrode unit, at least one bi-polar electrode unit stacked therebetween, an electrolyte layer separating each adjacent electrode unit, and a gasket positioned about each electrolyte layer for creating a seal about the electrolyte layer in conjunction with the electrode units adjacent thereto. The bi-polar battery also includes a wrapper for maintaining the seals created by the gaskets.

Abstract: Electronic devices in a local area network (LAN), e.g., a DVD video recorder, plasma display, and audio controller in a home network, are protected by a security system that is networked with the devices. In one aspect, the security system periodically polls the devices to confirm that they are present in the LAN. If a device does not respond, an alarm is set. Installation of the electronic device in an unauthorized network is detected by verifying the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the device, such as when the device attempts to contact a server that provides services such as downloading new or updated software to the device, performing remote programming, and uploading diagnostic data. The devices may encrypt their messages using encryption codes that are unique individually or for a specified group of electronic devices.

Abstract: A synchronizing method and system between a Radio Frequency (RF) transmitter and a battery powered receiver wherein the transmitter transmits short duration first periodic sync signals which are used by the receiver to maintain proper synchronization of the receiver with the transmitter during second periodic wake-up windows for transmission of data. The receiver wakes for a short duration at the start of each periodic wake up window to receive a possible transmission of data, and if no transmission is received goes back to sleep, and if a transmission is received stays awake to receive the full transmission of data. The basic principle is that the average current consumed by the battery powered receiver in order to wake periodically to receive the first periodic sync signals and the second periodic data transmissions is less than the average current required to maintain the receiver awake continuously. The duration (e.g. 14 ms) and periodicity of (e.g.

Abstract: Dual site supervision is provided for a control channel cellular radio for a fire alarm reporting system that uses logic that causes a control channel cellular transceiver to operate in a nonstandard manner and to use a different and second cellular base station or site that the unit would not normally select operating pursuant to a standard cell phone software module. The logic causes the control channel cellular transceiver to monitor and test through more than one cell base station or site, thereby meeting the dual communication path supervision requirement for UL listed communications systems for stand alone fire alarm reporting systems. The available cellular control channels are first scanned, and the signal strength of each cellular control channel is measured.

Abstract: A home or other building security system is interfaced with a vehicle control system, such as for an automobile. The vehicle control system includes a transceiver for receiving commands from the home security system for performing certain actions, such as arming or disarming an alarm system, unlocking or locking doors, opening or closing windows, and starting or stopping the engine. The vehicle control system also transmits status information regarding the vehicle to the home security system. The vehicle can be protected as a zone or partition of the home security system. Furthermore, a remote vehicle monitoring apparatus may be provided that triggers an alarm or annunciation based on its control mode when a change of status signal is received from the vehicle. The control mode is optionally tied to the status of a home security system.

Abstract: An integrated security control system and method which integrate the functions of a wireless security system control panel and a radio transceiver in an integrated security control system unit. The integrated control unit includes a first telephone communication system for communicating security system data by wired telephone communications, and a second radio frequency (RF) cellular communication system for communicating security system data by communications through an RF communication network. The cellular communication system is the primary communication network for reporting a security event, thereby leaving the first telephone communication system open for telephone communications during the reporting of a security event. A separate unit of the security system, such as a wireless RF status display or a wireless RF keypad, is provided with a beeper transducer for sounding entry and exit beeps.

Abstract: Dual site supervision is provided for a control channel cellular radio for a fire alarm reporting system that uses logic that causes a control channel cellular transceiver to operate in a nonstandard manner and to use a different and second cellular base station or site that the unit would not normally select operating pursuant to a standard cell phone software module. The logic causes the control channel cellular transceiver to monitor and test through more than one cell base station or site, thereby meeting the dual communication path supervision requirement for UL listed communications systems for stand alone fire alarm reporting systems. The available cellular control channels are first scanned, and the signal strength of each cellular control channel is measured.

Abstract: An integrated security control system and method which integrate the functions of a wireless security system control panel and a radio transceiver in an integrated security control system unit. The integrated control unit includes a first telephone communication system for communicating security system data by wired telephone communications, and a second radio frequency (RF) cellular communication system for communicating security system data by communications through an RF communication network. The cellular communication system is the primary communication network for reporting a security event, thereby leaving the first telephone communication system open for telephone communications during the reporting of a security event. A separate unit of the security system, such as a wireless RF status display or a wireless RF keypad, is provided with a beeper transducer for sounding entry and exit beeps.

Abstract: A communication system includes a common receiver unit and a plurality of satellite transmitter units remote from the receiver unit. Each transmitter unit has a logic section and a transmitter section, and each transmitter unit is switchable between a standby mode in which no message is to be sent to the receiver unit and an active mode in which a message is to be sent to the receiver unit. The logic section generates status messages and data messages, the format of the status message including an address portion identifying the transmitter unit and an indicator portion shiftable between first and second values. During a standby mode, the transmitter unit periodically and repetitively generates status messages in which the indicator portion is set to the first value, and only during an active mode of the transmitter unit when the transmitter section is sending a message to the receiver unit, the indicator portion of the status message is switched to the second value.