Abstract: A home security and automation system includes multi-sensor sensor devices that communicate with a base unit. Each sensor device is a self-identifying multi-function device that includes a housing, multiple sensors disposed in the housing, and a communication device disposed in the housing that permits communication between the sensor device and the base unit. Each sensor device is configured to be operated in multiple operating modes, and an active operating mode of each sensor device, corresponding to one operating mode selected from the several possible operating modes, is determined by the orientation in space of the sensor device housing. The base unit is configured to receive from each sensor device information identifying the active operating mode.

Abstract: A surveillance camera system includes a camera that acquires images and that has an adjustable field of view. A processing device is operably coupled to the camera. The processing device allows a user to define a virtual mask within the acquired images. The processing device also tracks a moving object of interest in the acquired images with a reduced level of regard for areas of the acquired images that are within the virtual mask.

Abstract: A bracket assembly is used to secure a housing to a support structure such as a post, wall or ceiling. The bracket assembly includes an inner bracket, an outer bracket and a connector. The inner bracket is configured to be mounted on the support structure separately from the outer bracket, and the outer bracket is configured to be quickly mounted on the inner bracket. The outer bracket and connector are joined by a ball and socket joint. Angular adjustment of the ball relative to the socket is made prior to mounting of the outer bracket on the inner bracket, and the desired orientation is maintained using a clamping assembly. The bracket assembly includes sealing features that prevent moisture from entering the assembly.

Abstract: A housing assembly includes a base and a front assembly assembled with the base. The base includes a bottom and a sidewall that surrounds a peripheral edge of the bottom, and the front assembly is configured to engage with the sidewalls and close an open end of the base. The front assembly includes a latch that protrudes inward from an inner surface, and a spring-biased cam is rotatably supported on the base. The cam includes a cam surface that is engaged with the latch in such a way that rotation of the cam about the rotational axis results in a translation of the front assembly relative to the base in a direction parallel to the cam rotational axis. The cam is manually actuated using a tool.

Abstract: A bracket assembly is used to secure a housing to a support structure such as a post, wall or ceiling. The bracket assembly includes an inner bracket, an outer bracket and a connector. The inner bracket is configured to be mounted on the support structure separately from the outer bracket, and the outer bracket is configured to be quickly mounted on the inner bracket. The outer bracket and connector are joined by a ball and socket joint. Angular adjustment of the ball relative to the socket is made prior to mounting of the outer bracket on the inner bracket, and the desired orientation is maintained using a clamping assembly. The bracket assembly includes sealing features that prevent moisture from entering the assembly.

Abstract: A bracket assembly is used to secure a housing to a support structure such as a post, wall or ceiling. The bracket assembly includes an inner bracket, an outer bracket and a connector. The inner bracket is configured to be mounted on the support structure separately from the outer bracket, and the outer bracket is configured to be quickly mounted on the inner bracket. The outer bracket and connector are joined by a ball and socket joint. Angular adjustment of the ball relative to the socket is made prior to mounting of the outer bracket on the inner bracket, and the desired orientation is maintained using a clamping assembly. The bracket assembly includes sealing features that prevent moisture from entering the assembly.

Abstract: A motion sensor housing includes a base and a lens holder that is supported on the base. The motion sensor is disposed in the housing between the base and the lens holder so as to face the lens holder, and a frameless lens is supported on an outer surface of the lens holder in such a way that the lens provides the outermost surface of the housing. In addition, when the motion sensor housing is viewed facing the lens, the lens holder is not visible, and the outward-facing surface of the lens is free of edges, borders and/or discontinuities.

Abstract: A video tracking system and method are provided for tracking a target object with a video camera.

Abstract: A surveillance camera system includes a camera that acquires images and that has an adjustable field of view. A processing device is operably coupled to the camera. The processing device allows a user to define a virtual mask within the acquired images. The processing device also tracks a moving object of interest in the acquired images with a reduced level of regard for areas of the acquired images that are within the virtual mask.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for installing and programming a network interface module within a security system. A security programming system may be implemented from a computing device connected over a network with the network interface module. The computing device may communicate with a server storing components of the security programming system. The security programming system may include user interface components located on the server and accessible through a browser of the computing device to enable selection of a network interface module participating in the security system and selection of a security system application program. The system may additionally include one or more programming applications located on the server for programming the selected network interface module to operate within the security system, wherein the programming application is selectable from the user browser of the computing device.

Abstract: A modular building system arrangement includes a plurality of electrical building systems. Each electrical building system has a housing with a mechanical connector that is connectable with a like connector of each other building system housing. Members of any subset of the building system housings are connectable with each other to form a building system assembly. The building systems of the building system assembly conjointly define an electrically conductive pathway interconnecting each of the building systems of the building system assembly. The pathway carries power and/or data.

Abstract: A modular building system arrangement includes a plurality of electrical building systems. Each electrical building system has a housing with a mechanical connector that is connectable with a like connector of each other building system housing. Members of any subset of the building system housings are connectable with each other to form a building system assembly. The building systems of the building system assembly conjointly define an electrically conductive pathway interconnecting each of the building systems of the building system assembly. The pathway carries power and/or data.

Abstract: A method of transmitting a message from a security system to a central station receiver includes receiving at the security system an IP address associated with the central station receiver. An attempt is made to transmit the message from the security system to the central station receiver by use of the IP address. In response to a failure to receive at the security system an acknowledgement from the central station receiver that the message was received, the security system is used to query a Domain Name Server for a current IP address associated with the central station receiver. The query is dependent upon a domain name of the central station receiver. The current IP address associated with the central station receiver is received and used to re-attempt the transmitting of the message from the security system to the central station receiver.

Abstract: A method of arming or disarming a building security system includes transferring an electronic security credential file from an authorizing environment to a mobile computing device. The electronic security credential file is read by the mobile computing device to extract authentication data. The authentication data is transmitted from the mobile computing device and received at the building security system. Within the building security system, the authentication data is used to verify that a user of the mobile computing device is authorized to communicate with the building security system. The mobile computing device is enabled to communicate with the building security system only if the electronic security credential file has been used to verify that a user of the mobile computing device is authorized to communicate with the building security system.

Abstract: A building security system includes means for detecting human motion. An imaging device scans for a visible code in response to the detection of human motion by the detecting means. A security device deciphers the scanned code, determines an authorization level associated with the deciphered code, and provides the human with a level of access to the building commensurate with the authorization level.

Abstract: A building security system includes a security sensor for sensing a security breach associated with a building. An electronic location-detecting device senses fixed geographic coordinates of the building. An electronic processor responds to a security breach sensed by the security sensor by transmitting an alarm signal to a central monitoring station. The alarm signal includes the fixed geographic coordinates of the building sensed by the location-detecting device.