Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are described for propagating a primary alert from a premises monitoring system or device by a home entertainment device. A premises monitoring system or device, such as a security system, smoke detector, fire detector, carbon monoxide detector, baby monitor, smart speaker, etc., emit a primary alert when a predetermined event or condition occurs associated with a monitored premises. An indication of the primary alert is received by one or more home entertainment devices, and at least one of the home entertainment devices causes a secondary alert to occur, for example, an audio notification and/or a visual notification from the at least one home entertainment device.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are described for automatically performing home or business-based actions. A predefined geographic boundary may be defined around a home or a business. When a personal communication device inside a vehicle crosses a boundary of the predefined geographic boundary, the personal communication device sends a short range message to a point-to-point transceiver in the vehicle, and the point-to-point transceiver sends a signal directly to a controller in the home or business to automatically perform the one or more home or business-based actions.

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 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 personal communication 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: 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.

Abstract: A motion detector that can automatically adjust a dwell time used by the motion detector to prevent unnecessary transmissions as an activity level of an area increases or decreases. The motion detector determines the activity level in the area and if the activity level is increasing, the dwell time is reduced and vice-versa.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described to automatically re-enable monitoring of a bypassed security sensor by a security system control device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for registering a remote network device with a network control device. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving a query from the network control device requesting that the remote network device provide a network identification code stored within the remote network device, transmitting a response to the query after a time period has expired, the response comprising the network identification code stored within the remote network device, determining whether an acknowledgement message has been received from the network control device, if the acknowledgement message has been received, setting a flag within the remote network device indicating that the remote network device has successfully registered with the network control device, and if the acknowledgment message has not been received, re-sending the response to the network control device after a second time period has elapsed.

Abstract: Described is a security sensor comprising two or more sub-sensors for use in a variety of installations where different magnetic fields may be experienced by the security sensor as a result of the variety of installations. One of the sub-sensors may have a low magnetic sensitivity while the other sub-sensor may have a much higher sensitivity to magnetic fields. In operation, one or both sub-sensors are used to determine if a door or a window has been opened.

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 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: 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, 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: An electronic barrier alarm sensor having a flexible sensing device. The sensor may be mounted to a door, door frame, window, window frame, object or wall to detect when a door or window has been opened, that an object has been moved or to detect the presence of an animal. The flexible sensing device comprises one or more attributes that change as the flexible sensing device is bent, or unbent, by operation of a door, window, removal of an object, or the presence of an animal. Based on the changes, the electronic barrier alarm sensor may transmit an alarm signal when one or more measured values of the one or more attributes changes by more than one or more predetermined amounts.

Abstract: A smart thermostat for controlling the ambient air temperature in a first area when the smart thermostat is located in a second area. One or more desired setpoint temperatures are changed automatically by the smart thermostat based on one or more setpoint modification factors, such as the time of day, current season, location, orientation and present and future weather conditions.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for automatically enrolling wireless end devices with a base station and/or other device or system. A wireless end device is scanned using a smart phone's native capabilities, without the use of a downloadable, third party app. Information from the scan indicates the name of the base station to which enrollment is desired. The base station name is used in an mDNS request in order to determine a local IP address of the base station. When the IP address is returned to the local, wireless communication device, the wireless communication device sends an HTTP GET message comprising attributes of the end device. The base station receives the HTTP GET message and enrolls the wireless end device with the base station. The base station my further alert another base station, system, server or other entity of the enrollment.

Abstract: A person-detection device that automatically configures itself as a motion sensor or an occupancy sensor upon receiving a command from a home security panel or home automation hub.

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

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.