Abstract: A method and apparatus for sending messages from a first network device to a second network device is described. In one embodiment, the method comprises constructing a data packet, the data packet comprising a House Code field for identifying a house code relating to the first and second network devices, the house code for identifying an address common to the first network device and the second network device. The data packet further comprises a Long/Short field for indicating whether the data packet is a long data packet or a short data packet and a Command field comprising a command, the command for instructing the second network device to perform an action. The data packet further comprises a Data field comprising information for use by the second network device to execute the action associated with the command, and an Error Check field comprising error checking information. The data packet is then modulated and transmitting over one or more communication channels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for self-assigning network identification codes to a network device. In one embodiment, a method comprises determining if the network device comprises a default network identification code. If the network identification code comprises a default network identification code, transmitting a first network identification code and determining whether a first response was received to the first network identification code transmission. If no response was received, assigning the first network identification code to the network device. If the first response was received, transmitting a second network identification code and determining whether a second response in response to the second network identification code transmission was received. If so, assigning the second network identification code to the network device.

Abstract: A security method and apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, a security method comprises storing one or more data points representing an alarm condition in a memory, generating an electronic signal from a motion sensor in response to movement of the door or window, comparing the electronic signal to the data points, and detecting an alarm condition of the door or window if the electronic signal substantially matches the data points.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for self-assigning network identification codes to a network device. In one embodiment, a method comprises determining if the network device comprises a default network identification code. If the network identification code comprises a default network identification code, transmitting a first network identification code and determining whether a first response was received to the first network identification code transmission. If no response was received, assigning the first network identification code to the network device. If the first response was received, transmitting a second network identification code and determining whether a second response in response to the second network identification code transmission was received. If so, assigning the second network identification code to the network device.