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: 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: 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: A remote-controlled switch cover assembly is described for converting an existing rocker switch into a remote-controlled switch. The remote-controlled switch cover assembly receives a wireless signal to actuate the standard rocker switch and, in response, activates an electric motor that causes a gear train to turn in a first direction. This causes a wiper to engage an under-surface of a tilt plate located above the standard rocker switch and, in response, an opposing end of the tit plate depresses the standard rocker switch.

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: 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: 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 self-configuring sensor and method of operation of the sensor is described. In one embodiment, the self-configuring sensor comprises a first sub-sensor for determining a first status of a door or window, a second sub-sensor for determining a second status of the door or window, a wireless transmitter, a memory for storing processor-executable instructions, and a processor coupled to the first sub-sensor, the second sub-sensor, the wireless transmitter and the memory for executing the processor-executable instructions that cause the sensor to monitor the first and second sub-sensors for detecting changes in a first sub-sensor state and a second sub-sensor state, respectively, and determine an installation configuration based on the changes in the first sub-sensor state and the second sub-sensor state, the installation configuration comprising a type of hardware where the self-configuring sensor has been installed.

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 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 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: 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: 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: 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 security method and apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for providing an alarm for a window by a security apparatus comprises calculating a first distance between a detector mounted within a movable portion of the window and a window frame edge and calculating a second distance between the detector and the window frame edge. The method further comprises determining whether the movable portion of the window has remained stationary for more than a predetermined time period based on the first distance and the second distance and, if the movable portion has remained stationary for more than the predetermined time period, storing the second distance in a memory, placing the security apparatus into an active alarm state, calculating a third distance observed by the detector, determining a change between the third distance and the second distance, determining whether the change exceeds a predetermined distance, and generating an alarm signal if the change exceeds the predetermined distance.

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: 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: A self-configuring sensor and method of operation of the sensor is described. In one embodiment, the self-configuring sensor comprises a first sub-sensor for determining a first status of a door or window, a second sub-sensor for determining a second status of the door or window, a wireless transmitter, a memory for storing processor-executable instructions, and a processor coupled to the first sub-sensor, the second sub-sensor, the wireless transmitter and the memory for executing the processor-executable instructions that cause the sensor to monitor the first and second sub-sensors for detecting changes in a first sub-sensor state and a second sub-sensor state, respectively, and determine an installation configuration based on the changes in the first sub-sensor state and the second sub-sensor state, the installation configuration comprising a type of hardware where the self-configuring sensor has been installed.

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.