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: 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 control device is disclosed. In one embodiment, a registration information message is received by a bridge device from an unregistered remote network device using a first communication protocol. Identification information within the registration information message is stored in a record in a memory. A second registration information message is transmitted to the control device using the second communication protocol, the second registration information message comprising at least some of the identification information. In response, an acknowledgement message is received from the control device, the acknowledgement message comprising an identification code. When subsequent messages are received from the remote network device, the bridge associates these messages with the identification code, then re-transmits the messages to the control device using the identification code.

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

Abstract: A barrier alarm device for reducing the number of false alarms that may occur in a home 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, determines whether a human being is in proximity to the door or window inside a monitored premises. 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 an alarm signal is not transmitted to a central security panel, thus reducing false alarms.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a programmable barrier alarm are described.

Abstract: A security apparatus is described for determining a condition of a door or window. In one embodiment the apparatus comprises a sensor for measuring an attribute that varies as a first door or window condition is achieved and as a second door or window condition is achieved, and for generating signals indicative of the attribute, and a processor coupled to the sensor for determining the first door or window condition and the second door or window condition based on the signals from the sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for detecting a pattern warning signal from a hazard alarm and sending an alert signal to a home security panel for notification to a remote monitoring station. The apparatus is mounted proximate to the hazard alarm, where it receives audible pattern warning signals from the hazard alarm when the hazard alarm detects a hazard, such as smoke, fire, carbon monoxide, etc. A user of the apparatus enters identification of the hazard alarm into the apparatus. When a pattern warning signal has been detected by the apparatus, the apparatus transmits an alert signal to the home security panel, as well as the identification of the hazard alarm that generated the audible pattern warning signal.

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 for detecting remote network devices. In one embodiment, the method comprises detecting an event and a) transmitting a message requesting a response from one or more remote network devices, the message comprising a first network identification code, and b) determining whether a response to the message has been received, the response transmitted by a remote network device after receiving the message and determining that the first network identification code matches a second network identification code stored within the remote network device, the response comprising identification information of the remote network device. If c) a response has not been received, terminating the method for detecting remote network devices if a pre-determined time period has elapsed since transmitting the message. If d) a response has been received, storing identification information associated with the responding remote network device and repeating steps a-d until no further responses are received.

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: The present disclosure relates to a software application used on mobile devices that enables professional monitoring services to DIY monitoring systems that lack an ability to communicate with remote monitoring facilities. In one embodiment, alert messages are transmitted by a monitoring system gateway and received by a personal communication device. The alert messages indicate occurrences of events at a monitored premises. When the software application determines that an incoming communication is an alert message, an indication is provided to a user of the mobile device that an event has occurred at the premises, and giving the user a predetermined time period in which to respond to the indication. If the user fails to respond to the indication within a predetermined time period, a message is transmitted to a remote monitoring facility, alerting the remote monitoring facility of the event.

Abstract: A remote controlled light switch cover assembly is described for converting a standard rocker switch into a remote controlled switch. In one embodiment, a method is described, performed by the remote controlled light switch cover, comprising receiving a wireless signal to actuate the standard rocker switch, activating an electric motor that causes a wiper to move along a surface of the standard rocker switch, detecting when the wiper has actuated the standard rocker switch, causing the electric motor to rotate in a reverse direction from the first direction, which causes the wiper to move back towards a valley of the standard rocker switch, detecting when the wiper is positioned over the valley, and in response to detecting when the wiper is positioned over the valley, causing the electric motor to stop rotating, causing the wiper to remain positioned over the valley.

Abstract: A programmable barrier alarm includes a sensor, such as a magnetic field detector, for sensing a magnetic field produced by the magnet and for producing an electronic signal associated with the magnetic field, a processor, and, a memory for storing an alarm threshold value and processor-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the sensor to, in a calibration mode of operation, calculate the alarm threshold value based on a first magnetic field sensed by the magnetic field detector when the barrier is in the closed position, and in a normal mode of operation, compare the electronic signal from the magnetic field detector to the alarm threshold value, and generate an alarm signal if the electronic signal falls below the alarm threshold value.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling a light fixture having at least one adjustable attribute are described. In one embodiment, a light fixture having at least one adjustable attribute comprises a housing, a light source disposed within the housing, a cover secured to the housing that allows at least some light from the light source to pass, a light control circuit, coupled to the light source and disposed within the housing, for detecting a state change of a switch and for providing a control signal for varying an attribute of the light fixture, and the switch, coupled to the light control circuit and disposed within the housing, comprising contacts that are opened and closed in response to a non-mechanical stimulus external to the housing.

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 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, performing one or more actions when the elapsed time is greater than the predetermined time, and refraining from performing the one or more actions when the elapsed time is less than the predetermined time.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting a pattern warning signal from a hazard alarm. In one embodiment, a buffer memory is used to store filtered, digitized information from an audio or optical detection device. A processor evaluates the information in the buffer memory to determine when a long lull time occurs between energy peaks present in a sampling of information from the analog-to-digital converter. The results are compared to at least one temporal pattern characteristic to determine if the hazard alarm has detected a hazardous condition.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a programmable barrier alarm are described. In one embodiment, a programmable barrier alarm comprises a magnet and a sensor, the sensor comprising a magnetic field detector for sensing a magnetic field produced by the magnet and for producing an electronic signal associated with the magnetic field, a processor, and, a memory for storing an alarm threshold value and processor-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the sensor to, in a calibration mode of operation, calculate the alarm threshold value based on a first magnetic field sensed by the magnetic field detector when the barrier is in the closed position, and in a normal mode of operation, compare the electronic signal from the magnetic field detector to the alarm threshold value, and generate an alarm signal if the electronic signal falls below the alarm threshold value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for registering a remote network device with a control device is disclosed. In one embodiment, a registration information message is received by a bridge device from an unregistered remote network device using a first communication protocol. Identification information within the registration information message is stored in a record in a memory. A second registration information message is transmitted to the control device using the second communication protocol, the second registration information message comprising at least some of the identification information. In response, an acknowledgement message is received from the control device, the acknowledgement message comprising an identification code. When subsequent messages are received from the remote network device, the bridge associates these messages with the identification code, then re-transmits the messages to the control device using the identification code.