Abstract: An operator interface device is connected to the central control unit of a remotely-monitored security system, which also includes one or more local control units located at monitored sites. A local control unit may initiate a telephone call to the central control unit to alert the operator of an event such as an intrusion at the site. The interface device has a keypad on which the operator can enter commands that are transmitted to the local control unit. A processor in the interface device uses a look-up table, state machine or other predetermined relationship to translate the command entered by the operator into the native or local command recognized by the local control unit.

Abstract: A vehicle exterior light flashing unit for use with a vehicle having a pair of rearwardly projecting red and/or yellow lamps such as brake lights or turn signals and one or more white lamps such as backup lights. The unit, which can be connected to such vehicle without interrupting the existing lamp control circuit, energizes the red/yellow lamps alternatingly with the white lamps to produce highly visible alternating sequence of white and red light to indicate a hazardous condition. If the vehicle also includes a third center brake light, it may be energized together with the other red/yellow lamps to produce a pattern of light having an alternating geometric form of a triangle and a horizontal line to additionally enhance recognition.