Abstract: An alarm interface module is described that permits an alarm monitoring system to be operational through an existing wide area network (WAN) modem that is linked to an existing local area network (LAN) system wherein the alarm interface module has a first LAN port coupled to the LAN system, a second LAN port coupled to an output port of an alarm control panel of the alarm monitoring system, a WAN port coupled to the WAN modem, and a programming element capable of recognizing an identifying address dynamically assigned to the alarm control panels to route data from a remote alarm server to the alarm control panel while also permitting data communications to the LAN system from the WAN modem that are not initiated from the remote alarm server. The security system interface module of the present invention can be used with any security alarm panels, sensors, video devices, etc.

Abstract: A security alarm system that may be selectively armed or disarmed when monitoring a protective premises is described which utilizes the position of an entry door to determine whether the security system should be armed or disarmed. The security system comprises (i) an entry door for permitting ingress to the protected premises from the outside of the entry door and egress from the protected premises from the inside of the door; (ii) means for selectively closing and opening the entry door; and (iii) a switch having a first state indicative of the entry door being in a closed position and a second state indicative of the entry door being in an open position wherein, when the switch is in its first state, the security system is armed and, when the switch is in its second state, the security system is disarmed.

Abstract: A security alarm sensor for mounting between two corner walls is described comprising a housing unit having a housing base for attachment to the corner walls and a selectively detachable housing cover; a circuit board sized for engagement within the housing unit; first and second openings on opposite sides of the housing base; first and second mounting pins selectively movable within the first and second openings wherein said mounting pins have a length and a range of movement so as to have a first position wherein the mounting pins are totally retracted within the housing unit and a second position wherein said mounting pins extend outwardly from the housing unit sufficiently to pierce the corner walls and securely hold the security alarm sensor in place. The installation of the alarm sensor is usually accomplished by first removing the housing cover from the housing base and detaching the printed circuit board prior to mounting the housing base to the corner of the wall.

Abstract: A security alarm sensor for mounting between two corner walls is described comprising a housing unit having a housing base for attachment to the corner walls and a selectively detachable housing cover; a circuit board sized for engagement within the housing unit; first and second openings on opposite sides of the housing base; first and second mounting pins selectively movable within the first and second openings wherein said mounting pins have a length and a range of movement so as to have a first position wherein the mounting pins are totally retracted within the housing unit and a second position wherein said mounting pins extend outwardly from the housing unit sufficiently to pierce the corner walls and securely hold the security alarm sensor in place. The installation of the alarm sensor is usually accomplished by first removing the housing cover from the housing base and detaching the printed circuit board prior to mounting the housing base to the corner of the wall.

Abstract: A security alarm sensor for mounting between two corner walls is described comprising a housing unit having a housing base for attachment to the corner walls and a selectively detachable housing cover; a circuit board sized for engagement within the housing unit; first and second openings on opposite sides of the housing base; first and second mounting pins selectively movable within the first and second openings wherein said mounting pins have a length and a range of movement so as to have a first position wherein the mounting pins are totally retracted within the housing unit and a second position wherein said mounting pins extend outwardly from the housing unit sufficiently to pierce the corner walls and securely hold the security alarm sensor in place. The installation of the alarm sensor is usually accomplished by first removing the housing cover from the housing base and detaching the printed circuit board prior to mounting the housing base to the corner of the wall.

Abstract: A security alarm sensor for mounting between two corner walls is described comprising a housing unit having a housing base for attachment to the corner walls and a selectively detachable housing cover; a circuit board sized for engagement within the housing unit; first and second openings on opposite sides of the housing base; first and second mounting pins selectively movable within the first and second openings wherein said mounting pins have a length and a range of movement so as to have a first position wherein the mounting pins are totally retracted within the housing unit and a second position wherein said mounting pins extend outwardly from the housing unit sufficiently to pierce the corner walls and securely hold the security alarm sensor in place. The installation of the alarm sensor is usually accomplished by first removing the housing cover from the housing base and detaching the printed circuit board prior to mounting the housing base to the corner of the wall.

Abstract: A security alarm system which may be selectively armed or disarmed when monitoring a protected premises is described which utilizes the position of a deadbolt to determine whether the security system should be armed or disarmed. The security system comprises (i) an entry door for permitting ingress to the protected premises from the outside of the entry door and egress from the protected premises from the inside of the entry door; (ii) a lock for selectively locking and unlocking the entry door; and (iii) a switch having a first state indicative of the lock being in a locked position and a second state indicative of the lock being in an unlocked position wherein, when the switch is in its first state, the security system is armed and, when the switch is in its second state, the security system is disarmed. Sensing means are also provided to determine if the lock was engaged from inside or outside the protected premises.

Abstract: A intruder detection system is described comprising a programmable alarm control panel capable of issuing an alarm signal representative of an intruder in a protected zone wherein the control panel is electrically coupled to a plurality of sensors by both a commonly connected status line and individual zone signaling lines between the panel and each sensor. The control panel is capable of providing distinct status information to each sensor to which it is coupled thereby permitting each individual sensor in the loop to be separately operational based on its own status as active or bypassed. For instance, if the sensor of zone 1 is active it can be set to an appropriate stability level for intrusion detection; alternatively, if, at the same time, the sensor associated with zone 2 is bypassed, it can be set to operate as a high sensitivity occupancy detector. The intruder detection system of the present invention utilizes status signals which individually identify and set each sensor.

Abstract: An alarm control panel and keypad for programming a security system having a panel keypad face which includes a plurality of push-button activation keys is described comprising a customized overlay template which is sized to overlay the panel keypad face in a manner which maintains exposure to the push-button activation keys and displays, wherein the customized overlay template is formed by feeding a standard-sized, rectangular paper or plastic sheet through a printer which provides desired written indicia whereby the customized overlay template is separated from the paper or plastic sheet by means of pre-fabricated perforations. The customized overlay template typically could be applied to the panel face by means of an overlaying protective acrylic cover, but also may be glued directly to the face of the panel.

Abstract: A combination temperature unit/intruder sensor is described wherein the thermistor used for adjusting the sensitivity of a passive infrared detector in a microprocessor of the unit is also used for the secondary purpose of indicating whether the ambient temperature of a protected zone falls outside a pre-selected temperature range. The detector, in addition to providing signals indicative of an intruder, can provide indications of possible freezing, thawing, or fire conditions. Both the intruder detection and temperature sensing capabilities are provided in a single, inexpensive housing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for varying the sampling frequency of a Doppler effect device, based on environmental conditions, is described comprising: (i) a transmitter for transmitting energy into a protected area; (ii) a receiver for receiving energy reflected from the protected area and for transforming the received energy into a motion detection signal which is proportional to any Doppler energy received by the receiver; (iii) a processor responsive to the motion detection and operative to automatically modify the sampling frequency when the motion detection signal exceeds a predetermined threshold value and the apparatus has not been operated at each of a plurality of sampling frequencies; and (iv) an alarm coupled to the processor activated when the motion detection signal exceeds the predetermined threshold value and the apparatus has been operated at each of the plurality of sampling frequencies.

Abstract: A dual sensor intrusion detection system utilizes adaptive sensor detection techniques to reduce false alarms.

Abstract: There is disclosed a multi-zone microprocessor fire control apparatus. The control apparatus employs a microprocessor which monitors a plurality of zones. Each zone may be associated with a smoke detector and which smoke detector will provide a predetermined condition when smoke is present in a zone. The microprocessor is controlled to monitor each zone by scanning the zones in a predetermined sequence. The microprocessor is associated with the key pad. According to the present invention, the key pad is accessed by a serviceman who inserts a given code into the key pad indicative of a one man test mode. The microprocessor recognizes the selection of this mode and therefore anticipates receiving an alarm condition due to the fact that the serviceman, after accessing the key pad, will enter a selected zone to provide an intentional alarm at that zone.

Abstract: An intrusion detection system employs a microwave subsystem and a passive infra-red subsystem. Both systems must produce an output signal indicative of an intrusion in order for the system to produce an alarm. There is disclosed a supervision circuit which monitors the number of trips of the microwave system as well as the number of trips of the PIR system. If the number of trips which are indicative of false alarms exceeds preset counts then an alarm is produced indicating that there is a failure in the microwave or the PIR system. The system further monitors the microwave system to determine whether the transmit and receiving diodes are functioning properly. The system will also indicate a fault if an intruder or an object is placed within a predetermined protection dome implemented by the system. Hence the system can produce multiple faults indicative of subsystem failures to notify the user of the system that such a failure has occurred.

Abstract: An intrusion detection loop employing an end-of-line resistor that operates with a voltage window. As the voltage window is increased, the sensitivity of the system decreases. As the window is decreased, the sensitivity of the system increases. By utilizing two comparators each having one input coupled to the loop, one can specify one voltage window when the system is disarmed and hence place the system at maximum sensitivity thereby detecting any borderline problem. In any event, the same two comparators operate to provide a different voltage window when the system is armed and hence desensitizing the loop and therefore reducing alarm probability. In this manner one can determine during the disarmed condition that the loop is operating with a borderline resistance and still employ the system in the armed condition to assure that there will be a reduced alarm probability in view of an undesirable change of the loop resistance.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of fabricating a folded printed circuit board. The method includes the steps of forming first and second apertures in a rigid board along a common line which line is parallel to a side edge of a board then scoring the line to form a break area for said board. The next step includes the formation of terminal areas on each side of the apertures on opposite sides of the line and forming component terminal areas for said board. Automatically inserting said components into said rigid board, while automatically inserting larger diameter wire conductors into said terminal areas to bridge said apertures, breaking the board along the scored line and folding the board with said wires across the apertures forming hinge assemblies for said board.