Abstract: A security system includes a system control panel for arming and disarming a security system. A door sensing unit is mounted proximate to a door to be monitored. The door sensing unit includes a door contact, a radio frequency (RF) transceiver, and a low frequency (LF) transmitter. The door contact is configured to detect open and closed states of the door. The RF transceiver is interconnected with the system control panel over a network and the LF transmitter transmits an LF data packet when the door contact detects the open state of the door. A disarm device having an LF detection circuit detects the LF data packet. The disarm device transmits an RF disarm data packet based on the LF data packet. The RF transceiver transmits a disarm message to the system control panel over the network to disarm the security system based on the RF disarm data packet.

Abstract: The IR sensor is configured to be mounted proximate to a door to be monitored. The IR sensor has an IR transmitter and an IR receiver. The IR transmitter has an active period and an idle period. The IR transmitter transmits control data packets which are provided by the processor during the active period. The IR receiver has an active period for detecting IR data and reflected data packets. Each of the reflected data packets has a packet IR reflectivity. The memory stores a door IR reflectivity associated with a door surface of the door, and the processor compares the packet IR reflectivity to the door IR reflectivity to determine at least a door position of the door.

Abstract: A security system comprises a system control panel for arming and disarming the security system. A door sensing unit comprises a first radio frequency (RF) transceiver interconnected with the system control panel over a network. The first RF transceiver is mounted proximate to a door that defines at least a portion of a perimeter around an area to be monitored by the security system. The first RF transceiver has an RF detection field proximate to the door. A disarm device comprises a second RF transceiver that automatically transmits a disarm device packet. The first RF transceiver receives the disarm device packet when the second RF transceiver is within the RF detection field. The first RF transceiver sends a disarm message to the system control panel over the network to disarm the security system based on at least the disarm device packet.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for extending the expiration of an entry delay period for disarming a security system based on the entry of a keypress that matches a valid access code before expiration of a preprogrammed entry delay period. The security system includes a plurality of detection devices to detect any number of conditions, a user interface such as a keypad, and a control panel communicating with each of the detection devices and the user interface. The system extends the entry delay period based on the input of each keypress using the user interface that matches a symbol of a valid access code.

Abstract: An alarm system validates values of configuration variables, such as a programmed account code. If the variable(s) is/are not programmed upon exiting system programming, an audible and/or visual indication of such is provided. This may result in a decrease of the number of events signaled to a central station by alarm systems that are not programmed with the correct account code.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for enrolling two-way wireless security system devices (alarms, detectors, lights) in a security system. A controller is provided and is capable of exchanging wireless signals with the two-way wireless devices. The system has an enroll mode where the two-way wireless devices transmit enroll signals to the controller. The enroll signals contain an identifier associated with each device. An installer uses a keypad or other interface device to confirm enrollment of each of the devices. The controller sends an enroll confirmation signal back to the two-way wireless devices confirming that the devices have been enrolled. In response, each of the devices emits an audible or visual enroll confirmation signal to the installer.

Abstract: An alarm system senses alarm conditions on a premises, reports the occurrence of an alarm condition to a remote monitoring facility and for selected alarm conditions establishes two way voice communications with a person at the monitored premises or elsewhere. Multiple modes of communication are available such as public switched telephone (audio or audio modulated data), GSM (cellular audio), GPRS (cellular packet data), GSM/SMS (cellular text), etc. The programmed processor selects the network and communication protocol to rely on data communications if only data reporting is required. When two way voice communications will be required, the processor can select a network (e.g., GSM) that can be used for both data and audio communications.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for enhancing the throughput of signals from a security system receiver to an associated automation server. Multiple parallel Ethernet connections or ports are provided between the receiver and server to enable multiple signals to be transmitted between the two when such signals are received from a client's security system panel. The system and method may access the ports in a variety of orders to provide efficient transmittal of signals from the receiver to the server. In one embodiment, received event signals may be routed though the ports in numeric sequence, forward or reverse. In another embodiment, received event signals may be routed preferentially to the first port, if it is not busy. If the first port is busy then the signal may be routed to the second port, and so on. In a further embodiment, received event signals from specific client panels may be directed through predetermined ports, and a predetermined automation server at the central monitoring facility.

Abstract: A security system including a roam control unit, a plurality of sensors and a user interface device. The main control unit communicates with a remote central monitoring station, when a sensor detects an alarm event. Once the communication signal from the main control unit is successfully transmitted to the central station, a siren is sounded. Thus, the delay time to trigger the siren is dynamic based on the time it takes for successful transmission of an alarm notification to the central station. This dynamic delay accounts for transmission interruptions between the security system, and the central station and allows the location of the main unit and/or the siren from being detected prior to successful, alarm transmission, to the central station.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for communicating heartbeat signals representative of the condition of a security system to a monitoring station. A controller is provided that transmits a heartbeat signal to a monitoring station within a given time period and awaits an acknowledgement signal from the monitoring station. If an acknowledgement signal is received within a time interval from the transmission of the heartbeat signal, then the time period is reset and another heartbeat signal is not sent until the next time period. If an acknowledgement signal is not received by the controller within a few seconds of transmitting the heartbeat signal, then another heartbeat signal is sent from the controller to the monitoring station. Heartbeat signals are only transmitted from the controller if an acknowledgement signal is not received from the monitoring station. In this manner, the amount of data sent over a communication link is reduced.

Abstract: An alarm system comprises: an audio interface comprising: a microphone; a state sensor for sensing a state at the audio interface; a signal generator for generating an inaudible state signal indicative of the state; a multiplexer for combining an audio signal from the microphone and the state signal; a control panel for monitoring sensed conditions at the audio interface; a conductor interconnecting the audio interface to the control panel carrying audio signal and the state signal as combined from the audio interface to the control panel.

Abstract: A security system comprises a control panel configured to control devices in a security system, a keypad and an arm/disarm device. The keypad is in communication with the control panel and comprises a transceiver configured to communicate with the control panel and a magnet having a magnetic field extending within a predetermined proximity of the keypad. The arm/disarm device comprises a transmitter and a switch configured to activate the transmitter when the switch is in the magnetic field. The transmitter is further configured to transmit a low power signal when activated. The transceiver is further configured to receive the low power signal and transmit a message to the control panel. The control panel is further configured to change an Armed/Disarmed Mode of the system based on the message.

Abstract: A direct access arrangement (DAA) device configured to interface a security alarm modem with a phone network. The DAA device comprises a receive optical isolator (OI) module and first and second transmit OI modules. The transmit OI modules are joined in parallel with one another to receive signals from the security alarm modem and convey the signals to the phone network. The receive IO and first and second transmit OI modules may each be interconnected to at least partially cancel distortion generated by the first and second transmit IO modules.

Abstract: A surface mount antenna includes a ground plane, a feed line, and a radiating element. The ground plane extends in a first direction on a first side of a substrate. The feed line extends in a second direction on a second side of the substrate. The radiating element includes a plurality of segments disposed on the first side of the substrate and is configured to resonate in a plurality of frequency modes.

Abstract: A planar antenna includes a ground plane on a substrate, a radiating element coupled to the ground plane on the substrate, and a feed line. An impedance tap point is defined by a connection between the feed line and the radiating element and the length of the radiating element defines the resonant frequency of the antenna. A first portion of the radiating element includes an impedance adjustment mechanism for defining the impedance tap point of the antenna and consequently the impedance of the antenna. A second portion of the radiating element includes a frequency adjustment section which adjusts the length of said radiating element and consequently the resonant frequency of the antenna.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for enrolling wireless security system devices (alarms, detectors, lights) in a security system. A controller is provided and is capable of exchanging wireless signals with the devices. The system has an enroll mode where the wireless devices transmit enroll signals to the controller. The enroll signals contain an identifier associated with each device. An installer uses a keypad or other interface device to review each of the devices that have sent a signal, and to accept them for enrollment or ignore them. After review, the controller sends a signal to the devices instructing them to cease transmitting enroll signals to the controller. If the power of an enrolled device is cycled (battery replacement), another enroll command is sent to the controller. The controller determines whether the device was already enrolled, and if it has the controller sends a signal to the device to stop sending the enroll command.

Abstract: A security system comprises a surveillance unit comprising a visible light camera detecting video data from within a first field of view (FOV) and an infrared (IR) imager detecting IR data within the first FOV. An IR detection module determines whether at least a portion of the IR data is one of within a predetermined IR range, above a predetermined IR threshold, and below a predetermined IR threshold. A processor identifies a region of interest (ROI) within the video data to be further analyzed based on an output of the IR detection module.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for recording and evaluating faults in event transmissions between security system components. A panel in a monitored building may send event signals to a receiver located in a central monitoring facility. Event signals may represent a status of individual alarms or sensors in the building, or they may provide a status of the system as a whole. If the quality of the transmission is substandard or in a format that is unacceptable to the receivers the signal data associated with the event is recorded for analysis. Recording is controlled by a line card associated with the receiver, and the signal data is stored in local or remote memory. Signal data can be manually or automatically analyzed to determine the source of the fault. In addition, recorded signal data can be used to build customized software to recognize signals from previously unrecognized or faulty panels.

Abstract: A security system comprises a system control panel for monitoring at least one device on a network. An infrared (IF) sensor located on the network has an IR transmitter and an IR receiver. The IR transmitter transmits control data packets and the IR receiver detects received data packets and IR data. A processor provides the control data packets to be transmitted by the IR transmitter. The processor determines that an external communication device is initiating communication with a target device over the network based on at least the received data packet received by the IR receiver. The processor establishes bi-directional communication over the network between the external communication device and the target device which is one of the processor, the system control panel and the at least one device.

Abstract: A security system comprises a system control panel for arming and disarming the security system. A door sensing unit comprises a first radio frequency (RF) transceiver interconnected with the system control panel over a network. The first RF transceiver is mounted proximate to a door that defines at least a portion of a perimeter around an area to be monitored by the security system. The first RF transceiver has an RF detection field proximate to the door. A disarm device comprises a second RF transceiver that automatically transmits a disarm device packet. The first RF transceiver receives the disarm device packet when the second RF transceiver is within the RF detection field. The first RF transceiver sends a disarm message to the system control panel over the network to disarm the security system based on at least the disarm device packet.