Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the whereabouts of a patient in a house using security system components such as motion detectors and the like, and for providing automated lighting sequences to strategically located light fixtures for use as an aide in the patient walking around the house unattended.

Abstract: A security system that secures a building includes a weather detector for detecting weather conditions, such as thunder or high winds, which are likely to cause false alarms in sensors such as an acoustic glass break sensor, shock sensor and vibration sensor. The weather detector may include a sensing component that senses atmospheric conditions external to the building, such as temperature, pressure, wind speed and/or lightning. The weather detector may also include a component for receiving a data communication, such as from a radio, Internet, or telephone link, indicating that the weather condition is present in a vicinity of the building. The security system operates in a bad weather mode by requiring corroboration of intrusion detection signals from the sensors that can cause false alarms.

Abstract: A method of protecting an asset having engine which includes the steps of providing a kill switch cooperating with the engine on the asset, providing a communications receiver connected to the kill switch, providing a security system having a security panel for a protected premises, providing a communications transmitter connected to the security panel, and transmitting a signal sequentially from the security panel to the transmitter, then to the receiver and then to the kill switch. The invention also includes apparatus for protecting an associated asset having engine which includes a kill switch cooperating with the engine on the associated asset, a communications receiver connected to the kill switch, a security system having a security panel for an associated protected premises, and a communications transmitter connected to the security panel.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of automatically configuring security system control panels by using calling number information that is provided by a telephone call made to a specified telephone number, such as Calling Number Delivery (CND) information that is provided by a telephone call made to a toll free (800) telephone number. After an initial installation of a security system at an installation site, the security system control panel dials the specified telephone number to establish a telephone connection to a security company database center. The security company database center receives the calling number information that includes the telephone number of the installation site, and utilizes the telephone number of the installation site to look up in a database the security system control panel configuration information.

Abstract: A synchronizing method and system between a Radio Frequency (RF) transmitter and a battery powered receiver wherein the transmitter transmits short duration first periodic sync signals which are used by the receiver to maintain proper synchronization of the receiver with the transmitter during second periodic wake-up windows for transmission of data. The receiver wakes for a short duration at the start of each periodic wake up window to receive a possible transmission of data, and if no transmission is received goes back to sleep, and if a transmission is received stays awake to receive the full transmission of data. The basic principle is that the average current consumed by the battery powered receiver in order to wake periodically to receive the first periodic sync signals and the second periodic data transmissions is less than the average current required to maintain the receiver awake continuously.

Abstract: The sensitivity of a motion sensor or detector in a security system is adjusted by a remotely-transmitted signal, such as from a user interface device in the security system. In another approach, a pet wears a transmitter on its collar that transmits a wireless signal to command the motion sensor to adjust its sensitivity, e.g., by entering a pet immune mode, when the pet is in the room that is protected by the motion sensor. In another approach, a remote monitoring site sends instructions to the motion sensor via a communication interface. The sensitivity can be adjusted by adjusting a pulse count, optical gain, or electrical or optical sensitivity of the motion sensor.