Abstract: A digital processor-based remote controller of a wireless remote control system includes a small number of manual input devices, such as keys and scroll wheels, and a graphical user interface. The remote controller can have a single scroll wheel with internal push-to-activate switch, and a small display. This configuration minimizes the size of the remote controller, while allowing for a large number of different control commands to be transmitted to the controlled system. In addition, the remote controller can be configured by the user of both right- and left-handed operation.

Abstract: A security system provides interaction between the system's remote control (RC) device and field disturbance sensor/proximity detector. In selected embodiments, the system enables a user to adjust the detector's sensitivity through the RC device. The user puts the system in a programming mode and creates simulated security breach events. The system stores detector output corresponding to the events, and sets the detector's sensitivity based on the stored output. In embodiments, the system includes passive remote capability that automatically performs commands when a user approaches its base station. The base station uses output of the proximity detector to sense a person's movement near the base station, and sends an interrogatory transmission to the RC device. If the device is nearby, it responds to allow the base station to verify the device's identity. After the base station verifies identity of the device, it disarms the security system and unlocks the automobile doors.

Abstract: A remote control (RC) device and base station of a security system communicate automatic passive remote control commands at a lower power level than the level used to transmit other information. Lowering the power level of the passive remote control transmissions from the RC device decreases energy consumption and improves battery life. Additionally, the range of the automatic commands is shortened, potentially avoiding some unwanted door lock activations, security system arming and disarming events, and similar occurrences. At the same time, the range of the user-entered commands does not suffer. In embodiments where the RC device sends passive remote control commands in response to periodic interrogatory transmissions from the base station, the power level of the interrogatory transmissions is lower than the power level of other transmissions. Thus, frequency of unwanted door lock activations and arming/disarming events is decreased, while the range of other transmissions from the base station is unchanged.

Abstract: A system for monitoring an area and sounding an alarm comprising. The system employs one or more sensors positioned about the protected area. Each sensor has one or more pulse generators generating one or more pulses each with a preassigned pulsewidth. The sensors are connected to a controller by a single wire. The controller sounds an alarm upon receipt of one or more pulses and identifies the sensor actuating the alarm by the measured pulsewidth.

Abstract: A method of indicating a degree of incoming threat to an electronically secured area consists of the steps of sensing via sensor a degree of threat delivered to a secured area and generating an electric signal proportional to the degree of threat; analyzing the signal to determine if it is a low degree of threat or a high degree of threat; and producing either a first pulse representing low degree of threat or separately producing the first pulse and a second pulse representing a signal having both low degree of threat and high degree of threat.