Abstract: The present invention utilizes the advantages provided by a portable, wearable timepiece such as an electronic wristwatch for integration with a security system and performing various functions as a result of the timekeeping integration. First, the control panel of the security system may be synchronized by the timepiece, either automatically or when selected by a user. Second, the timepiece may be programmed to send certain commands to the control panel at certain times, such as a command to arm the system at 11:00 PM every night. Third, the timepiece can be used to send commands to the control panel on detection of a button press, but only after a countdown delay specified by the user. This gives the user the ability to press a system arm command that would only be sent after a delay of, for example, 15 seconds.

Abstract: The present invention is a method, an apparatus, and a system for detecting a change in position of a door or a window in an alarm system. The present invention is a singular housing with a magnetometer for monitoring the magnetic field of the earth, and a microprocessor for detecting a change in the position of the singular housing with respect to the magnetic field of the earth. The microprocessor generates an alarm signal upon detecting the change, and causes the alarm signal to be transmitted, by wireless transmission, to a remote receiving station.

Abstract: A security system comprising a plurality of remote wireless units, a central control unit and an adaptive console for translating messages in radio frequency signals into messages in signals suitable for transmission over a wire in order to augment the wireless capability of the system. The adaptive console has a wireless receiver for receiving the radio frequency signal, which includes identification and status information from a wireless remote units. The adaptive console also has a processing unit which translates the identification and status information from the radio frequency signal to corresponding function data derived from a mapping of valid identification and status information to function data, the function data representative of a function to be performed by the security system. The adaptive console also has a transmitter which transmits a signal over a wired connection which includes the corresponding function data to the central control unit or a wired security unit.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for maximizing transmission power levels in wireless security systems wherein the transmitted power is adjusted depending on the type of signal being transmitted in order to comply with power level restrictions imposed by agency regulations (e.g. Federal Communications Commission). Higher priority control signals messages are transmitted at the maximum permitted or normal output power level and are not compromised by the requirement for transmission of data signals that are transmitted at a reduced power level. In addition, a method and apparatus for reducing a required quantity of data signal transmissions in wireless security systems is provided, wherein data signals are exclusively transmitted at a reduced power level during an installation mode leaving only control signals to be transmitted at normal power during normal operation mode.

Abstract: A method for ensuring that an adequate signal margin exists between an alarm system's central control unit and its wireless devices during normal operation. The wireless devices include a remote dialer, a remote siren, and a user interface device. During installation of the alarm system, the installer locates the central control unit and the wireless device being installed. An alarm condition is simulated, and an alarm message is transmitted by the central control unit's transmitter at a power level lower than the power level during normal operation. The wireless device indicates if it has successfully received the alarm message, or if it has not, it is relocated and the alarm condition is simulated again until the wireless device indicates that it has received the alarm message. The installer knows there will be adequate signal margin between the central control unit and the wireless device during normal operation when the low power alarm message has been received by the wireless device.

Abstract: A wireless security system having a remote indication device, which operates in a low power mode. The remote indication device provides feedback in the form of a display indicating that a command from a remote control device has been successfully performed or to provide status. The user transmits a first radio frequency signal with a remote control device that is received by a first receiver in the remote indication device during a reduced current mode. The remote indication device then switches to normal current mode, which enables a second receiver, a transmitter, a processing unit and optionally disables the first receiver. The transmitter then retransmits the contents of the first radio frequency signal as a second radio frequency signal to a central control unit via a central receiver. The central control unit then transmits a confirmation or status message back to the remote indication device via a central transmitter in the form of a confirmation radio frequency signal.

Abstract: A security system comprising a plurality of remote wireless units, a central control unit and an adaptive console for translating messages in radio frequency signals into messages in signals suitable for transmission over a wire in order to augment the wireless capability of the system. The adaptive console has a wireless receiver for receiving the radio frequency signal, which includes identification and status information from a wireless remote units. The adaptive console also has a processing unit which translates the identification and status information from the radio frequency signal to corresponding function data derived from a mapping of valid identification and status information to function data, the function data emulating data generated by keypresses on a keypad that is representative of a function to be performed by the security system.

Abstract: A security system comprising a plurality of remote wireless units, a central control unit and an adaptive console for translating messages in radio frequency signals into messages in signals suitable for transmission over a wire in order to augment the wireless capability of the system. The adaptive console has a wireless receiver for receiving the radio frequency signal, which includes identification and status information from a wireless remote units. The adaptive console also has a processing unit which translates the identification and status information from the radio frequency signal to corresponding function data derived from a mapping of valid identification and status information to function data, the function data representative of a function to be performed by the security system. The adaptive console also has a transmitter which transmits a signal over a wired connection which includes the corresponding function data to the central control unit or a wired security unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting interference in radio frequency signals for use in wireless alarm systems which increases a charge voltage in response to a dc-coupled signal during a charging time when the dc-coupled signal contains interference, decreases a charge voltage in response to a dc-coupled signal during a discharging time when the dc-coupled signal contains substantially no interference, compares the charge voltage to a reference voltage, provides an interference status signal in an off state when the charge voltage is less than the reference voltage, and provides the interference status signal in an on state when the charge voltage is greater than or substantially equal to the reference voltage.

Abstract: A self testing wireless data communications system suitable for use with an alarm system, the transmitting element of the communications system is capable of transmitting at two different output power levels. If the message is a supervisory message, it is transmitted at a lower power level than an alarm message, in order to ensure that non-supervisory alarm messages are received with an adequate signal margin.

Abstract: A method for increasing the dynamic range of the receiver/control unit of an alarm system. The alarm system comprises the receiver/control unit, the receiver comprising at least one antenna apparatus and apparatus for switching the antenna apparatus. The control unit, or processing apparatus, comprises signal detection apparatus and apparatus for controlling the antenna apparatus switching. The method comprises the steps of selecting an input to the receiver, wherein the input maybe an output of one or more antenna apparatus or no antenna apparatus, and detecting the presence of a signal. The basis of the apparatus alarm system is the selection of no antenna, which causes the receiver to be approximately 12 dB less sensitive. The switching of the antenna apparatus is preferably accomplished by processor control of switching diodes.

Abstract: A self testing wireless data communications system suitable for use with an alarm system, the receiving element of the communications system is capable of measuring the signal strength (RSSI) of the received message and comparing it with stored signal information from a memory location associated with the ID of the transmitting device. Upon an unfavorable comparison, the system indicates a trouble condition by updating a user-interface visual display and/or alerting a central station. The system may have additional features such as the stored signal information may be updated to produce a running average of the RSSI of each message, or the indication of a trouble condition may include intelligent processing prior to updating a user-interface visual display.

Abstract: A method for testing the signal margin of an alarm system during installation of the alarm system and during the alarm system supervision time. The alarm system comprises a plurality of remote transmitting devices and a receiver/control unit. The receiver/control unit comprises a receiver with at least one antenna apparatus and processing apparatus for processing messages received from each of the remote devices. Both the install mode and the supervision mode cause the receiver/control unit to receive signals at a lower level than normal by selecting an associated antenna configuration. When entering the installation mode, the processor switches the antenna apparatus to a "no antenna" state, and when entering the supervision mode, the processor switches two or more antenna apparatus to an "on" state.

Abstract: A wireless integrated smoke detector and temperature monitoring device. The device comprises a photoelectric sensor for determining the presence of smoke, thermistor for providing a temperature signal reflective of the temperature level, processing means for monitoring the smoke and temperature, and transmission means for transmitting messages to the alarm system controller. Rather than transmitting the actual temperature to the system controller, the transmitter transmits a status message which comprises status bits for low temperature trouble condition, smoke or heat alarm, and also low temperature trouble condition with smoke or heat alarm. To conserve battery power, the device alternates between a sleep mode and a wake mode. During the wake mode the trouble conditions are checked by the processor and if necessary, a status message is transmitted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in wireless alarm systems is provided which enable the simultaneous sounding of any or all alarm devices in the system upon sensing of an alarm condition by at least one of the alarm devices. The alarm devices are battery powered and include a reduced power transmitter which transmits an alarm signal, with an optional address corresponding to the initiating alarm device. The alarm signal is received by a central receiver in communication with a central control unit. The central control unit transmits a broadcast signal to any or all alarm devices in the system via the central transmitter. The broadcast signal optionally includes address information regarding the alarm devices to be activated. Reduced power receivers in the alarm devices receive the broadcast signal, determine if the address corresponds to its own and activates alarm notification and illumination systems accordingly.

Abstract: A self testing wireless data communications system suitable for use with an alarm system, the receiving element of the communications system is capable of measuring the signal strength (RSSI) of the received message signal and comparing it, if it is a supervision message, to a predetermined threshold value. When the supervision RSSI signal is above the threshold, the received message is passed to the control as being validly received; when the supervision RSSI signal is not above the threshold, then the message is ignored.

Abstract: A self testing wireless data communications system suitable for use with an alarm system, the receiving element of the communications system is capable of receiving the message simultaneously at two different sensitivity levels, and during a supervision message, the lower sensitivity path is used in order to ensure that non-supervision alarm messages are received with an adequate signal margin.