Abstract: Systems and methods for linking neighborhood cameras and recording video from cameras that monitor public areas proximate neighborhood homes are provided. Some methods can include providing a plurality of cameras, each of the plurality of cameras linked to a respective security system in a plurality of security systems, each of the plurality of security systems protecting a respective building in a plurality of buildings, detecting an alarm event in a first security system of the plurality of security systems, and responsive to detecting the alarm event in the first security system, instructing the plurality of cameras to record video of a public area proximate the respective building in the plurality of buildings protected by the respective security system in the plurality of security systems linked to each respective camera in the plurality of cameras.

Abstract: Systems and methods for linking neighborhood cameras and recording video from cameras that monitor public areas proximate neighborhood homes are provided. Some methods can include providing a plurality of cameras, each of the plurality of cameras linked to a respective security system in a plurality of security systems, each of the plurality of security systems protecting a respective building in a plurality of buildings, detecting an alarm event in a first security system of the plurality of security systems, and responsive to detecting the alarm event in the first security system, instructing the plurality of cameras to record video of a public area proximate the respective building in the plurality of buildings protected by the respective security system in the plurality of security systems linked to each respective camera in the plurality of cameras.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recording video. The method includes the steps of a plurality of security systems within a predetermined geographical area each detecting intruders within a respective home of the predetermined geographic area, a camera associated with each of at least some respective homes of the plurality of private security systems, the camera recording video in a public area surrounding the respective home of the security system, detecting an intruder within a security system of the plurality of security systems and activating the at least one camera within each of the at least some security systems to record video in response to the detected intruder.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing a security system control panel and a sensor. The control panel and the sensor each have a transceiver. The control panel monitors a publicly broadcast signal for an time signal, periodically receives the time signal, calculates a frequency hopping index pointer using the time signal and accesses a frequency hopping table using the frequency hopping index pointer. The frequency hopping table is used by the control panel to determine when to hop between multiple receiving channels and which of the receiving channels to hop. The sensor wakes up from a standby mode when the sensor determines that the sensor is to send data, receives the publicly broadcast signal that includes a time signal, selects the channel that the control panel is actively receiving data using the time signal and transmits the data to the control panel using the selected channel.

Abstract: A passive infrared sensor (PIR) for detecting infrared radiation which includes a lens positioned in a sensor housing, and a pyroelectric element electrically connected to a circuit board within a filter housing positioned in the sensor housing. A microprocessor is electrically connected to a main circuit board and controls a liquid crystal display (LCD) attached to the sensor housing. The lens overlaps the LCD. The LCD has LCD regions corresponding to lens regions of the lens. Using the microprocessor, the LCD regions selectively prevent radiation energy from passing to the pyroelectric element, and the LCD regions selectively allow radiation energy to pass to the pyroelectric element. A signaling device communicates an alarm signal indicating when radiation energy within a specified wavelength band reaches the pyroelectric element.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing a security system control panel and a sensor. The control panel and the sensor each have a transceiver. The control panel monitors a publicly broadcast signal for an time signal, periodically receives the time signal, calculates a frequency hopping index pointer using the time signal and accesses a frequency hopping table using the frequency hopping index pointer. The frequency hopping table is used by the control panel to determine when to hop between multiple receiving channels and which of the receiving channels to hop. The sensor wakes up from a standby mode when the sensor determines that the sensor is to send data, receives the publicly broadcast signal that includes a time signal, selects the channel that the control panel is actively receiving data using the time signal and transmits the data to the control panel using the selected channel.

Abstract: A passive infrared sensor (PIR) for detecting infrared radiation which includes a lens positioned in a sensor housing, and a pyroelectric element electrically connected to a circuit board within a filter housing positioned in the sensor housing. A microprocessor is electrically connected to a main circuit board and controls a liquid crystal display (LCD) attached to the sensor housing. The lens overlaps the LCD. The LCD has LCD regions corresponding to lens regions of the lens. Using the microprocessor, the LCD regions selectively prevent radiation energy from passing to the pyroelectric element, and the LCD regions selectively allow radiation energy to pass to the pyroelectric element. A signaling device communicates an alarm signal indicating when radiation energy within a specified wavelength band reaches the pyroelectric element.