Abstract: A barrier alarm device for reducing the number of false alarms that may occur in a home security system. In one embodiment, a barrier alarm device, such as a door or window sensor, determines whether a barrier, such as a door or a window, has been opened, determines whether a human being is in proximity to the door or window inside a monitored premises. If a human being is inside the monitored premises when the door or window is opened, it indicates that the human being is authorized to be inside the monitored premises, and an alarm signal is not transmitted to a central security panel, thus reducing false alarms.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for providing energy system status information. A status indication device may be mounted near an entry door for determining when an individual is about to leave an area. When the status indication device determines that an individual is about to leave an area, it displays an energy status to the individual, so that the individual can decide whether to place energy-consuming devices in a conservation mode of operation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described to automatically re-enable monitoring of a bypassed security sensor by a security system control device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting remote network devices. In one embodiment, the method comprises detecting an event and a) transmitting a message requesting a response from one or more remote network devices, the message comprising a first network identification code, and b) determining whether a response to the message has been received, the response transmitted by a remote network device after receiving the message and determining that the first network identification code matches a second network identification code stored within the remote network device, the response comprising identification information of the remote network device. If c) a response has not been received, terminating the method for detecting remote network devices if a pre-determined time period has elapsed since transmitting the message. If d) a response has been received, storing identification information associated with the responding remote network device and repeating steps a-d until no further responses are received.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for registering a remote network device with a control device is disclosed. In one embodiment, a registration information message is received by a bridge device from an unregistered remote network device using a first communication protocol. Identification information within the registration information message is stored in a record in a memory. A second registration information message is transmitted to the control device using the second communication protocol, the second registration information message comprising at least some of the identification information. In response, an acknowledgement message is received from the control device, the acknowledgement message comprising an identification code. When subsequent messages are received from the remote network device, the bridge associates these messages with the identification code, then re-transmits the messages to the control device using the identification code.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for temporarily disarming a barrier alarm in a security system. In one embodiment, a method is described, performed by a barrier alarm in communication with a central controller, where the barrier alarm receives a first signal from a user interface on the barrier alarm to disarm the barrier alarm, disables the barrier alarm in response to receiving the indication, and re-arming the barrier alarm upon receipt of a second signal from a sensor that forms part of the barrier alarm.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described to automatically re-enable monitoring of a bypassed security sensor by a security system control device.

Abstract: A barrier alarm device for reducing the number of false alarms that may occur in a home security system. In one embodiment, a barrier alarm device, such as a door or window sensor, determines whether a barrier, such as a door or a window, has been opened, determines whether a human being is in proximity to the door or window inside a monitored premises. If a human being is inside the monitored premises when the door or window is opened, it indicates that the human being is authorized to be inside the monitored premises, and an alarm signal is not transmitted to a central security panel, thus reducing false alarms.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a programmable barrier alarm are described.

Abstract: A security apparatus is described for determining a condition of a door or window. In one embodiment the apparatus comprises a sensor for measuring an attribute that varies as a first door or window condition is achieved and as a second door or window condition is achieved, and for generating signals indicative of the attribute, and a processor coupled to the sensor for determining the first door or window condition and the second door or window condition based on the signals from the sensor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting remote network devices. In one embodiment, the method comprises detecting an event and a) transmitting a message requesting a response from one or more remote network devices, the message comprising a first network identification code, and b) determining whether a response to the message has been received, the response transmitted by a remote network device after receiving the message and determining that the first network identification code matches a second network identification code stored within the remote network device, the response comprising identification information of the remote network device. If c) a response has not been received, terminating the method for detecting remote network devices if a pre-determined time period has elapsed since transmitting the message. If d) a response has been received, storing identification information associated with the responding remote network device and repeating steps a-d until no further responses are received.

Abstract: A security method and apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for providing an alarm for a window by a security apparatus comprises calculating a first distance between a detector mounted within a movable portion of the window and a window frame edge and calculating a second distance between the detector and the window frame edge. The method further comprises determining whether the movable portion of the window has remained stationary for more than a predetermined time period based on the first distance and the second distance and, if the movable portion has remained stationary for more than the predetermined time period, storing the second distance in a memory, placing the security apparatus into an active alarm state, calculating a third distance observed by the detector, determining a change between the third distance and the second distance, determining whether the change exceeds a predetermined distance, and generating an alarm signal if the change exceeds the predetermined distance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring a door or a window is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method is described, comprising receiving, by a processor, an electronic signal from a motion sensor in response to movement of the door or window, determining a direction of movement of the door or window from the electronic signal by the processor, comparing the direction of movement to a predetermined direction by the processor, detecting, by the processor, an alarm condition of the door or window if the electronic signal indicates that the door or window is being opened, and transmitting, by a transmitter coupled to the processor, an alarm signal when the alarm condition has been detected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for interacting with a security system using a television remote control. Commands sent by the remote control are received by an auxiliary interface device, which then provides the commands to a security system controller either directly, via a local-area network, or via a wide-area network and server.

Abstract: Embodiments of a central security monitoring device for reducing incidences of false alarms in a security system is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method is described, comprising receiving an alarm signal from an occupancy sensor via a receiver, receiving a second alarm signal from a barrier alarm device after receiving the alarm signal, determining, by a processor, an elapsed time from when the alarm signal from the occupancy sensor was received to when the second alarm signal from the barrier alarm device was received, transmitting, by the processor via a network interface, a message to a personal communication device indicating that a false alarm has occurred when the elapsed time is less than the predetermined time.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a software application used on mobile devices that enables professional monitoring services to DIY monitoring systems that lack an ability to communicate with remote monitoring facilities. In one embodiment, alert messages are transmitted by a monitoring system gateway and received by a personal communication device. The alert messages indicate occurrences of events at a monitored premises. When the software application determines that an incoming communication is an alert message, an indication is provided to a user of the mobile device that an event has occurred at the premises, and giving the user a predetermined time period in which to respond to the indication. If the user fails to respond to the indication within a predetermined time period, a message is transmitted to a remote monitoring facility, alerting the remote monitoring facility of the event.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a software application used on mobile devices that enables professional monitoring services to DIY monitoring systems that lack an ability to communicate with remote monitoring facilities. In one embodiment, alert messages are transmitted by a monitoring system gateway and received by a personal communication device. The alert messages indicate occurrences of events at a monitored premises. When the software application determines that an incoming communication is an alert message, an indication is provided to a user of the mobile device that an event has occurred at the premises, and giving the user a predetermined time period in which to respond to the indication. If the user fails to respond to the indication within a predetermined time period, a message is transmitted to a remote monitoring facility, alerting the remote monitoring facility of the event.

Abstract: A programmable barrier alarm includes a sensor, such as a magnetic field detector, for sensing a magnetic field produced by the magnet and for producing an electronic signal associated with the magnetic field, a processor, and, a memory for storing an alarm threshold value and processor-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the sensor to, in a calibration mode of operation, calculate the alarm threshold value based on a first magnetic field sensed by the magnetic field detector when the barrier is in the closed position, and in a normal mode of operation, compare the electronic signal from the magnetic field detector to the alarm threshold value, and generate an alarm signal if the electronic signal falls below the alarm threshold value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring a door or a window is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method is described, comprising receiving, by a processor, an electronic signal from a motion sensor in response to movement of the door or window, determining a direction of movement of the door or window from the electronic signal by the processor, comparing the direction of movement to a predetermined direction by the processor, detecting, by the processor, an alarm condition of the door or window if the electronic signal indicates that the door or window is being opened, and transmitting, by a transmitter coupled to the processor, an alarm signal when the alarm condition has been detected.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling a light fixture having at least one adjustable attribute are described. In one embodiment, a light fixture having at least one adjustable attribute comprises a housing, a light source disposed within the housing, a cover secured to the housing that allows at least some light from the light source to pass, a light control circuit, coupled to the light source and disposed within the housing, for detecting a state change of a switch and for providing a control signal for varying an attribute of the light fixture, and the switch, coupled to the light control circuit and disposed within the housing, comprising contacts that are opened and closed in response to a non-mechanical stimulus external to the housing.