Patent Application
20200312121
A premises alarm system, often referred to as a security system, is designed to sound an audible alarm and/or contact a remote facility, such as a central monitoring station or municipal emergency services (e.g., police, fire and/or medical services), in response to specified conditions. For example, the premises alarm system can monitor for opening of doors of a building or house, opening or breakage of windows, monitor for a presence of a person within rooms of the building or house, monitor for the presence of fire or smoke on the premises, and monitor for other conditions. Then, the system can sound an audible alarm and contact either directly, or via the central monitoring station, emergency services (e.g., the police upon detection of an unauthorized person on the premises or fire services upon detection of a fire at the premises).
Certain aspects of the subject matter described can be implemented as a premises alarm system. The premises alarm system includes multiple alarm sensors and a control panel. Each alarm sensor is configured to send a status signal. The control panel includes a processor, a wireless transceiver interoperably coupled to the processor, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium interoperably coupled to the processor. The storage medium stores instructions for execution by the processor. The instructions instruct the processor to perform operations. The operations include receiving an assignment of the multiple alarm sensors to different ones of multiple supervisory zones. The operations include receiving a specified polling rate for each of the supervisory zones. The specified polling rate of one supervisory zone is different from the specified polling rate of another supervisory zone. The operations include monitoring, via the wireless transceiver, for the status signal from each of the multiple alarm sensors. The operations include causing a specified response in response to determining that a status signal was not received from any one of the multiple alarm sensors at the specified polling rate for the assigned supervisory zone.
This, and other aspects, can include one or more of the following features.
The operations can include causing the wireless transceiver to periodically transmit a status request to each of the alarm sensors at the specified polling rate assigned to the respective supervisory zone.
The alarm sensors can include a motion sensor, a door sensor, a window sensor, or a combination of these.
At least one of the alarm sensors can be attached to any one of a person, a pet, a firearm, a painting, a jewelry box, a safe, or a vehicle.
The operations can include causing an alarm signal in response to receiving a signal from any one of the alarm sensors indicating that the alarm sensor has been actuated.
The supervisory zones can include at least 4 and at most 300 supervisory zones.
Each of the polling rates can be between once per second and once per 70 minutes.
The control panel can be configured to be programmable to set the supervisory zones and the corresponding polling rates by a program on a device remotely connected to the control panel.
The specified response can include an alarm signal.
Certain aspects of the subject matter described can be implemented as a method. An assignment of multiple alarm sensors to different ones of multiple supervisory zones is received. A specified polling rate for each of the supervisory zones is received. Each of the alarm sensors are monitored for a status signal. A specified response is triggered in response to determining that the status signal was not received from any one of the alarm sensors at the specified polling rate for the assigned supervisory zone.
This, and other aspects, can include one or more of the following features.
A status request can be periodically transmitted to each of the alarm sensors at the specified polling rate assigned to the respective supervisory zone.
Each of the polling rates can be between once per second and once per 70 minutes.
An alarm can be triggered in response to receiving a signal from any one of the alarm sensors indicating that the alarm sensor has been actuated.
The specified response can include an alarm signal.
Certain aspects of the subject matter described can be implemented as an alarm control panel. The alarm control panel includes a processor, a wireless transceiver interoperably coupled to the processor, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium interoperably coupled to the processor. The storage medium stores instructions for execution by the processor. The instructions instruct the processor to perform operations. The operations include receiving an assignment of multiple alarm sensors to different ones of multiple supervisory zones. The operations include receiving a specified polling rate for each of the supervisory zones. The specified polling rate of one supervisory zone is different from the specified polling rate of another supervisory zone. The operations include monitoring, via the wireless transceiver, for the status signal from each of the multiple alarm sensors. The operations include causing a specified response in response to determining that a status signal was not received from any one of the multiple alarm sensors at the specified polling rate for the assigned supervisory zone.
This, and other aspects, can include one or more of the following features.
The operations can include causing the wireless transceiver to periodically transmit a status request to each of the alarm sensors at the specified polling rate assigned to the respective supervisory zone.
The operations can include causing an alarm signal in response to receiving a signal from any one of the alarm sensors indicating that the alarm sensor has been actuated.
The supervisory zones can include at least 4 and at most 300 supervisory zones.
Each of the polling rates can be between once per second and once per 70 minutes.
The control panel can be configured to be programmable to set the supervisory zones and the corresponding polling rates by a program on a device remotely connected to the control panel.
Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.
The illustrated panel 160 can be a standalone panel, having the needed processor/memory (an in some instances, one or more of the sensors) and software to operate an alarm system (such as alarm system 100). In other instances, the alarm system 100 can be a distributed system having components distributed around the premises 150, for example, having an alarm box with some components (e.g., processor/memory and/or other components) of the alarm system 100 that is separate from the panel 160. In some instances, the premises alarm system 100 may be of a type that is permanently or semi-permanently installed at a residence or business, or can be a freestanding, portable alarm system. The alarm system 100 can be programmed (for example, setting up the various zones, receiving an assignment of a sensor to a zone and logically assigning the sensor to the zone, receiving a specified polling rate for a zone and logically assigning the polling rate to the zone, or receiving a specified response and logically assigning the response to a zone and triggering event) at the control panel 160. In some implementations, the alarm system 100 can be programmed through a program or application installed, for example, on a computer or handheld device (such as a cell phone). The alarm system 100 can be programmed by a user (for example, a homeowner or business owner), a security supervisor (for example, an alarm company tasked with overseeing security of a premises or object), or a remote monitoring center 170. In some implementations, the alarm system 100 is programmed with default settings when manufactured.
In some implementations, the alarm system 100 is configured to communicate with the user, offsite to the monitoring center 170 and/or municipal emergency services via a telephone network, such as a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), Internet Protocol (IP) network or another telephone network. The control panel 160 includes one or more wireless transceivers for communicating wirelessly with other wireless components of the alarm system 100, such as sensors, home automation devices, as well as offsite and with user's mobile devices. In certain instances, the transceivers communicate per Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 (e.g., Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.15.4 (e.g., Bluetooth and Zigbee), Z-Wave (an 800-900 MHz protocol promulgated by Silicon Laboratories, Inc., on frequencies of 319 MHz), 345 MHz, 319 MHz, 900 MHz, cellular (e.g., voice, SMS, and data protocols), and/or in other frequencies and protocols. In certain instances, the alarm system 100 can also communicate with other components of the alarm system 100 via wired connections.
The premises alarm system 100 can include one or more user alarm control panels, either physical panels at the premises or soft user interfaces (e.g., web pages or applications), that allow the user to operate the alarm system 100. The interface panels can include buttons for entering a code preset by the user for identifying an authorized user of the system and to arm/disarm the system. In some implementations, the premises alarm system 100 can be configured to be armed in a number of configurations, including some where fewer than all of the available sensors are armed. For example, the premises alarm system 100 is typically configured to be armed in an away mode and a stay mode, where the away mode arms a certain set of available sensors (typically all) and the stay mode leaves certain sensors unarmed to allow a person to reside within a building or house on the premises without triggering an alarm. The alarm control panel can be provided with away and stay shortcut buttons for arming the alarm system 100 to an away mode or a stay mode.
In addition to the typical garage door 103c, window 103d, door 103e, motion, fire, and other alarm sensors, the premises alarm system 100 can also support various wireless presence sensors 103a and 103b designed to trigger a specified response by the alarm system 100 if the sensor leaves the premises. The alarm sensors are distributed throughout the premises 150, for example, in rooms of the premises 150. The presence sensors 103a are of a type that may not have a triggered and set state, like a window sensor 103d or door sensor 103e, but rather the presence sensors 103a and 103b operate simply by sending a status signal to verify the sensor is still active and able to communicate with the alarm system 100. In certain instances, the status signal from the presence sensor (103a or 103b) is sent in response to an inquiry (for example, a status request) by the alarm system 100. In other instances, the status signal from the presence sensor (103a or 103b) is sent at a specified pre-set or adjustable rate (e.g., once per minute, once every 5 minutes, once every 10 minutes, once every 15 minutes and/or at other rates). The rates at which the presence sensors 103a and 103b send status signals can be the same or different from each other. For example, the presence sensors 103a and 103b can optionally be assigned to the same supervisory zone with the same specified pre-set or adjustable rate. As another example, the presence sensors 103a and 103b can optionally be assigned to different supervisory zones with different specified pre-set or adjustable rates. In some implementations, one or more of the presence sensors 103a or 103b can include or be attached to another type of sensor, such as a motion sensor.
Such presence sensors 103a and 103b can be attached to an object that is meant to be kept within the premises 150. In certain instances, an alarm system user might choose to affix the sensor to an object of value, like a painting, antique, or jewelry, or to a pet or person (e.g., a person with impaired mental abilities), to a firearm, or to another object. Although shown in
The premises alarm system 100 includes multiple hardwired or logical circuits, referred to as “zones,” that can be individually programmed with parameters relating to the characteristics of the sensor or sensors on the zone, the behavior of the alarm system 100 in monitoring sensors on the zone, and the specified responses when a sensor on the zone is triggered. For example, the alarm system 100 might be configured with all exterior doors on a common zone so that, when the alarm system 100 is set to stay mode, opening a door provides a user time to disable the alarm system 100 before signaling an alarm. In another example, the alarm system 100 might be configured with all exterior windows on a common zone so that, regardless of whether the alarm system 100 is set to stay or away mode, opening a window signals an alarm.
One or more of the zones can be set up as a “supervisory” zone where the premises alarm system 100 monitors and, at a specified rate, periodically confirms that it has received a check-in status signal from the sensors to ensure the sensors are active in the alarm system 100. In certain instances, the alarm system 100 can be configured to send status request signals to the sensors to elicit a status signal. If a sensor is not active, for example, because it is out of wireless range (e.g., has left the premises 150), or has otherwise failed or been disabled, it will not send the check-in status signal. The zone supporting the sensor can be set with a specified response when the alarm system 100 determines it has not received the status signal. In certain instances, depending on the sensor type, the sensor will also send a signal when it is triggered, and the zone supporting the sensor can be set with a specified response (which may be different from the response to an inactive sensor) when the alarm system 100 determines the sensor has been triggered. For example, a wireless door or window sensor would have both a triggered state and be configured to send a check-in status signal.
In certain instances, the alarm system 100 can include two zones, three zones, four zones, or more than four zones (for example, about 100 zones, about 200 zones, or 300 zones). Different zones of the alarm system 100 can be set to different parameters, including supervisory or not supervisory, and for supervisory zones, different supervisory polling rates (i.e., the frequency at which the alarm system 100 confirms that it has received a check-in signal from the sensor(s) on the zone, and if so configured, the frequency at which the alarm system 100 sends a status request and subsequently confirms that it received the check-in signal). In certain instances, the polling rate can be short, such as less than a minute (e.g., 1 second, 10 seconds, or 30 seconds), every few minutes (e.g., 1 minute, 5 minutes, or 10 minutes), or it can be a longer polling period (e.g., every 70 minutes). The polling rate assigned to a supervisory zone can be independently programmable from other zones of the alarm system 100. By putting different sensors, e.g., presence sensors (103a and 103b) and/or other sensors that send status signals (e.g., wireless sensors provided as sensors 103c-103e), on different zones, the polling rate for different sensors can be independently adjustable. The alarm system 100 monitors each of the sensors (e.g., 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d, and 103e) by their zone. If the system 100 does not receive a status signal from a sensor at the specified polling rate assigned to its supervisory zone, the system 100 produces the specified response (e.g., sends an alarm signal and/or another response discussed below). In some implementations, the system 100 sends a status request to each of the sensors at their respective polling rate assigned to their supervisory zone. In such implementations, if the system 100 does not receive a status signal from a sensor in response to the status request, the alarm system 100 can produce the specified response (e.g., send an alarm signal and/or another response discussed below).
In
The polling rate at which the alarm system 100 polls each of the sensors (such as presence sensors 103a and 103b) can be adjusted based on the type of sensor, the zone within which the sensor is located, a combination of both, or based on other criteria. For example, if presence sensor 103a is affixed to an object, such that it is important to know quickly when it has left the premises (e.g., a gun, a child, a pet, a mentally infirm person, or a motorcycle) in comparison to other objects, then the alarm system 100 can be configured to poll the zone supporting sensor 103a at a higher frequency in comparison to the zones supporting other sensors. As another example, if sensor 103b is in an area of the premises that is less secure (or perhaps easier to access) than the other areas of the premises, then the alarm system 100 can be configured to poll the zone supporting sensor 103b at a higher frequency in comparison to the other zones. In any example, for other zones of the alarm system 100, the zones can be programmed with a much lower polling rate, for example, to support sensors that do not need to be monitored for their leaving of the premises (e.g., a door sensor 103e or window sensor 103d).
The alarm system 100 is configurable to respond in different manners based on the received signal (or lack thereof, for example, in the case of expecting a status signal from a presence sensor 103a or 103b). For example, the alarm system 100 can be configured to, in response to detecting opening of a garage door (via garage door sensor 103c), notify the remote monitoring center 170 and/or the homeowner (for example, via phone 70), indicating the nature of the triggering event, but not sound an alarm. For example, the alarm system 100 can be configured to, in response to detecting opening of a door (via door sensor 103e), sound a warning to enter the disarming code on the alarm panel, notify the remote monitoring center 170 and/or the homeowner (for example, via phone 70), or any combination of these. The alarm system 100 can be configured to send an alarm signal, sounding an audible alarm on the premises, notify the remote monitoring center 170 and/or the homeowner (for example, via phone 70), call emergency services (such as police), or any combination of these, if the disarming code is not entered on the alarm panel within a certain time limit (for example, one minute) after detecting opening of the door. In some implementations, the alarm system 100 can be configured to cancel an alarm if an alarm cancel code is entered on the alarm panel (for example, stop transmission of an alarm signal or transmit a “false alarm” signal). Notifications can be any type of push notification. For example, the notification can be in the form of an SMS or a pop up notification through an application running on the phone 70.
As another example, the alarm system 100 can be configured to, in response to receiving a movement or an alarm signal from any of the sensors, notify the remote monitoring center 170 and/or the owner (for example, via phone 70). The alarm system 100 can be configured to detect that a person or object (to which a presence sensor 103a or 103b is affixed) is not within the premises 150 based on not receiving an expected status signal from the premise sensor 103a or 103b. The alarm system 100 can be configured to, in response to detecting that the person or object is not within the premises 150, notify the remote monitoring center 170 and/or the owner (for example, via phone 70, call emergency services (such as police), or any combination of these.
The alarm system can be programmed (for example, setting the various zones, assigning a sensor to a zone, setting a polling rate for a zone, or setting a response to a triggering event) at the alarm panel 160. In some implementations, the alarm system can be programmed through a program or application installed, for example, on a computer or handheld device (such as a cell phone). The alarm system can be programmed by a user (for example, a homeowner), a security supervisor (for example, an alarm company tasked with overseeing security of a premise or object), or a central monitoring station. In some implementations, the alarm system is programmed with factory settings when manufactured.
The computer 202 includes an input/output interface 204, such as a wired interface or transceiver. Although illustrated as a single interface 204 in
The computer 202 includes a processor 205. Although illustrated as a single processor 205 in
The computer 202 also includes a memory 207 that can hold data for the computer 202 or other components (or a combination of both) that can be connected to the network. Although illustrated as a single memory 207 in
The memory 207 stores computer-readable instructions executable by the processor 205 that, when executed, cause the processor 205 to perform the operations described herein. The computer 202 can also include a power supply 214.
At step 304, a specified polling rate for each of the supervisory zones is received. The specified polling rates can be, for example, between once per second and once per 70 minutes. The polling rates of each of the supervisory zones can be adjustable. In some implementations, the specified polling rate is determined based on a pre-set or adjustable rate at which the respective alarm sensor is configured to send a status signal.
At step 306, each of the alarm sensors are monitored for a status signal. In some implementations, the monitoring at step 306 is passive. For example, each of the alarm sensors have a pre-set or adjustable rate at which the respective alarm sensor is configured to send a status signal, and the control panel 160 waits for an expected status signal from each of the alarm sensors. In some implementations, the monitoring at step 306 is active. For example, a status request is periodically transmitted by the control panel 160 to each of the alarm sensors at the specified polling rate assigned to the respective supervisory zone, and then the control panel 160 listens for a status signal in response to the status request. For example, if presence sensor 103a was assigned to the first supervisory zone with a specified polling rate of once per 30 minutes and presence sensor 103b was assigned to the second supervisory zone with a specified polling rate of once per 60 minutes at step 302, then the control panel 160 can transmit a status request to presence sensor 103a once every 30 minutes and to presence sensor 103b once every 60 minutes.
At step 308, a specified response is triggered in response to determining that the status signal was not received from any one of the alarm sensors at the specified polling rate for the assigned supervisory zone. The specified response can be triggered by the control panel 160. For example, if presence sensor 103a was assigned to the first supervisory zone with a specified polling rate of once per 30 minutes at step 302, and a status signal was not received at step 306 by the control panel 160 over a time span of 30 minutes (the specified polling rate), then the control panel 160 triggers the specified response at step 308. In some implementations, the specified response includes an alarm signal. In some implementations, an alarm is triggered in response to receiving a signal from any one of the alarm sensors indicating that the alarm sensor has been actuated. For example, in the case of a motion sensor, the control panel can trigger an alarm in response to receiving a movement signal from the motion sensor. For example, in the case of the window sensor 103d, the control panel can trigger an alarm in response to receiving a window opening signal from the window sensor 103d. The alarm signal can include, for example, an audible alarm, a visual alarm, a notification to the remote monitoring center 170, a notification to the owner (for example, via phone 70), an automated call to emergency services (such as police), or any combination of these.
Particular implementations of the subject matter have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications, substitutions, and alterations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, the previously described implementations do not define or constrain this disclosure, and other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.
