AU2006100550A4 - A communications system - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 SEC ENG SYSTEMS PTY LTD COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Invention Title.

A communications system The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to us:- A communications system Field of the Invention This invention relates to a communications system. The invention relates particularly, but not necessarily exclusively, to a communications system for use in a security system.

Background to the Invention In many security systems, a site to be protected by the security system communicates with a control room, or base station, via a telecommunications network.

Conventionally, the telecommunications network uses a wired network such as a telephone system. The security system continuously polls the control room to advise the control room that the integrity of the security system is intact.

A backup system is normally provided where a secondary telecommunications network is used if the wired telecommunications network fails. Thus, for example, if the telephone line were cut, the backup system would come into operation. The backup system comprises a wireless network. With the advent of mobile telecommunications systems, the wireless network is normally a mobile telephone network such as, for example, the GSM network. If the landline is cut, or fails for any other reason, communication switches to the backup, wireless network and communication is maintained between the alarm system and the control room in that manner.

However, there is a possibility that the wireless network fails or is off air at the time that it is required. In high security establishments such as, for example, vaults or other secure establishments, there is a need for continuous communications and the use of a mobile telecommunications network as a backup network does not satisfy this need or comply with the requirements for such high security establishments.

Summary of the Invention According to the invention, there is provided a communications system which includes a control device for controlling communications between two stations; and at least two networks in communication with the control device for enabling communications between the two stations to occur via at least one of the networks at any one time, the at least two networks being simultaneously in communication with the control device.

The networks may be operated by independent network providers, each network having its own infrastructure so that, if any one of the networks is inoperative at any m:\speci\1 20000\1 28-129\1 28589inn-chb.doc one time, the or each remaining network can be used by the control device for effecting communication between the stations.

The system is intended for use in a security system. Thus the two stations may be a premises being monitored and a control centre or room of an operator of the security system.

Each network may be a wireless network, the control device having a communications device associated with each network. The communications device may be an antenna.

The system may include a further communications path for effecting communications between the two stations. The further communications path may be implemented by a further telecommunications network such as a wired network. For example, the wired network may be implemented as packet switched data network.

Each of the communications networks may be an IP packet-based data network.

For example, each network may be a GPRS network, a CDMA network, a 3G network, or the like.

The system may employ a minimal message-orientated transport layer protocol to effect communications between the stations over the communications networks.

More particularly, the protocol may be a user datagram protocol (UDP).

Brief Description of the Drawings An embodiment of the invention is now described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Fig. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a communications system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 2 shows a block diagram of a control device of the system.

Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiment In the drawings, reference numeral 10 generally designates a communications system, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The communications systems 10 comprises a control device 12 for controlling communications between two stations being an alarm or security system 14 at premises or an installation to be protected and an alarm control room 16 arranged remotely from the security system 14.

The control device 12 facilitates communication between the security system 14 and the control room 16 over at least one of two communications networks 18 and A further communications network 22 facilitates communications between the security system 14 and the control room 16. The network 22 is a conventional, wired m:\speci\1 20000\1 28-129\1 28589inn-chb.doc network which forms a communications path between the security system 14 and the control room 16. The wired network 22 is a land line telecommunications network such as, for example, a packet switched data network (PSDN). The network 22 is normally used by the security system 14 to communicate with the control room 16 to confirm to the control room 16 that the integrity of the security system 14 is intact.

Referring to Fig. 2 of the drawings, the control device 12 comprises a process controller 24 such as, for example, a microprocessor. The process controller 24 communicates with two wireless transmission system modules 26 and 28. The module 26 controls communication with the network 18 via an antenna 30. Similarly, the system module 28 controls communication with the network 20 via an antenna 32.

The networks 18 and 20 are independent networks and the control device 12 independently connects to each network 18, 20. The control device 12 can connect to each network alternately or use one of the networks and switch to the other network when the previously used network fails or it can simultaneously transmit data over both networks 18 and The networks 18 and 20 would, typically, be operated by separate network operators having separate network infrastructures so that the independence of the networks 18 and 20 is maintained and that, in the event of one network 18 or 20 failing, the likelihood of the other network 18 or 20 also failing is minimal.

Each network 18, 20 is a mobile, telecommunications network of the type which facilitates transmission of IP packet-based data. For example, each network 18, 20 is a GPRS network or other network which can handle IP packet data 34, 36.

In a preferred implementation, the control device 12 uses a minimal messageorientated transport layer protocol to effect communication between the security system 14 and the control room 16 over the networks 18, 20 and 22. The protocol used is a user datagram protocol (UDP). The UDP is a blind protocol.

In use, the control device 12 which, typically, is arranged at the premises in which the security system 14 is installed sends a message to the control room 16 requiring a response. If the response is not received within the predetermined period of time, an emergency is declared. The control device 12 sends a signal requiring a response and, simultaneously with sending the signal, starts a timer. If the response is not received within a predetermined window, for example, within a 30 second period, the emergency is declared. The control device 12 sends the signal three times within the 30 second period and, ifa response is not received within that 30 second period, the emergency is declared.

m:\speci\l 20000\1 28-129\1 28589inn-chb.doc Conventionally, the control device 12 would send the signal via the ;communications network 22. The networks 18 and 20 are only used as backup networks in the event that the network 22 fails whether for operational reasons or as a N, result of a deliberate act. Instead, the control device 12 routinely sends messages either on the network 22 alone, uses the network 22 and one of the networks 18 or 20, uses Sonly the networks 18 or 20 or uses all three networks 18, 20 or 22. Thus, it will be Sappreciated that the control device 12 is able to effect communication with the control room 16 in one of a number of ways.

IND If the system 10 works on the basis that the message is normally sent along the network 22 and the network 22 fails, the control device 12 switches to the backup networks 18 and 20. The data is sent using either one of the networks 18 or alternately by sending the message on one of the networks 18 and the next transmission of the message using the other of the networks 18 or 20 or by using both networks 18 and 20 simultaneously.

It will further be appreciated that the network 22, while being describe above as a hardwired telephone network, need not necessarily be a telecommunications landline network. Instead, it could be a data network, an IP network, or the like. In addition, instead of being a hardwired network, the network 22 could be a mobile or IP connection.

Further, as described above, the control device 12 communicates with the networks 18 and 20 via two independent modules 26 and 28 and two separate antennas and 32. It does not make use of a single module which switches between the networks 18 and 20. Thus, a separate communications path is maintained between the control device 12 and each of the networks 18 and Hence, it is an advantage of the invention that a system 10 is provided which is more reliable than other systems of which the applicant is aware. By use of the separate communications paths between the control device 12 and each backup network 18 and 20, a more secure system is provided than other systems of which the applicant is presently aware. This lends itself for use in high security applications.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

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Claims (4)

1. A communications system which includes a control device for controlling communications between two stations; and at least two networks in communication with the control device for enabling communications between the two stations to occur via at least one of the networks at any one time, the at least two networks being simultaneously in communication with the control device.

2. The system of claim 1 in which each network is a wireless network, the control device having a communications device associated with each network.

3. The system of claim 1 or claim 2 which includes a further communications path for effecting communications between the two stations.

4. The system of any one of the preceding claims in which each of the communications networks is an IP packet-based data network. The system of any one of the preceding claims which employs a minimal message-orientated transport layer protocol to effect communications between the stations over the communications networks. Dated this twenty third day of June 2006 SEC Eng Systems Pty Ltd Patent Attorneys for the Applicant: F B RICE CO m:\speci\1 20000\1 28-129\1 28589inn-chb.doc