CN113168750A

CN113168750A - Intelligent barrier alarm device

Info

Publication number: CN113168750A
Application number: CN201980077904.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 乔治·西尔曼
Original assignee: Ecolink Intelligent Technology Inc
Current assignee: Ecolink Intelligent Technology Inc
Priority date: 2018-11-26
Filing date: 2019-10-15
Publication date: 2021-07-23
Also published as: EP3888069A1; WO2020112263A1; KR20210095154A; EP3888069A4; JP2022507973A

Abstract

A barrier alarm apparatus for reducing the number of false alarms that may occur in a residential or commercial security system. In one embodiment, a barrier alarm device, such as a door or window sensor, determines whether a barrier (e.g., a door or window) has been opened and whether a person is inside a house near the door or window. If a person is inside the monitored premises when the door or window is opened, indicating that the person is authorized to be inside the monitored premises, the barrier alarm sends a timed alarm signal to the central security panel, causing a security response to be generated by the central security panel if a predetermined period of time has elapsed and no user cancels the security response.

Description

Intelligent barrier alarm device

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application serial No. 15/946,511 filed on 5.4.2018, and U.S. patent application serial No. 15/946,511 is a divisional case of U.S. patent application serial No. 14/629,370 (now U.S. patent No. 9,940,797) filed on 23.2.2015.

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of home and business security. More particularly, the present application relates to a barrier alarm device that helps reduce the occurrence of false alarms.

Background

Security systems for homes and businesses have existed for many years. Typically, these systems use barrier alarm devices such as door and window sensors, motion detectors, sound detectors, and the like. Door and window alarms generally comprise two distinct parts: a magnet and a reed switch/transmitter assembly. The reed switch/transmitter assembly is typically mounted on a fixed surface such as a door or window frame, while the magnet is mounted to a movable portion of the door or window. When the door or window is closed, the magnet and reed switch abut each other, maintaining the reed switch in a first state representing a "no alarm" state. If the door or window is opened, the proximity between the magnet and the reed switch is lost, causing the reed switch to change states, e.g., from closed to open or from open to closed. The change in state is indicative of a local alarm condition and the signal may be generated by circuitry located within the reed switch assembly and sent by wire or wirelessly to a central security panel or gateway in the home, which may forward the signal to a remote monitoring station. In addition, a very loud audible alarm is typically generated by an alarm coupled to a central security panel in the home, indicating that the door or window has been opened.

One problem with security systems is that false alarms occur relatively frequently. Most security systems provide a "home" arming feature that is equipped with sensors for all doors and windows, but not any internal motion sensors. In this way, occupants can be protected from intruders while being able to move about the home without the motion sensor alarming. Frequently, occupants forget to be equipped with security systems and when they open a door or a window, a false alarm is triggered. These false alarms sometimes cause police or fire personnel to respond, wasting valuable public resources. Furthermore, if too many false alarms occur within a certain time, the homeowner may be penalized. Moreover, if a local alarm is triggered inside the house, the occupants are often frightened because the alarm is deliberately designed to be very loud.

It would be desirable to provide a security system that allows an occupant to open a door or window while the security system is in an armed "home" mode of operation, without triggering an immediate, alarming audible alarm caused by a local alarm.

Disclosure of Invention

Embodiments described herein relate to methods, systems, and apparatus for monitoring a barrier by a barrier alarm device that reduces or prevents the occurrence of false alarms. In one embodiment, a barrier alarm device is described, comprising: barrier state detection means for detecting when the barrier monitored by the barrier alarm means is opened; human detection means for determining when a person is located within the premises proximate to the barrier; a transmitter for transmitting a timed alarm signal to a receiver, the timed alarm signal for starting a timer; a memory having stored thereon processor-executable instructions, and a processor coupled to the barrier status detection device, the human detection device, the transmitter, and the memory for executing processor-executable instructions that cause the barrier alarm device to determine, by the processor, that the barrier has been opened via the barrier status detection device, determine, by the processor, that a person is approaching the barrier within the premises via the human detection device, and transmit, by the processor, a timed alarm signal to the receiver via the transmitter when the barrier has been opened and a person is approaching the barrier within the premises.

In another embodiment, a central security panel is described, comprising: a communication interface for receiving signals from the barrier alarm device; a memory for storing processor-executable instructions; and a processor coupled to the communication interface and the memory to process processor executable instructions to cause the central security panel to receive a first alarm signal from a barrier alarm device monitoring a barrier of the premises, the first alarm signal indicating that the barrier has been opened and a person is within the premises being monitored and approaching the barrier, to begin monitoring an elapsed time since the first alarm signal was received in response to receiving the first alarm signal, to determine by the processor that the elapsed time has exceeded a predetermined time, to generate a security response in response to determining that the elapsed time has exceeded the predetermined time, and to provide the security response to the receiver through the communication interface.

In another embodiment, a method performed by a barrier status detection apparatus is described, the method comprising: determining when a barrier monitored by the barrier status detection means is opened; the method includes determining when a person is inside a premises monitored by a central security panel and located inside the premises and sending a timed alarm signal to a local receiver for starting a timer if a barrier has been opened and the person is inside the premises and close to the barrier.

In yet another embodiment, a method performed by a central security panel includes receiving a first alarm signal from a barrier alarm device monitoring a barrier of a premises, the first alarm signal indicating that the barrier is open and indicating that a person is near the barrier within the premises, starting a countdown timer in response to receiving the first alarm signal, determining that the countdown timer has expired, generating a security response in response to determining that the countdown timer has expired, and providing the security response to a receiver through a communication interface.

Drawings

The features, advantages and objects of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like reference characters identify correspondingly throughout and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a security system according to one embodiment of the principles discussed herein;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the barrier alarm device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of one embodiment of the barrier alarm device shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of another security system according to another embodiment of the principles discussed herein;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of a method performed by the barrier alarm device shown in FIG. 2 when installed in a system such as that of FIG. 1;

fig. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the intelligent barrier warning device shown in fig. 2;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the intelligent barrier warning device of FIG. 6, illustrating an opening formed through an end cap of the intelligent barrier warning device as a circular hole;

fig. 8 is a side sectional view of the intelligent barrier alarm device shown in fig. 6;

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of one embodiment of a central security panel used in conjunction with the intelligent barrier alarm device shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of a method for reducing or preventing the occurrence of false alarms performed by the intelligent alarm device shown in FIG. 6 and the central security panel shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of a method for reducing or preventing the occurrence of false alarms performed by barrier alarm device 600 and central security panel 116 installed near a door or window of a monitored premises;

FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram of a stand-alone body detection device for use in yet another embodiment, wherein the body detection device is used in conjunction with an existing prior art barrier alarm device;

FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of a method performed by the human detection device shown in FIG. 12 and the central security panel shown in FIG. 9 when the door is opened by someone inside the house while the central security panel is in the armed home state;

FIG. 14 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of the method performed by the human detection device and the central security panel described in FIG. 13, except that someone outside the premises opens the door when the central security panel is in the armed home state; and

FIG. 15 is a flow chart illustrating another embodiment of a method performed by the barrier alarm apparatus of FIG. 6 to reduce the occurrence of false alarms, wherein the barrier alarm apparatus starts a countdown timer before sending an immediate alarm signal to the central security device shown in FIG. 9; and

fig. 16 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of a method performed by the central security panel of fig. 9 or the server shown in fig. 4 for reducing the occurrence of false alarms when someone outside the premises opens a door while the home security system is in the armed home state.

Detailed Description

The present application relates to systems, methods, and devices for monitoring windows and doors ("barriers") using barrier alarm devices, such as door or window sensors, while reducing the occurrence of false alarms. For purposes of this discussion, the term "barrier alarm device" refers to any device for monitoring and reporting the condition, physical condition, attribute, status or parameter of an entry/exit barrier, such as a door, window, garage door, gate, or the like. Examples of barrier alarm devices include door and window sensors, glass breakage detectors, light interruption detectors, and the like.

Embodiments of the barrier alarm devices described herein include a human detection device that detects the presence of a human being approaching the barrier alarm device inside or outside of a monitored premises. In one embodiment, if a person inside a structure (e.g., a person's residence) opens a monitored door or window while the security system is armed, an alarm will not be triggered immediately if the barrier alarm device senses that a person is approaching an open barrier inside the structure. Instead, the barrier alarm device generates and transmits a timed alarm signal to the security panel, which in response, initiates a countdown timer that will allow a person to cancel the occurrence of the security response if some action is taken before the countdown timer expires. The principle of operation of this new barrier alarm device is that if a door or window is opened and a person is detected inside the premises in the vicinity of the barrier alarm device, the person is assumed to be authorized to be inside the premises and a security response should not be generated immediately when the door or window is opened, leaving time for the authorized person to cancel the security response. Instead, the new barrier alarm device may operate on the following principle: if the door or window is opened and a person is detected outside the house in the vicinity of the barrier alarm, a security response should be initiated immediately. Each of these principles will be discussed in detail below.

Fig. 1 is an illustration of a security system according to one implementation of the principles discussed herein. In this embodiment, the door assembly 100 and the window assembly 102 are monitored by a barrier alarm 104 and a barrier alarm 106, respectively. In one embodiment, the barrier alarm device 104 includes a magnet 108 mounted to a door 112 and a reed switch assembly 110 mounted to a door frame 114, while the barrier alarm device 106 includes a magnet-type sensor. Barrier alarm devices may use alternative techniques of magnetic field sensing to determine the condition of a door or window.

Each barrier alarm device typically communicates with a receiver, such as the central security panel 116, using wireless RF signals generated by the barrier alarm device and/or the central security panel 116. For example, if the door 112 is opened, the reed switch assembly 110 detects that the magnetic field generated by the magnet 108 is reduced or eliminated as the magnet 108 moves away from the reed switch assembly 110 as the door 112 opens. In response, the reed switch assembly 110 sends a message to the central security panel 116 indicating a local alarm condition, such as the door 112 having been opened. In other embodiments, an internet-connected "hub" or "gateway" may replace the central security panel 116, wherein signals from barrier alarms and other security devices are sent to a central processing station, such as a server in the "cloud," for processing. References herein to a "central security panel 116" shall also include devices such as hubs, gateways, etc. In addition, the functions of the central security panel 116 may be implemented by a remote processing device (e.g., a server accessible by the security panel 116 through a wide area network such as the Internet). In this embodiment, signals from barrier alarms and other sensors may be transmitted to such remote processing equipment via the central security panel 116, and the central security panel 116 may receive commands from the remote processing equipment, for example to cause alarms located inside and/or outside the premises monitored by the one or more barrier alarms to sound a very loud audible alarm, cause one or more lights to turn on, lock or unlock one or more wireless locks, and the like.

Some barrier alarm devices can be placed in an open position while remaining "armed". For example, some reed switch barrier alarm devices may use two magnets, a first magnet located near the bottom of the window and another placed a few inches above the first magnet along the window frame, such that the resulting opening allows air (but not a person) to pass through the window. Thus, in the open, but monitored position, the window is opened such that the reed switch assembly is in close proximity to the second magnet. An immediate alarm signal is then generated if an unauthorized person further opens the window in an attempt to gain entry to the premises.

In some embodiments, the central security panel 116 may send a message to any of the barrier alarm devices requesting an alarm status, such as "on" or "off. In response, one or both barrier alarm devices may send a response to central security panel 116 indicating the status of the door or window (as the case may be). Other commands may be sent by the central security panel 116 to other devices, such as "sound alarm" (to wireless alarm), "light on" (to light control module), open door (to electronic door opener), lock door (to wireless lock), etc.

As described above, the central security panel 116 monitors the barrier alarms 104, 106 and other security devices that may be part of a security system (e.g., tilt sensors, impact sensors, motion detectors, passive infrared detectors, light interruption detectors, etc.). Such security panels are widely used in home security systems, sold by large companies, such as honeywell security corporation of melville, new york, 2Gig technologies corporation of the luhai, utah. In addition, the central security panel 116 typically provides status information to the user via a display that typically provides a visual indication of the status ("on", "off", "normal", "alarm", etc.) of each barrier alarm device, other security devices in the system, or the entire system. The central security panel 116 may also communicate with a non-onsite remote monitoring station 124 via a communication network 122, such as the internet, PSTN, a fiber optic communication network, a wireless communication network (e.g., cellular, data, satellite, etc.), and/or other wide area network. The remote monitoring station 124 typically provides security monitoring services for homes and businesses that are equipped with security systems such as that shown in fig. 1. The remote monitoring station 124 is adapted to receive communications from the central security panel 116 via the network 122 in response to the central security panel 116 receiving an indication of an alarm condition sensed by one or more barrier alarm devices/sensors in the security system. In other embodiments, the central security panel 116 simply receives raw data from the barrier alarm devices and determines whether a local alarm condition has occurred based on the data. When a local alarm condition is detected, the central security panel 116 generates a system alarm, which may include taking one or more security responses, such as notifying the remote monitoring station 124 that a local alarm condition has occurred, illuminating one or more lights, sounding one or more audible alarms to sound an alarm inside the home or business, and so forth.

Keyboard 118 is a remote user interface coupled, wired or wirelessly, to central security panel 114. A keypad 118 may be conveniently located near the access door and used to arm and disarm the security system and display status information to the user. It is also commonly used to allow the user to cancel the alarm, preventing the initiation of a safety response, for example in the case of an obstruction alarm transmitting timed alarm signals monitoring the main entrance door. The timed alarm signal allows an authorized user to open the monitored door and then typically initiates a countdown timer by the central security panel 116 giving a fixed time period during which the security response is canceled by the central security panel 116. To cancel the security response, an authorized person typically enters a known security code in the keypad 118, the keypad 118 sends the security code to the central security panel 116, and the central security panel 116 then cancels the security response if the security code matches the authorized security code stored in the memory of the central security panel 116.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a barrier alarm device including a magnet 108 and a reed switch assembly 110. In other embodiments, the barrier alarm device may use alternative door/window status detection devices, such as an ultrasonic transducer/receiver, infrared transmitter/receiver, or other device, to determine whether the window is open or closed. The barrier alarm device may have additional features such as a user interface 202 and status indicators 204. The user interface 202 may include buttons or other switches to provide input to the barrier alarm device. For example, in some embodiments, the user interface 202 is used to place the barrier alarm device in a "learn" operational state for initial installation and pairing with the central security panel 116, or may be used to "bypass" the barrier alarm device for temporary disabling the barrier alarm device. The status indicator 204 may include, for example, an LED or a piezoelectric speaker and associated electronics to indicate the status of the barrier alarm (i.e., normal, learn, low battery) and/or to provide an indication that a timed alarm signal has been sent. Such a timed alarm signal is sent by the barrier alarm device when the barrier alarm device determines that a door or window has been opened and that a person is located in the vicinity of a barrier monitored by the barrier alarm device inside the structure. In this case, the status indicator 204 may light up, or emit one or more sounds, indicating to a person near the barrier that he or she must cancel the security response within a fixed period of time, which may be monitored by a countdown timer located in one of the barrier alarm, the central security panel, or the cloud-based server, for example, within 30 seconds. The lighting and/or sound is typically bright/loud enough to attract a person's attention, but not startle the person. For example, when sending a timed alarm signal, the piezoelectric speaker may sound one or more audible "chirps," each chirp volume less than about 40 decibels. In one embodiment, the indication generated by the status indicator 204 may increase in frequency, intensity, and/or volume as the countdown timer nears its expiration.

In one embodiment, the reed switch assembly 110 includes a housing 200 that covers the processor, a barrier status detection device (in this example, a reed switch), an RF transmitter, a human detection device, and a battery. For purposes of the discussion herein, the term "barrier alarm device" is used interchangeably with the term "reed switch assembly" or the combination of reed switch assembly 110 and magnet 108. Of course, the barrier alarm device may include any number of alternative embodiments, such as a magnet-less door and window sensor, an RF detector, an RFID sensor, a light interruption detector, or any other device capable of determining the status of a barrier, such as a door or window (i.e., whether the door or window is open or closed). The reed switch is used to detect the presence or absence of a magnetic field generated by the magnet 108 and the transmitter is used to transmit information relating to the status of the door or window to the central security panel 116. The reed switch assembly 110 also includes a human detection device for detecting the presence of a human being located inside a residence or business and in proximity to a barrier monitored by the barrier alarm device. The term "close" generally refers to a distance from the barrier within which a person can open or close the barrier.

As described above, the reed switch assembly 110 includes a human body detecting device. The human detection device detects the presence of a human being approaching the barrier monitored by the reed switch assembly. In one embodiment, the reed switch assembly is configured to detect a person inside the monitored premises and near the barrier, and in another embodiment, is configured to detect a person outside the monitored premises and near the barrier. When configured to detect a person outside the monitored premises, the reed switch assembly can use a detector outside the housing 200 and couple to the detector through wired or wireless communication. For example, the ultrasonic transducer and receiver may be mounted on the exterior of a window and a wire connects them to the reed switch assembly. In other embodiments, reed switch assembly 110 includes hardware and associated circuitry to detect a person outside of a house, for example, by using radar, sub-tones.

The reed switch assembly 110 can include one or more apertures 206 to allow a human detection device within the housing 200 to propagate a signal in order to detect a person approaching the barrier. For example, if the human detection device is an ultrasonic transducer and receiver, the aperture 206 allows the ultrasonic pulse to escape the housing and return to the ultrasonic receiver for processing. In other embodiments, the aperture 206 may additionally or alternatively be located on a different surface of the housing 200 in order to better direct the signal for determining the presence of a person. For example, in the embodiment shown in fig. 2, the aperture 206 is located on the "front" side of the housing 200. This configuration may be best for barrier alarm devices mounted between three and one-half feet to six feet from the floor (e.g., on the "head" of the movable portion of a double hung window) to project a signal horizontally to anyone who may be near the window. In embodiments where the barrier alarm device is installed between seven and ten feet (e.g., mounted to the top of a door), the aperture 206 may be formed on a "downward" surface of the housing 200 to project a signal downward toward a person who may be opening the door.

In some embodiments, the deflector 208 may be used to better direct the signal emitted from the housing 200 to detect a person after installation on the aperture 206. In one embodiment, the deflector 208 comprises a fixed structure mounted on the aperture 206. In another embodiment, the deflection device 208 includes a movable "louver" or "louver" mounted above the aperture 206 or through the aperture 206 to allow a user to adjust the direction of the signal emitted from the housing 200. The deflection device 208 can be configured to direct the signal away from the housing 200 at an angle to gain the best opportunity to sense a person, for example, when the reed switch assembly is installed in a typical location (e.g., the top of a door or window frame), to the location where the person is expected to be. For example, the angle of the deflector 208 can be 45 degrees, directing the signal down and away from the barrier by about 1-2 feet depending on the mounting height of the reed switch assembly.

In one embodiment, when a person is detected within the monitored premises approaching the barrier alarm device 110, no alarm signal is sent to the security panel 116 if the door or window is opened, or conversely, if a person is not detected when the door or window is opened, an alarm signal is transmitted to the security panel 116. This reduces the occurrence of false alarms, since it is assumed that the person opening the door or window from within the monitored premises has the right to do so. In another embodiment, the human detection device is configured to detect the presence of a human being in the vicinity of the barrier alarm device but outside the monitored premises. An alarm signal is generated only when the door or window is opened and a person near the barrier alarm and outside the monitored premises is detected, or conversely, no alarm signal is sent to the central security panel 116 when the door or window is opened and a person outside the door or window is not detected. In another embodiment, a bypass signal is sent to the central security panel 116 when it is determined that an authorized person is opening the door or window, the bypass signal being an instruction to control the remote location 116 to ignore future alarm signals generated by the barrier alarm device or disarming the system.

Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram of one embodiment of a portion of a

barrier alarm device

104 or 106 according to the teachings herein. In particular, fig. 3 shows a processor 300, a memory 302, a human detection device 304, a barrier status detection device 306 and a transmitter 308. It should be understood that the functional blocks may be coupled to each other in various ways, and that not all of the functional blocks necessary for operation of the barrier alarm device are shown (e.g., power supplies) for clarity.

The processor 300 is configured to provide general operation of the barrier alarm apparatus by executing processor-executable instructions (e.g., executable code) stored in the memory 302. The processor 300 typically comprises a general purpose processor, such as an ADuC7024 Analog microcontroller manufactured by Analog Devices, Inc. of Norwood, Mass, although any of a variety of microprocessors, microcomputers, and/or microcontrollers could alternatively be used. Due to the fact that the size of the barrier alarm device is relatively small and most barrier alarm devices are battery powered, processor 300 is generally selected to have low power consumption, small size, and low cost of purchase.

Memory 302 includes one or more information storage devices such as RAM memory, ROM memory, EEPROM memory, UVPROM memory, flash memory, SD memory, XD memory, or other types of electronic, optical, or mechanical storage devices. Memory 302 is used to store processor-executable instructions for operation of the barrier alarm device as well as any information used by processor 300, such as threshold information, parameter information, identification information, current or previous door or window status information, and the like.

Barrier status detection device 306 is coupled to processor 300 and monitors or determines a status, physical condition, attribute, condition, or parameter of something, such as a condition of a door, window, gate, or other entrance or exit barrier (e.g., "open," "closed," "motion detected," etc.). Barrier status detection device 306 may include a reed switch, an ultrasonic transducer/receiver, an infrared transmitter/receiver, an RFID receiver, a tilt sensor, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a motion sensor, or some other device to determine whether a window is open or closed.

The human detection means 304 comprises means or circuitry for detecting the presence of a human being inside the monitored premises and/or outside the monitored premises, in proximity to the barrier alarm means. Examples of the human detection device 304 include an ultrasonic transducer/receiver, an infrared transmitter/receiver, a capacitive sensor, an RF tank circuit, an RFID receiver and RFID chip, a motion detector, or some other circuit or device capable of detecting the presence of a person approaching a barrier alarm device, a door, or a window. The term "close to the barrier alarm, door or window" means that a person is at a distance from the barrier alarm, door or window so that the person can open the door or window in which the barrier alarm is installed.

In one embodiment, the human detection device 304 sends a signal to the processor 300 when a person approaches a door or window monitored by the barrier alarm device inside or outside the monitored premises when the person is within a predetermined distance from the barrier alarm device and the monitored door or window. In another embodiment, the human detection means 304 is inactive until the barrier status detection means 306 determines that the door or window being monitored has been opened. In this embodiment, the barrier status detection means 306 sends a signal to the processor 300 and the processor 300 then activates the human detection means 304 to determine whether a human being is inside and/or outside the premises being monitored near the barrier alarm means and thus near the door or window being monitored.

The transmitter 308 includes the circuitry required to wirelessly transmit alarm signals and/or status messages and/or other information from the barrier alarm devices to one or more receivers, such as the central security panel 116 or a gateway device coupled to a wide area network (e.g., the internet) either directly or through an intermediate device (e.g., a repeater typically used in popular mesh networks). Such circuitry is well known in the art and may include bluetooth, Wi-Fi, RF, optical, ultrasonic circuitry, and the like. Alternatively or additionally, the transmitter 308 includes well-known circuitry to provide signals to the central security panel 116 or gateway over wiring (such as telephone lines, twisted pair, CAT wiring, AC home wiring, or other types of wiring).

In normal operation, processor 300 executes processor-executable instructions stored in memory 302 that cause processor 300 to monitor signals provided by barrier status detection device 306 that represent changes in one or more states, physical conditions, attributes, conditions or parameters of the monitored item, such as the state of a door or window being "open" or "closed," changes between these states, or simply "motion. The processor 300 uses this data from the barrier state detection device 306 to determine whether a predetermined condition associated with the barrier alarm device (here a "local alarm condition") has occurred, such as a change in the state of a door or window monitored by the barrier alarm device from "closed" to "open", movement between these states, or simply "movement". The human detection device 304 monitors the presence of a person approaching the barrier alarm, door or window and provides a signal to the processor 300 indicating whether a person is approaching. If the processor 300 determines that a door or window has been opened, it checks whether the human detection device 304 senses a person approaching the barrier alarm device, door or window. In embodiments where the human detection apparatus 304 is configured to detect a person within a monitored premises, the processor 300 generates an alarm signal only if no person is within the monitored premises in proximity to the barrier alarm, door or window, indicating that the door or window movement is due to someone outside the monitored premises attempting unauthorized entry into the premises. In embodiments where the human detection device 304 is configured to detect a person outside the monitored premises, the processor 300 generates an alarm signal only when a person is outside the monitored premises in proximity to the barrier alarm, door or window, again indicating that the door or window movement is due to someone outside the monitored premises attempting unauthorized entry into the premises. In any event, if the processor 300 determines that a local alarm condition has occurred, an alarm signal is provided to the transmitter 308 for transmission to a remote location, such as the central security panel 116 or a gateway. In one embodiment, the alarm signal includes notifying the central security panel 116 that a local alarm condition is detected at a particular door or window monitored by the barrier alarm device.

Thus, with the barrier alarm arrangement described above, when a person in the premises being monitored opens a door or window while the security system is armed, no alarm signal is generated or ignored by the central security panel 116, thereby avoiding false alarms.

Fig. 4 is an illustration of another security system according to another implementation of the principles discussed herein. In this embodiment, barrier alarms 104 and 106 communicate with a receiver, such as a gateway 402, which gateway 402 forwards the barrier alarm communications to a remote server 400 via a wide area network 404. In one embodiment, the barrier alarm device may also communicate with a second receiver, such as the central alarm panel 116 as previously described. The gateway 402 includes wireless and/or wired routers and/or modems for routing internet traffic, which are typically found in millions of homes and businesses. In this embodiment, gateway 402 provides signals from the barrier alarm device to remote server 400 and, in some embodiments, provides signals from remote server 400 to barrier alarm device 106. Remote server 400 includes an electronic computing device such as a desktop or portable computer, server, smart phone, wearable device, and the like. In one embodiment, the remote server 400 may communicate with one or more remote entities (e.g., other desktop or portable computers, tablets, smart devices such as smartphones, wearable devices, etc.) to notify relevant aspects of activities occurring on/within the premises monitored by the one or more barrier alarm apparatuses. These pertinent aspects may include family members and friends of the owner or lessee of the house, police, fire, medical personnel, remote security monitoring centers, and the like.

In one embodiment, when the barrier alarm device detects that a barrier, such as a door or window, has been opened, and further, that a person is approaching the barrier inside the monitored premises, the barrier alarm device does not send an alarm signal to the gateway 402, as this condition indicates that an authorized person within the monitored premises has opened the barrier. In another embodiment, the bypass signal is transmitted to the central security panel 116 as described above. Additionally or alternatively, the barrier alarm device sends a status signal to the gateway 402 to inform the server 400 that the barrier has been opened. The server 400 may simply store an indication of the opening and its time of occurrence in an account associated with the account owner (i.e., the owner or tenant of the monitored premises). Alternatively or additionally, server 400 may send an alert to one or more remote devices 406 alerting the parties to the opening.

When the barrier alarm detects that the barrier has been opened and further that a person is not approaching the barrier inside the monitored premises, the barrier alarm sends an alarm signal to the gateway 402, as this indicates that an unauthorized person outside the monitored premises has opened the barrier. The server 400 receives the alarm signal and typically stores the date and time the alarm signal occurred in an account as described above. Alternatively or additionally, the server 400 sends a remote alert signal to one or more remote devices 406 alerting users of those devices that unauthorized persons have opened the barrier. An alarm signal may also be sent from the barrier alarm device to the central security panel 116.

In an alternative embodiment, the barrier alarm device may be configured to detect whether a person approaches the barrier being monitored outside the premises being monitored. Thus, when the barrier alarm device detects that the barrier has been opened and a person approaches the barrier outside the monitored premises, an alarm signal is sent. Conversely, when the barrier alarm device 106 detects that the barrier has been opened and no one is approaching the barrier outside the monitored premises, no alarm signal (and/or a bypass signal) is sent, as this condition indicates that an authorized person has opened the barrier. A bypass signal or another separate signal may be sent to the gateway 402, which the gateway 402 then provides to the remote server 400 as an indication that the barrier has been opened by an authorized person.

In another embodiment, the barrier alarm device 106 does not make a determination when to send an alarm signal and/or a bypass signal. Instead, the processor 300 monitors the barrier status determining means 306 and the human detection means 304 and sends a barrier status signal and a human status signal to the gateway 402 and/or the central security panel 116, respectively, when a change in status of one or both of the devices occurs. Remote server 400 and/or central security panel 116 receives these status signals and determines whether a local alarm condition exists and whether to send an alarm signal to one or more remote devices 406 and/or remote monitoring stations 124 of the relevant parties. For example, when an authorized person approaches a barrier, the human detection device 304 changes state, and the processor 300 causes the transmitter 308 to send a human status signal to the gateway 402 and/or the central security panel 116, which in the case of the gateway 402, is forwarded to the remote server 400 over the wide area network 404. If the authorized person does not open the barrier and then walks away, barrier alarm 106 sends a second body status signal to gateway 402 and/or central security panel 116 indicating that the person approaching the barrier is away. However, if the authorized person instead opens the barrier, barrier alarm device 106 sends a barrier status signal to gateway 402 and/or central security panel 116 indicating that the barrier is open. If the remote server 400 and/or the central security panel 116 receives the status indication signal and the last known status of the human detection device 304 is "internally detected person approaching barrier", the remote server 400 and/or the central security panel 116 does not generate an alarm signal (but may provide notification of the status of the barrier to the parties concerned, such as "barrier open/presence authorized person"). Upon receiving the body status signal indicating that the barrier is open, the remote server 400 and/or the central security panel 116 generates an alarm signal that may be provided to one or more interested parties and/or the remote monitoring station 124 if no authorized personnel are present.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of a method performed by a barrier alarm device installed near a door or window within a premises being monitored for reducing or preventing the occurrence of false alarms. It should be understood that in some embodiments, not all of the steps shown in fig. 5 are performed. It should also be understood that in other embodiments, the order in which the steps are performed may be different.

At block 500, the processor 300 monitors signals from the barrier status detection device 306 and the human detection device 304.

At block 502, a barrier (e.g., a door or window) is opened by an individual outside the house.

At block 504, the processor 300 determines that the barrier has been opened by detecting a change in the signal from the barrier status detection device 306.

At block 506, the processor 300 determines that a person is not near the barrier within the premises by evaluating the signal from the human detection device 304.

In one embodiment, the human detection device 304 periodically evaluates the space inside the house near the barrier to determine if a human is present. For example, the motion sensor may be powered on every three seconds to determine whether any infrared signals indicative of the presence of a person are detected. In another embodiment, the ultrasound transducer may send an ultrasound "pulse" every two seconds to determine if a return signal is received indicating the presence of a person.

In another embodiment, the human detection device 304 is held in a default "at rest," powered off state, and is powered on only when the processor 300 determines that the barrier has been opened. The quiescent state refers to a low power consumption operating state or a no power consumption operating state, e.g., in an "off" state. In this way, power savings are achieved by the barrier alarm means, since the circuitry comprising the human detection means 304 is only energised when the barrier is opened. For example, in embodiments where the human detection device 304 includes an ultrasonic transducer and an ultrasonic receiver, the ultrasonic transducer and the ultrasonic receiver may be powered down until the processor 300 determines that the barrier has been opened. In response to determining that the barrier has been opened, the processor 300 energizes the ultrasonic transducer and the ultrasonic receiver circuit and causes the ultrasonic transducer to emit a plurality of ultrasonic "pulses" to determine whether a person is near the barrier. In one embodiment, only a single pulse is transmitted. The processor 300 then determines whether the person is in the vicinity of the barrier by determining whether the return signal is received by the ultrasonic receiver. If it is determined that no one is in the vicinity of the barrier, this indicates that the barrier is opened by someone outside the house, e.g. an unauthorized person. In this case, processing continues to block 508. If the processor 300 determines that a person is in the vicinity of the barrier, no alarm signal is sent to the central security panel as this indicates that someone (e.g., authorized personnel) in the premises has opened the barrier, or a bypass signal is sent to the central security panel 116.

At block 508, in response to determining that the barrier has been opened and that no one is approaching the barrier within the premises, the processor 300 generates and provides an alarm signal to the transmitter 308.

At block 510, the transmitter 308 sends an alarm signal to a receiver, such as the central security panel 116. Alternatively or additionally, the transmitter 308 sends an alert signal to a gateway 402 connected to a wide area network (e.g., the internet) for presentation to the remote server 400.

At block 512, the central security panel 116 receives an alarm signal from the barrier alarm device and takes at least one action. For example, the central security panel 116 may generate a loud siren inside the premises to activate and/or send a remote alarm signal to the remote monitoring station so that the remote monitoring station can recall the appropriate privileges for the premises. The remote server 400 may also provide notification to the relevant parties that an alert signal was received.

At block 514, the processor 300 determines that the barrier has been placed in the closed position based on the signal received from the barrier status detection device 306.

At block 516, in response to determining that the barrier has been placed in the closed position, the processor 300 provides a signal to the transmitter 308 indicating that the barrier is in the closed position.

At block 518, the transmitter 308 transmits the signal to the central security panel 116 and/or the gateway 402.

At block 520, in response to the central security panel 116 receiving a signal from the barrier alarm device that the barrier is in the closed position, a remote alarm signal is provided to the remote monitoring station through the central security panel 116 when the central security panel 116 receives a future alarm signal from the barrier alarm device. In other words, the alarm signal sent by the barrier alarm device will not be ignored by the central security panel 116 unless another bypass signal is received. Likewise, the remote server 400 will also no longer ignore the alarm signal sent by the barrier alarm device.

At block 522, after the barrier has been closed, the processor 300 determines that the barrier has been opened by detecting a change in the signal from the barrier status detection device 306.

At block 524, the processor 300 determines that a person is inside the premises near the barrier by evaluating the signal from the human detection device 304.

At block 526, in response to determining that the barrier has been opened and that someone is inside the house near the barrier detection device, the processor 300 may refrain from sending an alarm signal to the central security panel 116 and the gateway 402. Additionally or alternatively, processor 300 generates a bypass signal and provides the bypass signal to transmitter 308, which transmitter 308 transmits to central security device 116 and/or gateway 402. The bypass signal instructs the central security panel 116 to ignore the future alarm signal generated by the barrier alarm device. The bypass signal may additionally or alternatively cause the central security panel 116 to disarm the entire security system and notify one or more persons that the security system has been disarmed, and/or that authorized persons have opened the barrier. Similarly, a bypass signal or a different signal may be sent to the gateway 402 to provide an indication to the remote server 400 that the barrier has been opened by authorized personnel and to ignore future alarm signals generated by the barrier alarm device until the barrier is again placed in the closed position.

At block 528, a bypass signal is sent by the transmitter 308 to the central security panel 116 and/or the same or similar signal is sent to the gateway 402.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an intelligent

barrier warning device

104 or 106, shown as intelligent barrier warning device 600. In this embodiment, the intelligent barrier warning device 600 includes a top end 602 and a bottom end 604, the bottom end 604 including an opening 606. Intelligent barrier warning device 600 is mounted on the frame of a door or window, or on the door or window itself, and magnet 608 is mounted in close proximity to intelligent barrier warning device 600 when the door or window is closed. In one embodiment, the smart barrier warning device 600 is installed such that the top end 602 is positioned upward toward the ceiling and the bottom end 604 is positioned downward and aligned toward the door handle or keeper or window latch (or some other portion of the window), i.e., the bottom end 604 is pointed in a particular direction to determine if a person is within a limited area such as a door handle, keeper, window latch or other portion of the window. In other embodiments, the intelligent barrier warning device 600 may be placed horizontally, for example, where the intelligent barrier warning device 600 is mounted to a window sash. In this case, the smart barrier warning device 600 is mounted to the window sash such that the bottom end 604 is directed towards the window latch or other portion of the window.

It should be understood that opening 606 may be similar to the perimeter of the outer surface of intelligent barrier warning device 600, in this case a square, but in other embodiments, opening 606 may comprise any shaped aperture formed in an end cap, as shown in fig. 7, opening 606 being shown as a circular aperture formed through end cap 702. An opening 606 is formed to allow the human detection device 304 located inside the smart barrier alarm device 600 to transmit a signal to detect the presence of a human hand that may grab a door handle, door bolt, or window latch (or other portion of a window) when opening a door or window. A human hand is detected on or near a door handle, a keeper or a window latch, or some other portion of a window that facilitates opening the window (e.g., a window "lip" formed on the sill of a double hung window). In one embodiment, the lens 704 may be used to direct light or acoustic energy to a particular area of a door or window, such as to a door handle or keeper, or a portion of a window, such as a window latch or sash.

Fig. 8 is a side sectional view of intelligent barrier alarm device 600. A human detection device 304, a processor 300, a memory 302 mounted on a circuit board 800, the housing 200, the user interface 202, a barrier status detection device 306, a transmitter 308, and an indicator 204 are shown. It should be understood that in other embodiments, the user interface 202 and the indicator 204 may comprise a single unit, such as a push button switch with one or more LEDs mounted thereon, and that the physical arrangement of the components shown in fig. 8 may be arranged differently in other embodiments. The processor 300, memory 302, body detection means 304, obstacle state detection means 306, transmitter 308, indicator 204 and user interface 202 refer to the components found in fig. 2 and 3, as they are identical or similar in structure and function.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 8, the human detection device 304 includes a thermopile, an ultrasonic transceiver, an IR transceiver, a passive infrared detector, a camera, or any other circuit capable of determining whether a human is approaching a barrier monitored by the barrier alarm device 600. Generally, the human detection device 304 is positioned such that any emissions from the human detection device 304 are directed out of the barrier alarm device 600 via the opening 606. The user interface 202 allows a person to operate the barrier alarm apparatus 600, for example, to place the barrier alarm apparatus 600 in various operating modes, or to turn the barrier alarm apparatus 600 on or off. Indicator 204 provides an indication that a timed alarm signal has been sent, as described below.

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of one embodiment of the central security panel 116. A processor 900, memory 902, transmitter 904, receiver 906, and user interface 908 are shown. It should be understood that the functional blocks may be combined with each other in a variety of ways, and for clarity not all of the functional blocks (e.g., power supplies) required to operate the barrier alarm device are shown.

The processor 900 is configured to provide general operation of the central security panel 116 by executing processor-executable instructions (e.g., executable code) stored in the memory 902. The processor 900 typically includes a general purpose processor, such as an ADuC7024 Analog microcontroller manufactured by Analog Devices, Inc. of Norwood, Mass, although any of a variety of microprocessors, microcomputers, and/or microcontrollers may alternatively be used. The processor 900 is typically selected based on factors such as cost, computing power, and memory requirements.

Memory 902 includes one or more information storage devices, such as RAM memory, ROM memory, EEPROM memory, flash memory, SD memory, XD memory, or other types of electronic, optical, or mechanical storage devices. The memory 902 is used to store processor-executable instructions for the operation of the central security panel 116, as well as any information used by the processor 900, such as one or more authorized security codes, a predetermined countdown time (e.g., thirty seconds), the identification of all sensors that have been learned in the central security panel 116 and information related thereto, the current status of doors and windows, etc.

The transmitter 904 includes the circuitry necessary to transmit alarm signals and/or status messages and/or other information from the central security panel 116 to a remote receiver such as the central security panel 116. The transmitter 904 may also be used to send a security response, such as a signal to sound a local alarm or flash a light. Such circuitry is well known in the art and may include POTS, Wi-Fi, RF, cellular, LTE, and/or ethernet circuitry, among others.

Receiver 906 includes the circuitry necessary to receive the timed alarm signal and the alarm signals from one or more barrier alarm devices throughout the house. Such circuitry is well known in the art and may include Wi-Fi, RF, Ethernet, or some other well-known local area network circuitry.

The user interface 908 includes one or more buttons, touch screens, cameras, microphones, display screens, or other well-known devices to allow a user to interact with the central security panel 116 to introduce new sensors or barrier alarms to the central security panel 116 and to receive status information of the security system.

Fig. 10 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of a method for reducing or preventing the occurrence of false alarms performed by barrier alarm devices 600 and central security panel 116 installed near a door or window of a monitored premises. It should be understood that in some embodiments, not all of the steps shown in fig. 10 are performed. It should also be understood that in other embodiments, the order in which the steps are performed may be different.

At block 1000, the processor 300 monitors signals from the barrier status detection device 306 and the human detection device 304 while the security system is in the "armed home" mode. The armed home mode will be used when authorized personnel are present in the home or business. In this mode, the central security panel 116 causes one or more security responses to be generated in response to any door or window barrier alarm device sending an alarm signal (i.e., a signal in response to a door or window being opened). However, any signals from the motion sensor are typically ignored.

At block 1002, a barrier (e.g., a door or window) is opened by an individual inside a house.

At block 1004, the processor 300 determines that the barrier has been opened by detecting a change in the signal from the barrier status detection device 306.

At block 1006, the processor 300 determines whether a person is inside the house near the barrier by evaluating the signal from the human detection device 304. In one embodiment, the processor 300 determines whether a human hand is approaching or has touched a door handle, door bolt, window latch, or other portion of a window.

In one embodiment, the human detection device 304 periodically or continuously evaluates the space inside the house near the barrier to determine whether a person is near the barrier. For example, the motion sensor may be energized every three seconds to determine whether any infrared signals indicative of the presence of a person are detected. In another embodiment, the ultrasound transducer may send an ultrasound "pulse" every two seconds to determine if a return signal is received indicating the presence of a person.

In another embodiment, the human detection device 304 remains in a default "inactive", power-off or low-power state, and is powered on only when the processor 300 determines that the barrier has been opened. The inactive state refers to a low power consumption operating state or a no power consumption operating state, e.g., in an "off" state. In this way, the barrier alarm means achieves power savings, as the circuitry comprising the human detection means 304 is only energised when the barrier is opened. For example, in embodiments where the human detection device 304 includes an ultrasonic transducer and an ultrasonic receiver, the ultrasonic transducer and the ultrasonic receiver may be powered down until the processor 300 determines that the barrier has been opened. In response to determining that the barrier has been opened, the processor 300 energizes the ultrasound transducer and the ultrasound receiver circuit and causes the ultrasound transducer to emit a plurality of ultrasound "pulses" to determine whether a person is in the vicinity of the barrier. In one embodiment, only a single pulse is transmitted. The processor 300 then determines whether a person is near the barrier by determining whether the ultrasonic receiver receives a return signal.

At block 1008, in response to determining that the barrier has been opened and that a person is within the premises proximate to the barrier, the processor 300 generates and provides a timed alarm signal to the transmitter 308. In another embodiment, the processor 300 sends a timed alarm signal when it determines that the barrier has been opened and that a person is not outside the house near the barrier.

At block 1010, the transmitter 308 sends a timed alarm signal to a receiver, such as the central security panel 116.

At block 1012, in response to sending the timed alarm signal, or alternatively, in response to the processor 300 detecting that the barrier has been opened and that the person is inside (or not outside) the house near the barrier, the processor 300 causes the indicator 204 to provide an audio or visual alarm to the person: unless the timed alarm signal is canceled within a predetermined time period (e.g., 30 seconds), one or more safety responses will be generated. The alarm may include a steady or flashing light, an audible alarm (e.g., a series of "beeps," "framing sounds"), a synthesized voice providing instructions to cancel the alarm, etc.

At block 1014, the central security panel 116 receives a timed alarm signal from the barrier alarm device 600 via the receiver 906 and, in response, the processor 900 begins tracking the time since the timed alarm signal was received. In one embodiment, the processor 900 may start a countdown timer that is set to a predetermined time that provides people with enough time to disarm the central security panel 116 from anywhere within the premises when the central security panel 116 is armed when a door or window is accidentally opened. Disarming of the central security panel 116 may be performed by a person entering a security code into the security panel 116 or the keypad 118.

At block 1016, if the processor 900 receives a cancellation code from the authorized person to cancel the security response, the processor 900 may cancel the countdown timer and avoid one or more security responses from occurring, such as contacting the remote monitoring station 124, causing an alarm in the house to sound a loud audible alert, or contacting one or more remote communication devices (e.g., wired or wireless phones, smart phones, tablets, wearable devices, or computers).

At block 1018, if the processor 900 does not receive a cancellation code from an authorized person to cancel the security response by the time the predetermined time has elapsed or the countdown timer has expired, the processor initiates one or more security responses, as described above.

At block 1020, when the security system is in the "armed home" mode, in response to determining that the barrier has been opened and that a person is not inside the house near the barrier, the processor 300 generates and provides an immediate alarm signal to the transmitter 308. In another embodiment, an immediate alarm signal is sent when the processor 300 determines that the barrier has been opened and a person is outside the house near the barrier.

At block 1022, the transmitter 308 sends an immediate alarm signal to the central security panel 116.

At block 1024, central security panel 116 receives the immediate alarm signal from barrier alarm device 600 via receiver 906 and, in response, immediately initiates one or more security responses as described above, i.e., within 5 seconds of receipt of the immediate alarm signal, or other short period of time on the order of seconds.

Fig. 11 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of a method for reducing or preventing the occurrence of false alarms performed by barrier alarm devices 600 and central security panel 116 installed near a door or window of a monitored premises. It should be understood that in some embodiments, not all of the steps shown in fig. 11 are performed. It should also be understood that in other embodiments, the order in which the steps are performed may be different.

As previously mentioned, in this embodiment, the barrier alarm device 600 is programmed to send both a timed alarm signal and an immediate alarm signal. The timed alarm signal may include the serial number of the barrier alarm device 600 and the alarm signal may include a modified version of the serial number so that the two signals are distinguished from each other by the central security panel 116. Of course, the timed alarm signal and the alarm signal may include other information so long as the central security panel 116 can distinguish between the two signals.

In block 1100, the central security panel 116 is placed in a "learn" mode of operation, wherein new barrier alarm devices and/or other sensors may be introduced or registered into the central security panel 116. In one embodiment, the user places the central security panel 116 into a learning mode through the user interface 908. In other implementations, the user may place the central security panel 116 in the learning mode via a personal communication device (such as a smartphone or tablet computer that executes a software application specifically designed to interface with the central security panel 116).

At block 1102, the user provides an indication to the central security panel 116 that the user wants to add a new sensor or barrier alarm device to the central security panel 116. The indication is received by processor 900.

In block 1104, when the barrier alarm device sends a timed alarm signal, the user provides a first identification code to the central security panel 116 indicating the barrier alarm device 600. The first identification code may include a serial number of the intelligent barrier device 600, a serial number with an alphanumeric character (e.g., "a") appended thereto, some other alphanumeric identification of the intelligent barrier device 600 when the timed alarm signal is sent.

The user may enter the first identification code via the user interface 908 or by causing the barrier alarm device 600 to send a timed alarm signal. In this embodiment, in embodiments where barrier alarm device 600 includes a reed switch, the user simulates the opening of a door or window by bringing a small magnet in proximity to barrier alarm device 600. In some embodiments, this must be repeated one or more times. When the user brings the magnet close to the barrier alarm device 600, the user ensures that the human detection device 304 detects the user by pointing the barrier alarm device 600 towards the user's body or some other object, so that the human detection device 304 indicates the presence of a person. In response to detecting a person and the magnet being brought into proximity of the barrier alarm 600, the barrier alarm 600 transmits a first identification code.

Sensors may be assigned to zones based on their proximity to certain rooms, where the triggering of one sensor assigned to one zone causes the central security system 116 to report that a fault or alarm has occurred in that particular zone. However, the regions may be arranged to respond differently to signals from the sensors. For example, a signal received from a sensor assigned to a first zone may cause the central security panel 116 to immediately initiate one or more security responses, i.e., not allow a person to cancel an alarm for a predetermined period of time. Signals received from other sensors assigned to the second zone may cause the central security panel 116 to start a timer, for example, allowing a person to cancel an alarm for 30 seconds. The sensors assigned to the area may include an entry door, wherein authorized personnel may be given a fixed period of time to disarm the alarm after entering the premises through the monitored door.

In other embodiments, each sensor is assigned to its own zone (effectively eliminating the notion of a zone). In this embodiment, the central security panel 116 is programmed to respond to each sensor in a specific manner, i.e., to generate one or more immediate security responses, or to allow a predetermined period of time for someone to cancel an alert received from a sensor.

In one embodiment, barrier alarm device 600 is learned into two regions: a first zone in which the central security panel 116 immediately initiates one or more security responses; a second zone where the central security panel 116 allows a predetermined time for the person to cancel the alarm generated by an authorized person (e.g., the homeowner or other resident of the house). This is achieved by assigning two identification codes to the barrier alarm device 600, one of which initiates an immediate security response and the other of which delays initiation of a security response. Such an identification code is stored in the memory 302.

At block 1106, the processor 900 receives the first identification code and stores it in the memory 902.

At block 1108, the user may provide additional information to the central security panel 116 indicating: the type of sensor just added, such as a "door" or "window" sensor, a description of the expected location of the sensor (i.e., the "rear sliding door"), and an indication that the one or more safety responses should be delayed by a predetermined delay time upon receipt of the timed alarm signal. Additional information is received by the processor 900 and stored in the memory 902 associated with the first identification code. When sensors are learned to the central security panel 116, i.e., new sensors in the security system are activated, each sensor is assigned to an area by the person performing the learning process.

At block 1110, the user provides a second identification code to the central security panel 116 indicating the barrier alarm device 600 when the barrier alarm device sends an immediate alarm signal. The second identification code may include a different serial number of the intelligent barrier device 600 than the first identification code with an alphanumeric character (e.g., "B") or some other alphanumeric identification of the intelligent barrier device 600 when transmitting the immediate alarm signal.

As with the first identification code, the user may manually enter the second identification code via the user interface 908, or the second identification code may be entered by having a small magnet in proximity to the barrier alarm device 600 one or more times (or by other methods appropriate for the particular type of barrier alarm device) to cause the barrier alarm device 600 to transmit an immediate alarm signal. When the user brings the magnet close to the barrier alarm device 600, the user ensures that the human detection device 304 does not detect the user by pointing the barrier alarm device 600 to an empty space. In response to detecting that the magnet is brought into proximity of the barrier alarm device 600 and no person is detected, the barrier alarm device 600 transmits a second identification code.

At block 1112, the processor 900 receives the second identification code and stores it in the memory 902. The second identification code may be associated with the first identification code indicating that both identification codes originate from the same barrier alarm device 600.

At block 1114, the user may provide additional information to the central security panel 116 indicating: the type of sensor just added, such as a "door" or "window" sensor, a description of the expected location of the sensor (i.e., the "rear sliding door"), and an indication that processor 900 should immediately initiate one or more safety responses in response to receipt of the instant alarm signal. Some of the additional information may be the same as the additional information associated with the first identification code, such as the sensor name, the sensor type, and/or its intended location, because the same barrier alarm device 600 transmits either the first identification code or the second identification code depending on whether a person is detected when the door or window is opened. Additional information is received by the processor 900 and stored in the memory 902 associated with the second identification code.

At block 1116, the user places the central security panel 116 into a secure home operating mode in which the central security panel 116 monitors intelligent barrier devices and other sensors in the security system.

In block 1118, when a person is inside a premises monitored by barrier alarm 600 and is approaching a monitored door or window, central security panel 116 receives a first identification code associated with barrier alarm 600 via receiver 906. The first identification code is provided to the processor 900.

At block 1120, the processor 900 compares the first identification code to a plurality of identification codes stored in the memory 902.

At block 1122, when a match is found, the processor 900 determines whether an immediate security response is required or whether the security response should be delayed for a predetermined delay time to allow authorized personnel to cancel any security response. The processor 900 evaluates the additional information stored in association with the matching identification code to make the decision, i.e. whether the first identification code is associated with an area that immediately responds to the instant alarm signal. In this case, processor 900 determines that an immediate security response is not required based on the additional information.

At block 1124, the processor 900 begins monitoring the time since the first identification code was received, either by monitoring the elapsed time or by starting a countdown timer set to a predetermined period of time.

In block 1126, if the processor 900 receives a cancel code from an authorized person to cancel the security response, the processor 900 stops monitoring the elapsed time since the timed alarm signal was received or cancels the countdown timer and refrains from performing one or more security responses, such as contacting the remote monitoring station 124, causing an alarm in the house to sound a loud, audible warning, or contacting one or more remote communication devices, such as a wired or wireless telephone, smartphone, tablet, wearable device, or computer.

In block 1128, if the processor 900 does not receive a cancellation code from the authorized person to cancel the security response before the predetermined time elapses or the countdown timer expires, the processor initiates one or more security responses, as described above.

At block 1130, at other times, when the security system is in the armed home mode, the processor 900 receives a second identification code from the barrier alarm device 600, the second identification code generated by the barrier alarm device 600 in response to the barrier alarm device 600 determining that the barrier has been opened and that a person is not inside the premises (or, alternatively, that a person is outside the premises) near the barrier.

At block 1132, processor 900 receives the second identification code from barrier alarm device 600 and compares the second identification code to the number of identification codes stored in memory 902.

At block 1134, when a match is found, the processor 900 determines whether an immediate security response is required or whether the security response should be delayed by a predetermined delay time in order to allow authorized personnel to cancel any security response. The processor 900 evaluates the additional information stored in association with the matching identification code to make the decision, i.e. whether the first identification code is associated with an area that immediately responds to an immediate alarm signal. In this case, the processor 900 determines that an immediate security response is required based on the additional information.

At block 1136, in response to determining that an immediate security response is required, processor 900 immediately initiates one or more security responses as described above.

Fig. 12 is a functional block diagram of a stand-alone human detection apparatus 1200 used in yet another embodiment, wherein the human detection apparatus 1200 is used in combination with an existing barrier alarm apparatus to reduce the occurrence of false alarms. In this embodiment, when a door or window is opened, the corresponding barrier alarm device sends an alarm signal to the central security panel 116 indicating that the door or window has been opened. The human detection device 1200 also sends a signal if a person is near a door or window monitored by the barrier alarm device. The central security panel 116 receives the alarm signal and if no signal is received from the human detection device 1200, the central security panel 116 immediately initiates one or more security responses. If the central security panel 116 does receive a signal from the human detection device 1200 indicating that a human being is inside the premises and near a door or window monitored by the barrier alarm device emitting the alarm signal, the central security panel 116 may start a timer or monitor the elapsed time since the signal was received from the human detection device 1200, allowing an authorized person to cancel the one or more security responses if the central security panel 116 receives a cancellation code within a predetermined period of time, such as 30 seconds. This embodiment allows a delayed safety response to be achieved without having to replace existing prior art barrier alarm devices.

The human detection device 1200 is generally not larger than a typical barrier alarm device, which is designed to be battery powered and is mounted near a door or window in order to detect when a person is near the door or window. The human detection device 1200 may be mounted near a barrier alarm device, such as on a door next to the barrier alarm device, near a door handle, door lock, or window latch, to detect when a person's hand approaches or grasps the door handle, door lock, or window latch.

The human detection device 1200 includes a processor 1201, a memory 1202, a transmitter 1204, a human detection element 1206 (in some embodiments), a barrier status detection device 1208, and an indicator 1210.

The processor 1201 is configured to provide general operation of the human detection apparatus 1200 by executing processor-executable instructions (e.g., executable code) stored in the memory 1202. The processor 1201 typically includes a general purpose processor, such as an ADuC7024 Analog microcontroller manufactured by Analog Devices, Inc. of Norwood, Mass, although any of a variety of microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers and/or custom ASICs may alternatively be used. Because of the relatively small size of the barrier alarm device, and because most barrier alarm devices are battery powered, the processor 1201 is typically selected to have low power consumption, small size, and inexpensive to purchase.

Memory 1202 includes one or more information storage devices, such as RAM memory, ROM memory, flash memory, SD memory, XD memory, or other types of electronic, optical, or mechanical storage devices. The memory 1202 is used to store processor-executable instructions for operation of the human detection apparatus 1200 as well as any information used by the processor 1201, such as threshold parameters, identification information, current or previous state information, etc. In some implementations, the memory 1202 may be part of the processor 1201.

The transmitter 1204 includes the circuitry necessary to wirelessly transmit a human status detection signal and/or status message and/or other information to one or more receivers, such as the central security panel 116. Such circuitry is well known in the art and may include bluetooth, bluetooth low energy, Wi-Fi, RF, optical, ultrasound circuitry, and the like. Alternatively or additionally, a transmitter.

The human detection element 1206 includes a device or circuit for detecting the presence of a person approaching the barrier alarm device inside the monitored premises and/or outside the monitored premises. Examples of the human detection element 1206 include an ultrasonic transducer/receiver, an infrared transmitter/receiver, a capacitive sensor, an RF tank circuit, an RFID receiver, a motion detector, a "time-of-flight" sensor, or some other circuit or device capable of detecting the presence of a person approaching a barrier alarm, door, or window.

In one embodiment, the human detection element 1206 is selected to detect a human hand only when the human hand approaches or touches a door handle, door bolt, window latch, or other designated portion of a window. In this embodiment, the human detection element 1206 typically does not detect the mere presence of a person approaching the barrier. Thus, the human detection element may be configured to only detect the presence of a human being from a door handle, door bolt, window latch, other designated portion of a window, or from the human detection device 1200, for example, 3 inches. For example, if the human detection element 1206 includes a time-of-flight sensor or an ultrasonic detector, the human detection element 1206 may be selected based on a limited range of time-of-flight sensors or ultrasonic detectors. In other embodiments, the memory 1202 may store a threshold distance, such as 3 inches, that represents the maximum distance from the door handle, door bolt, window latch, other designated portion of the window, or the human detection device 1200 that the human detection element 1206 will be activated.

An optional barrier status detection device 1208 is coupled to the processor 1201 and monitors or determines a condition, physical condition, attribute, status, or parameter of something, such as the status of a door, window, gate, or other entrance or exit barrier (e.g., "open", "closed", "motion detected", etc.). The barrier status detection device 1208 may include a reed switch, an ultrasonic transducer/receiver, an infrared transmitter/receiver, an RFID receiver, a tilt sensor, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a motion sensor, or some other device that determines whether a window is open or closed. The barrier status detection device 1208 may be used with a magnet associated with a typical barrier alarm device (e.g., a reed switch based door or window sensor) or may operate using a second magnet. In the case of "sharing" the magnet of the barrier status warning device, the human body detecting device 1200 may be installed right above or below the barrier status detecting device so that the barrier status detecting device 1208 may sense the magnetic field generated by the magnet of the barrier status warning device. In the case of using its own magnet, the human detection device 1200 may be located remotely from the barrier alarm device. In the case where the human body detecting element 1206 includes a reed switch, the operation of the human body detecting device 1200 is almost the same as a typical barrier alarm device, in which the processor 1201 detects when a door or window is opened based on the state of the human body detecting element 1206 (in this case, a reed switch).

The barrier state detection device 1208 may be used to maintain other components of the human detection device 1200 in a default "inactive" low power or power off state until the barrier state detection device 1208 detects that a door or window monitored by the human detection device 1200 has been opened. In this embodiment, power may be saved to the greatest extent possible by keeping most of the circuitry in a low power or powered off state, and the processor 1201, memory 1202, transmitter 1204 and body detection element 1206 may be selected to consume more energy than could otherwise be accommodated, since the body detection device 1200 is typically powered by a battery.

The indicator 1210 may include, for example, an LED or a piezoelectric speaker and associated electronics to indicate when a person or a person's hand is near a door handle, a door bolt, a window latch (or other portion of a window), or the human detection device 1200 itself. The indicator 1210 may be activated by the processor 1201 for a predetermined period of time, such as 3 seconds, after the processor 1201 determines that a person or a person's hand is near a door handle, door bolt, window latch (or other portion of a window), or the human detection device 1200 itself. This is used to alert a person who is gripping a door handle, door bolt, window latch, or other portion of a window to the knowledge that the human detection device 1200 has detected the person's hand. Alternatively, or in addition, the processor 900 may activate the indicator 1210 to alert a person that a countdown period has begun that allows authorized personnel to cancel one or more security responses initiated by the central security panel 116 within the countdown period.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of a method performed by the human detection device 1200 and the central security panel 116 when a person opens the door from inside the house when the central security panel 116 is in a armed home state. It should be understood that in some embodiments, not all of the steps shown in fig. 13 are performed, and that in other embodiments the order in which the steps are performed may be different.

At block 1300, the human detection device 1200 is learned into the central security panel 116, similar to the learning in the barrier alarm device previously described herein. As part of in-process learning, a user may associate the human detection device 1200 with a particular prior art barrier alarm device near the location where the human detection device 1200 is to be located, e.g., the user may name the human detection device 1200 using the same name as the barrier alarm device, i.e., "rear sliding door," or the user may assign the human detection device 1200 to the same area as the barrier alarm device.

At block 1302, the central security panel 116 is in a armed home mode of operation, the human detection device 1200 is installed to detect the presence of a human hand near a door handle, door bolt, window latch, or other portion of a window, and the door or window monitored by a typical barrier alarm device is the same door or window that the human detection device 1200 is monitoring. For the remainder of the discussion of fig. 13, it will be assumed that the door is being monitored.

In one embodiment, at block 1304, a person approaches a door within the premises. In embodiments where the human detection device 1200 monitors only a limited area (e.g., the area around a door handle, door bolt, window latch, or other portion of a window), the human detection device 1200 may not react to a person who is only near the door.

At block 1306, the person reaches for the door handle to open the door.

In block 1308, the human detection apparatus 1200 detects that a human hand is approaching the door handle because the human detection element 1206 provides a signal to the processor 1201 indicating that a human hand is detected (or that a human body is detected approaching the door).

At block 1310, the processor 1201 receives the signal from the human detection element 1206 and, in response, generates a message for transmission by the transmitter 1204 to the central security panel 116. The message typically includes an identification code for uniquely identifying the human detection apparatus 1200.

At block 1312, the transmitter 1204 sends a message.

At block 1314, the processor 1201 may cause the indicator 1210 to activate, alerting the person to: the human body detecting device 1200 has sensed the person or the hand of the person approaching the door handle.

At block 1316, the central security panel 116 receives the message from the human detection device 1200 and provides it to the processor 900. Processor 900 may begin monitoring the time elapsed since the message was received.

Shortly after detecting the approach of a person's hand to the door handle, the person grasps the door handle and opens the door. In one embodiment, the human detection device 1200 now sends a signal to the central security panel 116, as opposed to when a human hand approaches a door handle.

At block 1318, the prior art barrier alarm device sends an alarm signal to the central security panel 116 indicating that the door has been opened. The alarm signal typically includes an identification code that uniquely identifies the prior art barrier alarm device.

At block 1320, the central security panel 116 receives the alarm signal and provides it to the processor 900. The processor 900 may determine the time at which the alarm signal was received.

At block 1322, the processor 900 may determine that the alert signal is associated with the message by determining that the identification codes of the alert signal are associated with the identification codes of the message, i.e., each identification code is associated with the same location (i.e., "rear sliding door"), or each identification code is associated with the same area. If the two identification codes are not associated with the same location, the processor 900 may immediately cause the generation of one or more security responses. If both identification codes are associated with the same location, it is indicated that the message sent by the human detection device is to monitor the same door or window as the barrier alarm monitoring the same door or window.

At block 1324, in one embodiment, if the time from receipt of the message to receipt of the alarm signal is less than a predetermined period of time, for example 3 seconds, the processor 1201 begins to monitor the time from when the message from the human detection device 1200 is received or the time from when the alarm signal from the barrier alarm device is received. In one embodiment, processor 1201 starts a countdown timer that is set to a predetermined time period for a person inside the house to cancel the security response. The predetermined time is selected to allow some time between the detection of a person's hand in the vicinity of the door handle and the time the door is actually opened.

In block 1326, if the processor 900 receives a cancellation code from an authorized person to cancel the security response, the processor 900 stops monitoring the elapsed time, or cancels the countdown timer, and avoids issuing one or more security responses, such as contact with the remote monitoring station 124, causing an alarm in the premises to issue a loud audible alert, or contacting one or more remote communication devices (e.g., a wired or wireless phone, smartphone, tablet, wearable device, or computer).

In block 1328, if the processor 900 does not receive a cancellation code from an authorized person to cancel the security response before the predetermined time elapses or the countdown timer expires, the processor 900 initiates one or more security responses, as described above.

At block 1330, referring back to block 1318, if an alarm signal is not received within a predetermined time from the receipt of the message by the human detection apparatus 1200, the processor 900 immediately initiates one or more safety responses.

Fig. 14 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of the method performed by the stand-alone human detection device 1200, the prior art

barrier alarm device

104 or 102, and the central security panel 116 as described in fig. 13, except that in the description the door is opened by a person from outside the house when the central security panel is in the armed home state. It should be understood that in some embodiments, not all of the steps shown in fig. 14 are performed, and that in other embodiments the order in which the steps are performed may be different.

At block 1400, the barrier alarm 102/104 sends an alarm signal when it is detected that the door has been opened. Since the door is opened by someone outside the house, the human detection device 1200 does not send a message to the central security panel 116.

At block 1402, the central security panel 116 receives the alarm signal via the receiver 906 and provides it to the processor 900. The processor 900 is monitoring the elapsed time since the alarm signal was received.

At block 1404, the processor 900 may determine, based on the identification code included in the alert signal, the type of sensor that sent the alert signal, the area to which the sensor belongs, or otherwise determine whether one or more safety responses should be initiated.

At block 1406, the processor 900 initiates one or more security responses if the identification code indicates that the one or more security responses are to be initiated immediately.

At block 1408, if the identification code indicates a delay in implementing the one or more security responses, the processor 900 waits for the expiration of the elapsed time according to a predetermined time to allow the person to cancel the one or more security responses.

In block 1410, if the processor 900 receives a cancel code from the authorized person to cancel one or more security responses, the processor 900 stops monitoring the elapsed time, or cancels the countdown timer, and avoids issuing one or more security responses, such as contacting the remote monitoring station 124, causing an alarm in the premises to issue a loud audible alert, or contacting one or more remote communication devices, such as a wired or wireless telephone, smartphone, tablet, wearable device, or computer.

In block 1412, if the processor 900 does not receive a cancellation code from the authorized person to cancel the one or more security responses before the predetermined time elapses or the countdown timer expires, the processor 900 initiates the one or more security responses.

Fig. 15 is a flow chart illustrating another embodiment of a method performed by the barrier alarm apparatus 600 to reduce the occurrence of false alarms, wherein the barrier alarm apparatus 600 starts a countdown timer before sending an immediate alarm signal to the central security device 116. It should be understood that in some embodiments, not all of the steps shown in fig. 15 are performed, and that in other embodiments the order in which the steps are performed may be different.

In block 1500, the processor 300 monitors signals from the barrier status detection device 306 and the human detection device 304 while the security system is in the "armed home" mode.

At block 1502, a barrier (e.g., a door or window) is opened by an individual inside a house.

In block 1504, the processor 300 determines that the barrier has been opened by detecting a change in the signal from the barrier status detection device 306.

At block 1506, the processor 300 determines whether a person is inside the premises near the barrier by evaluating the signal from the human detection device 304.

In one embodiment, the human detection device 304 periodically or continuously evaluates the space inside the house near the barrier to determine whether a person is near the barrier.

In another embodiment, the human detection device 304 remains in a default "inactive" powered off or low power state and is powered on only when the processor 300 determines that the barrier has been opened, as previously described.

At block 1508, in response to determining that the barrier has been opened and that a person is inside the premises near the barrier, the processor 300 begins monitoring the time since the door or window was opened or begins a countdown timer set to a predetermined period of time (e.g., 30 seconds) so that authorized personnel can cancel one or more security responses.

At block 1510, the processor 300 causes the indicator 204 to provide an audio or visual alert to the person indicating that the central security panel 116 will initiate one or more security responses unless an authorized person cancels one or more security responses within a predetermined period of time. The processor 300 may cause the indicator 204 to modify the audio or visual alert as the predetermined period of time elapses, such as flashing at a slow rate to a faster rate, ringing at a slow rate to ringing at a faster rate, placing the authorized personnel on value that the predetermined period of time is approaching expiration.

In block 1512, the processor 900 in the central security panel 116 may receive a cancellation code to cancel one or more security responses from authorized personnel via the user interface 908 or via the receiver 906 before expiration of the predetermined time period as a result of triggering the countdown time in the barrier alarm apparatus 600. The processor 900 compares the cancellation code with one or more cancellation codes stored in the memory 902 and if a match is found, the processor 900 waits for an immediate alarm signal to be received from the barrier alarm apparatus 600 until a predetermined time which is the inverse time of the barrier alarm apparatus 600.

At block 1514, when the processor 300 determines that the predetermined time period in the barrier alarm device 600 has expired, the processor 300 sends an immediate alarm signal to the central security panel 116, the immediate alarm signal including the identification code of the barrier alarm device 600.

At block 1516, the central security panel 116 receives the immediate alarm signal and provides it to the processor 900.

In block 1518, if the processor 900 does not receive a cancellation code before receiving the immediate alarm signal, the processor 900 immediately initiates one or more safety responses, i.e., within 5 seconds or other short period of time on the order of seconds.

In block 1520, if the processor 900 has received a valid cancellation code before receiving the immediate alert signal, the processor 900 simply ignores the immediate alert signal and refrains from initiating one or more security responses.

At block 1522, if the processor 900 is unable to receive an immediate alarm signal from the barrier alarm device 600, the processor 900 simply discards the authorized kill code and resets its timer.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of a method performed by the central security panel 116 or server 400 for reducing the occurrence of false alarms when the door is opened by a person from outside the premises while the central security panel 116 is in a armed home state. In this section, reference will be made only to the central security panel 116 and components therein, although it should be understood that this reference will also apply to the server 400 and similar components. In this embodiment, the central security panel 116 receives alarm signals from prior art barrier alarm devices such as the window sensor 102 or the door sensor 104 and also receives status signals of a person from a camera 128 configured to view an area outside the area proximate the door 112. The camera 128 may comprise a wireless still or video camera wirelessly connected to the local area network 126 (or to the gateway 402) including one or more well-known wireless gateways, routers, modems, repeaters, etc. (e.g., home Wi-Fi network devices). In one embodiment, the camera 128 may include motion detection capability and transmit one or more digital photographs or videos when motion is detected in front of the door 112. In some implementations, the camera 128 may be part of a doorbell camera 130 (e.g., a Wi-Fi enabled doorbell camera sold by Ring, inc. of san mouica, california). Such a doorbell camera may begin recording images when the doorbell button 132 is pressed, or when the doorbell camera 130 detects motion in front of the door 112. In any case, when a person is detected, a notification may be sent to the local area network 126/gateway 402 via the camera 128 or the doorbell camera 130, and the local area network 126/gateway 402 forwards the alert to the user's smart device, computer, wearable device, etc. via the wide area network 122/404. The notification may include a digital photograph and/or video. In this embodiment, the central security panel 116 is configured to receive notifications from the camera 128 or the doorbell camera 130 when the camera 128/doorbell camera 130 detects a person outside the door 112. In some embodiments, the notification is additionally received by a chime 134 located inside the premises monitored by the prior art door sensor 104, and the chime 134 may be used to emit a soft sound or "chime" to alert the person outside the door 112 inside the premises. In this embodiment, the user interface 908 may further include a microphone that may detect sound emissions from the chime 134 to provide notification to the central security panel 116 that someone is outside and near the door 112. It should be understood that in some embodiments, not all of the steps shown in fig. 16 are performed, and in other embodiments, the order in which the steps are performed may be different.

In block 1600, the door 112 is monitored by the prior art door sensor 104, while the area outside the door 112 near the door 112 is monitored by the camera 128/doorbell camera 130. The prior art door sensor 104 communicates with the central security panel 116 and the camera 128/130 communicates with the local area network 126. In another embodiment, the camera 128/130 communicates directly with the central security system 116 by "learning" the camera 128/130 to the central security system, similar to how the sensor is learned in. The central security system 116 is placed in a secure home mode.

At block 1602, a person accesses the door 112 from the outside.

At block 1604, the person is detected by the camera 128/130 and, in response, a notification is sent to the local area network 126.

At block 1606, the local area network 126 forwards the notification to the wide area network 122/404 to alert the user that the person is outside the door 112 and to the central security panel 116. The notification may be forwarded to a backend system that manages the user's account associated with camera 128/130, where the notification may be forwarded to the user's mobile device (e.g., cell phone, tablet, or wearable device) based on a phone number, email address, or some other notification code provided by the user that receives such notification from the backend system. In one embodiment, the user account may store a notification code that identifies the central security panel 116 such that when a backend system receives a notification from the camera 128/130, the notification is provided to the central security panel 116 via the wide area network 122/404.

At block 1608, the central security panel 116 receives the notification directly from the camera 128/130 or the local area network 126, or from the backend system via the wide area network 122/404.

At block 1610, the processor 900 receives the notification and, in response, begins tracking the time since the notification was received.

At block 1612, a person outside the door 112 opens the door 112.

At block 1614, in response to detecting that the door 112 has been opened, the prior art door sensor 104 sends an alarm signal to the central security panel 116.

At block 1616, the central security panel 116 receives the alarm signal and provides it to the processor 900.

At block 1618, the processor 900 determines that an alarm signal has been received within a predetermined time from the receipt of the notification from the processor 900. The predetermined time is selected to allow a person outside the door 112 to open the door 112 and, in some cases, force the door 112 open. Thus, the predetermined time may be selected to be several minutes, for example 2 minutes.

At block 1620, the processor 900 generates a safety response in response to determining that an alarm signal has been received within a predetermined time from the receipt of the notification from the processor 900.

At block 1622, the processor 900 provides the security response to the transmitter 904, and the transmitter 904 transmits the security response to the remote monitoring station 124, the local alarm, and/or the local lighting device (e.g., one or more lights, flashing lights, etc.).

At block 1624, after block 1614, the processor 900 determines that an alarm signal has not been received within a predetermined time from the processor 900 receiving the notification from the camera 128/130. In this case, the processor 900 ignores the alarm signal and does not generate a security response because receipt of the alarm signal outside the predetermined time period indicates that the door 112 is opened by an authorized person within the door 112.

The methods or algorithms described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware or in processor-readable instructions executed by a processor. The processor-readable instructions may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium may be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a user terminal. In the alternative, the processor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components.

Accordingly, one embodiment of the present invention may include a computer readable medium embodying code or processor readable instructions to implement the teachings, methods, procedures, algorithms, steps, and/or functions disclosed herein.

While the foregoing disclosure shows illustrative embodiments of the invention, it should be noted that various changes and modifications could be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. The functions, steps and/or actions of the method claims in accordance with the embodiments of the invention described herein need not be performed in any particular order. Furthermore, although elements of the invention may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated.

Claims

1. A barrier alarm device, comprising:

barrier state detection means for detecting when the barrier monitored by the barrier alarm means is opened;

human detection means for determining when a person is located inside the premises adjacent the barrier;

a transmitter for transmitting a timed alarm signal to the receiver, the timed alarm signal for starting the timer;

a memory having processor-executable instructions stored thereon; and

a processor coupled to the barrier status detection device, the human detection device, the transmitter, and the memory for executing processor-executable instructions that cause the barrier alarm device to:

determining, by the processor, via the barrier status detection device that the barrier has been opened;

determining, by a processor via a human detection device, that a human is approaching the barrier inside the house; and

a timed alarm signal is sent by the processor to the receiver via the transmitter when the barrier has been opened and when a person approaches the barrier inside the house.

2. The barrier alarm of claim 1, wherein processor-executable instructions further comprise instructions that cause the barrier alarm device to:

determining, by the processor via the human detection device, that a human is not approaching the barrier inside the house when the barrier is opened; and

an immediate alarm signal is sent by the processor to the local receiver via the transmitter to cause a security response to be initiated.

3. The barrier alarm of claim 1, further comprising:

an indicator for sending an alarm to a person when sending a timing alarm signal;

wherein the processor-executable instructions comprise further instructions that cause the barrier alarm device to:

when the timed alarm signal is transmitted, an alarm is generated by the processor via the indicator, the alarm indicating that the safety response will be initiated after a predetermined time unless an action is performed by a person to cancel the safety response.

4. A barrier alarm according to claim 3 wherein the indicator comprises a light emitter and the alarm comprises a flashing light generated by the light emitter.

5. The barrier alarm of claim 3, wherein the indicator comprises a speaker and the alarm comprises a sound produced by the speaker.

6. A barrier alarm according to claim 2, further comprising:

wherein the processor-executable instructions further comprise instructions that cause the barrier alarm device to:

causing, by a processor, an alert to be generated by the indicator via the indicator, the alert indicating that a security response will be initiated after a predetermined time unless an action is performed by a person to cancel the security response; and

when the processor determines that a person is not approaching the barrier inside the premises when the barrier is opened, refraining, by the processor, from causing the indicator to generate an alarm.

7. A central security panel, comprising:

a communication interface for receiving signals from the barrier alarm device;

a memory for storing processor-executable instructions; and

a processor, coupled to the communication interface and the memory, for processing processor-executable instructions that cause the central security panel to:

receiving a first alarm signal from a barrier alarm device of a barrier monitoring a premises, the first alarm signal indicating that the barrier is open and a person is inside the monitored premises adjacent to the barrier;

in response to receiving the first alarm signal, beginning to monitor an elapsed time from receipt of the first alarm signal;

determining, by a processor, that the elapsed time has exceeded a predetermined time;

generating a safety response in response to determining that the elapsed time has exceeded the predetermined time; and

a security response is provided to the receiver over the communication interface.

8. The central security panel of claim 7, wherein the processor-executable instructions further comprise instructions that cause the barrier alarm device to:

receiving a second alarm signal from the barrier alarm device indicating that the barrier is open and a person is not approaching the barrier within the monitored premises;

in response to receiving the second signal, a security response is provided to the receiver via the communication interface.

9. The central security panel of claim 7, further comprising:

an indicator coupled to the processor for alerting a person upon receipt of the timed alarm signal; and

a user interface coupled to the processor for receiving user input;

wherein the processor-executable instructions comprise further instructions that cause the central security panel to:

causing, by the processor, an alarm to be generated by the indicator via the indicator when the timed alarm signal is received;

receiving, by the processor, a cancellation signal via the user interface before the elapsed time exceeds the predetermined time; and

upon receipt of a cancellation signal before the elapsed time exceeds a predetermined time, a safety response is prevented from being provided to the receiver by the processor.

10. The central security panel of claim 9, wherein the indicator comprises a light emitter and the alert comprises a flashing light generated by the light emitter.

11. The central security panel of claim 9, wherein the indicator comprises a speaker and the alarm comprises a sound produced by the speaker.

12. A method performed by a barrier status detection apparatus, comprising:

determining when a barrier monitored by the barrier status detection means is opened;

determining when a person is inside the premises monitored by the central security panel and inside the premises; and

when the barrier has been opened and a person is inside the house and close to the barrier, a timed alarm signal is sent to the local receiver, which is used to start a timer.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

determining that a person is not inside the house near the barrier when the barrier is opened; and

an immediate alarm signal is sent to the local receiver to cause a security response to be initiated.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

an alarm is generated when the timed alarm signal is transmitted, the alarm indicating that a security response will be initiated after a predetermined time unless a person performs an action to cancel the security response.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the alert comprises a flashing light.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the alert comprises a sound.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

generating an alarm when the timed alarm signal is transmitted, the alarm indicating that a safety response will be initiated after a predetermined time unless a person performs an action to cancel the safety response; and

refraining from generating an alarm when the processor determines that a person is not approaching the barrier inside the house when the barrier is opened.

18. A method performed by a central security panel, comprising:

receiving a first alarm signal from a barrier alarm device monitoring a barrier of a premises, the first alarm signal indicating that the barrier is opened and a person is approaching the barrier inside the premises;

in response to receiving the first alarm signal, starting a countdown timer;

determining that a countdown timer has expired;

generating a security response in response to determining that the countdown timer has expired; and

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

receiving a second alarm signal from the barrier alarm device indicating that the barrier is open and that a person is not approaching the barrier inside the monitored premises;

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

generating an alarm when a timed alarm signal is received;

receiving a cancel signal before the countdown timer expires; and

upon receipt of a cancellation signal before the countdown timer expires, a safety response is prevented from being provided to the receiver.