EP2698773A1

EP2698773A1 - An intruder alarm system and a method of arming an intruder alarm system

Info

Publication number: EP2698773A1
Application number: EP12180361.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Dan Hovang
Original assignee: Securitas Direct AB
Current assignee: Securitas Direct AB
Priority date: 2012-08-14
Filing date: 2012-08-14
Publication date: 2014-02-19

Abstract

An intruder alarm system for detecting intrusion in premises, comprising a first group of detectors, a second group of detectors, a control unit (12) and input means (22) connected to the control unit (12). The control unit (12) is arranged so that the alarm system can be set in a first armed mode, in which the first group of detectors is armed and the second group of detectors is disarmed, and a second armed mode, in which the first and second groups of detectors are armed. The control unit (12), in the first armed mode, is arranged for triggering an alarm and automatically arming or activating the second group of detectors when a detector of said first group of detectors is triggered.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to an intruder alarm system and a method of arming an intruder alarm system for detecting intrusion in premises. Such alarm systems are commonly used in domestic houses, industrial premises, commercial premises and office premises as well as other premises and buildings to detect unauthorised intrusion such as burglary, damages and similar.
Alarm systems of this type comprise a first group of detectors, including premises perimeter detectors, and a second group of detectors, including premises interior detectors. Such alarm system can be set in different modes. For example, the alarm system can be set in a first armed mode, in which the first group of detectors is armed and the second group of detectors is disarmed, and a second armed mode, in which the first and second groups of detectors are armed. The first armed mode is, for example, useful when one or more persons or pets are located in the premises.

PRIOR ART

Security and alarm systems of prior art comprise perimeter and interior detectors connected to a control unit. The control unit can be arranged as a gateway that is connected to a remote security server, either by a telephone line or by a wireless telecommunications system such as GSM or other radio frequency systems. The connection also can be through the internet. The gateway can be provided with input means or can be activated and controlled by a control device, such as a keypad or similar which can be a wireless remote device.
Prior art alarm system can be armed in different ways and into different alarm modes, such as "Disarmed", "Armed Home" and "Armed Away". If the system is set to "Disarmed" it will not alarm to perimeter or interior detectors. Still, fire detectors, gas detectors, flooding events, power break down events and similar detectors normally will be armed also in the "Disarmed" mode. If the alarm system is set to a first armed mode referred to as "Armed Home" the alarm system will generate an alarm at the occurrence of a breach of a first group of selected detectors such as perimeter detectors, but not to a breach of the interior detectors in general. If the system is set to a second armed mode referred to as "Armed Away" it will alarm to a breach of the perimeter or interior detectors and normally to all types of detectors.
The mode of the system is determined by the needs of the occupants of the premises. If all of the occupants are leaving the premises then the alarm system should be set to "Armed Away". If the occupants will be staying within the premises for an extended period of time then the alarm system can be set to "Armed Home". This alarm setting can be appropriate for instance when the occupants are sleeping within the premises or are staying within a defined part thereof. For other scenarios the alarm system should be set to "Disarmed".
In the "Armed Home" state a selected group of detectors is armed. For example, the selected group of detectors includes the perimeter detectors and optionally interior detectors covering sections of the premises that are not used by the occupants. Each alarm system installation can be set up with different detectors included in the selected group.
In further developed security and alarm systems image capturing devices are included, normally in combination with motion sensors. An image capturing device normally is responsive to an associated intrusion sensor, so as to be able to capture images or video clips displaying the intruder. The image capturing device also can be used to forward images and video clips in other alarm situations, for instance when a fire alarm is called out.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved alarm system and an improved method of arming an alarm system, which result in a more efficient alarm system and additional information possibilities in case of a detected intrusion.
The present disclosure relates to an intruder alarm system for detecting intrusion in premises, comprising a first group of detectors, a second group of detectors, a control unit and input means connected to the control unit, wherein the control unit is connected to the first and second groups of detectors and is arranged so that the alarm system, by means of the input means, can be set in a disarmed mode, in which the first and second groups of detectors are disarmed, a first armed mode, in which the first group of detectors is armed and the second group of detectors is disarmed, and a second armed mode, in which the first and second groups of detectors are armed, and wherein the first group of detectors comprises a premises perimeter detector and the second group of detectors comprises a premises interior detector, characterised in that the control unit, in the first armed mode, is arranged for triggering an alarm and automatically arming or activating the second group of detectors when a detector of said first group of detectors is triggered.
The first armed mode can be a so called armed home mode, which can be used when persons populate the premises or parts thereof. The second armed mode can be a so called armed away mode, which can be used when the premises not are populated. In the armed away mode the system can operate in a conventional manner. However, in the armed home mode the alarm system in accordance with the invention have further features compared to conventional alarm systems. In the armed home mode, triggering of a detector of the first group of selected detectors, normally perimeter detectors, triggers an alarm. Further, when a detector in said first group of selected detectors is triggered by an intruder or any other event the second group of selected alarm detectors can be armed or activated. For example, the detectors of the second group of detectors will then produce alarm signals if triggered. This process can involve IR-detectors that will sense the presence of an intruder in spaces that normally are not protected in the first armed mode. The information from these armed or activated detectors can be available to an alarm receiving centre, such as a remote alarm receiving centre and/or to persons inside the building. The alarm signal can be forwarded to the alarm receiving centre and further appropriate action can be taken.
The second group of detectors can comprise an image capturing device, such as a camera or video camera, and the control unit can be arranged for arming or activating said image capturing device when a detector of said first group of detectors is triggered and the alarm system is in the armed home mode. Hence, in the armed home mode, an alarm signal from a detector of the first group of detectors, such as a perimeter detector, can trigger the alarm and also activate one or more cameras inside to capture any event in the premises, such as persons moving around in the premises. The cameras can be automatically activated, i.e. switched on for capturing image, directly by the triggering of a detector of the first group of detectors when the alarm system is in the armed home mode. Alternatively, the triggering of a detector of the first group of detectors when the alarm system is in the armed home mode can arm a detector connected to a camera, wherein the camera is switched on when the detector associated therewith is triggered.
This disclosure also relates to a method of arming an intruder alarm system for detecting intrusion in premises, comprising the steps of

arming a first group of detectors, including at least one premises perimeter detector,
maintaining a second group of detectors, including at least one premises interior detector, disarmed, and
automatically arming or activating at least one detector of the second group of detectors when a detector of said first group of detectors is triggered.

Said method results in the first armed mode, which also is called the armed home mode.
Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the embodiments below, the appended drawings and the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the manner in which the above recited and other advantages and objects of the invention are obtained will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings.
Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic top view of one embodiment of an installation of an alarm system in accordance with the invention,
Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the operation of the alarm system according to one embodiment of the invention, and
Fig. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the operation of the alarm system according to one alternative embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In Fig. 1 an alarm system is arranged in premises in the form of a building 10. The alarm system comprises a control unit 12 also referred to as a gateway that, for example, includes a processor and an alarm unit for providing an alarm signal when the alarm is set off.
The alarm system comprises at least one and preferably a plurality of premises perimeter detectors 14, such as a first premises perimeter detector 14a and a second premises perimeter detector 14b. The premises perimeter detectors 14 are, for example, detectors sensitive to the presence or passage of persons and objects. For example, presence detectors include motion detectors, such as IR-detectors, and passage detectors include magnetic sensors arranged at windows 16 and doors, such as an entrance door 18. Other detectors with similar properties can also be included. The alarm system further comprises at least one and preferably a plurality of premises interior detectors 20, such as a first premises interior detector 20a and a second premises interior detector 20b.
The control unit 12 is connected to the premises perimeter detectors 14, the premises interior detectors 20 and to input means 22, such as a keypad or similar, for arming and disarming the detectors 14, 20 to arm and disarm the alarm system. For example, the control unit 12 is activated and controlled by the input means 22. Alternatively, the control unit 12 is provided with the input means 22. Alternatively, the input means 22 is a remote device, such as a wireless remote device. In the illustrated embodiment, the input means 22 is arranged in the vicinity of the entrance door 18. Alternatively, the input means 22 is arranged in any suitable location or is a portable device, such as a cell phone. The detectors 14, 20 are, for example, provided with wireless communication means for communicating with the control unit 12.
In the embodiment of Fig. 1 the control unit 12 is connected to a an alarm receiving centre 24, such as a remote alarm receiving centre, either by wire, such as a telephone line as indicated in Fig. 1 with a dashed line, or by a wireless telecommunications system such as GSM or other radio frequency systems. The connection also can be through the internet 26. For example, the control unit 12 is provided with communication means for communicating with the remote alarm receiving centre 24. Alternatively, the alarm receiving centre 24 is located within the premises or within the building 10. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 the remote alarm receiving centre 24 comprises a web server 28, a control and communications unit 30 and a database 32. The web server 28 is an interface for a user to set up and to monitor the alarm system of the building 10. Different settings and information regarding the alarm system and different users of the alarm system are stored in the database 32. Communication between the user, the alarm system and the remote alarm receiving centre 24 is processed through the control and communications unit 30.
According to one embodiment at least one premises interior detector 20 comprises or is connected to an image capturing means, such as a camera, video camera or any other type of image capturing means, wherein the image capturing means is activated when said detector 20 is triggered. For example, at least one premises interior detector 20 comprises an image capturing means, which image capturing means is activated by the triggering of the interior detector 20 connected to it, so that the image capturing means is switched on when the interior detector 20 detects an unauthorized intrusion.
The alarm system is arranged so that selected detectors 14, 20 form a first group of detectors and a second group of detectors. For example, the control unit 12 is set up to control the first and second group of detectors separately. The first group of detectors comprises at least one premises perimeter detector 14 and the second group of detectors comprises at least one premises interior detector 20. For example, the first group of detectors comprises a plurality of or all premises perimeter detectors 14 and the second group of detectors comprises a plurality of or all premises interior detectors 20. For example, the second group of detectors includes at least one premises interior detector 20 connected to or comprising an image capturing means. According to one embodiment the first group of detectors comprises only perimeter detectors. Alternatively the first group of detectors comprises perimeter detectors 14 and selected interior detectors 20 or other detectors, such as exterior detectors. For example, the first group of detectors comprises perimeter detectors 14 and interior detectors 20 covering presently not populated sections of the premises. For example, the second group of detectors comprises only interior detectors 20. Alternatively the second group of detectors comprises interior detectors 20 and selected perimeter detectors 14 or other detectors, such as exterior detectors.
The control unit 12 is arranged so that the alarm system, by means of the input means 22, can be set in a disarmed mode, in which the first and second groups of detectors are disarmed and, hence, the alarm system is disarmed. Further, the control unit 12 is arranged so that the alarm system can be set in a first armed mode and a second armed mode, wherein the first armed mode or the second armed mode can be selected. The first armed mode is a so called armed home mode, in which the first group of detectors is armed and the second group of detectors is disarmed, so that at least sections of the premises can be populated without triggering the alarm. The first armed mode will allow a user of the alarm system and other persons to move about within the premises or sections thereof without causing an alarm. For example, in the first armed mode only perimeter 14 detectors are armed, wherein all interior detectors 20 are disarmed. Alternatively, in the first armed mode all or selected perimeter detectors 14 and also selected interior detectors 20 are armed. For example, perimeter detectors 14 can be armed together with interior detectors 20 of a specific section of the premises, such as a specific floor or part of a building, allowing other sections of the premises to be populated without triggering the alarm system.
The second armed mode is a so called armed away mode, in which the first and second groups of detectors are armed. Hence, in the second armed mode both perimeter detectors 14 and interior detectors 20 are armed. For example, the second armed mode operates in a conventional manner, wherein an alarm signal from any detector 14, 20 triggers the alarm. For example, the alarm signal is forwarded to the remote alarm receiving centre 24 and further appropriate action is taken. For example, the alarm system comprises a siren 34 which is activated by the triggering of a detector 14, 20. In case of a perimeter detector 14 or an interior detector 20 being triggered an alarm signal immediately is sent to the control unit 12 and further on to the remote alarm receiving centre 24. The control unit 12 also sends a signal to the siren 34 which generates a loud signal to alert persons within the premises and to discourage and scare the intruder.
In accordance with the present disclosure the control unit 12, in the first armed mode, is arranged for triggering the alarm and automatically arming or activating the second group of detectors, such as the interior detectors 20, when a detector, such as a perimeter detector 14, of said first group of detectors is triggered. One example of the operation of the alarm system according to the invention is illustrated in Fig. 2. According to the embodiment of Fig. 2 three different modes of operation can be selected, i.e. the disarmed mode, the first armed mode and the second armed mode. Alternatively, additional modes can be selected. In the first armed mode, the second group of detectors is disarmed and the control unit 12 is arranged for activating an alarm signal and activating at least one image capturing device of the second group of detectors when a detector of the first group of detectors is triggered. For example, in the first armed mode the triggering of a perimeter detector 14 of the first group of detectors triggers the alarm and activates image capturing devices connected to interior detectors 20 of the second group of detectors. For example, image information from the image capturing devices is sent to the alarm receiving centre 24. In the second armed mode both first and second groups of detectors are armed and the alarm system operates in a conventional manner, wherein the triggering of any detector 14, 20 activates the alarm signal and, optionally, also activates any image capturing devices.
One alternative embodiment of the operation of the alarm system according to the invention is illustrated in Fig. 3. According to the embodiment of Fig. 3, in the first armed mode, the second group of detectors is disarmed and the control unit 12 is arranged for activating an alarm signal and arming the second group of detectors when a detector of the first group of detectors is triggered. For example, in the first armed mode the triggering of a perimeter detector 14 of the first group of detectors in the premises triggers the alarm and arms the interior detectors 20 of the second group of detectors, including interior detectors 20 connected to or provided with an image capturing device. Then, when any armed interior detector 20 of the second group of detectors is triggered the image capturing device associated with the triggered interior detector 20 is activated and starts sending image information to the alarm receiving centre 24.
For example, in the first armed mode an alarm signal from a perimeter detector 14 of the first group of detectors in the building 10 triggers the alarm and arms or activates interior detectors 20 of the second group of detectors, including interior detectors 20 connected to or provided with an image capturing device. Consequently, image capturing devices connected to the interior detectors 20 of the second group of detectors are switched on when a perimeter detector 14 of the first group of detectors is triggered and the alarm system is in the armed home mode. Alternatively, the interior detectors 20 of the second group of detectors, including interior detectors 20 connected to image capturing devices, are armed, wherein an image capturing device is switched on when the interior detector 20 associated therewith is triggered and the alarm system is in the armed home mode. For example, the alarm signal is forwarded to the remote alarm receiving centre 24 and further appropriate action is taken. For example, if a detector of the first group of detectors, such as a perimeter detector 14, is triggered when the alarm system is set to its first alarm mode, an alarm signal is sent to the control unit 12 and further on to the remote alarm receiving centre 24 while the detectors of the second group of detectors are armed or activated. Consequently, any image capturing devices connected to detectors of the second group of detectors, such as interior detectors 20, are activated to capture any event in the premises, such as activities of authorised and unauthorised persons within the premises. For example, the control unit 12 also sends a signal to the siren 34 which generates a loud signal to alert persons within the premises and to discourage and scare the intruder.
While certain illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described in particularity, it will be understood that various other modifications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the scope of the claims appended hereto be limited to the description set forth herein but rather that the claims be construed as encompassing all equivalents of the present invention which are apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

Claims

An intruder alarm system for detecting intrusion in premises, comprising a first group of detectors, a second group of detectors, a control unit (12) and input means (22) connected to the control unit (12), wherein the control unit (12) is connected to the first and second groups of detectors and is arranged so that the alarm system, by means of the input means (22), can be set in a disarmed mode, in which the first and second groups of detectors are disarmed, a first armed mode, in which the first group of detectors is armed and the second group of detectors is disarmed, and a second armed mode, in which the first and second groups of detectors are armed, and wherein the first group of detectors comprises at least one premises perimeter detector (14) and the second group of detectors comprises at least one premises interior detector (20), characterised in that
the control unit (12), in the first armed mode, is arranged for triggering an alarm and automatically arming or activating the second group of detectors when a detector of said first group of detectors is triggered.
An intruder alarm system according to claim 1, wherein the second group of detectors comprises an image capturing device and wherein the control unit (12), in the first armed mode, is arranged for arming or activating said image capturing device when a detector of said first group of detectors is triggered.
An intruder alarm system according to claim 2, wherein the second group of detectors comprises an IR-detector connected to the image capturing device.
An intruder alarm system according to claim 3, wherein the control unit (12), in the first armed mode, is arranged for arming said IR-detector when a detector of said first group of detectors is triggered to activate said image capturing device when said IR-detector is triggered.
An intruder alarm system according to any of the preceding claims, comprising an alarm receiving centre (24) for receiving signals from the detectors (14, 20).
An intruder alarm system according to claim 5, wherein the alarm receiving centre (24) is a remote alarm receiving centre.
A method of arming an intruder alarm system for detecting intrusion in premises, comprising the steps of
arming a first group of detectors, including at least one premises perimeter detector (14),
leaving a second group of detectors, including at least one premises interior detector (20), disarmed, and
automatically arming or activating the second group of detectors when a detector of said first group of detectors is triggered.
A method according to claim 7, comprising the step of automatically arming or activating an image capturing device of the second group of detectors when a detector of said first group of detectors is triggered.
A method according to claim 8, comprising the step of automatically arming an IR-detector connected to said image capturing device of the second group of detectors when a detector of said first group of detectors is triggered.
A method according to claim 8 or 9, comprising the step of forwarding image information from said image capturing device to an alarm receiving centre (24).
A method according to claim 10, comprising the step of forwarding image information from said image capturing device to a server (28) of a remote alarm receiving centre (24).