GB2281650A - Security system - Google Patents

Abstract

The system comprises in each of a number of premises 2, 4, 6, 8, transmitter means 10 receiver means 12 and information output means 16 each adapted to be connected to an alarm means 14. The transmitter means is adapted to transmit information relating to the status of the alarm. The receiver means is adapted to receive information relating to the status of any of the other alarms in the other premises for output by the information output means. <IMAGE>

Description

SECURITY SYSTEM The present invention relates to a security system and, in particular, to a system for the protection of property against break-in, vandalism and the like. The invention will find particular application in domestic and commercial properties.

Conventional security systems comprise an alarm installed on a property such that detection of movement by a sensor unit, many of which may be located throughout the property, causes the alarm to trigger. In many cases, when the property is temporarily left unattended, the useful working of the security system requires somebody in the vicinity of the break-in to hear the alarm and be conscientious enough to report it. This has led to the development of the conventional homewatch scheme which is operated successfully over many parts of the country. This scheme relys on the close proximity of participants for example neighbours to be able to physically observe events and report these to a security company which in turnnotifies the occupant and the police.When properties are isolated, for example by large gardens, hedges and the like, the conventional homewatch system is often not feasible since participants are too remote from each other to permit convenient watching of another's property. The problem is further compounded when false alarm conditions prevail, for example when the alarm is accidentally triggered by the home owner/occupier, since by the time the owner/occupier has turned off his alarm, a neighbouring participant may have already alerted the police.

The present invention has been made in order to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages. An object of the present invention is to provide an effective and reliable security system for the implementation of a homewatch type scheme.

According to the invention there is provided a security system comprising transmitter means, receiver means and information output means, each adapted to be connected to an alarm means, wherein said transmitter means is adapted to transmit information relating to the status of said alarm and said receiver means is adapted to receive information relating to the status of an alarm remote from said security system for output by said information output means.

Preferably, the receiver means also receives information relating to the status of said alarm for output by the information output means. The transmitter means and receiver means may comprise a single device which may also include control means. The security system may further include said alarm means. Conveniently, aerials may be provided to facilitate reception and transmission by said receiver and transmitter means.

The information output means may comprise a display panel and preferably such panel has illumination means such as light emitting diodes for displaying said information.

Preferably, said receiver means is adapted to receive information relating to the status of a plurality of remote alarms and the information output means or display panel may comprise a display unit corresponding to each such remote alarm. The status of said alarm and each such remote alarm may each be one of three states, namely on or set", "off", and "triggered or alarm" and each display unit may have an illumination means corresponding to each such state.

The information output means may alternatively or additionally comprise aural output means such as buzzer or bell and this may be particularly useful for the "triggered or alarm" state.

This system is preferably designed to be used in conjunction with existing alarm systems. The unit monitors the current status of the alarm - OFF/SET/ALARM, and transmits this information to all other units within the group operating cell. Preferably, the participants in the cell can be any number up to 8 and can be located up to 100 meters apart in the standard system and 0.5Km in the enhanced system.

Preferably, each system is in two parts: (i) A Transmitter/Receiver and control unit.

This is for mounting in a convenient hidden location preferably high up, the loft is ideal. It contains the transmitter, receiver and control processor. It operates as a self contained unit receiving set and alarm status from the main house alarm. The power is also obtained from the house alarm but the unit is fitted with an internal battery backup. A data link to the mimic panel is also fitted. This control unit will work even if the main alarm bells have been disabled and once set will independently initiate the alarm if the main house alarm is disabled.

(ii) Mimic Panel.

For mounting near the existing alarm, this mimic panel gives status information on the houses own system as well as the other members of the cell.

The present invention will now be described further by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a security system of the invention in use; and Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the components of an embodiment of a security system of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, a security system 1 is installed in one or more houses 2, 4, 6 and 8. The security system 1 comprises a transmitter 10, a receiver 12 and an information display panel 16. The transmitter 10 and receiver 12 may be incorporated into a single unit for example for ease of installation or each may form a separate unit. The transmitter/receiver unit(s) 10/12 are adapted to be connected to an alarm 14, for example by a four core screened cable 13 as shown in Figure 2. The alarm 14 in turn is connected to the information display panel 16, such as by a six core cable 15 as shown in Figure 2.

Conveniently the alarm 14 is an existing alarm previously installed in the house. However, the alarm 14 may alternatively comprise a component of the security system for supply and installation as part of the system. Thus, for example, the security system may be supplied as a kit of parts for home installation; an alarm being included in some kits and not in others.

The information display panel 16 comprises one or more display units 18; a unit 18 preferably being provided for each house in the homewatch scheme. Each unit 18 shows to which house that unit corresponds and has three status display lights or light emitting diodes (L.E.D.s) corresponding to the states in that house of the alarm being off "OFF", the alarm being on or "SET" and the alarm being triggered or "ALARM".

Thus, in use, each house in the homewatch scheme has an alarm and/or a security system 1 fitted. The occupant of each house can conveniently monitor the alarm status of each other house in the scheme by means of the display panel 16.

Information corresponding to the alarm status of a particular house is transmitted by the transmitter 10 of that house and received by the receivers 12 in the other houses. This information is then displayed as appropriate by the display panel 16 of each house. When an alarm in one of the houses is triggered the "alarm" light is illuminated for that house on the panel in each other house in the scheme.

Thus, for example in the embodiment shown where eight houses are involved in the homewatch scheme, a triggered alarm is eight times more likely to be noticed and appropriate action taken. There is a high probability that one or more occupiers taking part in the scheme will notice the triggered alarm state and take the appropriate action.

The radio interface is always active for receive only until the house alarm is set. Whilst in this quiescent mode it monitors the status of all other members of the homewarch cell.

When the house alarm is set the system will transmit a "system set" signal to all members. It waits for an automatic acknowledgement from each system before entering the SET mode. If a members system does not respond this will initiate a warning and allow either the member to be contacted to ensure all is well or can be temporarily locked out as faulty or off.

The system set signal carried vital data that is used to initiate a randomly selected automatic test and verification sequence that eliminates the ability for a potential perpetrator to disable the radio system without initiating an alarm in the other cell members houses.

During the period whilst the alarm is set, the system will log onto the other systems to confirm all is working and OK. If this signal fails to be sent or for some reason the signal is incorrectly received, any of the other systems can automatically request a status verification. If this is incorrect or none existent an alarm will be initiated.

If the house alarm is triggered this will immediately transmit the information to all other units in the cell. At this time the other units will attempt a verification and if the alarm condition is confirmed or the initiating unit is not responding will initiate an alarm warning condition in the individual houses.

A mimic panel in each house shows the status of that house as well as all other members of the homewatch cell.

It will be appreciated that the present invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above described embodiment which is described by way of example only.

In particular, although the system is described for use in a homewatch type scheme, the invention provides a means of transmitting signals for other purposes. For example, as described, in the homewatch scheme each house may have eight receivers and one transmitter contained in a single unit. For use inother applications, such a unit may be installed for example in each flat in a block of flats or in each of a number of rooms in a hotel or office block.

When used in for example a conference room in a hotel the unit may be used to transmit and receive signals representing any required information.

Thus, according to a second aspect of the invention there is further provided an altering system comprising transmitter means, receiver means and information output means, each adapted to be connected to a trigger. means, wherein said transmitter means is adapted to transmit information relating to the status of said trigger means and said receiver means is adopted to receive information relating to the status of a trigger means remote from said alerting system for output by said information output means.

It will be appreciated that a system of the invention may be triggered by one or more of a number of events such as break-in, fire, bomb explosion and the like. A security company or the like may use a system of the present invention to directly monitor one or more locations for any such events by having a receiver and/or transmitter unit installed.

Claims (14)

1. A security system comprising transmitter means, receiver means and information output means, each adapted to be connected to an alarm means, wherein said transmitter means is adapted to transmit information relating to the status of said alarm and said receiver means is adapted to receive information relating to the status of an alarm remote from said security system for output by said information output means.

2. A security system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the receiver means also receives information relating to the status of said alarm for output by the information output means.

3. A security system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the transmitter means and receiver means comprise a single device.

4. A security system as claimed in claim 3 wherein the single device includes control means.

5. A security system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the security system includes alarm means.

6. A security system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the information output means comprises a display panel.

7. A security system as claimed in claim 6 wherein said panel has illumination means for displaying said information.

8. A security system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said receiver means is adapted to receive information relating to the status of a plurality of remote alarms.

9. A security system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the information output means comprises a display unit corresponding to each of a plurality of remote alarms.

10. A security system as claimed in claim 9 wherein each display unit comprises illumination means corresponding to each of a plurality of states of such corresponding remote alarm.

11. A security system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the informåtion output means comprises aural output means.

12. An alerting system comprising transmitter means, receiver means and information output means, each adapted to be connected to a trigger means, wherein said transmitter means is adapted to transmit information relating to the status of said trigger means and said receiver means is adopted to receive information relating to the status of a trigger means remote from said alerting system for output by said information output means.

13. A security system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

14. An alerting system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.