NZ531608A - Alarm system communication method - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of wireless transmission of an alarm system signal includes: establishing a connection between the alarm system (2, 3a to 3e) and a communications unit (5) being located in the same vicinity as the alarm system; transmitting an alarm signal from the alarm system to the communications unit and transmitting the alarm signal from the communications unit to a signal reception unit means (6) of a wireless transmitter.

Description

53 1 6 0 8 Intellectual Property Office of NZ - 8 MAR 2004 RECEIVE Patents Form No. 5 Patents Act 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION ALARM SYSTEM COMMUNICATION METHOD WE, Rabie Johannes VAN DER MERWE, C/o 51b Richard Road, Industria North, Maraisburg, South Africa, a South African citizen, Keith Andrew VIEIRA, C/o 51b Richard Road, Industria North, Maraisburg, South Africa, a South African citizen and Vincent Frederick GOMBERT, 32 Hussey Road, Harewood, Christchurch, New Zealand, a South African citizen, hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: 1 ALARM SYSTEM COMMUNICATION METHOD FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to alarm systems and in particular to the control and communication of such systems.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Electronic alarm systems are widely used in buildings to monitor and report certain events to a central station from where appropriate action can be taken. The alarm systems utilize sensors placed throughout the building to sense events, for example a fire or burglary.

In any particular alarm system the sensors are in communication with a control panel located fn or near the building. Each sensor is identifiable by the control panel, typically through a connection to a specific position in the control panel, which enables the control panel to Identify the type of alarm event Once Hie control pane! receives an alarm signal It is transmitted to the central station via a communicator. The communicator may be part of the control panel or a separate un'rt fn a one type of system the communicator seizes the standard telephone line of the premises once It receives an alarm signal from the control panel. The communicator then contacts the central station and transmits the alarm signal as an DTMF signal to the central station where it is processed further. Some of the current alarm systems that communicate in this manner uses the ContactID communications protocol.

In another type of alarm system the alarm signal is transmitted to the central station via a radio wave transmission.

The current alarm systems that utilize radio wave transmissions mostly uses the so-called Ademco 4+2 protocol for its communication. This protocol allows for a 4 digit identification code and a 2 digit event code to be transmitted to the central station. This limits the amount of information that can be transmitted to the central station. « 4 Ideally- each sensor, like for example a window sensor on the southern side of the building or a door sensor on the eastern side of the building and so forth, should be identified Individually. Events that can conceivably be recorded include alarm conditions, tamper conditions, alarm restore conditions, entry conditions, exit conditions, control unit malfunction, fire condition, medical condition, burglary condition, 24 hour condition, access control, test conditions, panic conditions, duress conditions, perimeter intrusion, near alarm conditions, system trouble conditions, and so forth.

Taking into account that most of these events could occur at several positions in the building, it can be appreciated readily that a 2 digit event code limitation necessitates that only certain events can monitored throughout the building, leaving other conditions unmonltored.

In this specification the phrase "Alarm System" means an alarm system that communicates with a communication reception point over a Telephone Line connection and uses one of the following alarm system communication protocols: • ContactID • Binary Frequency Shift Key (BFSK) • Security Industry Association (SIA) In this specification the phrase Telephone Line" means a telephone line connection that includes hard wire and optical connections.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION a It is an object of this invention to provide a communication device for a telephone line based alarm system that at least partly overcomes the abovementloned difficulties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with this invention there is provided a method of wireless transmission of an Alarm System signal, the method including the steps of: 1. establishing a connection between the Alarm System and a communications unit, the communications unit being located in the same vicinity as the Alarm System; 2. transmitting an alarm signal from the Alarm System to the communications unit; and 3. transmitting the alarm signal from the communications unit to a signal reception unit by means of a wireless transmitter.

There Is also provided for step 1 of the method to comprise the following steps: a) initiating a Telephone Line connection from the Alarm System to the communications unit; and b) transmitting a first predetermined Identification signal from the communications unit to the Alarm System.

There is also provided for step 2 of the method to comprise the following steps: a) transmitting the alarm signal from the Alarm System to the communications unit; b) transmitting a second predetermined identification signal from the communications unit to the Alarm System; and c) releasing the Telephone Line connection between the Alarm System to the communications unit.

There is also provided for step 3 of the method to comprise the following steps: a) reconfiguring the alarm signal by the communications unit into a predetermined protocol; and b) transmitting the reconfigured alarm signal from the communications unit to the signal-reception unit.

There is still further provided for step 3 of the method to be followed by the following step: a) transmitting a data-received confirmation signal from the signal reception unit to the communications unit The invention also provides for step 3 of the method to comprise the following steps: a) transmitting a link-establishing signal from the communications unit to the signal reception unit; b) transmitting a link-established confirmation signal from the signal reception unit to the communications unit; c) reconfiguring the alarm signal into a predetermined protocol; d) transmitting the reconfigured alarm signal from the communications unit to the signal reception unit; 6) transmitting a data-received confirmation signal from the signal reception unit to the communications unit.

There Is also provided for step 3 of the method to include transmitting the alarm signal to the signal reception unit by means of a Telephone Line connection between the Alarm System and the signal reception wilt as a backup to the wireless transmission of the alarm signal.

There is further provided for the wireless connection to be established by means of one or more of a radio or micro wave transmitter, radio or micro wave transceiver, mobile G$M network, GPRS, Bluetooth, mobile analog network, tetra network, X20 network. MPT1327 network, and packet-radio network.

There is still further provided for the wireless transmitter to comprises a radio transmitter, a microwave transmitter, and an Infrared transmitter There is still further provided for the radio transmitter to include a mobile telephone.

There is also provided for the step of reconfiguring the alarm signal into a predetermined protocol to include attaching a predetermined label to the alarm signal.

There is still further provided for the signal reception unit to include one or more of a central control station, a mobile response unit, and a mobile signal receiver.

There is afso provided for me mobile signal receiver to include a mobile telephone or a pager.

There is further provided for the method to include the steps of. a. transmitting a predetermined instruction signal from the signal reception unit to the communications unit; b. transmitting the instruction signal from the communications unit to a control panel of the Alarm System.

There is still further provided for the instruction signal to be transmitted to at least one predetermined electrically controllable device, and for 1he electrically controllable device to be activatable or deactlvatable in response to the instruction signal There is still further provided for the electrically controllable device to include one or more of a light, electronic equipment, electrical equipment, a siren, and the like.

There is aiso provided for the method to include the steps of. a. transmitting a predetermined query signal from an interrogator unit * to the communications unit; b. transmitting a reporting signal from the communications unit to the interrogator unit using a predetermined protocol: c. Interpreting the reporting signal to indicate on the Interrogator unit whether any alarm signals have been transmitted by the communications unit during a predetermined period.

There is further provided for the interrogator unit to include a short range radio transceiver.

The invention also provides for an interrogator interface unit to be connected to a detabus connection between the Alarm System control panel and a keypad of the Alarm System, or the Telephone Line connection between the Alarm System control panel and the communications unit, for the interrogator interface unit to 8 include a transceiver; and for the interrogator unit to communicate with the interrogator interface unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.

The invention will be described below by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings In which: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a building with an Alarm System and the wireless connection thereof to several signal reception units. j Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the major components of an Alarm System according to the Invention. » t DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows a house (1) with an Alarm System control panel (2) that is linked via hardwire (not shown) to a plurality of sensors (3a - 3e) strategically placed throughout the house (1). Each sensor (3a - 3e) covers a specific predetermined zone (4a - 4e) in the house, in this embodiment the sensors (3a - 3e) are motion sensors that detect movement of warm bodied creatures through infrared detection. The user of the Alarm System maintains control over the Alarm System by means of an arming station (10) which comprises a typical Keypad unit.

Also shgwn is a communications unit (5) within the house (1). The communications unit (5) is in or on the same premises as the Alarm System. In the event of a sensor (3a - 3e) reporting an event, which in this embodiment would be movement in one of the zones (4a - 4e). a reporting signal is sent from the sensor (3a - 3e) to the Alarm System control panel (2) via the hardwire connection (not shown).

In this embodiment the Alarm System uses the ContadlO alarm system communications protocol.

The Alarm System Is configured to report the alarm signal to one signal reception unit, namely a central station (6). The reporting to the central station is performed by the control panel (2) of the Alarm System. Upon reception of the alarm signal from the sensor (3a - 3e) the control panel (2) places a telephone call, over a Telephone Une (12), to one or more predetermined telephone numbers of the central station (6). The Alarm System control panel (2) is configured to wait for a predetermined identification signal from the central station before It would transmit the alarm signal to the central station (6) as an DTMF signal over the Telephone Line (12).

# As shdwn in Figure 2 the communications unit (5) is hardwired to the Telephone Line (12) connection point (11) on the Alarm System control panel (2). When the Alarm System control panel (2) places the telephone call to the central station (6) it is in fact calling the communications unit (5). The communications unit (5) sends a predetermined first identification signal to the Alarm System control panel (2) which confirms to the Alarm System control panel (2) that a connection with the central station (6) has been established.

This allows the Alarm System control panel (2) to transmit the alarm signal via the Telephone Line (12) connection and the alarm signal is received by the communications unit (5). Once the transmission is completed, the communications unit (5) transmit a second predetermined identification signal to the Alarm System control panel (2) which confirms to the Alarm System control panel (2) that the transmission has been successfully received.

As far as the configuratipn of the Alarm System control panel (2) is concerned, it has performed according to its design, it was basically fooled by the first identification signal to transmit the alarm signal to communications unit (5) instead of the central station (6) and again by the second identification signal that the alarm signal has been received, and it operated according to its design.

The alarm signal has therefore been passed on to the communications unit (5). The alarm signal is reconfigured into a pnedeterminable protocol, which is determined on the protocol that the signal reception unit requires. This Is necessary since the alarm may be transmitted to one or more signal reception units, as opposed to the single signal reception unit that could be reached through the previous Alarm System configuration. 4 In this embodiment there are three signal reception units, namely the central station (6), a mobile response unit (?) and a mobile telephone (8). The alarm signal is therefore reconfigured into the specific protocol required by each of these' signal reception units.

The alarm signal is then transmitted by means of radio waves to the signal reception units. The transmission of the alarm signal to the reception unit, for example the central station (6) may include various steps. In its simplest form the alarm signal is simply transmitted with the hope that the reception unit win receive the alarm signal, in a more advanced form, the alarm signal is transmitted repeatedly until a datarfeceived confirmation signal is reoeived from the reception unit. In an even more advanced form, the communications unit first transmits a link-establishing signal to the signal reception unit It then waits for link-established confirmation signal from the signal reception unit, before it transmits the alarm signal to the signal reception unit Once the alarm signal has been received the signal reception unit transmits a data-received confirmation signal to the communications unit, thereby ending the interchange. 11 In this embodiment the communications unit (5) uses the second option by transmitting the alerm signal repeatedly until ft receives a data-received confirmation signal from the signal reception unit from the central station (6), even though the signal is also Intended for the mobile response unit (7) and the mobile telephone (8). This may be altered to allow for the alarm signal to be transmitted until, for example, the communications unit (5) also receives a data-received confirmation signal from the mobile response unit (7).

The alarm signal may be labeled according to a predeterminable format For example, a signal that originates from the living room (4e) motion sensor (3e) can be labeled as "Motion Detected Living Room". If this signal is then sent to the mobile telephone (8) It will be interpreted to display a text message on the mobile telephone screen with that wording.

This allows the carrier of the phone to know precisely where the alarm event was sensed. It Is also possible to include an address description in the label, for example "Home" or "Office" depending on where the event was sensed. This also allows the centra) station (6) and the mobile response unit (7) to respond much more accurately and with greater safety to a situation.

Some of the alarm event types that may occur include alarm conditions, tamper conditions, alarm restore conditions, entry conditions, exit conditions, control unit malfunction, fire condition, medical condition, burglary condition, 24 hour condition, access control, test conditions, panic conditions, duress conditions, perimeter intrusion, near alarm conditions, and system trouble conditions.

The use of the ContactID protocol wjth a radio transmission makes it is possible to transmit an unlimited amount of data about the alarm event in a very short time. It is therefore possible to install more sensors, and for each sensor to be accurately labeled. This enables the central station, or any other signal reception unit, to be Informed accurately of an alarm event For example, the building 12 might have perimeter sensors on all the doors and windows. It may also have infrared motion detectors in every room and passage. If a person breaks in through a window that specific sensor will report the event When the Intruder steps into the room the motion detector will report that event. When he steps Into the hallway, or another room that event will be reported.

This allows the signal reception unit to accurately follows his movements through the building and to relay it to a mobile response unit The mobile response unit may also have a mobile telephone, or similar device such as pager, on which they may receive the same reporting. This allows them accurately follow the ■ intruder's movements from outside tire building and to device the safest and most effective strategy to apprehend the intruder. j The communications unit (5) is also configured to receive signals from a signal reception unit and to transmit those signals back to the control panel (2). The control panel (2) may be hardwired to one of more devices associated with the building-such as lights, a siren, a television, a radio, a kettle and so forth. This makes it possible to transmit a signal to the control panel, which could activate or deactivate one or more sensors or the entire Alarm System depending on the requirement, or to activate or deactivate one or more of these devices.

This may form part of a strategy to apprehend tl\e intruder. The building might have an ear piercing siren located inside it connected to the c control panel (2) as well as all the lights inside the building. Once the mobile response unit Is in position a signal may be transmitted to activate the siren and to repeatedly activate and deactivate the lights Inside the building, to cause the intruder to become confused and disoriented. The intruder's natural response would be to flee and as he makes his way through the building his movements wiH be reported by the sensors, enabling the mobile response unit to be prepared. Once he leaves the building the mobile response unit will be in an advantageous position to apprehend him.

Another aspect of the invention is a person such as the property owner to have an interrogator unit (9), which includes a short range radio transceiver, as the owner approaches the premises he will be able to transmit a query signal to the communications unit (5). The communications unit (5) wfli then transmit a signal to the Interrogator unit (9) to inform K of its current status. The communications unit (5) will thereby report on any alarm signals that were transmitted since the previous query, or over a predeterminabfe time period.

This informs the owner whether there has been any alarm signals over since the previous query and gives him peace of mind to enter the premises with the knowledge that he witl not be attacked as soon as he steps into the building. This is especially important with modem type alarm systems that does not have j an alarm status indicator external to the premises. The problem with this is that the owner first has to step into the premises before he can realize that there has been breech of security. A concern of many people is that someone would gain access to a property, disable the alarm system and lie in wait for the owner to return. " The owner can select within limits from how far away to interrogate the communications unit (5) as to its status. In some instances It will be a few meters away from a door to the premises, fn other instances it may be a couple of hundred meters away if the premises is for example located on a small holding. Use of the interrogator unit therefore allows the owner to ascertain from a safe distance what the status of the Alarm System Is.

It is also possible to hand an interrogator unit to for example a neighbour who are keeping an eye over the premises. This allows the neighbour to query the Alarm System from the safety of his own home. An interrogator unit may also be handed to a guard that is patrolling a group of premises such as houses. This allows the guard to check on the status of any one or all of the premises from a safe distance.

It will be appreciated that this is only one embodiment of the Invention. It Is possible to alter aspects of the embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention.

It Is for example to use any type of wireless communication between the communications unit and the signal reception units. It is also possible to use the communications with any type of alarm system that uses a telephone line connection with a central station..

It Is also possible that an Alarm System according to the Invention may be used on premises much larger than a house, for example on a commercial or industrial premises. In such an instance the communications unit will also be located on the same premises as the Alarm System, even though the premises may be substantially larger.' Typically, the communications unit will be located in dose proximity to the building or buildings that is being monitored by a specific Alarm System.

It is further possible for an interrogator interface unit to be connected to the hard wine databus connection between the keypad and the control panel, or the Telephone Line connection between the control panel and the communications unit The interrogator interface unit Iridudes a transceiver which with which the interrogator unit communicates with the Interrogator interface unit

Claims (21)

15 1. A method of wireless transmission of an Alarm System signal, the method Including the steps of

1. establishing a connection between the Alarm System and a communication? unit, the communications unit being located in the same vicinity as the Alarm System; 2. transmitting an alarm signal from the Alarm System to the communications unit: and 3. transmitting the alarm signal from the communications unit to a signal reception unit means of a wireless transmitter.

2. A method as claimed In daim 1 in which step 1 comprises: a. initiating a Telephone line connection from the Alarm System to the communications unit; and b. transmitting a first predetermined identification signal from the communications unit to the Alarm System.

3. A method as daimed in daim 2 in which step 2 comprises: a. transmitting the alarm signal from the Alarm System to the communications unit; b. transmitting a second predetermined identification signal from the communications unitto the Alarm System: and c. releasing the Telephone line connection between the Alarm System to the communications una.

A method as daimed in any one of daims 1 to 3 In which step 3 comprises: a. reconfiguring the alarm signal by the communications unit into a predetennhed protocol; | 'iMiwJiTpSiSty- Office of N -1 DEC 2004 BECElV^n 16 b. transmitting the reconfigured alarm signal from the communications unit to the signal reception unit

A method as daimed in daim 4 which Indudes the following step: c. transmitting a data-received confirmation signal -from the signal reception unit to the communications unit.

A method as claimed fn any one of claims 1 to 3 in which step 3 comprises: a. transmitting a link-establishing signal from the communications unit to the signal reception unit; b. transmitting a link-established confirmation signal from the signal reception unit to the communications unit; c. reconfiguring the alarm signal into a predetermined protocol; d. transmitting the reconfigured alarm signal from the communications unit to the signal reception unit; e. transmitting a data-received confirmation signal from the signal reception unit to the communications unit.

A method as claimed in any one of the previous claims in which step a indudes transmitting the atarm signal to the signal reception unit by means of a Telephone Line connection between the Alarm System and the signal reception unit as a backup to the wireless transmission of the alarm signal.

A method as daimed in any of the preceding daims which indudes attaching a predetermined label to the alarm signal.

A method as daimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the wireless connection comprises any one or more of a radio or micro wave transmitter, radio or micro wave transceiver, mobile GSM network, GPRS, 17 Bluetooth, mobile analog network tetra network, X20 network. MPT1327 network, and packet-radio network.

10- A method as claimed In any one of the preceding claims in which the wireless transmitter comprises a radio transmitter, a microwave transmitter, and an infrared transmitter.

11. A method as daimed in claim 10 in which the radio transmitter includes a mobile telephone.

12- A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which indudes the steps of. a. transmitting a predetermined instruction signal from the signal reception unit to the communications unit; b. transmitting the instruction signal from the communications unit to a control panel of the Alarm System.

13. A method as claimed In claim 12 in which the instruction signal is transmitted to at least one predetermined electrically controllable device, and the electrically controllable device Is acfivatable or deac&vatable in response to the instruction signal

14. A method as claimed in daim 13 in vvhich the electrically controllable device includes at least one device selected from the list comprising: a light, electronic equipment, electrical equipment and a siren.

15. A method as daimed in any one of the preceding daims in which the signal reception unit indudes one or mom of a central control station, a mobile response unit, and a mottie signal receiver. ,nt^^^TProp^ Office of N.Z. - ? DEC 2004 R E C EIV F r 18

16. A method as claimed in claim 15 in which the mobile signal receiver includes a mobile telephone or a pager,

17. A method as claimed In any of the preceding claims which Includes the steps of: a. transmitting a predetermined query signal from an Interrogator unit to the communications unit; b. transmitting a reporting signal from the communications unit to the interrogator unit using a predetermined protocol; c. Interpreting the reporting signal to indicate on the interrogator unit whether any alarm signals have been transmitted by the communications unit during a predetermined period. m

18. A method as claimed In claim 17 in which the interrogator unit indudes a short range radio transceiver.

19. A method as daimed in dafm 17 or 18 in which an Interrogator interface unit is connected to a databus connection between the Alarm System control panel and a keypad of the Alarm System, the interrogator interface unit indudes a transceiver; and the interrogator unit communicates with the interrogator interface unit.

20. A method as daimed in daim 17 or 18 in whidi an Interrogator interface unit is connected to the Telephone Line connection between the Alarm System control panel and the communications unit the interrogator interface unit Indudes a transceiver, and the interrogator unit communicates with the interrogator interface unit

21. A method as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 20 In which the interrogator unit communicates with any one of a group of communications units or interrogator interface units. 19 A method substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 and 2. EKD CI