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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to security systems and, in particular,
relates to improvements to security systems by providing a remote control
unit therefore.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are a host of security systems available for protecting homes,
offices or designated areas. A typical security system has a keypad
closely located by a particular door into the dwelling or area and
requires the inputting of a security code to turn the system off within
the specified time period upon opening of the designated door. The keypad,
in addition to allowing the system to be turned on or off, allows the
status of the system to be checked and for the user to input various
controls for modifying of the system. For many applications, this
arrangement is more than satisfactory and has operated well. However,
there are some people who are reluctant to install a security system, in
that a certain amount of anxiety can be created when a person enters a
protected area because that person must input a security code within a
relatively short time period or the system will produce an alarm. Also,
these systems suffer from the disadvantage that a person cannot know the
status of the system until the person enters and consults the keypad. If
there is an alarm condition present inside the premises, then entry may
expose the person to dangerous conditions, such as an intruder or a fire.
Many security systems cooperate with a monitoring company and alarm
conditions are communicated by the system to the monitoring company over
telephone lines. The monitoring company, upon receiving an alarm condition
communication, typically contact the police and the situation is
investigated. False alarms greatly reduce the proper utilization of the
police force and can also influence the manner in which alarm conditions
are investigated. Thus, false alarms represent a significant problem in
security applications. A high percentage of false alarms are the direct
result of improper procedures associated with arming and disarming
security systems by authorized users (i.e. the home owners).
Other systems have provided an exterior device which allows the system to
be turned on or off. For example, a fixed-position remote security control
keypad. With systems of this type, the problem of the very short time
period to correctly enter a security code at the keypad is avoided.
However, protection of the fixed-position keypad (eg. from weather
conditions and even possible sabotage due to its position) makes this
solution not totally satisfactory. Also, the cost for exterior systems is
prohibitive.
Therefore, the existing systems have certain operating deficiencies,
particularly, less expensive security systems such as those for protecting
of a home and are not "user friendly" with respect to the arming and
disarming function.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An improved arrangement for accessing and controlling of a security system
is taught which includes a portable wireless remote control unit for
producing signals which are received by an indoor remote signal receiver
associated with the security system and which can at least be used to
modify the operation of the security system. In particular, it is desired
to be able to turn the system on or off or greatly simplify the disarming
thereof.
According to an aspect of the invention, the wireless remote control
cooperates with a battery powered receiver which operates in a low power
consumption "wait mode" where it waits to receive a power-up signal
indicating remote access is being sought. The receiver then changes to an
operating mode to complete a certain protocol to confirm that the
instructions are authorized. One practical embodiment of this feature is
using an infrared signal (preferably slightly below the visible light
spectrum) in the remote unit which is directed at a receiver in close
proximity thereto. This close proximity could be through a door window or
door sidelight to a receiver attached or close thereto and interior to the
premise.
According to an aspect of the invention, the indoor remote signal receiver
includes a display which can be powered up when the receiver is in the
operating mode. The display can be visible to a user, for example through
a window, from the exterior of the dwelling or area. In this way, the
remote control can selectively power a display to assist the user in going
through a particular procedure and produce a particular sequence of
signals to effect disarming of the system. With this arrangement, the
personal remote control need not produce a number of highly distinct
signals but can, in the preferred embodiment, use a very limited number of
signals and, in one case, only one signal to effect disarming of the
system without necessarily eliminating the entry of security codes. With
this system, the user can determine the degree of sophistication desired
from a very simple system where the remote control in a very simple
manner, i.e. production of a given address signal, can arm and disarm the
system, i.e. change the status of the system, to a more sophisticated
arrangement where the user, by means of the display or by means of
different keys on the remote, proceeds with a particular arming or
disarming sequence. With the personal remote control, it is also desirable
to be capable of arming the system. For example, some people would prefer
to leave the premise, lock the particular door that they have exited from
and then with the dwelling basically mechanically secured, arm the
security system. The security necessary to arm the system can be less than
the security to disarm the system, if desired. The use of the display
associated with the receiver makes this convenient and also allows the
convenient placing of the indoor remote signal receiver. The display can,
in some cases, be the display of the keypad, which also acts as the
receiver of the remote control signal.
In yet a further aspect of the invention, the indoor remote signal receiver
with display can be made capable of receiving and displaying signal status
information from the alarm system and still operate on a low current
consumption basis. In essence, the indoor remote signal receiver is made
two-way. It can be made to have full functional capability (eg.
functioning like the conventional two-way keypad of the alarm system) or
only such functional capability as is required. The use of the display in
two-way communication with the control panel allows system status
information to be displayed to the user prior to entry. If a burglar is
present, for example, the display will alert the user of this condition
before he enters the premises.
In its preferred form, the personal remote control unit is extremely simple
to operate and can be produced in a very cost effective manner. If
desired, the personal remote control can be made with a personal security
code stored therein and automatically generates the personal security code
with each transmission from the remote control unit. Alternatively, if
desired, the personal remote control can include a series of actuation
keys for inputting of a security code into the personal remote control.
The indoor receiver unit can wait in its low power consumption state until
activated by receiving a signal from the remote control unit. This is
desirable with a battery powered receiver to increase the battery life
thereof. If the unit is attached to a door window, the remote may be
placed in very close proximity thereto, and results in a strong signal
being received.
With the present system, the security system can include its own software
for processing of signals received from the remote control and can use
different logic arrangements for determining if an unauthorized user might
be attempting to determine what the code is. Therefore, it is possible to
adapt the security system itself to have a particular software processing
arrangement to detect a potential unauthorized use of a remote control
unit (indicated, for example, by a number of incorrect codes in a short
time period).
In yet a further aspect of the invention, the personal remote control
operates on an infrared signal similar to a television remote control. In
yet a further aspect of the invention, the remote control is part of a
wristwatch. Existing IR wristwatch controls for televisions are now
available and these can be used with the security system. As can be
appreciated, such controls do include their own input keypad and, thus,
the degree of sophistication can be more complex or, if desired, the
security system can be programmed to be very simple. With such an
arrangement, a more sophisticated security arrangement would be required
as the wristwatch control signal is normally not an addressed signal, but
security can be maintained by requiring the inputting of a security code.
In contrast, a remote control having only one signal would be a signal
which has been uniquely identified to the indoor remote signal receiver or
security system.
The present invention has particular application for control of the
security system from exterior of the premise, but it can also be used to
allow fast disarming upon entry to a premise. In this case, a separate
switch or any switch on the keypad can be used, if desired, to power-up
the system, whereafter the remote control can be actuated to disarm the
system. This provides an arrangement which is less stressful to use. Note
that the remote could still be used to cause the keypad to power up.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a schematic of the system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A security system generally shown as 2 operates to protect the dwelling or
area 4 from unauthorized entry thereto. The security system has a control
panel 6 which has two-way communication capability with the keypad 8 and
communication with a sounder 12 and also receives communications from the
sensors 10. A user interfaces with the security system by means of the
keypad 8 and the control panel 6 effects operation of the security system
and determines how various signals from the sensors are processed. In some
systems, some of these components are combined.
The security system 2 is provided with an indoor remote signal receiver
generally indicated as 20 which in the preferred embodiment has associated
therewith a visual display 30. An exterior wall 40 is partially shown in
FIG. 1 having a window pane 42 disposed in a port in the wall. The indoor
remote signal receiver 20, when battery operated, has a low power
consumption wait mode and a higher power consumption operating mode, where
the various functions for controlling the system may be changed. This two
state arrangement conserves power draw.
The personal remote control indicated as 22 is capable of generating a
signal or signals indicated as 28 to be received by the indoor remote
signal receiver 20. In the preferred form, an infrared signal 28 is
transmitted from the exterior of the premises through the window pane 42
and is received by the indoor unit. A first actuator button 24 is provided
on the remote control and, in this case, a second actuation button 26 is
provided with the control. The signal from the personal remote control can
be generated in close proximity to the receiver and cause the receiver to
become functional (i.e. power up). In the operating mode, the display and
microprocessor and other functions are available.
The user of the remote control 22 can view the display 30 through the
window pane 42 or other suitable arrangement. Thus, the person is exterior
to the dwelling or area to be protected but can communicate with the
indoor remote signal receiver by transmitting signals using his remote
control and be forced through a particular sequence of steps by means of
prompts being provided on the display 30 or prearranged.
To more clearly understand the operation of the system, a disarming
sequence of the security system which is controlled by the remote control
22 will be described. A user positions himself adjacent the window pane 42
such that the display 30 is visible. A first signal is generated by the
remote control by pressing actuating button 24. The indoor remote signal
receiver, upon receiving of the signal, powers up and then, in this case,
recognizes the signal as being generated by a particular remote control.
The indoor unit then communicates with the control panel and the control
panel sends to the indoor remote signal receiver an appropriate prompt.
For example, the prompt could say "enter first code". This first code
could be a series of actuations of either of the buttons 24 or 26 or a
combination thereof followed by a signal indicating that the code has been
entered. For example, the first code might be the number 4 and this could
be communicated to the indoor remote signal receiver by pressing button 24
four times following by actuating button 26 once to indicate that the code
has been entered and to have the next prompt provided. On the other hand,
a single actuation button 24 could enter the code 4 by four short
actuations of button 24 followed by a long actuation indicating that the
next prompt is required. The display can then provide a second prompt
asking the user to enter a second code. As can be appreciated, this system
can continue. When the proper code has been entered, the display can say
"do you want the system to remain armed" or "disarmed", and again the user
can communicate a "yes" or "no" by a particular sequence of actuations of
the buttons or a long or short series of actuations of a single button or
some other combination. For example, in response to that prompt, a signal
from one button 24 could mean "yes" and two short signals from 24 could
mean "no". The display could then provide a status report. For example,
the system could say "there has been no breach of security and no alarm".
This type of status report might even be provided in very simple manner at
the start of the system even before entry of any sort of sophisticated
code. In such an arrangement, the user would then be alerted if a breach
had occurred and could take appropriate action. He might not want to enter
the premise at all and merely leave and contact the police. In any event,
it can be seen that a very simple remote control 22 which could be very
economical to produce can be used in combination with an indoor remote
signal receiver which again can use very simple technology and inexpensive
technology for receiving the signal and use the sophistication of the
control panel for processing of the signal and providing appropriate
prompts to the display.
In another embodiment, a personal security code might have been
preprogrammed into the remote control unit, such that pushing the single
button 24 could cause automatic transmission of the security code whereby
to gain access. Additional buttons could be dedicated to arm or disarm.
The invention can also include other transmitters which are available for
other purposes. For example, there exists a wristwatch remote control
receiver for televisions. With this arrangement, the remote control unit
22 would be the watch 50 which because of its other purpose already
includes a multiple button actuation keypad because of its other purpose,
the watch, in the most simplified embodiment, would not have its own
unique code as its normal purposes for controlling of a television set or
VCR or other components. However, it does have the capability of sending
different signals based on the various keys that have been actuated. In
this way, these general signals can be transmitted to the indoor remote
signal receiver which is activated and produces prompts and forces the
user to go through a particular sequence for establishing that he is,
indeed, an authorized user.
The term display has been used by any light code or audible code sequence
is also possible. The display allows user friendly prompting and more
sophisticated coding sequences.
The remote control unit 22, if it has its own unique signal 28 and the
owner of the security system accepts that anyone in possession of this
remote control can arm or disarm the system, i.e. it is similar to a house
key where, in effect, possession allows entry to the house, then the
remote control would merely need an on/off capability and the display 30
may not be required. The display may be merely a red light/green light
indicating that the system is armed or disarmed or may not include any
visual indication at all. A status indicator can also be provided. The use
of the display 30 does allow a very simple remote control unit to operate
in a very simple manner to turn the system on or off or operate in a more
sophisticated manner and the security system, in particular the control
panel, will allow the user to select the degree of sophistication that he
desires. This display could be the keypad display, if desired, and the
keypad would act as the additional remote signal receiver. With the system
as generally shown in FIG. 1 where a very simple personal remote control
is used, each family member can have his own remote control and the degree
of sophistication of each remote to allow entry into the system need not
be the same. For example, children may be provided with a remote unit
calling for the entry of fairly sophisticated security codes. Although
they are more likely than adults to lose a remote control unit, such loss
would not comprise the security of the home because of the entry code
requirements. Even most small children in today's society would not be
challenged by this type of technology and could easily control the use of
such a more complicated remote control unit. In contrast, an elderly
person is less likely to lose the remote control unit, but may be
intimidated by security systems in general. Such a user should be provided
with a simple on/off type system which allows entry and exit in a more
conventional (i.e. key-like) manner. It would be preferred with this type
of system that some sort of visual indication that the system was armed or
disarmed would be provided.
These remotes can also be assigned certain known time periods or days where
they are authorized and the security system does not allow entry at other
periods. For example, a housekeeper expected on Tuesday at 9:00 could be
given a remote which is only effective for disarming on Tuesday between
8:30 and 9:30. Typically, arming may not require the same security
authorization.
With this system, a receiver is activated by a remote control unit and
enters a state for receiving a security authorization sequence. The
remotes are preferably transmitters only and the receiver provides
feedback. The receiver is not always in a full operating state and
typically powers up when authorized by the remote. Powering up could also
occur by a manual switch, magnetic switch closed by relative movement of
the remote and receiver or other arrangements. When the receiver is not
battery powered, power consumption is less critical, but a change in state
is still preferable.
A variation of the system uses RF transmitters similar to car access remote
controls and the control panel of the security system or other hardwired
transceiver device which receives and recognizes the signal. A battery
powered display can then be activated by a relatively strong signal, many
times stronger than the signal of the remote control. In this way, the
power requirements of the remote are low and the power consumption of the
display are low. The power requirements of the control panel are higher,
but this is acceptable as it is always powered or has unlimited power
available. Furthermore, the separate display could be avoided if the
control panel used a wall powered sounder or any sounder which normally
listened for a signal from the control panel.
The present invention allows a low power transmitter to communicate
effectively with a security system and provide feedback to the user as to
the state of the system. This is accomplished in an energy efficient
manner whereby the power requirements of the remote are not excessive and
battery powered feedback devices can be used, if desired. In a more
sophisticated embodiment, the remote can include a receiver which receives
the strong signal from the security system. This could include a full
powered receiver/transmitter which screws into a light socket, for
example, and thus, is always powered and can receive signals. In this
example, the power to turn the light on or off would include a separate
control, as will be explained. The light switch could be left on and the
keypad used by the user to inform the control panel that the light was to
be on or off, which in turn instructs the receiver/transmitter in the
power socket, which then connects or disconnects the light. The socket
would always be powered if the remote is to be used. The keypad could also
be used to cause the control panel not to recognize remote signals but
allow a light to be again controlled by the switch. A display could be
part of the receiver/transmitter or the light could come on to indicate it
is disarmed.
Although various preferred embodiments of the present invention have been
described herein in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the
art, that variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit
of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.
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