US5907279A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Initialization of a wireless security system
Assignee: US Philips Corp
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Filing: 1997-02-10
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Granted: 1999-05-25
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Expires: 2017-02-10
Abstract
Abstract In a security system, detector apparatuses (101, 102, 103) transmit an alarm message to a central apparatus 100 via RF in response to detecting an alarm condition. The message comprises a source identification uniquely identifying the transmitting apparatus. The central apparatus 100 raises an alarm if the alarm message is sent by a detector apparatus, which is part of the system. To this end, the central apparatus 100 only processes an alarm message if the source identification of the alarm message is stored in a memory means 200 of the central apparatus. For a new detector apparatus to be accepted as part of the system, the identification of the detector apparatus needs to be stored in the memory means 200 of the central apparatus. To reduce the chance of identifications of neighboring apparatuses inadvertently being stored, a detector apparatus transmits a learn-detector message in response to a learn trigger, for instance from a user. The central apparatus 100 stores the source identification of a received learn-detector message only if the central apparatus 100 is in a learning mode.
Inventors
- 👤 Johannes D. Bruins
- 👤 Mario R. Nicora
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 21:26
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B25/00; G08B25/01; G08B25/10; G08B25/003; G08B25/007; G08B25/008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
244 words
A security system, comprising a central apparatus and at least one detector apparatus; the detector apparatus comprising transmission means for wirelessly transmitting a message comprising a source identification uniquely identifying the transmitting apparatus, and detection means for detecting an alarm condition and in response causing the transmission means to transmit a message; the central apparatus comprising: memory means for storing a source identification of at least one detector apparatus; alarm means for raising an alarm; user interface means for bringing the central apparatus in a selected one of a plurality of modes, including an operational mode and a learning mode; and reception means for receiving a wirelessly transmitted message, for storing, in the learning mode, the source identification of a received message in the memory means, and for causing, in the operational mode, the alarm means to raise an alarm if the source identification of a received message is stored in the memory means, characterised in that the detection means is adapted to cause the transmission means to transmit an alarm message in response to detecting an alarm condition; in that the detector apparatus comprises means for causing the transmission means to transmit a learn-detector message in response to a learn trigger; said learn-detector message being distinct from said alarm message; in that the reception means is adapted to cause the alarm to be raised in response to receiving an alarm message, and to store the source identification only of a received learn-detector message.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
244 words
A security system, comprising a central apparatus and at least one detector apparatus; the detector apparatus comprising transmission means for wirelessly transmitting a message comprising a source identification uniquely identifying the transmitting apparatus, and detection means for detecting an alarm condition and in response causing the transmission means to transmit a message; the central apparatus comprising: memory means for storing a source identification of at least one detector apparatus; alarm means for raising an alarm; user interface means for bringing the central apparatus in a selected one of a plurality of modes, including an operational mode and a learning mode; and reception means for receiving a wirelessly transmitted message, for storing, in the learning mode, the source identification of a received message in the memory means, and for causing, in the operational mode, the alarm means to raise an alarm if the source identification of a received message is stored in the memory means, characterised in that the detection means is adapted to cause the transmission means to transmit an alarm message in response to detecting an alarm condition; in that the detector apparatus comprises means for causing the transmission means to transmit a learn-detector message in response to a learn trigger; said learn-detector message being distinct from said alarm message; in that the reception means is adapted to cause the alarm to be raised in response to receiving an alarm message, and to store the source identification only of a received learn-detector message.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
103 words
A security system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a user input means of the detector apparatus is conceived to bring the detector apparatus in a selected one of a plurality of modes, including an operational mode and a learning mode; in that the detection means is conceived to only cause the transmission means to transmit the alarm message if the detector apparatus is in the operational mode; and in that the user input means of the detector apparatus is conceived to only cause the transmission means to transmit the learn-detector message if the detector apparatus is in the learning mode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
A security system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system comprises a plurality of different types of detector apparatuses; each type of detector apparatus detecting a different type of alarm condition external to the detector apparatus, characterised in that the learn-detector message comprises type information identifying the type of detector apparatus; and in that the alarm means is conceived to raise a type-specific alarm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
A security system as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that the source identification corresponds to one of a plurality of groups of source identifications; each group corresponding to one of the different types of detector apparatuses and in that the alarm means derives the type information from the source identification of a received alarm message.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
A security system as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that the alarm and learn-detector message comprise a first field comprising the source identification and a second field comprising the type information; and in that the reception means is conceived to also store, in the learning mode, the type information of a received learn-detector message.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
71 words
A security system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system comprises a plurality of different types of detector apparatuses; each type of detector apparatus detecting a different type of alarm condition external to the detector apparatus, characterised in that the detection means is conceived to cause the transmission means to select and transmit a type-specific alarm message; and in that the alarm means is conceived to raise a type-specific alarm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
75 words
A security system as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the detector apparatus comprises a plurality of different types of detection means for detecting different types of alarms conditions external to the detector apparatus; in that the detection means is conceived to cause the transmission means to select and transmit a type-specific alarm message in response to detecting an alarm condition; and in that the alarm means is conceived to raise a type-specific alarm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
198 words
A security system as claimed in characterised in that the system comprises a confirmation apparatus; in that the central apparatus comprises transmission means for selecting one of a plurality of distinct messages, said plurality including a status message indicating a status of the system and a learn-central-apparatus message; the message comprising a source identification uniquely identifying the central apparatus; and for wirelessly transmitting the selected message; in that the user interface means of the central apparatus is conceived to cause the transmission means to select and transmit the learn-central-apparatus message in response to a user trigger; in that the confirmation apparatus comprises user interface means for bringing the confirmation apparatus in a selected one of a plurality of modes, including an operational mode and a learning mode in response to user input; in that the confirmation apparatus comprises reception means for receiving a wirelessly transmitted message, for storing the source identification of a received learn-central-apparatus message in a memory only if the confirmation apparatus is in the learning mode, and for causing the user interface means to indicate the status of the system in response to receiving a status message whose source identification is stored in the memory.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
A security system as claimed in claim 8, characterised in that the user interface means of the central apparatus is conceived to only cause the transmission means to select and transmit the learn-central-apparatus message if the central apparatus is in the learning mode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
211 words
A security system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system comprises a remote control; the remote control comprising transmission means for wirelessly transmitting a message comprising a source identification uniquely identifying the transmitting remote control, and user input means for causing the transmission means to transmit in response to a user trigger a trigger-specific user-input message to the central apparatus, characterised: in that the memory means comprises a plurality of memory locations for storing source identifications of remote controls; in that the user interface means of the central apparatus is conceived to, in response to a user trigger, remove all source identifications of remote controls from the memory; in that the user input means of the remote control is conceived to cause the transmission means to transmit a learn-remote message in response to a learn trigger from a user; in that the reception means of the central apparatus is conceived to store the source identification of a received learn-remote message if the memory comprises no source identification of a remote control yet; and in that the reception means of the central apparatus is conceived to relay a received user-input message to the user interface means for further processing if the source identification of the message is stored in the memory.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
83 words
A security system as claimed in claim 10, characterised in that the reception means of the central apparatus is conceived to bring the central apparatus into a learn-remote mode in response to receiving a first learn-remote message if the source identification of the first learn-remote message is stored in the memory, and in that the reception means of the central apparatus is conceived to store the source identification of a received second learn-remote message if the central apparatus is in the learn-remote mode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
A security system as claimed in claim 11, characterised in that the central apparatus comprises timing means for taking the central apparatus out of the learn-remote mode after a predetermined period.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
73 words
A security system as claimed in claim 10, characterised in that the user input means of the remote control is conceived to cause the transmission means to repeatedly transmit the learn-remote message in response to a prolonged duration of the learn trigger; and in that the reception means of the central apparatus is conceived to only process the first learn-remote message further after repeatedly receiving the first learn-remote message for a predetermined period.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
76 words
A security system as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that each message comprises a checksum; in that each transmission means is conceived to transmit a message a predetermined plural number of times, within a predetermined time frame; in that the reception means is conceived to verify whether a message has been received correctly and to only process a message further if the same message is at least twice received correctly within the predetermined time frame.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
46 words
A security system as claimed in claim 14, characterised in that the transmission means comprises timing means for, after a delay of at least two seconds, causing the transmission means to repeat transmitting the message the predetermined plural number of times, within the predetermined time frame.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
A security system as claimed in claim 15, characterised in that the delay is chosen randomly within a predetermined time window.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
A security system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the central apparatus comprises a motion detector.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-05-24 | 2002-11-23 | 2003-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-05-24 | 2006-11-23 | 2007-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-05-24 | 2010-11-23 | 2011-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |