Security System Transmitter With Opposed Concave Actuators

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to security systems, and more specifically to a wireless transmitter having opposed actuation keys for operating the transmitter to control a security system.

2. Background of the Invention

Security systems typically have several modes of operation controlled from a keypad on the secured premises. A personal identification number is entered to validate authorized users, who can then select the desired mode of operation. The system can be partially or fully armed or disarmed from the keypad, or a test sequence can be initiated. A panic mode also may be available for activating an alarm in case a threatening event is recognized first by the user.

In addition to keypads, portable transmitters have been employed for selecting the system operating mode from a remote location. Fecteau patent No. 3,833,895, discloses one example including a radio frequency transmitter having two buttons. Depression of one button interrogates the system and initiates a delay mode permitting authorized entry of the monitored premises without activating the alarm. Simultaneous depression of both buttons activates the system alarm to summon help in a personal emergency. Another example is disclosed in Tamura et al patent No. 4,694,282. The Tamura transmitter includes several buttons for controlling a security system and a separate panic button for personal emergencies. Still another example is presented by Shapiro in U.S. Pat. No. 4,884,060. Shapiro discloses a subscriber unit having a multi-function switch for selecting between home or away modes of operation. In the home mode, activation of a portable transmitter sends an emergency signal to call for help. In the away mode, the same portable transmitter is used for command and control purposes.

More recent examples of portable transmitters have addressed portability, reliability and the reduction of false alarms. Pedtke U.S. No. 5,467,074, and Malvaso U.S. Pat. No. 5,416,466, disclose personal security systems including two button transmitters. The buttons are located on opposite edges of the transmitter and are depressed toward one another. An alarm signal is transmitted when the buttons are depressed simultaneously. A test signal is transmitted when they are depressed in sequence.

The above described transmitters provide many advantages in security systems. They permit remote control of fire and intrusion detection systems, as well as panic alarms and requests for assistance in personal emergencies. They also can be combined with remote entry mechanisms that facilitate controlled access to buildings, cars or the like. At the same time, however, and as will become more apparent from the following description, existing transmitters can be further improved to facilitate proper actuation with still further reductions in false alarms, particularly when stored in a pocket or purse or operated from a blind environment.

The present invention is directed to improving portable communicators, such as transmitters, for personal security systems. Briefly summarized, according to one aspect of the invention, a transmitter housing and first and second transmitter actuation elements cooperate to define thumb and finger saddles on opposite sides of the housing. The peripheral edge of the housing and the first and second actuation elements have matched configurations aligned at the thumb and finger saddles for guiding a hand to properly operate the transmitter while blocking other objects from accidental operation.

According to more specific features, the opposed saddles are defined by first and second pairs of arcuate lips at the peripheral edge of the housing on opposite sides of the housing. The lips are concave toward the center of the housing. The first and second actuation elements define opposed arcuate surfaces that are accessible between the lips to operate the transmitter. The actuation elements also are concave toward the center of said housing and, although the radius is slightly different, have an arcuate shape and alignment corresponding to the lips.

Other features of the invention include a housing that extends beyond the actuation elements at the ends of the elements while the actuation elements extend beyond the housing at the center of the elements. Still more specifically, the housing has a first texture, such as a rigid plastic, while the actuation elements have a softer feel provided, for example, by an elastomeric material.

The housing is relatively flat, defining a peripheral edge that is less than three quarters of an inch thick compared to length and width dimensions that are more than twice the edge thickness. The actuation elements are approximately half the edge thickness and one third of the transmitter length.

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are front, side and back views, respectively, of a hand portable communicator including a two button transmitter for use with a security system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of the communicator of FIGS. 1-3 depicting the alignment between the ends of the buttons and the transmitter housing.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the communicator of FIGS. 1-3 illustrating selected features in more detail.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a signal transmitted by the communicator of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram representing a security system including a control panel and interface card according to the preferred embodiment.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are flow diagrams of a process carried out by the communicator of FIGS. 1-3 according to the preferred embodiment.

Referring now to the drawings, and beginning with FIGS. 1-4, a preferred embodiment of the invention is depicted in a hand holdable and portable communicator 10. The communicator is adapted for sending wireless control signals to a security system to set its operating mode. Typically modes include "test," disarmed and partially and fully armed for "home" and "away." Features of an exemplary security system will be described more fully hereinafter in connection with FIGS. 7-9.

The communicator has particular utility when used with several different types of security systems. Examples include: a personal security system on a college campus, which calls for help in a personal emergency; an intruder and fire detection system in a home or business; and a car located security system which might include theft prevention and vehicle location. The communicator also might be combined with other features such as an automobile controller for locking and unlocking doors, starting the engine or sounding the horn. This description is directed primarily to a fire and intrusion detection system, but easily can be modified for other systems and combined applications.

The communicator includes a housing 12 supporting two actuation elements depicted as operating keys 14 and 16 and containing a microcontroller and signal encoding section 18 and output section 20. The output section preferably includes a transmitter and receiver, sometimes referred to as a transceiver. A plurality of visible indicators, such as light emitting diodes 22, 24, 26 and 28, are connected to the microcontroller through appropriate drivers 30, 32, 34 and 36. A piezoelectric horn 38 is coupled in a similar manner through driver 40.

The housing itself is adapted as a key ring, and for that purpose includes an elongated aperture 42 for receiving a key chain. An array of protrusions 44 permit orientation of the housing by tactile senses without requiring its removal from a pocket or purse. It will become apparent, however, from the following description, that the communicator can be operated in almost any orientation with the same results.

A transparent panel, or apertures 46, 48, 50 and 52, are provided for viewing the light emitting diodes, and appropriate surfaces 54 are positioned adjacent the apertures for receiving identifying markings corresponding to the above-noted operating modes: test, disarmed, away and home.

The communicator is operated by actuation of keys 14 and 16 to select and transmit a coded radio frequency signal that is detected by the security system. The system then responds by setting the desired mode. The transmitted signal is depicted schematically in FIG. 6, including a preamble 56, a identification code 58 unique to the transmitter, a code 60 representing the desired system operating mode and a check sum 62 for detecting errors. It is the code 58, preferably a multi-bit string, that represents the available operating modes, typically including "test," "disarm," "away" and "home," as mentioned above.

When the communicator 10 is used, the first activated key becomes the selection key, and continued actuation of that same key cycles the selected mode through the available options, e.g. test, disarm, away and home. The other key then becomes the execution key, causing transmission of the radio frequency signal including a code representing the selected option. Alternate actuation of the keys, first one and then the other, transmits a signal including a test code for testing system operation. Simultaneous activation of both keys transmits a signal including an alarm code, used for initiating a panic mode or calling for assistance. Actuation of only one key will not initiate any transmission, which is one approach used for reducing false alarms. After a predetermined time period, such as ten seconds, the communicator resets. The sequential order of actuation is then determined in accordance with the order implemented after the reset.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a fire and intruder detection system 63 is disclosed with a radio frequency interface card 64 controlled by signals from communicator 10. The interface card 64 has a receiver 66, a microprocessor and control 68 and a fixed transmitter 70. Signals transmitted by the portable communicator 10 are detected by receiver 66 and used by the microprocessor and control to determine the desired mode of operation of the detection system. The interface card 64 then emulates a standard keypad 72, acting through the control panel 74, to control the detection system, setting the system to the mode selected and transmitted by the communicator 10. A voice synthesizer 76 and local light emitting diodes 78 also may be provided to indicate the mode of operation.

Assuming a successful communication and mode change, microprocessor 68 directs the fixed transmitter 70 to issue a radio frequency confirmation signal. The confirmation signal is detected by transceiver 20 (FIG. 5), and one or more of the light emitting diodes, e.g. 22, and/or the piezoelectric horn 38, emits a perceptible indication of the confirmation. In this preferred embodiment, the light emitting diode associated with the selected and transmitted mode signal blinks a number of times to indicate receipt of the confirmation signal.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, flow diagrams are presented depicting the operation of the transmitter 10 with the security system of FIG. 7. If both keys are depressed simultaneously, box 90, an alarm signal is transmitted, box 92. If only one key is depressed, box 94, that key becomes the selection key and the other key becomes the execution key, box 96. The function code is set for the test mode, and the corresponding light emitting diode is energized to show the test mode is selected, box 96. The piezoelectric horn also is sounded, as it is whenever any key is depressed. For the purpose of simplicity, however, this feature is not represented on the flow diagrams.

If both keys are depressed simultaneously, box 98, the alarm signal is transmitted, box 100. If the other key is depressed, box 102, the selected code is transmitted, box 104. If the same key is depressed again, box 106, the microprocessor indexes through the available codes until one is selected or a time out period is exceeded, box 108, resetting the sequence, box 110. Again, the selected code is indicated by a corresponding light emitting diode, box 112.

When the transmitting key is depressed, a representation of the selected code is transmitted to the security system interface card 64 (FIG. 7). The interface card emulates a keypad, sets the security system to the operating mode corresponding to the selected and transmitted code, and returns a confirmation signal to the portable communicator, box 114 (FIG. 9). The communicator then blinks one of the light emitting diodes, box 116 and sounds the piezoelectric horn, box 118. The microcontroller then resets the process for the next operation, box 120.

Referring now more specifically to the details of a preferred embodiment of the invention, as depicted in FIGS. 1-4, a peripheral edge 150 of the transmitter housing 12, and the actuation elements 14 and 16, cooperate to define thumb and finger saddles on opposite sides of the housing. The peripheral edge 150 and the actuation elements 14 and 16 have matched arcuate configurations 152 and 154 on one housing side and 156 and 158 on the other housing side. The matched configurations are aligned at the thumb and finger saddles for guiding a hand to properly operate the transmitter while blocking other objects from accidental operation.

The opposed saddles are defined by first and second pairs of arcuate lips 160/162 (only one pair is shown on FIG. 2) at the peripheral edge of the housing on opposite sides of the housing. The lips are concave toward the center of the housing. The opposed arcuate surfaces 154 and 158 of the actuation elements are accessible between the lips to operate the transmitter. The actuation elements also are concave toward the center of said housing and, although their radius is slightly longer, the actuation elements have a shape and alignment corresponding to the housing arcuate configurations 152 and 156.

Referring more specifically to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, housing sections 164, 166, 168 and 170 extend beyond the actuation elements 14 and 16 at the ends 172, 174, 176 and 178 of the elements, while the actuation elements extend beyond the housing at the center of the elements 180 and 182. Foreign objects which are longer than the exposed portions of the actuation elements, such as might be present in a pocket or purse, will bridge the elements, engaging the housing at 164 and 166, for example, without depressing the elements. However, a thumb and index finger will be guided toward the central portion 180 of the element where the element is easily depressed toward the center of the housing.

The actuation elements 14 and 16 also are provided with a texture that differs from the remainder of the housing 12. The housing is a rigid generally smooth plastic, while the actuation elements have a softer feel provided, for example, by an elastomeric or flexible polymeric material.

The housing is relatively flat, defining a peripheral edge that is less than three quarters of an inch thick compared to length and width dimensions that are more than twice the edge thickness. The actuation elements are approximately half the edge thickness and one third of the transmitter length.

Exemplary and preferred housing dimensions are approximately nine sixteenths thick by three inches long (exclusive of the key ring) and one and three quarters inches wide at the widest point. The exposed portion of the actuation elements 14 and 16 are each approximately seventeen sixteenths of an inch long by three eighths of an inch thick. The housing aperture that receives the elements is approximately one inch long, or one sixteenth longer than the corresponding actuation element. The radius of the arcuate housing surface is approximately one (1.0) inch centered one and seventy five hundredths (1.75) inches from the centerline of the housing. The radius of the arcuate surface of each actuating element is one and five tenths (1.5) inches centered at two and three tenths (2.3) inches from the centerline of the housing. The actuation elements extend beyond the housing by approximately fifty six one hundredths of an inch at the center of the elements.

Since the communicator 10 is substantially flat and relatively thin, it tends to align itself against the flat sides of the pocket or purse or against other flat items in the pocket or purse. The actuation elements 14 and 16 are located in the edges of the housing 12, which normally will be protected by the surrounding flat objects, and pressure from the surrounding objects will be perpendicular to the direction of actuation.

It should now be apparent that an improved communicator is provided for use with security systems, including fire and intruder detection systems, personal security systems and car security systems. The communicator includes opposed operating keys having exposed actuation surfaces that are physically protected to reduce accidental operation. At the same time the keys are shaped and textured to improve operation in pockets, purses and other environments where it may not be convenient to view the communicator when it is operated.

While the invention is described in connection with a preferred embodiment, other modifications and applications will occur to those skilled in the art. The claims should be interpreted to fairly cover all such modifications and applications within the true spirit and scope of the invention.