Security System With Multi-Function Transmitter

1. Field of Invention

The invention relates to security systems for intrusion and fire detection, personal safety and the like. More specifically, the invention relates to such systems including one or more hand holdable transmitters for controlling the system with a wireless signal.

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 might be initiated. A panic mode also is available for activating the alarm in case there is an undetected event first recognized by the user.

In addition to keypads, portable transmitters have been employed for selecting the operating mode from remote locations. One is disclosed in Fecteau U.S. Pat. No. 3,833,895, 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 U.S. Pat. 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. He 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.

Although hardwired keypads provide many advantages, they are limited by their fixed locations, which must be approached by the user to operate the system. Typical locations are inside the protected area, requiring an alarm delay to permit disarming at the keypad for authorized entry. Portable transmitters solve many such problems, but are cumbersome to operate, have too many keys or only limited functions. Many are undesirably large or heavy and do not provide important features. Examples include confirmation of a valid communication, or a panic function that is easy to operate intentionally but not accidentally. The transmitter should be available whenever the user leaves the premises, and its operation should be intuitive, so the user is not required to remember detailed sequences after periods of inactivity.

The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above. Briefly summarized, according to one aspect of the invention, a hand-portable wireless communicator includes two keys for selecting and causing signal transmissions that control a security system. The function of each key is determined by the order in which the keys are actuated, so the first actuated key selects the mode of operation and the other key initiates the transmission. Sequential actuation of alternate keys, first one and then the other, initiates a test. Simultaneous actuation of both keys initiates an alarm. Multiple actuation of the same key cycles through alternative modes of operation, including armed, partially armed or disarmed. Transmission of a signal representing the selected mode is then executed by actuation of the other key. A reset mechanism reinitiates the key functions after a predetermined time interval, so the key function is determined based on an order of actuation after said reinitiation.

According to more specific features, visible and audible indicators are provided for uniquely representing each of the alternative operating modes when it is selected. The transmitter also may be combined with a small receiver for detecting confirmation signals from the system, and the indicators then provide a corresponding signal representing successful implementation of the transmitted signal. A unique identification number associated with each transmitter permits authentication of the user and retrieval of information about the user.

Still more specifically, the invention relates to an intrusion detection system having a plurality of operating modes, such as armed and disarmed. The system includes a receiver for detecting radio frequency signals and a control responsive to the received signals for setting the system in an alternative one of the operating modes. The system further includes a portable transmitter for sending the signals to the receiver. The transmitter has two actuation elements for: a) selecting a desired system operating mode and b) initiating transmission of a radio frequency signal representing the selected mode. The selection and transmission functions are assigned to the respective actuation elements based on an actuation order, assigning a selection function to the first actuated one of the elements and a transmission function to the other one of the elements.

The invention provides a very small transmitter capable of transmitting numerous alternative control signals with only two actuation keys. Operation is intuitive, and includes testing and panic alarm operations as well as arming and disarming of the system. The transmitter preferably is combined with a key ring so it will be available under most instances when the user enters or exits the protected premises.

These and other features and advantages of the invention will be more clearly understood and appreciated from a review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and appended claims, and by reference to the accompanying drawings.

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

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the communicator of FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrating selected features in more detail.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a signal transmitted by the communicator of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram representing a security system including a control panel and interface card according to the preferred embodiment.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are flow diagrams of a process carried out by the communicator of FIGS. 1 and 2 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 including "test," "disarmed" and partially and fully armed modes for "home" and "away," respectively. Features of a preferred security system will be described more fully hereinafter in connection with FIG. 7.

The communicator has particular utility when used with several different types of security systems, such as: 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 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 combined applications.

The communicator includes a casing 12 supporting two actuation elements depicted as operating keys 14 and 16 and containing a microcontroller and signal encoding section 18 and an output section 20, including 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, and a piezoelectric horn 38 is coupled in a similar manner through driver 40.

The casing itself is adapted as a key ring, and for that purpose includes an elongated aperture 42 for receiving a key chain. The casing also defines an array of protrusions 44 which permit orientation of the casing 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.

The casing also includes a transparent panel, or apertures 46, 48, 50 and 52, for viewing the light emitting diodes, and appropriate surfaces 54 including 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, which then acts to set the system in the desired mode. The transmitted signal is depicted schematically in FIG. 4, 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.

The present invention is directed more specifically to a communicator of the type described above in which selection and execution functions are assigned to the keys 14 and 16 in accordance with the order in which the keys are activated. 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 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. Simultaneous activation of both keys transmits a signal including an alarm code. 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. 5, 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. 3), 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. 6 and 7, flow diagrams are presented depicting the operation of the transmitter 10 with the security system of FIG. 5. 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 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 execution key is depressed, a representation of the selected code is transmitted to the security system interface card 64 (FIG. 5). 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. 7). 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.

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 two keys that initiate transmission of an alarm signal when depressed simultaneously. Alternate depression of the keys, first one and then the other, selects and transmits a test signal. The first depression of either key also selects the function of that key, making it a selection key. The other key then becomes the execution key. Repeated depression of the selection key cycles between respective codes representing the operational modes of the security system. Depression of the execution key initiates transmission of a radio frequency signal including a representation of the selected code, thereby setting the operational mode of the security system.

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.