Security system user interface

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of method and devices for interfacing with security systems assuring protection of buildings or other types of premises or locations.

[0002] Examples of prior art devices are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,258,8377 dated Nov. 2, 1993, D346,755, dated May 10, 1994, D357,638, dated Apr. 25, 1995 and the “Symphony” family of display products by ADEMCO (see www.ademco.com/press_releases/2002/pr081402f.htm). These documents show interfaces for a user to interact with a security system protecting a premise. The interface is used to enter, for example, arm/disarm codes, give information about individuals who have accessed the premise, give an indication of trouble areas, etc.

[0003] Security systems normally also include a central control panel or base unit and detectors installed in selected areas of the premise. The detectors include, for example, movement detectors and contact detectors. Generally, when one of the detectors is triggered (i.e., trouble is present), a signal is generated to produce an audible, visual or vibrating alarm. The premise's user interface may also receive a signal indicating in which area or zone the trouble is present. Each area or zone may be protected by one or more detector. Hence, in an area, a door and a window can be protected by contact detector and the space of the area can be protected by a movement detector.

[0004] One of the drawbacks with prior art devices is that they are not very user-friendly. For example, it may be difficult to enter information into them, to readily identify which protected zone is affected by trouble, and personalize the display for each user. Thus, there is a need in the industry for improved security system interfaces.

[0005] It is an object of the invention to provide a security system user interface that is easier to use and which has more functionality and better capability than prior art devices.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a user interface for a security system. The user interface comprises a graphical display, a communication link, a memory, and a display controller. The communication link receives detector unit status data from detector units located at selected location on the premises protected by the security system. The memory stores floor plan diagram data and detector unit location data. Finally, the display controller generates a modified view of at least a portion of the floor plan diagram data in accordance with the detector unit status data to indicate the status data, and displaying the modified view on the graphical display.

[0007] In another embodiment of the invention, the invention provides a method of interfacing with a graphical display of a security system having detector units. The method comprises receiving detector unit status data over a security control detector unit communication link; storing floor plan diagram data and detector unit location data in a memory; generating a modified view of at least a portion of the floor plan diagram data in accordance with the detector unit status data to indicate said status data; and displaying the view on the display.

[0008] In another embodiment, the invention provides in combination, a user interface and a user programming interface. The user interface comprises a graphical display as described above having, in addition, a communications interface for communicating said floor plan diagram data and detector unit location data to said memory. The user programming interface comprises a floor plan drawing module and an upload module. The floor plan drawing module is adapted to specify the floor plan diagram data and the detector unit location data. The drawing module displays a view of the floor plan with detector units in location. The upload module for transmits the floor plan diagram data and the detector unit location data to the communications interface.

[0009] In yet another of the invention, a method for modifying a user interface for a security system. The method comprises inputting information to a drawing module to produce a floor plan diagram and detector unit location data. The drawing module displays a view of said floor plan with detector units in location. Finally, the method comprises transmitting the floor plan diagram data and the detector unit location data to the user interface.

[0013] Referring to FIG. 1, a security system 10 protecting a location is shown. The location (not shown) could be, but is not limited to, for example, a building, a home, means of transportation, exterior grounds, etc. Security system 10 includes a user interface 12, a control panel 14, a user programming interface 13, one or more alarm devices 15, and detector units 16 installed in selected areas of the premise being protected. In other embodiments of the invention, the security system 10 may be connected to other devices, such as home lights, garage door, etc., or networks, such as a local network, cellular networks, land line telephone networks, or the Internet.

[0014] User interface 12 and control panel 14 are connected. Detector units 16 are connected to control panel 14. One or more alarm devices 15 are connected to control panel 14. Finally, a user programming interface may also be connected to control panel 14. Communication links between security system 10 entities could be electrical, optical, infra-red or any other types of links which enable communication between the security system 10 entities. A person skilled in the art will understand that the security system 10 entities may also be interconnected in other configurations as would be the case if a bus was used instead of individual connection between each entity of the security system 10. Embodiments (not shown in FIG. 1) where detector units 16, user programming interface 13, and/or alarm devices 15 have direct communication links to the user interface are also contemplated. Such embodiments would include, for example, coaxial cable link for sending a video image of a visitor requesting entrance to the premises could be displayed on user interface 12. Embodiments where some or all detector units 16 are connected in series are also contemplated.

[0015] Detector units 16 may include, for example, movement detectors, contact detectors, weight detectors, surveillance cameras or any other type of detectors considered useful by a person skilled in the art of security systems. In an embodiment of the invention, when one of the detector units 16 is triggered (i.e., trouble is present) and the security system 10 is armed, a signal is generated and sent over link 19 to control panel 14. Control panel 14 sends a signal to an alarm device 15 to produce an audible, visual or vibrating alarm. It is also possible to send an alarm signal over a network to communicate to the user, by phone, email, or other means, that the alarm has been triggered. In an embodiment, user interface 12 receives a signal indicating in which area or zone the trouble is present. Each area or zone may be protected by one or more detector units 16. Hence, in an area, a door and a window can be protected by contact detector and the space of the area can be protected by a movement detector.

[0016] Now referring to FIG. 2, a security system user interface 12 connected to a user programming interface 40 via a communication link 30 is shown. User interface 12 may be used to enter, for example, arm/disarm codes, give information about individuals who have accessed the premise, give an indication of trouble areas, show reminders for special events, display information from the Internet, display images, etc.

[0017] User interface 12 comprises a graphical display 20, a keypad 21, a display controller 22, a memory 24, and a communication interface 27. The entities of user interface 12 are interconnected via bus 26. Other means of interconnecting said entities know to those skilled in the art are considered part of other embodiments of the invention. A security control detector unit communication link 28 is also connected to user interface 12 for receiving detector unit 16 status data. It is conceivable that memory 24 and display controller 22 be external the user interface 12. Details regarding graphical display 20 and keypad 21 are given hereinbelow with the description of FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0018] Memory 24 is used to store floor plan diagram data and detector unit location data. Memory 24 may also record events from detectors 16. The recorded events could be as simple as the triggering of a detector or as complex as video images.

[0019] The user programming interface 40 comprises an upload module 42, a drawing module 44 and a programming module display 46 interconnected by a bus 45. The drawing module 44 accepts user input 48. The user specifies a floor plan diagram as well as detector unit location data (as shown in FIG. 3). The drawing module 44 enables the display of the floor plan diagram with detector units in location via a programming module display 46. The upload module 42 transmits the floor plan diagram data and the detector unit location data to the communication interface 27. Communications interface 27 communicates floor plan diagram data and detector unit location data to memory 24.

[0020] Communications interface 27 may also restricts access to user interface 12 so as to allow only memory 24 to be updated. Display controller 22 displays a text-based message providing status data when a condition is to be reported concerning one of detector units 16 and one of detector units 16 is not defined by detector unit location data in memory 24.

[0021] FIG. 3 shows security system interface 12 in accordance with a particular embodiment of the invention. User interface 12 is in a mode where a floor plan diagram 56 is shown on graphical display 20. Divisions are shown along with icons 58 (e.g., triangles) indicating location of detector units 16. Various icons 58 could be used to represent the different type of detectors 16. A text-based message 54 corresponding to the status of a particular detector 16 (“Open”) in a specified area (“John's Office”) is also present on graphical display 20. In a particular embodiment of the invention, a user navigates through zones and/or detectors and other menus using keys 23.

[0022] User interface 12 may receive detector unit status data from a number of detector units 16 each covering a protected zone. When status data indicate a condition to be reported in one of the protected zones, a modified view of the floor plan diagram 56 includes the foregoing protected zones It is also envisaged that display controller 22 will automatically switch from a stand-by display to the foregoing modified view in response to an indication of a condition to be reported. The foregoing condition may be one of a trouble condition and an alarm condition. The foregoing modified view may show one of the protected zones by at least one of flashing, color change and symbol change. The modified view may show either one of a protected zones and a text representation of status data of a detector unit 16.

[0023] The user interface 12 may be configured such that when status data indicate a condition to be reported in two or more protected zones and the two or more protected zones cannot be shown on said display efficiently in a single view, the display controller 22 alternates between a plurality of views indicating status data for the two or more protected zones.

[0024] FIG. 4 shows security system interface 12 in accordance with a particular embodiment of the invention. User interface 12 is in a mode where icons 50 for controlling the security system 10 are shown on graphical display 20. A text-based message 52 corresponding to the selected icon 50 is also present on graphical display 20. In a particular embodiment of the invention, icons 50 and other menus are selected using keys 23.

[0025] FIG. 4 also shows a housing 60 for holding keypad 21 and graphical display 20 in a single unit. In an embodiment of the invention, graphical display 20 comprises a touch screen, and keypad 21 is provided using the touch screen. Graphical display 20 may comprise a liquid crystal display. In an embodiment of the invention, the physical arrangement of the keypad 21 adjacent the graphical display 20 in the housing 60 is detailed in the applicant's U.S. design application Ser. No. 29/177,157 filed on the same date as the present utility application, the specification of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0026] Display controller 22 may be configured to display a text-based message (not shown) providing status data when a condition is to be reported concerning one of the detector units and wherein the foregoing detector unit is not defined by detector unit location data in memory 24.

[0027] User interface 12 may also comprise a time clock (not shown) and a message manager unit (not shown) storing special graphics message data and related display time data. The message manager unit will cause graphical display 20 to display the special graphics message data according to the display time data. User interface 12 may also comprise a sound generator (not shown). The foregoing special graphics message data include music data to be played by the message manager unit.

[0028] Although some preferred implementations of various methods and arrangements have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the exemplary implementations disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions as set forth and defined by the following claims.