Communications: electrical – Condition responsive indicating system – With particular coupling link
Reexamination Certificate
1997-12-26
2001-07-03
Pope, Daryl (Department: 2736)
Communications: electrical
Condition responsive indicating system
With particular coupling link
C340S506000, C340S511000, C340S870030, C340S870030
Reexamination Certificate
active
06255944
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to wireless security systems and in particular to wireless security systems having remote indication devices that provide feedback to a user.
A recent innovation in security system applications is the use of wireless bi-directional consoles or display units, which are portable wireless devices that control and interrogate the security system for status. For example, two such wireless bi-directional consoles (5827BD and 5804BD) are manufactured by Alarm Device Manufacturing Company (Ademco) 165 Eileen Way, Syosset, N.Y. 11791. Wireless bi-directional consoles have the advantage of portability if required, or may be permanently mounted, thereby reducing the additional cost of wiring a conventional wired console. Prior art devices of this type include a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver. The wireless transmitter transmits control commands and status requests to a central receiver in communication with a central control system. The wireless receiver receives confirmation of the control command and status information which is transmitted from a central transmitter also in communication with the central control unit. The confirmation or status is then displayed to the user on the wireless bi-directional console.
A disadvantage of this approach is that the wireless bi-directional console, due to the inclusion of a receiver, is physically larger and significantly more expensive than a unidirectional (“transmit only”) device. The additional size and cost of such units becomes particularly prohibitive in commercial installations where a large number of wireless bi-directional consoles may be in use at any given time. In such a multi-user environment, the additional cost of portable transceivers generally forces the user to install unidirectional devices rather than their bi-directional counterparts.
Therefore, it would be advantageous if the size and cost of wireless bi-directional consoles in multi-user environments could be reduced while providing a practical means for transmitting control commands and status requests to and obtaining confirmation and status from the central control unit.
One solution has been to provide a wired remote indication device that operates from AC power. The wired remote indication device displays status and confirmation of commands to the user within a relatively short range from the central control unit. However, strategic positioning of such a wired remote indication device to provide optimal site coverage, wireless propagation characteristics, and visibility to the user may not be near enough to an AC power source. The installer of such a security system must either compromise the optimal location of the device or install a potentially expensive power line to the device, thereby negating the advantages of an otherwise wireless installation.
Therefore, it would be advantageous if a remote indication device could be entirely wireless, thus enabling its installation to be optimized with respect to wireless signal propagation and visibility of the display to the user without regard to the location of AC power sources.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention a method provides status to a user in wireless communication systems which comprises the steps of receiving a first radio frequency signal while operating in a reduced power mode, switching from a reduced power mode to a normal operating mode, transmitting a second radio frequency signal comprising data representative of data comprised in the first radio frequency signal while operating in the normal operating mode, receiving a confirmation radio frequency signal while operating in the normal operating mode, presenting the status data to the user, and switching from the normal operating mode to the reduced power mode after a predetermined time has expired. The confirmation radio frequency signal is transmitted in response to receipt of the second radio frequency signal and includes status in response to the second radio frequency signal.
In further accordance with the method of the present invention the status data may be stored for a timeout period; and re-presented to the user in response to receipt of a another transmission of the first radio frequency signal prior to lapse of the timeout period. Identification information may be included in the radio frequency signals representing the source of the particular radio frequency signal.
In accordance with the present invention a remote indication device is provided which comprises a radio frequency receiver adapted to operate in a reduced power mode and a normal operating mode, a transmitter operating in a normal operating mode, a display, and a processor module coupled to the radio frequency receiver, the transmitter, and the display. The processor module is adapted to switch the remote indication device from the reduced power mode to the normal operating mode upon receipt of a first radio frequency signal by the radio frequency receiver while operating in the reduced power mode. The processor module is also adapted to cause the transmitter to transmit a second radio frequency signal comprising data representative of data comprised in the first radio frequency signal. The processor module is also adapted to enable the radio frequency receiver while operating in the normal operating mode to receive a confirmation signal transmitted in response to receipt of the second radio frequency signal and comprising status data in response to the second radio frequency signal. The processor module is also adapted to enable the display to display the status data to the user, and to switch from the normal operating mode to the reduced power mode after a predetermined time has expired.
In further accordance with the remote indication device of the present invention the processor module is adapted to include information in the second radio frequency signal indicating its source and to determine the source of the first radio frequency signal and the confirmation radio frequency signal. The processor module is adapted to store the status data and redisplay the status data to the user upon receipt of a subsequent instance of the first radio frequency signal received prior to lapse of a timeout period.
In further accordance with the present invention a security system is provided which comprises a remote control device, a central control unit comprising a central receiver and a central transmitter and a plurality of remote indication devices. The remote indication devices comprise a first radio frequency receiver operating in a reduced power mode, a transmitter operating in a normal operating mode, a second radio frequency receiver operating in the normal operating mode, a display, and a processor module coupled to the first radio frequency receiver, the transmitter, the second radio frequency receiver and the display.
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patent: 5594428 (1997-01-01), Peterson
Barkume Anthony R.
Greenberg & Traurig, LLP
Pittway Corp.
Pope Daryl
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