Telephonic communications – Emergency or alarm communications – Central office responsive to emergency call or alarm
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-18
2001-07-17
Nguyen, Duc (Department: 2643)
Telephonic communications
Emergency or alarm communications
Central office responsive to emergency call or alarm
C379S040000, C379S041000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06263050
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application is related to the applications of:
Akhtar Akhteruzzaman, Ronald J. Rees and Ian A. Schorr entitled “Method and System For Using Telecommunications Equipment For Detecting And Responding To A Security System Breach”; and
Akhtar Akhteruzzaman, Ronald J. Rees and Ian A. Schorr entitled “Method And System For Providing Redundancy In Security Systems Served By A Public Switched Telephone Network” which applications are assigned to the assignee of the present application and which are being filed concurrently herewith.
1. Technical Field
This invention relates to security systems and, more particularly, to detecting a security breach occurring as a result of an inoperable telecommunications line and alerting authorities of the breach via a wireless network.
2. Background of the Invention
Functional security systems alert dwelling occupants and emergency authorities of a violation of the secured premises. A typical security system includes a controller interconnected by wireless or wireline connections to sensors deployed at strategic locations throughout the dwelling. In a home, sensors are usually deployed in doorways, windows and other ports of entry. Motion sensors may also be placed strategically within the home to detect movement while carefully positioned smoke and heat sensors detect the presence of fire.
Security systems are interconnected to a central monitoring service system via a telecommunications line. The central monitoring service system is maintained by a security service provider and continuously monitors all activated security systems for sensor breaches. A sensor breach occurs when a sensor detects the opening of a door or window or the presence of movement or fire. A sensor breach causes the sensor to send a signal to the controller of the security system. Responsive to receiving a breach signal, the controller issues an audible alarm to the occupants of the dwelling and originates a call to the central monitoring service system via the telecommunications line. Upon receiving the breach notification, the central monitoring service system determines the type of breach, attempts to contact the dwelling occupants and alerts appropriate authorities of the emergency situation.
Normally, the telecommunications line interconnecting the security system to the central monitoring service system is the dwelling occupants' telephone line. This line usually emanates and is visible from the exterior of the dwelling. It is this telecommunications line which delivers the security breach signal (i.e., in the form a call) to the central monitoring service system via telecommunications equipment.
To circumvent the security system from issuing a signal to the central monitoring service system, one need only render the telecommunications line inoperable. If the telecommunications line is severed, a breach signal from the security system will not be sent to the telecommunications equipment and hence, the central monitoring service system. As a result, the central monitoring service system remains unaware of an alarm situation at the secured premises and emergency authorities are not notified.
Although some security systems are equipped with a “line cut” option for alerting dwelling occupants of telecommunications line damage, there continues to be a need for efficiently and effectively alerting authorities when a telecommunications line interconnected to a security system is inoperable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This need is addressed and a technological advance is achieved by the method and system of the present invention for alerting authorities whenever a telecommunications line interconnected to a security system becomes inoperable. More particularly, communication between a security system and a central monitoring system is maintained even if the telecommunications link interconnecting the systems is severed.
In a normal mode of operation, a security system is interconnected to telecommunications equipment via a wireline connection which serves the customer premises equipment of the secured premises. Upon detection of a severance or damage to the wireline connection, a wireless unit associated with the security system is activated to place a call to a central monitoring service system. Detection of the inoperability of the wireline connection is accomplished via the detection of abnormal electrical parameters associated with the wireline. The wireless call relays subscriber identification data and alerts the central monitoring system of a line cut emergency. The wireless unit may also be programmed to initiate calls to other telephone numbers (e.g., relatives, ambulance). The wireless unit serves as a backup system and is not activated unless the wireline connection is inoperable.
Advantageously, the central monitoring service system serving the subscriber's security system is alerted of an emergency situation even when the telecommunications line is inoperable. In other words, the security system is able to serve its intended purpose of alerting emergency authorities even when the telecommunications link interconnecting the system to the central monitoring service system is inoperable.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5684858 (1997-11-01), Hartmann et al.
patent: 5969632 (1999-10-01), Diamant et al.
patent: 402237262A (1990-09-01), None
patent: 406177865A (1994-06-01), None
patent: 406338957A (1994-12-01), None
Akhteruzzaman Akhtar
Rees Ronald Joseph
Schorr Ian Andrew
Ghose Mony R.
Lucent Technologies - Inc.
MacIntyre John B.
Nguyen Duc
Ramakrishnaiah Melur
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