A method and apparatus for determining a status of a deadbolt assembly. A deadbolt status assembly uses mechanical, ultrasonic, infrared, inductance, and/or capacitance to detect when a deadbolt assembly is in a locked state, where a bolt of the deadbolt assembly is fully extended, or in an unlocked state, where the bolt is fully retracted.
A barrier alarm device for reducing the number of false alarms that may occur in a home or business security system. In one embodiment, a barrier alarm device, such as a door or window sensor, determines whether a barrier, such as a door or a window, has been opened, and determines whether a human being is inside a premises in proximity to the door or window. If a human being is inside the monitored premises when the door or window is opened, it indicates that the human being is authorized to be inside the monitored premises, and the barrier alarm device transmits a timed alarm signal to a central security panel, causing a security response to be generated by the central security panel if a predetermined time period elapses without a user canceling the security response.
A configurable, wearable electronic device is shown and described. The configurable, wearable electronic device may be configured to be worn around a user's neck via a lanyard and a special longitudinal insert of the configurable having an attached tether, worn on a user's clothing via a conforming cradle assembly or worn on a user's wrist by removing one or more longitudinal inserts of the configurable, wearable electronic device and connecting a wrist strap having two longitudinal inserts that fit into a respective channel of the configurable, wearable electronic device.
A system, method and apparatus for configuring a person detection sensor. The person detection sensor may limit its transmissions in accordance with a pre-configured dwell time. The person detection sensor may receive a new dwell time from a personal communication device. When the new dwell time is received, it is stored in memory and is then used to regulate the number of transmissions of the person detection sensor in accordance with the new dwell time.
G06F 1/3231 - Monitoring the presence, absence or movement of users
G06F 1/3228 - Monitoring task completion, e.g. by use of idle timers, stop commands or wait commands
G08B 13/196 - Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems using television cameras
A system, method and apparatus for monitoring a barrier. The barrier sensor refrains from transmitting an alarm signal to a receiver when the barrier sensor determines that the barrier has been placed into an open position and that a human being is inside the premises in proximity to the human detection device. Further, the barrier sensor transmits an alarm signal to a receiver when the barrier sensor determines that the barrier has been moved from the open position and that a human being is not inside the premises in proximity to the barrier.
A method and apparatus is described for interacting with a security system using a television remote control. Commands sent by the remote control are received by an auxiliary interface device, which then provides the commands to a security system controller either directly, via a local-area network, or via a wide-area network and server. Status and acknowledgement messages are transmitted from the security system controller to the auxiliary device, whereupon they are provided to and displayed by a television in the form of a security dashboard.
G06V 20/52 - Surveillance or monitoring of activities, e.g. for recognising suspicious objects
G08B 25/00 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems
G08B 25/14 - Central alarm receiver or annunciator arrangements
H04L 12/28 - Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
H04N 7/18 - Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast
H04N 21/238 - Interfacing the downstream path of the transmission network, e.g. adapting the transmission rate of a video stream to network bandwidth; Processing of multiplex streams
H04N 21/41 - Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
H04N 21/431 - Generation of visual interfaces; Content or additional data rendering
H04N 21/436 - Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or inside the home
H04N 21/45 - Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies
H04N 21/478 - Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification or shopping application
7.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING A MOVABLE BARRIER SYSTEM
In one embodiment, a method conducted by a movable barrier gateway device is disclosed for controlling a movable barrier, comprising receiving, by a communication interface, a remote command from a remote control device to move the movable barrier, the remote command sent over a network, delaying transmission of a signal to a movable barrier controller to move the movable barrier, by a processor, for a predetermined time period after the remote command is received, detecting movement of the movable barrier within the predetermined time period by a barrier movement detector, and ignoring the remote command by the processor in response to detecting movement of the movable barrier within the predetermined time period.
Aspects of the present invention are directed towards identifying users in a room by an intelligent personal assistant for automatic control of certain devices controlled by the assistant. The assistant may have a retractable, reflector that is used to identify persons in the vicinity of the assistant when the retractable, reflector is in an extended position. The retractable, reflector may additionally be stowed inside the assistant to stop processing visual information in the vicinity of the assistant.
Systems, methods and apparatus are described to selectively monitor a portion of a premises by a security system. A security system may contain a central security monitoring device in communication with a plurality of security sensors, and central security monitoring device may receive a command to actively monitor a first portion of a premises monitored by the security system, and in response to receiving the command, cause one or more security alerts to occur when an alarm signal is received from a security sensor located in the first portion of the premises, while ignoring alarm signals received from security sensors located in other portions of the premises.
Systems, methods and apparatus are described for propagating a primary alert from a premises monitoring system or device by a home entertainment device. A premises monitoring system or device, such as a security system, smoke detector, fire detector, carbon monoxide detector, baby monitor, smart speaker, etc., emit a primary alert when a predetermined event or condition occurs associated with a monitored premises. An indication of the primary alert is received by one or more home entertainment devices, and at least one of the home entertainment devices causes a secondary alert to occur, for example, an audio notification and/or a visual notification from the at least one home entertainment device.
The present disclosure relates to a software application used on mobile devices that enables professional monitoring services to DIY monitoring systems that lack an ability to communicate with remote monitoring facilities. In one embodiment, alert messages are transmitted by a monitoring system gateway and received by a personal communication device. The alert messages indicate occurrences of events at a monitored premises. When the software application determines that an incoming communication is an alert message, an indication is provided to a user of the mobile device that an event has occurred at the premises, and giving the user a predetermined time period in which to respond to the indication. If the user fails to respond to the indication within a predetermined time period, a message is transmitted to a remote monitoring facility, alerting the remote monitoring facility of the event.
G08B 25/10 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium using wireless transmission systems
G08B 25/01 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium
G08B 25/00 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems
G08B 25/08 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium using communication transmission lines
13.
ADJUSTABLE DWELL TIME FOR MOTION DETECTOR BASED ON ACTIVITY
A motion detector that can automatically adjust a dwell time used by the motion detector to prevent unnecessary transmissions as an activity level of an area increases or decreases. The motion detector determines the activity level in the area and if the activity level is increasing, the dwell time is reduced and vice-versa.
G08B 13/19 - Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using infrared-radiation detection systems
14.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LOCATION-BASED, AUTOMATED CONTROL OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Systems, methods and apparatus are described for automatically performing home or business-based actions. A predefined geographic boundary may be defined around a home or a business. When a personal communication device inside a vehicle crosses a boundary of the predefined geographic boundary, the personal communication device sends a short range message to a point-to-point transceiver in the vehicle, and the point-to-point transceiver sends a signal directly to a controller in the home or business to automatically perform the one or more home or business-based actions.
H04W 4/021 - Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
H04W 4/80 - Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
Described is a security sensor comprising two or more sub-sensors for use in a variety of installations where different magnetic fields may be experienced by the security sensor as a result of the variety of installations. One of the sub-sensors may have a low magnetic sensitivity while the other sub-sensor may have a much higher sensitivity to magnetic fields. In operation, one or both sub-sensors are used to determine if a door or a window has been opened.
G01B 7/14 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electric or magnetic techniques for measuring distance or clearance between spaced objects or spaced apertures
G01R 33/00 - Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables
G01R 33/02 - Measuring direction or magnitude of magnetic fields or magnetic flux
G08B 21/22 - Status alarms responsive to presence or absence of persons
A method and apparatus for monitoring a door or a window is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method is described, comprising receiving, by a processor, an electronic signal from a motion sensor in response to movement of the door or window, determining a direction of movement of the door or window from the electronic signal by the processor, comparing the direction of movement to a predetermined direction by the processor, detecting, by the processor, an alarm condition of the door or window if the electronic signal indicates that the door or window is being opened, and transmitting, by a transmitter coupled to the processor, an alarm signal when the alarm condition has been detected.
Embodiments of a central security monitoring device for reducing incidences of false alarms in a security system is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method is described, comprising receiving an alarm signal from an occupancy sensor via a receiver, receiving a second alarm signal from a barrier alarm device after receiving the alarm signal, determining, by a processor, an elapsed time from when the alarm signal from the occupancy sensor was received to when the second alarm signal from the barrier alarm device was received, transmitting, by the processor via a network interface, a message to a personal communication device indicating that a false alarm has occurred when the elapsed time is less than the predetermined time.
G08B 29/18 - Prevention or correction of operating errors
G08B 13/08 - Mechanical actuation by opening, e.g. of door, of window, of drawer, of shutter, of curtain, of blind
G08B 5/36 - Visible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied using electromagnetic transmission using visible light sources
G08B 3/10 - Audible signalling systems; Audible personal calling systems using electromagnetic transmission
G08B 25/00 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems
A method and apparatus for detecting remote network devices. In one embodiment, the method comprises detecting an event and a) transmitting a message requesting a response from one or more remote network devices, the message comprising a first network identification code, and b) determining whether a response to the message has been received, the response transmitted by a remote network device after receiving the message and determining that the first network identification code matches a second network identification code stored within the remote network device, the response comprising identification information of the remote network device. If c) a response has not been received, terminating the method for detecting remote network devices if a pre-determined time period has elapsed since transmitting the message. If d) a response has been received, storing identification information associated with the responding remote network device and repeating steps a-d until no further responses are received.
A method and apparatus for reducing power consumption of a battery-powered, hardware token reader. A secure access module within the battery-powered hardware token reader is disabled by a main processor while the battery-powered hardware token reader is in a low-power mode of operation. The main processor also enables communications directly with a tag transceiver and then places itself into a sleep state. When a hardware token is placed within the range of the tag transceiver, the tag transceiver wakes the main processor, and the main processor, in turn, powers the secure access module on and initializes it so that the main processor can read information stored on the hardware token via the secure access module.
An electronic barrier alarm sensor having a flexible sensing device. The sensor may be mounted to a door, door frame, window, window frame, object or wall to detect when a door or window has been opened, that an object has been moved or to detect the presence of an animal. The flexible sensing device comprises one or more attributes that change as the flexible sensing device is bent, or unbent, by operation of a door, window, removal of an object, or the presence of an animal. Based on the changes, the electronic barrier alarm sensor may transmit an alarm signal when one or more measured values of the one or more attributes changes by more than one or more predetermined amounts.
G08B 13/08 - Mechanical actuation by opening, e.g. of door, of window, of drawer, of shutter, of curtain, of blind
G01D 5/16 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using electric or magnetic means influencing the magnitude of a current or voltage by varying resistance
G01D 5/20 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using electric or magnetic means influencing the magnitude of a current or voltage by varying inductance, e.g. by a movable armature
G01D 5/24 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using electric or magnetic means influencing the magnitude of a current or voltage by varying capacitance
Methods and apparatus for performing timed functions in battery-powered, wireless electronic devices, such as sensors or control modules. Such electronic devices comprise a main processor and a co-processor. When the main processor enters a quiescent state in order to preserve battery life, one or more timed functions are transferred from the main processor to the co-processor just before the main processor enters the quiescent state. When the co-processor determines that it is time to perform the timed function, the co-processor wakes the main processor in order for the main processor to perform the timed function.
Described is a security sensor comprising two or more sub-sensors for use in a variety of installations where different magnetic fields may be experienced by the security sensor as a result of the variety of installations. One of the sub-sensors may have a low magnetic sensitivity while the other sub-sensor may have a much higher sensitivity to magnetic fields. In operation, one or both sub-sensors are used to determine if a door or a window has been opened.
G01B 7/14 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electric or magnetic techniques for measuring distance or clearance between spaced objects or spaced apertures
G01R 33/00 - Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables
G01R 33/02 - Measuring direction or magnitude of magnetic fields or magnetic flux
G08B 21/22 - Status alarms responsive to presence or absence of persons
G08B 29/20 - Calibration, including self-calibrating arrangements
23.
User-configurable person detection system, method and apparatus
A system, method and apparatus for configuring a person detection sensor. The person detection sensor may limit its transmissions in accordance with a pre-configured dwell time. The person detection sensor may receive a new dwell time from a personal communication device. When the new dwell time is received, it is stored in memory and is then used to regulate the number of transmissions of the person detection sensor in accordance with the new dwell time.
G06F 1/3231 - Monitoring the presence, absence or movement of users
G08B 13/196 - Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems using television cameras
G06F 1/3228 - Monitoring task completion, e.g. by use of idle timers, stop commands or wait commands
24.
Adjustable dwell time for motion detector based on activity
A motion detector that can automatically adjust a dwell time used by the motion detector to prevent unnecessary transmissions as an activity level of an area increases or decreases. The motion detector determines the activity level in the area and if the activity level is increasing, the dwell time is reduced and vice-versa.
G08B 13/19 - Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using infrared-radiation detection systems
A system, method and apparatus for monitoring a barrier. The barrier sensor refrains from transmitting an alarm signal to a receiver when the barrier sensor determines that the barrier has been placed into an open position and that a human being is inside the premises in proximity to the human detection device. Further, the barrier sensor transmits an alarm signal to a receiver when the barrier sensor determines that the barrier has been moved from the open position and that a human being is not inside the premises in proximity to the barrier.
A method, apparatus and system is disclosed for automatically opening and closing a garage door without user intervention. A vehicle-mounted mobile transmitter autonomously and continuously transmits a repeating signal pattern when power is applied to the transmitter as a vehicle is started by a user. A movable barrier gateway device receives the signals from the mobile transmitter and compares an identification code contained in each of the signals to an identification code stored in memory. When a match is found, the movable barrier gateway device sends a signal to a movable barrier controller to open the garage door, and keep the door open as long as the movable barrier gateway continues to receive the signals from the mobile transmitter.
G07C 9/00 - Individual registration on entry or exit
E05F 15/668 - Power-operated mechanisms for wings using electrical actuators using rotary electromotors for vertically-sliding wings for overhead wings
E05F 15/77 - Power-operated mechanisms for wings with automatic actuation using wireless control
E05F 15/76 - Power-operated mechanisms for wings with automatic actuation responsive to movement or presence of persons or objects responsive to devices carried by persons or objects, e.g. magnets or reflectors
27.
Method, system and apparatus for electronic device enrollment
A system, method and apparatus for automatically enrolling wireless end devices with a base station and/or other device or system. A wireless end device is scanned using a smart phone's native capabilities, without the use of a downloadable, third party app. Information from the scan indicates the name of the base station to which enrollment is desired. The base station name is used in an mDNS request in order to determine a local IP address of the base station. When the IP address is returned to the local, wireless communication device, the wireless communication device sends an HTTP GET message comprising attributes of the end device. The base station receives the HTTP GET message and enrolls the wireless end device with the base station. The base station my further alert another base station, system, server or other entity of the enrollment. The base station may then send the local, wireless communication device a web page indicating that the wireless end device was successfully enrolled with the base station and/or other base station, system, server or entity.
A smart thermostat for controlling the ambient air temperature in a first area when the smart thermostat is located in a second area. One or more desired setpoint temperatures are changed automatically by the smart thermostat based on one or more setpoint modification factors, such as the time of day, current season, location, orientation and present and future weather conditions.
A method and apparatus for monitoring a door or a window is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method is described, comprising receiving, by a processor, an electronic signal from a motion sensor in response to movement of the door or window, determining a direction of movement of the door or window from the electronic signal by the processor, comparing the direction of movement to a predetermined direction by the processor, detecting, by the processor, an alarm condition of the door or window if the electronic signal indicates that the door or window is being opened, and transmitting, by a transmitter coupled to the processor, an alarm signal when the alarm condition has been detected.
Systems, methods and apparatus are described to selectively monitor a portion of a premises by a security system. A security system may contain a central security monitoring device in communication with a plurality of security sensors, and central security monitoring device may receive a command to actively monitor a first portion of a premises monitored by the security system, and in response to receiving the command, cause one or more security alerts to occur when an alarm signal is received from a security sensor located in the first portion of the premises, while ignoring alarm signals received from security sensors located in other portions of the premises.
Aspects of the present invention are directed towards a more natural way to interact with an intelligent personal assistant. An intelligent personal assistant comprises a camera that provides images of an area surrounding the assistant. The assistant monitors images provided by the camera to determine when a user is addressing the assistant. When voice input is received after determining that a user is addressing the assistant, the assistant understands that the voice input is intended for the assistant, and acts on the voice input to respond to the user.
G02B 17/06 - Catoptric systems, e.g. image erecting and reversing system using mirrors only
G06N 3/008 - Artificial life, i.e. computing arrangements simulating life based on physical entities controlled by simulated intelligence so as to replicate intelligent life forms, e.g. based on robots replicating pets or humans in their appearance or behaviour
The present disclosure relates to a software application used on mobile devices that enables professional monitoring services to DIY monitoring systems that lack an ability to communicate with remote monitoring facilities. In one embodiment, alert messages are transmitted by a monitoring system gateway and received by a personal communication device. The alert messages indicate occurrences of events at a monitored premises. When the software application determines that an incoming communication is an alert message, an indication is provided to a user of the mobile device that an event has occurred at the premises, and giving the user a predetermined time period in which to respond to the indication. If the user fails to respond to the indication within a predetermined time period, a message is transmitted to a remote monitoring facility, alerting the remote monitoring facility of the event.
G08B 25/00 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems
G08B 25/10 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium using wireless transmission systems
G08B 25/01 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium
G08B 25/08 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium using communication transmission lines
33.
Method and apparatus for disarming a security system
Methods and apparatus are described for automatically disarming a security system. For example, a method for automatically disarming a security system is described, comprising determining, by a personal communication device, when a person is in proximity to the person's home or business and, in response to determining that the person is in proximity to the person's home or business, transmitting a disarm command by the personal communication device to a security controller for the security controller to disarm the security system.
G08B 25/10 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium using wireless transmission systems
G08B 25/00 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems
G08B 25/08 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium using communication transmission lines
34.
Smart thermostat for controlling adjacent room temperatures
A smart thermostat for controlling the ambient air temperature in a first area when the smart thermostat is located in a second area. One or more desired setpoint temperatures are changed automatically by the smart thermostat based on one or more setpoint modification factors, such as the time of day, current season, location, orientation and present and future weather conditions.
A remote-controlled switch cover assembly is described for converting an existing rocker switch into a remote-controlled switch. The remote-controlled switch cover assembly receives a wireless signal to actuate the existing rocker switch and, in response, activates an electric motor that causes a gear train to turn in a first direction. This causes a wiper to engage an under-surface of a tilt plate located above the existing rocker switch and, in response, an opposing end of the tit plate depresses the existing rocker switch.
H01H 23/24 - Tumbler or rocker switches, i.e. switches characterised by being operated by rocking an operating member in the form of a rocker button with two operating positions
A person-detection device that automatically configures itself as a motion sensor or an occupancy sensor upon receiving a command from a home security panel or home automation hub.
Systems, methods and apparatus are described for reducing the occurrence of false alarms by determining the identify of people, typically via their mobile devices, in or near a monitored premises. A security system employing the embodiments described herein monitors a home or business to determine the presence of mobile devices in or near the premises, and determines whether such mobile devices are authorized, or not, to enter the premises after the security system has been armed. When an intrusion is detected, the security system determines whether any unauthorized mobile devices are present in or near the premises. If so, one or more escalated alarm responses are initiated by the security system. If no unauthorized mobile devices are in or near the premises when intrusion is detected, the security system ignores the intrusion and refrains from performing the escalated alarm responses.
G08B 29/16 - Security signalling or alarm systems, e.g. redundant systems
G08B 26/00 - Alarm systems in which substations are interrogated in succession by a central station
G08B 25/10 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium using wireless transmission systems
G08B 25/00 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems
G08B 3/10 - Audible signalling systems; Audible personal calling systems using electromagnetic transmission
H04W 4/80 - Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
Systems, methods and apparatus are described to selectively monitor a portion of a premises by a security system. A security system may contain a central security monitoring device in communication with a plurality of security sensors, and central security monitoring device may receive a command to actively monitor a first portion of a premises monitored by the security system, and in response to receiving the command, cause one or more security alerts to occur when an alarm signal is received from a security sensor located in the first portion of the premises, while ignoring alarm signals received from security sensors located in other portions of the premises.
Methods and apparatus for performing timed functions in battery-powered, wireless electronic devices, such as sensors or control modules. Such electronic devices comprise a main processor and a co-processor. When the main processor enters a quiescent state in order to preserve battery life, one or more timed functions are transferred from the main processor to the co-processor just before the main processor enters the quiescent state. When the co-processor determines that it is time to perform the timed function, the co-processor wakes the main processor in order for the main processor to perform the timed function.
An electronic barrier alarm sensor having a flexible sensing device. The sensor may be mounted to a door, door frame, window, window frame, object or wall to detect when a door or window has been opened, that an object has been moved or to detect the presence of an animal. The flexible sensing device comprises one or more attributes that change as the flexible sensing device is bent, or unbent, by operation of a door, window, removal of an object, or the presence of an animal. Based on the changes, the electronic barrier alarm sensor may transmit an alarm signal when one or more measured values of the one or more attributes changes by more than one or more predetermined amounts.
G08B 13/08 - Mechanical actuation by opening, e.g. of door, of window, of drawer, of shutter, of curtain, of blind
G01D 5/16 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using electric or magnetic means influencing the magnitude of a current or voltage by varying resistance
G01D 5/20 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using electric or magnetic means influencing the magnitude of a current or voltage by varying inductance, e.g. by a movable armature
G01D 5/24 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using electric or magnetic means influencing the magnitude of a current or voltage by varying capacitance
A system, method and apparatus for detecting the presence of a person in an area monitored by an electronic person detector that may operate both as a security motion sensor and a home automation occupancy sensor.
G08B 13/196 - Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems using television cameras
H04L 12/28 - Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
42.
METHOD AND APPARATUS OF POWERING AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE USING A REMOVABLE POWER SUPPLY
An electronic device lacking an internal power supply comprises electronic circuitry, an external power adapter having an input connector for receiving AC power from a conventional AC power outlet and for providing a low-voltage output signal to an output connector, and a first port electronically coupled to the electronic circuitry for receiving the low-voltage output signal from the output connector of the power adapter and for providing the low-voltage output signal to the electronic circuitry.
A light switch cover for converting a standard toggle switch into a remote-controlled toggle switch. In one embodiment, the light switch cover comprises a switch toggle member for acting upon a toggle light switch member to place the toggle light switch member into either an on position or an off position, a gear train coupled to the switch toggle member that causes the switch toggle member to act upon the toggle light switch member, an electric motor, coupled to the gear train, for driving the gear train in a first direction to cause the switch toggle member to place the toggle light switch member into the on position, and for driving the gear train in a second direction to cause the switch toggle member to place the toggle light switch member into the off position, motor driving circuitry coupled to the electric motor, a receiver for receiving signals that cause actuation of the standard toggle switch, and processing circuitry coupled to the receiver and the motor driving circuitry that causes the light switch cover to receive a signal to turn the toggle switch into the on position and, in response, causing the electric motor to rotate in a direction to cause the switch toggle member to place the toggle light switch member into the on position.
A method and apparatus is described for interacting with a security system using a television remote control. Commands sent by the remote control are received by an auxiliary interface device, which then provides the commands to a security system controller either directly, via a local-area network, or via a wide-area network and server. Status and acknowledgement messages are transmitted from the security system controller to the auxiliary device, whereupon they are provided to and displayed by a television in the form of a security dashboard.
H04N 7/18 - Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast
H04N 21/238 - Interfacing the downstream path of the transmission network, e.g. adapting the transmission rate of a video stream to network bandwidth; Processing of multiplex streams
H04N 21/431 - Generation of visual interfaces; Content or additional data rendering
H04N 21/436 - Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or inside the home
H04N 21/45 - Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies
45.
Method and apparatus for performing timed functions in a wireless electronic device
Methods and apparatus for performing timed functions in battery-powered, wireless electronic devices, such as sensors or control modules. Such electronic devices comprise a main processor and a co-processor. When the main processor enters a quiescent state in order to preserve battery life, one or more timed functions are transferred from the main processor to the co-processor just before the main processor enters the quiescent state. When the co-processor determines that it is time to perform the timed function, the co-processor wakes the main processor in order for the main processor to perform the timed function.
A system, method and apparatus for configuring a person detection sensor. The person detection sensor may limit its transmissions in accordance with a pre-configured dwell time. The person detection sensor may receive a new dwell time from a personal communication device. When the new dwell time is received, it is stored in memory and is then used to regulate the number of transmissions of the person detection sensor in accordance with the new dwell time.
G06F 1/3231 - Monitoring the presence, absence or movement of users
G08B 13/196 - Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems using television cameras
G06F 1/3228 - Monitoring task completion, e.g. by use of idle timers, stop commands or wait commands
A system, method and apparatus for detecting the presence of a person in an area monitored by an electronic person detector that may operate both as a security motion sensor and a home automation occupancy sensor.
G08B 13/196 - Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems using television cameras
H04L 12/28 - Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
48.
Method, system and apparatus for electronic device enrollment
A system, method and apparatus for automatically enrolling wireless end devices with a base station and/or other device or system. A wireless end device is scanned using a smart phone's native capabilities, without the use of a downloadable, third party app. Information from the scan indicates the name of the base station to which enrollment is desired. The base station name is used in an mDNS request in order to determine a local IP address of the base station. When the IP address is returned to the local, wireless communication device, the wireless communication device sends an HTTP GET message comprising attributes of the end device. The base station receives the HTTP GET message and enrolls the wireless end device with the base station. The base station my further alert another base station, system, server or other entity of the enrollment. The base station may then send the local, wireless communication device a web page indicating that the wireless end device was successfully enrolled with the base station and/or other base station, system, server or entity.
The present disclosure provides an illumination feature for an electronic device. A light cone is used to direct light from a light emitter to an interior surface of a housing of an electronic device in one of a variety of geometric, alphabetic, or numerical designs.
F21V 3/02 - Globes; Bowls; Cover glasses characterised by the shape
F21V 23/04 - Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices the elements being switches
G08B 5/36 - Visible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied using electromagnetic transmission using visible light sources
F21V 33/00 - Structural combinations of lighting devices with other articles, not otherwise provided for
G08B 13/08 - Mechanical actuation by opening, e.g. of door, of window, of drawer, of shutter, of curtain, of blind
A method, system, and apparatus for temporarily disarming a barrier alarm in a security system. In one embodiment, a method is described, performed by a barrier alarm in communication with a central controller, where the barrier alarm receives a first signal from a user interface on the barrier alarm to disarm the barrier alarm, disables the barrier alarm in response to receiving the indication, and re-arming the barrier alarm upon receipt of a second signal from a sensor that forms part of the barrier alarm.
Aspects of the present invention are directed towards identifying users in a room by an intelligent personal assistant for automatic control of certain devices controlled by the assistant. The assistant may have a retractable, reflector that is used to identify persons in the vicinity of the assistant when the retractable, reflector is in an extended position. The retractable, reflector may additionally be stowed inside the assistant to stop processing visual information in the vicinity of the assistant.
G06F 3/00 - Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
A method and apparatus for monitoring a door or a window is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method is described, comprising receiving, by a processor, an electronic signal from a motion sensor in response to movement of the door or window, determining a direction of movement of the door or window from the electronic signal by the processor, comparing the direction of movement to a predetermined direction by the processor, detecting, by the processor, an alarm condition of the door or window if the electronic signal indicates that the door or window is being opened, and transmitting, by a transmitter coupled to the processor, an alarm signal when the alarm condition has been detected.
A method and apparatus is described for providing energy system status information. A status indication device may be mounted near an entry door for determining when an individual is about to leave an area. When the status indication device determines that an individual is about to leave an area, it displays an energy status to the individual, so that the individual can decide whether to place energy-consuming devices in a conservation mode of operation.
H02J 13/00 - Circuit arrangements for providing remote indication of network conditions, e.g. an instantaneous record of the open or closed condition of each circuitbreaker in the network; Circuit arrangements for providing remote control of switching means in a power distribution network, e.g. switching in and out of current consumers by using a pulse code signal carried by the network
G05B 15/02 - Systems controlled by a computer electric
Embodiments of a central security monitoring device for reducing incidences of false alarms in a security system is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method is described, comprising receiving an alarm signal from an occupancy sensor via a receiver, receiving a second alarm signal from a barrier alarm device after receiving the alarm signal, determining, by a processor, an elapsed time from when the alarm signal from the occupancy sensor was received to when the second alarm signal from the barrier alarm device was received, transmitting, by the processor via a network interface, a message to a personal communication device indicating that a false alarm has occurred when the elapsed time is less than the predetermined time.
G08B 13/08 - Mechanical actuation by opening, e.g. of door, of window, of drawer, of shutter, of curtain, of blind
G08B 29/18 - Prevention or correction of operating errors
G08B 5/36 - Visible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied using electromagnetic transmission using visible light sources
G08B 3/10 - Audible signalling systems; Audible personal calling systems using electromagnetic transmission
G08B 25/00 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems
A method, system, and apparatus for programming a sensor at a customer location is disclosed. A defective sensor at a customer location is replaced by a new sensor that is programmed at the customer location using a programming device or a transducer coupled to a computing device. The new sensor is programming using the sensor's detector normally used to sense a change in a magnetic field, an RF signal, infra-red light, or some other emission or property.
The present disclosure relates to a software application used on mobile devices that enables professional monitoring services to DIY monitoring systems that lack an ability to communicate with remote monitoring facilities. In one embodiment, alert messages are transmitted by a monitoring system gateway and received by a personal communication device. The alert messages indicate occurrences of events at a monitored premises. When the software application determines that an incoming communication is an alert message, an indication is provided to a user of the mobile device that an event has occurred at the premises, and giving the user a predetermined time period in which to respond to the indication. If the user fails to respond to the indication within a predetermined time period, a message is transmitted to a remote monitoring facility, alerting the remote monitoring facility of the event.
G08B 25/00 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems
G08B 25/10 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium using wireless transmission systems
G08B 25/01 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium
G08B 25/08 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium using communication transmission lines
A sensor is disabled when it receives a signal from a control unit that the control unit has been placed into one or more particular operating modes. In response to receiving the signal, the sensor becomes disabled, thereby preventing detection and/or transmission of certain signals to the security panel. When the control unit is placed into another mode of operation, the control unit sends a signal to the sensor and, in response, the sensor is re-enabled, allowing the sensor to function normally.
G06F 1/3234 - Power saving characterised by the action undertaken
G06F 9/30 - Arrangements for executing machine instructions, e.g. instruction decode
H02J 7/02 - Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries for charging batteries from ac mains by converters
Methods and apparatus are described for automatically disarming a security system. For example, a method for automatically disarming a security system is described, comprising determining, by a personal communication device, when a person is in proximity to the person's home or business and, in response to determining that the person is in proximity to the person's home or business, transmitting a disarm command by the personal communication device to a security controller for the security controller to disarm the security system.
G08B 25/00 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems
G08B 25/08 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium using communication transmission lines
G08B 25/10 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium using wireless transmission systems
A barrier alarm device for reducing the number of false alarms that may occur in a home or business security system. In one embodiment, a barrier alarm device, such as a door or window sensor, determines whether a barrier, such as a door or a window, has been opened, and determines whether a human being is inside a premises in proximity to the door or window. If a human being is inside the monitored premises when the door or window is opened, it indicates that the human being is authorized to be inside the monitored premises, and the barrier alarm device transmits a timed alarm signal to a central security panel, causing a security response to be generated by the central security panel if a predetermined time period elapses without a user canceling the security response.
B60R 25/34 - Detection related to theft or to other events relevant to anti-theft systems of conditions of vehicle components, e.g. of windows, door locks or gear selectors
G08B 13/08 - Mechanical actuation by opening, e.g. of door, of window, of drawer, of shutter, of curtain, of blind
G08B 25/00 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems
G08B 21/04 - Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons responsive to non-activity, e.g. of elderly persons
G08B 13/16 - Actuation by interference with mechanical vibrations in air or other fluid
G08B 29/18 - Prevention or correction of operating errors
G08B 25/14 - Central alarm receiver or annunciator arrangements
G08B 21/22 - Status alarms responsive to presence or absence of persons
A person-detection device that automatically configures itself as a motion sensor or an occupancy sensor upon receiving a command from a home security panel or home automation hub.
G05B 15/02 - Systems controlled by a computer electric
G05B 19/18 - Numerical control (NC), i.e. automatically operating machines, in particular machine tools, e.g. in a manufacturing environment, so as to execute positioning, movement or co-ordinated operations by means of programme data in numerical form
G08B 21/04 - Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons responsive to non-activity, e.g. of elderly persons
G01P 13/00 - Indicating or recording presence or absence of movement; Indicating or recording of direction of movement
A method, apparatus and system is disclosed for automatically opening and closing a garage door without user intervention. A vehicle-mounted mobile transmitter autonomously and continuously transmits a repeating signal pattern when power is applied to the transmitter as a vehicle is started by a user. A movable barrier gateway device receives the signals from the mobile transmitter and compares an identification code contained in each of the signals to an identification code stored in memory. When a match is found, the movable barrier gateway device sends a signal to a movable barrier controller to open the garage door, and keep the door open as long as the movable barrier gateway continues to receive the signals from the mobile transmitter.
E05F 15/20 - controlled by automatically-acting means, e.g. by photocells, by electric waves, by thermostats, by rain, by fire
G07C 9/00 - Individual registration on entry or exit
E05F 15/668 - Power-operated mechanisms for wings using electrical actuators using rotary electromotors for vertically-sliding wings for overhead wings
E05F 15/77 - Power-operated mechanisms for wings with automatic actuation using wireless control
E05F 15/76 - Power-operated mechanisms for wings with automatic actuation responsive to movement or presence of persons or objects responsive to devices carried by persons or objects, e.g. magnets or reflectors
A system, method and apparatus for configuring a person detection sensor. The person detection sensor may limit its transmissions in accordance with a pre-configured dwell time. The person detection sensor may receive a new dwell time from a remote device. When the new dwell time is received, it is stored in memory and is then used to regulate the number of transmissions of the person detection sensor in accordance with the new dwell time.
G08B 13/196 - Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems using television cameras
G06F 1/3231 - Monitoring the presence, absence or movement of users
G06F 1/3228 - Monitoring task completion, e.g. by use of idle timers, stop commands or wait commands
A light switch cover for converting a standard toggle switch into a remote-controlled toggle switch. In one embodiment, the light switch cover comprises a switch toggle member for acting upon a toggle light switch member to place the toggle light switch member into either an on position or an off position, a gear train coupled to the switch toggle member that causes the switch toggle member to act upon the toggle light switch member, an electric motor, coupled to the gear train, for driving the gear train in a first direction to cause the switch toggle member to place the toggle light switch member into the on position, and for driving the gear train in a second direction to cause the switch toggle member to place the toggle light switch member into the off position, motor driving circuitry coupled to the electric motor, a receiver for receiving signals that cause actuation of the standard toggle switch, and processing circuitry coupled to the receiver and the motor driving circuitry that causes the light switch cover to receive a signal to turn the toggle switch into the on position and, in response, causing the electric motor to rotate in a direction to cause the switch toggle member to place the toggle light switch member into the on position.
H01H 43/10 - Time or time-programme switches providing a choice of time-intervals for executing one or more switching actions and automatically terminating their operation after the programme is completed with timing of actuation of contacts due to a part rotating at substantially constant speed
Described is a security sensor comprising two or more sub-sensors for use in a variety of installations where different magnetic fields may be experienced by the security sensor as a result of the variety of installations. One of the sub-sensors may have a low magnetic sensitivity while the other sub-sensor may have a much higher sensitivity to magnetic fields. In operation, one or both sub-sensors are used to determine if a door or a window has been opened.
G01B 7/14 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electric or magnetic techniques for measuring distance or clearance between spaced objects or spaced apertures
G01R 33/00 - Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables
G01R 33/02 - Measuring direction or magnitude of magnetic fields or magnetic flux
G08B 21/22 - Status alarms responsive to presence or absence of persons
G08B 29/20 - Calibration, including self-calibrating arrangements
A method and apparatus for monitoring a door or a window is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method is described, comprising receiving, by a processor, an electronic signal from a motion sensor in response to movement of the door or window, determining a direction of movement of the door or window from the electronic signal by the processor, comparing the direction of movement to a predetermined direction by the processor, detecting, by the processor, an alarm condition of the door or window if the electronic signal indicates that the door or window is being opened, and transmitting, by a transmitter coupled to the processor, an alarm signal when the alarm condition has been detected.
A method, system, and apparatus for temporarily disarming a barrier alarm in a security system. In one embodiment, a method is described, performed by a barrier alarm in communication with a central controller, where the barrier alarm receives a first signal from a user interface on the barrier alarm to disarm the barrier alarm, disables the barrier alarm in response to receiving the indication, and re-arming the barrier alarm upon receipt of a second signal from a sensor that forms part of the barrier alarm.
An electronic device lacking an internal power supply comprises electronic circuitry, an external power adapter having an input connector for receiving AC power from a conventional AC power outlet and for providing a low-voltage output signal to an output connector, and a first port electronically coupled to the electronic circuitry for receiving the low-voltage output signal from the output connector of the power adapter and for providing the low-voltage output signal to the electronic circuitry.
A base station used in a home security or home automation/control system is described. The base station is configured to automatically accept new sensors or control modules by placing such new sensors or control modules in proximity to the base station.
H04L 12/28 - Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
H04W 4/80 - Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
H04W 4/70 - Services for machine-to-machine communication [M2M] or machine type communication [MTC]
H04W 60/04 - Affiliation to network, e.g. registration; Terminating affiliation with the network, e.g. de-registration using triggered events
73.
Method and apparatus for detecting a hazard detector signal in the presence of interference
The present disclosure describes methods and apparatus for detecting a pattern warning signal from a hazard detector in the presence of a second pattern warning signal from a second hazard detector. In one embodiment, hazard detector monitoring device converts a pattern warning signal and a second pattern warning signal into a composite electronic signal, each of the first and second pattern warning signals comprising an on-time period followed by an off-time period. Next, the composite electronic signal is converted into a digital signal and then an on-time duration of the digital signal is determined as a time that the digital signal exceeded a first voltage threshold. Finally, an alarm signal is transmitted to a receiver when the pattern warning signal has been determined to be present, based on the on-time duration.
A remote-controlled switch cover assembly is described for converting an existing rocker switch into a remote-controlled switch. The remote-controlled switch cover assembly receives a wireless signal to actuate the existing rocker switch and, in response, activates an electric motor that causes a gear train to turn in a first direction. This causes a wiper to engage an under-surface of a tilt plate located above the existing rocker switch and, in response, an opposing end of the tit plate depresses the existing rocker switch.
H01H 23/24 - Tumbler or rocker switches, i.e. switches characterised by being operated by rocking an operating member in the form of a rocker button with two operating positions
A method, system, and apparatus for programming a sensor at a customer location is disclosed. A defective sensor at a customer location is replaced by a new sensor that is programmed at the customer location using a programming device or a transducer coupled to a computing device. The new sensor is programming using the sensor's detector normally used to sense a change in a magnetic field, an RF signal, infra-red light, or some other emission or property.
A method and apparatus is described for providing energy system status information. A status indication device may be mounted near an entry door for determining when an individual is about to leave an area. When the status indication device determines that an individual is about to leave an area, it displays an energy status to the individual, so that the individual can decide whether to place energy-consuming devices in a conservation mode of operation.
H02J 13/00 - Circuit arrangements for providing remote indication of network conditions, e.g. an instantaneous record of the open or closed condition of each circuitbreaker in the network; Circuit arrangements for providing remote control of switching means in a power distribution network, e.g. switching in and out of current consumers by using a pulse code signal carried by the network
A method and apparatus is described for interacting with a security system using a television remote control. Commands sent by the remote control are received by an auxiliary interface device, which then provides the commands to a security system controller either directly, via a local-area network, or via a wide-area network and server. Status and acknowledgement messages are transmitted from the security system controller to the auxiliary device, whereupon they are provided to and displayed by a television in the form of a security dashboard.
H04N 21/422 - Input-only peripherals, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
H04L 12/28 - Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
G08B 25/00 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems
G08B 25/14 - Central alarm receiver or annunciator arrangements
G06K 9/00 - Methods or arrangements for reading or recognising printed or written characters or for recognising patterns, e.g. fingerprints
H04N 21/41 - Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
H04N 21/478 - Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification or shopping application
H04N 7/18 - Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast
H04N 21/238 - Interfacing the downstream path of the transmission network, e.g. adapting the transmission rate of a video stream to network bandwidth; Processing of multiplex streams
H04N 21/431 - Generation of visual interfaces; Content or additional data rendering
H04N 21/436 - Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or inside the home
H04N 21/45 - Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies
The present disclosure provides an illumination feature for an electronic device. A light cone is used to direct light from a light emitter to an interior surface of a housing of an electronic device in one of a variety of geometric, alphabetic, or numerical designs.
G08B 5/36 - Visible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied using electromagnetic transmission using visible light sources
F21V 33/00 - Structural combinations of lighting devices with other articles, not otherwise provided for
An electronic device lacking an internal power supply comprises electronic circuitry, an external power adapter having an input connector for receiving AC power from a conventional AC power outlet and for providing a low-voltage output signal to an output connector, and a first port electronically coupled to the electronic circuitry for receiving the low-voltage output signal from the output connector of the power adapter and for providing the low-voltage output signal to the electronic circuitry.
Aspects of the present invention are directed towards identifying users in a room by an intelligent personal assistant for automatic control of certain devices controlled by the assistant. The assistant may have a retractable, reflector that is used to identify persons in the vicinity of the assistant when the retractable, reflector is in an extended position. The retractable, reflector may additionally be stowed inside the assistant to stop processing visual information in the vicinity of the assistant.
G01S 7/00 - RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES - Details of systems according to groups , ,
G01S 7/481 - Constructional features, e.g. arrangements of optical elements
G06F 3/01 - Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
A method and apparatus for monitoring a door or a window is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method is described, comprising receiving, by a processor, an electronic signal from a motion sensor in response to movement of the door or window, determining a direction of movement of the door or window from the electronic signal by the processor, comparing the direction of movement to a predetermined direction by the processor, detecting, by the processor, an alarm condition of the door or window if the electronic signal indicates that the door or window is being opened, and transmitting, by a transmitter coupled to the processor, an alarm signal when the alarm condition has been detected.
Embodiments of a central security monitoring device for reducing incidences of false alarms in a security system is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method is described, comprising receiving an alarm signal from an occupancy sensor via a receiver, receiving a second alarm signal from a barrier alarm device after receiving the alarm signal, determining, by a processor, an elapsed time from when the alarm signal from the occupancy sensor was received to when the second alarm signal from the barrier alarm device was received, transmitting, by the processor via a network interface, a message to a personal communication device indicating that a false alarm has occurred when the elapsed time is less than the predetermined time.
G08B 13/08 - Mechanical actuation by opening, e.g. of door, of window, of drawer, of shutter, of curtain, of blind
G08B 29/18 - Prevention or correction of operating errors
G08B 5/36 - Visible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied using electromagnetic transmission using visible light sources
G08B 3/10 - Audible signalling systems; Audible personal calling systems using electromagnetic transmission
G08B 25/00 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems
The present disclosure provides an illumination feature for an electronic device. A light cone is used to direct light from a light emitter to an interior surface of a housing of an electronic device in one of a variety of geometric, alphabetic, or numerical designs.
G08B 5/36 - Visible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied using electromagnetic transmission using visible light sources
A system for providing user-defined event notifications is describe. The system typically comprises an intelligent digital assistant coupled to a local area network for receiving an audible event definition from a user, an electronic system coupled to the local area network for determining whether a first user-defined event has occurred, and an event detection and notification server, coupled to the intelligent digital assistant and the first electronic system via a wide-area network. The event detection and notification system receives an audible event definition from the intelligent digital assistant, interpret the audible event definition to determine that the first user-defined event is present, identify the first electronic system as a system that determines whether the event occurs, determine that the first user-defined event occurred communications with the first electronic system, and provide a notification to the user that the first user-defined event has occurred.
G08B 3/10 - Audible signalling systems; Audible personal calling systems using electromagnetic transmission
G08B 19/00 - Alarms responsive to two or more different undesired or abnormal conditions, e.g. burglary and fire, abnormal temperature and abnormal rate of flow
A light switch cover for converting a standard toggle switch into a remote-controlled toggle switch. In one embodiment, the light switch cover comprises a switch toggle member for acting upon a toggle light switch member to place the toggle light switch member into either an on position or an off position, a gear train coupled to the switch toggle member that causes the switch toggle member to act upon the toggle light switch member, an electric motor, coupled to the gear train, for driving the gear train in a first direction to cause the switch toggle member to place the toggle light switch member into the on position, and for driving the gear train in a second direction to cause the switch toggle member to place the toggle light switch member into the off position, motor driving circuitry coupled to the electric motor, a receiver for receiving signals that cause actuation of the standard toggle switch, and processing circuitry coupled to the receiver and the motor driving circuitry that causes the light switch cover to receive a signal to turn the toggle switch into the on position and, in response, causing the electric motor to rotate in a direction to cause the switch toggle member to place the toggle light switch member into the on position.
H01H 43/10 - Time or time-programme switches providing a choice of time-intervals for executing one or more switching actions and automatically terminating their operation after the programme is completed with timing of actuation of contacts due to a part rotating at substantially constant speed
A method, system, and apparatus for temporarily disarming a barrier alarm in a security system. In one embodiment, a method is described, performed by a barrier alarm in communication with a central controller, where the barrier alarm receives a first signal from a user interface on the barrier alarm to disarm the barrier alarm, disables the barrier alarm in response to receiving the indication, and re-arming the barrier alarm upon receipt of a second signal from a sensor that forms part of the barrier alarm.
A barrier alarm device for reducing the number of false alarms that may occur in a home or business security system. In one embodiment, a barrier alarm device, such as a door or window sensor, determines whether a barrier, such as a door or a window, has been opened, and determines whether a human being is inside a premises in proximity to the door or window. If a human being is inside the monitored premises when the door or window is opened, it indicates that the human being is authorized to be inside the monitored premises, and the barrier alarm device transmits a timed alarm signal to a central security panel, causing a security response to be generated by the central security panel if a predetermined time period elapses without a user canceling the security response.
B60R 25/34 - Detection related to theft or to other events relevant to anti-theft systems of conditions of vehicle components, e.g. of windows, door locks or gear selectors
G08B 13/08 - Mechanical actuation by opening, e.g. of door, of window, of drawer, of shutter, of curtain, of blind
G08B 25/00 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems
G08B 21/04 - Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons responsive to non-activity, e.g. of elderly persons
G08B 13/16 - Actuation by interference with mechanical vibrations in air or other fluid
G08B 29/18 - Prevention or correction of operating errors
G08B 25/14 - Central alarm receiver or annunciator arrangements
G08B 21/22 - Status alarms responsive to presence or absence of persons
A security method and apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for providing an alarm for a window by a security apparatus comprises calculating a first distance between a detector mounted within a movable portion of the window and a window frame edge and calculating a second distance between the detector and the window frame edge. The method further comprises determining whether the movable portion of the window has remained stationary for more than a predetermined time period based on the first distance and the second distance and, if the movable portion has remained stationary for more than the predetermined time period, storing the second distance in a memory, placing the security apparatus into an active alarm state, calculating a third distance observed by the detector, determining a change between the third distance and the second distance, determining whether the change exceeds a predetermined distance, and generating an alarm signal if the change exceeds the predetermined distance.
G08B 13/08 - Mechanical actuation by opening, e.g. of door, of window, of drawer, of shutter, of curtain, of blind
G08B 29/22 - Provisions facilitating manual calibration, e.g. input or output provisions for testing; Holding of intermittent values to permit measurement
G08B 29/18 - Prevention or correction of operating errors
90.
Method and apparatus for detecting a hazard detector signal in the presence of interference
The present disclosure describes methods and apparatus for detecting a pattern warning signal from a hazard detector in the presence of a second pattern warning signal from a second hazard detector. In one embodiment, hazard detector monitoring device converts a pattern warning signal and a second pattern warning signal into a composite electronic signal, each of the first and second pattern warning signals comprising an on-time period followed by an off-time period. Next, the composite electronic signal is converted into a digital signal and then an on-time duration of the digital signal is determined as a time that the digital signal exceeded a first voltage threshold. Finally, an alarm signal is transmitted to a receiver when the pattern warning signal has been determined to be present, based on the on-time duration.
Described is a security sensor comprising two or more sub-sensors for use in a variety of installations where different magnetic fields may be experienced by the security sensor as a result of the variety of installations. One of the sub-sensors may have a low magnetic sensitivity while the other sub-sensor may have a much higher sensitivity to magnetic fields. In operation, one or both sub-sensors are used to determine if a door or a window has been opened.
G08B 13/24 - Electrical actuation by interference with electromagnetic field distribution
G01B 7/14 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electric or magnetic techniques for measuring distance or clearance between spaced objects or spaced apertures
G01R 33/00 - Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables
G01R 33/02 - Measuring direction or magnitude of magnetic fields or magnetic flux
G08B 21/22 - Status alarms responsive to presence or absence of persons
The present disclosure provides an illumination feature for an electronic device. A light cone is used to direct light from a light emitter to an interior surface of a housing of an electronic device in one of a variety of geometric, alphabetic, or numerical designs.
G08B 5/36 - Visible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied using electromagnetic transmission using visible light sources
A method, system, and apparatus for programming a sensor at a customer location is disclosed. A defective sensor at a customer location is replaced by a new sensor that is programmed at the customer location using a programming device or a transducer coupled to a computing device. The new sensor is programming using the sensor's detector normally used to sense a change in a magnetic field, an RF signal, infra-red light, or some other emission or property.
A method and apparatus is described for providing energy system status information. A status indication device may be mounted near an entry door for determining when an individual is about to leave an area. When the status indication device determines that an individual is about to leave an area, it displays an energy status to the individual, so that the individual can decide whether to place energy-consuming devices in a conservation mode of operation.
G05B 15/02 - Systems controlled by a computer electric
H02J 13/00 - Circuit arrangements for providing remote indication of network conditions, e.g. an instantaneous record of the open or closed condition of each circuitbreaker in the network; Circuit arrangements for providing remote control of switching means in a power distribution network, e.g. switching in and out of current consumers by using a pulse code signal carried by the network
A self-configuring sensor and method of operation of the sensor is described. In one embodiment, the self-configuring sensor comprises a first sub-sensor for determining a first status of a door or window, a second sub-sensor for determining a second status of the door or window, a wireless transmitter, a memory for storing processor-executable instructions, and a processor coupled to the first sub-sensor, the second sub-sensor, the wireless transmitter and the memory for executing the processor-executable instructions that cause the sensor to monitor the first and second sub-sensors for detecting changes in a first sub-sensor state and a second sub-sensor state, respectively, and determine an installation configuration based on the changes in the first sub-sensor state and the second sub-sensor state, the installation configuration comprising a type of hardware where the self-configuring sensor has been installed.
Aspects of the present invention are directed towards a more natural way to interact with an intelligent personal assistant. An intelligent personal assistant comprises a camera that provides images of an area surrounding the assistant. The assistant monitors images provided by the camera to determine when a user is addressing the assistant. When voice input is received after determining that a user is addressing the assistant, the assistant understands that the voice input is intended for the assistant, and acts on the voice input to respond to the user.
Methods and apparatus are described for automatically disarming a security system. For example, a method for automatically disarming a security system is described, comprising determining, by a personal communication device, when a person is in proximity to the person's home or business and, in response to determining that the person is in proximity to the person's home or business, transmitting a disarm command by the personal communication device to a security controller for the security controller to disarm the security system.
G08B 23/00 - Alarms responsive to unspecified undesired or abnormal conditions
G08B 25/00 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems
G08B 25/08 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium using communication transmission lines
G08B 25/10 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium using wireless transmission systems
A method, apparatus and system is disclosed for automatically opening and closing a garage door without user intervention. A vehicle-mounted mobile transmitter autonomously and continuously transmits a repeating signal pattern when power is applied to the transmitter as a vehicle is started by a user. A movable barrier gateway device receives the signals from the mobile transmitter and compares an identification code contained in each of the signals to an identification code stored in memory. When a match is found, the movable barrier gateway device sends a signal to a movable barrier controller to open the garage door, and keep the door open as long as the movable barrier gateway continues to receive the signals from the mobile transmitter.
E06B 3/00 - Window sashes, door leaves, or like elements for closing openings; Layout of fixed or moving closures, e.g. windows; Features of rigidly-mounted outer frames relating to the mounting of wing frames
G07C 9/00 - Individual registration on entry or exit
E05F 15/668 - Power-operated mechanisms for wings using electrical actuators using rotary electromotors for vertically-sliding wings for overhead wings
E05F 15/77 - Power-operated mechanisms for wings with automatic actuation using wireless control
E05F 15/76 - Power-operated mechanisms for wings with automatic actuation responsive to movement or presence of persons or objects responsive to devices carried by persons or objects, e.g. magnets or reflectors
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