Method for improved sensor communication with a control panel

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for improved sensor communication with a control panel. A method and system for controlling a building monitoring system including a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly includes a sensing element for detecting a sensing event in a space, a communication port, and a controller operatively coupled to the sensing element and the communication port. The controller is configured to receive, from the sensing element, an indication of a sensed event occurring in the space, transmit an alarm message relating to the detected sensed event via the communication port, and, after transmitting the alarm message relating to the detected sensed event, send the alarm message to the sensing element. An indication of a plurality of subsequent sensing events occurring in the space is received from the sensing element until the number of transmitted alert messages reaches a wobble count. When the number of transmitted alarm messages reaches a swing count, transmission of alarm messages for each of a plurality of subsequent sensing events is stopped.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to sensor communication, and more particularly to sensor communication between a sensor and a control panel. Background Art

[0002] Sensors are used in a variety of systems, including building control systems, industrial control systems, automotive systems, marine systems, aerospace systems, and other systems. One example system is a security system. A security system may include a plurality of security sensors within a monitored area. For example, the monitored area may be indoor or outdoor. For example, each security sensor may communicate with a security panel. Each security panel may communicate with a remote monitoring station. Security sensors within the monitored area may detect sensing events and, in response, may send alarm messages to the security panel. In some cases, when an event continues to be detected, the security sensor may continue to send alarm messages to the security panel. For example, weather (e.g., wind, snow, rain, etc.) may repeatedly trigger a passive infrared sensor (PIR) such that the sensor repeatedly sends alarm messages to the security panel. It should be understood that when alarms are repeatedly transmitted from the same sensor to the security panel for conditions that would be considered the same event, the traffic on the wireless communication channel and / or the wired fieldbus between the sensor and the security panel may increase. This may prevent or delay some alarm messages (including messages from other sensors sharing the same wireless communication channel and / or wired fieldbus) from reaching the security panel in a timely manner. Additionally, when battery-powered, repeatedly transmitting alarm messages from the same sensor for conditions that would be considered the same event reduces the battery life of the sensor. Advantageously, there are methods and systems for improved sensor communication with a control panel. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to sensor communication, and more particularly to sensor communication between a sensor and a control panel. Sensors are used in a variety of systems, including building control systems, industrial control systems, automotive systems, marine systems, aerospace systems, and other systems. One example system is the security system of a building. While the security system is used as a specific example to aid in understanding the concepts, it should be understood that the present disclosure may be applied to any suitable type of system.

[0004] An example may exist in a sensor assembly that includes a sensing element for detecting a sensing event in a space, a communication port, and a controller operatively coupled to the sensing element and the communication port. The controller may be configured to receive an indication of a sensing event occurring in the space from the sensing element and transmit an alert message related to the detected sensing event via the communication port. After transmitting the alert message related to the detected sensing event, the controller may receive an indication of a plurality of subsequent sensing events occurring in the space from the sensing element and transmit a corresponding alert message for each of the plurality of subsequent sensing events until the number of alert messages transmitted reaches a swing count. When the number of alert messages transmitted reaches the swing count, the controller stops transmitting the corresponding alert messages for the subsequent sensing events.

[0005] Another example may exist in a method for controlling a building monitoring system. The building monitoring system may include sensors located within a region for detecting one or more sensing events in the region. The sensors are operatively coupled to a control panel remote from the sensors. The method may include the sensors detecting a sensing event in the region and transmitting a corresponding alert message related to the sensing event to the control panel. The sensors detect a plurality of subsequent sensing events in the region, and the sensors transmit a corresponding alert message for each of the plurality of subsequent sensing events to the control panel until the number of alert messages transmitted reaches a swing count. When the number of alert messages transmitted reaches the swing count, the sensors stop transmitting the corresponding alert messages for the subsequent sensing events to the control panel.

[0006] Another example may exist in a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a sensor, cause the one or more processors to: receive an indication of a sensing event occurring in a space from a sensing element of the sensor; transmit an alert message related to the detected sensing event via a wireless and / or wired communication bus; after transmitting the alert message related to the detected sensing event, receive an indication of a plurality of subsequent sensing events occurring in the space from the sensing element of the sensor and transmit a corresponding alert message for each of the plurality of subsequent sensing events until the number of alert messages transmitted reaches a swing count; and when the number of alert messages transmitted reaches the swing count, stop transmitting the corresponding alert messages for the subsequent sensing events via the wireless and / or wired communication bus.

[0007] The foregoing invention content is provided to facilitate understanding of some innovative features specific to this disclosure and is not intended as a complete description. A full understanding of the disclosure can be obtained by considering the entire specification, claims, drawings, and abstract as a whole. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The present disclosure can be more fully understood by considering the following description of various examples in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0009] Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary building control system;

[0010] Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary sensor;

[0011] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an exemplary method;

[0012] Figure 4 is a schematic sequence diagram showing exemplary messaging in a security system; and

[0013] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an exemplary method.

[0014] While the present disclosure is subject to various modifications and alternative forms, details thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the present disclosure to the particular examples described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Detailed Description

[0015] The following description should be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like elements in different drawings are numbered in the same manner. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and depict examples that are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. While examples of various elements are illustrated, those skilled in the art will recognize that many of the examples provided have suitable alternatives that may be utilized.

[0016] All numbers are herein assumed to be modified by the term "about" unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. A numerical range expressed with endpoints includes all numbers within that range (e.g., 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.8, 4, and 5).

[0017] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term "or" is generally used in its inclusive sense of "and / or" unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0018] It should be noted that when "an embodiment", "some embodiments", "other embodiments", etc. are mentioned in the specification, it indicates that the described embodiments may include specific features, structures or characteristics, but each embodiment does not necessarily include the specific feature, structure or characteristic. Moreover, these phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Additionally, when a specific feature, structure or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is contemplated that the feature, structure or characteristic may be applicable to other embodiments whether or not explicitly described, unless otherwise explicitly stated to the contrary.

[0019] Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary building monitoring system 10. The building monitoring system 10 may include a plurality of sensors 12, which are respectively labeled 12a, 12b, and 12c. It should be understood that the building monitoring system 10 may include any number of sensors 12. The sensors 12 may include any one of various different types of sensors, such as but not limited to door opening and closing sensors, motion sensors, temperature sensors, glass break sensors, infrared sensors, light sensors, water sensors, smoke sensors, fire sensors, noise sensors, temperature sensors, humidity sensors, video sensors with video analysis, etc. These are just examples.

[0020] Each sensor 12 may be configured to communicate with the control panel 14 using any one of a variety of wired (e.g., sensor 12c) or wireless (e.g., sensors 12a, 12b) communication protocols. The sensor 12 may provide a message to the control panel 14 reporting what (if anything) each sensor 12 may have detected or sensed, e.g., a sensing event. For example, in some cases, the control panel 14 may provide instructions to at least some of the sensors 12, such as but not limited to instructing at least some of the sensors 12 to activate at a specific time or to deactivate at another specific time.

[0021] In the example shown, the control panel 14 communicates with an off-site central monitoring station (CMS) 16. In some cases, the control panel 14 may transmit the detected alarms to the CMS 16. Although only one CMS 16 is shown, it should be understood that in some cases, the building monitoring system 10 may include more than one CMS 16. For example, the building monitoring system 10 may be distributed among multiple facilities, with each control panel 14 (or multiple control panels 14) reporting to a different CMS 16. In some cases, multiple CMS 16s may be arranged in a hierarchical manner, with a potentially lower-level CMS 16 for each building communicating with a higher-level master CMS 16. These are just examples.

[0022] In some cases, the control panel 14 may communicate with a cloud-based server 18. In some cases, the cloud-based server 18 may transfer system configuration information to the control panel 14. For example, the cloud-based server 18 may periodically provide system updates to the control panel 14. In some cases, the CMS 16 may also communicate with the cloud-based server 18. In some cases, the functions of the CMS 16 and the functions of the cloud-based server 18 may be combined into a single block. In some cases, the CMS 16 may be hosted by the cloud-based server 18.

[0023] The communication between the control panel 14 and the CMS 16 and the communication between the control panel 14 and the cloud-based server 18 may include cellular communication links, the Internet, and / or any other suitable communication channels. In some cases, the communication between the CMS 16 and the cloud-based server 18 may include cellular communication links, the Internet, and / or any other suitable communication channels.

[0024] In many cases, the control panel 14 may be configured to wirelessly communicate with the CMS 16 via one or more wireless communication protocols through a first network and / or a second network, and these wireless communication protocols include but are not limited to cellular communication, ZigBee, REDLINK TM , Bluetooth, WiFi, IrDA, dedicated short-range communication (DSRC), EnOcean, and / or any other suitable public or proprietary wireless protocol as desired. In some cases, the first network and / or the second network may be a wide area network or a global network (WAN), including, for example, the Internet. In some cases, a wireless local area network may provide a wireless access point and / or a network host device separate from the control panel 14. In other cases, a wireless local area network may provide a wireless access point and / or a network host device that is part of the control panel 14. In some cases, the wireless local area network may include a local domain name server (DNS), but this is not required for all embodiments. In some cases, the wireless local area network may be an ad hoc wireless network, but this is not necessary.

[0025] In some cases, the control panel 14 may include a controller 15. The sensors 12 may be positioned throughout a space (e.g., a monitored area). It should be understood that in some cases, the control panel 14 may be positioned near one or more of the sensors 12. In some cases, the control panel 14 may be positioned far from the sensors 12. The sensors 12 may be operatively coupled to the control panel 14 via a communication port. In some cases, the communication port may be a two-way wireless communication port 17a, and in other cases, the communication port may be a two-way wired communication port 17b. These are just examples.

[0026] When the building monitoring system 10 is a security system, the controller 15 of the control panel 14 can be configured to determine the armed state and armed period of the security system. In some cases, the control panel 14 can include a user interface that allows a user to arm and / or disarm the control panel. The armed period can include a predetermined amount of time, such as, for example, ten minutes, twenty minutes, two hours, six hours, or any other time as needed. In some cases, the armed period can continue until the security panel 14 is disarmed by the user.

[0027] The controller 15 can count the number of alarm messages related to conditions considered to be the same event sent by the control panel 14 to the CMS 16 for each armed period. When the number of alarm messages during the armed period exceeds a predetermined control panel bounce count stored by the control panel 14, the controller 15 stops sending additional alarm messages related to conditions considered to be the same event to the CMS 16. This can reduce the network traffic between the control panel 14 and the CMS 16 by reducing the number of redundant alarm messages sent by the control panel 14 to the CMS 16. When the control panel 14 is subsequently disarmed, the count can be reset to zero.

[0028] Each sensor 12 can count the number of alarm messages related to conditions considered to be the same event sent by the sensor 12 to the control panel 14 during each armed period. When the number of alarm messages during the armed period exceeds a predetermined sensor bounce count stored by the corresponding sensor 12, the corresponding sensor 12 stops sending additional alarm messages related to conditions considered to be the same event to the control panel 14. This can reduce the network traffic between the sensor 12 and the control panel 14 by reducing the number of redundant alarm messages sent by the sensor 12 to the control panel 14. When the control panel 14 is subsequently disarmed, the count in each sensor 12 can be reset to zero.

[0029] Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary sensor assembly 20. The sensor assembly 20 can be considered to be Figure 1An example of the sensor 12 is shown. The sensor assembly 20 may include a sensing element 26 for detecting a sensing event within a space. In some cases, the sensing element 26 can be one or more of various different types of sensors, such as but not limited to door opening / closing sensors, motion sensors, temperature sensors, glass break sensors, infrared sensors, light sensors, water sensors, smoke sensors, fire sensors, noise sensors, temperature sensors, humidity sensors, video sensors with video analysis, etc. The sensing element 26 can be configured to detect one or more sensing events within the space. The controller 30 can be operatively coupled to the sensing element 26 and can be configured to cause an alarm message related to the detected sensing event to be transmitted to a control panel (e.g., control panel 14) via a communication port (such as I / O 22). For example, I / O 22 can be a two-way wireless communication port or a two-way wired communication port. In some cases, I / O 22 can be or can include a wireless transmitter and / or a wireless transceiver.

[0030] The exemplary sensor assembly 20 may include a memory 24. In some cases, the memory 24 can be a non-transitory computer-readable medium configured to store instructions thereon. In some cases, one or more processors 31 (e.g., microprocessors, microcontrollers, etc.) can be operatively coupled to the memory 24 and the I / O 22. One or more processors 31 of the controller 30 can be configured to receive instructions from the memory and execute the instructions. The instructions can be configured to cause one or more processors 31 to receive an indication of a sensing event occurring in the space from the sensing element 26 of the sensor assembly 20 and transmit an alarm message related to the detected sensing event via the I / O 22 over a wireless and / or wired communication bus. After transmitting the alarm message related to the detected sensing event, one or more processors 31 can be instructed to receive an indication of a plurality of subsequent sensing events occurring in the space from the sensing element 26 of the sensor assembly 20 and transmit a corresponding alarm message for each of the plurality of subsequent sensing events until the number of alarm messages transmitted reaches a sensor swing count. When the number of alarm messages transmitted reaches the sensor swing count, one or more processors 31 can stop transmitting the corresponding alarm messages for subsequent sensing events via the I / O 22 (e.g., over a wireless communication channel and / or a wired communication bus).

[0031] The instructions may cause one or more processors 31 to receive the sensor sway count via I / O 22 (e.g., a wireless communication channel and / or a wired communication bus), store the sensor sway count in the memory 24, and subsequently compare the number of transmitted alert messages with the sensor sway count to determine when the number of transmitted alert messages reaches the sensor sway count. In some cases, the controller 30 includes a counter 32, and the counter 32 maintains a count of the number of transmitted alert messages.

[0032] In some cases, the sensor assembly 20 may have an armed state and a disarmed state. In some cases, instructions sent via one or more processors 31 of the controller 30 may cause one or more processors 31 to monitor and receive a sensor arming message via I / O 22 (e.g., from the control panel 14 via a wireless communication channel and / or a wired communication bus). In response to receiving the sensor arming message, the sensor assembly 20 may switch from a disarmed sensor state to an armed sensor state. When the sensor assembly 20 is in the disarmed sensor state, one or more processors 31 receive an indication of a sensed event occurring in the space from the sensing element 26, but do not transmit an alert message related to the detected sensed event via I / O 22 (e.g., to the control panel 14 via a wireless communication channel and / or a wired communication channel). However, when the sensor assembly 20 is in the armed sensor state, one or more processors 31 monitor the sensing element 26 for an indication of a sensed event occurring in the space and transmit an alert message related to the detected sensed event via I / O 22 (e.g., to the control panel 14 via a wireless communication channel and / or a wired communication channel). In the armed sensor state, one or more processors 31 identify when the number of alert messages transmitted during the corresponding armed sensor state reaches the sensor sway count. When one or more processors 31 identify that the number of alert messages transmitted during the corresponding armed sensor state reaches the sensor sway count, one or more processors 31 stop transmitting subsequent alert messages via I / O 22.

[0033] In some cases, the controller 30 itself may maintain a count of the number of alert messages transmitted during the corresponding armed sensor state, while in other cases, the control panel 14 may maintain the count, compare the count with the sensor sway count, and notify the controller 30 of the sensor assembly 20 when the number of alert messages transmitted during the corresponding armed sensor state reaches the sensor sway count.

[0034] In some cases, an alert message can be suspended for a predetermined amount of time. For example, when the controller 30 receives a sensor arming message from a control panel (e.g., control panel 14) via the I / O 22 (communication port), the sensor assembly 20 can switch from a disarmed state to an armed state. The sensing element 26 can detect a sensing event, and the controller 30 can send a corresponding alert to the control panel 14. The counter 32 in the controller 30 counts it as the first transmitted alert. When the sensing element 26 detects multiple subsequent events, the controller sends additional alert messages to the control panel. However, the counter 32 monitors the number of alert messages transmitted during the arming period, and when the number of alert messages transmitted during the arming period meets the sensor sway count, the controller 30 suspends sending additional alert messages to the control panel 14 until, for example, the controller 30 receives a sensor disarming message from the control panel 14, thereby switching the sensor assembly 20 from the armed state to the disarmed state. At this time, the counter 32 can be reset to zero, and the counting of the sensor assembly 20 will start again during the next armed state.

[0035] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an exemplary method 100 for controlling a building monitoring system. The building monitoring system can include sensors (e.g., sensor 12) located within an area for detecting one or more sensing events in the area. Sensing events can include, for example, motion, window or door opening / closing, fire, noise, weather, etc. The sensors can be operatively coupled to a control panel located remotely from the sensors. The control panel can be operatively coupled to a central monitoring station.

[0036] Exemplary method 100 may include a sensor detecting a sensing event in a detection area and transmitting a corresponding alert message related to the sensing event to a control panel, as referenced by block 110. For example, when a motion sensor senses motion, the motion sensor transmits an alert message to the control panel. The sensor may detect multiple subsequent sensing events in the area, as referenced by block 120, and may transmit a corresponding alert message for each of the multiple subsequent sensing events to the control panel until the number of alert messages transmitted reaches the sensor bounce count, as referenced by block 130. In some cases, the control panel may report each of the alert messages received from the sensor to a central monitoring station. In some cases, when the number of alert messages transmitted reaches the sensor bounce count, the sensor stops transmitting corresponding alert messages for subsequent sensing events to the control panel, as referenced by block 140. In some cases, the sensor may stop transmitting corresponding alert messages for subsequent sensing events for a configurable period of time. For example, in some cases, the sensor may stop transmitting corresponding alert messages for about five minutes, ten minutes, twenty minutes, two hours, six hours, or any other period of time as needed. In some cases, the sensor may stop transmitting corresponding alert messages until the sensor is disarmed and then rearmed. In some cases, the sensor may determine when the number of alert messages transmitted reaches the sensor bounce count, while in other cases, the control panel 14 may determine when the number of alert messages transmitted reaches the sensor bounce count, and the control panel 14 may report to the sensor when the number of alert messages transmitted reaches the sensor bounce count.

[0037] Figure 4 is a schematic sequence diagram showing exemplary messaging in a security system 200. Exemplary security system 200 includes a sensor 210. It should be understood that security system 200 may include one sensor, ten sensors, one hundred sensors, or any desired number of sensors. Sensor 210 may include any one of a variety of different types of sensors, such as but not limited to door open / close sensors, motion sensors, temperature sensors, glass break sensors, infrared sensors, light sensors, water sensors, smoke sensors, fire sensors, noise sensors, temperature sensors, humidity sensors, video sensors with video analysis, etc. These are just examples.

[0038] The sensor 210 can be configured to communicate with the control panel 220 using any one of a variety of wired or wireless communication protocols. The sensor 210 can provide a message to the control panel 220 reporting that the sensor 210 has detected a sensing event. In some cases, the control panel 220 can, for example, provide instructions to the sensor 210. For example, the control panel 220 can instruct the sensor 210 to arm and / or disarm. In some cases, the control panel 220 can set a sensor swing count and transmit the set sensor swing count to the sensor 210, as referenced at 225. The sensor swing count can represent the number of alarms that each sensor 210 within the security system 200 can transmit during a period when the sensor 210 is armed before subsequent alarms from that sensor are no longer transmitted. In some cases, for example, the sensor can be armed when a business closes at night and disarmed when the business opens.

[0039] In Figure 4 the example shown, the sensor swing count is transmitted from the control panel 222 to the sensor 210, as shown at 225. In this example, the sensor swing count has been set to three alarms, as referenced at 212. At 211a, the sensor 210 sends a confirmation to the control panel 220 that the sensor 210 has received the sensor swing count. The control panel 222 sends an arming message to the sensor 210, as shown at 227, causing the sensor 210 to enter the armed state. At 211b, the sensor 210 sends a confirmation to the control panel 220 that the sensor 210 has received the arming message. At this time, the alarm count of the sensor 210 is zero, as referenced at 215a.

[0040] The sensor 210 then detects a sensing event that has occurred in the space and transmits a first alarm message 228a related to the detected sensing event to the control panel via a communication port (e.g., I / O 22). In response, the control panel 220 sends a confirmation 226a to the sensor 210 confirming that the control panel 220 has received the first alarm message 228a. The control panel 220 then transmits the first alarm message 235a to the central monitoring station (CMS) 230. The alarm count of the sensor 210 is now 1, as shown at 215b.

[0041] After transmitting the first alarm message 228a related to the detected sensing event, the sensor 210 detects a subsequent sensing event that has occurred within the space and a second alarm message 228b is transmitted to the control panel 220. The control panel 220 sends a confirmation 226b to the sensor 210 confirming that the control panel 220 has received the second alarm message 228b. The control panel 220 then transmits the second alarm message 235b to the CMS 230. The alarm count of the sensor 210 is now 2, as shown at 215c.

[0042] After transmitting a second alert message 228b related to the detected sensing event, the sensor 210 detects a subsequent sensing event occurring within the space, and a third alert message 228c is transmitted to the control panel 220. The control panel 220 sends an acknowledgement 226c to the sensor 210, acknowledging that the control panel 220 has received the third alert message 228c. The control panel 220 then transmits the third alert message 235c to the CMS 230. The alert count of the sensor 210 is now 3, as shown at 215d. At this point, the sensor sway count 212 has been reached for the sensor 210, and the sensor 210 will no longer send alert messages to the control panel 220 for subsequently detected sensing events until the sensor is disarmed and then re-armed. In other words, the alert has reached the sway count 212, so this particular sensor will no longer send alert messages to the control panel 220 during this armed period. Once the area is disarmed, as shown at 224, the alert count is reset to zero, as shown at 215e. Thus, any one sensor can send three alerts (corresponding to the sensor sway count) related to a particular sensing event to the control panel 220 during the armed period, and once the sensor sway count of three alerts has been reached for a corresponding sensor, the corresponding sensor stops transmitting subsequent alert messages related to the sensing event to the control panel 220.

[0043] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an exemplary method 300 for controlling a building monitoring system. The building monitoring system can include sensors (e.g., sensor 12) located within an area for detecting one or more sensing events in the area. The sensors can be operatively coupled to a control panel remote from the sensors. Method 300 can include a sensor detecting a sensing event in the area and transmitting a corresponding alert message related to the sensing event to the control panel, as referenced by block 310. The sensor can detect multiple subsequent sensing events in the area, as referenced by block 320, and can transmit a corresponding alert message for each of the multiple subsequent sensing events to the control panel until the number of alert messages transmitted reaches the sensor sway count, as referenced by block 330. In some cases, the control panel can report each of the alert messages received from the sensors to a central monitoring station. In some cases, when the number of alert messages transmitted reaches the sensor sway count, the sensor stops transmitting corresponding alert messages for subsequent sensing events to the control panel, as referenced by block 340.

[0044] In some cases, the control panel may count the number of alert messages transmitted by the sensor and received by the control panel, and may report to the sensor when the number of transmitted alert messages reaches the sensor swing count, as referenced by block 350. In some cases, when the sensor includes an armed state and a disarmed state, the sensor transmits alert messages to the control panel in the armed state, but does not transmit alert messages to the control panel in the disarmed state, as referenced by block 360. In some cases, the sensor may stop transmitting corresponding alert messages for subsequent sensed events until the sensor switches from the armed state to the disarmed state and then switches back to the armed state.

[0045] By causing the sensor to stop transmitting alert messages for subsequent sensed events after reaching the sensor swing count, there are many advantages, including reducing network traffic between the sensor and the control panel, increasing the battery life of the sensor (if battery-powered), reducing the processing load on the sensor and the control panel, and improving the alert response time of other sensors attempting to communicate with the control panel.

[0046] Although several illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure have been described as such, those skilled in the art will readily understand that other embodiments can be made and used within the scope of the appended claims herein. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure is illustrative in many respects. Changes can be made to the details, especially those related to the shape, size, arrangement of parts, and exclusion and order of steps, without exceeding the scope of the present disclosure. Of course, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the language of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A sensor assembly, the sensor assembly comprising: a sensing element for detecting a sensing event in a space; a communication port; a controller operatively coupled to the sensing element and the communication port, the controller being configured to: receive an indication of a sensing event occurring in the space from the sensing element; transmit an alert message related to the detected sensing event via the communication port; after transmitting the alert message related to the detected sensing event, receive an indication of a plurality of subsequent sensing events occurring in the space from the sensing element; and transmit a corresponding alert message for each of the plurality of subsequent sensing events until the number of alert messages transmitted reaches a swing count, and when the number of the alert messages transmitted reaches the swing count, stop transmitting the corresponding alert message for each of the plurality of subsequent sensing events.

2. The sensor assembly according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to: receive the swing count via the communication port; and store the swing count in a memory of the sensor assembly.

3. The sensor assembly according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to: compare the number of the alert messages transmitted with the swing count to determine when the number of the alert messages transmitted reaches the swing count.

4. The sensor assembly according to claim 3, wherein the controller includes a counter for holding a count of the number of the alert messages transmitted.

5. The sensor assembly according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to: receive a message indicating that the number of the alert messages transmitted has reached the swing count via the communication port, and in response, the controller is configured to stop transmitting the alert message for each of the plurality of subsequent sensing events.

6. The sensor assembly according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to: receive a sensor arming message via the communication port; in response to receiving the sensor arming message, switch the sensor assembly from a disarmed sensor state to an armed sensor state; when in the disarmed sensor state, the controller is configured to: receive an indication of a sensing event occurring in the space from the sensing element; not transmit an alert message related to the detected sensing event via the communication port; when in the armed sensor state, the controller is configured to: receive an indication of the sensing event occurring in the space from the sensing element; transmit an alert message related to the detected sensing event via the communication port; after transmitting the alert message related to the detected sensing event, receive an indication of the plurality of subsequent sensing events occurring in the space from the sensing element; and Transmit the alarm message for each of the plurality of subsequent sensed events until the number of alarm messages transmitted reaches the sway count, and when the number of alarm messages transmitted reaches the sway count, stop transmitting the alarm message in response to each of the plurality of subsequent sensed events.

7. The sensor assembly according to claim 6, wherein the controller is configured to: Transmit the alarm message for each of the plurality of subsequent sensed events until the number of alarm messages transmitted reaches the sway count, and when the number of alarm messages transmitted reaches the sway count, stop transmitting the alarm message in response to each of the plurality of subsequent sensed events until a sensor disarm message is received via the communication port and then a sensor arm message is received.

8. The sensor assembly according to claim 1, wherein the communication port is a two-way wireless communication port or a two-way wired communication port.

9. The sensor assembly according to claim 1, wherein the alarm message is transmitted via the communication port to a control panel remote from the sensor assembly, and wherein the control panel reports one or more alarms corresponding to one or more of the alarm messages to a central monitoring station.

10. A method for controlling a building monitoring system, the building monitoring system including sensors located in an area for detecting one or more sensed events in the area, the sensors being operatively coupled to a control panel remote from the sensors, the method comprising: The sensor detects a sensed event in the area and transmits a corresponding alarm message related to the sensed event to the control panel; The sensor detects a plurality of subsequent sensed events in the area; And The sensor transmits a corresponding alarm message for each of the plurality of subsequent sensed events to the control panel until the number of alarm messages transmitted reaches a sway count, and when the number of alarm messages transmitted reaches the sway count, the sensor stops transmitting the corresponding alarm message for subsequent sensed events to the control panel.

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