home automation system

Description

FIELD

[0001] The application pertains to security systems and more particularly to security systems used in conjunction with home automation systems.BACKGROUND

[0002] Systems are known that monitor for threats to safety and / or security in secured areas. Threats to safety and / or security may arise from unauthorized intruders or from environmental threats such as fire and / or hazardous gases.

[0003] Such systems typically include a number of sensors distributed around a periphery of the area or throughout the area. For example, security systems intended to detect intruders may include a number of detectors distributed along a periphery of the area and at each opening into the secured area. In this situation, the sensors may be limit switches connected to each door or window that detect opening of the associated door or window. In this type of security system, the sensors may be connected to a control panel that sounds a local alarm upon activation of any of the sensors.

[0004] Other security systems may include sensors distributed throughout the protected area including sensors that detect entry into the secured area via the opening of doors and windows and also sensors that indirectly detect the presence of intruders. Indirect detection may include the use of passive infrared (PIR) detectors or television cameras that detect intruders via changes among successive images from the camera. In addition to intrusion detection devices, such security systems may also often include one or more environmental sensors (e.g., fire, carbon monoxide, etc.).

[0005] Security systems typically operate in a number of modes including an armed and disarmed state and often a number of sub-states including armed away and armed stay states. In the armed away state all sensors within the secured area may be monitored. In the armed stay state only the intrusion sensors on the periphery of the secured area may be monitored. Any environmental sensor within the secured may be monitored in all states. While existing systems work well, a need exists for better methods of integrating the various sensors that may be present within secured areas.

[0006] WO2008 / 004251A2 discloses an automation and security system, comprising a plurality of communication nodes configuring one or more ad-hoc mesh networks. The communication nodes are operatively coupled with at least one of an automation device and / or a security device. The automation and / or the security device senses the occurrence of a situation and communicates a situation data of the situation in real- time to the communication nodes. The situation data is then dynamically routed over the ad-hoc mesh network to a central monitoring station which then automatically processes the situation data to provide real-time notification to the end user of the system.

[0007] US2012 / 319840A1 discloses a system and method to activate a security protocol using an object with embedded safety technology. Means are provided for initiating a distress signal by knocking over an object, such as a table, decorative piece, furniture, etc., that includes a built-in or embedded safety device. When the safety device senses substantial movement (i.e., toppling) of the object, the safety device transmits a distress signal to third-party responders, and also can initiate various events in the environment surrounding the object to deter, delay, or disrupt a perpetrator.

[0008] US6297724B1 discloses an electrical power control system adapted for controlling power and lighting in a building. Switch controls switch power on electrical branch circuits. An interface device communicates with the switches arranged in a multidrop configuration. In addition to being controlled by the interface device, the switch controls also have local switch actuators. The actuation of the local switch controls can be used by the interface device as a control inputs to initiate other actions. The interface device can also communicate with a home automation system controller.SUMMARY

[0009] The present invention provides a system according to claim 1 of the appended claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system in accordance herewith.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] While disclosed embodiments can take many different forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles thereof as well as the best mode of practicing same, and is not intended to limit the application or claims to the specific embodiment illustrated.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a security system 10 shown generally in accordance with an illustrated embodiment. Included within the security system are a number of sensors 12, 14 that monitor a secured area 16 for threats to safety and / or security. For example, at least some of the sensors may be embodied as limit switches on doors and / or windows providing access into the secured area. Other sensors may be passive infrared (PIR) sensors or cameras with motion detection capabilities.

[0013] The sensors may also include one or more environmental sensors. The environmental sensors may be embodied as smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, natural gas or toxic gas sensors, etc.

[0014] Also included within the security system is a control panel 18. In this regard, the control panel may monitor a status of each of the sensors. Upon detecting activation of one of the sensors, the control panel may send an alarm message to a central monitoring station 20.

[0015] A home automation system 22 is also shown located within the secured area. The home automation system 22 is separate of the security system 10.

[0016] The home automation system functions to control operating features of one or more controlled devices 28, 30 based upon a signal from one or more user controlled input devices (e.g. a pushbutton) 24, 26. In this regard, each of the input devices may be a wired or wireless device that is manually active by a human user and that, in turn, generates control signals that control of a respective output device through operation of a controller 34.

[0017] The home automation system includes one input device (e.g., 24) that is used to control a light fixture (e.g., 28). In this case, activation of the input device a first time causes the controller 34 to activate the light fixture by switching power from a power source 32 to the fixture. Activating the input device a second time may cause the controller to interrupt the flow of power to the fixture.

[0018] In another example, the home automation system may include at least one input device (e.g., 26) that controls operation of a home stereo audio system (e.g., 30). In this case, the input device may include one or more input buttons that control, respectively, activation of the stereo system, volume, a tuning frequency of an AM / FM receiver, etc.

[0019] Located within the control panel, each of the sensors, the home controller, each of the user controlled input devices and controlled (output) devices may be control circuitry that accomplishes the functionality of those devices. For example, the control circuitry may include one or more processor apparatus 36, 38 that each operate under control of one or more computer programs 40, 42 loaded from a non-transitory computer readable medium (memory) 44. As used herein, reference to a step performed by a computer program is also reference to the processor that executed that step.

[0020] In the case where the control panel 18 communicates with the sensors under a wireless format, the control panel and sensors may each include a corresponding wireless transceiver 46. Similarly, where the controller 34 communicates with the control input devices and controlled devices under a wireless format, the controller, the input devices and controlled devices may each also include a corresponding wireless transceiver 46.

[0021] Under the illustrated embodiment, the home automation system provides status messages to the security system that notifies the security system of activity within the home automation system. This is important because any activation of a input device while the security system is in an armed mode could also indicate the presence of an intruder.

[0022] In general, the home automation system 22 can be based upon any technology (e.g., Z-wave, ZigBee, UPB, X10, etc.) that sends state change messages to the security system or that can be polled for state changes. While the home automation system of FIG. 1 is shown to include a central controller 34, the central controller 34 could be integrated with an input device or controlled device. In addition, the home automation system of FIG. 1 could include a number of separate home automation systems 22 that each independently report status messages to the security system.

[0023] During normal operation, the security system may process inputs from the home automation system in the same manner as inputs from any of the sensors of the security system. In this regard, an alarm processor of the security system may logically AND an input from a sensor with that status of the alarm system. For example if the security system is in the alarm away mode then the alarm away is ANDed with an input from one of the sensors. If both are true (i.e., the system is in an armed away mode and a sensor is activated), then the security system sends alarm message to the central monitoring station.

[0024] Similarly, the alarm processor may logically AND the alarm away state with a manual input from any of the input devices 24, 26. Stated in another way, if the security system is in the armed state and a status message is received from the home automation device indicating that one of the input devices has been manually activated by a human user, then the security system enters an alarm state and sends an alarm message to the central monitoring station.

[0025] The security system may monitor the home automation system using any of a number of different methodologies. For example, in the case where the home automation system includes an input device wirelessly coupled to a controller incorporated into the controlled device, then the security system may simply monitor a frequency spectrum used by the home automation system for control messages from the input device intended for the controlled device. Upon detecting a manual input, the security system may automatically enter an alarm state.

[0026] Alternatively, a monitoring processor within the controller 34 of FIG. 1 may monitor the status of each of the input devices and update an input device file each time an input signal is received from an input device. Each time an input is received from a control input device, the monitoring processor may send a status message to a corresponding monitoring processor within the security system. Alternatively, the monitoring processor within the security system may periodically poll the monitoring processor within the home automation system for a status of each of the input devices.

[0027] In general, the system includes at least one security system sensor, at least one home automation device and a security system processor that monitors the security system sensor and generates an alarm upon activation of the at least one security system sensor, the security system processor also monitors the at least one home automation device and generates an alarm upon detecting the manual activation of the at least one home automation device.

[0028] In an example which is not according to the invention, the system includes a security system, at least one home automation device and a security system processor that monitors the home automation device and generates an alarm upon detecting the manual activation of the at least one home automation device.

[0029] From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the scope of the claims. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims. Further, logic flows depicted in the figures do not require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. Other steps may be provided, or steps may be eliminated, from the described flows, and other components may be add to, or removed from the described embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A system comprising: a security system sensor (12, 14) of a security system (10); a home automation system (22) that is separate of the security system; a light switch included in the home automation system (22); and a security system processor (36, 38) that is configured to enter one or more status states, wherein, after the security system processor enters an armed status state, the security system processor monitors the security system sensor and generates an alarm upon detecting an activation of the security system sensor, and wherein, after the security system processor enters the armed status state, the security system processor monitors the light switch and generates the alarm upon detecting a manual activation of the light switch.

2. The system as in claim 1 wherein the light switch and the home automation controller (34) are configured to communicate according to a wireless communication protocol.

3. The system as in claim 2 wherein the wireless communication protocol operates under one of Zwave, ZigBee, UPB, X10 and Insteon.

4. The system as in claim 3 wherein the security system processor (36, 38) is configured to monitor the light switch by polling the home automation controller (34) for status and, responsive thereto, receiving a notification of the manual activation of the light switch.

5. The system as in claim 1 wherein the security system processor (36, 38) is configured to logically AND detection of the manual activation of light switch with the armed status state of the security system processor.

6. The system as in claim 1 wherein the security system processor sends the alarm message to a central monitoring station (20).