Wireless detector for an intruder alarm system

Abstract

A vehicle detection device 10 is provided for protecting a vehicle outside a building. The device 10 is paired with a burglar alarm system 100 associated with the building. The device 10 includes a mo

Description

Intruder alarm systems are well-known for protecting property. A wide range of different types of detector are available, and an effective intruder alarm system will typically utilise a number of them. For example, reed switches can be used to detect when doors are opened, passive infra-red (PIR) detectors can be used to detect movement inside a protected premises, and so on. The object is generally to detect actions which might indicate that an intrusion is happening (e.g. a door being opened or a window being broken) and to detect the presence of intruders in protected places (i.e. detecting a person inside a room which is supposed to be locked and alarmed). It is known to place detectors on particularly high-value and / or vulnerable items which need to be specifically protected from theft. Typically, a movement detector (which may contain for example an accelerometer and / or a tilt switch) can be attached in some way to the item being protected. The item may be for example an expensive painting or antique which is kept indoors, but it is also useful to protect items which might be kept outdoors, and / or outside of the alarmed premises. For example, farm machinery is often a target for thieves. Cars can also be protected in this way, and although all modern cars have their own alarms, a detector linked to an alarm in a building is particularly advantageous since the owner of the car may well be at home when an intruder is detected. The earliest possible alert to an intrusion provides the best opportunity to prevent theft or damage, and if not then at least an increased chance of tracing and apprehending the criminal. However, intruder alarm systems for buildings are generally designed on the premise that all detectors which are part of the system will be present at all times (or if not, then there is a fault, known as a supervision error). This is all very well for example to protect a painting or antique which will usually stay in a building, but items such as farm machinery for example may well be taken out of range of the system in normal use. Cars will obviously be driven away, and it is inconvenient to have to remove the detector from the vehicle and leave it in the building in order to avoid a supervision error. An alarm system in a building will typically be armed when the building is unoccupied, and may be part-armed (e.g. so that only door sensors are armed, or only sensors downstairs are armed) when the occupants are asleep at night time. On a typical intruder alarm system, detectors are grouped into “zones” (and in a wireless alarm system, there will typically be one detector per zone). An “area” is then a subset of all the zones, so an “area” can be defined for example to include all zones which are downstairs. A selected area can be armed, for example to protect the downstairs while the occupants are upstairs, or to protect an outbuilding when the occupants are in the house. Accordingly a separate area can be set up for a detector on, for example, a vehicle, so that it can be armed and disarmed separately from the detectors in the building. However, alarm systems are generally limited to a relatively small number of “areas”, and this can present a problem where there are multiple external objects to be protected, for example a fleet of cars, or multiple items of machinery on a farm. The detectors protecting vehicles can be grouped together into a single area, but in that case no vehicles will be protected while a single vehicle is in use. Alarm systems can generally be controlled by a keypad, remote keyfob, proximity fob, or increasingly an app on a mobile phone. To control an area associated with a vehicle being protected, a remote keyfob would in principle be very convenient, since it could be attached to the car key. On the other hand, car theft is often facilitated by theft of car keys, and so using a remote keyfob attached to the car key would not prevent this type of theft, since the thief could just disarm the alarm the same as a legitimate user. Arming I disarming via a mobile app may be a good solution, since the user will normally have his mobile phone with him, but it will not necessarily be kept together with car keys and in any case can be protected with a PIN or other authentication method. However, the extra step required to unlock the phone, access the relevant app and arm the system may mean that in practice users do not always do so. A system which is not often armed will not be effective to prevent theft. A wireless detector will be battery powered, and typically batteries are replaced annually on servicing a wireless alarm system. On the basis that a battery replacement might be accidentally omitted in an annual service, or a particular battery may turn out to have less charge than it should, it is sensible to design detectors on the basis that the batteries should normally last at least two years, to avoid unexpected problems. Key to ensuring a long battery life is to ensure that detectors only operate the radio when necessary. Unnecessary processor use is also avoided, and wireless detectors are typically designed to “sleep” in between short but fairly frequent periods of activity when they “wake” up, read information from sensors and determine whether there is activity. Some detectors may work on the basis that they “sleep” all the time and wake up in response to an interrupt from a sensor. For this reason, a detector will not generally receive any feedback from the alarm system. The detector behaves in the same way whether or not its associated area is armed or disarmed - indeed it does not know whether the system is armed or disarmed. This is because the radio is only turned on when the detector needs to turn it on - it is not able to receive signals from the alarm control panel at any arbitrary time. Therefore it is not generally possible for detectors to display the armed state of an associated alarm system. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved detector which reduces some of these problems. STATEMENT OF INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided a battery-powered wireless detector for use with an intruder alarm system associated with a building or fixed location, the detector comprising: a movement sensor, the movement sensor being adapted to detect movement of the detector; a wireless transceiver, the transceiver being adapted to transmit an alarm condition to the intruder alarm system when movement indicative of an intrusion is detected; an output means, the output means being adapted to display an indication of the armed state of the intruder alarm system in response to a signal received by the transceiver from the intruder alarm system. Preferably, a user input means is provided, the transceiver being adapted to activate and listen for a signal from the intruder alarm system in response to an input on the user input means. In use, the detector may be placed, for example, in a vehicle or on other movable property. The detector is battery powered. The wireless transceiver is generally turned off, but will be activated only when a signal needs to be transmitted, for example when movement indicative of an intrusion is detected and an alarm condition needs to be transmitted to the alarm system. With the transceiver turned off, the detector will not be able to receive any signal from the alarm system. However, when the user input means (e.g. a pushbutton) is used, this activates the transceiver to listen for a signal from the intruder alarm system. The alarm system may transmit a signal indicating when the system (or relevant area or part of the system) has been armed, and this may then be displayed on the output means of the wireless detector. The output means by be, for example, a flashing LED, or a pair of alternately flashing LEDs, similar to the “comfort LEDs” which are often used on bellboxes of intruder alarm systems in buildings. Alternatively, the wireless detector may be configured to send periodic messages to the intruder alarm system. These may be supervision signals. The intruder alarm system may respond with the armed state of the system which may then be indicated on the output means. In one embodiment, where user input means is provided, the user input means may initiate transmission of a supervision signal and an immediate acknowledgement may indicate the armed state of the system. A further supervision signal may then be sent periodically, for example every 20 minutes. If a number of supervision signals are unacknowledged (which is likely to be because the device is out of range, for example because it is in a vehicle which has been driven away) then the detector may stop sending supervision signals. Supervision signals may be restarted by activating the user input means (e.g. by pressing a button). In some embodiments, activating the user input means (e.g. pushing the pushbutton) will transmit a request to the intruder alarm system for the current armed state, and then listen for a response. In some embodiments, activating the user input means will transmit a command to the intruder alarm system to initiate arming of the system, and then listen for an acknowledgement. In other embodiments, activating the user input means may simply activate the transceiver for a period of time to listen for a signal from the intruder alarm system, which may be armed and caused to send a signal to the detector by other means (for example, via a mobile app). The armed state of the system may straightforwardly be “armed” (in which case, for example, the LEDs would flash) or “unarmed” (in which case the LEDs would not flash). However, other intermediate armed states might be possible. For example, the system may be “arming”, i.e. a countdown timer has been initiated after which the system will become armed. This status could be displayed on a pair of LEDs by, for example, flashing them together rather than alternately, or flashing at a faster rate. In one example, a user may park a vehicle outside the building with which the alarm system is associated, and activate the input means. This turns on the transceiver to listen for a signal from the alarm system for a period of time, for example one minute, but it does not cause anything to be transmitted. The user then exits the vehicle, locks it up, and arms the intruder alarm system for example via a remote keyfob or mobile phone app. In response, the alarm system transmits a signal to the detector indicating that the system (or relevant area) is now “armed”. This signal is received by the detector in the vehicle and in response comfort LEDs begin to flash. In another example, a user of, for example, a quad bike, parks the vehicle and gets off, then activates the input means. This transmits an “arm” command to the alarm system. In response the alarm system receives the command, arms the system, and transmits an acknowledgement, which the detector receives. The detector then indicates the “armed” state by flashing the LEDs. In another example, a driver parks his vehicle and activates the input means. This transmits an “arm” command to the alarm system. In response the alarm system receives the command, but puts the system into an “arming” state, i.e. a state which will arm the system but only after a delay. The alarm system transmits an acknowledgement to the detector, which then causes the output means (e.g. flashing LEDs) to indicate the armed state. Preferably the output means distinguishes between the “arming” state (more or less immediately after the input means is activated) and the ’’armed” state (after a delay of for example 30 seconds to give the driver time to leave the vehicle and lock up). For example LEDs may flash in a different pattern to distinguish these states. In some embodiments, the system could move from an “arming” state to an “armed” state in response to another signal, for example from a remote keyfob or mobile phone app. In such embodiments the delay timer may typically be set to a longer period, for example five or ten minutes. In normal use the driver will park his vehicle, activate the input means on the detector, get out of the vehicle and then lock up, and preferably then uses (e.g.) his mobile phone app to put the system into an “armed” state immediately. However, if the user needs to unload luggage, for example, he has time to do so before the system becomes armed. If the user forgets to arm the system, then it will become armed automatically after a delay. In embodiments where there is a delayed arm, or an “arming” state, the detector may keep the transceiver turned on to receive signals from the alarm system, at least for a period of time, once the “arming” state signal has been received. Alternatively, the detector may periodically turn on the transceiver and send a signal requesting the current armed state of the system, for example once every few seconds, for a period after the “arming” state signal is received. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the “arming” state signal being received by the detector may activate a timer on the detector after expiry of which the detector will assume that the system has moved to an “armed” state. The length of the timer may be transmitted to the detector by the alarm system. For example, the user may activate the input means, causing the detector to send an “arm” command to the alarm system, in response to which the alarm system may send an acknowledgement the substance of which is “received; arming in 30 seconds”. The detector can then indicate an “arming” state on the output means for 30 seconds, and then change to indicate an “armed” state after that time has expired. It is not necessary for the detector to activate the radio again, saving power. In all examples, the user can arm the system and receive immediate feedback, on the detector itself, that the system (or relevant area or part of the system) has been correctly armed. Furthermore, the output means provides a visual deterrent to a would-be thief, who can see that the detector is not only present but part of a working, and armed, alarm system. The output means could be adapted to continuously indicate the armed state of the system, which is useful to provide a deterrent. However, to save power and improve battery life, there are other alternatives. For example, LEDs could flash for a short period of time after the alarm is set, and / or only when a light sensor indicates that it is dark. Where periodic supervision signals are sent to the intruder alarm system, the LEDs will eventually be turned off when a supervision signal is sent after the intruder alarm system is disarmed. Also, it is envisaged that when the transceiver transmits an alarm signal in response to motion being detected, the intruder alarm system responds with the armed state of the system. In practice, when a user returns to their vehicle, after disarming the system for example via their mobile app, the LEDs on the detector will not immediately turn off, because until a supervision signal is sent the transceiver on the detector will not be listening for a signal from the intruder alarm system. However, the user will know that the system is disarmed because they will get confirmation, for example on their mobile app or remote keyfob. They can then enter the vehicle. On detection of motion, the detector will send an alarm signal to the intruder alarm system. In response the intruder alarm will not sound any alarm (because it is disarmed) but will transmit a message back to the detector to indicate that it is disarmed. The LEDs will then stop flashing. On receiving the message indicating that the intruder alarm system is no longer armed, the detector may enter a low power mode, in which the movement sensor is disabled or at least any signals from the movement sensor are not processed. This saves power and improves battery life. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery-powered wireless detector for use with an intruder alarm system in a building or other fixed location, the detector comprising: a movement sensor, the movement sensor being adapted to detect movement of the detector; a wireless transceiver, the transceiver being adapted to transmit an alarm condition to the intruder alarm system when movement indicative of an intrusion is detected; an output means; and a user input means, the user input means being adapted to switch the detector between two modes, the output means in a first mode being adapted to display an indication of the armed state of the intruder alarm system in response to a signal received by the transceiver from the intruder alarm system, and the output means in a second mode being adapted to indicate an armed state irrespective of any signal received from the intruder alarm system. As described above, the transceiver may be adapted to activate and listen for a signal from the intruder alarm system in response to an input on the (or another) user input means. For example, the user input means could be a pushbutton. In the first mode, a single momentary press of the pushbutton could activate the transceiver to listen for a signal from the intruder alarm system, and then indicate the armed state accordingly on the output means. However, a prolonged press of the pushbutton (for example, for three seconds or longer) could move the system to the second mode, in which the output means indicates an armed state irrespective of any signal from the intruder alarm system. The output means may be for example a pair of flashing LEDs. As described above, the detector is preferably used with an intruder alarm system in a building, and when the vehicle is parked close to the building the detector can communicate with the intruder alarm system in the building and cause an alarm when the detector detects a possible intrusion. However, the vehicle may also be taken away from the building and left for example parked outside another building. The detector will then be out of range of its associated alarm system and will not be functional in the sense that it cannot transmit an alarm signal to its associated alarm system. However, it may be desirable for the user to activate the output means I flashing LEDs, to act as a deterrent while the vehicle is left parked. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery-powered wireless detector for use with an intruder alarm system in a building, the detector comprising: a movement sensor, the movement sensor being adapted to detect movement of the detector; a wireless transceiver, the transceiver being adapted to transmit an alarm condition to the intruder alarm system when movement indicative of an intrusion is detected; a user input means, the transceiver being adapted to transmit an arm signal to the alarm system in response to an input on the user input means, for arming the alarm system. Advantageously, the detector can be used on, for example, a vehicle. The vehicle can be parked outside a building which is associated with the intruder alarm system. The driver can activate the user input means (in a typical embodiment, this means pressing a button), and the detector transmits a signal to the alarm system which causes the alarm system to arm. As mentioned above, in various embodiments the alarm system may arm immediately on the button press, or arm after a delay, for example to provide time for the user to leave the vehicle and lock up. When in an armed state and in response to the detector sensing movement indicative of an intrusion, the intruder alarm system will typically sound a siren, for example in bellboxes mounted on the exterior of the associated building and / or in internal sounders inside the building. When not armed, the intruder alarm system may not respond at all, or, depending on configuration, may send a notification to a mobile app, for example. The armed state of the intruder alarm system determines what actions the intruder alarm system takes in response to receiving an alarm condition from the detector. As mentioned above, the armed state of the alarm system may preferably be transmitted back to the detector, which may indicate the armed state of the system on output means, for example one or more LEDs on the detector. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of protecting a vehicle from theft, the vehicle having an existing alarm, and the method comprising: providing a vehicle protector device in the vehicle, the vehicle protector device including a microphone and a transmitter; providing an intruder alarm system in a fixed location, the vehicle protector device being adapted to transmit a wireless signal to the intruder alarm system when activation of the existing vehicle alarm is detected by the microphone. The intruder alarm system is typically an intruder alarm system associated with a building. However, such a system may be provided in any fixed location, for example in a farmyard or builder’s yard. Typically the intruder alarm system will have various associated detectors, for example door open detectors and movement detectors, for example PIR (passive infra-red) detectors. Intruder alarm systems are already common for protecting residential and commercial buildings, and many of these systems already include radio transceivers for use with wireless detectors. Wired systems can be turned into “hybrid” systems by adding a wireless transceiver module. The vehicle protector device is “paired with” or “learned onto” the intruder alarm system and functions as a detector on the intruder alarm system. Typically the vehicle protector device can be associated with a “zone” of the intruder alarm system and may be associated with an “area”. Modern intruder alarm systems can be configured in various ways to respond to activation of a detector. Where the vehicle protector device senses only activation of the vehicle’s existing alarm, it may be configured as a detector on a “24 hour” zone on the intruder alarm system. In other words, the detector is always armed and will always cause an alarm condition in the intruder alarm system when the vehicle’s alarm is detected. The detector may be configured as an unsupervised detector, i.e. the alarm system is configured to ignore supervision errors, since it is expected that the vehicle protector device will be out of range when the vehicle is in use. In other embodiments, the vehicle protector device may incorporate for example a movement sensor and / or a tilt switch, as described in detail above. In these embodiments the zone associated with the vehicle protector device will need to be disarmed before the vehicle is used, and armed again afterwards. Typically in embodiments of the method of the invention the system will be configured so that the vehicle protector device is in an “area” which can be armed and disarmed separately from the rest of the intruder alarm system. Also, the alarm system may be configurable so that the supervision can be turned on and off, so that the vehicle protector device is a supervised device except when disarmed so that the vehicle can be driven away. In some embodiments, the vehicle protector device may transmit a first signal to the intruder alarm when activation of the existing vehicle alarm is detected, and transmit a second signal to the intruder alarm when movement indicative of an intrusion is detected by the movement sensor and / or tilt switch. The intruder alarm may be configured to treat these signals differently - for example the first signal may always cause an alarm whereas the second signal may only cause an alarm if an associated area is in an armed state. In some embodiments, the intruder alarm receiving both first and second signals may be treated as a “confirmed” alarm, to provide sequential confirmation that an intrusion is very likely to be taking place. E.g. either one of the microphone detecting the existing alarm activation or the movement sensor detecting movement indicative of an intrusion may cause, for example, a notification on the user’s mobile app, whereas both of those signals may cause an immediate audible alarm. The vehicle protector device preferably includes a controller, for example a microprocessor. The microphone is connected to an input of the controller, and the controller monitors the microphone input and processes the input to determine when a sound characteristic of the vehicle’s existing alarm is detected. When such a signal is detected, it transmits an alarm condition to the intruder alarm system. Preferably the vehicle protector device is powered by internal batteries and requires no particular steps to install it in a vehicle. It could be, for example, just placed in the centre console or in the glovebox of the vehicle. Powering the device by its own internal batteries is advantageous for straightforward installation. However, it does mean that power consumption needs to be managed carefully. In one embodiment, the controller is configured to periodically wake from a sleep mode and sample sound from the microphone for a short period. For example, the controller could wake up every 10 seconds and sample half a second of sound input from the microphone. A relatively straightforward “first stage” filter can be applied, for example, the controller will go to sleep again if the magnitude of the signal from the microphone is below a threshold. If the signal is above a threshold (i.e., indicating a loud sound), then the controller may take a longer sample and / or apply more complex processing to determine whether the sound is prolonged and / or has features characteristic of the vehicle’s existing alarm. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a wireless intruder alarm controller, the controller being configurable with a plurality of zones, each zone being associated with a paired wireless detector, and each zone being configurable as a selected one of a plurality of zone types, the controller further being configurable to be associated with a plurality of user authentication tokens, the configured user authentication tokens being usable to arm and / or disarm the intruder alarm system or parts of the intruder alarm system, at least one of the zone types being a zone type suitable for use with a vehicle protector device, a zone being configured as a “vehicle protector” zone type being associated with at least one user authentication token which is not associated with any other zone, in which use of a user authentication token associated with a “vehicle protector” zone type arms or disarms the associated zone, independently from the rest of the intruder alarm system. The user authentication token may be, for example, a user code (which can be entered on a keypad), a proximity tag, remote keyfob, or a control on a mobile phone app. A “vehicle protector” zone might be associated with more than one user authentication token, but a user authentication token associated with the “vehicle protector” zone is not associated with any other zone. This provides a simple way to arm and disarm just the zone associated with the vehicle protector - the user simply enters (for example) a different code on the alarm keypad. The relevant user authentication token is required to disarm its associated “vehicle protector” zone. However, in some embodiments a vehicle protector zone may be armed by an “arm” signal received from its associated detector. In other words, to arm the vehicle protector zone no user authentication token may be needed at all. As described in detail above, sending the “arm” signal from the detector to the alarm controller may be initiated by operating a user input, for example a pushbutton, on the detector itself. The vehicle protector zone type can therefore be distinguished from known zone types in that it will arm on receipt of a signal from its associated detector, without the need for a user authentication token. The vehicle protector zone is armed entirely independently from the rest of the alarm system. The alarm system is typically designed to cover a building, but may be divided into multiple areas which can be armed and disarmed separately (e.g. outbuildings separate from the house, and / or a “part-arm” setting for only the downstairs and not the upstairs). However, the vehicle protector zone is armed and disarmed independently. This means, for example, that the vehicle protector zone can be armed when the building (or any part of it) is not armed. It means that the vehicle protector zone can be armed, and then later the building alarm can be armed, and then the building alarm can be disarmed (the building alarm could be armed and disarmed and / or sometimes part-armed any number of times), and then, regardless of whether or not the building alarm is armed or not, the vehicle protector zone can be disarmed when the vehicle needs to be used. A separate user-authentication token (which could be, for example, simply a different user code) is used to arm and disarm the vehicle protector zone. It is in effect like having an entirely different alarm system associated with the vehicle protector device. The vehicle protector device used with the controller may be any of the devices described above, e.g. a device with a microphone which detects the vehicle’s existing alarm, and / or a device with a motion sensor. It may also be a known type of device (it is known to provide a wireless motion sensor which links to an alarm associated with a building). The controller is preferably adapted to disable supervision of the detector associated with a “vehicle protector” zone when the zone is unarmed I unset, and enable supervision of the detector associated with a “vehicle protector” zone when the zone is armed I set. In general, detectors in wireless alarm systems are usually “supervised”. This means that the intruder alarm controller expects to receive a supervision signal from each detector, and if no supervision signal is received from a detector which is part of the system in a predetermined period (for example, 30 minutes or 1 hour), then a ’’supervision error” will result. For most detectors this is a desirable feature because detectors should always be in range of the alarm controller, and if a detector is “lost” then an error should be signalled so that action can be taken. A change in the environment (for example, somebody putting a large metal cabinet in an office) may often be the cause, but without the supervision error there would be no indication that the detector has been “lost” to the system and would be unable to signal an intrusion. However, a vehicle protector device will be out of range of the system when the vehicle is driven away. This is entirely expected and should not result in errors. Therefore, the vehicle protector zone type advantageously enables supervision of the zone, but only when the zone is armed I set. “Enabling supervision” means that the alarm controller will monitor for supervision signals from the detector, and will flag a supervision error I fault if a time period elapses without a supervision signal being received. “Disabling supervision”, for the relevant zone, means that supervision errors are in effect ignored or suppressed. In some embodiments, a signal may also be sent to the relevant detector to tell it not to send supervision signals while supervision is disabled. This advantageously prolongs the battery life of the detector, by avoiding operating the detector’s radio when the supervision signals are going to be ignored anyway. Providing the “vehicle protector” zone type allows very straightforward configuration for an alarm installer. All the installer needs to do is pair the vehicle protector device with the wireless alarm system, configure it as a “vehicle protector” zone type, and associate it with one or more user authentication tokens. There is no need to configure an “area” or otherwise interfere with the configuration of the alarm system as it relates to protecting a building (or buildings). The vehicle protector zone(s) operate entirely independently of each other and of the rest of the alarm system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a vehicle protector device according to the invention; and Figure 2 shows an intruder alarm system together with the vehicle protector device of Figure 1. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring firstly to Figure 1, a vehicle protector device is indicated generally a 10. The vehicle protector device is designed to be attached to an object to be protected. For example, it can be attached to a vehicle by using strap 12 to secure it around the steering wheel rim. The device, and similar devices, can be fixed to other objects in a variety of ways, for example by screws, glue, brackets, and so on. The vehicle protector device 10 includes a user input means in the form of a single pushbutton 14, and output means in the form of a pair of LEDs 16. A further status LED 18 is also provided, which in this embodiment is a tri-colour LED which can be used to display a signal strength (e.g. green for good signal, yellow for weak but reliable signal, red for unreliable or no signal). The device can be used together with an intruder alarm system associated with a building or fixed location, which will now be described with reference to Figure 2. An intruder alarm system is indicated at 100. The intruder alarm system is a wireless alarm system and is of the type typically used to protect buildings. In particular, the system is provided with a plurality of detectors (just one detector, a PIR indicated at 102, is shown in Figure 2, but in a real system there will likely be many detectors). In this example, the intruder alarm is provided with an external bellbox 104 which includes a siren and strobe which will sound and flash when the intruder alarm system 100 detects an intrusion. The various detectors (e.g. PIR 104) may communicate wirelessly with the intruder alarm system 100. Some intruder alarm systems are “hybrid” in the sense that both wired and wireless detectors can be connected. Importantly, the intruder alarm system 100 is a wireless or hybrid system meaning that it is possible to connect at least one detector wirelessly. The bellbox 104 may be connected to the alarm system 100 either wirelessly or by wire. The intruder alarm system 100 can be operated by a user in a range of ways to arm (set) and disarm (unset) the system. Typically, a user will arm the system when they leave the protected building, and disarm the system when they return. The most common way of doing this is by a combination entered on a keypad (and the alarm system 100 of Figure 2 includes a built-in keypad). However, remote keyfobs and proximity fobs can also be used, and increasingly alarm systems can be controlled via an app on a mobile phone 106, i.e the system 100 can be armed or disarmed by using the mobile phone 106. The intruder alarm system 100 is associated with (most commonly) a building, but may be installed to protect any fixed location, for example a farmyard or builder’s yard. Detectors can be provided to detect, e.g. a door or gate being opened, a person or vehicle crossing a boundary and breaking a beam in a break-beam detector, a person in a room, etc. External bellboxes 104 and other sounders and output devices can be provided. In addition, notifications of an alarm condition can be sent to an alarm receiving centre (who can under certain circumstances notify the police), and / or sent to building owners I managers directly, for example via the mobile phone app 106. The vehicle protector device 10 is paired with the intruder alarm system 100 in a similar way to any other wireless detector (e.g. PIR 102). Preferably, the intruder alarm system 100 is configured with the vehicle protector device 10 on a novel zone type which allows the vehicle protector device 10 to be armed and disarmed separately from the rest of the system, and also configures the system 100 to respond to supervision signals from the vehicle protector device 10 with an armed state of the system 100 (or rather, an armed state of the particular zone associated with the vehicle protector device 10). In use, the vehicle protector device 10 may be fitted to a car or other vehicle, for example by attaching it to the steering wheel using strap 12. Preferably, on parking the vehicle near the building associated with the alarm system 100, the driver attaches the vehicle protector device 10 to the steering wheel and pushes the pushbutton 14. In a first example, pushing the pushbutton 14 causes the vehicle protector device 10 to start transmitting supervision signals to the alarm system 100. In response to each supervision signal, the alarm system responds with the armed state of the zone associated with the vehicle protector device 10. The user, when they have removed luggage and locked up the vehicle, can arm the zone using (for example) the mobile app 106 or the keypad on the alarm panel 100. After that, next time the vehicle protector device 10 transmits a supervision signal to the alarm panel 100, the alarm 100 will respond with a message indicating that the zone is armed. This will cause the LEDs 16 to start flashing alternately. Each time the alarm panel responds to a supervision signal, it responds with the armed state of the system. In another example, pushing the pushbutton 15 may cause the vehicle protector device 10 to transmit an “arm” command to the alarm system 100. This may be appropriate where the vehicle protector device 10 is used to protect, for example, a motorcycle or quad bike. A rider can get off, and then push the pushbutton 14 on the vehicle protector device 10. This will cause an “arm” command to be sent to the alarm system 100, which immediately arms the relevant zone. The alarm system 100 responds to the “arm” command with a confirmation, and the LEDs 16 immediately start to alternately flash. When the relevant zone is armed, any movement indicative of an intrusion which is detected by the motion sensor in the vehicle protector device 10 will cause the siren 104 to sound, and will notify the user via the mobile app 106. In another example, pressing the pushbutton 14 may cause a delayed arm. This may be achieved either by immediately transmitting a command to the intruder alarm system, which is then configured to arm the relevant zone after a predetermined delay, or alternatively by starting a timer in the vehicle protector device 10 itself after expiry of which an “arm” command will be transmitted as described above. In another example, a user may park the vehicle in a place which is out of range of the intruder alarm system 100. On pushing the pushbutton 14, a status LED 18 will flash red, indicating no usable connection to the intruder alarm system 100. The user will not therefore be able to arm the relevant zone of the intruder alarm system. However, a long press of the pushbutton 14 (for example, holding down the pushbutton 14 for more than three seconds) causes the LEDs 16 to alternately flash, as if the intruder alarm system 100 were armed. This can act as a visual deterrent to a would-be thief, who has no way of knowing that there is no external alarm system connected to the vehicle. In another example, the vehicle protector device 10 includes a microphone and processing means for detecting the sound of a vehicle’s existing alarm. When the sound of the vehicle’s existing alarm is detected, an alarm signal may be transmitted by the vehicle protector device 10 to the intruder alarm system 100, and depending on the configuration the intruder alarm system may sound the siren 104 and / or send a notification to the mobile app 106 irrespective of the armed state of the relevant zone. The vehicle protector device according to the invention can detect and hopefully prevent vehicle theft by providing an early warning of intrusion into the vehicle. In particular, use of the vehicle protector device is likely to be more effective than use of the vehicle’s existing alarm alone. Occupants of a building may not notice that a car alarm is going off in the street outside, or, if they do, it could be any one of hundreds of cars in the area. On the other hand, a notification on the building’s alarm system and sounding of the siren on the building is likely to result in much faster action by the vehicle’s owner. This may prevent the theft or make it more likely that the thief is identified and the vehicle recovered. The vehicle protector device is also suitable for protecting motorcycles, quad bikes, farm machinery, trailers, lawnmowers, and other 5 movable items which may be left outside, but in the vicinity of, a building associated with the alarm system. The embodiments described above are provided by way of example only, and various changes and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. 10 Clauses Various aspects of the invention will now be enumerated in the following clauses: 1. A battery-powered wireless detector for use with an intruder alarm system associated with a fixed location, the detector comprising: a movement sensor, the movement sensor being adapted to detect movement of the detector; a wireless transceiver, the transceiver being adapted to transmit an alarm condition to the intruder alarm system when movement indicative of an intrusion is detected; an output means, the output means being adapted to display an indication of the armed state of the intruder alarm system in response to a signal received by the transceiver from the intruder alarm system. 2. A wireless detector as recited in clause 1, in which a user input means is provided, the transceiver being configured to listen for a signal from the intruder alarm system in response to an input on the user input means. 3. A wireless detector as recited in clause 2, in which the user input means includes a pushbutton. 4. A wireless detector as recited in any of the preceding clauses, in which the output means includes one or more LEDs. 5. A wireless detector as recited in clauses 2 or 3, in which the operation of the user input means activates the transceiver to listen for a signal for a predetermined period of time. 6. A wireless detector as recited in any of the preceding clauses, in which the transceiver is configured to send periodic supervision signals to the intruder alarm system, and to listen for a response to each supervision signal which indicates an armed state of the intruder alarm system. 7. A wireless detector as recited in clause 6, when dependent on clause 2 or clause 3, in which operation of the user input means initiates transmission of supervision signals. 8. A wireless detector as recited in clause 7, in which supervision signals are sent periodically after operation of the user input means. 9. A wireless detector as recited in clause 8, configured to stop sending periodic supervision signals after a predetermined number of supervision signals are sent and no acknowledgement is received. 10. A wireless detector as recited in clause 2 or clause 3, in which operation of the user input means transmits a command to the alarm system to initiate arming of the system. 11. A battery-powered wireless detector for use with an intruder alarm system at a fixed location, the detector comprising: a movement sensor, the movement sensor being adapted to detect movement of the detector; a wireless transceiver, the transceiver being adapted to transmit an alarm condition to the intruder alarm system when movement indicative of an intrusion is detected; an output means; and a user input means, the user input means being adapted to switch the detector between two modes, the output means in a first mode being adapted to display an indication of the armed state of the intruder alarm system in response to a signal received by the transceiver from the intruder alarm system, and the output means in a second mode being adapted to indicate an armed state irrespective of any signal received from the intruder alarm system. 12. A wireless detector as recited in clause 11, in which the user input means is a momentary pushbutton. 13. A wireless detector as recited in clause 12, in which pushing the pushbutton for more than a predetermined period of time switches the detector between the first mode and the second mode. 14. A wireless detector as recited in clause 12 or clause 13, in which pushing the pushbutton for less than a predetermined period of time activates the transceiver to listen for a signal from the intruder alarm system, and then indicates the armed state accordingly on the output means. 15. A wireless detector as recited in any of clauses 11 to 14, in which the output means includes one or more LEDs. 16. A battery-powered wireless detector for use with an intruder alarm system at a fixed location, the detector comprising: a movement sensor, the movement sensor being adapted to detect movement of the detector; a wireless transceiver, the transceiver being adapted to transmit an alarm condition to the intruder alarm system when movement indicative of an intrusion is detected; a user input means, the transceiver being adapted to transmit an arm signal to the alarm system in response to an input on the user input means, for arming the alarm system. 17. A method of protecting a vehicle from theft, the vehicle having an existing alarm, and the method comprising: providing a vehicle protector device in the vehicle, the vehicle protector device including a microphone and a transmitter; providing an intruder alarm system at a fixed location, the vehicle protector device being adapted to transmit a wireless signal to the intruder alarm system when activation of the existing vehicle alarm is detected by the microphone. 18. A method as recited in clause 17, in which the vehicle protector device further includes a movement sensor and / or a tilt switch. 19. A method as recited in clause 18, in which the vehicle protector device is configured to transmit a first signal to the intruder alarm when activation of the existing vehicle alarm is detected, and to transmit a second signal to the intruder alarm when movement indicative of an intrusion is detected by the movement sensor and / or tilt switch. 20. A method as recited in clause 17, in which the vehicle protector device is powered by its own internal batteries. 21. A wireless intruder alarm controller, the controller being configurable with a plurality of zones, each zone being associated with a paired wireless detector, and each zone being configurable as a selected one of a plurality of zone types, the controller further being configurable to be associated with a plurality of user authentication tokens, the configured user authentication tokens being usable to arm and / or disarm the intruder alarm system or parts of the intruder alarm system, at least one of the zone types being a zone type suitable for user with a vehicle protector device, a zone being configured as a “vehicle protector” zone type being associated with at least one user authentication token which is not associated with any other zone, in which use of a user authentication token associated with a “vehicle protector” zone type arms or disarms the associated zone, independently from the rest of the intruder alarm system. 22. A wireless intruder alarm controller as recited in clause 21, the controller being adapted to disable supervision of the detector associated with a “vehicle protector” zone when the zone is unarmed, and to enable supervision of the detector associated with the “vehicle protector” zone when the zone is armed. 23. A wireless intruder alarm controller as recited in clause 21 or clause 22, in which the alarm controller is adapted to arm a “vehicle protector” zone on receipt of a signal from the detector associated with the zone, without the use of a user authentication token. 24. A wireless intruder alarm controller as recited in any of clauses 21 to 23, in combination with a vehicle protector device in the form of a detector according to any of clauses 1 to 16.

Claims

1. A wireless intruder alarm controller, the controller being configurable with a plurality of zones, each zone being associated with a paired wireless detector, 5 10 LO the controller further being configurable with a plurality of areas, each area defining a group of zones which can be armed and disarmed separately from the other detectors in the building, and each zone being configurable as a selected one of a plurality of zone types, the controller further being configurable to be associated with a plurality of user authentication tokens, the configured user authentication tokens being usable to arm and / or disarm the intruder alarm system or parts of the intruder alarm system, at least one of the zone types being a zone type suitable for user with a vehicle protector device, a zone being configured as a “vehicle protector” zone type being associated with at least one user authentication token which is not 15 CM 1— co CXI 20 25 2. associated with any other zone, in which use of a user authentication token associated with a “vehicle protector” zone type arms or disarms the associated zone, independently from the rest of the intruder alarm system, without the vehicle protector zone being associated with an area, the controller being further adapted to disable supervision of the detector associated with a “vehicle protector” zone when the zone is unarmed, and to enable supervision of the detector associated with the “vehicle protector” zone when the zone is armed, the alarm controller monitoring for supervision signals from the detector when supervision is enabled, and flagging a supervision error if a time period elapses without a supervision signal being received. A wireless intruder alarm controller as claimed in claim 1, in which the alarm controller is adapted to arm a “vehicle protector” zone on receipt of a signal from the detector associated with the zone, without the use of a user authentication token. 30 3. A wireless intruder alarm controller as claimed in any preceding claims, in which the user authentication token(s) are in the form of a mobile device app.

4. A wireless intruder alarm controller as claimed in any preceding claims, in which the user authentication token(s) are in the form of a user code on a keypad.23 12 255. A wireless intruder alarm controller as claimed in any preceding claim, in which 5 the user authentication token(s) are in the form of a proximity tag or remotekeyfob.

6. A wireless intruder alarm controller as claimed in claim 1, in which the plurality of zone types include at least two “vehicle protector” zones, each associated with an individual vehicle and armed or disarmed with independent user 10 authentication token(s).

7. A wireless intruder alarm controller as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, in combination with a vehicle protector device in the form of a detector comprising:a movement sensor, the movement sensor being adapted to detect movement of the detector;15 a wireless transceiver, the transceiver being adapted to transmit an alarmcondition to the intruder alarm system when movement indicative of an intrusion is detected; andan output means, the output means being adapted to display an indication of the armed state of the intruder alarm system in response to a signal received20 by the transceiver from the intruder alarm system.

8. A wireless intruder alarm controller as claimed in claim 7, in which a user input means is provided on the detector, the transceiver of the detector being configured to listen for a signal from the intruder alarm system in response to an input on the user input means.25 9. A wireless intruder alarm controller as claimed in claim 8, in which the userinput means includes a pushbutton.

10. A wireless intruder alarm controller as claimed in any of claims 7 to 9, in which the output means includes one or more LEDs.

11. A wireless intruder alarm controller as claimed in claim 8 or 9, in which the operation of the user input means activates the transceiver to listen for a signal for a predetermined period of time.

12. A wireless intruder alarm controller as claimed in any of claims 7 to 11, in which 5 the transceiver is configured to send periodic supervision signals to the intruderalarm system, and to listen for a response to each supervision signal which indicates an armed states of the intruder alarm system.

13. A wireless intruder alarm controller as claimed in claim 12, when dependent on claim 9 or claim 10, in which operation of the user input means initiates 10 transmission of supervision signals.

14. A wireless intruder alarm controller as claimed in claim 13, in which supervision signals are sent periodically after operation of the user input means.

15. A wireless intruder alarm controller as claimed in claim 14, configured to stop sending periodic supervision signals after a predetermined number of 15 supervision signals are sent and no acknowledgement is received.

16. A wireless intruder alarm controller as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, in which operation of the user input means transmits a command to the alarm system to initiate arming of the system.

17. A wireless intruder alarm controller as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, in 20 combination with a vehicle protector device in the form of a detector comprising:a movement sensor, the movement sensor being adapted to detect movement of the detector;a wireless transceiver, the transceiver being adapted to transmit an alarm condition to the intruder alarm system when movement indicative of an 25 intrusion is detected; andan output means; anda user input means, the user input means being adapted to switch the detector between two modes, the output means in the first mode being adapted to display an indication of the armed state of the intruder alarm system in 30 response to a signal received by the transceiver from the intruder alarm system,23 12 25and the output means in a second mode being adapted to indicate an armed state irrespective of any signal received from the intruder alarm system.

18. A wireless intruder alarm controller as claimed in claim 17, in which the user input means is a momentary pushbutton.5 19. A wireless intruder alarm controller as claimed in claim 18, in which pushingthe pushbutton for more than a predetermined period of time activates the transceiver to listen for a signal from the intruder alarm system, and then indicates the armed state accordingly on the output means.

20. A wireless intruder alarm controller as claimed in any of claims 17 to 19, in 10 which the output means includes one of more LEDs.

21. A wireless intruder alarm controller as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, in combination with a vehicle protector device in the form of a detector comprising:a movement sensor, the movement sensor being adapted to detect movement of the detector;15 a wireless transceiver, the transceiver being adapted to transmit an alarmcondition to the intruder alarm system when movement indicative of an intrusion is detected; anda user input means, the transceiver being adapted to transmit an arm signal to the alarm system in response to an input on the user input means, for arming 20 the alarm system.

22. A method of protecting a vehicle from theft, comprising the steps of:pairing a vehicle detector device with a wireless intruder alarm system, the vehicle detector device comprising;a movement sensor, the movement sensor being adapted to detect 25 movement of the detector;a wireless transceiver, the transceiver being adapted to transmit an alarm condition to the intruder alarm system when movement indicative of an intrusion is detected; andan output means, the output means being adapted to display an indication of the armed state of the intruder alarm system in response to a signal received by the transceiver from the intruder alarm system;configuring the zone type of the vehicle detector device as a “vehicle protector”5 zone,andassociating the vehicle protector zone with at least one user authentication token.

23. A method of protecting a vehicle from theft as claimed in claim 22, further comprising the step of:10 arming or disarming the vehicle protector zone of the intruder alarm systemindependently from other zones of the intruder alarm system using the user authentication token.23 12 25

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