Alarm peripheral and a method of detecting opening of an enclosure element

Abstract

Provided is an alarm peripheral for monitoring an entry to or exit from a space via an access point, the entry access point having a first component and a second component that are separable from each other to create an opening for the entry or exit, the peripheral comprising: a first part for mounting to a moveable one of the first component and the second component, the first part having: a magnetic sensing device, an accelerometer, and a processor communicatively coupled to the magnetic sensing device and to the accelerometer, the magnetic sensing device being configured to sense a magnetic field and to generate a magnetic event signal upon detecting a change in the sensed magnetic field; the processor being configured: in response to determining that the first component and the second component have been separated to create an open state, to activate the accelerometer to enable the accelerometer to provide measurements regarding speed and direction of movement of the moveable component to which it is mounted during its movement while it is being opened; and to generate an alarm event when signals received from the accelerometer are indicative of the opening of the entry access point beyond a preestablished opening threshold.

Description

[0001] ALARM PERIPHERAL AND A METHOD OF DETECTING OPENING OF AN ENCLOSURE ELEMENT

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure relates to anti-intrusion surveillance and security monitoring systems and more particularly, to an alarm peripherals for such systems, and to a method for detecting unauthorized openings of an enclosure element provided with such an alarm peripheral.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Security installations that are or include security monitoring systems for monitoring premises, often referred to as burglar alarms, typically provide means for detecting the presence and / or actions of people at the premises, and for reacting to detected events. Commonly such systems include alarm peripherals in the form of: sensors to detect the opening and closing of doors and / or windows, to provide a secure perimeter to the premises, thereby creating one or more protected interior spaces; movement detectors to monitor spaces (optionally both within and outside buildings) for signs of movement; microphones to detect sounds such as breaking glass; and image sensors to capture still or moving images of monitored zones. These security monitoring systems may be self-contained, with alarm indicators such as sirens and flashing lights that may be activated in the event of an alarm condition being detected.

[0006] Such security monitoring systems typically include a control unit (which may also be termed a central unit), generally mains powered, that is communicatively coupled to the alarm peripherals, sensors, detectors, cameras, etc. (“nodes”), and which processes notifications received from the different alarm peripherals and determines a response. The central unit may be linked to the various nodes by wires, but increasingly is instead linked wirelessly, rather than by wires, since this facilitates installation and may also provide some safeguards against sensors / detectors effectively being disabled by disconnecting them from the central unit. Similarly, for ease of installation and to improve security, these nodes typically include an autonomous power source, such as a battery power supply, rather than being mains powered, although some may be mains powered with battery back-up..

[0007] As an alternative to self-contained systems, a security monitoring system may include an installation at the protected premises, domestic or commercial, that is linked to a remote Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) or Central Monitoring Station (CMS) where, typically, human operators manage the responses required by different alarm and notification types. In such centrally monitored systems, the central unit at the premises installation typically processes notifications received from the nodes in the installation, and notifies the Central Monitoring Station of only some of these, depending upon the settings of the system (typically referred to as the “arm state” of the system) and the nature of the detected events. In such a configuration, the central unit at the installation is effectively acting as a gateway between the nodes and the Central Monitoring Station.

[0008] Again, in such installations the central unit may be linked by wires, or wirelessly, to the various nodes of the installation, and these nodes will typically be battery powered rather than mains powered (although again some nodes may be mains powered with battery backup).

[0009] As explained, among the nodes of the security monitoring system, typically one or more door and / or window sensors are included. These sensors typically have some means to detect that the corresponding door or window has been opened or closed (more generally, manipulated). For this purpose, these sensors frequently comprise two parts, a first part that is mounted to a moveable part of the door or window, and a second part that is mounted to a frame or other static part (or occasionally, where the opening of a window or door is formed between two moveable parts, as is sometimes the cases with slidable patio doors or with windows formed of two moveable casements each having an edge or side which mates with a corresponding side or edge of the other of the two casements) of the door or window. One of the two parts of the sensor may include a permanent magnet, and a second part of the sensor may be in the form of a magnetic switch, which may be a reed switch that opens / closes depending on the proximity of the magnet. The arrangement is typically such that when the door and / or window is closed, the magnet keeps the reed switch circuit closed. The operation of these magnetic sensors is thus, quite binary: either the window is open or it is closed.

[0010] However, sometimes users want to leave one or more windows at their homes in an intermediary position wherein the window is “cracked open” (or “ajar”) for ventilation, for instance specifically of awning windows and tilt and turn windows or doors.

[0011] US2019 / 088098A1 discloses a premises security monitoring system that uses a pair of pressure sensors to measure an air pressure differential resulting from the opening of a window or door. As ‘098 itself says: “the technology described herein may improve the ability of a security system to monitor an aperture / opening (e.g., a door or window) by measuring how much a door or window is open rather than a conventional binary monitoring of whether the door or window is either open or closed. That is, a pressure sensor can be utilized to detect movement from an intermediate position, not just from a closed position to a position that is “not closed.” Similarly, the technology described herein may improve the ability of a security system to detect or confirm, via changing pressure, a slowly opened aperture (e.g., a door or window) whose slow movement might go undetected by a motion sensor such as an accelerometer”. Unfortunately, the use of pairs of pressure sensors in order to determine the existence of a pressure differential in this way has several drawbacks, meaning that there still remain issues to address.

[0012] The present inventors have appreciated that there exists a need to improve alarm peripherals, in particular their capabilities of safeguarding premises with partially open windows or doors (“entry access points”, “enclosure element” or “enclosure item”), and of detecting the movement of the enclosure item - door or window - which the alarm peripheral protects, and security monitoring systems including such peripherals.

[0013] Such security monitoring systems contribute to the safety and wellbeing of occupants of the protected premises, as well as safeguarding articles within the protected perimeter - which may of course not simply be limited to a house or dwelling but may also extend to the grounds of the house, protected by a boundary fence and gate, for example.

[0014] Embodiments of the present disclosure seek to provide enhanced security monitoring systems, and corresponding apps, methods and other implementations that improve the scope of security monitoring systems, as well as providing new functionality and methods.

[0015] SUMMARY

[0016] The present disclosure solves the shortcomings and drawbacks of existing solutions with an alarm peripheral which, while protecting against any unauthorized intrusion from outside the enclosure being protected, allows the enclosure to be ventilated from the inside by opening enclosure elements (entry access points), such as doors and windows, up to a limit determined by a vent or tilting position of such enclosure elements without necessarily triggering the alarm peripheral.

[0017] In a first aspect there is provided an alarm peripheral for monitoring an entry to or exit from a space via an access point, the entry access point having a first component and a second component that are separable from each other to create an opening for the entry or exit, the peripheral comprising: a first part for mounting to a moveable one of the first component and the second component (which may hereinafter be referred to as the moveable part or the moveable component), the first part having: a magnetic sensing device, an accelerometer, and a processor communicatively coupled to the magnetic sensing device and to the accelerometer, the magnetic sensing device being configured to sense a magnetic field and to generate a magnetic event signal upon detecting a change in the sensed magnetic field; the processor being configured to: in response to determining that the first component and the second component have been separated to create an open state, to activate the accelerometer to enable the accelerometer to provide measurements regarding speed and direction of movement of the moveable component to which it is mounted during its movement while it is being opened; and generate an alarm event when signals received from the accelerometer are indicative of the opening of the entry access point beyond a preestablished opening threshold.

[0018] In other words, when opening of the entry access point (which may also be referred to herein as an enclosure element, the two expressions may be considered to be synonymous) has been determined by detecting a change in the magnetic field being sensed (in the magnitude and / or direction thereof) with respect to the magnetic field being measured when the entry access point is closed, a magnetic event signal may be sent to the processor. The magnetic event signal provided by the magnetic sensing device is actually indicative that the entry access point has been opened.

[0019] Then, upon the processor determining that the entry access point (enclosure element) has been opened, the processor activates the accelerometer and may then receive signals from the accelerometer. The processor may start processing the signals emitted by the accelerometer to detect opening beyond the preestablished opening threshold.

[0020] The accelerometer may provide measurements regarding speed and direction of the movable part during its movement while it is being opened. With the signals received from the accelerometer the processor is, thus, able to determine the speed, direction and position of the movable part of the enclosure element, e.g., a window sash or a door leaf of a window and door, respectively, with respect a static part of the enclosure element, e.g., the frame of the window or door that are embedded in the wall, ceiling or floor of the enclosure being monitored and protected, of the enclosure element. By comparing the position and / or displacement of the movable part with respect to the preestablished opening threshold the processor is able to determine if the enclosure element has been partially opened, for instance, for ventilating the enclosure, or if the enclosure element has been opened beyond the preestablished opening threshold. When the processor detects that the enclosure element has been opened in such a way that the position / displacement of the movable part is beyond the preestablished opening threshold (this being representative, for example, of the enclosure element being open enough for a person to pass through the window) or the enclosure element is fully open, an alarm event may be triggered indicating a possible unauthorized intrusion within the enclosure.

[0021] As used herein, an enclosure may refer to any at least partially closed space having one or more enclosure elements, such as a window or a door, through which a person may access to the inside of the closed space delimited within the enclosure.

[0022] In the present disclosure, the magnetic sensing device may refer to any sensor able to detect or measure magnitude and / or direction of a magnetic field, and to detect a change thereof. That is, the magnetic sensing device may be configured to detect changes in an ambient magnetic field (which may be due, at least in part to the local presence of a magnetic source such as a permanent magnet), typically, in the magnetic field surrounding the magnetic sensing device. By way of example, the magnetic sensing device may comprise a reed switch proximity sensor, one or more Hall effect sensors, a magnetometer or a combination of thereof. A reed switch proximity sensor can only generally detect either the presence or the absence of a magnetic field (of sufficient strength) based on a previously established opening threshold: that is, such devices are essentially binary in operation - either they are open or they are closed. Conversely, Hall effect sensors and the like, and magnetometers have the capacity to sense more than 2 gradations of magnetic field strength - typically being able to detect magnitude and direction of a sensed magnetic field: such sensors are particularly attractive for use in devices and systems according to the present invention. A 3-axis magnetometer is able to measure a variation of the magnetic field three- dimensionally, in terms of changes in magnitude and / or direction thereof - making them particularly attractive sensors for use in devices and systems according to the present invention.

[0023] The sensing part of magnetic sensing device may be mounted on the movable part or on the static part of the enclosure element. Typically, the sensing part of magnetic sensing device is mounted on the movable part of the enclosure element, with any counterpart magnet fixed to or integral with a fixed or static part of the enclosure element.

[0024] This magnetic field may conveniently be generated by a permanent magnet, optionally mounted to or integrated into the “counterpart” portion of the enclosure element - e.g. mounted to or integrated into a window or door frame if the magnetic sensing device is coupled to a movable part (e.g. a sash, casement, slider, or door) of the enclosure element or vice versa. Additionally or alternatively, where the magnetic sensing device is something suitably sensitive, such as a Hall effect device, a magnetometer or the like, the magnetic field sensed may be the magnetic field produced by the earth. In any variant of the first or second aspect, the processor may be integrated in the magnetic sensing device, or the processor may be comprised within the magnetic sensing device. By way of example, the processor can be integrated into or be a part of the magnetic sensing device, in particular when the magnetic sensing device is a 3D (e.g. 3-axis) magnetometer having processing capabilities. This simplifies manufacturing and mounting of the alarm peripheral.

[0025] In any variant of the first or second aspect, the preestablished opening threshold is defined as a distance across an opening between a portion of the movable part and a static part of the enclosure element, as an angle between the movable part and the static part of the enclosure element or as a combination of both. If the enclosure element is a window, the preestablished opening threshold can be established as a distance between a window sash or casement, or a edge thereof and a portion of a fixed window frame facing the window sash or casement. The preestablished opening threshold can be also stablished as an angle formed by the window sash or casement and the fixed window frame, when the window is open, be it partially or fully open. Similarly, if the enclosure element is a door, the preestablished opening threshold can be established as a distance between one of the edges or borders of the door leaf and the portion of the fixed door frame facing said edge / border. The preestablished opening threshold can be established as an angle formed by the door leaf and the fixed door frame, when the door is fully or partially open.

[0026] The preestablished opening threshold can be defined in terms of the width or height of the opening, the size of the opening depending upon the extent to which the enclosure element is opened.

[0027] In any variant of the first or second aspect, the angle between the portion of the movable part and the static part is within a range between 3° and 15°, and more preferably between 6° and 10°. An angles below 3° may not be sufficient for ventilation purposes; permitting an opening angle of 6° or more is preferred in this respect. An angle of 15° is typically not enough for a human being to trespass, while a maximum angle of 10° provides a stronger barrier for a human being to trespass without producing any movement in the movable part of the enclosure element. In some embodiments, the angle between the portion of the movable part and the static part is within a range between 5° and 20°, and more preferably between 10° and 15°.

[0028] In any variant of the first or second aspect, the distance between the portion of the movable part and the static part is within a range between 0 cm and 4.5 cm, and more preferably between Ocm and 2.5 cm. The distance can be measured in an orthogonal direction with respect to the static part. This distance can be established as an opening amount or opening percentage the movable part of the enclosure element. This distance varies according to the opening amount.

[0029] In any variant of the first or second aspect, the preestablished opening threshold can be dependent on the construction and / or the location of the enclosure element. By way of example, if the enclosure element is located in a ground floor, the preestablished opening threshold is smaller than if the enclosure element is located on a first or higher floor within the enclosure.

[0030] In any variant of the first or second aspect, the enclosure element has a partially opened state and a fully opened state, the partial opened state corresponding to the preestablished opening threshold. The enclosure element may comprise a mechanism to fix the position of the movable part relative to the static part in the partially opened state such as extensible arms, hinges with blocking mechanism such as tilt and turn hinges, among many other mechanisms.

[0031] In any variant of the first or second aspect, the enclosure element is a tilt and turn enclosure element such as a window. A tilt and turn enclosure element may refer to an enclosure element in which, for example, by turning the handle 90° the element is openable inwardly from its side hinge, in a similar manner to a conventional door. Further turning of the handle to, for example, 180°, typically pointing upwards (pointing downwards being the standard closing position), the enclosure element can tilt open at the top (that is, hinging or pivoting about an axis adjacent its lower edge) providing a vent. The tilting is not excessive, typically being limited to no more than about 15°, generally to prevent water from entering and to avoid unauthorised intrusions. Atilt and turn enclosure element (usually, a window) can typically be moved from a fully closed to a fully open position, via numerous intermediate partially opened positions.

[0032] In any variant of the first or second aspect, the enclosure element is a window or a door. Preferably, the movable part of the window is a window casement, sash or vertical slider, and the movable part of the door is a door leaf.

[0033] In any variant of the first or second aspect, the magnetic sensing device is configured to generate the magnetic event signal in response to detecting a change in a magnitude and / or direction of the sensed magnetic field with respect to the magnitude and / or direction of the sensed magnetic field when the enclosure element is closed. Typically, the magnetic event signal is generated when change in magnitude and / or direction of the sensed magnetic field is above some predefined limits. These predefined limits may be dependent on properties of the enclosure, such as magnetic properties related to the enclosure. For example, the magnetic field can be affected by wiring present within the enclosure or close to the enclosure (such as wiring of a lift or elevator drawing high current), or by the existence and location within the enclosure of apparatuses with large electric motors (such as fans, refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines or and dryers), or of apparatuses that draw large current (such as electric heaters, ovens, microwave ovens, or air conditioning apparatus).

[0034] In any variant of the first or second aspect, the magnetic sensing device is configured to generate the magnetic event signal signifying detection of the opening of the enclosure element in response to detecting a change in a magnitude and / or direction of the sensed magnetic field with respect to the magnitude and / or direction of the sensed magnetic field when the enclosure element is closed.

[0035] In any variant of the first or second aspect, one part (a first portion) of the magnetic sensing device is coupled to or embedded into the movable part of the enclosure element and a second part (a second portion) of the magnetic sensing device is coupled to or embedded into a static part of the enclosure element, typically a fixed frame of a window or of a door, or in a wall or ceiling where the enclosure element is located.

[0036] In any variant of the first or second aspect, the alarm peripheral forms part of a perimeter alarm system configured to protect an enclosure; typically, the alarm peripheral forms part of (is integrated into) the perimeter alarm system that protects the enclosure. That is, one or more alarm peripheral according to aspects of the invention may constitute a node or nodes of a security monitoring system that protects the premises in which the system is installed.

[0037] In any variant of the first or second aspect the processor is configured periodically wake the accelerometer (which is normally powered down to reduce its energy consumption) and to cause it to provide signals, rather that only activating the accelerometer as the result of having received a magnetic event signal. That is the processor may be arranged to process signals from the accelerometer on a periodic basis. In this way, the processor is capable of processing signals provided by the accelerometer and may determine aperture of the enclosure element beyond the preestablished opening threshold even in case the magnetic sensing element is not working properly. This approach may also be useful, for instance, at times when the magnetic sensing element is taking measurements at a slower rate than its standard configuration mode, for example as a power management technique to reduce battery drain.

[0038] In a second aspect there is provided a device for monitoring an entry to or exit from a space via an access point, the entry access point having a first component and a second component that are separable from each other to create an opening for the entry or exit, the device comprising: a first part for mounting to a moveable one of the first component and the second component the first part having: a magnetic sensing device, an accelerometer, and a processor communicatively coupled to the magnetic sensing device and to the accelerometer, the processor being configured to: receive an indication of the sensed magnetic field; detect a change of condition at the access point when a quality of the indication of the sensed magnetic field satisfies a predefined criterion; in response to determining that the first component and the second component have been separated to create an open state, to activate the accelerometer to enable the accelerometer to provide measurements regarding speed and direction of movement of the moveable component to which it is mounted during its movement while it is being opened; and to generate an alarm event when signals received from the accelerometer are indicative of the opening of the entry access point beyond a preestablished opening threshold.

[0039] Such a device may co-operate with an optional second part which is configured for mounting to the other of the first component and the second component, the second part constituting a source of a magnetic field to be sensed by the magnetic sensing device of the first part. For example, the second part may comprise one or more permanent magnets.

[0040] In a third aspect, the invention provides a method of detecting opening of an enclosure element, the method comprising: monitoring, by a magnetic sensing device at least partially coupled to the enclosure element a magnetic field; generating a magnetic event signal upon the magnetic sensing device detecting a change in the sensed magnetic field; processing the magnetic event signal in order to determine that the enclosure element has been opened; in consequence of generating the magnetic event signal, activating an accelerometer to enable the accelerometer to provide measurements regarding speed and direction of movement of the movable part during its movement while it is being opened; processing accelerometer signals; and generating an alarm event in the event that the accelerometer signals are indicative of the opening of the enclosure element beyond a preestablished opening threshold.

[0041] In a fourth aspect there is provided a method for detecting opening of an entry access point, the method comprising: monitoring, by a magnetic sensing device at least partially coupled to the entry access point a magnetic field; generating a magnetic event signal upon the magnetic sensing device detecting a change in the sensed magnetic field; processing, the magnetic event signal provided by the magnetic sensing device in order to determine that the entry access point has been opened; in response to determining that the entry access point has been opened, activating an accelerometer that is coupled to a moveable part of the entry access point to enable the accelerometer to provide measurements regarding speed and direction of movement of the moveable component to which it is mounted during its movement while the entry access point is being opened; processing signals received from the accelerometer and generating an alarm event when the signals from the accelerometer are indicative of the opening of the entry access point beyond a preestablished opening threshold.

[0042] In a fifth aspect there is provided a method of arming a security monitoring system comprising at least one enclosure element, the method comprising: verifying, that the at least one enclosure element is either closed or opened less than preestablished opening threshold amount, and arming the security monitoring system if it is verified that the at least one enclosure element is either closed or opened less than preestablished opening threshold amount.

[0043] This way, the security monitoring system may be armed even when not all windows or doors of the protected premises are completely closed, enabling a user to arm the security monitoring system even if one or more of the windows or doors is open no more than the threshold amount, for instance, for ventilation purposes.

[0044] The security monitoring system may have more than one armed state. In one or more first armed states in which the security monitoring system treats any opening of a window or door as an alarm condition (e.g. an armed away or armed at home mode). According to the present disclosure, at least one further armed state can exist in which a secured perimeter can be provided even though one or more windows or doors is not fully closed - an alarm event being triggered in the event that a partially open door or window is opened beyond the relevant threshold and / or if another door or window is opened: it will be appreciated that this modality is equally applicable both to the armed away mode and to the armed at home mode. This second armed state can, for instance, be an armed at home state, or a nocturnal armed at home state but could equally be an armed away state.

[0045] Alarm peripherals according to aspects of the invention are especially suitable for mounting on any enclosure item - such as a door or a window- of the perimeter to be secured, and may be incorporated into the security monitoring system (i.e. the or each alarm peripheral according to an aspect of the invention may constitute a node of a premises security monitoring system, and in particular of a security monitoring system of domestic premises.

[0046] The methods disclosed herein can be run in one or more devices in an isolated manner and / or in a distributed manner. That is to say, one, some or all steps may be run by the same processing device (e.g. processor), or one or some steps may be run by one processing device and some other step or steps may be run by one or more other processing devices or even be run in distributed manner, which means that several processing devices cooperate to run one or more steps. In this sense, the steps are digitally run.

[0047] For instance, the processor may be integrated in the magnetic sensing device, and / or the processor can be a separate entity not physically comprised within the magnetic sensing device. In case the magnetic sensing device comprises a processor, this processor can be in charge of fully computing one or more method(s) as disclosed herein. If in addition to the magnetic sensing device comprising its own processor, the alarm peripheral comprises another processor, the method(s) can be executed in a distributed manner. This approach may be more convenient in terms of reducing the computational load of the magnetic sensing device of, allowing the use of less expensive costly magnetic sensing devices.

[0048] The different aspects and embodiments defined in the foregoing may be combined with one another, as long as they are compatible with each other.

[0049] Additional advantages and features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detail description that follows and will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

[0050] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0051] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

[0052] Figure 1 shows a schematic block diagram of an alarm peripheral according to some embodiments;

[0053] Figure 2 shows a view of the front of a premises 1000 protected by a security monitoring system according to some aspects and embodiments;

[0054] Figure 3 shows a flow diagram of a method for installing an alarm peripheral according to some embodiments; and

[0055] Figure 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for detecting opening of an enclosure element according to some embodiments.

[0056] DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS The following description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is given solely for the purpose of describing the broad principles of the present disclosure. Embodiments thereof will be described by way of example, with reference to one or more of the above-mentioned Figures.

[0057] The present inventors have appreciated that the performance of a security monitoring system can be improved by providing alarm peripherals that permit arming of the security monitoring system even when the alarm peripherals are detecting that the piece of enclosure element on which each of this alarm peripherals is mounted is not fully closed.

[0058] Figure 1 shows a schematic block diagram of an alarm peripheral 100 according to some embodiments.

[0059] As shown in Figure 1, the alarm peripheral 100 comprises a data processor 110, a magnetic sensing device 120 and an accelerometer 130. The processor 110, which includes or has an associated memory, may for example be a microcontroller (MCU) or a microprocessor.

[0060] The magnetic sensing device 120 is at least partially coupled to an enclosure element which enclosure element is typically a window (cf. Fig.2: windows 1001, 1002) or a door (cf. Fig. 2: door 1010, 1011).

[0061] Figure 2 shows a view of the front of a premises 1000 protected by a security monitoring system according to some aspects and embodiments. The premises 1000, here in the form of a house, have an exterior door, here a front door 1010. The door gives access to a protected interior space. The security monitoring system secures at least part of a perimeter to the premises 1000, and the door 1010 constitutes an exterior closure in the secure perimeter giving access to a protected interior space of the premises.

[0062] The house as illustrated in Figure 2 has the front door 1010 on the ground floor, and also on the ground floor there is a window 1001. On the upper floor of the house there is another window 1002, and a two-leaf door 1011.

[0063] Alarm peripherals are preferably mounted on every openable external door and openable external window of the house. Typically, the alarm peripheral 100 is mounted on a movable part of the doors 1010, 1011, such as a door leaf; and on a movable part of the windows 1001, 1002, such as the window casement, sash or vertical slider.

[0064] In the embodiment shown, the alarm peripheral 100 is implemented as a single integrated device, having a single housing or casing in which the processor 110, the accelerometer 130 and the magnetic sensing device 120 are all enclosed. Thus, the magnetic sensing device 120 and the accelerometer 130 are also mounted on the movable part of the window or of the door. It is also possible that the accelerometer 130 and the magnetic sensing device 120 are each separately mountable each with its own dedicated housing, the processor 110 may also implemented as a separate element or each of the accelerometer 130 and the magnetic sensing device 120 may have its own processor or the alarm peripheral 100 may have just a single processor that is incorporated into either the accelerometer housing or the magnetic sensing device housing (in the event that these are provided as separate devices each with its own housing. If the alarm peripheral 100 is provided in the form of multiple separate units, these may communicate wirelessly using a suitable short range wireless protocol. There are, however, clear advantages to some degree of integration, and component count, complexity, cost, and power consumption may mean that an alarm peripheral 100 in the form of a single unitary device the most attractive option. On occasion, however, there may be advantages, for example in terms of effective sensor sensitivity, to being able to position the accelerometer and the magnetic sensing device at different locations on the relevant door or window part.

[0065] When the magnetic sensing device is an active device such as a magnetometer, Hall effect sensor or the like, it may be configured to sense, periodically, a magnetic field e.g. a magnetic field surrounding the magnetic sensing device.

[0066] In embodiments in which the magnetic sensing device is a device such as a magnetometer, Hall effect sensor or the like (as distinct from a reed switch) the sensing device may be configured to perform a measurement approximately every second, that is, typically at a frequency of 1 Hz.

[0067] The accelerometer scanning frequency is much, much higher than that of the magnetic sensing device, for example typically being set somewhere in the range of 100 to 300 Hz, e.g. around 200 Hz. To prevent unnecessary energy usage by the accelerometer, and hence needless battery drain, the accelerometer 130 is only activated and requested to provide measurements when an opening has been detected by means of the magnetic sensing device 120 or as the result of a periodic request from the processor (as mentioned previously).

[0068] The data processor 110 receives signals from the accelerometer 130 and the magnetic sensing device 120. As also shown in Fig. 1, the processor 110 comprises: means 112 for processing signals received from the magnetic sensing device 120; means 114 for processing signals received from the accelerometer 130; and means 116 for processing a magnetic event signal provided by the magnetic sensing device 120 in order to determine that the window or door where the peripheral is mounted has been opened; means 118 for generating an alarm event when signals received from the accelerometer 130 are indicative of the opening of the enclosure element beyond a preestablished opening threshold. The means may all be implemented in the form of stored instructions or suitable program code executable by the processor.

[0069] The alarm peripheral thus first determines whether opening of the enclosure element has occurred, by detecting a change in the magnetic field as sensed by the magnetic sensing device 120. Subsequently, upon the processor 116 determining that the enclosure element has been opened, the processor activates the accelerometer and may then receive signals from the accelerometer. The means 118 of the processor 110 may then start processing the signals emitted by the accelerometer 130 to detect whether the corresponding enclosure element -be it a window or a door- has been opened beyond a preestablished opening threshold.

[0070] This alarm peripheral thus enables users, who want to leave one or more windows (or doors) at their homes in an intermediary open position, to do so while still being able to arm the security monitoring system of the peripheral forms part. In this way, such users can benefit from the natural ventilation provided by partially open windows or doors while still enjoying the protection provided by the security monitoring system. This is especially advantageous in case of awning windows and tilt and turn windows or doors.

[0071] Figure 3 is a diagram chart showing a method 300 for installing an alarm peripheral. The method 300 comprises the steps of: at step 301 : coupling at least part of a magnetic sensing device to an enclosure element, the magnetic sensing device being configured to sense a magnetic field surrounding the magnetic sensing device, and to generate a magnetic event signal upon detecting a change in the sensed magnetic field, the magnetic sensing device being part of the alarm peripheral; at step 302: coupling an accelerometer to a movable part of the enclosure element, the accelerometer being part of the alarm peripheral; at step 303: opening the enclosure element until a partial opening state is reached; at step 304: measuring, by the magnetic sensing device, the magnetic field and storing the measured magnetic field.

[0072] Figure 4 is a diagram chart showing a method 400 for detecting opening of an enclosure element, the enclosure element being the windows 1001, 1002 or doors 1010, 1011, which form part of a perimeter of the premises 1000. The method 400 comprises: at step 401 : monitoring, by a magnetic sensing device at least partially coupled to the enclosure element a magnetic field about the magnetic sensing device; at step 402: generating a magnetic event signal upon the magnetic sensing device detecting a change in the sensed magnetic field; at step 403: processing, the magnetic event signal provided by the magnetic sensing device in order to determine that the enclosure element has been opened; at step 404: activating an accelerometer; and at step 405: processing signals received from the accelerometer and generating an alarm event when the signals from the accelerometer are indicative of the opening of the enclosure element beyond a preestablished opening threshold.

[0073] That is, before the user is able to arm the security monitoring system - that is, to turn on an armed state in which the alarm peripherals become active to sense possible breaches of the perimeter secured by the security monitoring system -, it is verified whether all windows and / or doors (for which an alarm peripheral 100 is provided) are completely closed or, if open, that they are in partially open and within a preestablished opening range. Such a partially open state may be useful for ventilation, and may also be particularly suitable and useful for letting in and out pets, in a secure fashion.

[0074] In a further aspect an alarm peripheral is provided for use in monitoring the state of window or door arrangements in which an enclosure element such as a door or window comprises a pair of components (casements, sashes, door panels, etc.) each of which is moveable with respect to a frame or other fixed part but which are also moveable with respect to each other and which may be separated from each other to create an opening. Examples of such windows / doors can be found in which the pair of components are in the form of sashes or sliding panels - e.g. traditional sash windows, so-called “French windows” or “French doors”, “patio” doors / windows. Similarly, examples of such windows / doors can be found in which the pair of components are in the form of casements (i.e. hinged elements or panels) that fit within a common frame part - with an edge of each of the two components (generally the edge opposite a hinge-side of the casement) meeting in the closed state. While it may generally be possible to protect such window / door arrangements by installing on each of the components an alarm peripheral as previously described - the peripherals for example being arranged to monitor the creation of an opening between the respective component and a frame of the window / door (or some fixed part of the structure within which the door / window is installed) - it may on occasion be preferable to provide an alarm peripheral according to this further aspect of the invention in which two parts are provided, each containing an accelerometer, the two parts being configured for mounting one to each of the two relatively moveable components. The two parts of the alarm peripheral may each be provided with appropriate wireless transmitting means for communication between themselves and / or for communication with a control unit, and / or other elements of the security monitoring system.

[0075] The various operations of example methods described herein may be performed, at least partially, by one or more processors that are temporarily configured (e.g., by software) or permanently configured to perform the relevant operations. Whether temporarily or permanently configured, such processors may constitute processor-implemented modules / components that operate to perform one or more operations or functions. The modules / components referred to herein may, in some examples, comprise processor- implemented modules / components.

[0076] Similarly, the methods described herein may be at least partially processor - implemented. For example, at least some of the operations of a method may be performed by one or more processors or processor-implemented modules / components. The performance of certain of the operations may be distributed among the one or more processors, not only residing within a single machine, but deployed across a number of machines. In some examples, the processor or processors may be located in a single location (e.g., within a home environment, an office environment, or a server farm), while in other examples the processors may be distributed across a number of locations.

[0077] Examples may be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer hardware, firmware, or software, or in combinations of them. Examples may be implemented using a computer program product, e.g., a computer program tangibly embodied in an information carrier, e.g., in a machine-readable medium for execution by, or to control the operation of, data processing apparatus, e.g., a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple computers.

[0078] In this text, the term “includes”, “comprises” and derivations thereof (such as “including”, “comprising”, etc.) should not be understood in an excluding sense, that is, these terms should not be interpreted as excluding the possibility that what is described and defined may include further elements, steps, etc.

[0079] On the other hand, the disclosure is obviously not limited to the specific embodiment(s) described herein, but also encompasses any variations that may be considered by any person skilled in the art (for example, as regards the choice of materials, dimensions, components, configuration, etc.), within the general scope of the invention as defined in the claims. Various aspects of the invention are hereby presented in the form of numbered paragraphs in order that various combinations of features can readily be presented and understood.

[0080] 1. An alarm peripheral comprising: a magnetic sensing device at least partially coupled to an enclosure element, the magnetic sensing device being configured to sense a magnetic field surrounding the magnetic sensing device and to generate a magnetic event signal upon detecting a change in the sensed magnetic field; an accelerometer mounted on a movable part of the enclosure element; and a processor communicatively coupled to the magnetic sensing device and to the accelerometer, the processor being configured to process the magnetic event signal provided by the magnetic sensing device in order to determine that the enclosure element has been opened; the processor being also configured to generate an alarm event when signals received from the accelerometer are indicative of the opening of the enclosure element beyond a pre- established opening threshold.

[0081] 2. The alarm peripheral of paragraph 1, wherein the preestablished opening threshold is defined as a distance between a portion of the movable part and a static part of the enclosure element, as an angle between the movable part and the static part of the enclosure element or as a combination of both.

[0082] 3. The alarm peripheral of paragraph 2, wherein the angle between the portion of the movable part and the static part is within a range between 3° and 15°, and more preferably between 6° and 10°.

[0083] 4. The alarm peripheral of any one of the preceding numbered paragraphs, wherein the enclosure element has a partially opened state and a fully opened state, the partial opening state corresponding to the preestablished opening threshold.

[0084] 5. The alarm peripheral of any one of the preceding numbered paragraphs, wherein the enclosure element is a window or a door, and the movable part of the window is a window sash or vertical slider, and the movable part of the door is a door leaf.

[0085] 6. The alarm peripheral of any one of the preceding numbered paragraphs, wherein the magnetic sensing device is configured to generate the magnetic event signal in response to detecting a change in a magnitude and / or direction of the sensed magnetic field with respect to the magnitude and / or direction of the sensed magnetic field when the enclosure element is closed. 7. The alarm peripheral of any one of the preceding numbered paragraphs, wherein the magnetic sensing device is a reed switch proximity sensor, a magnetometer or a combination thereof.

[0086] 8. The alarm peripheral of any one of the preceding numbered paragraphs, wherein a first portion of the magnetic sensing device is coupled to or embedded into the movable part of the enclosure element and a second portion of the magnetic sensing device is coupled to or embedded into a static part of the enclosure element or in a wall or ceiling where the enclosure element is located.

[0087] 9. The alarm peripheral of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the alarm peripheral forms part of a perimeter alarm system configured to protect an enclosure of which the enclosure element forms part.

[0088] 10. A method for installing an alarm peripheral, the method comprising the steps of: i. coupling at least part of a magnetic sensing device to an enclosure element, the magnetic sensing device being configured to sense a magnetic field surrounding the magnetic sensing device, and to generate a magnetic event signal upon detecting a change in the sensed magnetic field, the magnetic sensing device being part of the alarm peripheral;

[0089] 11. coupling an accelerometer to a movable part of the enclosure element, the accelerometer being part of the alarm peripheral; iii. opening the enclosure element until a partial opening state is reached; iv. measuring, by the magnetic sensing device, the magnetic field and storing the measured magnetic field.

[0090] 11. The method of paragraph 10, wherein the partial opening state can be configured by a user thereof.

[0091] 12. The method of any one of paragraphs 10-11, wherein the alarm peripheral is the alarm peripheral of any of paragraphs 1-9.

[0092] 13. A method for detecting opening of an enclosure element, the method comprising: monitoring, by a magnetic sensing device at least partially coupled to the enclosure element a magnetic field surrounding the magnetic sensing device; generating a magnetic event signal upon the magnetic sensing device detecting a change in the sensed magnetic field; processing, the magnetic event signal provided by the magnetic sensing device in order to determine that the enclosure element has been opened; and processing signals received from the accelerometer and generating an alarm event when the signals from the accelerometer are indicative of the opening of the enclosure element beyond a preestablished opening threshold. 14. A method for arming a security monitoring system comprising at least one enclosure element, the method comprising: verifying, that the at least one enclosure element is either closed or opened less than preestablished opening threshold; and arming the security monitoring system.

[0093] 15. An enclosure element of an enclosure, the enclosure element comprising an alarm peripheral according to any of paragraphs 1-9.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An alarm peripheral for monitoring an entry to or exit from a space via an access point, the entry access point having a first component and a second component that are separable from each other to create an opening for the entry or exit, the peripheral comprising: a first part for mounting to a moveable one of the first component and the second component, the first part having: a magnetic sensing device, an accelerometer, and a processor communicatively coupled to the magnetic sensing device and to the accelerometer, the magnetic sensing device being configured to sense a magnetic field and to generate a magnetic event signal upon detecting a change in the sensed magnetic field; the processor being configured: in response to determining that the first component and the second component have been separated to create an open state, to activate the accelerometer to enable the accelerometer to provide measurements regarding speed and direction of movement of the moveable component to which it is mounted during its movement while it is being opened; and to generate an alarm event when signals received from the accelerometer are indicative of the opening of the entry access point beyond a preestablished opening threshold.

2. The alarm peripheral of claim 1, wherein the preestablished opening threshold is defined as a distance between a portion of a moveable one of the first component and the second component and the other of the first component and the second component as an angle between a moveable one of the first component and the second component and the other of the first component and the second component or as a combination of both.

3. The alarm peripheral of claim 2, wherein the angle between the portion of the moveable one of the first component and the second component and the other of the first component and the second component is within a range between 3° and 15°, and more preferably between 6° and 10°.

4. The alarm peripheral of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the entry access point is a window or a door, and the moveable part of the window is a window casement, sash or vertical slider, and the moveable part of the door is a door leaf.

5. The alarm peripheral of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the magnetic sensing device is configured to generate the magnetic event signal in response to detecting a change in a magnitude and / or direction of the sensed magnetic field with respect to the magnitude and / or direction of the sensed magnetic field when the entry access point is closed.

6. The alarm peripheral of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the magnetic sensing device is a reed switch proximity sensor, a Hall effect sensor, a magnetometer or a combination thereof.

7. The alarm peripheral of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a first portion of the magnetic sensing device is coupled to or embedded into the movable part of the enclosure element and a second portion of the magnetic sensing device is coupled to or embedded into a static part of the enclosure element or in a wall or ceiling where the enclosure element is located.

8. The alarm peripheral of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the alarm peripheral forms part of a perimeter alarm system configured to protect an enclosure of which the entry access point forms part.

9. A method for detecting opening of an entry access point, the method comprising: monitoring, by a magnetic sensing device at least partially coupled to the entry access point a magnetic field; generating a magnetic event signal upon the magnetic sensing device detecting a change in the sensed magnetic field; processing, the magnetic event signal provided by the magnetic sensing device in order to determine that the entry access point has been opened; in response to determining that the entry access point has been opened, activating an accelerometer that is coupled to a moveable part of the enclosure element to enable the accelerometer to provide measurements regarding speed and direction of movement of the moveable component to which it is mounted during its movement while the enclosure element is being opened; processing signals received from the accelerometer and generating an alarm event when the signals from the accelerometer are indicative of the opening of the entry access point beyond a preestablished opening threshold.

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