Abstract:
A building monitoring system having dual communication options is disclosed. The controller is configured to communicate via a pair of communication networks, According to one embodiment of the invention, the controller is connected to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and to a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network. The controller further includes a gateway to selectively connect the PSTN to the GSM network. The controller may monitor the status of the PSTN line. If the PSTN line is operational, the gateway connects the PSTN jack from the telephone to the PSTN jack for the telephone line. If the PSTN line is not operational, the PSTN jack from the telephone is connected to a converter which is, in turn, connected to a cellular radio. The converter is configured to convert the analog signals for the PSTN to digital signals for transmission via the GSM network and vice versa.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a system for monitoring sensors both for detecting environmental conditions as well as building security. More specifically, a system configured to provide monitoring and security for a building with notification via a standard telephone line or via a cellular network is disclosed. 
         [0002]    As is known to those skilled in the art, building monitoring and/or security systems are configured to receive data from sensors at a central controller. The sensors are often located remotely from the central controller, for example, at a window or door to detect whether the window or door is open or closed. The sensors may be connected to the central controller via either a wired connection or a wireless connection to provide a signal corresponding to the monitored condition. The central controller receives the signal and determines a response based, for example, on whether the central controller is activated or deactivated. If a person is present in the building, then there may be no response necessary to a door opening however, if no one is present in the building the controller may generate an alarm when a door opens. The controller may further be configured to delay generation of an alarm for a predetermined period to allow an authorized person to deactivate the controller upon entering the building. 
         [0003]    As is also known to those skilled in the art, building monitoring and/or security systems are configured to report events, for example, to a remote monitoring facility so that action may be taken when an event occurs. Optionally, the system may be configured to contact one or more phone numbers, for example, belonging to the building owner to alert the owner of the event. However, communications networks are subject to failure due to, for example, severe weather or equipment failure. Thus, the system may also provide the option to communicate via multiple communication networks to increase reliability of reporting the event. 
         [0004]    However, there are times when the building may be occupied and the system is disabled when an event occurs. For example, the owner is present and disables the system to prevent a motion detector from continuously reporting the presence of an individual in the building. While the system is disabled, a storm knocks over a tree nearby disrupting the electrical service to the building. The tree may also disable phone service via the public switched telephone network (PSTN). Consequently, the system does not report an event and the individual in the building may be unable to communicate the event. 
         [0005]    Thus, it would be desirable to provide a building monitoring and/or security system that permits an individual within the building to communicate via the multiple communication networks included within the system. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The subject matter disclosed herein describes a building monitoring and security system having dual communication options. The monitoring system includes a central controller configured to receive data from sensors located about the building. The sensors may monitor an environmental condition within the building such as the temperature or a water level in the basement of the building. Optionally, the sensors may detect a security condition such as motion, glass breakage, or a door or window opening. The central controller is also configured to communicate via a pair of communication networks. One of the two networks is configured as a primary network and the other as a secondary network by which the controller may communicate if the primary network fails. According to one embodiment of the invention, the central controller is connected to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and to a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network. 
         [0007]    For ease of installation, the central controller includes a jack compatible with the PSTN, configured to receive, for example, a RJ14 connector. A phone line, terminated at each end with a RJ14 connector, is plugged into the central controller at one end and a wall-mounted jack at the other end. For further convenience, the central controller also includes an additional jack compatible with the PSTN. Because many buildings include a limited number of PSTN jacks and typically include only one in a room, installation of the central controller would require either a hardwired connection to the POTS, a dedicated RJ14 jack, or would use one of the RJ14 jacks originally intended for connection to a telephone. The additional PSTN jack in the central controller receives a phone line plugged in between a telephone and the central controller. The central controller selectively connects the two PSTN jacks internally allowing the telephone to connect to the PSTN jack in the wall. 
         [0008]    The central controller further includes a gateway to selectively connect the PSTN jack from the telephone to the GSM. network. The controller monitors the status of the PSTN line. If the PSTN line is connected to the controller and operational, the gateway connects the PSTN jack from the telephone to the PSTN jack for the telephone line. If the PSTN line is disconnected or determined to he not operational, the PSTN jack from the telephone is connected to a converter which is, in turn, connected to a cellular radio. The converter is configured to convert the analog signals for the PSTN to digital signals for transmission via the GSM network and vice versa. 
         [0009]    According to one embodiment of the invention, a system to monitor a plurality of conditions in a building includes a plurality of sensors, a pair of jacks for a public switched telephone network (PSTN), a cellular radio transceiver configured to communicate with a wireless network, a memory device configured to store a series of instructions to control the system and to store multiple phone numbers, and a controller. Each sensor may be in communication with the controller via either a wired or a wireless connection, configured to monitor one of the conditions in the building, and configured to generate a signal corresponding to a state of the monitored condition. A first jack is configured to receive a first connector for the PSTN to establish communication with a PSTN telephone. A second jack is configured to receive a second connecter for the PSTN to establish connection with the PSTN. The controller is in communication with each of the sensors to receive the signal generated by the sensor and is operatively connected to the memory device. The controller is selectively in communication with the PSTN via the second jack and with the wireless network via the cellular radio transceiver to dial at least one of the phone numbers responsive to the signals received from the sensor. The controller provides an indication of the status of the signal to the dialed phone number via one of the PSTN and the wireless network. The system also includes a pass-through configured to selectively connect either the first jack or the controller to the second jack and a gateway configured to selectively connect the first jack to either the cellular radio or the second jack. The gateway is also configured to convert an analog signal compatible with the PSTN received from the first jack to a digital signal compatible with the wireless network for transmission via the cellular radio and to convert the digital signal received from the cellular radio to the analog signal for transmission via the first jack. 
         [0010]    According to another aspect of the invention, the controller is configured to monitor the condition of the PSTN via the second jack. When the PSTN is operational, the gateway connects the first jack to the second jack and, when the PSTN is not operational, the gateway connects the first jack to the cellular radio. The wireless network may be the GSM network. 
         [0011]    According to another embodiment of the invention, a system to monitor a plurality of conditions in a building includes a plurality of sensors, a jack configured to receive a connector for a PSTN to establish communication with a PSTN telephone, a plurality of terminals configured to establish a connection with the PSTN, a cellular radio transceiver configured to communicate with a wireless network, a memory device configured to store a series of instructions to control the system and to store multiple phone numbers, and a controller. Each sensor is configured to monitor one of the plurality of conditions and to generate a signal corresponding to a state of the monitored condition, The controller is in communication with each of the sensors via a wired or wireless connection to receive the signal generated by the sensor and is operatively connected to the memory device. The controller is selectively in communication with the PSTN via the terminals and with the wireless network via the cellular radio transceiver to dial at least one of the phone numbers responsive to the signals received from the sensor. The controller provides an indication of the status of the signal to the dialed phone number via either the PSTN or the wireless network. The system also includes a pass-through configured to selectively connect the jack or the controller to the PSTN and a gateway configured to selectively connect the jack to the cellular radio or the PSTN. The gateway is also configured to convert an analog signal compatible with the PSTN received from the jack to a digital signal compatible with the wireless network for transmission via the cellular radio and to convert the digital signal received from the cellular radio to the analog signal for transmission via the jack. 
         [0012]    These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and accompanying drawings, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration and riot of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0013]    Various exemplary embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout, and in which: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram representation of a monitoring system according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram representation of a controller from the monitoring system of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a flow chart illustrating the steps in reporting an event with the monitoring system of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
       [0017]    In describing the preferred embodiments of the invention which are illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the specific terms so selected and it is understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. For example, the word “connected,” “attached,” or terms similar thereto are often used. They are not limited to direct connection but include connection through other elements where such connection is recognized as being equivalent by those skilled in the art. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0018]    The various features and advantageous details of the subject matter disclosed herein are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments described in detail in the following description. 
         [0019]    Turning initially to  FIG. 1 , a building monitoring and/or security system includes a controller  10  configured to receive data from sensors  40 ,  44  distributed about the building. The sensors may he wired sensors  40 , which are in communication with the controller  10  via a suitable electrical conductor  42 , or wireless sensors  44 , which are in communication with the controller  10  via an antenna  46  and a wireless interface. The sensors  40 ,  44  may be configured to monitor environmental conditions within the building, such as a smoke, carbon monoxide, temperature, water level, or power outage. Optionally, the sensors  40 ,  44  may be configured to monitor security conditions such as motion within the building, glass breakage sensor, or opening of a window or door. Each of the wired sensors  40  transmits a signal corresponding to the monitored condition via the conductor  42  to a wired interface  41  (see also  FIG. 2 ) within the controller  10 . Each of the wireless sensors  44  transmits a signal corresponding to the monitored condition via its antenna  46  to an antenna  50  and a wireless interface  56  within the controller  10 . 
         [0020]    According to the illustrated embodiment, the controller  10  may communicate via the PSTN or a GSM network. The controller  10  includes a first PSTN jack  12 , configured to connect to a telephone  16  via a telephone line  18 , and a second PSTN jack  14  configured to connect to the PSTN. The second PSTN jack  14  may be connected to a PSTN jack  22  in a wall-mounted PSTN connection  24  via a second telephone line  20 . Optionally, the controller  10  may include a set of terminals at which one end of a telephone line is terminated. The line may be run within the walls of the building back to a terminal block located at the point in the building at which the PSTN enters, and the second end of the line may be terminated at the entry terminal block. Referring also to  FIG. 2 , the controller  10  may communicate via a cellular radio  58  to a wireless device  30  such as a cellular phone, tablet computer, or other wireless device similarly configured to communicate via the GSM network. As illustrated, the controller  10  may receive power via a cord  32  plugged into an outlet  34 . Optionally, the controller  10  may be wired directly to a junction box located, for example, behind a wall mount for the controller  10 . 
         [0021]    Referring next to  FIG. 2 , the controller  10  includes a memory  54  configured to store a series of instructions to control the system and to store a plurality of phone numbers. It is contemplated that the memory  54  may be a single device, multiple devices, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, or a combination thereof without deviating from the scope of the invention. A processor  52  is in communication with the memory  54  and configured to execute the stored instructions. It is contemplated that the processor  52  may be a single device or multiple devices and may be implemented in part or in whole in a logic circuit, a microprocessor, a field programmable gate array, an application specific integrated circuit, or a combination thereof. The processor  52  is in communication with a wired interface  41  and a wireless interface  56  to receive signals from sensors  40 ,  44 . The processor  52  is also in communication with a cellular radio  58  to communicate via a wireless network, such as the GSM network. The controller  10  includes at least one antenna  50  for wireless communications. As illustrated, the controller  10  may include a first antenna  50   a  configured to communicate with the wireless sensors  44  and a second antenna  50   b  configured to communicate with the wireless network. 
         [0022]    The controller  10  further includes a pass-through  60  configured to allow a telephone  16  to be connected to the PSTN via the controller  10 . If the controller  10  is installed during construction of the building, it may be desirable to run a telephone line between a terminal block at the entry point for the PSTN service to the controller. The controller  10  may include a set of terminals to receive the telephone line. However, if the controller  10  is installed after construction of the building, installation may he simplified by connecting the controller  10  to a PSTN jack  22  in a wall-mounted PSTN connection  24 . Because some buildings, in particular some residential buildings, include a limited number of wall-mounted PSTN connections  24 , the pass-through  60  allows a telephone  16  to be connected to the same wall-mounted PSTN connection  24  as the controller  10 . The pass-through  60  includes a switch  62  to selectively connect either the first PSTN jack  12  or the processor  66  to the output  69  of the pass-through  60 . The controller  10  only communicates via the PSTN when an event occurs; therefore, the switch  62  is configured to normally connect the first PSTN jack  12  to the output  69  of the pass-through  60 . When an event occurs or the controller needs to communicate for any other reason, a control signal  68  from the processor  68  causes the switch  62  to disconnect the first PSTN jack  12  and connect the processor  52  to the output  69  of the pass-through  60 . 
         [0023]    The controller  10  also includes a gateway  70  which routes the output  69  of the pass-through  60  to one of the two communication networks. A sensor  80  monitors the status of the PSTN and transmits a signal  82  back to the processor  52  corresponding to the monitored status. If the PSTN is connected to the controller  10  and operational, a switch  72  in the gateway  70  routes the output  69  of the pass-through  60  to the first output  87  of the gateway  70  which is, in turn, connected to the second PSTN jack  14  such that the telephone  16  may communicate via the PSTN. If, however, the processor  52  detects a failure in the PSTN, the processor  52  generates a control signal  84  which causes the switch  72  to route the output  69  of the pass-through  60  to a converter  86 . Because the PSTN transmits data via analog signals and the GSM transmits data via digital signals, the converter  86  converts incoming signals in one form from either the telephone or the cellular radio to the other form for transmission to the other device. The converter  86  is connected to the second output  88  of the gateway, which is, in turn, connected to the cellular radio  58 . 
         [0024]    In operation, the controller  10  monitors signals from the sensors and is configured to provide notification of an event via one of the communication networks. Referring also to  FIG. 3 , the controller  10  monitors the sensors  40 ,  44  as shown in step  100 . At step  102 , the controller determines whether an event occurred. The conditions to determine whether an event occurred may be configured and stored in memory  54  in the controller. For example, events such as security events may require the controller  10  be activated to monitor for the event. The controller  10  may identify a security event occurring if it detects a door opening when activated (e.g., when nobody is supposed to be present in the building) versus if it detects a door opening when deactivated (e.g., when people are present in the building). Certain events may be continuously monitored, for example, smoke detectors or temperature sensors that, for example, detect too low of a temperature within the building. It is further contemplated that the controller  10  may include a configurable time delay, requiring the sensor  40 ,  44  to generate the signal corresponding to the event for a preset time prior to generating an event in order to avoid false alarms. If no event is detected, the controller  10  generates the control signal  68  which connects the output  69  of the pass-through  60  to the first PSTN jack  12 , as shown in step  104 , thereby allowing the telephone  16  connected to the controller  10  to communicate via one of the two connected networks, If an event is detected, the controller  10  generates the control signal  68  which connects the output  69  of the pass-through  60  to the processor  52 , as shown in step  106 , such that the controller  10  may report the event via one of the two connected networks. 
         [0025]    The controller  10  is also configurable to report the event to one or more phone numbers. During setup of the controller  10 , a list of phone numbers to be dialed is stored in memory  54 . It is contemplated that events triggered by different sensors  40 ,  44  may be configured to contact different phone numbers. Further, each event may be configured to contact multiple phone numbers. Alternately, certain phone numbers may be associated with all events. At step  108 , the list of phone numbers associated with a specific event is read from memory  54 . At step  110 , the controller  10  checks if the PTSN is available for transmission. The controller  110  may at periodic intervals check the status of the PSTN. for example, by monitoring the DC voltage potential across the tip and ring wires. When the PTSN is present, 48 VDC is present if the phone is “on-hook” and 6-8 VDC is present if the phone is “off-hook”. Other voltage levels and/or the absence of a DC voltage may indicate the PTSN has failed or is not connected. If the controller  10  determines that the PTSN is available for transmission, it generates the control signal  84  for the switch  72  in the gateway to connect the input  74  of the gateway  70  to the first output  87  of the gateway, thereby connecting the output  69  of the pass-through  60  to the second PSTN jack  14 . As shown in step  112 , a first phone number from the list is then called via the PSTN. If, however, the controller  10  determines that the PTSN is not available for transmission, it generates the control signal  84  for the switch  72  in the gateway to connect the input  74  of the gateway  70  to the converter  86  in the gateway, which is, in turn connected to the cellular radio  58  via the second output  88  of the gateway  70 . As shown in step  114 , the first phone number from the list is then called via the GSM. At step  116 , the controller checks whether additional phone numbers need to be contacted based on the event that occurred, If additional phone numbers need to be contacted, then steps  110 - 114  are repeated. If all of the phone numbers configured to be contacted based on the event have been called, then the controller is done reporting that event. 
         [0026]    It should be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details, of construction and arrangements of the components set forth herein. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present invention. It also being understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention.