Security system having mode control of sensor points

A security system in which sensors are included in one or more groups which are stored in the system. Groups of sensors are selectably actuable by a user entering mode information into the system so that only the selected group(s) will provide indication of an alarm condition when a sensor indicates an alarm event has occurred.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention is directed to the field of home security systems, and more 
specifically relates to home security systems which monitor a number of 
access points into the home. 
Home security systems generally monitor all access points, such as windows 
and doors, into a house. FIG. 1 shows a typical floor plan of a house 10 
having a security alarm system of the prior art. The security alarm system 
included control panel 31, user panels 30A and 30B which were connected to 
the control panel and sensors 25 which were also connected to the control 
panel (connections not shown). One typical sensor 25 is shown in FIG. 3. A 
typical block diagram is shown in FIG. 4. 
The floor plan indicates that house 10 has two primary spaces, rooms 11 and 
12. In room 11, there are three doors 15A, B and C for entering and 
exiting the room. In room 12, there is door 15D and windows 20A, B and C. 
Rooms 11 and 12 are separated by door 15E. 
The security system was set up so that one user panel was in each space and 
so that there was one sensor located at each door or window. The system 
was armed using the user panels. Typically, a sensor produced a first 
signal if the door or window was closed, and a second signal if the door 
or window was open. The control panel would receive these signals, and if 
the system were armed, would produce an alarm indication signal if the 
second signal was received. 
In the past, a sensor was grouped with all sensors located within a single 
space. Note that in FIG. 1, sensors located in room 11 were assigned to 
group 1, while sensors located in room 12 were assigned to group 2. To arm 
the system, an operator would enter an arm command at one of the two user 
panels. Generally, both groups of sensors could be armed from either user 
panel. 
Still, it was occasionally desirable to arm some points in a space, without 
arming others. It was also desirable to assign a point to more than one 
group for arming purposes. Lastly, it was desirable to have the system 
provide an indication when only a selected group of points was opened. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention is a security control panel and security system which 
logically groups sensors at access points as defined by an operator, not 
by geographic location. The control panel includes an operator means which 
receives inputs from the sensors and initiates an indication means if one 
of the sensors indicates that one of the access control points is in an 
open state. The control panel includes a grouping means, which groups 
sensors according to instructions entered by an operator. Each point may 
be included in one or more groups. 
When the inventive control panel is included in a security alarm system, 
further enhancements are possible. One such enhancement is that alarms can 
be armed for some points within a space, while leaving others unarmed. A 
further enhancement is that an indication will be given only when a point 
in the selected armed group is opened.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring now to FIG. 4, there shown is a typical house having the 
inventive security system and panel therein installed. Note that the house 
is identical to the house shown in FIG. 1, and that from this view the 
security system is similar. However, none of the sensors 25 are noted as 
belonging to a particular group. The basic functions of the alarm system 
are similar to that described with reference to FIG. 1. 
FIG. 6 depicts the fundamental difference between the present invention and 
security systems of the prior art. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the 
presently inventive control panel 31. The control panel includes memory 
32, operations unit 33 grouping means 34 and input/output port 35. 
Input/output port 35 is for translating the internal communications of the 
control panel into a form which can be understood by the user panels. The 
input/output port also translates the sensor signals and user panel 
signals into a form which can be used by the control panel. 
Operations means 33 executes commands stored in memory 32 to control the 
operation of the security system. The operations means receives signals 
from the input/output port, operates on those signals based on the stored 
instructions, and then sends signals back through the input/output port 
for use by the rest of the system. As an example, if one sensor changed 
states by the closing of switch 303, a signal would be sent to the control 
panel to indicate the switch closure. The operations means would receive 
this information, and if the memory indicated that the particular sensor 
was in an armed state, the memory would tell the operations means to 
initiate an alarm indication signal. 
Grouping means 34 is in fact memory specifically existing for the purpose 
of logical grouping of sensors. The physical memory device used may be an 
EEPROM. The user enters groups of points, each group being associated with 
a Mode identifier. Groups of sensors may be combined in the present system 
so that the entry of the predefined modes will cause the arming and 
disarming of selected sensors. 
FIG. 5 shows one possible plan for the grouping of sensors in house 10. 
Mode A includes all sensors located within the house. It could arm all the 
points, for example, when the house is to be left vacant. 
Mode B includes only Doors 1 and 2. It may be activated, for example, when 
the homeowner is not expecting any guests at the two armed doors, but 
wishes to be able to freely enter and exit the house and to leave windows 
open for fresh air. 
Mode C shows all of the windows being armed along with Doors 2 and 3. This 
mode may be used where the swimming pool 100 is to be the center of some 
activity, and access through the house in a particular pattern is desired. 
Conversely, mode D arms only Door 4. This could be used to prevent children 
from leaving the house to play in the pool area. 
Mode E arms only the sensors associated with the four doors. This could be 
used for example at night when the house is occupied, but it is desirable 
to have the windows open for ventilation. 
Lastly, Mode F is used for complete disarming of the system. This could be 
used when the house is occupied, access through any door is desirable and 
opening the windows is desirable. 
FIG. 7 shows a user panel 30 of the present invention. User panel 30 
includes data entry means 40, operational controller 41, memory 42, 
indicator 43 and input/output port 44. 
Data entry means 40, which may be a keyboard, allows the user to enter data 
and instructions into the system. The operational controller 41 in 
cooperation with memory 42 control the operation of the user panel and 
directs communications with the control panel along with the input/output 
port. Indicator 43 provides the user with indication relating to the 
operation of the security system, and may provide audible and visual 
indication of an alarm condition. The indicator may include a liquid 
crystal display and a sound generator. 
The foregoing has been a description of a novel and non-obvious security 
control panel and system. The inventors do not intend this description to 
limit the scope of the invention, but instead define the invention through 
the claims appended hereto.