Abstract:
A regional monitoring system in communication with a plurality of locally displaced detectors can implement a fusion of inputs from a variety of additional, non-system devices. The monitoring system includes a wireless receiver, or transceiver, enabling it to detect local traffic from the non-system devices, such as sensors. Information received from such non-system devices can be combined with information from system detectors to initiate activity on other networks, to energize actuators, or to activate system detectors that normally reside in a low energy, inactive, state.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The application pertains to monitoring systems. More particularly, the invention pertains to such systems that can monitor selected conditions in a region, and can take into account local wireless traffic, not part of the respective monitoring system, in making a determination as to the existence of one or more predetermined conditions. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Known security monitoring systems currently make decisions based on the inputs from security related detectors distributed around a building. These might include motion detectors, pressure mats, door contacts and the like all without limitation. Other types of signals emitted by non-system devices might contain other types of information which could be used, if accessible, advantageously by a local monitoring system. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]      FIG. 1  illustrates a block diagram of a system in accordance herewith. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0004]    While disclosed embodiments can take many different forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles thereof as well as the best mode of practicing same, and is not intended to limit the application or claims to the specific embodiment illustrated. 
         [0005]    Many commercial buildings and residences contain one or more monitoring systems. Increasingly, commercial buildings and residences include additional devices, or detectors, that include sensors that are not part of the security system. For example a motion detector in a thermostat, a camera system in a gaming console, cameras and microphones in computers, telephones, external lighting, temperature sensors, weather stations all without limitation. 
         [0006]    Such systems, based on existing conditions are usually capable of energizing various types of actuators to unlock or close doors, or to energize camera recording systems. 
         [0007]    Embodiments hereof improve aspects of the operation of such systems by fusing inputs from a variety of additional sensors that may not directly be part of the security system. These additional detected inputs could improve security system determinations by providing additional inputs that can be included in a decision making process. 
         [0008]    In accordance with the above, the reliability of a detected alarm can be improved, thereby reducing false alarms. For example, information gathered from other sensors in the building or region being monitored, such as, recent historical data, along with readings for several seconds after an alarm determination has been made can be taken into account before making a decision to call first responders. In this regard, the secondary measurements, or information, could be “weighted” and combined to make a final decision. 
         [0009]    In one aspect, since security systems are “always on” by nature, to provide 24/7 coverage, security system processing could initiate activity on other non-security networks. To improve the QOS/reliability of wi-fi alarm messages, an alarm trigger culd be used to turn-off the wi-fi activity from other devices in the region of interest. An example might be a dongle in the USB port of a router that shuts off all other traffic except streaming video from security cameras. 
         [0010]    In another aspect, signals from non-system sources can be used as a basis for actuating security system devices, which can normally be in a low energy default state, to extend useful battery life. For example, to improve battery lifetime of wireless devices, higher current, battery powered devices, such as wireless cameras, can be placed into a very low current state until awakened by a signal from a device which is continuously powered. 
         [0011]    The above requires an underlying wireless network with always-on nodes to collect and reformat messages into a protocol for synchronized, “paging” of mostly-off devices. An example might be to use a USB Tx/Rx plugged into a gaming system that detects/sees human activity and, in response thereto, wakes up, energizes, the wireless cameras in other parts of a home. 
         [0012]    Additional embodiments, without limitation include, providing control of actuators by a variety of sensors that may or may not be part of the actuation system. In this regard, a CO detector which has gone into alarm can be used to turn on air conditioning and an associated fan to rapidly refresh the air in an area. Coverings, such as blinds or drapes can be closed if a room is becoming too warm due to sunlight. Alternately, in winter, if furnace is running, criteria could be incorporated to automatically close the coverings then to reduce heating expenses, or the widows can also be locked in such conditions. 
         [0013]    In another aspect, wirelessly controlled doors, such as z-wave operated doors, can be unlocked in an alarm event. This could prevent axe damage from first responders. 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  illustrates a block diagram of a system  10  in accordance herewith. A region R is being monitored by a monitoring system  12 . Monitoring system  12  can communicate, wired or wirelessly, with a plurality of ambient condition detectors such as fire, smoke or gas detectors  14  as well as with a plurality of intrusion detectors  16  which sense motion, position or audio all as would be understood by those of skill in the art. 
         [0015]    System  12  can also be in wired, or wireless communications with a variety of actuators including door control, locking and unlocking, systems  18  for doors such as door D, or window locking, unlocking, opening or closing systems  18   a  for windows W. Other types of actuators could include fans, pumps or the like all without limitation. 
         [0016]    It will also be understood that other types of monitoring systems such as heating ventilating air conditioning systems (HVAC)  20  (with one or more wireless thermostats  20   a ), lighting control systems  22 , (with one or more wireless illumination sensors  22   a ), or video security imaging systems  24  (with cameras  24   a ), could also be used in the region R along with entertainment system  26 . 
         [0017]    The monitoring system  12  can include a wireless RF transceiver  30  for wireless communications  30   a  with the various units  14 ,  16 ,  18 , where those units are part of the monitoring system  12 . The transceiver  30  can also communicate directly  30   b,  or via the Internet I with internet enabled members of the pluralities  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  18   a.    
         [0018]    Other types of systems, such as systems  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  26  without limitation, in or in the vicinity of the region R are not part of the monitoring system  12 . All such systems  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  26  might emit wireless signals such as  30   b  detectable by transceiver  30 . Similarly, the related wireless control units  20   a,    22   a  could also emit detectable signals  30   b.    
         [0019]    Monitoring system  12  can also include control circuits  32   a  coupled to the transceiver  30 . Control circuits  32   a  can be implemented at least in part by one or more programmable processors  32   b  along with executable instructions  32   c.  A manually operable control panel and visual display  32   d  can be coupled to the control circuits  32   a  via a wired or wireless interface. 
         [0020]    In summary, wired or wireless signals from those members of the pluralities  14 ,  16 ,  18 , that are not part of system  12 , as well as other systems such as  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  26  and their respective wireless control units such as  20   a,    22   a  can be detected by system  12 . These signals, can be incorporated, as discussed above into making alarm determinations, activating devices in a non-active state, or energizing actuators to open or close doors, windows, operate fans turn lights on or off, enable video cameras or the like without being part of the system  12 . 
         [0021]    In yet another aspect, the units which are not part of the local system, such as system  12 , can be physically displaced from system  12 . They can include internet enabled sources S or cellular-type units P which can communicate via a local cell system C. In this regard, user activity in one location can via the internet or cellular systems, such as system C, can trigger events in a different system. For example, locking an office door at work can be communicated to a home security system such as system  12 , to turn on heat, lights, or report security system/video status back to a mobile phone, such as cellular unit P. Hence, remote as well as local event-actions can be responded to by a local system, such as system  12 . 
         [0022]    From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope hereof. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims