Patent ID: 7961095

Claim:
An alarm system, comprising: a processor; a sensor coupled to the processor, the sensor configured to detect a security event; a wireless or wired transceiver coupled to the processor; and an annunciator coupled to the processor; wherein the processor is configured with executable instructions to perform steps comprising: generating a session-unique system identifier for the alarm system; broadcasting announce and network establishment chirps which includes a unique identifier and other security information; receiving a cooperative network establishment message from nearby alarm systems, the cooperative network establishment chirp including a system identifier of the nearby alarm system; establishing a first secure communication channel with the nearby alarm systems; monitoring an alarm sensor to detect a security event; transmitting via the first communication channel an OK status message so long as a security event is not detected; transmitting via the first communication channel a security event message when a security event is detected; receiving a network establishment message from a nearby alarm system; transmitting a cooperative network establishment message in response to receiving the network establishment message from the nearby alarm system; forming a second secure communications channel with nearby alarm systems; receiving via the second secure communication channel a security event message from the nearby alarm system; and activating the annunciator in response to receiving the security event message via from the nearby alarm system.