US 2003/0142794 A1 · Device for directing a premises alarm panel to a backup radio network upon detection of use of the PSTN by another premises device

Abstract

A device for redirecting alarm-messaging from an alarm control panel from its connection to the PSTN to a backup radio transceiver for transmission of the alarm signaling to a central alarm station via a radio network. The switch-over to the radio network occurs not only when the PSTN line is down, for whatever reason, but also occurs when the PSTN line is already occupied by an existing transmission by a premises' telephones, in order to allow the user to make a call over the PSTN during such an alarm condition. Moreover, if during the time the alarm control panel is transmitting its alarm messages over the PSTN, a premises' telephone goes off-hook, the device of the invention terminates the alarm panel's connection to the PSTN and automatically switches over the alarm panel to the radio backup system.

Claims20

Dependent claims

In an alarm monitoring and reporting system for monitoring a premises and reporting an alarm-condition at the premises to a remote site via at least one of a PSTN line and a backup link, the improvement comprising:

an alarm-system interface means operatively coupled to said alarm monitoring and reporting system;
said alarm-system interface means comprising first detecting means for detecting off-hook status of said alarm monitoring and reporting system, and second detecting means for detecting off-hook status of a premises telephone-device connected to the premises-wiring;
and means for switching connection of said alarm monitoring and reporting system to a backup link when said second means detects the off-hook status of a premises telephone-device.

An alarm-system interface device for a premises alarm monitoring and reporting system monitoring a premises for an alarm-condition and reporting an alarm-condition at the premises to a remote site via a PSTN line or a backup link, comprising:

alarm-interface means;
said alarm-interface means comprising first detecting means for detecting the off-hook status of the alarm monitoring and reporting system, and second detecting means for detecting the off-hook status of a premises telephone-device connected to the premises-wiring;
and
means for switching connection of the alarm monitoring and reporting system to a backup link when said second means detects the off-hook status of a premises telephone-device.

1 more element

A method of switching over connection of an alarm monitoring and reporting system protecting a premises from the PSTN line at the protected premises to a backup link, comprising:

(a) monitoring the premises-wiring at the protected premises for off-hook status of a telephone device connected thereto;
(b) switching over connection of the alarm monitoring and reporting system from the PSTN line to a backup link upon detection of off-hook status in said step (a).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Device for directing a premises alarm panel to a backup radio network upon detection of use of the PSTN by another premises device

Life of this patent

Device for directing a premises alarm panel to a backup radio network upon detection of use of the PSTN by another premises device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20