Method and apparatus for interrogation of a security system

An apparatus comprising:

• a security system for a protected premises;
• a central monitoring station coupled to the security system through a wireless short range connection where the short range connection operates below a predetermined duty cycle
• a status request received by the central station from an authorized user of the protected premises the status request being sent to the security system through the short range connection in response to a polling message from the protected premises;
• and
• a real-time status report transmitted from the security system through the short range connection to the central monitoring station in response to the request.

An apparatus comprising:

• a security system for a protected premises;
• means for coupling the security system to a central monitoring station through a wireless short range connection that that operates below a predetermined duty cycle;
• means within the central station for receiving the polling message from the security system;
• means within the central station for receiving a status request from an authorized user of the protected premises;
• means within the central station for transmitting the status request to the security system through the short range connection in response to the polling message;
• and
• means within the security system for transmitting a real-time status report through the short range radio connection to the central monitoring station in response to the request.