US 4,887,064 A · Multi-featured security system with self-diagnostic capability

Abstract

A multi-function security system for monitoring access to a protected area such as a vehicle. The system has a self-diagnostic capability for detecting defective sensor or trigger devices and bypassing such devices to allow the system to be armed. The system includes audible and visual message capability for providing an indication when the system is disarmed that an intrusion was attempted and identifying the particular intrusion point. Multiple levels of security are provided by programming the disarming event as either entry of a code via a remote transmitter or entry of the code via the transmitter and then entry of an authorization code manually via a key pad. Other features include a reset feature activating the alarm when power is removed and restored unless a predetermined switch is active, programmable door lock and unlock signals to adapt the system to a particular power door locking and unlocking system, programmability of the alarm siren code and duration, automatic activation of the vehicle courtesy light when the system is disarmed, selective disabling of the system audible indications of arming and disarming, and programmable sensor or trigger polarity.

Claims67

Dependent claims

A security system for monitoring and controlling access to a protected area and having self-diagnostic capability, comprising:

a plurality of sensor devices, each for sensing an intrusion event and providing a sensor activated signal when the event is detected;
means for communicating alert signals;
a controller for controlling the operation of said security system so that said system may be operated in an armed mode wherein said controller monitors said sensor devices and causes said communicating means to issue an alert signal in response to a sensor activated signal, or in a disarmed mode wherein said system is disabled from communicating alert signals, said controller comprising:
(i) means for monitoring the state of each of said sensor devices;
(ii) means responsive to a system arming signal when the system is in the disarmed mode for identifying any sensor device providing a sensor activated signal;
and
(iii) means for bypassing each of said identified sensor devices and placing the system in the armed mode wherein the state of said bypassed sensor devices does not prevent the system from being armed and wherein said bypassed sensor devices will not cause activation of said communicating means during said armed mode.

4 more elements

A vehicle security system for generating a user-personalized audible alert signal in the event an intrusion event is detected, comprising:

at least one sensor device for sensing an intrusion event and providing a sensor activated signal when the event is detected;
means for communicating audible alert signals for an alarm cycle duration in response to alert control signals;
a controller for controlling the operation of said security system so that said system may be operated in an armed mode wherein said controller monitors said at least one sensor device and causes said communicating means to issue an alert signal in response to a sensor activated signal, or in a disarmed mode wherein said system is disabled from communicating alert signals, said controller comprising:
(i) user programmable means activated during a system programming mode for receiving and storing user-programmable alert code signals, said alert code signals capable of defining a distinctive user-personalized pattern of audible alert signals corresponding to said alert code signals;
and
(ii) means responsive to said sensor activated signals for generating said alert control signals in dependence on said user-programmed alert code signals, thereby causing said alert communicating device to generate a distinctive pattern of user-personalized audible alert signals during said alarm cycle duration.

3 more elements

A vehicle security system for monitoring and controlling access to a vehicle, comprising:

at least one sensor device for sensing an intrusion event and providing a sensor activated signal when the event is detected, said sensor device being of the type wherein said sensor activated signal is either a first polarity output signal or a second polarity output signal, said sensor device providing an output signal of a particular one of said polarities as said sensor activated signal;
means for communicating alert signals;
a controller for controlling the operation of said security system so that said system may be operated in an armed mode wherein said controller monitors said sensor device and causes said communicating means to issue an alert signal in response to a sensor activated signal, or in a disarmed mode wherein said system is disabled from communicating alert signals, said controller comprising:
(i) means for monitoring the state of each of said sensor devices;
and
(ii) means for polarity programming said monitoring means during a system programming mode to selectively recognize for said sensor device said particular polarity output signal as said sensor activated signal.

3 more elements

A security system for monitoring and controlling access to a protected area and having self-diagnostic capability, comprising:

a plurality of sensor devices, each for sensing an intrusion event and providing a sensor activated signal when the event is detected;
means for communicating alert signals;
a controller for controlling the operation of said security system so that said system may be operated in an armed mode wherein said controller monitors said sensor devices and causes said communicating means to issue an alert signal in response to a sensor activated signal, or in a disarmed mode wherein said system is disabled from communicating alert signals, said controller comprising:
(i) means for monitoring the state of each of said sensor devices;
(ii) means responsive to a system arming signal when the system is in the disarmed mode for identifying any sensor providing a sensor activated signal;
and
(iii) means for bypassing each of said identified sensor devices and placing the system in the armed mode wherein the state of said bypassed sensor devices does not prevent the system from being armed and wherein said bypassed sensor devices will not cause activation of said communicating means during said armed mode;
a portable transmitter device for transmitting information encoded RF signals;
a receiver device mounted in said protected area for receiving and decoding said information-encoded RF signals and providing decoded signals indicative of said encoded information;
first user-activated means located within said protected area for manually entering a predetermined user authorization code into the system;
and
second user-activated means for selecting a first disarming mode or a second disarming mode during a system programming mode;
and
wherein said controller further comprises:
(i) a first disarming means responsive to said decoded signals for toggling the system mode from the armed mode to the disarmed mode;
(ii) a second disarming means responsive to said decoded signals and said user authorization code for toggling the system mode from its present armed mode or disarmed mode to the other mode in dependence upon receipt of said decoded signals and subsequent receipt of said user authorization code within a predetermined time interval;
and
(iii) means for selecting either said first or second disarming means in dependence on said selected disarming mode such that said first disarming means is activated while said first disarming mode is selected and said second disarming means is activated while said second disarming mode is selected.

15 more elements

A security system for monitoring and controlling access to a protected area and having self-diagnostic capability, comprising:

a plurality of sensor devices, each for sensing an intrusion event and providing a sensor activated signal when the event is detected;
means for communicating alert signals;
power supply means for supplying power to said system;
means for detecting the disabling of said power to said system and generating an error signal when said power disabling is detected;
a user-activated switch device for providing a switch signal to said controller;
a controller for controlling the operation of said security system so that said system may be operated in an armed mode wherein said controller monitors said sensor devices and causes said communicating means to issue an alert signal in response to a sensor activated signal, or in a disarmed mode wherein said system is disabled from communicating alert signals, said controller comprising:
(i) means for monitoring the state of each of said sensor devices;
(ii) means responsive to a system arming signal when the system is in the disarmed mode for identifying any sensor device providing a sensor activated signal;
(iii) means for bypassing each of said identified sensor devices and placing the system in the armed mode wherein the state of said bypassed sensor devices does not prevent the system from being armed and wherein said bypassed sensor devices will not cause activation of said communicating means during said armed mode;
and
(iv) means responsive to said error signal and to said switch signal for causing said alert signal to be communicated when power is restored to said system after said disabling of power unless said switch signal is present upon restoration of power to said system, whereby disabling of power to said system will result in communication of an alert signal upon restoration of power unless said switch device is activated to provide said switch signal to said controller.

8 more elements

A multi-function vehicle security system, comprising:

at least one sensor device for sensing an intrusion event and providing a sensor activated signal when an event is detected;
means for communicating alert signals;
a portable transmitter device for transmitting information-encoded RF signals;
a receiver device mounted in said vehicle for receiving and decoding said information-encoded RF signals and providing decoded signals indicative of said encoded information;
user-activated means mounted within said vehicle for manually entering a predetermined user authorization code into the system;
user-actuated means for selecting a first disarming mode or a second disarming mode during a system programming mode;
a controller for controlling the operation of said security system so that said system may be operated in an armed mode wherein said controller monitors said at least one sensor device and causes said communicating means to issue an alert signal in response to a sensor activated signal, or in a disarmed mode wherein said system is disabled from communicating alert signals, said controller comprising:
(i) a first disarming means responsive to said decoded signals for toggling the system mode from the armed mode to the disarmed mode;
(ii) a second disarming means responsive to said decoded signals and said user authorization code for toggling the system mode from its present armed or disarmed mode to the other mode in dependence upon receipt of said decoded signals and subsequent receipt of said user authorization code within a predetermined time interval;
and
(iii) means for selecting either said first or second disarming means in dependence on said selected disarming mode such that said first disarming means is activated while said first disarming mode is selected and said second disarming means is activated while said second disarming mode is selected.

8 more elements

A vehicle security system for monitoring and controlling access to a vehicle, comprising:

at least one sensor device for sensing an intrusion event and providing a sensor activated signal when the event is detected;
means for communicating alert signals;
a power door locking and unlocking system for locking the vehicle door or doors in response to a "door lock" signal and for unlocking the doors in response to a "door unlock" signal;
a controller for controlling the operation of said security system so that said system may be operated in an armed mode wherein said controller monitors said sensor devices and causes said communicating means to issue an alert signal in response to a sensor activated signal, or in a disarmed mode wherein said system is disabled from communicating alert signals, said controller comprising:
(i) means for providing said "door lock" signals to said power locking and unlocking system in response to the arming of the system;
(ii) means for providing said "door unlock" signals in response to the disarming of the system;
(iii) programmable means for selecting the duration of said "door lock" and "door unlock" signals during a system programming mode to match the security system to the particular power door locking and unlocking system of the vehicle.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Multi-featured security system with self-diagnostic capability

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Multi-featured security system with self-diagnostic capability

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims67