Security system with telephone controller

A security system comprising:

• A. a control panel for controlling operation of the security system;
• B. a plurality of alarm sensors interconnected to the control panel;
• C. a security system bus for interconnecting the control panel with the plurality of alarm sensors;
• and
• D. a combination telephone set and security system control device comprising:
• a. first interface means for interfacing the control device with the security system bus;
• b. second interface means for interfacing the control device with a telephone network;
• c. user interface means comprising:
• i. input means for providing user control information to the control device;
• said input means comprising means for a user to switch the control device between a telephone mode and a security system mode;
• ii. output means for providing status data to a user regarding operation of the control device;
• iii. said user interface means also adapted to enable a user to communicate over the telephone network when the control device is in the telephone mode;
• and
• d. processing means for controlling operation of the control device, the processing means adapted to:
• i. switch between a telephone mode and a security system mode on receipt of a user command from the input means;
• ii. when the control device is in the telephone mode, send and receive telephony information between the user interface means and the second interface means;
• and
• iii. when the control device is in the security system mode, send and receive security system information between the user interface means and the first interface means.

A combination telephone set and security system control device comprising:

• a. a security system bus interface circuit adapted to interface the control device with a security system bus adapted to interconnect with a control panel and a plurality of alarm sensors;
• b. a telephone network interface circuit adapted to interface the control device with a telephone network;
• c. a user interface comprising:
• i. a mode switch to switch the control device between a telephone mode and a security system mode;
• ii. an output device adapted to provide status data to a user regarding operation of the control device;
• iii. said user interface adapted to enable a user to communicate over the telephone network when the control device is in the telephone mode;
• and
• d. a processing circuit adapted to:
• i. switch between a telephone mode and a security system mode on receipt of a user command from the mode switch;
• ii. when the control device is in the telephone mode, send and receive telephony information between the user interface and the telephone network interface circuit;
• and
• iii. when the control device is in the security system mode, send and receive security system information between the user interface and the security system bus interface circuit.