Method and apparatus for interfacing security systems
View Patent ↗Security systems, such as in a home or other building, are interfaced with one another so that alarm messages and other information regarding a first security system are communicated to a second security system. In response, a user at the second system can send commands to the first system, such as for arming or disarming the first system. A user interface device at the second system includes an output component, such as a display screen, for displaying alarm messages from both the first and second systems. Other information, such as video and audio data from the first system, can also be provided at the second system. An input component, such as a keypad, allows the user to enter commands for controlling both the first and second systems. Communication between the security systems may be realized via an RF link, telephone link, and/or computer network.
1. A security apparatus, comprising:
a user interface device in a first security system, the first security system securing a first building location; the user interface device including at least one user output component for providing information regarding the first security system; and
a receiver for receiving data from a second security system, the second security system securing a second building location different than the first building location;
a transmitter for transmitting control data to the second security system for controlling the second security system;
wherein the at least one user output component is responsive to the received data for providing information regarding the second security system.
2. The security apparatus of claim 1 , wherein: the receiver comprises an RF receiver for receiving the data from the second security system.
3. The security apparatus of claim 1 , wherein: the receiver comprises an interface to a telephone link for receiving the data from the second security system.
4. The security apparatus of claim 1 , wherein: the receiver comprises an interface to a computer network for receiving the data from the second security system.
5. The security apparatus of claim 1 , wherein: the information regarding the first security system comprises an alarm status of the first security system.
6. The security apparatus of claim 1 , wherein: the information regarding the second security system comprises an alarm status of the second security system.
7. The security apparatus of claim 1 , wherein: the information regarding the second security system comprises video data of the second security system.
8. The security apparatus of claim 1 , wherein: the information regarding the second security system comprises audio data of the second security system.
9. The security apparatus of claim 1 , wherein: the information regarding the second security system indicates a zone in the second building location that has triggered an alarm in the second security system.
10. The security apparatus of claim 1 , wherein: the transmitter comprises an RF transmitter for transmitting the control data to the second security system.
11. The security apparatus of claim 1 , wherein: the transmitter comprises an interface to a telephone link for transmitting the control data to the second security system.
12. The security apparatus of claim 1 , wherein: the transmitter comprises an interface to a computer network for transmitting the control data to the second security system.
13. The security apparatus of claim 1 , wherein: the control data causes at least one of arming and disarming of the second security system.
14. The security apparatus of claim 1 , wherein: the user interface device includes at least one user input component for receiving a first user command for controlling the first security system, and a second user command for controlling the second security system, the second user command being manually provided by a user in response to the at least one user output component displaying the information regarding the second security system; and the transmitter transmits the control data to the second security system for controlling the second security system responsive to the second user command.
15. A security apparatus, comprising:
a user interface device in a first security system, the first security system securing a first building location;
a transmitter for transmitting first data to a second security system, the second security system securing a second building location different than the first building location;
the first data providing information regarding the first security system; and
a receiver for receiving second data from the second security system following the transmitting of the first data thereto;
wherein the second data indicates a command for controlling the first security system.
16. The security apparatus of claim 15 , wherein: the transmitter comprises an RF transmitter for transmitting the first data to the second security system.
17. The security apparatus of claim 15 , wherein: the transmitter comprises an interface to a telephone link for transmitting the first data to the second security system.
18. The security apparatus of claim 15 , wherein: the transmitter comprises an interface to a computer network for transmitting the first data to the second security system.
19. The security apparatus of claim 15 , wherein: the receiver comprises an RF receiver for receiving the second data from the second security system.
20. The security apparatus of claim 15 , wherein: the receiver comprises an interface to a telephone link for receiving the second data from the second security system.
21. The security apparatus of claim 15 , wherein: the receiver comprises an interface to a computer network for receiving the second data from the second security system.
22. A method for securing a first building location and a second building location different than the first building location, comprising:
displaying information regarding a first security system, via at least one user output component of a user interface device in a first security system; the first security system securing the first building location;
receiving data from a second security system, the second security system securing the second building location;
transmitting control data to the second security system for controlling the second security system; and
displaying information regarding the second security system via the at least one user output component responsive to the received data.