Security apparatus and method

1. A method for providing an alarm for a window by a security apparatus, comprising:

calculating a first distance between a detector mounted within a movable portion of the window and a window frame edge;

calculating a second distance between the detector and the window frame edge;

determining whether the movable portion of the window has remained stationary for more than a predetermined time period based on the first distance and the second distance;

if the movable portion has remained stationary for more than the predetermined time period:

storing the second distance in a memory;

placing the security apparatus into an active alarm state;

calculating a third distance between the detector and an object inserted between the detector and the window frame edge;

determining whether the third distance is less than a predetermined distance; and

generating an alarm signal if the third distance is less than the predetermined distance.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the alarm signal is generated if the third distance is determined to be less than the predetermined distance within a second predetermined time period after the second distance calculation.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising transmitting the alarm signal to a remote location for further processing.

4. An apparatus for providing an alarm for a window, comprising:

a detector for determining a first distance between the detector mounted within a movable portion of the window and a window frame edge, for determining a second distance between the detector and the window frame edge, and for determining a third distance between the detector and an object located between the detector and the window frame edge;

a processor; and

a memory for storing at least the second distance and processor-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus to;

determine whether the movable portion of the window has remained stationary for more than a predetermined time period based on the first distance and the second distance;

if the movable portion has remained stationary for more than the predetermined time period:

store the second distance in the memory;

place the security apparatus into an active alarm state;

calculate the third distance;

determine whether the third distance is less than a predetermined distance; and

generate an alarm signal if the third distance is less than the predetermined distance.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , further comprising instructions to cause the apparatus to:

generate the alarm signal if the third distance is determined to be less than the predetermined distance within a second predetermined time period after the second distance is calculated.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the object comprises a human body part.

7. The apparatus of claim 4 , further comprising:

a transmitter for transmitting the alarm signal to a remote location for further processing.

8. A method of monitoring one or more security devices each attached to a respective window by a central security monitoring device to detect an alarm condition, comprising:

receiving status information from a security device associated with a window;

determining that the window is open from the status information;

determining that a movable portion of said window has remained stationary for a predetermined time period; and

if said movable portion of said window has remained stationary for said predetermined time period:

receiving a command to arm the central security monitoring device apparatus;

arming the central security monitoring device apparatus;

receiving subsequent status information from the security device; and sending an alarm to a remote monitoring station if the alarm condition has occurred based on the subsequent information, the alarm condition comprising a reduction in a distance determined by one of the security devices.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein sending the alarm occurs only if the reduction in distance occurs within a predetermined time period.

10. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

notifying a user of the central security monitoring device that the window is open; and

displaying a confirmation request to the user in response to receiving the arm command requesting a confirmation from the user to arm the central security monitoring device.

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the status information comprises a distance calculated by the security device.

12. A central security monitoring device apparatus for monitoring one or more security devices each attached to a window to detect an alarm condition, comprising:

a receiver for receiving status information from one of the security devices

associated with one of the windows;

a processor; and

a memory for storing processor-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus to;

determine that the window is open from the status information;

determining that a movable portion of said window has remained stationary for a predetermined time period; and

if said movable portion of said window has remained stationary for said predetermined time period:

receive a command to arm the central security monitoring device apparatus; arm the central security monitoring device apparatus;

receive subsequent status information from the security device; and

send an alarm to a remote monitoring station if the alarm condition has occurred based on the subsequent information, the alarm condition comprising a reduction in a distance determined by one of the security devices the window moving towards a closed position by more than a predetermined distance.

13. The central security monitoring device of claim 12 , further comprising instructions for the central security monitoring device to send the alarm only if the reduction in distance occurs within a predetermined time period.

14. The central security monitoring device apparatus of claim 12 , further comprising instructions for the apparatus to:

notify a user of the central security monitoring device that the window is open; and

display a confirmation request to the user in response to receiving the arm command requesting a confirmation from the user to arm the central security monitoring device.

15. The central security monitoring device of claim 12 , wherein the status information comprises a distance calculated by the security device.

16. The method of claim 8 , wherein the distance determined by one of the security devices comprises a distance related to an actual or perceived movement of the window towards a closed position.

17. The central security monitoring device of claim 12 , wherein the distance determined by one of the security devices comprises a distance related to an actual or perceived movement of the window towards a closed position.