Electronic security system having wireless security devices
An electronic security system enables configuration and operation of different types of wireless security devices, such as multi-sensors, sirens/strobes, and/or key fobs, according to the specific capabilities of the devices, with minimized communication and a lower power mode. The minimized communication allows reduced data transmissions with the devices, with selective disablement of the communications system at times, which allows greater power savings and extended battery life. In one aspect, an application protocol is used to communicate with the different types of devices by applying preconfigured control parameters to the devices according to features of the devices. The application protocol can be built on a software stack executing on a wireless base station of the security system.
1. An electronic security system comprising:
a plurality of wireless security devices, each including a processor that executes a program stored in a non-transient medium and that is operable to execute a security operation comprising one or one or more of detecting motion, detecting temperature, and detecting sound, wherein the security devices are categorized in one or more groups, wherein each group is defined by at least one common feature of the security devices in the corresponding group; and
a base station configured to communicate with the plurality of security devices, the base station having a processor executing a configuration program stored in a non-transient medium; the configuration program being operable to:
send a distinct configuration message to each of the one or more groups of security devices, the configuration message including a parameter controlling the security operation of the security devices in the corresponding group, wherein the parameter defines sensitivity for detecting of one or more of motion, temperature, and sound, and
send a command to at least one the security devices to execute the security operation according to the parameter or receive a report from the at least one security device executing the security operation according to the parameter, as defined by the configuration message corresponding to the group to which the at least one security device is categorized; and,
wherein each of the security devices is configured and controlled to operate in a higher power mode when executing the security operation and to operate in a lower power mode when not executing the security operation.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the security devices comprises a multi-sensor device.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the security devices is an alarm, and wherein the security operation includes one more of projecting sound and projecting light.
4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the parameter controls volume for projecting sound or brightness for projecting light.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the security devices is a remote control, and wherein the security operation comprises receiving user input to activate or deactivate the security system.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the security devices is configured to periodically exit operation in the lower power mode and resume operation the higher power mode and, while operating in the higher power mode, to send a keep alive message to the base station.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one the security devices is configured to detect an event while operating in the lower power mode then, upon detection of the event, transition to operation in the higher power mode for executing the security operation.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the security devices comprises a wireless communications device that is configured to communicate with the base station, and wherein the lower power mode comprises removing power from the wireless communications device.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the base station is in communication with the security devices through an IEEE 802.15.4 network.
10. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a security camera in communication with the base station, wherein the security camera is associated with one of the security devices so that execution of the security operation by the security device causes the security camera to capture video of an area of interest.
11. A method for electronic monitoring, comprising:
configuring each of a plurality of a wireless security devices to execute a security operation comprising one or one or more of detecting motion, detecting temperature, and detecting sound, each if the security devices including a processor executing a program stored in a non-transient medium, wherein the security devices categorized in one or more groups, wherein each group is defined by at least one common feature of the security devices in the corresponding group;
sending a distinct configuration message from a base station to each of the one of the groups of security devices, the configuration message including a parameter controlling the security operation of the security devices in the corresponding group, wherein the parameter defines sensitivity for detecting one or more of motion, temperature, and sound;
sending a command to the security devices of the one of the one group of security devices to execute the security operation according to the parameter or receiving a report from the security devices executing the security operation according to the parameter, as defined by the configuration message corresponding to the group to which the security devices are categorized;
operating each of the security devices in a higher power mode when executing the security operation; and
operating each of the security devices in a lower power mode when not executing the security operation.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein at least one the security devices comprises a multi-sensor device.
13. The method of claim 11 , wherein at least one the security devices comprises an alarm, and wherein the security operation comprises one or more of projecting sound and projecting light.
14. The method of claim 11 , wherein at least one of the security devices comprises a remote control, and wherein the security operation comprises receiving user input to activate or deactivate the security system.
15. The method of claim 11 , further comprising detecting an event while at least one of the security devices is operating in the lower power mode then, upon detection of the event, transitioning operation of the security to the higher power mode during execution of the security operation.
16. The method of claim 11 , wherein at least one of the security devices periodically exits operation in the lower power mode and resumes operation in the higher power mode and, while operating in the higher power mode, sends a keep alive message to the base station.
17. The method of claim 11 , further comprising associating a security camera with at least one of the security devices so that executing the security operation by the security device causes the security camera to capture video of an area of interest.
18. The system of claim 1 , wherein the distinct configuration message that is sent to each of the one or more groups of security devices is preconfigured.
19. The system of claim 18 , wherein the parameter controlling the security operation of the security devices in the corresponding group associated with the preconfigured distinct configuration message is user defined.