-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Invalid Signal Handling Procedure Bulletin 1010 6/22/01 Copyright (C) 1992, Coastal Security Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- When a new account is created in the central station database the dealer must provide a list of the signals which may be received from that account. Any other signals are considered to be invalid signals. For example, if you submit an account using a pulse format with Code 1 = fire Code 2 = panic Code 3 = burglary Code 9 = cancel and we receive a code 8, the code 8 is invalid. When an invalid signal is received from an account, the central station software performs the following functions automatically: 1. If the signal is in Contact ID or SIA format the signal is processed according to the defaults for Contact ID (bulletin 1032) or SIA (bulletin 1033). 2. If the signal is in ITI format defaults will also apply. Most ITI codes from 77 to 117 are pre-defined. Those codes which are not pre- defined will default to burglary. 3. Other signals such as pulse formats cannot default so the software will look up the port, code and zone defined for your dealer number in the invalid signal procedure table. If no invalid signal procedure was established, no action is taken and the signal is simply logged. Each dealer can specify the action to be taken when an invalid signal is received. This information is entered into the dealer's database record and a copy is delivered to the dealer in the DHC file which may be emailed, faxed or made available for web access. The format of the information is shown in the following example: __________________________________ Invalid Signal Handling Procedure: Port Code Zone Acct V P F C D Code From To From To From To Type C D D O L Word Remarks 0 255 1 4 0 65535 1 2 3 Y treat as BURG 0 249 6 6 0 65535 C 1 2 Y OPENING 250 254 0 0 0 0 1 2 3 Y non resp STU Ports 0 through 250 are digital receiver ports. Ports 251 through 254 are WatchALERT ports. Port 255 is the central station computer (including the keyboard). The three invalid signal handling instructions in the example above can be interpreted as follows: For alarm codes 1, 2, 3 and 4 from any source: 1. Call premises to verify the alarm (VC). Require code to cancel. 2. Dispatch the police (PD). Tell them it's a burglar alarm. 3. Notify a call out (CO). For alarm code 6 from a digital receiver port if the account is commercial: 1. Call premises to verify the alarm (VC). Require code to cancel. 2. Notify a call out (CO). For alarm code 0 from a WatchALERT port: 1. Call premises to verify the alarm (VC). Require code to cancel. 2. Dispatch the police (PD). 3. Notify a call out (CO). The database also allows dispatching to the fire department (FD) and/or to the dealer (DL). It is important not to confuse dispatching to a dealer and merely notifying the dealer. ----------- --------- Invalid signals are automatically considered to be trouble signals and will appear on the daily trouble signal log report. If you wish to be immediately notified of an invalid signal regardless of the time of day, select the "dispatch to dealer" option. If you merely wish to be notified, do not select this option. There are two ways for the dealer to print the daily trouble signal log report: 1. Browse to www.centralone.com/dealer (log on if necessary) and click on the DLR report. You may view the report or print it directly from your internet browser. 2. If you use internet access choose the F7 menu option. Enter the start and end dates for the report (usually start date is yesterday and end date is today). Type "N" for no in the "All Events?" field. Type "Y" for yes in the "Tbl Signals?" field. Leave the "Account Number(s):" field blank and F1 to print the report. ---------------- No Data on File: A second type of invalid signal is a signal received from an account that does not exist in the central station computer. No operator action is taken on these signals. Under normal conditions, new account information is entered in the central station computer by the end of the day the information is received. By the end of the following day, a second operator checks the data entry work. Dealers should review all accounts for which they send new information or changes to further verify the correctness of the data entry. Occasionally, an account must be placed in service more quickly. In these special situations, the dealer should obtain and verify the new account's data entry as follows: 1. Fax the account information to the central station as usual. 2. Call the central station and advise the operator that the information you just faxed must be entered into the system immediately. 3. After allowing time for the new account information to be entered, order a hard copy of the account information via Fax Back. 4. Verify that the information was entered correctly. If you have established a remote access login with the central station you may also log in to the central station computer on the internet and create the account yourself. The use of template accounts for entering standard signals greatly increases the speed of new account data entry while reducing the chances for error.