Using a control panel as a wireless access point

• US 10,050,802 B2
• Filed: 02/27/2017
• Issued: 08/14/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vivint Incorporated (NRG Energy, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Vivint Incorporated (NRG Energy, Inc.)
• Inventors: Dunn, Alex J., Harris, Christopher Lee, Ehlers, Bruce, Santiago, Todd M., Nye, James E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Parth
• Application Number:
  US15/443,487
• Publication Number:
  US 20170237577A1
• Time in Patent Office: 533 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/282 based on user interaction within the home receiver circuitry for displaying additional information being controlled by a remote control apparatus H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/283 Processing of data at an internetworking point of a home automation network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/285 Generic home appliances, e.g. refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/75 Indicating network or usage conditions on the user display
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/18 Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices

Abstract

A method for providing wireless access to one or more wireless devices using an automation system control panel is described. In one embodiment, a communication link is established between an automation system control panel and one or more automation components. Settings are applied to configure the automation system control panel for use as a wireless access point providing two-way communication with one or more electronic devices. Applying settings includes receiving input directly at a graphical user interface of the automation system control panel, the graphical user interface further providing access to control the one or more automation components. The automation system control panel is wirelessly connected to one or more electronic devices via a wireless access point interface using the settings applied at the graphical user interface.

Claims

1. A method of wireless communication at a control panel, comprising:

establishing a first communication link between the control panel and a first device, wherein the first communication link provides a communication interface for the first device to connect to a network;

establishing a second communication link between the control panel and the first device based at least in part on the first communication link, wherein the second communication link provides a communication interface for the control panel to exchange data with the first device;

receiving, from the first device, an indication of a security-related detected event at a structure associated with the control panel using the second communication link;

transmitting a security-related function to the first device and one or more additional devices associated with the control panel, upon receiving the indication of the security-related detected event and a request for the data from a second device, the security-related function confirming a status of a structure associated with a location of the control panel based at least in part on a status of the first device and each of the one or more additional devices; and

generating a status report indicating devices that are connected to the control panel and a history of network requests received from the devices.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the control panel is connected to the network via a third communication link.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

establishing a connection with the second device using the second communication link;

establishing a mesh network with the first device and the second device based at least in part on a mesh network protocol; and

transmitting, from the control panel, data to the first device based at least in part on the established mesh network.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the first device comprises a first type of device and the second device comprises a second type of device different from the first type.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the first type of device and the second type of device comprises at least one of Wi-Fi-enabled device, a cellular-enabled device, a sensor, an automation component, or a combination thereof.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a configuration setting for the first communication link or the second communication link, or both; and

configuring the first communication link or the second communication link, or both based at least in part on the received configuration setting,

wherein configuring the first communication link or the second communication link, or both comprises establishing two-way communication between the control panel and the first device.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein receiving the configuration setting comprises:

receiving a tactile input at a user interface of the control panel.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

establishing a connection with a remote center using the first communication link; and

providing two-way communication between the remote center and the control panel.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the remote center comprises an emergency response provider or a network operations center.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the control panel is associated with a security system or an automation system.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the first communication link and the second communication link are different.

12. An apparatus for wireless communication, in a system comprising:

a processor;

memory in electronic communication with the processor; and

instructions stored in the memory and operable, when executed by the processor, to cause the apparatus to;

establish a first communication link between the apparatus and a first device, wherein the first communication link provides a communication interface for the first device to connect to a network;

establish a second communication link between the apparatus and the first device based at least in part on the first communication link, wherein the second communication link provides a communication interface for the apparatus to exchange data with the first device;

receive, from the first device, an indication of a security-related detected event at a structure associated with the apparatus based at least in part on the second communication link; and

transmit a security-related function to the first device and one or more additional devices associated with the control panel, upon receiving the indication of the security-related detected event and a request for the data from a second device, the security-related function confirming a status of a structure associated with a location of the control panel based at least in part on a status of the first device and each of the one or more additional devices; and

generate a status report indicating devices that are connected to the control panel and a history of network requests received from the devices.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus is connected to the network via a third communication link.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to:

establish a connection with a second device using the second communication link;

establish a mesh network with the first device and the second device based at least in part on a mesh network protocol; and

transmit, from the apparatus, data to the first device based at least in part on the established mesh network.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to:

receive a configuration setting for the first communication link or the second communication link, or both; and

configure the first communication link or the second communication link, or both based at least in part on the configuration setting,

wherein configuring the first communication link or the second communication link, or both comprises establishing two-way communication between the apparatus and the first device.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the instructions to receive the configuration setting are further executable by the processor to:

receive a tactile input at a user interface of the apparatus.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to:

establish a connection with a remote center using the first communication link; and

provide two-way communication between the remote center and the apparatus.

18. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first communication link and the second communication link are different.

19. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first device comprises at least one of Wi-Fi-enabled device, a cellular-enabled device, a sensor, an automation component, or a combination thereof.

20. A control panel, comprising:

a housing;

a processor and memory in electronic communication with the processor, wherein the processor and the memory are installed within the housing;

a first communication interface in electronic communication with the processor and configured to;

establish a connection to a wireless device;

provide access to a communication network to the wireless device via the first communication interface, wherein providing access to the communication network is based at least in part on a type of the wireless device and a distance between the control panel and the wireless device;

provide a status report indicating devices connected to the control panel and a history of network requests received from the devices including the wireless device;

a second communication interface in electronic communication with the processor and configured to;

transmit security-related functions to the wireless device, wherein at least one of the security-related functions confirms a status of a structure associated with a location of the control panel based at least in part on a status of the first wireless device and one or more additional wireless devices; and

a user interface in electronic communication with the processor and configured to;

receive configuration settings for the first communication interface or the second communication interface, or both.