Cross-client sensor user interface in an integrated security network

• US 10,156,959 B2
• Filed: 08/11/2009
• Issued: 12/18/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: iControl Networks, Inc. (Comcast Corporation)
• Original Assignee: iControl Networks, Inc. (Comcast Corporation)
• Inventors: Fulker, Jim, Sundermeyer, Ken, Dawes, Paul J., Raji, Reza
• Primary Examiner(s): BILGRAMI, ASGHAR H
• Application Number:
  US12/539,537
• Publication Number:
  US 20100023865A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,416 Days
• Field of Search: 709218, 340525
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/14 Central alarm receiver or annunciator arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2809 indicating that an appliance service is present in a home automation network monitoring functionality H04L43/0817; discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services, H04L67/51
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2818 from a device located outside both the home and the home network access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless eletrical link G08C17/00; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with remote control systems H04M11/007
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2843 Mains power line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/025 for remote control or remote monitoring of applications

Abstract

A system user interface (SUI) provides an iconic, at-a-glance representation of security system status. The SUI is for use across all client types, and includes numerous display elements presented across all types of client devices used to monitor status of the security system. The display elements of the SUI include an orb icon, text summary, arm button, device and system warnings, interesting sensors, and quiet sensors. The SUI provides system status summary information (e.g., security and sensors) uniformly across all clients. The SUI provides consistent iconography, terminology, and display rules across all clients as well as consistent sensor and system detail across clients. The SUI also includes an interactive Timeline interface, a widget-based Slideshow timeline interface, and a graphical interface for managing schedules, set points, and controls for lighting and thermostats and general energy usage.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a gateway device in communication, via a first network, with one or more automation components, and wherein the gateway device is in communication, via a second network, with a security system and configured to control one or more security system components of the security system; and

an interface device in communication with the gateway device, wherein the interface device comprises a display and is configured to output, via the display, a plurality of interfaces comprising;

a security user interface comprising a first set of interface elements configured to control, via the gateway device, the security system,

an automation user interface comprising a second set of interface elements configured to control, via the gateway device, the one or more automation components, and

a timeline editor interface configured to receive user input indicating one or more of the plurality of interfaces to be output via the interface device and indicating corresponding times to output the one or more of the plurality of interfaces via the interface device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first set of interface elements comprises first control icons configured to control the one or more security system components and access data of the security system, and wherein the second set of interface elements comprise second control icons configured to control the one or more automation components and access data of the one or more automation components.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of interfaces comprises a timeline user interface comprising a variable-length timeline of a component state of one or more of:

at least one of the one or more security system components, or at least one of the one or more automation components.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the timeline user interface is configured to display a dynamically changeable time scale of the variable-length timeline in response to a user input via the timeline user interface.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the variable-length timeline comprises a photo and a video indicative of an event.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein the component state comprises a state of an alarm panel of the security system.

7. The system of claim 3, wherein the component state comprises a state of one or more energy management components comprising one or more of a device controller, a system controller, a lighting controller, or a temperature controller.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the timeline editor interface is configured to determine a slideshow animation configured to represent one or more of:

events detected by the one or more security system components, or events of the one or more automation components.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the interface device comprises one or more of a touchscreen, a television, a remote client device display, a personal computer display, a cellular telephone display, or a personal digital assistant display.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of interfaces comprise a plurality of widgets, and wherein the timeline editor interface comprises a widget palette, a preview screen, and a slideshow timeline tool,

wherein the widget palette comprises a widget icon and descriptive text corresponding to at least one widget of the plurality of widgets comprising a clock widget, a calendar widget, a photo widget, a news widget, a weather widget, a sports widget, a stock widget, a ticker widget, an event widget, and a traffic widget.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the event widget is associated with events detected by the one or more security system components.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein one or more of the plurality of widgets correspond to the one or more security system components.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein one or more of the plurality of widgets correspond to the one or more automation components.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the event widget is associated with actions of the one or more automation components.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein selection, from the widget palette, of the widget icon causes a corresponding widget of the plurality of widgets to be displayed in the preview screen.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the slideshow timeline tool is configured to allow a user to place the widget icon on a timeline,

wherein, based on a placement of the widget icon on the timeline, the slideshow timeline tool is configured to control a start time and a stop time of the corresponding at least one widget of the plurality of widgets.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the timeline editor interface is configured to allow the user to select a plurality of widget icons, each of the plurality of widget icons corresponding to one of the plurality of widgets,

wherein the slideshow timeline tool is configured to allow the user to place the plurality of selected widget icons at intervals along the timeline, and

wherein the plurality of widgets are scheduled for display based on a placement of the plurality of selected widget icons along the timeline.

18. The system of claim 8, wherein the slideshow animation is displayed in response to at least one of communication from the one or more automation components and communication from the one or more security system components.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of interface comprises an energy management user interface configured to control one or more energy management components.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the energy management user interface is configured to display energy usage information of at least one or the one or more energy management components.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the one or more automation components comprise the one or more energy management components.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein the one or more energy management components comprise one or more of a device controller, a system controller, a lighting controller, or a temperature controller.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the energy management user interface comprises control icons corresponding to the one or more energy management components.

24. The system of claim 19, wherein the energy management user interface is configured to represent a plurality of control phases corresponding to time periods, wherein each control phase comprises controller states for the corresponding time periods and a plurality of selectable icons configured to control the controller states.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the controller states comprise lighting levels of a plurality of lighting controllers at a location.

26. The system of claim 24, wherein the controller states comprise a plurality of temperatures of a plurality of temperature controllers at a location.

27. The system of claim 1, wherein the interface device comprises one or more of a remote client device, a personal computer, a cellular telephone, or a personal digital assistant.

28. The system of claim 1, further comprising a remote server in communication with the interface device, the remote server configured to manage at least one of the plurality of interfaces and the security system.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the remote server is configured to allow a user to configure content of the interface device.

30. The system of claim 28, wherein the remote server comprises a user portal configured to enable content and information displayed on the interface device to be displayed on other devices.

31. The system of claim 1, wherein the interface device is configured to display interactive widgets configured to access and control the one or more security system components.

32. The system of claim 1, wherein the gateway device is configured to allow a user to transfer, via a local network, one or more of content or widgets.

33. The system of claim 1, wherein the gateway device is configured to control functions of peripheral devices coupled to a local network.

34. The system of claim 1, wherein the first network comprises the internet and the interface device comprises a web browser.

35. A method comprising:

receiving, by an interface device and from a gateway device, automation data from one or more automation components, wherein the gateway device is in communication, via a first network, with the one or more automation components;

receiving, by the interface device and from the gateway device, security data from one or more security system components of a security system, wherein the gateway device is in communication, via a second network, with the one or more security system components; and

causing the interface device to display at least one of a plurality of interfaces, wherein the plurality of interfaces comprises;

a security user interface configured to enable a user to control, via the gateway device, the one or more security system components;

an automation user interface configured to enable the user to control, via the gateway device, the one or more automation components; and

a timeline editor interface configured to receive user input indicating one or more of the plurality of interfaces to be output via the interface device and indicating corresponding times to output the one or more of the plurality of interfaces via the interface device.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the plurality of interfaces comprises a timeline user interface comprising a variable-length timeline of a component state of one or more of:

at least one of the one or more security system components, or at least one of the one or more automation components.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the variable-length timeline comprises a photo and a video indicative of an event.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein the component state comprises a state of an alarm panel of the security system.

39. The method of claim 36, wherein the component state comprises a state of one or more energy management components comprising one or more of a device controller, a system controller, a lighting controller, or a temperature controller.

40. The method of claim 35, wherein the interface device comprises at least one of a touchscreen, a television, a remote client device display, a personal computer display, a cellular telephone display, or a personal digital assistant display.

41. The method of claim 35, further comprising determining a slideshow animation representing one or more of:

events detected by the one or more security system components, or events of the one or more automation components.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the plurality of interfaces comprise a plurality of widgets, and wherein the timeline editor interface comprises a widget palette, a preview screen, and a slideshow timeline tool,

wherein the widget palette comprises a widget icon and descriptive text corresponding to at least one of the plurality of widgets comprising a clock widget, a calendar widget, a photo widget, a news widget, a weather widget, a sports widget, a stock widget, a ticker widget, an event widget, and a traffic widget.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the event widget is associated with events detected by the one or more security system components.

44. The method of claim 42, wherein one or more of the plurality of widgets correspond to the one or more security system components.

45. The method of claim 42, wherein one or more of the plurality of widgets correspond to the one or more automation components.

46. The method of claim 42, wherein the event widget is associated with actions of the one or more automation components.

47. The method of claim 42, further comprising:

receiving a selection, from the widget palette, of the widget icon; and

in response to receiving the selection of the widget icon, causing a corresponding widget of the plurality of widgets to be displayed in the preview screen.

48. The method of claim 42, further comprising:

receiving data indicative of a placement by the user of the widget icon on a timeline; and

scheduling, based on the data indicative of the placement, a start time and a stop time for displaying a corresponding widget of the plurality of widgets.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein receiving data indicative of the placement by the user of the widget icon on the timeline comprises receiving data indicative of a placement of a plurality of widget icons at intervals along the timeline, each of the plurality of widget icons corresponding to one of the plurality of widgets, and further comprising scheduling, based on the data indicative of a placement of a plurality of widget icons at intervals along the timeline, display of the plurality of widgets.

50. The method of claim 41, further comprising displaying the slideshow animation in response to one or more of communication from the one or more automation components or communication from the one or more security system components.

51. The method of claim 35, wherein the plurality of interfaces comprises an energy management user interface configured to control one or more energy management components.

52. The method of claim 51, further comprising displaying, via the energy management user interface, energy usage information of the one or more energy management components.

53. The method of claim 51, wherein the one or more automation components comprise the one or more energy management components.

54. The method of claim 51, wherein the one or more energy management components comprise one or more of a device controller, a system controller, a lighting controller, or a temperature controller.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein the energy management user interface comprises control icons corresponding to the one or more energy management components.

56. The method of claim 35, further comprising managing, via remote server in communication with the interface device, at least one of the plurality of interfaces.

57. The method of claim 56, further comprising configuring, by the remote server in response to a user instruction, content of the interface device.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein configuring, by the remote server in response to a user instruction, the content of the interface device comprises transmitting information from the interface device to another device for display, via a user portal, to the user.

59. An apparatus comprising:

one or more processors; and

memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to;

receive, from a gateway device, automation data from one or more automation components, wherein the gateway device is in communication, via a first network, with the one or more automation components;

receive, from the gateway device, security data from one or more security system components of a security system, wherein the gateway device is in communication, via a second network, with the one or more security system components; and

cause display of at least one of a plurality of interfaces, wherein the plurality of interfaces comprises;

a security user interface configured to enable a user to control, via the gateway device, the one or more security system components;

an automation user interface configured to enable the user to control the one or more automation components; and

a timeline editor interface configured to receive user input indicating one or more of the plurality of interfaces to be output and indicating corresponding times to output the one or more of the plurality of interfaces.

60. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the plurality of interfaces comprises a timeline user interface comprising a variable-length timeline of a component state of one or more of:

at least one of the one or more security system components, or at least one of the one or more automation components.

61. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the variable-length timeline comprises a photo and a video indicative of an event.

62. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the component state comprises a state of an alarm panel of the security system.

63. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the component state comprises a state of one or more energy management components comprising one or more of a device controller, a system controller, a lighting controller, or a temperature controller.

64. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the at least one of the plurality of interfaces is caused to display on one or more of a touchscreen, a television, a remote client device display, a personal computer display, a cellular telephone display, or a personal digital assistant display.

65. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the timeline editor interface is configured for determining a slideshow animation representing one or more of:

events detected by the one or more security system components, or events of the one or more automation components.

66. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the plurality of interfaces comprise a plurality of widgets, and wherein the timeline editor interface comprises a widget palette, a preview screen, and a slideshow timeline tool,

wherein the widget palette comprises a widget icon and descriptive text corresponding to at least one of the plurality of widgets comprising a clock widget, a calendar widget, a photo widget, a news widget, a weather widget, a sports widget, a stock widget, a ticker widget, an event widget, and a traffic widget.

67. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the event widget is associated with events detected by the one or more security system components.

68. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein one or more of the plurality of widgets correspond to the one or more security system components.

69. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein one or more of the plurality of widgets correspond to the one or more automation components.

70. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the event widget is associated with actions of the one or more automation components.

71. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein selection of the widget icon from the widget palette causes a corresponding widget of the plurality of widgets to be displayed in the preview screen.

72. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the slideshow timeline tool is configured to allow the user to place the widget icon on a timeline,

wherein, based on a placement of the widget icon on the timeline, the slideshow timeline tool is configured to control a start time and a stop time of a corresponding widget of the plurality of widgets.

73. The apparatus of claim 72, wherein the timeline editor interface is configured to allow the user to select a plurality of widget icons, each of the plurality of widget icons corresponding to one of the plurality of widgets,

wherein the slideshow timeline tool is configured to allow the user to place the plurality of selected widget icons at intervals along the timeline, and

wherein the plurality of widgets are scheduled for display based on a placement of the plurality of selected widget icons along the timeline.

74. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to cause display of the slideshow animation in response to at least one of communication from the one or more automation components and communication from the one or more security system components.

75. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the plurality of interfaces comprises an energy management user interface configured to control one or more energy management components.

76. The apparatus of claim 75, wherein the energy management user interface comprises energy usage information of the one or more energy management components.

77. The apparatus of claim 75, wherein the one or more automation components comprise the one or more energy management components.

78. The apparatus of claim 75, wherein the one or more energy management components comprise one or more of a device controller, a system controller, a lighting controller, or a temperature controller.

79. The apparatus of claim 78, wherein the energy management user interface comprises a control icon corresponding to the one or more energy management components.

80. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the apparatus to manage, based on communication from a remote server, at least one of the plurality of interfaces.

81. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the apparatus to manage, based on communication from a remote server, at least one of the plurality of interfaces, and wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to configure, based on communication from the remote server in response to a user instruction, content of at least one of the plurality of interfaces.

82. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the apparatus to manage, based on communication from a remote server, at least one of the plurality of interfaces, and wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to cause transmission of information to another device for display, via a user portal, to the user.