Method for monitoring and controlling home security system and other functions via a network

• US 20010034586A1
• Filed: 03/05/2001
• Published: 10/25/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: David L. Houston, David S. Ewert, James Rogers, Willem A. Scheuder
• Original Assignee: David L. Houston, David S. Ewert, James Rogers, Willem A. Scheuder
• Inventors: Rogers, James, Ewert, David S., Houston, David L., Scheuder, Willem A.
• Application Number:
  US09/800,352
• Publication Number:
  US 20010034586A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/188
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0428 Safety, monitoring G05B19/0423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24024 Safety, surveillance
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24084 Remote and local monitoring, local result to remote, remote takes action
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25168 Domotique, access through internet protocols
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31186 TCP-IP internet protocol
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• 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 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/10 Multimedia information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/222 using geographical location information, e.g. messages transmitted or received in proximity of a certain spot or area

Abstract

A system and method for monitoring a property and controlling electrical devices located at the property via a network is disclosed. The system may include a controller, a monitoring device and a device having a first state and a second state. The controller receives an image from the monitoring device and transmits the image to a network in response to a request for the image, and changes the state of the device in response to a request for the change in state. The controller may also store the image in a data storage device for future access, and may also provide notification of any problems perceived by the system. Notification may be by e-mail message, via telephone page, or audible indicator on or off the premises.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring a property and controlling electrical devices located at the property via a network, the system comprising:

(a) a controller adapted to receive a request via the network;

(b) a monitoring device adapted to provide an electronic image to said controller; and

(c) an device having a first state and a second state, wherein said controller is adapted to transmit said electronic image to the network in response to a request for said electronic image from the network and said controller is further adapted to change said device from said first state to said second state in response to a request for a change in state from the network.

2. The system of

claim 1

, wherein the electronic image is selected from the group of:

a digital video image, an analog video image, a sequence of digital video images, a sequence of analog video images, a digital audio image, and an analog audio image.

3. The system of

claim 1

, further comprising a data storage element for storing said electronic image, said controller being adapted to retrieve said electronic image from said data storage element and transmit said electronic image to the network in response to said request.

4. The system of

claim 3

, wherein said data storage device is selected from the group consisting of:

a disk drive, a tape drive, and a memory.

5. The system of

claim 1

, further comprising a data storage element connected to the controller for storing said electronic image, said controller being adapted to transmit a storage location for said electronic image in said data storage device to the network, said data storage device being accessible from the network.

6. The system of

claim 5

, wherein said data storage device is selected from the group consisting of:

a disk drive, a tape drive, and a memory.

7. The system of

claim 1

, wherein said device includes one or more of the group consisting of:

a security system, a light, a thermostat, a heating system, a cooling system, a sprinkler system, a television, a door, a window, a gate, a surveillance camera, audio/visual equipment, an appliance, and a fireplace.

8. The system of

claim 1

, further comprising a sensor for detecting a predetermined condition, said controller being adapted to transmit a notification message in response to said sensor detecting said predetermined condition.

9. The system of

claim 8

, wherein said controller transmits said notification message via one or more of the group consisting of:

an e-mail, a pager, a telephone, the network, an audible indication on the property, and an audible indication off the property.

10. The system of

claim 8

, wherein said predetermined condition includes one or more of the group consisting of:

a temperature, a movement, smoke, gas, a door opening, and a window opening.

11. The system of

claim 8

, wherein said notification message includes said electronic image and said electronic image corresponds to a time and location when said sensor detected said predetermined condition.

12. A system for monitoring a property via a network, the system comprising:

(a) a data storage device;

(b) a monitoring device adapted to provide an electronic image to said controller; and

(c) a controller adapted to receive said electronic image from said monitoring device and store said electronic image in said data storage device, said controller further adapted to provide said electronic image to the network in response to a request for said electronic image from the network.

13. The system of

claim 12

, wherein said controller is adapted to retrieve said electronic image from said data storage device and transmit said electronic image to the network in response to said request for said electronic image from the network.

14. The system of

claim 12

, wherein said controller is adapted to transmit a storage location for said electronic image in said data storage device to the network, said data storage device being accessible from the network.

15. The system of

claim 14

, further comprising a sensor for detecting a predetermined condition, said controller being adapted to transmit a notification message in response to said sensor detecting said predetermined condition.

16. The system of

claim 15

, wherein said controller retrieves said electronic image from said data storage device corresponding to a time and location when said sensor detected said predetermined condition.

17. The system of

claim 15

, wherein said controller transmits said notification message via one or more of the group consisting of:

an e-mail, a pager, a telephone, the network, an audible indication on the property, and an audible indication off the property.

18. A method for monitoring and controlling functions of a property over a network, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) recording an electronic image;

(b) receiving a request from the network;

(c) providing said electronic image to the network; and

(d) changing a state of a device from a first state to a second state in response to said request.

19. The method of

claim 18

, further comprising the steps of:

(e) storing said electronic image; and

(f) retrieving said electronic image in response to said request received from the network.

20. The method of

claim 18

, further comprising the steps of:

(e) storing said electronic image; and

(f) providing a storage location for said electronic image to the network in response to said request received from the network.