System and method for providing configurable security monitoring utilizing an integrated information portal

• US 20020095490A1
• Filed: 01/16/2001
• Published: 07/18/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vivint Incorporated (NRG Energy, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Vigilos, Inc.
• Inventors: Barker, Geoffrey T., Alexander, Bruce, Talley, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 6,542,075 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/224
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/08 With time considerations, e.g. temporary activation, valid time window or time limitations
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/27 with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0893 Assignment of logical groups to network elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0894 Policy-based network configuration management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/18 Delegation of network management function, e.g. customer network management [CNM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/16 Threshold monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/025 for remote control or remote monitoring of applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/08 specially adapted for terminal emulation, e.g. Telnet
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/75 Indicating network or usage conditions on the user display
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

A system and method for implementing a configurable security monitor utilizing an integrated information portal are provided. A premises server is in communication with a variety of information sources that produce monitoring data for a defined monitoring target, such as a premises. The premises server transmits the monitoring data to a central server that receives the data and traverses one or more logical rule sets to determine whether the inputted data violates the rules. The rules are generally specified by a user, such as a system administrator to define the level of monitoring desired and an appropriate response in the evaluation of the monitoring data against the rule. Based on an evaluation of the rules, the central server then generates outputs in the form of communication to one or more authorized users via a variety of communication mediums and devices and/or the

Claims

1. In an integrated information portal in communication with a number of monitoring devices, a method for monitoring information, the method comprising:

obtaining a set of user defined monitoring rules, wherein the user defined monitoring rules establish an event threshold for a rule violation and a corresponding response;

obtaining monitoring device data from one or more of the monitoring devices;

processing the monitoring device data according to the user defined monitoring rules; and

generating an output corresponding to the user defined monitoring rules, wherein the output may include no output.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein processing the monitoring device data according to the user defined monitoring rules includes determining whether the monitoring device data exceeds the event threshold.

3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the monitoring device data is video data and wherein the user-defined rules include a threshold amount of detected movement to violate the rule.

4. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the monitoring device data is audio data and wherein the user-defined rules include a threshold amount of detected audible noise to violate the rule.

5. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein processing the monitoring device data includes identifying a specific individual by utilizing voice recognition means.

6. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein processing the monitoring device data includes determining a user stress level by utilizing stress level monitoring means.

7. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the user defined rules include at least two rules defining specific time periods of applicability and wherein processing the monitoring device data according to the user defined rules includes determining a rule to apply based on a current time of day.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the user defined event threshold is the detection of movement and wherein generating an output corresponding to the user defined rules includes storing and saving video monitoring data upon detection of movement.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the user defined rule event threshold is the detection of a request for live monitoring and wherein generating an output corresponding to the user defined rules includes displaying transmitting live video data to a security monitor.

10. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the user defined rule event is the detection of a user stress level and wherein generating an output corresponding to the user defined rules includes contacting emergency personnel.

11. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein generating an output corresponding to the user defined rules further includes sounding an audible alarm.

12. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the user defined rule event is obtaining a request for access to a secured area and wherein generating an output corresponding to the user defined rules includes granting access to the secured area if an identity of a requester can be verified.

13. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein generating an output corresponding to the user defined rules further includes obtaining additional monitoring device data.

14. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

tracking an amount of time in which the monitoring device data is processed according to the user-defined rules; and

generating a bill corresponding to the amount of time tracked.

15. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein generating a bill corresponding to the amount of time tracked includes generating a bill corresponding to particular devices utilized.

16. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the method recited in any one of claims 1-15.

17. A computer system having a processor, a memory, and an operating environment, the computer system operable for performing the method recited in any one of claims 1-15.

19. The system as recited in claim 18, wherein the monitoring device data includes video monitoring device data and wherein at least one rule in the rules database includes a definition of a threshold of detectable movement.

20. The system as recited in claim 18, wherein the monitoring device data includes audio monitoring device data and wherein at least one rule in the rules database includes a definition of a threshold of detectable sound.

21. The system as recited in claim 20, wherein the threshold of detectable sound is established to determine a stress level.

22. The system as recited in claim 18 further comprising voice recognition means, wherein the monitoring devices include audio monitoring devices and wherein at least one rule in the rules database includes a definition of voice patterns for identification.

23. The system as recited in claim 18, wherein the central processor is configured to track an amount of time utilized to process the monitoring device data according to the user-defined rules.

26. The method as recited in claim 25 further comprising generating a response to the user to indicate that monitoring has begun.

27. The method as recited in claim 25, wherein processing the monitoring request information includes utilizing facial recognition means to identify a user.

28. The method as recited in claim 25, wherein processing the monitoring request information includes utilizing voice recognition means to identify a user.

29. The method as recited in claim 24, wherein obtaining the monitoring device data is established by accessing a network connection in the information portal.

30. The method as recited in claim 29, wherein the network connection is an IP network connection.

31. The method as recited in claim 24, wherein the monitoring device data is video data.

32. The method as recited in claim 31, wherein the video data is generated by one or more fixed video cameras.

33. The method as recited in claim 31, wherein the video data is generated by one or more directional video cameras.

34. The method as recited in claim 24 further comprising tracking an amount of time in which the device data is processed according to the user-defined rules;

and generating a bill corresponding to the amount of time tracked.

35. The method as recited in claim 34, wherein generating a bill corresponding to the amount of time tracked includes generating a bill corresponding to particular devices utilized.

18. A system for monitoring information, the system comprising:

a number of monitoring devices operable to capture and transmit monitoring device data;

a central processing server operable to obtain monitoring device data and process the data; and

a rule event database in communication with the central processing server, wherein the rules database includes user defined rules allow the central processing server to generate customized outputs corresponding to a processing of the monitoring device data with the one or more user defined rules.

24. In an integrated information portal in communication with a number of monitoring devices, a method for providing security monitoring, the method comprising:

obtaining a request for monitoring of a remote site;

obtaining monitoring device data corresponding to the request for monitoring; and

processing the monitoring device data according to a set of user-defined rules.

25. The method as recited in claims 24 further comprising:

accessing local monitoring request rules;

processing the monitoring request information according the monitoring request rules; and

obtaining the device data only if the request satisfies the local monitoring request rules.

36. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the method recited in any one of claims 24-35.

37. A computer system having a processor, a memory and an operating environment, the computer system operable for performing the method recited in any one of claims 24-35.