Lifestyle multimedia security system

• US 20040041910A1
• Filed: 06/26/2003
• Published: 03/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Original Assignee: @Security Broadband Corporation
• Inventors: Feldkamp, Gregory E., Glasgow, William P., Naidoo, Surendra N.
• Granted Patent: US 7,409,045 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/156
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/20 involving the use of a pass
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19669 Event triggers storage or change of storage policy
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19695 Arrangements wherein non-video detectors start video recording or forwarding but do not generate an alarm themselves
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/008 Alarm setting and unsetting, i.e. arming or disarming of the security system
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/60 Security, fault tolerance
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/102 Entity profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/04 with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems

Abstract

A method is disclosed for remote monitoring of a premises, comprising the steps of operatively coupling a geographically remote client to a security system server which is capable of authenticating a user of the remote client, operatively coupling the remote client to a security gateway which is capable of managing the monitoring of the premises, activating a signal at the premises for notifying an occupant at the premises that remote monitoring is occurring, and transferring information between the security gateway and the remote client. The transfer of information between the security gateway and the remote client is controlled by the user of the remote client. The security gateway may be operably coupled to at least one camera at the premises and to at least one audio station at the premises.

The notification signal may comprise an audible signal or a visible signal or both. An audible notification signal may comprise a sound uniquely associated with the remote user, and can comprise speech, which may identify the remote user. A visible notification signal may comprise a depiction of the remote user, or a graphical image, or an alphanumeric message, which may identify the remote user, and which may be transmitted to a keypad at the premises. The visible notification signal may be transmitted to a display device, such as a television. The visible notification signal may further comprise an activation signal for a light source at the premises, such as a light emitting diode (LED). The LED may be located on a camera or on a keypad, for example.

Claims

1. A method for remote monitoring of a premises, said method comprising the steps of:

operatively coupling a remote client to a security system server, said security system server being capable of authenticating a user of said remote client;

operatively coupling said remote client to a security gateway, said security gateway being capable of managing the monitoring of one or more portions of said premises;

activating a signal at said premises for notifying an occupant at said premises that remote monitoring is occurring; and

transferring information between said security gateway and said remote client;

wherein said user is at a location which is geographically remote from said premises.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transferring information between said security gateway and said remote client is controlled by said user of said remote client.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said security gateway is operably coupled to at least one camera located at said premises.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said remote client is operable to control the output of said at least one camera located at said premises.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said security gateway is operably coupled to at least one audio station.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said remote client is operable to control the output of said at least one audio station.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said signal comprises an audible signal.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said audible signal is transmitted to a speaker.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein said audible signal comprises a sound uniquely associated with said user.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein said audible signal comprises speech.

11. The-method of claim 10, wherein said audible signal identifies said user.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said signal comprises visual data.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said visual data comprises a depiction of said user.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein said visual data comprises a graphical image.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein said visual data comprises an alphanumeric message.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said alphanumeric message identifies said user.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein said step of activating said signal comprises transmitting said alphanumeric message to a keypad located at said premises.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein said visual data is transmitted to a display device.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said display device comprises a television.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of activating said signal comprises activating a light source at said premises.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of activating said signal comprises activating an LED located on said camera.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of activating said signal comprises activating an LED located on a keypad located at said premises.

23. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

verifying the identification of said user of said remote client;

transmitting an access token from said security system server to said remote client; and

providing said security gateway with information about said user and said access token;

wherein said access token is adapted to allow said remote client to access said security gateway based on said user'"'"'s permission profile; and

wherein said user'"'"'s permission profile is created by a general administrator of said security gateway.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein said general administrator of said security system is capable of modifying said user'"'"'s permission profile.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein said step of verifying said identification of said user comprises authenticating biometric data.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein said access token expires at a designated time and date.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein said access token expires after a designated length of time has elapsed.

28. The method of claim 23, wherein said access token expires after a designated number of accesses have occurred.

29. The method of claim 23, wherein said access token allows access to specific features of said security gateway according to said user'"'"'s permission profile.

30. The method of claim 23, wherein said access token allows access to one or more designated cameras located at said premises.

31. The method of claim 23, wherein said access token allows access to one or more designated audio stations located at said premises.

32. The method of claim 1, wherein said security gateway comprises a controller capable of performing one or more building automation and control functions.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising the step of:

operably coupling said remote client to said controller, wherein said controller is capable of controlling one or more air conditioning systems at said premises.

34. The method of claim 32, further comprising the step of:

operably coupling said remote client to said controller, wherein said controller is capable of controlling one or more doors at said premises.

35. The method of claim 32, further comprising the step of:

operably coupling said remote client to said controller, wherein said controller is capable of controlling one or more lighting devices at said premises.

36. The method of claim 32, further comprising the step of:

operably coupling said remote client to said controller, wherein said controller is capable of controlling an irrigation system at said premises.

37. The method of claim 32, further comprising the step of:

operably coupling said remote client to said controller, wherein said controller is capable of controlling an electrical appliance at said premises.

38. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

streaming data in substantially real-time from said security gateway to said remote client.

39. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

enabling substantially real-time audio communication between said remote client and said security gateway.

40. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

enabling substantially real-time video communication between said remote client and said security gateway.

41. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

enabling substantially real-time synchronized audio and video communication between said remote client and said security gateway.

42. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

recording audio and video data during a particular time period.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein said particular time period comprises intervals according to a pre-determined schedule.

44. The method of claim 42, wherein said particular time period is determined upon demand of an administrator of said security gateway.

45. The method of claim 42, wherein said particular time period begins prior to triggering of an alarm.

46. The method of claim 42, wherein said particular time period begins upon triggering of an alarm.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein said security gateway continuously caches audio and video data.

48. The method of claim 42, wherein said particular time period begins prior to triggering of a sensor.

49. The method of claim 42, wherein said particular time period begins upon triggering of a sensor.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein said security gateway continuously caches audio and video data.

51. The method of claim 42, wherein said recorded audio and video data are used to provide context for an alarm event.

52. The method of claim 49, wherein said security gateway continuously caches audio and video data.

53. A method for remote monitoring of a residential premises, said method comprising the steps of:

operatively coupling a remote client to a security system server, said security system server being capable of authenticating a user of said remote client;

verifying the identification of said user of said remote client;

transmitting an access token from said security system server to said remote client;

providing said security gateway with information about said user and said access token;

operatively coupling said remote client to a security gateway, said security gateway being capable of managing the monitoring of one or more portions of said premises;

activating a signal at said premises for notifying an occupant at said premises that remote monitoring is occurring; and

transferring information between said security gateway and said remote client;

wherein said user is at a location which is geographically remote from said premises;

wherein said security gateway is operably coupled to at least one camera located at said premises;

wherein said security gateway is operably coupled to at least one audio station located at said premises;

wherein said access token is adapted to allow said remote client to access said security gateway based on said user'"'"'s permission profile; and

wherein said user'"'"'s permission profile is created by a general administrator of said security gateway.

54. A security system for remote monitoring of a premises by a user of a remote client, said security system comprising:

a security system server, said security system server being capable of authenticating said user of said remote client;

a security gateway operatively coupled to said security system server via a network, said security gateway being capable of managing the monitoring of one or more portions of said premises;

one or more cameras located at said premises and operatively coupled to said security gateway; and

one or more audio stations located at said premises and operatively coupled to said security gateway;

wherein said user is at a location which is geographically remote from said premises; and

wherein said security gateway provides an audiovisual signal at said premises for notifying an occupant at said premises that remote monitoring is occurring.

55. The security system of claim 54, wherein said security gateway comprises a controller capable of performing building automation control functions.

56. The security system of claim 54, wherein said security system provides for streaming data in substantially real-time from said security gateway to said remote client.

57. The security system of claim 54, wherein said security system provides for substantially real-time synchronized audio and video communication between said remote client and said security gateway.

58. The system of claim 54, wherein said security system server provides said remote client with an access token based on a permission profile associated with said user.

59. A security system for remote monitoring of a residential premises by a user of a remote client, said security system comprising:

a security system server, said security system server being capable of authenticating said user of said remote client;

a security gateway operatively coupled to said security system server via a network, said security gateway being capable of managing the monitoring of one or more portions of said premises;

one or more cameras located at said premises and operatively coupled to said security gateway; and

one or more audio stations located at said premises and operatively coupled to said security gateway;

wherein said user is at a location which is geographically remote from said premises;

wherein said security gateway provides an audiovisual signal at said premises for notifying an occupant at said premises that remote monitoring is occurring;

wherein said security system provides for streaming data in substantially real-time from said security gateway to said remote client;

wherein said security system provides for substantially real-time synchronized audio and video communication between said remote client and said security gateway; and

wherein said security system server provides said remote client with an access token based on a permission profile associated with said user.