MONITORING APPARATUS AND SYSTEM
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A monitoring system for response to incidents sensed by at least one sensor of an individual signal unit; said response comprising in a first instance, transmission to a central control facility by a said individual signal unit, of at least a unique identifying code for that individual signal unit, over a communication network; said response comprising in a second instance, transmission of data from said central control facility to one or more recipients nominated by a registered owner of said individual signal unit; and wherein registration of a said individual signal unit and configuration of sensing and of said response is via a web-based interface.
The monitoring system of claim 1 wherein said response in said first instance includes digital or analogue data input to said individual signal unit.
In a further form there is disclosed a method of monitoring the status of an item of interest; said method including the steps of:
- (i) purchase by an owner of an individual signal unit and at least one user selectable sensor for connection to said device,
- (j) registering said individual signal unit and said at least one sensor with a central control facility,
- (k) configuring a response executable by said central control facility on receipt by said facility of a signal transmitted by said individual signal unit.
42 Citations
152 Claims
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1-77. -77. (canceled)
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78. A monitoring system including an individual signal unit, at least one external event sensor and a central control facility;
- said system responsive to incidents sensed by said at least one external event sensor;
a response of said system including in a first instance, transmission by said individual signal unit of at least a unique identifying code for that individual signal unit;
said transmission made to said central control facility over a distributed communication network;
said response including in a second instance, execution by said central control facility of predetermined steps according to protocols stored at said central control facility;
said steps including transmission of data to one or more nominated recipients; and
wherein an applicant user of said system purchases a said individual signal unit and one or more of said external event sensors or output devices selected from a plurality of standard or third party said external event sensors or output devices, said individual signal and said external event sensors or output devices registered with said central control facility;
said registration and structuring by said applicant user of said protocols effected by means of data entry into a web-based interface maintained by said central control facility;
events sensed by any one of said external event sensors being available for communication to any one of said registered users as effected by data entry into said web based interface by the said applicant user. - View Dependent Claims (79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101)
- said system responsive to incidents sensed by said at least one external event sensor;
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102. An individual signal unit purchased by an applicant user of a monitoring system;
- each said individual signal unit including;
(a) a transceiver module, (b) a rechargeable power supply and power control module, (c) a logic circuit, (d) at least one external event sensor selected and purchased by said applicant user from a plurality of standard external event sensors, and wherein an applicant user of said system purchases a said individual signal unit and one or more of said external event sensors or output devices selected from a plurality of standard or third party said external event sensors or output devices, said individual signal and said external event sensors or output devices registered with said central control facility;
said registration and structuring by said applicant user of said protocols effected by means of data entry into a web-based interface maintained by said central control facility;
events sensed by any one of said external event sensors being available for communication to any one of said registered users as effected by data entry into said web based interface by the said applicant user, and wherein a signal from a said individual signal unit to a central control facility causes said central control facility to execute a number of predefined steps;
said predefined steps prior configured by said applicant user by means of a web-based interface.
- each said individual signal unit including;
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103. Apparatus for a monitoring system;
- said apparatus comprising a purchased individual signal unit and at least one owner selectable, purchased external event sensor connected to said individual signal unit;
said and wherein an applicant user of said system purchases a said individual signal unit and one or more of said external event sensors or output devices selected from a plurality of standard or third party said external event sensors or output devices, said individual signal and said external event sensors or output devices registered with said central control facility;
said registration and structuring by said applicant user of said protocols effected by means of data entry into a web-based interface maintained by said central control facility;
events sensed by any one of said external event sensors being available for communication to any one of said registered users as effected by data entry into said web based interface by the said applicant user;
said individual signal unit and said at least one external event sensor registered by said user with a central control facility;
wherein said individual signal unit is programmed to transmit a unique individual signal unit identification code to said central control facility when said at least one external event sensor detects an incident;
said central control facility responding to a transmitted said unique individual signal unit identification code according to protocols established at registration of said individual signal unit and said at least one external event sensor by said owner;
said protocols established through interaction with pages of a web site maintained by said central control facility.
- said apparatus comprising a purchased individual signal unit and at least one owner selectable, purchased external event sensor connected to said individual signal unit;
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104. A monitoring system enabled by the internet and a communication system;
- said system including a number of individual signal units;
each of said individual signal units connected to at least one external event sensor selected by an owner of said individual signal unit from a plurality of standard external event sensors; and
wherein an applicant user of said system purchases a said individual signal unit and one or more of said external event sensors or output devices selected from a plurality of standard or third party said external event sensors or output devices, said individual signal and said external event sensors or output devices registered with said central control facility;
said registration and structuring by said applicant user of said protocols effected by means of data entry into a web-based interface maintained by said central control facility;
events sensed by any one of said external event sensors being available for communication to any one of said registered users as effected by data entry into said web based interface by the said applicant user;
said central control facility responding to an incident sensed by a said external event sensor according to protocols established at registration by a said owner through interaction with pages of a web site maintained by said central control facility.
- said system including a number of individual signal units;
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105. A method of monitoring the status of an item of interest;
- said method including the steps of;
(a) purchase by an owner of an individual signal unit and at least one external event sensor selected from a plurality of standard external event sensors for connection to said individual signal unit, (b) registering said individual signal unit and said at least one external event sensor with a central control facility, (c) configuring a response executable by said central control facility on receipt by said facility of a signal transmitted by said individual signal unit, wherein said response includes a number of prior defined steps nominated by a said owner when registering a said individual signal unit and said at least one external event sensor with said central control facility;
said registration and configuring of said response effected by interaction with pages of a web site maintained by said central control facility; and
wherein an applicant user of said system purchases a said individual signal unit and one or more of said external event sensors or output devices selected from a plurality of standard or third party said external event sensors or output devices, said individual signal and said external event sensors or output devices registered with said central control facility;
said registration and structuring by said applicant user of said protocols effected by means of data entry into a web-based interface maintained by said central control facility;
events sensed by any one of said external event sensors being available for communication to any one of said registered users as effected by data entry into said web based interface by the said applicant user. - View Dependent Claims (106, 107)
- said method including the steps of;
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108. A method for monitoring the status of at least one aspect of geographically disparate items of infrastructure;
- said method including the steps of;
(a) installing an individual signal unit at each of said items of infrastructure, (b) providing said individual signal unit with at least one external event sensor and a signal transceiver, (c) linking said individual signal unit with a central control facility via a communication network, (d) providing said central control facility with server and data storage devices;
said devices adapted to execute pre-programmed responses to a signal received from a said individual signalling device,and wherein an applicant user of said system purchases a said individual signal unit and one or more of said external event sensors or output devices selected from a plurality of standard or third party said external event sensors or output devices, said individual signal and said external event sensors or output devices registered with said central control facility;
said registration and structuring by said applicant user of said protocols effected by means of data entry into a web-based interface maintained by said central control facility;
events sensed by any one of said external event sensors being available for communication to any one of said registered users as effected by data entry into said web based interface by the said applicant user.
- said method including the steps of;
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109. Apparatus of an infrastructure monitoring system;
- said apparatus including a plurality of geographically disparate individual signalling units purchased by applicant users of said system; and
wherein an applicant user of said system purchases a said individual signal unit and one or more of said external event sensors or output devices selected from a plurality of standard or third party said external event sensors or output devices, said individual signal and said external event sensors or output devices registered with said central control facility;
said registration and structuring by said applicant user of said protocols effected by means of data entry into a web-based interface maintained by said central control facility;
events sensed by any one of said external event sensors being available for communication to any one of said registered users as effected by data entry into said web based interface by the said applicant user;
said individual signalling units in communication with a central control facility via at least one communication satellite;
said individual signalling units adapted to change from a first stand-by state to a second powered up state on the occurrence of a change of status of an item of said infrastructure;
each of said individual signal units transmitting a signal to said central control facility during said powered up state;
said signal triggering a programmed predefined sequence of responses as defined by a said applicant user through interaction with web pages maintained by said central control facility;
each said individual signal unit returning to said stand-by state after transmission of a said signal. - View Dependent Claims (110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130)
- said apparatus including a plurality of geographically disparate individual signalling units purchased by applicant users of said system; and
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131. A method for monitoring the status of at least one aspect of geographically disparate items of infrastructure;
- said method including the steps of;
(a) installing an individual signalling unit at each of said items of infrastructure, (b) providing said individual signalling unit with a signal transceiver, (c) connecting at least one external event sensor to said individual signalling unit; said external event sensor selected from a plurality of standard external event sensors, (d) linking said individual signalling unit with a central control facility via a satellite link, (e) providing said central control facility with server and data storage units;
said units adapted to execute pre-programmed responses to a signal received from a said individual signalling unit;and wherein an applicant user of said system purchases a said individual signal unit and one or more of said external event sensors or output devices selected from a plurality of standard or third party said external event sensors or output devices, said individual signal and said external event sensors or output devices registered with said central control facility;
said registration and structuring by said applicant user of said protocols effected by means of data entry into a web-based interface maintained by said central control facility;
events sensed by any one of said external event sensors being available for communication to any one of said registered users as effected by data entry into said web based interface by the said applicant user. - View Dependent Claims (132, 133)
- said method including the steps of;
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134. An individual signal unit;
- each said individual signal unit including;
(a) a transceiver module, (b) a rechargeable power supply and power control module, (c) a logic circuit, (d) at least one of a number of selectable external event sensors, and wherein a signal from a said individual signal unit to a central control facility causes said central control facility to execute a number of predefined steps; and
wherein an applicant user of said system purchases a said individual signal unit and one or more of said external event sensors or output devices selected from a plurality of standard or third party said external event sensors or output devices, said individual signal and said external event sensors or output devices registered with said central control facility;
said registration and structuring by said applicant user of said protocols effected by means of data entry into a web-based interface maintained by said central control facility;
events sensed by any one of said external event sensors being available for communication to any one of said registered users as effected by data entry into said web based interface by the said applicant user.
- each said individual signal unit including;
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135. A monitoring system including an individual signal unit and a central control facility;
- said individual signal unit communicating with said central control facility when an event sensor activates said individual signalling unit;
said central control facility executing a number of predefined steps on receipt of a communication from said individual signalling unit;
said predefined steps configured by interaction with an Internet web-based interface maintained by said central control facility; and
wherein an applicant user of said system purchases a said individual signal unit and one or more of said external event sensors or output devices selected from a plurality of standard or third party said external event sensors or output devices, said individual signal and said external event sensors or output devices registered with said central control facility;
said registration and structuring by said applicant user of said protocols effected by means of data entry into a web-based interface maintained by said central control facility;
events sensed by any one of said external event sensors being available for communication to any one of said registered users as effected by data entry into said web based interface by the said applicant user. - View Dependent Claims (136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151)
- said individual signal unit communicating with said central control facility when an event sensor activates said individual signalling unit;
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152. A method of deriving revenue from a monitoring system;
- said monitoring system including a remotely located individual signal unit and at least one external event sensor;
said individual signal unit in communication with a central control facility;
said method including;(a) selling said individual signal units and said at least one external event sensor to an applicant user;
said external event sensor selected from a range of standard external event sensors,(b) renting said individual signal units and said at least one external event sensor to an applicant user;
said external event sensor selected from a range of standard external event sensors,(c) charging periodic registration fees (d) charging for network services (e) charging for development, programming and design (f) charging license fees for custom or retrofitted applications (g) collecting industry co-operation commissions (h) charging license fees for monitoring agents and service providers, and wherein an applicant user of said system purchases a said individual signal unit and one or more of said external event sensors or output devices selected from a plurality of standard or third party said external event sensors or output devices, said individual signal and said external event sensors or output devices registered with said central control facility;
said registration and structuring by said applicant user of said protocols effected by means of data entry into a web-based interface maintained by said central control facility;
events sensed by any one of said external event sensors being available for communication to any one of said registered users as effected by data entry into said web based interface by the said applicant user.
- said monitoring system including a remotely located individual signal unit and at least one external event sensor;
Specification