Sharing of a Neighboring Wireless Network

• US 20100102951A1
• Filed: 10/29/2008
• Published: 04/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: DEI Holdings Incorporated
• Original Assignee: DEI Holdings Incorporated
• Inventors: Rutledge, Mark
• Application Number:
  US12/260,339
• Publication Number:
  US 20100102951A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/507
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/004 Alarm propagated along alternative communication path or using alternative communication medium according to a hierarchy of available ways to communicate, e.g. if Wi-Fi not available use GSM
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/009 Signalling of the alarm condition to a substation whose identity is signalled to a central station, e.g. relaying alarm signals in order to extend communication range
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/14 Central alarm receiver or annunciator arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/16 Security signalling or alarm systems, e.g. redundant systems
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/22 Provisions facilitating manual calibration, e.g. input or output provisions for testing; Holding of intermittent values to permit measurement

Abstract

A security system can detect if a first network is compromised and automatically access a second network to communicate an alert to a monitor. The second network could be a wireless network of a neighbor. An incentive could be provided to the neighbor to allow the security system to access the neighbor'"'"'s network and communicate an alert to at least one monitor. The monitor could include an emergency responder, a security monitoring service, and a cellular telephone of an entity of the security system.

Claims

1. A method of providing a backup to a security system, the method comprising:

using a first network to communicate information from the security system to a monitor;

automatically detecting a compromised status of the first network; and

while the first network is compromised, automatically accessing a wireless network and communicating an alert regarding the compromised status.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising a utility giving an incentive for access to the wireless network by the security system.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the incentive is monetary.

4. The method of claim 1, where the method further comprises communicating the alert to the monitor.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the alert further comprises a video component.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the alert further comprises an audio component.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the alert further comprises a status of the security system.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the monitor is selected from a list consisting of a security monitoring service, an emergency responder, and a cell phone authenticated by the security system.

9. A method for facilitating a fail-over connection of a security system of an entity to a neighbor, comprising:

providing an incentive to the neighbor to allow the entity to communicate to a monitor over a network of the neighbor;

communicating to the entity that the neighbor is willing; and

facilitating configuration of the fail-over connection.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising sending a software to the entity.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising obtaining access to the network of the neighbor.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising configuring the network of the neighbor to provide the entity access to an internet service provider only.

13. A device for providing a backup to a security system, comprising a computer that operates a software programmed to do the following:

detect a compromised status of a first network;

detect a second network of a neighbor; and

pass an alert through the second network of the neighbor to a monitor regarding the compromised status of the first network.