Delivery of Security Solutions Based On-Demand

• US 20140136379A1
• Filed: 11/08/2013
• Published: 05/15/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sierra Wireless America Incorporated (Sierra Wireless Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Numerex Corporation (Sierra Wireless Incorporated)
• Inventors: Smith, Jeffrey O., Marett, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 9,235,855 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/34
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/10 actuating a signalling device
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1004 Alarm systems characterised by the type of sensor, e.g. current sensing means using door lock sensors B60R25/1001
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/00 Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/005 Alarm destination chosen according to a hierarchy of available destinations, e.g. if hospital does not answer send to police station
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/00 Checking or monitoring of signalling or alarm systems; Prevention or correction of operating errors, e.g. preventing unauthorised operation
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/16 Security signalling or alarm systems, e.g. redundant systems

Abstract

A computer can receive an alarm event data that results from detection of an event by an alarm system. The alarm event data comprises an identifier for the alarm system. In response to receiving the alarm event data, the computer can access a service subscription account associated with security services for the alarm system. Based on information maintained in the service subscription account, the computer can determine whether a processing service fee is associated with an action of forwarding the alarm event data to a central monitoring station or a mobile computing device associated with the service subscription account. If a processing service fee is associated with the forwarding action, the computer can record the alarm event data and the processing service fee in a record to support a creation of an invoice and forward the alarm event data to the central monitoring station or the mobile computing device.

Claims

1. ) A method comprising:

receiving, by a server, alarm event data resulting from detection of an event by an alarm system at a premise monitored by the alarm system, the alarm event data comprising an identifier for the alarm system and event data;

responsive to receiving the alarm event data, accessing, by the server, a service subscription account associated with security services for the alarm system based on the identifier for the alarm system;

based on information maintained in the service subscription account, determining, by the server, whether a processing service fee is associated with an action of forwarding the alarm event data to a central monitoring station or a mobile computing device associated with the account;

responsive to a positive determination that the processing service fee is associated with the forwarding action, recording, by the server, the processing service fee in a record to support a creation of an invoice; and

forwarding, by the server, the alarm event data to the central monitoring station or the mobile computing device.

2. ) The method of claim 1, further comprising determining, by the server, that a payment account associated with the service subscription account has sufficient funds to cover a payment of the processing service fee.

3. ) The method of claim 1, wherein the service subscription account comprises information designating the central monitoring station or the mobile computing device as a recipient for the alarm event data.

4. ) The method of claim 1, wherein the processing service fee comprises a payment amount that exceeds a recurring fee for an alternative security service comprising monitoring the alarm system and forwarding each instance of alarm event data to the central monitoring station.

5. ) The method of claim 1, further comprising contacting, by the server, a subscriber for the services subscription account to offer an option for reducing the processing service fee if the alarm system is enrolled in an alternative security service comprising monitoring the alarm system and forwarding each instance of alarm event data to the central monitoring station, the alternative security service associated with a recurring fee.

6. ) The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting, by the server, the record to a billing system that is configured to generate the invoice.

7. ) The method of claim 1, further comprising:

identifying, by the server, individuals associated with other premises located in a geographical area within a threshold distance from the premise;

transmitting, by the server, a message to the individuals, the message comprising an advisory that the event has occurred in the geographical area and a solicitation inviting each individual to subscribe to security services for their respective premise.

8. ) The method of claim 1, further comprising recording, by the server, a portion or all of the alarm event data in the record responsive to a positive determination that the processing service fee is associated with the forwarding action.

9. ) A method comprising:

receiving, by a server, alarm event data resulting from a detection of an event by an alarm system at a premise monitored by the alarm system, the alarm event data comprising an identifier for the alarm system;

responsive to receiving the alarm event data, accessing, by the server, a service subscription account associated with security service for the alarm system based on the identifier;

based on information maintained in the service subscription account, determining, by the server, if a service fee is associated with an action of forwarding the alarm event data to a central monitoring station or a mobile computing device associated with the service subscription account;

responsive to a positive determination that the processing service fee is associated with the forwarding action, providing, by the server, a subscriber for the services subscription account an option for reducing the service fee if the alarm system is enrolled in an alternative security service that is associated with a recurring fee;

responsive to an acceptance of the offer, recording, by the server, the reduced service fee in a record to support a creation of an invoice;

updating, by the server, the service subscription account to reflect the enrollment of the alarm system in the alternative security service; and

forwarding, by the server, the alarm event data to the central monitoring station or the mobile computing device.

10. ) The method of claim 9, further comprising:

determining, by the server, that the service subscription account is valid; and

responsive to a positive determination that the service subscription account is valid, determining, by the server, that a payment account associated with the service subscription account has sufficient funds to cover a payment of the processing service fee.

11. ) The method of claim 9, further comprising recording, by the server, a portion or all of the alarm event data in the record in response to a positive determination that the processing service fee is associated with the forwarding action.

12. ) The method of claim 9, further comprising transmitting, by the server, the record to a billing system that is configured to generate the invoice.

13. ) The method of claim 9, further comprising:

identifying, by the server, individuals associated with other premises located in a geographical area within a threshold distance from the premise;

transmitting, by the server, a message to the individuals, the message comprising an advisory that the event has occurred in the geographical area and a solicitation inviting each individual to subscribe to security services for their respective premise.

14. ) The method of claim 9, wherein the alternative security service comprises monitoring the alarm system and forwarding each instance of alarm event data to the central monitoring station.

15. ) A system comprising:

a communication network; and

a computer coupled to the communication network and configured to;

receive alarm event data resulting from detection of an event by an alarm system at a premise monitored by the alarm system, the alarm event data comprising an identifier for the alarm system and event data;

responsive to receiving the alarm event data, access a service subscription account associated with security services for the alarm system based on the identifier for the alarm system;

based on information maintained in the service subscription account, determine whether a processing service fee is associated with an action of forwarding the alarm event data to a central monitoring station or a mobile computing device associated with the account;

responsive to a positive determination that the processing service fee is associated with the forwarding action, record the processing service fee in a record to support a creation of an invoice; and

forward the alarm event data to the central monitoring station or the mobile computing device.

16. ) The system of claim 15, wherein the computer is further configured to determine that a payment account associated with the service subscription account has sufficient funds to cover a payment of the processing service fee.

17. ) The system of claim 15, wherein the service subscription account comprises information designating the central monitoring station or the mobile computing device as a recipient for the alarm event data.

18. ) The system of claim 15, wherein the computer is further configured to contact a subscriber for the services subscription account to offer an option for reducing the processing service fee if the alarm system is enrolled in an alternative security service comprising monitoring the alarm system and forwarding each instance of alarm event data to the central monitoring station, the alternative security service associated with a recurring fee.

19. ) The system of claim 15, wherein the computer is further configured to transmit the record to a billing system that is configured to generate the invoice.

20. ) The system of claim 15, wherein the processing service fee comprises a payment amount that exceeds a recurring fee for an alternative security service comprising monitoring the alarm system and forwarding each instance of alarm event data to the central monitoring station.