USING A CONTROL PANEL AS A WIRELESS ACCESS POINT

• US 20140269660A1
• Filed: 03/14/2014
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vivint Incorporated (NRG Energy, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Vivint Incorporated (NRG Energy, Inc.)
• Inventors: Dunn, Alex J., Nye, James E., Harris, Christopher Lee, Ehlers, Bruce, Santiago, Todd M.
• Granted Patent: US 9,584,336 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/338
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/282 based on user interaction within the home receiver circuitry for displaying additional information being controlled by a remote control apparatus H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/283 Processing of data at an internetworking point of a home automation network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/285 Generic home appliances, e.g. refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/75 Indicating network or usage conditions on the user display
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/18 Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices

Abstract

A method for providing wireless access to one or more wireless devices using an automation system control panel is described. In one embodiment, a communication link is established between an automation system control panel and one or more automation components. Settings are applied to configure the automation system control panel for use as a wireless access point providing two-way communication with one or more electronic devices. Applying settings includes receiving input directly at a graphical user interface of the automation system control panel, the graphical user interface further providing access to control the one or more automation components. The automation system control panel is wirelessly connected to one or more electronic devices via a wireless access point interface using the settings applied at the graphical user interface.

Claims

1. A control panel, comprising:

a housing;

one or more processors for controlling operation of the control panel for at least one of a security system or an automation system, the one or more processors carried within the housing;

a first communication interface for enabling the control panel to connect to a plurality of wireless devices as a wireless access point, the first communication interface carried by or within the housing, and configured to provide the plurality of wireless devices access to a communication network accessible through the first communication interface;

a second communication interface for communicatively coupling the one or more processors to the communication network, the second communication interface being carried by or within the housing; and

a graphical user interface carried by the housing and in communication with the one or more processors for enabling control of the first communication interface and the security system or the automation system.

2. The control panel of claim 1, wherein the communication network includes the Internet.

3. The control panel of claim 2, wherein the communication network includes one or more of a cable, DSL, or satellite connection to an Internet service provider.

4. The control panel of claim 1, wherein the first communication interface uses a WiFi protocol.

5. The control panel of claim 1, wherein the first and second communication interfaces use different communication protocols.

6. The control panel of claim 1, further comprising a third communication interface for coupling the one or more processors to a network of security system or automation components.

7. The control panel of claim 6, wherein the third communication interface is configured to couple the one or more processors to a mesh network of security or automation components.

8. The control panel of claim 6, wherein the second communication interface uses one or more of a mesh network protocol or a mobile telephone system protocol.

9. An automation system, comprising:

at least one automation component for a security system or building automation system; and

a control panel dedicated for use in controlling or monitoring the at least one automation component, wherein the control panel includes;

a housing;

one or more processors carried within the housing;

an interface carried within the housing for wirelessly connecting the control panel to the at least one automation component;

a wireless access point interface for wirelessly connecting the control panel to a plurality of WiFi-enabled devices; and

a graphical user interface carried by the housing and in communication with the one or more processors for enabling control of the wireless access interface and the at least one automation component.

10. The automation system of claim 9, wherein the at least one automation component is a security-related automation component.

11. The automation system of claim 9, further comprising:

at least one of a router or modem connected to the control panel and providing access to an Internet service provider.

12. The automation system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of WiFi-enabled devices are provided access to the Internet service provider through the wireless access point interface and the router or modem.

13. The automation system of claim 9, wherein the control panel further includes a mobile telephone network interface connecting the control panel to the mobile telephone network.

14. The automation system of claim 13, wherein the mobile telephone network interface provides the control panel access to a network operations center.

15. The automation system of claim 9, wherein the graphical user interface includes a display configured to display setup or configuration information corresponding to the wireless access point interface.

16. The automation system of claim 15, wherein the control panel further includes an input for the control panel to receive setup or configuration information corresponding to the wireless access point interface directly at the control panel.

17. A method for providing wireless access to one or more wireless devices using an automation system control panel, comprising:

establishing a communication link between the automation system control panel and one or more automation components;

applying settings to configure the automation system control panel for use as a wireless access point providing two-way communication with one or more electronic devices, wherein applying settings includes receiving input directly at a graphical user interface of the automation system control panel, the graphical user interface further providing access to control the one or more automation components; and

wirelessly connecting the automation system control panel to the one or more electronic devices via a wireless access point interface using the settings applied at the graphical user interface.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein wirelessly connecting the automation system control panel to one or more electronic devices includes establishing a WiFi connection.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

connecting the automation system control panel to a router or modem for accessing an Internet service provider.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein establishing a communication link between the automation system control panel and the one or more automation components and wirelessly connecting the automation system control panel to the one or more electronic devices uses at least two different wireless communication interfaces.