Redundant video alarm monitoring system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An alarm system comprising:
- a customer site having an alarm communicator for originating an alarm call to an alarm monitoring station and a video transmitter for transmitting a video alarm image;
a first monitoring station for receiving the video alarm image through a telecommunications network, the first monitoring station having a first alarm processor system for processing the video alarm image, the first alarm processor system including a customer database for responding to the video alarm image;
a second monitoring station for receiving the video alarm image through the telecommunications network and having a second alarm processor system for processing the video alarm image, the second alarm processor system including a customer database for responding to the video alarm image;
alternate routing in the network for initially routing the alarm call to the first alarm monitoring station and for subsequently rerouting the alarm call to the second monitoring station; and
a data link between the first and second alarm processor systems for linking the customer databases wherein the linking includes updating the customer database of one of the first and second alarm processor systems when the call has been routed to the other of the first and second alarm processor systems such that the customer databases are redundant.
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Abstract
An alarm system includes plural customer sites and first and second alarm monitoring stations. Each customer site has an alarm communicator for calling a monitoring station and transmitting an alarm message. The first and second monitoring stations are provided for receiving the alarm message through a telecommunications network. Each monitoring station includes an alarm processor system for processing the alarm message. Alternate routing in the network allows an alarm call to be rerouted from the first monitoring station to the second central monitoring station if the alarm call to the first station cannot be completed. The alarm message can include a video alarm image.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. An alarm system comprising:
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a customer site having an alarm communicator for originating an alarm call to an alarm monitoring station and a video transmitter for transmitting a video alarm image; a first monitoring station for receiving the video alarm image through a telecommunications network, the first monitoring station having a first alarm processor system for processing the video alarm image, the first alarm processor system including a customer database for responding to the video alarm image; a second monitoring station for receiving the video alarm image through the telecommunications network and having a second alarm processor system for processing the video alarm image, the second alarm processor system including a customer database for responding to the video alarm image; alternate routing in the network for initially routing the alarm call to the first alarm monitoring station and for subsequently rerouting the alarm call to the second monitoring station; and a data link between the first and second alarm processor systems for linking the customer databases wherein the linking includes updating the customer database of one of the first and second alarm processor systems when the call has been routed to the other of the first and second alarm processor systems such that the customer databases are redundant. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A video alarm monitoring system comprising:
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an alarm detector for detecting an alarm event; an alarm communicator coupled to a telephone line for originating an alarm call in response to the alarm event; a video transmitter for transmitting a video alarm image; a first monitoring station for receiving the video alarm image through a telephone network, the first monitoring station having a first alarm processor system for processing the video alarm image, the first alarm processor system including a customer database for responding to the video alarm image; a second monitoring station for receiving the video alarm image through the telephone network and having a second alarm processor system for processing the video alarm image, the second alarm processor system including a customer database for responding to the video alarm image; alternate routing in the network for initially routing the alarm call to the first alarm monitoring station and for subsequently rerouting the alarm call to the second monitoring station if the alarm call to the first monitoring station cannot be completed; and a data link between the first and second alarm processor systems for linking the customer databases wherein the linking includes updating the customer database of one of the first and second alarm processor systems when the call has been routed to the other of the first and second alarm processor systems such that the customer databases are redundant. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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8. In a telecommunications network, a method of alarm monitoring comprising the steps of:
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providing a video alarm image at a customer site; providing a first monitoring station for receiving the video alarm image through the telecommunications network at a first network destination, the first monitoring station having a first alarm processor system for processing the video alarm image, the first alarm processor system including a customer database for responding to the video alarm image; providing a second monitoring station for receiving the video alarm image through the telecommunications network at a second network destination, the second monitoring station having a second alarm processor system for processing the video alarm image, the second alarm processor system including a customer database for responding to the video alarm image; providing a data link for linking the customer databases; calling a monitoring station telephone number from the customer site; routing the call to the first monitoring station if the first network destination is available; otherwise, rerouting the call to the second monitoring station; transmitting the video alarm image from the customer site; and updating the customer database of one of the first and second alarm processor systems when the call has been routed to the other of the first and second alarm processor systems.
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Specification