Security system configured to provide video and/or audio information to public or private safety personnel at a call center or other fixed or mobile emergency assistance unit

• US 7,158,026 B2
• Filed: 02/06/2004
• Issued: 01/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Original Assignee: @Security Broadband Corporation
• Inventors: Feldkamp, Gregory E., Kolb, Mark A., Bass, Harris, Hogue, Mary, Benolken, Ann
• Primary Examiner(s): Pope, Daryl C
• Application Number:
  US10/774,203
• Publication Number:
  US 20050174229A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,061 Days
• Field of Search: 340/531, 340/506, 340/539.25, 340/825.36, 340/825.49
• US Class Current: 340/531
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19656 Network used to communicate with a camera, e.g. WAN, LAN, Internet
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19669 Event triggers storage or change of storage policy
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19695 Arrangements wherein non-video detectors start video recording or forwarding but do not generate an alarm themselves
• 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 25/08 using communication transmission lines G08B13/19658, G08B21/0286, G08B25/016 take precedence

Abstract

A security system for monitoring a premises. Alarm information, including a near real-time feed of video and/or audio data, is collected at the premises and retrieved by a remotely located monitoring computer workstation over a data network. If desired, a remotely located emergency response computer workstation coupled to the data network may be authorized, by the monitoring computer workstation, to retrieve the collected alarm information over the data network. The emergency response computer workstation may also be granted control of the alarm information collecting devices located at the monitored premises.

Claims

1. A security system for monitoring a premises, said security system comprising:

at least one device for collecting alarm information at said monitored premises;

a monitoring computer workstation remotely located relative to said monitored premises, said collected alarm information transported to said monitoring computer workstation over a data network in response to detection of an alarm condition at said monitored premises; and

a first emergency response computer workstation remotely located relative to said monitored premises, said first emergency response computer workstation not collocated with said monitoring computer workstation;

said monitoring computer workstation configured to;

(1) receive said collected alarm information over said data network;

(2) actively control operation of said at least one alarm information collection device over said data network;

(3) enable said first emergency response computer workstation to passively receive said collected alarm information and (4) cede active control of (a) operation of said at least one alarm information collection device and (b) delivery of said collected alarm information to said first emergency response computer workstation;

said first emergency response computer workstation configured to actively control (a) operation of said at least one alarm information collection device and (b) delivery of said collected alarm information upon said monitoring computer workstation ceding control of said at least one alarm information collection device to said first emergency response computer workstation.

2. The security system of claim 1, wherein said alarm information includes near real-time video.

3. The security system of claim 1, wherein said alarm information includes near real-time audio.

4. The security system of claim 1, wherein said alarm information includes near real-time video and near real-time audio.

5. The security system of claim 1, wherein said alarm information includes video and/or audio recorded prior to or during said alarm condition.

6. The security system of claim 1, and further comprising:

a computer server coupled to said data network, said computer server receiving said alarm information collected by said at least one alarm information collection device;

said monitoring computer workstation authorizing accesses, by said first emergency response computer workstation, to said alarm information received by said computer server.

7. The security system of claim 6, wherein said computer server is remotely located relative to said monitored premises.

8. The security system of claim 1, wherein said at least one alarm information collection device at said monitored premises includes at least two cameras and wherein said monitoring computer workstation is further configured to control switching between said at least two cameras for respective acquisition of near real-time video thereby whenever said monitoring computer workstation is in active control of operations of said at least two cameras and wherein said first emergency response computer workstation is configured to control switching between said at least two cameras for respective acquisition of near real-time video thereby whenever said monitoring computer workstation has ceded active control of said at least two cameras to said first emergency response computer workstation.

9. The security system of claim 1, wherein said at least one alarm information collection device at said monitored premises includes at least two audio stations and wherein said monitoring computer workstation is further configured to control switching between said at least two audio stations for respective acquisition of near real-time audio thereby whenever said monitoring computer workstation is in active control of operations of said at least two audio stations and wherein said first emergency response computer workstation is configured to control switching between said at least two audio stations for respective acquisition of near real-time audio thereby whenever said monitoring computer workstation has ceded active control of said at least two audio stations to said first emergency response computer workstation.

10. The security system of claim 1, wherein said at least one alarm information collection device includes an audio station and wherein said monitoring computer workstation is further configured to control adjusting microphone sensitivity of said audio station whenever said monitoring computer workstation is in active control of operations of said audio station and wherein said first emergency response computer workstation is configured to control adjusting microphone sensitivity of said audio station whenever said monitoring computer workstation has ceded active control of said audio station to said first emergency response computer workstation.

11. The security system of claim 1 wherein said at least one alarm information collection device includes an audio station and wherein said monitoring computer workstation is further configured to control speaker volume of said audio station whenever said monitoring computer workstation is in active control of operations of said audio station and wherein said first emergency response computer workstation is configured to control speaker volume of said audio station whenever said monitoring computer workstation has ceded active control of said audio station to said first emergency response computer workstation.

12. The security system of claim 1, wherein said at least one alarm information collection device includes an audio station and wherein said monitoring computer workstation is further configured to serve as an audio source for said audio station whenever said monitoring computer workstation is in active control of operations of said audio station and wherein said first emergency response computer workstation is configured to serve as said audio source for said audio station whenever said monitoring computer workstation has ceded active control of said audio station to said first emergency response computer workstation.

13. The security system of claim 1, wherein said at least one alarm information collection device includes an audio station and wherein said monitoring computer workstation is further configured to select between one-way operation of said audio station in which audio information may only be transported from said audio station to said monitoring computer workstation and two-way operation of said audio station in which audio information may be transported from said audio station to said monitoring computer workstation and from said monitoring computer workstation to said audio station whenever said monitoring computer workstation is in active control of operations of said audio station and wherein said first emergency response computer workstation is configured to select between one-way operation of said audio station in which audio information may only be transported from said audio station to said first emergency computer workstation and two-way operation of said audio station in which audio information may be transported from said audio station to said first emergency computer workstation and from said first emergency computer workstation to said audio station whenever said monitoring computer workstation has ceded active control of said audio station to said first emergency response computer workstation.

14. The security system of claim 1, wherein said alarm information includes video and audio information recorded prior to or during said alarm condition and wherein said monitoring computer workstation is configured to select between said recorded video information and said recorded audio information whenever said monitoring computer workstation is in active control of operations of said at least one alarm information collecting device and wherein said first emergency response computer workstation is configured to select between said recorded video information and said recorded audio information whenever said monitoring computer workstation has ceded active control of said audio station to said first emergency response computer workstation.

15. The security system of claim 1, wherein said at least one alarm information collection device includes a camera and wherein said monitoring computer workstation is further configured to adjust pan, tilt, zoom, focus, aperture and white balance functions of said camera whenever said monitoring computer workstation is in active control of operations of said camera and wherein said first emergency response computer workstation is configured to adjust pan, tilt, zoom, focus, aperture and white balance functions of said camera whenever said monitoring computer workstation has ceded active control of said audio station to said first emergency response computer workstation.

16. The security system of claim 1, wherein said first emergency response computer workstation is located within a public safety call center.

17. The security system of claim 1, wherein said first emergency response computer workstation is located within an emergency response vehicle.

18. The security system of claim 1, wherein said first emergency response computer workstation is located within a facility operated by private safety personnel.

19. The security system of claim 1, wherein said first emergency response computer workstation is further configured to return active control of the operation of said at least one alarm information collection device and control of the delivery of said collected alarm information to said monitoring computer workstation.

20. The security system of claim 19, wherein said monitoring computer workstation is unable to actively control operation of said least one alarm information collection device or delivery of said collected alarm information until after said first emergency response computer workstation returns active control thereto.

21. The security system of claim 1, and further comprising:

a second emergency response computer workstation remotely located relative to said monitored premises;

wherein said first emergency response computer workstation is further configured to cede active control of (a) operation of said at least one alarm information collection device and (b) delivery of said collected alarm information to said second emergency response computer workstation; and

said second emergency response computer workstation configured to actively control (a) operation of said at least one alarm information collection device and (b) delivery of said collected alarm information.

22. The security system of claim 21, wherein said second emergency response computer workstation is not collocated with said first emergency response computer workstation.

23. The security system of claim 21, wherein said second emergency response computer workstation is further configured to return active control of the operation of said at least one alarm information collection device and control of delivery of said collected alarm information to said first emergency response computer workstation or said monitoring computer workstation.

24. The security system of claim 23, wherein said means for collecting alarm information at said monitored premises further comprises:

a base station coupled to said data network, said base station located at said monitored premises; and

a plurality of video cameras coupled to said base station;

wherein said alarm information is comprised of a near real-time stream of video data from a first one of said plurality of video cameras.

25. The security system of claim 24, and further comprising:

means for controlling said plurality of video cameras from said monitoring computer workstation; and

means for ceding control of said plurality of video cameras from said monitoring computer workstation to said emergency response computer workstation.

26. The security system of claim 25, and further comprising:

a plurality of audio recording devices coupled to said base station;

wherein said alarm information further comprises a near real-time stream of audio data from a first one of said plurality of audio recording devices.

27. The security system of claim 26, and further comprising:

means for controlling said plurality of audio recording devices from said monitoring computer workstation; and

means for ceding control of said plurality of audio recording devices from said monitoring computer workstation to said emergency response computer workstation.

28. The security system of claim 23, and further comprising:

a manager workstation, said manager station configured to suspend the (a) authorization of the transport of said collected alarm information and (b) ceding of active control of said at least one alarm information collection device to said second emergency response computer workstation.

29. The security system of claim 28, wherein said manager workstation is further configured to cancel the (a) said suspension of authorization of the transport of said collected alarm information and (b) ceding of active control of said at least one alarm information collection device to said second emergency response computer workstation.

30. The security system of claim 1, and further comprising:

a manager workstation, said manager station configured to suspend the ceding of active control of (a) operation of said at least one alarm information collection device and (b) delivery of said collected alarm information to said first emergency response computer workstation.

31. The security system of claim 30, wherein said manager workstation is collocated with said monitoring computer workstation.

32. The security system of claim 30, wherein said manager workstation is collocated with said first emergency response computer workstation.

33. The security system of claim 30, wherein said manager workstation is further configured to cancel said suspension of the ceding of active control of (a) operation of said at least one alarm information collection device and (b) delivery of said collected alarm information to said first emergency response computer workstation.

34. The security system of claim 1, wherein said security system further comprises:

an application administration workstation, said application administration workstation configured to control eligibility of said first emergency response computer workstation to actively control (a) operation of said at least one alarm information collection device and (a) delivery of said collected alarm information.

35. The security system of claim 34, wherein said application administration workstation is configured to manage eligibility on a non-discriminatory basis.

36. The security system of claim 34, wherein said application administration workstation is configured to manage eligibility on a discriminatory basis.

37. A security system for monitoring a premises, said security system comprising:

at least one device for collecting alarm information at said monitored premises;

a first computer server, said computer server receiving said alarm information from said at least one device over a first secured data path;

a first computer workstation remotely located relative to said monitored premises, said first computer workstation receiving said alarm information, from said first computer server, over a second secured data path; and

a second computer workstation remotely located relative to said monitored premises; and

a second computer server, said second computer server receiving, over a fourth secured data path, requests, from said first computer workstation, for authorization of said second computer workstation to receive said alarm information from said first computer server;

said first computer workstation configured to control said at least one alarm information collection device using control commands transmitted to said first computer server over said second secured data path and passed, by said first computer server, to said at least one alarm information collection device over said first secured data path;

said first computer workstation further configured to authorize said second computer workstation to receive said alarm information from said first computer server;

said first computer workstation still further configured to cede active control of the operation of said at least one alarm information collection device to said second computer workstation;

said second computer workstation configured to receive said alarm information, from said first computer server, over a third secured data path upon authorization, by said first computer workstation, to receive said alarm information from said first computer server;

said second computer workstation further configured to receive, over a fifth secured data path, information, from said second computer server, enabling said second computer workstation to access said alarm information received by said first computer server;

said second computer workstation still further configured to control said at least one alarm information collection device using control commands transmitted to said first computer server over said third secured data path and passed, by said first computer server, to said alarm information collection device over said first secured data path upon receipt of a message, from said first computer workstation that said first computer workstation has ceded control to said second computer workstation and said second computer workstation has received, over said fifth secured data path, information, from said first computer server, enabling said second computer workstation to assume control of said at least one alarm information collection device for which control has been ceded to said second computer workstation.

38. The security system of claim 37, wherein said collected alarm information includes a near real-time stream of video and/or audio data.

39. The security system of claim 38, wherein:

said first computer server is remotely located relative to said monitored premises;

said first computer workstation is remotely located relative to said first computer server;

said second computer workstation is remotely located relative to said first computer server and said first computer workstation.

40. The security system of claim 39, wherein said first computer server is collocated with said second computer server.

41. The security system of claim 40, and further comprising:

a third computer workstation, said second computer server receiving, over a sixth secured data path, requests, from said third computer workstation, to disable the authorization of said second computer workstation to receive said alarm information from said first computer server; and

said second computer workstation receiving, over said fifth secured data path, information, from said second computer server, disabling said second computer workstation'"'"'s ability to access said alarm information received by said first computer server.

42. The security system of claim 41, wherein said third computer workstation is collocated with said first computer workstation.

43. The security system of claim 41, wherein said third computer workstation is collocated with said second computer workstation.

44. A security system for monitoring a premises, said security system comprising:

at least one device for collecting alarm information at said monitored premises;

a first computer server coupled to said at least one device over a data network, said computer server receiving said alarm information from said at least one device over said data network;

a monitoring computer workstation coupled to said first computer server, said monitoring computer remotely located relative to said monitored premises, said monitoring computer workstation configured to (a) receive said alarm information from said first computer server, (1) selectively authorize workstations to receive said alarm information from said first computer server, (c) control the collection of alarm information by said at least one alarm information collection device and (d) selectively cede active control of said at least one alarm information collection device to workstations; and

an emergency response computer workstation remotely located relative to said monitored premises, said emergency response computer workstation configured to (a) receive said alarm information from said first computer server, upon authorization, by said monitoring computer workstation, to receive said alarm information and (b) actively control said at least one alarm information collection device upon said monitoring computer workstation ceding control of said at least one alarm information collection device to said emergency response computer workstation.

45. The security system of claim 44, wherein said alarm information includes recorded video and recorded audio.

46. The security system of claim 44, wherein said alarm information includes near real-time video and near real-time audio.

47. The security system of claim 46, wherein:

said at least one device for collecting alarm information includes an audio station;

said monitoring computer workstation further configured to transport audio information originating thereat to said first computer server;

said emergency response computer workstation further configured to transport audio information originating thereat to said first computer server when authorized, by said monitoring computer workstation, to transport said audio information; and

said first computer server further configured to transport audio information originating at either said monitoring computer workstation or said emergency response computer workstation to said audio station.

48. The security system of claim 44, wherein said first computer server is remotely located relative to said monitored premises.

49. The security system of claim 48 wherein a secured data path couples said first computer server with said at least one alarm information collecting device.

50. The security system of claim 44, wherein said monitoring computer workstation is remotely located relative to said first computer server.

51. The security system of claim 50, wherein a secured data path couples said first computer server with said monitoring computer workstation.

52. The security system of claim 44, wherein said emergency response computer workstation is remotely located relative to said first computer server.

53. The security system of claim 52, wherein a secured data path couples said first computer server with said emergency response computer workstation.

54. The security system of claim 52, wherein said emergency response computer workstation is located in a public safety call center.

55. The security system of claim 52, wherein said emergency response computer workstation is located in an emergency response vehicle.

56. The security system of claim 52, wherein said emergency response computer workstation is located on the person of a field responder.

57. The security system of claim 44, wherein said monitoring computer workstation controls the collection of alarm information by said at least one alarm information collection device using control commands transmitted thereby to said first computer server and relayed, by said first computer server, to said at least one alarm information collection device.

58. The security system of claim 57, wherein said at least one device for collecting alarm information at said monitored premises includes at least two cameras and wherein said monitoring computer workstation is further configured to control switching between said at least two cameras for respective acquisition of near real-time video thereby whenever said monitoring computer workstation is in active control of operations of said at least two cameras and wherein said emergency response computer workstation is configured to control switching between said at least two cameras for respective acquisition of near real-time video thereby whenever said monitoring computer workstation has ceded active control of said at least two cameras to said emergency response computer workstation.

59. The security system of claim 57, wherein said at least one device for collecting alarm information at said monitored premises includes at least two audio stations and wherein said monitoring computer workstation is further configured to control switching between said at least two audio stations for respective acquisition of near real-time audio thereby whenever said monitoring computer workstation is in active control of operations of said at least two audio stations and wherein said emergency response computer workstation is configured to control switching between said at least two audio stations for respective acquisition of near real-time audio thereby whenever said monitoring computer workstation has ceded active control of said at least two audio stations to said emergency response computer workstation.

60. The security system of claim 57, wherein said at least one device for collecting alarm information includes an audio station and wherein said monitoring computer workstation is further configured to control adjusting microphone sensitivity of said audio station whenever said monitoring computer workstation is in active control of operations of said audio station and wherein said emergency response computer workstation is configured to control adjusting microphone sensitivity of said audio station whenever said monitoring computer workstation has ceded active control of said audio station to said emergency response computer workstation.

61. The security system of claim 57, wherein said at least one device for collecting alarm information includes an audio station and wherein said monitoring computer workstation is further configured to control speaker volume of said audio station whenever said monitoring computer workstation is in active control of operations of said audio station and wherein said emergency response computer workstation is configured to control speaker volume of said audio station whenever said monitoring computer workstation has ceded active control of said audio station to said emergency response computer workstation.

62. The security system of claim 57, wherein said at least one device for collecting alarm information includes an audio station and wherein said monitoring computer workstation is further configured to select between one-way operation of said audio station in which audio information may only be transported from said audio station to said first computer server and subsequently relayed, by said first computer server, to said monitoring computer workstation and two-way operation of said audio station in which audio information may be transported from said audio station to said first computer server and subsequently relayed, by said first computer server, to said monitoring computer workstation and from said monitoring computer workstation to said first computer server and subsequently relayed, by said first computer server, to said audio station whenever said monitoring computer workstation is in active control of operations of said audio station and wherein said emergency response computer workstation is configured to select between one-way operation of said audio station in which audio information may only be transported from said audio station to said emergency computer workstation and two-way operation of said audio station in which audio information may be transported from said audio station to said emergency computer workstation and from said first emergency computer workstation to said audio station whenever said monitoring computer workstation has ceded active control of said audio station to said emergency response computer workstation.

63. The security system of claim 57, wherein said at least one device for collecting alarm information includes a camera and wherein said monitoring computer workstation is further configured to control said camera to adjust pan, tilt, zoom, focus, aperture and white balance functions thereof whenever said monitoring computer workstation is in active control of operations of said camera and wherein said emergency response computer workstation is configured to control said camera to adjust, pan, tilt, zoom, focus, aperture and white balance functions thereof whenever said monitoring computer workstation has ceded active control of said camera to said emergency response computer workstation.

64. The security system of claim 44, and further comprising:

a second computer server coupled to said data network, said second computer server receiving, from said monitoring computer workstation, requests for authorization of said emergency response computer workstation to receive said alarm information from said computer server;

wherein the collection of alarm information by said at least one alarm information collection device may be controlled by said emergency response computer workstation using control commands transmitted to said first computer server and passed, by said first computer server, to said at least one alarm information collection device over said data network if said second computer server receives a message, from said monitoring computer workstation, indicating that said monitoring computer workstation has ceded control of the collection of alarm information by said at least one alarm information collection device to said emergency response computer workstation and said emergency response computer workstation has received information, from said second computer server, enabling said emergency response computer workstation to assume the control of said at least one alarm information collection device ceded, to said emergency response computer workstation, by said monitoring computer workstation.

65. The security system of claim 64, wherein said second computer server is configured to verify eligibility of said emergency response computer workstation to control operation of said at least one alarm information collection device.

66. The security system of claim 65, wherein said second computer server is configured to verify eligibility of said emergency response computer workstation by checking said emergency response computer workstation against a permissions database maintained by said second computer server.

67. The security system of claim 64, wherein:

said monitoring computer workstation is further configured to transmit information, to said second computer server, identifying alarm information that should be requested by said emergency response computer workstation;

said second computer server is further configured to relay said information, received from said monitoring computer workstation, to said emergency response computer workstation; and

said emergency response computer workstation is further configured to issue requests, to said first computer server, for alarm information identified in said information received from said second computer server.

68. The security system of claim 67, wherein said at least one device for collecting alarm information at said monitored premises includes at least one camera and wherein said alarm information includes near real-time video acquired by said at least one camera.

69. The security system of claim 67, wherein said at least one device for collecting alarm information at said monitored premises includes at least one audio station and wherein said alarm information includes near real-time audio acquired by said at least one audio station.

70. The security system of claim 67, wherein said at least one device for collecting alarm information at said monitored premises includes at least one camera and wherein said alarm information includes recorded video acquired by said at least one camera.

71. The security system of claim 67, wherein said at least one device for collecting alarm information at said monitored premises includes at least one audio station and wherein said alarm information includes recorded audio acquired by said at least one audio station.

72. The security system of claim 67, wherein a secured data path couples said second computer server to said monitoring computer workstation.

73. The security system of claim 67, wherein a secured data path couples said second computer server to said emergency response computer workstation.

74. The security system of claim 67, and further comprising:

a manager workstation, said manager station configured to issue instructions to said second computer server to suspend authorization of the transport of said collected alarm information from said first computer server to said first emergency response computer workstation;

said second computer server further configured to relay instructions, to said emergency response computer workstation, suspending receipt, by said emergency response computer workstation, of said alarm information from said first computer server.

75. The security system of claim 74, wherein a secured data path couples said second computer server and said manager workstation.

76. The security system of claim 74, wherein a secured data path couples said second computer server and said emergency response computer workstation.

77. The security system of claim 74, wherein:

said manager workstation is further configured to issue instructions canceling said suspension of receipt, by said emergency response computer workstation, of said alarm information from said first computer server;

said second computer server further configured to relay instructions, to said emergency response computer workstation, to resume receipt, by said emergency response computer workstation, of said alarm information from said first computer server.

78. The security system of claim 74, wherein said manager workstation is collocated with said monitoring computer workstation.

79. The security system of claim 74, wherein said manager workstation is collocated with said emergency response computer workstation.

80. The security system of claim 67, wherein said security system further comprises

an application administration workstation, said application administration workstation configured to provide said second computer server with said permissions data governing eligibility of said emergency response computer workstation to be authorized to receive said alarm information.

81. The security system of claim 80, wherein a secured data path couples said second computer server to said application administration workstation.

82. The security system of claim 80, wherein said permissions data is stored on said second computer server.

83. The security system of claim 80, wherein said permissions data is stored on said first computer server.

84. The security system of claim 80, wherein said permissions data provided to said second computer server grants access to said alarm information on a non-discriminatory basis.

85. The security system of claim 84, wherein said non-discriminatory basis is based upon a determination of whether said monitored premises is located within a geographical area serviced by a public safety provider operating said emergency response computer workstation.

86. The security system of claim 80, wherein said permissions data provided to said second computer server by said application administration workstation grants access to said alarm information on a discriminatory basis.

87. The security system of claim 86, wherein said discriminatory basis is based upon participation of an owner or occupant of said monitored premises with a security service operating said monitoring computer workstation.

88. A security system for monitoring a premises, said security system comprising:

means for collecting alarm information at said monitored premises;

a first computer workstation remotely located relative to said monitored premises, said first computer workstation configured to (1) retrieve said collected alarm information over a data network and (2) actively control operation of said alarm information collection means;

a second computer workstation coupled to said data network, said second computer workstation remotely located relative to said monitored premises and to said first computer workstation;

means for authorizing said second computer workstation to retrieve said collected alarm information over said data network; and

means for ceding control of said alarm information collection means to said second computer workstation.

89. The security system of claim 88, wherein said first computer workstation is a monitoring computer workstation.

90. The security system of claim 89, wherein said second computer workstation is an emergency response computer workstation.

91. A security system for monitoring a premises, said security system comprising:

at least one device for collecting alarm information at said monitored premises;

a computer server coupled to said at least one alarm information collection device over a data network, said computer server receiving said alarm information from said at least one alarm information collection device over said data network;

a monitoring computer workstation remotely located relative to said monitored premises, said computer server delivering said alarm information to said monitoring computer workstation; and

an emergency response computer workstation remotely located relative to said monitored premises, said emergency response computer workstation configured to receive said alarm information from said computer server when authorized, by said monitoring computer workstation, to receive said alarm information;

said computer server receiving, from said monitoring computer workstation, requests for authorization of said emergency response computer workstation to receive said alarm information from said computer server;

said monitoring computer workstation configured to actively control operation of said at least one alarm information collection device and further configured to cede active control of the operation of said at least one alarm information collection device and delivery of said collected alarm information to said emergency response computer workstation;

said emergency response computer workstation configured to actively control the operation of said at least one alarm information collection device upon said monitoring computer workstation ceding control of said at least one alarm information collection device to said emergency response computer workstation.

92. The security system of claim 91, wherein said alarm information includes recorded video and recorded audio.

93. The security system of claim 92, wherein:

said at least one device for collecting alarm information includes an audio station;

said monitoring computer workstation further configured to transport audio information originating thereat to said computer server;

said emergency response computer workstation further configured to transport audio information originating thereat to said computer server when authorized, by said monitoring computer workstation, to transport said audio information; and

said computer server further configured to transport audio information originating at either said monitoring computer workstation or said emergency response computer workstation to said audio station.

94. The security system of claim 91, wherein said alarm information includes near real-time video and near real-time audio.

95. The security system of claim 91, wherein said computer server is remotely located relative to said monitored premises.

96. The security system of claim 95, wherein a secured data path couples said computer server with said at least one alarm information collecting device.

97. The security system of claim 91, wherein said monitoring computer workstation is remotely located relative to said computer server.

98. The security system of claim 97, wherein a secured data path couples said computer server with said monitoring computer workstation.

99. The security system of claim 91, wherein said emergency response computer workstation is remotely located relative to said computer server.

100. The security system of claim 99, wherein a secured data path couples said computer server with said emergency response computer workstation.

101. The security system of claim 99, wherein said emergency response computer workstation is located in a public safety call center.

102. The security system of claim 101, wherein said monitoring computer workstation is further configured to control the collection of alarm information by said at least one device using control commands transmitted thereby to said computer server and relayed, by said computer server, to said at least one device.

103. The security system of claim 102, wherein said at least one device for collecting alarm information at said monitored premises includes at least one camera and wherein said alarm information includes near real-time video acquired by said at least one camera.

104. The security system of claim 102, wherein said at least one device for collecting alarm information at said monitored premises includes at least one audio station and wherein said alarm information includes near real-time acquired by said at least one audio station.

105. The security system of claim 102, wherein said at least one device for collecting alarm information at said monitored premises includes at least one camera and wherein said alarm information includes recorded video acquired by said at least one camera.

106. The security system of claim 102, wherein said at least one device for collecting alarm information at said monitored premises includes at least one audio station and wherein said alarm information includes recorded audio acquired by said at least one audio station.

107. The security system of claim 102, wherein said at least one device for collecting alarm information at said monitored premises includes at least two cameras and wherein said monitoring computer workstation is further configured to control switching between said at least two cameras for respective acquisition of near real-time video thereby whenever said monitoring computer workstation is in active control of operations of said at least two cameras and wherein said emergency response computer workstation is configured to control switching between said at least two cameras for respective acquisition of near real-time video thereby whenever said monitoring computer workstation has ceded active control of said at least two cameras to said emergency response computer workstation.

108. The security system of claim 102, wherein said at least one device for collecting alarm information at said monitored premises includes at least two audio stations and wherein said monitoring computer workstation is further configured to control switching between said at least two audio stations for respective acquisition of near real-time audio thereby whenever said monitoring computer workstation is in active control of operations of said at least two audio stations and wherein said emergency response computer workstation is configured to control switching between said at least two audio stations for respective acquisition of near real-time audio thereby whenever said monitoring computer workstation has ceded active control of said at least two audio stations to said emergency response computer workstation.

109. The security system of claim 102, wherein said at least one device for collecting alarm information includes an audio station and wherein said monitoring computer workstation is further configured to control adjusting microphone sensitivity of said audio station whenever said monitoring computer workstation is in active control of operations of said audio station and wherein said emergency response computer workstation is configured to control adjusting microphone sensitivity of said audio station whenever said monitoring computer workstation has ceded active control of said audio station to said emergency response computer workstation.

110. The security system of claim 102, wherein said at least one device for collecting alarm information includes an audio station and wherein said monitoring computer workstation is further configured to control speaker volume of said audio station whenever said monitoring computer workstation is in active control of operations of said audio station and wherein said emergency response computer workstation is configured to control speaker volume of said audio station whenever said monitoring computer workstation has ceded active control of said audio station to said emergency response computer workstation.

111. The security system of claim 102, wherein said at least one device for collecting alarm information includes an audio station and wherein said monitoring computer workstation is further configured to select between one-way operation of said audio station in which audio information may only be transported from said audio station to said computer server and subsequently relayed, by said computer server, to said monitoring computer workstation and two-way operation of said audio station in which audio information may be transported from said audio station to said computer server and subsequently relayed, by said computer server, to said monitoring computer workstation and from said monitoring computer workstation to said computer server and subsequently relayed, by said computer server, to said audio station whenever said monitoring computer workstation is in active control of operations of said audio station and wherein said emergency response computer workstation is configured to select between one-way operation of said audio station in which audio information may only be transported from said audio station to said computer server and subsequently relayed, by said computer server, to said emergency response computer workstation and two-way operation of said audio station in which audio information may be transported from said audio station to said computer server and subsequently relayed, by said computer server, to said emergency response computer workstation and from said emergency response computer workstation to said computer server and subsequently relayed, by said computer server, to said audio station whenever said monitoring computer workstation has ceded active control of said audio station to said emergency response computer workstation.

112. The security system of claim 102, wherein said at least one device for collecting alarm information includes a camera and wherein said monitoring computer workstation is further configured to control said camera to adjust pan, tilt, zoom, focus, aperture and white balance functions thereof whenever said monitoring computer workstation is in active control of operations of said camera and wherein said emergency response computer workstation is configured to control said camera to adjust pan, tilt, zoom, focus, aperture and white balance whenever said monitoring computer workstation has ceded active control of said camera to said emergency response computer workstation.

113. The security system of claim 99, wherein said emergency response computer workstation is located in an emergency response vehicle.

114. The security system of claim 99, wherein said emergency response computer workstation is located on the person of a field responder.

115. The security system of claim 114, wherein the collection of alarm information by said at least one alarm information collection device is controlled by said emergency response computer workstation using control commands transmitted to said computer server and relayed, by said computer server, to said at least one alarm information collection device if said computer server receives a message, from said monitoring computer workstation, indicating that said monitoring computer workstation has ceded control of said at least one alarm information collection device to said emergency response computer workstation and said emergency response computer workstation has received information, from said computer server, enabling said emergency response computer workstation to assume the control of said at least one alarm information collection device for which control was ceded to said emergency response computer workstation by said monitoring computer workstation.

116. The security system of claim 91, wherein said compuster server is configured to verify eligibility of said emergency response computer workstation to receive said alarm information.

117. The security system of claim 116, wherein said computer server is configured to verify eligibility of said emergency response computer workstation by checking said emergency response computer workstation against a permissions database maintained thereby.

118. The security system of claim 117, wherein said permissions data provided to said second computer server grants access to said alarm information on a non-discriminatory basis.

119. The security system of claim 116, wherein said non-discriminatory basis is based upon a determination of whether said monitored premises is located within a geographical area serviced by a public safety provider operating said emergency response computer workstation.

120. The security system of claim 117, wherein said permissions data provided to said second computer server by said application administration workstation grants access to said alarm information on a discriminatory basis.

121. The security system of claim 120, wherein said discriminatory basis is based upon participation of an owner or occupant of said monitored premises with a security service operating said monitoring computer workstation.

122. The security system of claim 91, wherein:

said monitoring computer workstation is further configured to transmit information, to said computer server, identifying alarm information that should be requested by said emergency response computer workstation;

said computer server is further configured to relay said information, received from said monitoring computer workstation, to said emergency response computer workstation; and

said emergency response computer workstation is further configured to issue requests, to said computer server, for alarm information identified in said information received from said computer server.

123. The security system of claim 120, and further comprising:

a manager computer workstation, said manager station configured to issue instructions to said computer server to suspend authorization of the transport of said collected alarm information from said computer server to said emergency response computer workstation;

said computer server further configured to relay instructions, to said emergency response computer workstation, suspending receipt, by said emergency response computer workstation, of said alarm information from said computer server.

124. The security system of claim 123, wherein a secured data path couples said computer server and said manager workstation.

125. The security system of claim 123, wherein:

said manager computer workstation is further configured to issue instructions canceling said suspension of receipt, by said emergency response computer workstation, of said alarm information from said computer server;

said computer server further configured to relay instructions, to said emergency response computer workstation, to resume receipt, by said emergency response computer workstation, of said alarm information from said computer server.

126. The security system of claim 123, wherein said manager workstation is collocated with said monitoring computer workstation.

127. The security system of claim 126, wherein a secured data path couples said computer server to said application administration workstation.

128. The security system of claim 123, wherein said manager workstation is collocated with said emergency response computer workstation.

129. The security system of claim 123, wherein said security system further comprises

an application administration workstation, said application administration workstation configured to provide said computer server with said permissions data governing eligibility of said emergency response computer workstation to be authorized to receive said alarm information.