Alarm signal interceptor, middleware processor, and re-transmitter

• US 7,440,554 B2
• Filed: 06/07/2004
• Issued: 10/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Numerex Corporation (Sierra Wireless Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: NextAlarm International, Inc.
• Inventors: Elliot, Harvey Alexander, Elliot, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramakrishnaiah; Melur
• Application Number:
  US10/861,790
• Publication Number:
  US 20050036588A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,597 Days
• Field of Search: 379 37- 45, 379/48, 379/49, 340/517, 340/521, 340/539.22, 340/539.26, 340/541, 340/7.52, 340/7.59, 340/825.26
• US Class Current: 379/37
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2829 involving user profiles according to which the execution of a home appliance functionality is automatically triggered
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/04 with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/06 Recording class or number of calling , i.e. A-party or called party , i.e. B-party

Abstract

A relatively simple redialer device is provided at the customer'"'"'s home to redirect outgoing alarm calls to a middleware processing center. The redialer first dials “*82” (or other appropriate code) to disable caller-ID blocking. The redialer then redirects the alarm call to a middleware processing center. The middleware processing center receives the alarm call and determines the customer identification by detecting the caller ID. The middleware processing center then dials out to the appropriate alarm company for that customer, and transfers the alarm data along with customer identification information (account number or the like) in a data format compatible with the alarm monitoring company'"'"'s computers. The alarm is then handled by the alarm monitoring company in the normal manner practiced by the alarm monitoring company.

Claims

1. A method of notifying a user of an alarm event status, comprising the steps of:

programming, by a user, an alarm event notification protocol, the protocol including an alarm event to be monitored, a time for monitoring the alarm event, and a notification method for notifying of the alarm event;

monitoring, using parameters of the alarm event notification protocol, the alarm event to be monitored relative to the time for monitoring the alarm event; and

notifying, using the notification method, whether the alarm event has occurred relative to the time for monitoring the alarm event,

wherein said step of programming, by a user, an alarm event notification protocol, the protocol including an alarm event to be monitored, a time for monitoring the alarm event, and a notification method for notifying of the alarm event comprises the step of programming a middleware server of the notification protocol; and

wherein the alarm event to be monitored is at least one of arming and disarming an alarm system, such that the user is notified in real time by the notification method that the alarm system has been armed or disarmed relative to the time for monitoring the alarm event,

wherein the notification method comprises at least one of an e-mail, a text message on a text messaging device, a phone call, a pager message, or a wireless communication.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said of programming a middleware server of the notification protocol comprises the step of programming the middleware server using a website interface.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said of programming a middleware server of the notification protocol comprises the step of programming the middleware server using a telephone automated voice response interface.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said of programming a middleware server of the notification protocol comprises the step of programming the middleware server by the user instructing an operator of the middleware server to program the middleware server.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said of programming a middleware server of the notification protocol comprises the step of programming the middleware server using a wireless communication device.

6. A method of notifying a user of an alarm event status, comprising the steps of:

programming, by a user, an alarm event notification protocol, the protocol including an alarm event to be monitored, a time for monitoring the alarm event, and a notification method for notifying of the alarm event;

monitoring, using parameters of the alarm event notification protocol, the alarm event to be monitored relative to the time for monitoring the alarm event; and

notifying, using the notification method, whether the alarm event has occurred relative to the time for monitoring the alarm event,

wherein the alarm event to be monitored is at least one of arming and disarming an alarm system, such that the user may be notified by the notification method that the alarm system has been armed or disarmed relative to the time for monitoring the alarm event, and

wherein the alarm event to be monitored is arming of the alarm system, and the time period for monitoring the alarm event is a time period window corresponding to the closing time of a commercial business, such that the user is notified by the notification method if the alarm system has not been armed within the time period window such that the user is notified if an employee fails to arm the alarm system after closing time of the commercial business.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the notification method comprises at least one of an e-mail, a text message on a text messaging device, a phone call, a pager message, or a wireless communication.

8. A method of notifying a user of an alarm event status, comprising the steps of:

programming, by a user, an alarm event notification protocol, the protocol including an alarm event to be monitored, a time for monitoring the alarm event, and a notification method for notifying of the alarm event;

monitoring, using parameters of the alarm event notification protocol, the alarm event to be monitored relative to the time for monitoring the alarm event; and

notifying, using the notification method, whether the alarm event has occurred relative to the time for monitoring the alarm event,

wherein the alarm event to be monitored is at least one of arming and disarming an alarm system, such that the user may be notified by the notification method that the alarm system has been armed or disarmed relative to the time for monitoring the alarm event, and

wherein the alarm event to be monitored is disarming of the alarm system, and the time period for monitoring the alarm event is a time period window corresponding to the arrival time of a child at home after school, such that the user is notified by the notification method if the alarm system has not been disarmed within the time period window such that the user is notified if a child fails to arrive home within a the time period window.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the notification method comprises at least one of an e-mail, a text message on a text messaging device, a phone call, a pager message, or a wireless communication.