Supervision of high value assets
First Claim
1. An electronic device in a local area network, comprising:
- a network interface that communicates with a connection point of the local area network (LAN), and that receives a polling signal from a first security system in the local area network via the connection point; and
a control that causes the network interface to communicate a response to the first security system via the connection point in response to receipt of the polling signal, said first security system generates an alarm if said electronic device is not present and, said control causes the network interface to communicate the response through an Internet connection to a second security system as an encrypted message using an encryption code that is unique to the electronic device;
wherein said message includes an address and an identifier associated with the electronic device and said second security system verifies that said electronic device is installed in an authorized network based upon said address and said identifier;
software stored in a memory of the electronic device that automatically initiates communication with a server of the electronic device to download new or updated software; and
a user interface configured to allow a user to arm and disarm building intrusion detection features separately from security features of said LAN.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Electronic devices in a local area network (LAN), e.g., a DVD video recorder, plasma display, and audio controller in a home network, are protected by a security system that is networked with the devices. In one aspect, the security system periodically polls the devices to confirm that they are present in the LAN. If a device does not respond, an alarm is set. Installation of the electronic device in an unauthorized network is detected by verifying the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the device, such as when the device attempts to contact a server that provides services such as downloading new or updated software to the device, performing remote programming, and uploading diagnostic data. The devices may encrypt their messages using encryption codes that are unique individually or for a specified group of electronic devices.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. An electronic device in a local area network, comprising:
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a network interface that communicates with a connection point of the local area network (LAN), and that receives a polling signal from a first security system in the local area network via the connection point; and a control that causes the network interface to communicate a response to the first security system via the connection point in response to receipt of the polling signal, said first security system generates an alarm if said electronic device is not present and, said control causes the network interface to communicate the response through an Internet connection to a second security system as an encrypted message using an encryption code that is unique to the electronic device; wherein said message includes an address and an identifier associated with the electronic device and said second security system verifies that said electronic device is installed in an authorized network based upon said address and said identifier; software stored in a memory of the electronic device that automatically initiates communication with a server of the electronic device to download new or updated software; and a user interface configured to allow a user to arm and disarm building intrusion detection features separately from security features of said LAN. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A security system, comprising:
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a security system server; a local area network (LAN) coupled to the security system server through an Internet connection; a network interface that communicates with a connection point of the local area network (LAN); and a control that causes the network interface to transmit a polling signal to an electronic device in the local area network via the connection point, said control causes the network interface to communicate the response to the security system server as an encrypted message using an encryption code that is unique to the electronic device; software stored in a memory of the electronic device that automatically initiates communication with a server of the electronic device to download new or updated software; wherein said message includes an address and an identifier associated with the electronic device and said security system server verifies that said electronic device is installed in an authorized network based upon said address and said identifier; wherein the control sets an alarm if a response to the polling signal is not received from the electronic device; and wherein said network interface is configured to allow a user to arm and disarm building intrusion detection features separately from security features of said LAN. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A security system server, comprising:
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an electronic device; software stored in a memory of the electronic device that automatically initiates communication with a server of the electronic device to download new or updated software; a database of networks and identifiers of electronic devices authorized to operate in each network; a local area network connected to the electronic device; a network interface that receives a message that includes an address and an identifier associated with the electronic device; and a control means coupled to the database for determining whether the address is consistent with the identifier, said control means verifies that said electronic device is installed in an authorized network based upon said address and said identifier and generates an alarm if said electronic device is not present, and said control causes the network interface to communicate the response to the security system as an encrypted message using an encryption code that is unique to the electronic device; wherein said message includes an address and an identifier associated with the electronic device; and said network interface is configured to allow a user to arm and disarm building intrusion detection features separately from security features of said LAN. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification