Audio buffering in two-way voice alarm systems
First Claim
1. A method of operating an alarm monitoring station, comprising:
- a. receiving an alarm signal from an alarm system at a monitored premises;
b. establishing an audio communication channel between the monitoring station and the alarm system;
c. upon establishing the audio communication channel with the premises, and at least prior to establishing a connection with an operator associated with the monitoring station, receiving audio data associated with the alarm signal captured at the premises at least immediately prior to establishing the connection with the operator from the premises at the monitoring station;
d. buffering the audio data captured at the premises immediately prior to establishing the connection with the operator and received from the premises at the monitoring station.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An alarm system includes an alarm panel that signals sensed alarm conditions at a premises to a monitoring server over a packet switched data network. The alarm panel also senses and buffers audio at the premises. In response to a sensed alarm condition, buffered audio, buffered prior to signalling the sensed alarm condition, is transferred to the monitoring station. The alarm panel may further receive live audio from the premises. Data representing live audio and buffered audio may be transferred concurrently, allowing an operator at a monitoring center to listen to audio arising from events before and after an alarm is signalled. The alarm system may further allow real-time communication between the monitoring center and panel.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of operating an alarm monitoring station, comprising:
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a. receiving an alarm signal from an alarm system at a monitored premises; b. establishing an audio communication channel between the monitoring station and the alarm system; c. upon establishing the audio communication channel with the premises, and at least prior to establishing a connection with an operator associated with the monitoring station, receiving audio data associated with the alarm signal captured at the premises at least immediately prior to establishing the connection with the operator from the premises at the monitoring station; d. buffering the audio data captured at the premises immediately prior to establishing the connection with the operator and received from the premises at the monitoring station. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An alarm monitoring station in communication with an alarm system at
a premises, said monitoring station comprising: -
a buffer for buffering audio sensed at said premises, provided by said alarm system; a network interface interconnecting said alarm system to a network; a processor, operable to cause said alarm system to receive notification of an alarm condition from said alarm system over said network; establish a voice communication channel with said alarm system at said premises; upon establishing the audio communication channel with the premises, and at least prior to establishing a connection with an operator associated with the monitoring station, receive audio data associated with the alarm condition and captured at the premises at least immediately prior to establishing the connection with the operator from the premises; and buffer the audio data captured at the premises immediately prior to establishing the connection with the operator from the premises at the monitoring station. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An alarm monitoring server, comprising:
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a network interface interconnecting said alarm monitoring server to at least one network for receipt of alarm signals and two-way audio communication; a buffer for buffering received at said alarm monitoring server; a processor, operable to cause said alarm monitoring server to receive an alarm signal; establish two-way audio communication with an alarm panel originating said alarm signal; buffer audio received from said alarm panel as part of said two-way audio communication; receive from said panel at said alarm monitoring server, audio associated with the alarm signal and buffered and captured at said alarm panel immediately prior to said panel having originated said alarm signal. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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23. A method of operating an alarm panel that signals sensed alarm conditions at a premises to a monitoring server over a packet switched data network, said method comprising:
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a. buffering audio at said premises; b. upon sensing an alarm condition, contacting a monitoring station and signalling the sensed alarm condition; and c. transferring buffered audio associated with the alarm condition that was buffered at the premises immediately prior to signalling said sensed alarm condition to said monitoring station.
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Specification