Controlling data routing in integrated security systems

• US 8,819,178 B2
• Filed: 08/25/2008
• Issued: 08/26/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Icon Acquisitions LLC
• Original Assignee: iControl Networks, Inc. (Comcast Corporation)
• Inventors: Baum, Marc, Dawes, Paul J., DeCenzo, Chris, Gutt, Gerry, Raji, Reza, Wood, Aaron
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Quang N
• Application Number:
  US12/198,039
• Publication Number:
  US 20090074184A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,192 Days
• Field of Search: 709/229, 709/233, 709/238, 709/224, 709/203, 709/217, 709/218, 709/219, 709/223, 725/49, 725/116, 379/37
• US Class Current: 709/218
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/40 of multimedia data, e.g. slideshows comprising image and additional audio data retrieval of still image data G06F16/50; retrieval of audio data G06F16/60; retrieval of video data G06F16/70
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/954 Navigation, e.g. using categorised browsing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2809 indicating that an appliance service is present in a home automation network monitoring functionality H04L43/0817; discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services, H04L67/51
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2818 from a device located outside both the home and the home network access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless eletrical link G08C17/00; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with remote control systems H04M11/007
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2843 Mains power line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/25 Routing or path finding in a switch fabric
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/029 Firewall traversal, e.g. tunnelling or, creating pinholes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/166 at the transport layer
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/025 for remote control or remote monitoring of applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4367 Establishing a secure communication between the client and a peripheral device or smart card
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/462 Content or additional data management, e.g. creating a master electronic program guide from data received from the Internet and a Head-end, controlling the complexity of a video stream by scaling the resolution or bit-rate based on the client capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

An integrated security system integrates broadband and mobile access and control with conventional security systems and premise devices to provide a tri-mode security network having remote connectivity and access. The integrated security system delivers remote premise monitoring and control functionality to conventional monitored premise protection and complements existing premise protection equipment. The integrated security system integrates into the premise network and couples wirelessly with the conventional security panel, enabling broadband access to premise security systems. Automation devices can be added, enabling users to remotely see live video or pictures and control home devices via a personal web portal or other client device. Camera management enables automatic configuration and management of cameras in the premise network. The camera management extends to remote control and monitoring from outside the firewall of the premise network to include routing of images or video from a streaming source device to a requesting client device.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a security network comprising a gateway with a first controller that communicates via a first network coupling with a second controller that is a component of a security system at a first location, the security system including the second controller coupled to a plurality of security system components that include at least one sensor, wherein the first controller communicates via a second network coupling with a plurality of camera devices installed at the first location, wherein the first network coupling is independent of the second network coupling and the gateway separately controls exchange of data between components of the first network coupling and the second network coupling; and

a security server located at a second location different from the first location, the security server coupled to the gateway, the security server and the gateway communicating to control routing of a video stream from the plurality of camera devices to a requesting client device that is remote to the first location and the second location;

wherein a format of the video stream is automatically selected based on at least one of a determined capability of a network coupling a camera device of the plurality of camera devices to the requesting client device and the requesting client device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the gateway is connected to a local area network at the first location, and the local area network is coupled to a wide area network via a router at the first location.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the gateway is coupled to a wide area network and is coupled to a local area network at the first location via the connection management component and a router at the first location.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the gateway is coupled to the security server via the internet.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the routing is Universal Plug and Play port forwarding.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the routing is relay server routing.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the routing is Simple Traversal of User Datagram Protocol (UDP) through Network Address Translators (NAT) (STUN)/Traversal Using Relay NAT (TURN) peer-to-peer routing.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the video stream is encrypted.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the gateway encrypts the video stream received from the camera device.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the video stream is a Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG)-4 (MPEG-4)/Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) video stream.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the requesting client device initiates and establishes a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) connection with the security server.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the security server initiates and establishes a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) connection with the requesting client device.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the routing is Simple Traversal of User Datagram Protocol (UDP) through Network Address Translators (NAT) (STUN)/Traversal Using Relay NAT (TURN) peer-to-peer routing.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the video stream is a Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG)-4 (MPEG-4) over Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) video stream.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the requesting client device initiates and establishes a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) connection with the security server.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the security server initiates and establishes a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) connection with the requesting client device.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the video stream is a Motion Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) (MJPEG) video stream.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the requesting client device initiates and establishes a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) connection with the security server.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the security server initiates and establishes a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) connection with the requesting client device.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein a format of the video stream is automatically selected by at least one of the gateway and the security server.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the format is one of Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG)-4 (MPEG-4)/Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) format, a MPEG-4 over Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) format, and a Motion Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) (MJPEG) format.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein the format is selected based on a capability of the requesting client device.

23. The system of claim 20, wherein the format is selected based on a capability of the camera device.

24. The system of claim 20, wherein the format is selected based on an authentication requirement of the requesting client device.

25. The system of claim 20, wherein the format is selected based on a privacy requirement of the requesting client device.

26. The system of claim 20, wherein the format is selected based on a determined capability of a network coupling the gateway to the requesting client device, wherein the determined capability is determined by at least one of the gateway and the security server.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the determined capability is relative success among a plurality of routings of the video stream.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the determined capability is relative success of Universal Plug and Play port forwarding.

29. The system of claim 27, wherein the determined capability is relative success of Simple Traversal of User Datagram Protocol (UDP) through Network Address Translators (NAT) (STUN)/Traversal Using Relay NAT (TURN) peer-to-peer routing.

30. The system of claim 26, wherein the determined capability is bandwidth availability of the requesting client device.

31. The system of claim 26, wherein the determined capability is processing capability of the requesting client device.

32. The system of claim 26, wherein the determined capability is bandwidth availability of the camera device.

33. The system of claim 20, wherein the format of the video stream is automatically selected according to a priority.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein a Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG)-4 (MPEG-4)/Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) video stream with encryption has a first priority.

35. The system of claim 33, wherein a Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG)-4 (MPEG-4)/Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) video stream with encryption has a second priority.

36. The system of claim 33, wherein a Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG)-4 (MPEG-4) Hyptertext Transfer Protocol over Secure Socket Layer (HTTPS) video stream has a third priority.

37. The system of claim 33, wherein a Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG)-4 (MPEG-4) Hyptertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) video stream has a fourth priority.

38. The system of claim 33, wherein a Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG)-4 (MPEG-4)/Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) video stream has a fifth priority, wherein the gateway encrypts the video stream from the camera device.

39. The system of claim 33, wherein a Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG)-4 (MPEG-4) Hyptertext Transfer Protocol over Secure Socket Layer (HTTPS) video stream has a sixth priority, wherein the gateway encrypts the video stream from the camera device.

40. The system of claim 33, wherein a Motion Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) (MJPEG) Hyptertext Transfer Protocol over Secure Socket Layer (HTTPS) video stream has a seventh priority.

41. The system of claim 33, wherein a Reverse Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) video stream has an eighth priority, wherein the security server initiates and establishes a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) connection with the requesting client device, wherein the security server facilitates Simple Traversal of User Datagram Protocol (UDP) through Network Address Translators (NAT) (STUN)/Traversal Using Relay NAT (TURN) peer-to-peer routing.

42. The system of claim 33, wherein a Reverse Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) video stream has a ninth priority, wherein the security server initiates and establishes a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) connection with the requesting client device, wherein one of the gateway and the security server facilitates Simple Traversal of User Datagram Protocol (UDP) through Network Address Translators (NAT) (STUN)/Traversal Using Relay NAT (TURN) peer-to-peer routing.

43. The system of claim 33, wherein a Reverse Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG)-4 (MPEG-4) over Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) video stream has a tenth priority, wherein the security server facilitates Hyptertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) routing.

44. The system of claim 33, wherein a Reverse Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG)-4 (MPEG-4) over Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) video stream has an eleventh priority, wherein one of the gateway and the security server facilitates Hyptertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) routing.

45. The system of claim 33, wherein a Motion Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) (MJPEG) over Hyptertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) video stream has a twelfth priority.

46. The system of claim 33, wherein a Motion Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) (MJPEG) over Hyptertext Transfer Protocol over Secure Socket Layer (HTTPS) video stream has a thirteenth priority, wherein the security server facilitates routing.

47. The system of claim 33, wherein a Motion Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) (MJPEG) over Hyptertext Transfer Protocol over Secure Socket Layer (HTTPS) video stream has a fourteenth priority, wherein one of the gateway and the security server facilitates routing.

48. The system of claim 1, wherein the requesting client device include one or more of a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, a cellular telephone, and a mobile computing device.

49. The system of claim 1, wherein the gateway is coupled via a wireless coupling to the security system installed at the first location, wherein the gateway integrates communications and functions of the security system components into the security network via the wireless coupling.

50. The system of claim 49, comprising an interface coupled to the security network, wherein the interface allows control of the functions of the security network by a user.

51. The system of claim 1, wherein the gateway automatically discovers the security system components.

52. The system of claim 51, wherein the gateway includes protocols of the security system from the security server and uses the protocols to discover the security system components.

53. The system of claim 51, wherein the gateway requests and receives protocols of the security system from the security server, wherein the gateway uses the protocols received to discover the security system components.

54. The system of claim 1, wherein the gateway automatically establishes and controls the communications with the security system components.

55. The system of claim 1, wherein the gateway automatically establishes the coupling with the security system including the security system components.

56. The system of claim 1, wherein the gateway manages rules of interaction between the gateway and the security system components.

57. The system of claim 1, wherein the gateway includes definitions of the security system components.

58. The system of claim 1, wherein the security system is coupled to a central monitoring station via a primary communication link, wherein the gateway is coupled to the central monitoring station via a secondary communication link that is different than the primary communication link, wherein the central monitoring station is located at a third location different from the first location and the second location.

59. The system of claim 58, wherein the gateway transmits event data of the security system components to the central monitoring station over the secondary communication link.

60. The system of claim 59, wherein the event data comprises changes in device states of the security system components, data of the security system components, and data received by the security system components.

61. The system of claim 58, wherein the secondary communication link includes a broadband coupling.

62. The system of claim 58, wherein the secondary communication link includes a cellular coupling.

63. The system of claim 58, wherein the gateway transmits messages comprising event data of the security system components to the requesting client device over the secondary communication link.

64. The system of claim 63, wherein the event data comprises changes in device states of the security system components, data of the security system components, and data received by the security system components.

65. The system of claim 58, wherein the gateway receives control data for control of the security system components from the requesting client device via the secondary communication link.

66. The system of claim 1, wherein the security network comprises network devices coupled to the gateway via a wireless coupling.

67. The system of claim 66, wherein the gateway automatically discovers the network devices.

68. The system of claim 66, wherein the gateway automatically installs the network devices in the security network.

69. The system of claim 66, wherein the gateway automatically configures the network devices for operation in the security network.

70. The system of claim 66, wherein the gateway controls communications between the network devices, the security system components, and the security server.

71. The system of claim 66, wherein the gateway transmits event data of the network devices to the requesting client device over at least one of a plurality of communication links.

72. The system of claim 71, wherein the gateway receives control data for control of the network devices from the requesting client device via at least one of the plurality of communication links.

73. The system of claim 71, wherein the event data comprises changes in device states of the network devices, data of the network devices, and data received by the network devices.

74. The system of claim 66, wherein the security server creates, modifies and terminates couplings between the gateway and the network devices.

75. The system of claim 66, wherein the security server performs creation, modification, deletion and configuration of the network devices.

76. The system of claim 66, wherein the security server creates automations, schedules and notification rules associated with the network devices.

77. The system of claim 66, wherein the security server manages access to current and logged state data for the network devices.

78. The system of claim 66, wherein the security server manages access to current and logged state data for couplings between the gateway and the network devices.

79. The system of claim 66, wherein the security server manages communications with the network devices.

80. The system of claim 66, wherein the network device is an Internet Protocol device.

81. The system of claim 66, wherein the network device is a camera.

82. The system of claim 66, wherein the network device is a touchscreen.

83. The system of claim 66, wherein the network device is a device controller that controls an attached device.

84. The system of claim 66, wherein the network device is a sensor.

85. The system of claim 1, wherein the security server creates, modifies and terminates users corresponding to the security system.

86. The system of claim 1, wherein the security server creates, modifies and terminates couplings between the gateway and the security system components.

87. The system of claim 1, wherein the security server performs creation, modification, deletion and configuration of the security system components.

88. The system of claim 1, wherein the security server creates automations, schedules and notification rules associated with the security system components.

89. The system of claim 1, wherein the security server manages access to current and logged state data for the security system components.

90. The system of claim 1, wherein the security server manages access to current and logged state data for couplings between the gateway and the security system components.

91. The system of claim 1, wherein the security server manages communications with the security system components.

92. The system of claim 1, wherein the security server generates and transfers notifications to the requesting client device, the notifications comprising event data.

93. The system of claim 92, wherein the notifications include one or more of short message service messages and electronic mail messages.

94. The system of claim 92, wherein the event data is event data of the security system components.

95. The system of claim 1, wherein the security system components include one or more of sensors, cameras, input/output (I/O) devices, and accessory controllers.

96. A security network comprising:

a gateway having a first controller, wherein the first controller communicates via a first network coupling with a second controller that is a component of a security system at a first location, wherein the second controller is coupled to a plurality of security system components that include at least one sensor;

a plurality of cameras coupled to the gateway and forming a premise security network at the first location, wherein the first controller communicates via a second network coupling with the plurality of cameras installed at the first location, wherein the first network coupling is independent of the second network coupling and the gateway separately controls communication between components on the premise security network and the plurality of security system components; and

a server located at a second location different from the first location, the server coupled to the premise security network via the gateway, the server and the gateway controlling delivery of a video stream from the plurality of cameras to a remote client device that is remote to the first location and the second location;

wherein a format of the video stream is automatically selected based on at least one of a determined capability of a network coupling a camera of the plurality of cameras to the remote client device and the remote client device.