Monitoring system control technology

• US 9,119,236 B1
• Filed: 03/05/2012
• Issued: 08/25/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alarm.com Inc. (Alarm.com Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Alarm.com Inc. (Alarm.com Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Martin, Jean-Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Poos, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mattison, David
• Application Number:
  US13/412,433
• Time in Patent Office: 1,268 Days
• Field of Search: 315/297
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/048 Monitoring; Safety
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25011 Domotique, I-O bus, home automation, building automation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0803 Configuration setting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/10 Controlling the light source
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/105 in response to determined parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission

Abstract

Systems and techniques are described for providing control of a monitoring system. In some implementations, a monitoring device is located in a building and is configured to monitor at least a portion of the building based on output from one or more sensors. A monitoring server is located remote from the building and is configured to communicate with the monitoring device. The monitoring server may be configured to translate one or more parameters received from a client device into an interpreted monitoring script and a trigger that causes performance of the interpreted monitoring script. The monitoring device may include an interpreter configured to determine that the trigger has been met and initiate performance of the interpreted monitoring script to evaluate a monitoring rule in accordance with one or more configurable parameters.

Claims

1. A monitoring system comprising:

a monitoring device that is located in a building and that is configured to monitor at least a portion of the building based on output from one or more sensors; and

a monitoring server that is located remote from the building and that is configured to communicate with the monitoring device,

wherein the monitoring server comprises;

one or more processors,

one or more storage devices configured to store instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to;

present, to a client device, an interface configured to accept one or more parameters for a monitoring rule associated with an action the monitoring device is able to perform;

receive, from the client device, the one or more parameters; and

translate the one or more received parameters into an interpreted monitoring script and a trigger that causes performance of the interpreted monitoring script to evaluate the monitoring rule in accordance with the one or more parameters, and

a communication device configured to send the interpreted monitoring script to the monitoring device; and

wherein the monitoring device comprises;

a communication device configured to receive the interpreted monitoring script from the monitoring server, and

an interpreter configured to;

receive a signal from a sensor related to a monitoring function associated with the monitoring device,

compare the received signal to the trigger that causes performance of the interpreted monitoring script,

determine that the trigger defined by the interpreted monitoring script has been met based on comparison results,

initiate performance of the interpreted monitoring script to evaluate the monitoring rule in accordance with the one or more parameters based on the determination that the trigger has been met, and

based on the evaluation of the monitoring rule revealing that the monitoring rule has been satisfied, cause performance of the action associated with the interpreted monitoring script,

wherein the one or more storage devices included in the monitoring server include instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to;

emulate a monitoring system and test the interpreted monitoring script in the emulated monitoring system;

determine whether testing the interpreted monitoring script in the emulated monitoring system results in an error;

when testing the interpreted monitoring script in the emulated monitoring system results in an error, withhold sending of the monitoring script to the monitoring device and provide an alert that the interpreted monitoring script includes an error; and

when testing the interpreted monitoring script in the emulated monitoring system does not result in an error, send the monitoring script to the monitoring device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more storage devices included in the monitoring server include instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:

receive a specification of a monitoring function associated with the monitoring device; and

based on the received specification of the monitoring function, create an instruction template that includes one or more variables defined by the one or more parameters received from the client device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to translate the one or more received parameters into the interpreted monitoring script include instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:

create the interpreted monitoring script such that the interpreted monitoring script includes only those instructions necessary to evaluate the monitoring rule in accordance with the one or more parameters.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a client device configured to:

receive, from the monitoring server, the interface configured to accept the one or more parameters,

receive, from a user, a selection of the one or more parameters, and

send, to the monitoring server, an indication of the selection of the one or more parameters.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to emulate a monitoring system and test the interpreted monitoring script in the emulated monitoring system include instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:

access information indicating a configuration of a monitoring system associated with a user of the client device; and

emulate the monitoring system associated with the user of the client device and test the interpreted monitoring script in the emulated monitoring system.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the interpreter is configured to:

compare the received signal to a list of triggers, each trigger in the list of triggers having an associated monitoring script and causing performance of its associated monitoring script when met;

determine that a plurality of triggers included in the list of triggers have been met based on the comparison of the received signal to the list of triggers; and

based on the determination that the plurality of triggers included in the list of triggers have been met, initiating performance of the associated monitoring script for each of the plurality of triggers.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more storage devices included in the monitoring server include instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:

access information indicating a configuration of a monitoring system associated with a user of the client device; and

personalize the interface based on the accessed information indicating the configuration of the monitoring system associated with the user of the client device,

wherein the instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to present, to the client device, the interface configured to accept the one or more parameters include instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to present, to the client device, the personalized interface.

8. A monitoring system comprising:

a monitoring device that is located in a building and that is configured to monitor at least a portion of the building based on output from one or more sensors; and

a monitoring server that is located remote from the building and that is configured to communicate with the monitoring device,

wherein the monitoring server comprises;

one or more processors,

one or more storage devices configured to store instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to;

present, to a client device, an interface configured to accept one or more parameters for a monitoring rule associated with an action the monitoring device is able to perform;

receive, from the client device, the one or more parameters; and

translate the one or more received parameters into an interpreted monitoring script and a trigger that causes performance of the interpreted monitoring script to evaluate the monitoring rule in accordance with the one or more parameters, and

a communication device configured to send the interpreted monitoring script to the monitoring device; and

wherein the monitoring device comprises;

a communication device configured to receive the interpreted monitoring script from the monitoring server, and

an interpreter configured to;

receive a signal from a sensor related to a monitoring function associated with the monitoring device,

compare the received signal to the trigger that causes performance of the interpreted monitoring script,

determine that the trigger defined by the interpreted monitoring script has been met based on comparison results,

initiate performance of the interpreted monitoring script to evaluate the monitoring rule in accordance with the one or more parameters based on the determination that the trigger has been met, and

based on the evaluation of the monitoring rule revealing that the monitoring rule has been satisfied, cause performance of the action associated with the interpreted monitoring script,

wherein the monitoring device is configured to control at least one zwave-enabled light;

wherein the one or more received parameters relate to operation of an away lighting mode by the monitoring device controlling the at least one zwave-enabled light; and

wherein the instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to translate the one or more received parameters into an interpreted monitoring script include instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to create a script configured to cause the monitoring device to control the at least one zwave-enabled light to operate at random intervals that mimic presence of a human in the building.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein:

the one or more storage devices included in the monitoring server include instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to collect information about use of the at least one zwave-enabled light by one or more occupants of the building over a period of time; and

the instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to create a script configured to cause the monitoring device to control the at least one zwave-enabled light to operate at random intervals that mimic presence of a human in the building include instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to;

analyze the collected information about the use of the at least one zwave-enabled light by the one or more occupants of the building over the period of time; and

generate the random intervals that mimic presence of a human in the building based on the analysis of the collected information about the use of the at least one zwave-enabled light by the one or more occupants of the building over the period of time.

10. A method comprising:

presenting, by a monitoring server to a client device, an interface configured to accept one or more parameters for a monitoring rule associated with an action a monitoring device is able to perform, the monitoring server being located remote from a building in which the monitoring device is located and being configured to communicate with the monitoring device, the monitoring device being configured to monitor at least a portion of the building based on output from one or more sensors;

receiving, from the client device, the one or more parameters;

translating the one or more received parameters into an interpreted monitoring script and a trigger that causes performance of the interpreted monitoring script to evaluate the monitoring rule in accordance with the one or more parameters;

sending, using a communication device, the interpreted monitoring script to the monitoring device;

emulating a monitoring system and testing the interpreted monitoring script in the emulated monitoring system;

determining whether testing the interpreted monitoring script in the emulated monitoring system results in an error;

when testing the interpreted monitoring script in the emulated monitoring system results in an error, withholding sending of the monitoring script to the monitoring device and providing an alert that the interpreted monitoring script includes an error; and

when testing the interpreted monitoring script in the emulated monitoring system does not result in an error, sending the monitoring script to the monitoring device, wherein the monitoring device includes an interpreter that is configured to;

receive a signal from a sensor related to a monitoring function associated with the monitoring device,

compare the received signal to the trigger that causes performance of the interpreted monitoring script,

determine that the trigger defined by the interpreted monitoring script has been met based on comparison results,

initiate performance of the interpreted monitoring script to evaluate the monitoring rule in accordance with the one or more parameters based on the determination that the trigger has been met, and

based on the evaluation of the monitoring rule revealing that the monitoring rule has been satisfied, cause performance of the action associated with the interpreted monitoring script.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

receiving a specification of a monitoring function associated with the monitoring device; and

based on the received specification of the monitoring function, creating an instruction template that includes one or more variables defined by the one or more parameters received from the client device.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein translating the one or more received parameters into the interpreted monitoring script includes:

creating the interpreted monitoring script such that the interpreted monitoring script includes only those instructions necessary to evaluate the monitoring rule in accordance with the one or more parameters.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein emulating a monitoring system and testing the interpreted monitoring script in the emulated monitoring system includes:

accessing information indicating a configuration of a monitoring system associated with a user of the client device; and

emulating the monitoring system associated with the user of the client device and testing the interpreted monitoring script in the emulated monitoring system.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

accessing information indicating a configuration of a monitoring system associated with a user of the client device; and

personalizing the interface based on the accessed information indicating the configuration of the monitoring system associated with the user of the client device,

wherein presenting, to the client device, the interface configured to accept the one or more parameters includes presenting, to the client device, the personalized interface.

15. A method comprising:

presenting, by a monitoring server to a client device, an interface configured to accept one or more parameters for a monitoring rule associated with an action a monitoring device is able to perform, the monitoring server being located remote from a building in which the monitoring device is located and being configured to communicate with the monitoring device, the monitoring device being configured to monitor at least a portion of the building based on output from one or more sensors;

receiving, from the client device, the one or more parameters;

translating the one or more received parameters into an interpreted monitoring script and a trigger that causes performance of the interpreted monitoring script to evaluate the monitoring rule in accordance with the one or more parameters; and

sending, using a communication device, the interpreted monitoring script to the monitoring device, wherein the monitoring device includes an interpreter that is configured to;

receive a signal from a sensor related to a monitoring function associated with the monitoring device,

compare the received signal to the trigger that causes performance of the interpreted monitoring script,

determine that the trigger defined by the interpreted monitoring script has been met based on comparison results,

initiate performance of the interpreted monitoring script to evaluate the monitoring rule in accordance with the one or more parameters based on the determination that the trigger has been met, and

based on the evaluation of the monitoring rule revealing that the monitoring rule has been satisfied, cause performance of the action associated with the interpreted monitoring script,

wherein;

the monitoring device is configured to control at least one zwave-enabled light;

the one or more received parameters relate to operation of an away lighting mode by the monitoring device controlling the at least one zwave-enabled light; and

translating the one or more received parameters into an interpreted monitoring script includes creating a script configured to cause the monitoring device to control the at least one zwave-enabled light to operate at random intervals that mimic presence of a human in the building.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

collecting information about use of the at least one zwave-enabled light by one or more occupants of the building over a period of time,

wherein creating a script configured to cause the monitoring device to control the at least one zwave-enabled light to operate at random intervals that mimic presence of a human in the building includes;

analyzing the collected information about the use of the at least one zwave-enabled light by the one or more occupants of the building over the period of time; and

generating the random intervals that mimic presence of a human in the building based on the analysis of the collected information about the use of the at least one zwave-enabled light by the one or more occupants of the building over the period of time.

17. A method comprising:

receiving, from a monitoring server and at a monitoring device, an interpreted monitoring script from the monitoring server, the monitoring device being located in a building and being configured to monitor at least a portion of the building based on output from one or more sensors, and the monitoring server being located remote from the building and being configured to;

present, to a client device, an interface configured to accept one or more parameters for a monitoring rule associated with an action the monitoring device is able to perform;

receive, from the client device, the one or more parameters,

translate the one or more received parameters into the interpreted monitoring script and a trigger that causes performance of the interpreted monitoring script to evaluate the monitoring rule in accordance with the one or more parameters, and

send the interpreted monitoring script to the monitoring device;

receiving, at the monitoring device, a signal from a sensor related to a monitoring function associated with the monitoring device;

comparing, at the monitoring device, the received signal to the trigger that causes performance of the interpreted monitoring script;

determining, at the monitoring device, that the trigger defined by the interpreted monitoring script has been met based on comparison results;

initiating, at the monitoring device, performance of the interpreted monitoring script to evaluate the monitoring rule in accordance with the one or more parameters based on the determination that the trigger has been met; and

based on the evaluation of the monitoring rule revealing that the monitoring rule has been satisfied, causing performance of the action associated with the interpreted monitoring script wherein;

the monitoring device is configured to control at least one zwave-enabled light;

the one or more received parameters relate to operation of an away lighting mode by the monitoring device controlling the at least one zwave-enabled light; and

causing performance of the action associated with the interpreted monitoring script comprises controlling the at least one zwave-enabled light to operate at random intervals that mimic presence of a human in the building.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

comparing the received signal to a list of triggers, each trigger in the list of triggers having an associated monitoring script and causing performance of its associated monitoring script when met;

determining that a plurality of triggers included in the list of triggers have been met based on the comparison of the received signal to the list of triggers; and

based on the determination that the plurality of triggers included in the list of triggers have been met, initiating performance of the associated monitoring script for each of the plurality of triggers.