Delivery of security solutions based on-demand

• US 9,235,855 B2
• Filed: 11/08/2013
• Issued: 01/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sierra Wireless America Incorporated (Sierra Wireless Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Numerex Corporation (Sierra Wireless Incorporated)
• Inventors: Smith, Jeffrey O., Marett, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Goyea, Olusegun
• Application Number:
  US14/075,467
• Publication Number:
  US 20140136379A1
• Time in Patent Office: 795 Days
• Field of Search: 455/404.1, 455/404.2, 455/414.1, 455/412.2, 455405-410, 455/466, 340/540, 340/531, 340500-506, 340/426.16, 340/517, 340/539.22
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/10 actuating a signalling device
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1004 Alarm systems characterised by the type of sensor, e.g. current sensing means using door lock sensors B60R25/1001
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/00 Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/005 Alarm destination chosen according to a hierarchy of available destinations, e.g. if hospital does not answer send to police station
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/00 Checking or monitoring of signalling or alarm systems; Prevention or correction of operating errors, e.g. preventing unauthorised operation
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/16 Security signalling or alarm systems, e.g. redundant systems

Abstract

A computer can receive an alarm event data that results from detection of an event by an alarm system. The alarm event data comprises an identifier for the alarm system. In response to receiving the alarm event data, the computer can access a service subscription account associated with security services for the alarm system. Based on information maintained in the service subscription account, the computer can determine whether a processing service fee is associated with an action of forwarding the alarm event data to a central monitoring station or a mobile computing device associated with the service subscription account. If a processing service fee is associated with the forwarding action, the computer can record the alarm event data and the processing service fee in a record to support a creation of an invoice and forward the alarm event data to the central monitoring station or the mobile computing device.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving, by a gateway server, a first identifier associated with a mobile computing device and a second identifier associated with a Do It Yourself (DIY) alarm system kit that comprises an alarm system and that has a pre-determined number of pre-paid services;

downloading, by the gateway server, an application to the mobile computing device;

responsive to receiving the second identifier, activating, by the gateway server, the pre-determined number of pre-paid services;

receiving, by the gateway server, alarm event data resulting from detection of an event by the alarm system at a premise monitored by the alarm system, the alarm event data identifying the alarm system;

responsive to receiving the alarm event data, determining, by the gateway server, whether the pre-determined number of pre-paid services have been exhausted;

responsive to a determination that the pre-determined number of pre-paid services have not been exhausted;

debiting, by the gateway server, against the pre-determined number of pre-paid services; and

forwarding, by the gateway server, the alarm event data to a central monitoring station or the mobile computing device; and

sending, by the gateway server, an offer to the mobile computing device for a service subscription account associated with security services for the alarm system.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining, by the gateway server, that a payment account associated with the service subscription account has sufficient funds to cover a payment of a processing service fee.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the service subscription account comprises information designating the central monitoring station or the mobile computing device as a recipient for the alarm event data.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein a processing service fee for forwarding alarm event data to the central monitoring station or the mobile computing device under the service subscription account comprises a payment amount that exceeds a recurring fee for an alternative security service comprising monitoring the alarm system and forwarding each instance of alarm event data to the central monitoring station.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising contacting, by the gateway server, a subscriber for the services subscription account to offer an option for reducing a processing service fee if the alarm system is enrolled in an alternative security service comprising monitoring the alarm system and forwarding each instance of alarm event data to the central monitoring station, the alternative security service associated with a recurring fee.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting, by the gateway server, a record to a billing system that is configured to generate an invoice.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

identifying, by the gateway server, individuals associated with other premises located in a geographical area within a threshold distance from the premise;

transmitting, by the gateway server, a message to the individuals, the message comprising an advisory that the event has occurred in the geographical area and a solicitation inviting each individual to subscribe to security services for their respective premise.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the gateway server sends the offer to the mobile computing device in response to exhaustion of the pre-determined number of pre-paid services.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the gateway server comprises:

a dialer bank configured for establishing voice channels to the central monitoring station; and

a communication module configured for establishing cellular wireless communication paths with the alarm system and with the mobile computing device.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the gateway server further comprises:

a pre-processor configured to perform overhead functions for outbound network communications; and

a post-processor configured to perform overhead functions for inbound network communications, and

wherein the dialer bank is further configured for communicating the alarm event data to the central monitoring station using DTMF signalling over one of the voice channels.

8. A system comprising:

a communication network; and

a gateway server coupled to the communication network and configured to;

receive a first identifier associated with a mobile computing device and a second identifier associated with a Do It Yourself (DIY) alarm system kit that comprises an alarm system and that has a pre-determined number of pre-paid services;

download to the mobile computing device an application associated with the DIY alarm system kit;

activate the pre-determined number of pre-paid services in response to receipt of the second identifier;

receive alarm event data resulting from detection of an event by the alarm system at a premise monitored by the alarm system, the alarm event data identifying the alarm system;

responsive to receiving the alarm event data, determine whether the pre-determined number of pre-paid services have been exhausted;

responsive to a determination that the pre-determined number of pre-paid services have not been exhausted;

debit against the pre-determined number of pre-paid services for service associated with receiving the alarm event data; and

forward the alarm event data to a central monitoring station and to the mobile computing device; and

send an offer to the mobile computing device for a service subscription account to extend security services for the alarm system beyond exhaustion of the pre-determined number of pre-paid services.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the gateway server is further configured to determine that a payment account associated with the service subscription account has sufficient funds to cover a payment of a processing service fee.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the service subscription account comprises information designating the central monitoring station or the mobile computing device as a recipient for the alarm event data.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the gateway server is further configured to contact a subscriber for the services subscription account to offer an option for reducing a processing service fee if the alarm system is enrolled in an alternative security service comprising monitoring the alarm system and forwarding each instance of alarm event data to the central monitoring station, the alternative security service associated with a recurring fee.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the gateway server is further configured to transmit a record to a billing system that is configured to generate an invoice.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein a processing service fee under the service subscription account comprises a payment amount that exceeds a recurring fee for an alternative security service comprising monitoring the alarm system and forwarding each instance of alarm event data to the central monitoring station.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the gateway server is further configured to send the offer to the mobile computing device in response to exhaustion of the pre-determined number of pre-paid services.

15. The system of claim 8, wherein the gateway server comprises:

a dialer bank configured for establishing voice channels to the central monitoring station; and

a communication module configured for establishing cellular wireless communication paths with the alarm system and with the mobile computing device.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the gateway server further comprises:

a pre-processor configured to perform overhead functions for outbound network communications; and

a post-processor configured to perform overhead functions for inbound network communications.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the dialer bank is further configured for communicating the alarm event data to the central monitoring station using DTMF signaling over one of the voice channels.