Forming a security network including integrated security system components

• US 9,450,776 B2
• Filed: 08/11/2008
• Issued: 09/20/2016
• 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., Kinney, Mike, Raji, Reza, Swenson, David, Wood, Aaron
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Jimmy H
• Application Number:
  US12/189,785
• Publication Number:
  US 20090077167A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,962 Days
• Field of Search: 709/223, 709/201, 709/203, 709/224, 709/220, 726/1, 726/3, 706/3, 706/47, 340/541, 340/571, 348/143
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 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

Abstract

An integrated security system is described that integrates broadband and mobile access and control with conventional security systems and premise devices to provide a tri-mode security network (broadband, cellular/GSM, POTS access) that enables users to remotely stay connected to their premises. The integrated security system, while delivering remote premise monitoring and control functionality to conventional monitored premise protection, 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 (cameras, lamp modules, thermostats, etc.) can be added, enabling users to remotely see live video and/or pictures and control home devices via their personal web portal or webpage, mobile phone, and/or other remote client device. Users can also receive notifications via email or text message when happenings occur, or do not occur, in their home.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

coupling a gateway installed at a first location to a security server at a second location;

forming a security network at the first location by automatically establishing a dedicated coupling between a processor of the gateway and a controller of a security system installed at the first location, the security system comprising the controller coupled to a plurality of security system components and sensors at the first location, wherein forming the security network comprises configuring the gateway, using data of the controller and the security system components and sensors, to control operation of the security system and interoperability of the security system components and sensors;

providing a communication channel between a mobile device and the security system and performing a synchronization to associate the mobile device with the security system via the gateway, wherein the mobile device includes applications that receive the data from and transmit control instructions to the security system via the gateway.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising coupling the gateway to a local area network at the first location, wherein the local area network is coupled to a wide area network via a router at the first location.

3. The method 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.

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

5. The method of claim 1, comprising providing an interface of the security network, wherein the interface allows control of the functions of the security network by a user.

6. The method of claim 1, comprising providing access to the communications and the functions of the security network via remote client devices and a portal coupled to the gateway.

7. The method of claim 6, comprising providing an interface coupled to the security network, wherein the interface allows control of the functions of the security network from the remote client devices.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the remote client devices include one or more of personal computers, personal digital assistants, cellular telephones, and mobile computing devices.

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

10. The method of claim 9, comprising using protocols of the security system to discover the security system components, wherein the gateway includes the protocols.

11. The method of claim 9, comprising requesting and receiving protocols of the security system from the security server, wherein the gateway receives and uses the protocols to discover the security system components.

12. The method of claim 1, automatically establishing and controlling the communications with the security system components using the gateway.

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

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the gateway includes a rules component that manages rules of interaction between the gateway and the security system components.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the gateway includes a device connect component that includes definitions of the security system components.

16. The method 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.

17. The method of claim 16, comprising transmitting event data of the security system components from the gateway to the central monitoring station over the secondary communication link.

18. The method of claim 17, 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.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the secondary communication link includes a broadband coupling.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the secondary communication link includes a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) coupling.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein the gateway transmits messages comprising event data of the security system components to remote client devices over the secondary communication link.

22. The method of claim 21, 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.

23. The method of claim 16, wherein the gateway receives control data for control of the security system components from remote client devices via the secondary communication link.

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

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the gateway automatically discovers the network devices.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the gateway automatically installs the network devices in the security network.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein the gateway automatically configures the network devices for operation in the security network.

28. The method of claim 24, wherein the gateway controls communications between the network devices, the security system components, and the security server.

29. The method of claim 24, wherein the gateway transmits event data of the network devices to remote client devices over at least one of a plurality of communication links.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the gateway receives control data for control of the network devices from remote client devices via at least one of the plurality of communication links.

31. The method of claim 29, 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.

32. The method of claim 24, 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.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the gateway transmits event data of the network devices to the central monitoring station over the secondary communication link.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein the secondary communication link includes a broadband coupling.

35. The method of claim 32, wherein the secondary communication link includes a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) coupling.

36. The method of claim 32, wherein the gateway transmits messages comprising event data of the network devices to remote client devices over the secondary communication link.

37. The method of claim 24, wherein the security server creates, modifies and terminates couplings between the gateway and the network devices.

38. The method of claim 24, wherein the security server performs creation, modification, deletion and configuration of the network devices.

39. The method of claim 24, wherein the security server creates automations, schedules and notification rules associated with the network devices.

40. The method of claim 24, wherein the security server manages access to current and logged state data for the network devices.

41. The method of claim 24, wherein the security server manages access to current and logged state data for couplings between the gateway and the network devices.

42. The method of claim 24, wherein the security server manages communications with the network devices.

43. The method of claim 24, wherein the network device is an Internet Protocol device.

44. The method of claim 24, wherein the network device is a camera.

45. The method of claim 24, wherein the network device is a touchscreen.

46. The method of claim 24, wherein the network device is a device controller that controls an attached device.

47. The method of claim 24, wherein the network device is a sensor.

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

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

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

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

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

53. The method 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.

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

55. The method of claim 1, wherein the security server generates and transfers notifications to remote client devices, the notifications comprising event data.

56. The method of claim 55, wherein the notifications include one or more of short message service messages and electronic mail messages.

57. The method of claim 55, wherein the event data is event data of the security system components.

58. The method of claim 1, wherein the security server transmits event data of the security system components to a central monitoring station of the security system over the secondary communication link.

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

60. The method of claim 1, wherein the forming of the security network comprises learning the gateway into the security system.

61. The method of claim 60, comprising establishing the gateway as a control device for controlling the security system.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein the gateway is a master device to the controller.

63. The method of claim 61, wherein the gateway is a slave device to the controller.

64. The method of claim 1, wherein the forming of the security network comprises the gateway discovering existence of the plurality of security system components and sensors, learning capabilities of the plurality of security system components and sensors, and storing at the gateway information of the plurality of security system components and sensors.

65. The method of claim 1, wherein the forming of the security network comprises:

learning the gateway into the security system;

discovering existence of the plurality of security system components and sensors at the gateway;

learning capabilities of the plurality of security system components and sensors at the gateway;

storing information of the plurality of security system components and sensors.

66. The method of claim 65, wherein the storing of the information of the plurality of security system components and sensors comprises storing the information at the gateway.

67. The method of claim 65, wherein the storing of the information of the plurality of security system components and sensors comprises storing the information at the security server.

68. The method of claim 65, wherein the storing of the information of the plurality of security system components and sensors comprises storing the information at the gateway and the security server.

69. The method of claim 1, comprising:

monitoring at the gateway data traffic of the security system that includes sensor updates, state changes and supervisory signals, wherein the data traffic comprises data flowing to and from the plurality of security system components and sensors;

maintains a current state of the first location using the data traffic of the security system.

70. The method of claim 69, comprising sending information representing the data traffic to the security server.

71. The method of claim 1, wherein the security network comprises network devices coupled to the gateway via a wireless coupling, wherein the gateway automatically discovers and learns the network devices into the security network, wherein the gateway separately controls communications between the network devices and the security system components.

72. A method comprising:

coupling a gateway installed at a facility to a local area network located at the facility;

forming a security network at the facility by automatically establishing a dedicated coupling between a processor of the gateway and a controller of a security system installed at the facility, the security system comprising the controller coupled to a plurality of security system components and sensors at the facility, wherein forming the security network comprises configuring the gateway, using data of the controller and the security system components and sensors, to control operation of the security system and interoperability of the security system components and sensors; and

providing a communication channel between a mobile device and the security system and performing a synchronization to associate the mobile device with the security system via the gateway, wherein the mobile device includes applications that receive the data from and transmit control instructions to the security system via the gateway.

73. A method comprising:

forming a security network, the forming including automatically establishing a dedicated coupling between a processor of a gateway installed at a facility and a controller of a security system installed at a the facility, wherein the security system includes the controller coupled to a plurality of security system components and sensors that are installed at the facility, the forming comprising automatically including into a local area network of the facility via the gateway data of the controller and the plurality of security system components and sensors and configuring the gateway to use the data to control operation of the security system and interoperability of the plurality of security system components and sensors; and

providing a communication channel between a mobile device and the security system and performing a synchronization to associate the mobile device with the security system via the gateway, wherein the mobile device includes applications that receive the data from and transmit control instructions to the security system via the gateway.