Monitoring system control technology using multiple sensors, cameras, lighting devices, and a thermostat

• US 9,547,963 B1
• Filed: 03/23/2015
• Issued: 01/17/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alarm.com Inc. (Alarm.com Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Alarm.com Inc. (Alarm.com Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Trundle, Stephen Scott, Slavin, Alison Jane
• Primary Examiner(s): HOFSASS, JEFFERY A
• Application Number:
  US14/665,277
• Time in Patent Office: 666 Days
• Field of Search: 340/425.5, 340/426.1, 340/426.13, 340/426.14, 340/539.11, 340/539.13, 340/540, 700/276, 455/404.1, 715/736, 709/202, 709/203, 709/219, 709/223, 709/224, 709/217
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/00 Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19602 Image analysis to detect motion of the intruder, e.g. by frame subtraction
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19656 Network used to communicate with a camera, e.g. WAN, LAN, Internet
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19684 Portable terminal, e.g. mobile phone, used for viewing video remotely
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19691 Signalling events for better perception by user, e.g. indicating alarms by making display brighter, adding text, creating a sound
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/08 using communication transmission lines G08B13/19658, G08B21/0286, G08B25/016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/14 Central alarm receiver or annunciator arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/02 Monitoring continuously signalling or alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/50 Service provisioning or reconfiguring
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

Techniques are described for providing control of a monitoring system (e.g., a home alarm or security system) using one or more mobile devices. In some implementations, a native mobile device application enables use of a mobile device as a security/automation system keypad and controller for a home security system. In these implementations, the mobile device, using the native mobile device application, checks real time status of system and sensors, arms/disarms system, turns lights on/off, looks in on live video of security cameras, reviews history of system events, reviews saved video clips, monitors/changes thermostat settings, and performs other features of a traditional security keypad in a home security system.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring a property, the system comprising:

a monitoring system that is configured to monitor a property, the monitoring system including multiple sensors that are installed at the property and that are configured to sense attributes of the property, multiple cameras that are installed at the property and that are configured to capture live video of the property, a thermostat that is installed at the property and that is configured to control temperature at the property, and multiple lighting devices that are installed at the property and that are configured to control lighting at the property; and

a native mobile device monitoring application that is loaded onto a mobile device and that runs on a mobile device platform used by the mobile device, the native mobile device monitoring application including instructions that, when executed by the mobile device, cause the mobile device to perform operations comprising;

performing a synchronization process to synchronize the native mobile device monitoring application with the monitoring system, the synchronization enabling the native mobile device application to receive sensor events detected by the multiple sensors that are installed at the property, receive live video from the multiple cameras that are installed at the property, control the thermostat that is installed at the property, and control the multiple lighting devices that are installed at the property;

based on the synchronization;

checking real time status of the multiple sensors installed at the property and displaying the real time status of the multiple sensors installed at the property through the native mobile device monitoring application,

receiving live video from the multiple cameras that are installed at the property and displaying the live video from the multiple cameras that are installed at the property through the native mobile device monitoring application,

monitoring thermostat settings for the thermostat that is installed at the property and displaying the thermostat settings for the thermostat that is installed at the property through the native mobile device monitoring application, and

monitoring lighting device settings for the multiple lighting devices that are installed at the property and displaying the lighting device settings for the multiple lighting devices that are installed at the property through the native mobile device monitoring application;

enabling a user to provide user input to control the thermostat that is installed at the property and control the multiple lighting devices that are installed at the property;

receiving user input defining a first control operation to control the thermostat that is installed at the property and a second control operation to control at least one of the multiple lighting devices that is installed at the property; and

based on the received user input and the synchronization, sending control communications that cause the monitoring system to change at least one of the thermostat settings for the thermostat that is installed at the property and at least one of the lighting device settings for the multiple lighting devices that are installed at the property,

wherein the system includes multiple, different native mobile device monitoring applications that are loaded onto multiple, different mobile devices and that are synchronized with the monitoring system, and

wherein the monitoring system is configured to perform operations comprising;

receiving commands from the multiple, different native mobile device monitoring applications that are each synchronized with the monitoring system;

accessing permission data for the multiple, different native mobile device monitoring applications;

resolving conflicts between the received commands based on the accessed permission data; and

performing one or more operations related to monitoring the property based on the resolution of the conflicts,

wherein receiving commands from the multiple, different native mobile device monitoring applications that are each synchronized with the monitoring system comprises;

receiving a first command from a first native mobile device monitoring application loaded onto a first mobile device that is synchronized with the monitoring system, and

receiving a second command from a second native mobile device monitoring application loaded onto a second mobile device that is synchronized with the monitoring system, the second command being different than the first command and the second native mobile device monitoring application being different than the first native mobile device monitoring application;

wherein accessing permission data for the multiple, different native mobile device monitoring applications comprises;

determining that the first command from the first native mobile device monitoring application conflicts with the second command from the second native mobile device monitoring application, and

in response to the determination that the first command from the first native mobile device monitoring application conflicts with the second command from the second native mobile device monitoring application, accessing permission data that is used in resolving conflicts between the first native mobile device monitoring application and the second native mobile device monitoring application;

wherein resolving conflicts between the received commands based on the accessed permission data comprises;

determining whether the first native mobile device monitoring application has a higher priority than the second native mobile device monitoring application based on the accessed permission data,

resolving the conflict in favor of the first command from the first native mobile device monitoring application based on a determination that the first native mobile device monitoring application has a higher priority than the second native mobile device monitoring application, and

resolving the conflict in favor of the second command from the second native mobile device monitoring application based on a determination that the second native mobile device monitoring application has a higher priority than the first native mobile device monitoring application, and

wherein performing one or more operations related to monitoring the property based on the resolution of the conflicts comprises;

performing a first operation corresponding to the first command in response to resolving the conflict in favor of the first command from the first native mobile device monitoring application, and

performing a second operation corresponding to the second command in response to resolving the conflict in favor of the second command from the second native mobile device monitoring application.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the native mobile device monitoring application includes instructions that, when executed by the mobile device, cause the mobile device to perform operations comprising receiving user input to arm the monitoring system and, based on the user input to arm the monitoring system received at the native mobile device monitoring application, sending one or more control communications that cause the monitoring system to arm.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the native mobile device monitoring application includes instructions that, when executed by the mobile device, cause the mobile device to perform operations comprising displaying an interface that enables a user to review a history of monitoring system events through the native mobile device monitoring application.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the native mobile device monitoring application includes instructions that, when executed by the mobile device, cause the mobile device to perform operations comprising displaying an interface that enables a user to review saved video clips captured by at least one of the multiple cameras and stored by the native mobile device monitoring application.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the native mobile device monitoring application includes instructions that, when executed by the mobile device, cause the mobile device to perform operations comprising periodically communicating a state of the native mobile device monitoring application to the monitoring system.

6. The system of claim 5, Wherein the monitoring system is configured to perform operations comprising detecting a malfunction of the native mobile device monitoring application based on the periodic communication of the state of the native mobile device monitoring application and providing output alerting a user of the malfunction.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a component of the monitoring system that is located at the property and that is separate from the mobile device, the component of the monitoring system being configured to perform operations comprising:

tracking one or more characteristics of the mobile device that operates the native mobile device monitoring application;

analyzing the tracked one or more characteristics with respect to a set of one or more rules;

determining whether to perform an operation related to the tracked one or more characteristics based on the analysis; and

performing the operation related to the tracked one or more characteristics in response to a determination to perform the operation.

8. The system of claim 7:

wherein tracking one or more characteristics of the mobile device that operates the native mobile device monitoring application comprises tracking a battery level of the mobile device that operates the native mobile device monitoring application;

wherein analyzing the tracked one or more characteristics with respect to a set of one or more rules comprises comparing the battery level of the mobile device to a threshold;

wherein determining whether to perform an operation related to the tracked one or more characteristics based on the analysis comprises determining to send an alert related to the battery level of the mobile device when the comparison reveals that the battery level of the mobile device is below the threshold; and

wherein performing the operation related to the tracked one or more characteristics in response to a determination to perform the operation comprises sending an alert indicating that the battery level of the mobile device has reached a relatively low level in response to a determination to send the alert related to the battery level of the mobile device.

9. The system of claim 7:

wherein tracking one or more characteristics of the mobile device that operates the native mobile device monitoring application comprises tracking a geographic location of the mobile device that operates the native mobile device monitoring application relative to the property monitored by the monitoring system;

wherein analyzing the tracked one or more characteristics with respect to a set of one or more rules comprises comparing the geographic location of the mobile device to a control area defined proximate to the property;

wherein determining whether to perform an operation related to the tracked one or more characteristics based on the analysis comprises determining to send an alert related to the geographic location of the mobile device when the comparison reveals that the geographic location of the mobile device is outside of the control area defined proximate to the property; and

wherein performing the operation related to the tracked one or more characteristics in response to a determination to perform the operation comprises sending an alert indicating that the geographic location of the mobile device has moved outside of the control area defined proximate to the property in response to a determination to send the alert related to the geographic location of the mobile device.

10. The system of claim 7:

wherein tracking one or more characteristics of the mobile device that operates the native mobile device monitoring application comprises tracking an ability of the mobile device that operates the native mobile device monitoring application to communicate, using a short range wireless communication protocol, with a component of the monitoring system located at the property;

wherein analyzing the tracked one or more characteristics with respect to a set of one or more rules comprises determining whether the mobile device has the ability to communicate, using the short range wireless communication protocol, with the component of the monitoring system located at the property;

wherein determining whether to perform an operation related to the tracked one or more characteristics based on the analysis comprises determining whether to send data from the component of the monitoring system located at the property to the mobile device over a long range network-based communication protocol based on the determination of whether the mobile device has the ability to communicate, using the short range wireless communication protocol, with the component of the monitoring system located at the property; and

wherein performing the operation related to the tracked one or more characteristics in response to a determination to perform the operation comprises sending data from the component of the monitoring system located at the property to the mobile device over the long range network-based communication protocol in response to a determination that the mobile device does not have the ability to communicate, using the short range wireless communication protocol, with the component of the monitoring system located at the property.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the native mobile device monitoring application further includes instructions that, when executed by the mobile device, cause the mobile device to perform operations comprising:

detecting, at the native mobile device monitoring application, an event related to the monitoring system based on checking the real time status of the multiple sensors installed at the property;

determining, at the native mobile device monitoring application, an operation needed to handle the detected event; and

leveraging functionality, that is separate from the native mobile device monitoring application, of the mobile device in performing the determined operation.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein leveraging functionality of the mobile device in performing the determined operation comprises automatically, without user intervention, using a cellular network communication module of the mobile device to transmit data to a central alarm station server that dispatches emergency services in response to alarm events, the data transmitted by the cellular network communication module of the mobile device being at least one of alarm data that indicates an alarm event detected by the monitoring system and two-way voice communication data that enables an operator associated with the central alarm station server to communicate with a user associated with the monitoring system through the mobile device.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein leveraging functionality of the mobile device in performing the determined operation comprises automatically, without user intervention, using an address book application, that is maintained separate from the native mobile device monitoring application, of the mobile device to identify contact information for a recipient of a notification to be sent in response to detecting the event related to the monitoring system.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein leveraging functionality of the mobile device in performing the determined operation comprises automatically, without user intervention, using a calendar application, that is maintained separate from the native mobile device monitoring application, of the mobile device to identify schedule information for a user associated with the mobile device, and using the identified schedule information to inform operations performed by the native mobile device monitoring application.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein leveraging functionality of the mobile device in performing the determined operation comprises automatically, without user intervention, using a network browser application of the mobile device to retrieve information related to the detected event, and presenting, using the mobile device, the information retrieved by the network browser application.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein leveraging functionality of the mobile device in performing the determined operation comprises automatically, without user intervention, using a messaging application of the mobile device to send a notification in response to detecting the event related to the monitoring system.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein leveraging functionality of the mobile device in performing the determined operation comprises automatically, without user intervention, using a speaker of the mobile device to provide an audible alert related to the detected event.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein leveraging functionality of the mobile device in performing the determined operation comprises using a camera of the mobile device to capture one or more images and associating the one or more images captured by the camera with the detected event.

19. A monitoring system that is configured to monitor a property, the monitoring system comprising:

multiple sensors that are installed at the property and that are configured to sense attributes of the property;

multiple cameras that are installed at the property and that are configured to capture live video of the property;

a thermostat that is installed at the property and that is configured to control temperature at the property; and

multiple lighting devices that are installed at the property and that are configured to control lighting at the property;

wherein the monitoring system is configured to perform operations comprising;

receiving commands from multiple, different native mobile device monitoring applications that are each synchronized with the monitoring system;

accessing permission data for the multiple, different native mobile device monitoring applications;

resolving conflicts between the received commands based on the accessed permission data; and

performing one or more operations related to monitoring the property based on the resolution of the conflicts,

wherein receiving commands from the multiple, different native mobile device monitoring applications that are each synchronized with the monitoring system comprises;

receiving a first command from a first native mobile device monitoring application loaded onto a first mobile device that is synchronized with the monitoring system, and

receiving a second command from a second native mobile device monitoring application loaded onto a second mobile device that is synchronized with the monitoring system, the second command being different than the first command and the second native mobile device monitoring application being different than the first native mobile device monitoring application;

wherein accessing permission data for the multiple, different native mobile device monitoring applications comprises;

determining that the first command from the first native mobile device monitoring application conflicts with the second command from the second native mobile device monitoring application, and

in response to the determination that the first command from the first native mobile device monitoring application conflicts with the second command from the second native mobile device monitoring application, accessing permission data that is used in resolving conflicts between the first native mobile device monitoring application and the second native mobile device monitoring application;

wherein resolving conflicts between the received commands based on the accessed permission data comprises;

determining whether the first native mobile device monitoring application has a higher priority than the second native mobile device monitoring application based on the accessed permission data,

resolving the conflict in favor of the first command from the first native mobile device monitoring application based on a determination that the first native mobile device monitoring application has a higher priority than the second native mobile device monitoring application, and

resolving the conflict in favor of the second command from the second native mobile device monitoring application based on a determination that the second native mobile device monitoring application has a higher priority than the first native mobile device monitoring application, and

wherein performing one or more operations related to monitoring the property based on the resolution of the conflicts comprises;

performing a first operation corresponding to the first command in response to resolving the conflict in favor of the first command from the first native mobile device monitoring application, and

performing a second operation corresponding to the second command in response to resolving the conflict in favor of the second command from the second native mobile device monitoring application.

20. A method comprising:

receiving commands from multiple, different native mobile device monitoring applications that are each synchronized with a monitoring system, the monitoring system including multiple sensors that are installed at the property and that are configured to sense attributes of the property, multiple cameras that are installed at the property and that are configured to capture live video of the property, a thermostat that is installed at the property and that is configured to control temperature at the property, and multiple lighting devices that are installed at the property and that are configured to control lighting at the property;

accessing permission data for the multiple, different native mobile device monitoring applications;

resolving conflicts between the received commands based on the accessed permission data; and

performing one or more operations related to monitoring the property based on the resolution of the conflicts,

wherein receiving commands from the multiple, different native mobile device monitoring applications that are each synchronized with the monitoring system comprises;

receiving a first command from a first native mobile device monitoring application loaded onto a first mobile device that is synchronized with the monitoring system, and

receiving a second command from a second native mobile device monitoring application loaded onto a second mobile device that is synchronized with the monitoring system, the second command being different than the first command and the second native mobile device monitoring application being different than the first native mobile device monitoring application;

wherein accessing permission data for the multiple, different native mobile device monitoring applications comprises;

determining that the first command from the first native mobile device monitoring application conflicts with the second command from the second native mobile device monitoring application, and

in response to the determination that the first command from the first native mobile device monitoring application conflicts with the second command from the second native mobile device monitoring application, accessing permission data that is used in resolving conflicts between the first native mobile device monitoring application and the second native mobile device monitoring application;

wherein resolving conflicts between the received commands based on the accessed permission data comprises;

determining whether the first native mobile device monitoring application has a higher priority than the second native mobile device monitoring application based on the accessed permission data,

resolving the conflict in favor of the first command from the first native mobile device monitoring application based on a determination that the first native mobile device monitoring application has a higher priority than the second native mobile device monitoring application, and

resolving the conflict in favor of the second command from the second native mobile device monitoring application based on a determination that the second native mobile device monitoring application has a higher priority than the first native mobile device monitoring application, and

wherein performing one or more operations related to monitoring the property based on the resolution of the conflicts comprises;

performing a first operation corresponding to the first command in response to resolving the conflict in favor of the first command from the first native mobile device monitoring application, and

performing a second operation corresponding to the second command in response to resolving the conflict in favor of the second command from the second native mobile device monitoring application.