Method and apparatus for obtaining status of monitoring devices over a network

• US 7,356,128 B2
• Filed: 07/15/2005
• Issued: 04/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Far North Patents, LLC
• Original Assignee: Intellectual Ventures Fund 30 LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Roberts, Jon L., Light, Elliott D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Anwah; Olisa
• Application Number:
  US11/182,674
• Publication Number:
  US 20050249334A1
• Time in Patent Office: 998 Days
• Field of Search: 379/39, 379/42, 379/43, 379/88.12, 379/88.14, 379/88.17, 379/88.18, 379/90.01, 379/93.04, 379/93.17, 379/201.01, 379/207.04, 379/207.06, 379/207.07, 340/506, 340/531
• US Class Current: 379/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2473 Telephone terminals interfacing a personal computer, e.g. using an API (Application Programming Interface) details of API H04M7/0021
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/00 Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/066 Telephone sets adapted for data transmision
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/4536 Voicemail combined with text-based messaging
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/2272 Subscriber line supervision circuits, e.g. call detection circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42093 Notifying the calling party of information on the called or connected party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42365 Presence services providing information on the willingness to communicate or the ability to communicate in terms of media capability or network connectivity
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42382 Text-based messaging services in telephone networks such as PSTN/ISDN, e.g. User-to-User Signalling or Short Message Service for fixed networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5307 for recording messages comprising any combination of audio and non-audio components
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53333 Message receiving aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/537 Arrangements for indicating the presence of a recorded message , whereby the presence information might include a preview or summary of the message
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0012 Details of application programming interfaces [API] for telephone networks; Arrangements which combine a telephonic communication equipment and a computer, i.e. computer telephony integration [CPI] arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0036 where the data service is an information service
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/1215 where a cable TV network is used as an access to the PSTN/ISDN
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/1235 where one of the core networks is a wireless network
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0421 Circuit arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1307 Call setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13093 Personal computer, PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13152 Callback
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13173 Busy signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1318 : Ringing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1322 : PBX
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13274 : Call rejection, call barring
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13282 : Call forward, follow-me, call diversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13374 : Paging
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13375 : Electronic mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13377 : Recorded announcement
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 : LAN, internet

Abstract

A system and method for monitoring the state of a structure over a network. The system and method provides for providing the status of a monitoring device to a status file. The status file is accessible over the Internet by computer so that a party can first determine the status of the device. The system operates over normal PSTN'"'"'s, over cable systems, over wireless networks and over the Internet.

Claims

1. A system for sending a status of an alarm sensor within a structure to a telephone over a first network comprising:

a telephone status file connected to a telephone status monitor for receiving the telephone status from the telephone, wherein the telephone status is indicative of the on-hook and off-hook status of the telephone and wherein the telephone is connected to the first network;

an alarm sensor, wherein the monitoring device is adapted to provide output signals indicative of the status of the alarm sensor;

an alarm sensor status file for receiving the output signals from the monitoring device;

a processor connected to the first network and to the telephone status file and the alarm sensor status file via a second network, wherein the processor comprises instructions for, prior to sending the alarm sensor'"'"'s status to the telephone over the first network;

reading the alarm sensor status file;

if the alarm sensor status has changed, reading the telephone status file;

if the telephone status is off-hook, then reading the telephone status file; and

if the telephone status is on-hook, then sending the alarm sensor'"'"'s status to the telephone over the first network.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the structure is selected from the group consisting of a residence, a commercial building, a prison, a warehouse, storage facility, and a motor vehicle.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first network is selected from the group consisting of a public switched telephone network and voice over IP network.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the alarm sensor is further adapted to receive a control signal from the processor.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the alarm sensor further comprises a video imaging device and the signals indicative of the status of the alarm sensor comprises a visual image of the portion of the structure associated with the monitoring device.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the video imaging device is adapted to receive a control signal from the processor to direct the video imaging device.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the alarm sensor comprises a heat sensor, and wherein the signals indicative of the status of the alarm sensor comprise a temperature.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the status file further comprises a warning if the temperature is outside of a specified range.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the heat sensor is adapted to receive a control signal from the processor to affect a temperature change within the portion of the structure associated with the heat sensor.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the alarm sensor comprises a motion detector, and wherein the signals indicative of the status of the alarm sensor comprise a signal indicative of movement.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the alarm sensor comprises a glass breakage detector, and wherein the signals indicative of the status of the alarm sensor comprise a signal indicative of a glass breakage detector.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the alarm sensor comprises a door opening detector, and wherein the signals indicative of the status of the alarm sensor comprise a signal indicative of a door transitioning from a closed position to an open position.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the alarm sensor comprises a illumination device and wherein the signals indicative of the status of the alarm sensor comprise a signal indicative of a whether the illumination device is on or off.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the illumination device is adapted to receive a control signal from the processor to turn the illumination device on if the present state is off and to turn the illumination device off if its present state is on.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the alarm sensor comprises an audio sensor, and wherein the signals indicative of the status of the alarm sensor comprise a signal indicative of a noise above ambient noise.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the alarm sensor comprises a liquid sensor, and wherein the signals indicative of the status of the alarm sensor comprise a signal indicative of the presence of a liquid.