Fixed property monitoring with moving asset location tracking

• US 9,123,229 B2
• Filed: 09/09/2013
• Issued: 09/01/2015
• 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: Slavin, Alison Jane, Martin, Jean-Paul, Ramos, Daniel J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): BURGDORF, STEPHEN R
• Application Number:
  US14/021,484
• Publication Number:
  US 20140009284A1
• Time in Patent Office: 722 Days
• Field of Search: 3405391-53919, 340/541, 340/568.1, 340571-5729, 340/573.1, 340/573.4, 340/3.1, 340/8.1, 379 37- 39, 455/456.1, 701468-469, 701/519, 701/521
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2402 Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS], i.e. systems using tags for detecting removal of a tagged item from a secure area, e.g. tags for detecting shoplifting mechanical aspects of the tags, e.g. related to locking E05B73/0017; RFID readers G06K7/00; RFID tags G06K19/00; access control systems G07C9/00; anti-theft control in point of sale systems G07G3/003; security seals G09F3/03
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2462 Asset location systems combined with EAS inventory, tracking, logistic G06Q10/00; entrance control systems G07C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2491 Intrusion detection systems, i.e. where the body of an intruder causes the interference with the electromagnetic field
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/18 Status alarms G08B21/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/008 Alarm setting and unsetting, i.e. arming or disarming of the security system
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/14 Central alarm receiver or annunciator arrangements

Abstract

Techniques are described for moving asset location tracking and monitoring system technology. A system monitors for events related to a monitoring system that monitors a fixed property and the system detects an event related to the monitoring system based on the monitoring. The system performs an operation that leverages geographic location tracking of at least one mobile asset associated with the fixed property based on the detected event.

Claims

1. A system for processing sensor data captured for a fixed property in combination with geographic location tracking data of one or more mobile assets associated with the fixed property, the system comprising:

a monitoring system that is configured to monitor a fixed property and includes one or more sensors that are installed at the fixed property and that are configured to sense attributes of the fixed property;

mobile devices that are configured to track and report geographic location data for mobile assets associated with the fixed property, the mobile devices including at least a first mobile device of a first user associated with the fixed property and a second mobile device of a second user associated with the fixed property; and

a monitoring application server that is configured to electronically receive, either directly or via a network communications module, data communications based on sensor data captured by the one or more sensors installed at the fixed property and that is configured to receive data communications from the mobile devices that are configured to track and report geographic location data, the monitoring application server being configured to perform operations comprising;

monitoring for events related to the monitoring system that monitors the fixed property;

detecting an event at the fixed property based on the monitoring

based on the detected event, determining to send a notification of the detected event;

determining a set of potential recipients of the notification, each of the potential recipients residing at the fixed property, each of the potential recipients being associated with at least one of the mobile devices that are configured to track and report geographic location data for mobile assets associated with the fixed property, and the potential recipients including the first user and the second user;

determining a geographic location of each of the potential recipients based on geographic location data reported by the mobile devices,

wherein the geographic location of the first user is determined to be outside of the fixed property,

wherein the geographic location of the second user is determined to be outside of the fixed property, and

wherein the determined geographic location of the first user is closer to the fixed property than the determined geographic location of the second user;

selecting, from among the set of potential recipients, a subset of the potential recipients to receive the notification based on the determined geographic location of each of the potential recipients, the subset of the potential recipients including the first user, but not including the second user based on the determined geographic location of the first user being closer to the fixed property than the determined geographic location of the second user;

generating a notification of the detected event that combines a description of the detected event with the determined geographic location of the second user that is outside of the fixed property; and

sending, to the subset of the potential recipients including the first user associated with the fixed property, the generated notification that combines the description of the detected event with the determined geographic location of the second user that is outside of the fixed property;

wherein detecting the event at the fixed property comprises;

detecting, based on data from a contact sensor that is included in the monitoring system and that senses whether a door or a window of the fixed property is oriented in an open or closed position, a user leaving the fixed property;

determining an identity of the user based on analysis of image data captured by a camera that is included in the monitoring system and that captures images of an area proximate to the door or the window of the fixed property through which the user exited;

identifying a mobile device assigned to track a mobile asset associated with the determined identity; and

increasing frequency of geographic location tracking for the identified mobile device assigned to track the mobile asset associated with the determined identity.

2. The system of claim 1:

wherein detecting the event at the fixed property comprises detecting activity of a user within the fixed property;

wherein the operations further comprise;

tracking, based on fixed contact and motion sensors that are installed at the fixed property, the detected activity within the fixed property based on the detected activity, the fixed sensors being stationary relative to the fixed property;

combining the tracked activity data within the fixed property with location tracking data collected by a mobile device assigned to track a mobile asset associated with the user;

determining a location-based activity profile for the user using the combined tracked activity data and location tracking data; and

performing an operation that leverages the location-based activity profile for the user.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein determining the location-based activity profile for the user using the combined tracked activity data and location tracking data comprises including, in the location-based activity profile, finer scale tracking data collected by the monitoring system when the user is detected as being located at the fixed property and including, in the location-based activity profile, larger scale tracking data collected by the mobile device assigned to track the mobile asset associated with the user when the user is detected as being away from the fixed property.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein determining the location-based activity profile for the user using the combined tracked activity data and location tracking data comprises determining the location-based activity profile for the user using location tracking data collected by each of multiple mobile devices assigned to track multiple mobile assets associated with the user and including, in the location-based activity profile, an indication of which of the multiple mobile assets associated with the user is tracked.

5. The system of claim 1:

wherein detecting the event at the fixed property comprises detecting an event that triggers consideration of whether an automatic control operation for the monitoring system should be performed; and

wherein the operations further comprise;

accessing geographic location tracking data for at least one mobile asset associated with the fixed property, the geographic location tracking data being tracked by at least one of the mobile devices;

determining whether to perform the automatic control operation for the monitoring system based on the accessed geographic location tracking data;

in response to a determination to perform the automatic control operation for the monitoring system, causing performance of the automatic control operation for the monitoring system; and

in response to a determination not to perform the automatic control operation for the monitoring system, maintaining a state of the monitoring system without causing performance of the automatic control operation for the monitoring system.

6. The system of claim 1:

wherein generating the notification of the detected event that combines a description of the detected event with the determined geographic location of the second user associated with the fixed property comprises generating a notification of the detected event that combines a description of the detected event with geographic locations of all users that reside at the fixed property.

7. The system of claim 1:

wherein the monitoring system is a security system for the fixed property that is configured to detect alarm events at the fixed property and report detected alarm events to a central monitoring station that dispatches emergency services based on reported alarm events;

wherein monitoring for events related to the monitoring system that monitors the fixed property comprises monitoring for alarm events at the fixed property;

wherein detecting an event at the fixed property based on the monitoring comprises detecting an alarm event at the fixed property based on the monitoring;

wherein determining to send the notification of the detected event comprises;

determining to send a notification of the detected alarm event, and

determining to report the detected alarm event to the central monitoring station that dispatches emergency services for the fixed property;

wherein generating the notification of the detected event that combines a description of the detected event with the determined geographic location of the second user associated with the fixed property comprises;

generating a notification of the detected alarm event that combines a description of the detected alarm event with the determined geographic location of the second user associated with the fixed property, and

generating a report message for the detected alarm event that includes a description of the detected alarm event and identification information that enables the central monitoring station to identify the fixed property;

wherein sending, to the subset of the potential recipients including the first user associated with the fixed property, the generated notification that combines the description of the detected event with the determined geographic location of the second user associated with the fixed property comprises;

sending, to the first mobile device of the first user, the generated notification that combines the description of the detected alarm event with the determined geographic location of the second user associated with the fixed property, and

sending, to the central monitoring station, the generated report message for the detected alarm event that includes the description of the detected alarm event and the identification information that enables the central monitoring station to identify the fixed property.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the fixed property is a private home, the first user and the second user reside in the private home, and the monitoring system is configured to monitor the private home.

9. A system for processing sensor data captured for a fixed property in combination with geographic location tracking data of one or more mobile assets associated with the fixed property, the system comprising:

a monitoring system that is configured to monitor a fixed property and includes one or more sensors that are installed at the fixed property and that are configured to sense attributes of the fixed property;

mobile devices that are configured to track and report geographic location data for mobile assets associated with the fixed property, the mobile devices including at least a first mobile device of a first user associated with the fixed property and a second mobile device of a second user associated with the fixed property; and

a monitoring application server that is configured to electronically receive, either directly or via a network communications module, data communications based on sensor data captured by the one or more sensors installed at the fixed property and that is configured to receive data communications from the mobile devices that are configured to track and report geographic location data, the monitoring application server being configured to perform operations comprising;

monitoring for events related to the monitoring system that monitors the fixed property;

detecting an event at the fixed property based on the monitoring

based on the detected event, determining to send a notification of the detected event;

determining a set of potential recipients of the notification, each of the potential recipients residing at the fixed property, each of the potential recipients being associated with at least one of the mobile devices that are configured to track and report geographic location data for mobile assets associated with the fixed property, and the potential recipients including the first user and the second user;

determining a geographic location of each of the potential recipients based on geographic location data reported by the mobile devices,

wherein the geographic location of the first user is determined to be outside of the fixed property,

wherein the geographic location of the second user is determined to be outside of the fixed property, and

wherein the determined geographic location of the first user is closer to the fixed property than the determined geographic location of the second user;

selecting, from among the set of potential recipients, a subset of the potential recipients to receive the notification based on the determined geographic location of each of the potential recipients, the subset of the potential recipients including the first user, but not including the second user based on the determined geographic location of the first user being closer to the fixed property than the determined geographic location of the second user;

generating a notification of the detected event that combines a description of the detected event with the determined geographic location of the second user that is outside of the fixed property; and

sending, to the subset of the potential recipients including the first user associated with the fixed property, the generated notification that combines the description of the detected event with the determined geographic location of the second user that is outside of the fixed property;

wherein detecting the event at the fixed property comprises;

detecting, based on data from a contact sensor that is included in the monitoring system and that senses whether a door or a window of the fixed property is oriented in an open or closed position, a user leaving the fixed property;

determining an identity of the user based on analysis of image data captured by a camera that is included in the monitoring system and that captures images of an area proximate to the door or the window of the fixed property through which the user exited;

identifying a mobile device assigned to track a mobile asset associated with the determined identity; and

increasing frequency of geographic location tracking for the identified mobile device assigned to track the mobile asset associated with the determined identity

wherein detecting the event at the fixed property comprises detecting an event that triggers consideration of whether an automatic control operation for the monitoring system should be performed; and

wherein the operations further comprise;

accessing geographic location tracking data for at least one mobile asset associated with the fixed property, the geographic location tracking data being tracked by at least one of the mobile devices;

determining whether to perform the automatic control operation for the monitoring system based on the accessed geographic location tracking data;

in response to a determination to perform the automatic control operation for the monitoring system, causing performance of the automatic control operation for the monitoring system; and

in response to a determination not to perform the automatic control operation for the monitoring system, maintaining a state of the monitoring system without causing performance of the automatic control operation for the monitoring system;

wherein detecting the event that triggers consideration of whether the automatic control operation for the monitoring system should be performed comprises detecting an absence of all activity within the fixed property while the monitoring system is in a disarmed state that triggers consideration of whether the monitoring system should be automatically set to an armed state in which a security alarm is generated in response to detected entry into the fixed property;

wherein determining whether to perform the automatic control operation for the monitoring system based on the accessed geographic location tracking data comprises;

determining whether at least one of multiple users that reside at the fixed property is within a threshold distance of the fixed property based on the accessed geographic location tracking data,

in response to a determination that at least one of the multiple users that reside at the fixed property is within the threshold distance of the fixed property, determining to maintain the monitoring system in the disarmed state, and

in response to a determination that at least one of the multiple users that reside at the fixed property is not within the threshold distance of the fixed property, determining to automatically set the monitoring system to the armed state;

wherein causing performance of the automatic control operation for the monitoring system comprises automatically, without human intervention, setting the monitoring system to the armed state in response to a determination to automatically set the monitoring system to the armed state; and

wherein maintaining a state of the monitoring system without causing performance of the automatic control operation for the monitoring system comprises maintaining the monitoring system in the disarmed state in response to a determination to maintain the monitoring system in the disarmed state.