Instant messaging applications in security systems

#The present invention relates to the use of instant messaging protocols and systems in security systems.

#In the security and alarm industry, communications between various and remotely located facilities are of utmost importance. In particular, a premises under surveillance such as a home or commercial building being monitored by a security system, often will need to communicate with a central station monitoring facility. When an alarm condition occurs, such as when the premises is breached or when a fire or smoke condition is detected, then an alarm signal must be transmitted to the central station in a secure, timely, and robust manner. In addition to sending messages out of the security system, it is often desired to be able to send messages into the security system, such as when a central station operator requests status from a particular security system (e.g. to confirm an alarm message). Also, it may be desired to effect control of the security system remotely in addition to obtaining status, such as when the homeowner wishes to operate the security system from a different location such as his office, etc.

#In the prior art, communications have been primarily made via the telephone network (POTS—plain old telephone system). The telephone system has been advantageous due to its ubiquity—just about all homes and commercial buildings have telephone network connections in place that are easily adapted for use by the security system to “dial up” the central station. Other means of communications have included radio communications such as the ADEMCO ALARMNET service, which provides a redundant communications path in the event the telephone network fails or is sabotaged. Various technologies have been used for the wireless communications, including cellular technologies.

#FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

#FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the IM client adapter of FIG. 1.

#The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with respect to the Figures. In the security system 2 of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, use is made of an instant messaging (IM) server computer 4 to provide the features as desired. As known in the art, the IM server, such as one provided by YAHOO or AMERICA ONLINE, manages real-time communications between clients. In addition to using a commercially available IM service, the present invention may be adapted to implement a private IM server whose primary function is to manage communications between security clients as further described herein.

#In a first embodiment of the present invention, a security system 2 includes a premises monitoring system 6 that monitors a building such as a home is configured as known in the art, e.g. with alarm sensors 8 (PIR detectors, smoke detectors, glass breakage detectors, window and door intrusion detectors, etc) that are interconnected via a security system bus 10 with a control panel 12. Integral with the control panel 12, or as a separate component (as shown in FIG. 1), is an instant messaging client adapter 14, which includes hardware and software adapted to enable communications over a network such as the Internet 16 via a hardwired or wireless embodiment. For example, a hardwired interface will enable the IM client adapter 14 to interconnect directly with a local area network (LAN) 18 at the premises such that the IM client adapter 14 may communicate via the LAN 18 with the Internet 16 as would any other device interconnected to the LAN (such as a computer 20). In the alternative, the IM client adapter 14 may interconnect with the LAN 18 via a WI-FI wireless 802.11 protocol as known in the art, or it may have a direct wireless (e.g. cellular) connection as known in the art.

#The premises monitoring system 6 will also implement a monitor, such as a panel display 22 or the like, which will function to display the IM messages for viewing by the user (a building manager, homeowner, etc.). The premises monitoring system 6 will also have an input device such as a keyboard or keypad that will enable the user to enter IM messages as further described. The display and keyboard may be already existing as part of the premises monitoring system 6 (see keypad/display 22), in which case they will be adapted to interoperate with the IM client adapter as required (i.e. display IM messages and allow responses to be entered). In the alternative, a separate keyboard and display may be integral with the IM client adapter. In a further alternative embodiment, a personal computer 20 adapted in accordance with this invention may be used.