Wireless voip network for security system monitoring

Abstract

A Voice over IP (VoIP) module is used to connect an alarm system to a monitoring station over the Internet. A built-in wireless or Ethernet over A/C power component is described, such that the Voice-over-IP equipment can be placed at a distance from a router, without the need to run an Ethernet cable from the VoIP equipment to the router. This arrangement is useful, as in many cases, the customer's security system is hidden within a closet, or else placed within the home or business at a significant distance from their Internet connection and router. The present invention accomplishes this by adding a built-in WiFi (wireless) radio, or a built-in Ethernet over Power circuit, into the Voice-over-IP equipment installed in the home or business.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A security system comprising:
 a VoIP module that is built into the security system and that is operable to output first VoIP signals conveying security event messages and to receive second VoIP signals conveying user commands; and   a router connected to the VoIP module to provide the security system with Internet connectivity for bidirectional communication with a remote alarm monitoring center, the router operable to:
 receive the first VoIP signals from the VoIP module and send the received first VoIP signals onto the Internet, and 
 send the second VoIP signals to the VoIP module following receipt from the Internet. 
   
     
     
         2 . The security system of  claim 1 , wherein the VoIP module is dedicated to the security system. 
     
     
         3 . The security system of  claim 1 , wherein the security system comprises an alarm panel that outputs digital alarm signals directly to the Internet using built-in network capabilities. 
     
     
         4 . The security system of  claim 1 , wherein the security system comprises an alarm panel that directly communicates over an Internet link as an Internet appliance. 
     
     
         5 . The security system of  claim 1 , wherein the VoIP module is built into an alarm panel of the security system. 
     
     
         6 . The security system of  claim 1 , wherein the Internet connectivity provides direct communication with the remote alarm monitoring center. 
     
     
         7 . An alarm panel for a security system, the alarm panel comprising:
 a VoIP functionality to output first VoIP signals conveying security event messages and to receive second VoIP signals conveying user commands; and   a router coupled with the VoIP functionality to provide Internet connectivity for bidirectional communication with a remote alarm monitoring center, the router operable to:
 receive the first VoIP signals from the VoIP functionality and send the received first VoIP signals onto the Internet, and 
 send the second VoIP signals to the VoIP functionality following receipt from the Internet. 
   
     
     
         8 . The alarm panel of  claim 7 , wherein the alarm panel comprises an Internet appliance. 
     
     
         9 . The alarm panel of  claim 7 , wherein the alarm panel is operable to output digital alarm signals directly to the Internet using built-in network capabilities. 
     
     
         10 . The alarm panel of  claim 7 , wherein the bidirectional communication with the remote alarm monitoring center comprises direct communication with the remote alarm monitoring center. 
     
     
         11 . A security system comprising:
 a VoIP module that is built into the security system and that is operable to output first VoIP signals conveying security event messages and to receive second VoIP signals conveying user commands; and   a router connected to the VoIP module to provide the security system with Internet connectivity for bidirectional communication with a remote alarm monitoring server, the router operable to:
 receive the first VoIP signals from the VoIP module and send the received first VoIP signals onto the Internet, and 
 send the second VoIP signals to the VoIP module following receipt from the Internet. 
   
     
     
         12 . The security system of  claim 11 , wherein the VoIP module is dedicated to the security system. 
     
     
         13 . The security system of  claim 11 , wherein the security system comprises an alarm panel that outputs digital alarm signals directly to the Internet using built-in network capabilities. 
     
     
         14 . The security system of  claim 11 , wherein the security system comprises an alarm panel that directly communicates over an Internet link as an Internet appliance. 
     
     
         15 . The security system of  claim 11 , wherein the VoIP module is built into an alarm panel of the security system. 
     
     
         16 . The security system of  claim 11 , wherein the Internet connectivity provides direct communication with the remote alarm monitoring server. 
     
     
         17 . An alarm panel for a security system, the alarm panel comprising:
 a VoIP functionality to output first VoIP signals conveying security event messages and to receive second VoIP coupled with the VoIP functionality to provide Internet connectivity for bidirectional communication with a remote alarm monitoring server, the router operable to:
 receive the first VoIP signals from the VoIP functionality and send the received first VoIP signals onto the Internet, and 
 send the second VoIP signals to the VoIP functionality following receipt from the Internet. 
   
     
     
         18 . The alarm panel of  claim 17 , wherein the alarm panel comprises an Internet appliance. 
     
     
         19 . The alarm panel of  claim 17 , wherein the alarm panel is operable to output digital alarm signals directly to the Internet using built-in network capabilities. 
     
     
         20 . The alarm panel of  claim 17 , wherein the bidirectional communication with the remote alarm monitoring server comprises direct communication with the remote alarm monitoring server. 
     
     
         21 . An alarm panel for a security system, the alarm panel comprising an Internet appliance that is operable to communicate directly over an Internet link to exchange information with a remote alarm device. 
     
     
         22 . The alarm panel of  claim 21 , wherein the remote alarm device comprises a VoIP server. 
     
     
         23 . The alarm panel of  claim 21 , wherein the remote alarm device comprises an alarm monitoring center. 
     
     
         24 . The alarm panel of  claim 21 , wherein the Internet link comprises one or more of a broadband connection, a satellite uplink, an Ethernet over Power circuit, and a wireless link. 
     
     
         25 . An alarm panel for a security system,
 the alarm panel comprising a dedicated VoIP functionality,   the dedicated VoIP module built into the alarm panel,   the dedicated VoIP module operable to:
 output first VoIP signals that convey security event messages over the Internet; and 
 receive second VoIP signals that convey user commands over the Internet. 
   
     
     
         26 . The alarm panel of  claim 25 , wherein the dedicated VoIP functionality comprises a dedicated Internet appliance. 
     
     
         27 . The alarm panel of  claim 25 , wherein the dedicated VoIP module is operable to communicate directly over an Internet link to exchange information with a remote alarm monitoring center or a remote alarm sever.