Forming a security network including integrated security system components

Abstract

An integrated security system is described that integrates broadband and mobile access and control with conventional security systems and premise devices to provide a tri-mode security network (broadband, cellular/GSM, POTS access) that enables users to remotely stay connected to their premises. The integrated security system, while delivering remote premise monitoring and control functionality to conventional monitored premise protection, complements existing premise protection equipment. The integrated security system integrates into the premise network and couples wirelessly with the conventional security panel, enabling broadband access to premise security systems. Automation devices (cameras, lamp modules, thermostats, etc.) can be added, enabling users to remotely see live video and/or pictures and control home devices via their personal web portal or webpage, mobile phone, and/or other remote client device. Users can also receive notifications via email or text message when happenings occur, or do not occur, in their home.

1 . A method comprising:
 coupling a gateway comprising a connection management component to a local area network located in a first location and a security server in a second location; and   forming a security network by automatically establishing a wireless coupling between the gateway and a security system using the connection management component, the security system comprising a plurality of security system components located at the first location, wherein forming the security network includes integrating communications and functions of the security system components into the security network via the wireless coupling.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising coupling the gateway to a local area network at the first location, wherein the local area network is coupled to a wide area network via a router at the first location. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the gateway is coupled to a wide area network and is coupled to a local area network at the first location via the connection management component and a router at the first location. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the gateway is coupled to the security server via the internet. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising providing an interface of the security network, wherein the interface allows control of the functions of the security network by a user. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising providing access to the communications and the functions of the security network via remote client devices and a portal coupled to the gateway. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , comprising providing an interface coupled to the security network, wherein the interface allows control of the functions of the security network from the remote client devices. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the remote client devices include one or more of personal computers, personal digital assistants, cellular telephones, and mobile computing devices. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the gateway automatically discovers the security system components. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , comprising using protocols of the security system to discover the security system components, wherein the gateway includes the protocols. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , comprising requesting and receiving protocols of the security system from the security server, wherein the gateway receives and uses the protocols to discover the security system components. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , automatically establishing and controlling the communications with the security system components using the gateway. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the gateway including the connection management component automatically establishes a coupling with the security system including the security system components. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the gateway includes a rules component that manages rules of interaction between the gateway and the security system components. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the gateway includes a device connect component that includes definitions of the security system components. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the security system is coupled to a central monitoring station via a primary communication link, wherein the gateway is coupled to the central monitoring station via a secondary communication link that is different than the primary communication link, wherein the central monitoring station is located at a third location different from the first location and the second location. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , comprising transmitting event data of the security system components from the gateway to the central monitoring station over the secondary communication link. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the event data comprises changes in device states of the security system components, data of the security system components, and data received by the security system components. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the secondary communication link includes a broadband coupling. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the secondary communication link includes a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) coupling. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the gateway transmits messages comprising event data of the security system components to remote client devices over the secondary communication link. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the event data comprises changes in device states of the security system components, data of the security system components, and data received by the security system components. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the gateway receives control data for control of the security system components from remote client devices via the secondary communication link. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the security network comprises network devices coupled to the gateway via a wireless coupling. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the gateway including the connection management component automatically discovers the network devices. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the gateway including the connection management component automatically installs the network devices in the security network. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the gateway including the connection management component automatically configures the network devices for operation in the security network. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the gateway controls communications between the network devices, the security system components, and the security server. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the gateway including the connection management component transmits event data of the network devices to remote client devices over at least one of a plurality of communication links. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the gateway receives control data for control of the network devices from remote client devices via at least one of the plurality of communication links. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the event data comprises changes in device states of the network devices, data of the network devices, and data received by the network devices. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the security system is coupled to a central monitoring station via a primary communication link, wherein the gateway is coupled to the central monitoring station via a secondary communication link that is different than the primary communication link. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the gateway transmits event data of the network devices to the central monitoring station over the secondary communication link. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the secondary communication link includes a broadband coupling. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the secondary communication link includes a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) coupling. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the gateway transmits messages comprising event data of the network devices to remote client devices over the secondary communication link. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the security server creates, modifies and terminates couplings between the gateway and the network devices. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the security server performs creation, modification, deletion and configuration of the network devices. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the security server creates automations, schedules and notification rules associated with the network devices. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the security server manages access to current and logged state data for the network devices. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the security server manages access to current and logged state data for couplings between the gateway and the network devices. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the security server manages communications with the network devices. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the network device is an Internet Protocol device. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the network device is a camera. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the network device is a touchscreen. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the network device is a device controller that controls an attached device. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the network device is a sensor. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the security server creates, modifies and terminates users corresponding to the security system. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the security server creates, modifies and terminates couplings between the gateway and the security system components. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the security server performs creation, modification, deletion and configuration of the security system components. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the security server creates automations, schedules and notification rules associated with the security system components. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the security server manages access to current and logged state data for the security system components. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the security server manages access to current and logged state data for couplings between the gateway and the security system components. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the security server manages communications with the security system components. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the security server generates and transfers notifications to remote client devices, the notifications comprising event data. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the notifications include one or more of short message service messages and electronic mail messages. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the event data is event data of the security system components. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the security server transmits event data of the security system components to a central monitoring station of the security system over the secondary communication link. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the security system components include one or more of sensors, cameras, input/output (I/O) devices, and accessory controllers. 
     
     
         60 . A method comprising:
 coupling a gateway comprising a connection management component to a local area network located at a facility; and   forming a security network by automatically establishing a wireless coupling between the gateway and a security system using the connection management component, the security system comprising a plurality of security system components located at the facility, wherein forming the security network includes integrating communications and functions of the security system components into the security network via the wireless coupling.   
     
     
         61 . A method comprising:
 forming a security network, the forming including automatically establishing a wireless coupling between a gateway and a security system installed at a facility, wherein the security system includes a plurality of security system components that are proprietary to the security system, the forming including the gateway automatically integrating communications and functions of the security system components into a local area network of the facility; and   providing an interface by which a remote client device accesses the security network, the interface enabling communications with and control of the functions of the security system.