A security device

Abstract

A security device comprises a sensor, a cellular modem and a memory for storing a schedule for changing the device's arming state from a first state to a second state at a defined time. The device determines a scheduled time, associated with the defined time, at which the device operates the modem in a communications mode to enable determining of whether the changing of the device's arming state at the defined time is to be aborted. If it is determined that the changing is not to be aborted, the device transitions from operating in the first state to the second state. Also disclosed is a device configured to switch into a certain mode of operation for a waiting period in response to satisfying a condition comprising that an arming state stored on the device when the event is detected by a sensor of the device is an armed state.

Description

[0001] A SECURITY DEVICE

[0002] RELATED APPLICATIQN / S

[0003] This application claims the benefit of priority of British Patent Application No. 2217595.4 filed on 24 November 2022 and British Patent Application No. 2306876.0, filed on 10 May 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0004] FIELD

[0005] The present disclosure is in the field of security devices having functionality to monitor an environment to detect a security threat in the environment, e.g. an intruder.

[0006] BACKGROUND

[0007] Systems for use in providing a security function in a premises or other area of interest, often comprise a plurality of discrete security devices and a control hub, which is locally installed. In background examples, a security system can comprise a plurality of monitoring devices each connected to a control hub by means of electrical connections. This can involve significant effort and disruption for installation.

[0008] Security devices may have functionality to take one or more actions in response to an identified event representing a threat or possible threat. Such “response actions”, also referred to herein as “security response actions” may include verification actions or deterrent actions. A verification action may comprise any action comprising information gathering action from the environment to perform assess or enable performance of a security-related assessment of the scene, which may be used to verify that a threat is real (i.e. not a false positive) and / or that taking some further action in response to an alert is warranted. Examples may include, capturing a photo or video to observe a scene, operating a radar or other reflected wave measuring device, or recording audio. A deterrent action may comprise outputting one or more deterrents to deter a person from remaining in the environment. A deterrent action may comprise an audible or visible emission (e.g. a siren or flashing light). Additionally or alternatively the deterrent may comprise the outputting of one or more other deterrents that are neither visual or nor audio, such as a visible-light obscuring matter e.g. smoke, water vapour or other light-obscuring substance, or any other physiologically and / or psychologically influencing deterrent. Such other deterrents may provide a stronger level of deterrence than visual and / or audio deterrents. In the case of outputting of light obscuring substance, for example, the substance hinders visibility in the environment, deterring an intruder from remaining or advancing in the environment.

[0009] In order to avoid substantial disruption and cost of installation, security devices can be battery-powered and capable of establishing a local wireless connection with a locally installed control hub. However, the power consumption constraint associated with battery power can limit the capability of a security device, particularly if it is required to maintain a wireless connection. The control-hub may be custom-designed for this purpose, for example whereby each security device communicated with the control hub using a low-power communication protocol, such as a Low-Rate Wireless Personal Area Network (e.g. in accordance with IEEE 802.15.4) or the like. For some applications it may be desirable for a security device and / or a system that is based on a different wireless protocol. However, developing such devices, systems and protocols and / or the manner in which such protocols are employed can be challenging, particular where power consumption remains a constraint.

[0010] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING / S

[0011] Figure 1 illustrates a security system in an embodiment;

[0012] Figure 2 illustrates an example security device of the security system of figure 1;

[0013] Figure 3 illustrates an example monitoring station of the security system of figure 1;

[0014] Figure 4 illustrates an example user device of the security system of figure 1;

[0015] Figure 5 illustrates an example server of the security system of figure 1;

[0016] Figure 6 illustrates a conceptual diagram showing times depicting current consumption by a cellular modem, according to an example, while in various states when the security device of figure 1 is in a first mode of operation, in accordance with example embodiments disclosed herein;

[0017] Figure 7 illustrates a conceptual diagram showing times depicting current consumption by a cellular modem, according to an example, while in various states when the security device of figure 1 is in a second mode of operation, in accordance with an embodiment;

[0018] Figure 8A illustrates a conceptual diagram showing times depicting current consumption when a modem is in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connected mode;

[0019] Figure 8B illustrates a conceptual diagram showing times depicting current consumption when a modem is in a Power Saving Mode (PSM);

[0020] Figure 9 illustrates an example scenario causing the security device of Figure 1 to switch from a first mode to a second mode, in an embodiment; Figure 10 illustrates another example scenario causing the security device of Figure 1 to switch from a first mode to another mode in which the modem is in a communications mode, but immediately thereafter switch back to the first mode, in an embodiment;

[0021] Figure 11 illustrates a swim-lane diagram for an example operation of a security device and system containing the security device in accordance with the configuration of figure 1 ;

[0022] Figure 12 illustrates an example scenario causing the security device of Figure 1 to change from an unarmed state to an armed state at a scheduled-defined time, in an embodiment;

[0023] Figure 13 illustrates an example like figure 12 but in which the change at the schedule- defined time is cancelled (i.e. aborted);

[0024] Figure 14 illustrates an example scenario causing the security device of Figure 1 to change from an armed state to an unarmed state at a scheduled-defined time, in an embodiment;

[0025] Figure 15 illustrates an example like figure 14 but in which the change at the schedule- defined time is cancelled;

[0026] Figure 16 is a swim lane diagram depicting an example in which a scheduled change in an arming state is determined as not cancelled, before being implemented; and

[0027] Figure 17 is a swim lane diagram depicting another example in which a scheduled change in an arming state is determined as not cancelled before being implemented.

[0028] DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0029] In general terms, in one aspect of the present disclosure a security device comprises a sensor, a cellular modem and a memory for storing a schedule for changing the device’s arming state from a first state to a second state at a defined time. The device determines a scheduled time, associated with the defined time, at which the device operates the modem in a communications mode to enable determining of whether the changing of the device’s arming state at the defined time is to be aborted. If it is determined that the changing is not to be aborted, the device transitions from operating in the first state to the second state. Also disclosed, in another aspect, is a device configured to switch into a certain mode of operation for a waiting period in response to satisfying a condition comprising that an arming state stored on the device when the event is detected by a sensor of the device is an armed state.

[0030] Various embodiments of the invention may be understood with reference to an example security system 10, as depicted in Figure 1. The system 10 comprises a security device 100, installed in a premises, a server 400 and one or more operating nodes, which may comprise a monitoring station 200 and / or a user device 300. The security device 100, and in this example the user device 300, are each connectable to a wide area network (WAN) 35 which may be a packet switched network (e.g. the internet) via a cellular network 30. The server 400 and the monitoring station 200 are also connected to the WAN 35, by any means but in this example for illustrative purposes is depicted as a direct connection, as opposed to being via the cellular network 30.

[0031] The server 400 may comprise one or more application servers for (a) the security device 100 and (b) the monitoring station 200 and / or a user device 300, and may provide an interface between (a) the security device 100 and (b) the monitoring station 200 and / or a user device 300, for example by relaying information between them.

[0032] Figure 2 shows a more detailed view of the security device 100. The security device 100, has a capability to monitor a scene for an event. The security device 100 may however be considered as a security response device as may be capable of a security response action, as defined herein. While the security device 100 may be a dedicated device for security, the reader will appreciate that the security device 100 may optionally have additional functions enabling it to also be used for non-security applications.

[0033] The security device has at least one detector 120 which provides a facility to detect an event that could be indicative of a security threat. The detector 120 operates using one or more transducing elements that capture data about the environment and may therefore alternatively be referred to herein as a sensor. The event could comprise for example an unauthorised person in a secured location, a vibration or other kinetic impulse commensurate with an attempt to gain entry to a secured location, or a sound indicative of an unauthorised intrusion. The detector may be a detector of electromagnetic radiation, an audio detector, magnetic detector for a door / window, or any other detector suitable for detecting an event that may be indicative of security threat.

[0034] The detector may be passive or active. A passive device generally detects incident energy imparted thereon from ambient conditions; an active device effects an emission and then determines a response to reflections of that emission back on the device. Such a detector, whether passive or active, may be used to detect motion.

[0035] In an example, the detector is an electromagnetic detector; in one example it is an infrared detector, which is preferably a passive infra-red detector.

[0036] If the detector is an active detector, it may be a doppler detector based on radio waves light or sound waves, and / or it may comprise a ranging function. Examples of devices with ranging facilities include Radar, Lidar and Sonar, which tend to include doppler functionality as well.

[0037] For the benefit of this specific example, the detector 120 may be taken to be or comprise a passive infrared (PIR) sensor. The security device 100 comprises a cellular modem 110 capable of establishing two-way communication, which may be according to an established telecommunications protocol, with a cellular base station, such as the cellular base station 50, as shown in figure 1. The reader will appreciate that cellular network conditions may change over time, and the particular cellular network base station that a device connects to may change.

[0038] The cellular modem 110 may for example be provided by integrated electronics, e.g. a dedicated chip, or a module of a processing chip (e.g. a software and / or hardware module, of a CPU of the security device 100), or by a plug-in modem, e.g. a USB modem or the like. The present disclosure is not limited to any particular telecommunications protocol, but features of LTE and 5G will be discussed in due course. The features may also be applicable to other cellular network, e.g. GSM, 3G. Additionally the device 100 may comprise at least one audio output generator 125 (e.g. one or more speakers) and an audio controller (not shown). One function of such an audio output generator may be to generate a siren to sound an alarm. Optionally, the triggering of an alarm may be accompanied by a strobe light or other light generating device (not shown). The provision of a siren and / or light generator device may be treated herein as a basic deterrent.

[0039] An advanced deterrent actuator 130 is operable, on receipt of a control signal, to cause emission of a stronger deterrent than a standard siren and / or light-based deterrent. Optionally the advanced deterrent may only be actuated based on a command derived from human in response to a detected event, For the purpose of this example, the advanced deterrent may for be visible-light obscuring matter. However, as the reader will appreciate, the advanced deterrent can additionally or alternatively include emission of any one or more of tear gas, fluid, paralyzing substance, pepper spray, sneeze inducing spray, a high output sound pressure, an electrically conductive projectile, a stink bomb, intermittent light, a physical deterrent, a physiologically affecting deterrent, or a psychologically affecting deterrent. The advanced deterrent actuator 130 supplied in a particular embodiment will reflect the specific requirements of the implementation. The device may also comprise a deterrent source (not shown), which in some embodiments may be replaceable, and which when actuated by the actuator by the actuator causes release of the deterrent. In a specific example the advanced deterrent actuator comprises an electronic actuator in the form of an electronic switch an electronic switch and the deterrent source comprises a canister which generates and emits light obscuring matter into the surrounding environment when the electronic switch is switched to provide power to the deterrent source. The deterrent source may for example be pyroelectric in nature with the deterrent being smoke, for example. A controller 140 controls operation of the security device 100, according to a procedure described herein. A microphone 150 and a camera 160 may be provided, to offer facilities to gather information as to the nature of a detected event and to record activity observable at the device 100.

[0040] The structure and form of the controller 140 will be implementation specific. In an embodiment, it comprises a central processing unit (CPU) of substantially standard form, and is capable of executing instructions, such as provided in machine code language, to enable performance of its controlling functions. For example, the CPU may comprise one or more microprocessors and / or microcontrollers. Other possible implementations will be recognised by the reader, such as the configuration of an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA), depending on design choices.

[0041] The device 100 further comprises a memory 135, that may be comprised of one or more memory devices, one or more of which may be separate from the controller and / or partly or wholly integrated onto a common chip(s) with the chip(s) of the controller. Thus, the controller 140 and / or the memory 135 may be distributed. The memory 135 may store code that, when read by the controller, causes performance of any of the methods described herein, and / or as illustrated in in the drawings. Thus, the memory may be a computer readable medium comprising: volatile memory, for example, one or more dynamic random access (DRAM) modules and / or static random access memory (SRAM) modules; and / or non-volatile memory, for example, one or more read only memory (ROM) modules, which for example may comprise a Flash memory and / or other electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) device. The code may for example be software, firmware, or hardware description language (HDL) or may be any combination of these or any other form of code for one or more processors that is known by a person skilled in the art. Although the controller and memory components may be depicted herein as separate from each other, they may be at least partly integrated into common hardware, e.g. a single chip.

[0042] Further, the memory 135 may comprise memory device(s) that may in some embodiments be separate or removable from a unit of the apparatus or system. Such devices may comprise magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk, magnetic strips), optical disks (e.g., compact disk (CD), digital versatile disk (DVD)), smart cards, and removable flash memory devices (e.g., card, stick, key drive). Further the memory components may be distributed. For example a distributed server may store code which may be downloaded to the apparatus or system for execution by the at least one processing device described herein, to perform any method described herein that is executable by the at least one processing device. In some embodiments the downloaded code may be stored on local memory of the apparatus or system before execution by the at least one processing device.

[0043] A power supply 170 (e.g. one or more batteries) provides power to other components of the device 100. The controller 140 may control distribution of power to other components, for example the cellular modem 110 and / or other high power consumption components such as the microphone 150 and camera 160.

[0044] All or some of the above features of the security device 100 may be provided as discrete components or integrated together, depending on the implementation. However, all components of the security device 100 are provided within a single housing.

[0045] In the embodiments exemplified herein, the security device 100 is battery powered only, and installed in an installation site as part of a security system at the installation site. However, the present disclosure does not preclude the provision of a mains power supply to embodiments of the security device 100.

[0046] The monitoring station 200 provides a human operator interface. This can allow a number of different human monitoring facilities, which may be at a specific site and / or may be distributed. So, for example, on receipt of an event notification, the monitoring station 200 may trigger a human operator to make response decisions as to how the security device 100 should respond. Based on a response decision made by the human operator, and communicated to the monitoring station 200 using human input action, the monitoring station 200 can send an event response signal back to the server 400, which sends a corresponding event response signal back to the security device 100. While the server monitoring station 200 is in the described embodiments remote from the server 400, in other embodiments the functions of the server 400 may be provided by hardware of the monitoring station 200.

[0047] The security device 100 can then be responsive to receipt of an event response signal to make a security response action, which may comprise a verification action and / or a deterrent action optionally using the advanced the advanced deterrent actuator 130.

[0048] Turning to figure 3, the monitoring station 200 may comprise a general purpose computer in conventional form, including a processor 210, a memory 220 comprising one or more elements for short term retention of processing data, and one or more elements for long term (but potentially slow retrieval) storage of program, processing and informational data. In conventional implementations, the processor 210 may comprise a general purpose microprocessor, capable of executing instructions to obtain desired processing functions. The microprocessor may, in certain implementations, be augmented by more application- specific processing capabilities, such as a graphics processing unit (CPU), a System-on-Chip (SoC) suitable for use in establishing communications, or other functions which will be apparent to the reader. The memory 220 may comprise Read Only Memory (ROM) and Random Access Memory (RAM), as required for the provision of memory storage facilities to the processor 210. The storage facilities may comprise a magnetic drive, or a solid-state storage device.

[0049] An audio-visual output facility 240 is provided, such as a visual display unit and speakers, for display and audio output to a user, and a user input device 250, such as a keyboard, pointing device (e.g. mouse) and microphone are provided to enable user input action to the monitoring station 200. A communications facility 260 provides connection to the cellular network 30, for instance through internet connection or a direct LTE or 5G protocol modem or to network 35, e.g. via a wired (e.g. Ethernet) or wireless (e.g. WiFi) connection. Optionally the monitoring station 200 may comprise a plurality of such computers, two or more of which may share at least some hardware resources.

[0050] For example, a plurality of user input devices and audio / visual outputs may be provided to at a respective plurality of terminals, each attended by an operator.

[0051] Any of the above features of the monitoring station 200 may be provided as discrete devices or integrated together. For instance, a laptop or tablet form computer may have more integration of components than a desktop form computer, simply to enable composition of the computer into a constrained form. A desktop form computer offers certain advantages in terms of being able to swap out particular components, such as to upgrade memory facilities, when the need arises.

[0052] As shown in figure 4, the user device 300 comprises a portable computing device, which may be a laptop or tablet, but is generally a handheld device such as smartphone. The user device 300 which includes a processor 310, a memory 320, audio-visual output 340 in the form of a screen and a speaker, user input 350 in the form of a touchscreen and microphone, and a communications unit 360 in the form of an ETE or 5G modem and antenna. The processor 310 and 320 may be comprised of any of the kinds of hardware described above in relation to processor 210 and memory 220 of Figure 3, but the various components may be integrated if this is the most effective way of achieving a practical device within constraints of form. Optionally the user device 300 may, during use of the system 10, communicate with server 400 using the aforementioned app by first downloading the app from server 400 or from a different server such as an app store (not shown).

[0053] The user device 300 may provide an interface to a human operator in addition to or instead of the provision of such an interface by monitoring station 200. Accordingly, the user device 200 may enable a human operator to perform at least the same responses that they may perform at the monitoring station 200 and vice versa. The server 400 may be configured with functions to enable responsiveness to the event detection notifications by the security device 100 and to various responses to actions performed by the security device 100 and, as the case may be, the monitoring station 200 and the user device 300.

[0054] In response to receiving an event notification from the security device 100, the server 400 can provide the security device 100 with further commands and / or information, optionally based on input by the monitoring station 200 or user device 300, to enable the security device 100 to perform an appropriate response to the detected event. Since human derived commands for security device 100 may be generated at the monitoring station 200 and / or user device 300, the monitoring station 200 and / or user device 300 may be referred to herein as an operator node or operator device.

[0055] The server 400, as shown in figure 5, comprises a computing device which includes a processor 410, a memory 420, and a communications unit 460 in the form of a modem for establishment of a connection with the cellular network 30 and optionally a different modem to establish a connection to network 35. The processor 410 and 420 may be comprised of any of the kinds of hardware described above in relation to processor and memory of Figure 3. Optionally the server may also comprise an audio-visual output 440 in the form of a screen, user input 450 in the form of a keyboard and pointing device. The server 400 provides an interface between the monitoring station 200 and the user device 300, and the security device 100. As will be appreciated the server 400 may optionally be a distributed system and / or may be “cloud” implemented based. As already mentioned, the server 400 may comprise one or more application servers for the various clients, i.e. for the security device 100, and for the monitoring station and / or user device 300. In some embodiments, each of the clients may connect to the application server directly (e.g. using a UDP connection) or through a broker, e.g. as web server (e.g. HTTP or HTTPS) or an MQTT broker. However, in examples described herein, the application server may be assumed to use an MQTT broker at least for communications with the security device 100. When referring herein communicating to or from the server 400, this may include communicating to or from any such broker.

[0056] In the present disclosure, the server 400 stores in its memory 420 a record of a current arming state for the security device 100 requested by an operator device, which may be the monitoring station 200 or the user device 200, but may be taken the examples which follow as being, more specifically, the user device 200. This is because the user device 300 is intended for use by an owner, resident or other invested person (e.g. a business owner or employee) of the premises at which the security device 100 is installed, whereas the monitoring station is intended to be staffed by professional operators dedicated to the task of monitoring multiple premises.

[0057] Configuration of the armed / unarmed state, and other operational parameters, may be made by human input action at an application (an “app”) hosted on the user device 300. As the user device 300 has cellular connection capability, a user can operate a user device 300 to put the security device 10 into the armed state, regardless of the user’s physical location.

[0058] The arming state may be an “armed” state for configuring the security device to carry out an event response action (also referred to herein as a “security response action”, “response action” or an event response), or may be an “unarmed” state for not carrying out such an action. The arming state of the security device may be specific to that security device or may be of the security system as a whole, or to a part thereof, to also be applicable to other devices in the system 10.

[0059] Optionally the system 10 may include multiple devices for a given premises relevant to the user, and so system 10 may have a hybrid states of armed states and unarmed states for the premises. For instance, in a multi-zone installation, different zones may be armed while other zones remain unarmed. This is useful for example if, in a residential dwelling, it is intended to allow occupants to retire to sleeping quarters while securing other parts of the dwelling. The singular device 100, however, may more specifically be intended to be in either an armed or unarmed (also referred to herein as disarmed) state.

[0060] The security device 100, too, stores a copy of the operator requested arming state in its local memory 135 (which may also be referred to herein as a “local copy”). However, as will be described, there is a lag in updating the operator requested arming state record on the device 100 because, to save power, the device 100 is not always available for communication, leading to a potentially substantial asynchrony. In particular the modem 110 of the device 100 may operate in a sleep mode or off mode for maximum period of, for example, 30 seconds or more. A maximum interval between successive times at which the modem 110 is able to receive cellular communication may be no less than the maximum period of the sleep or off mode. As has been described, the security device 100 communicates with the server 400 using a cellular modem 110, which advantageously obviates the need for a locally installed control hub. Communicating over a cellular link consumes substantially more power than is generally required to communicate with a local hub. However, the security device 100 is operable in a first mode for conserving power consumed by the cellular modem 110 when the device 100 does not need to transmit. However, in the first mode the device 100 may occasionally receive cellular signals, which enables the device 100 to periodically obtain updates regarding certain configuration (e.g. pertaining to the current operator requested arming state set for the device 100). The manner in which the modem 110 is periodically able to receive cellular signals may be such that the first mode provides a maximum latency in communicating to the security device that may be too slow for when a user may want to command the device to perform an urgent action, e.g. to verify the threat is real and / or needing to be dealt with, or to emit a deterrent in response to a detected event. For example, where the maximum period of the sleep or off mode is 30 seconds, there may be a latency that is at least this long. In other embodiments the maximum period of the sleep or off mode is even longer. However, the device 100 may initiate a change by which it switches to a second mode with a shorter maximum sleep or off period, e.g. in the order of 10 seconds or less, when a response to a detected event may be needed. The device 100 operates in the second mode that is maintained for a waiting period, the waiting period being provided to enable an operator to provide a response to an event detected by the device 100. In various embodiments, as a further means of saving power the device 100 only operates in the second mode in response to a detected event, if there is satisfaction of a condition comprising that an event is detected by the sensor while an arming state on the device 100 is set to armed.

[0061] In some embodiments, power may be saved by not switching to the second mode for the waiting period if the condition is not met. In some embodiments, a notification of a detected event may be transmitted regardless of whether the condition is met, but in other embodiments further power may be saved by only transmitting the notification of the event if the condition is met. In some embodiments the transmitting of the notification may serve as a prompt for the server to check whether an arming state setting for the device 100 as stored on the server 400 (but potentially not yet delivered to the device) is set to armed and / or to reply to the device with a response by which the device 100 is to verify that the device’s locally stored arming state record is consistent with the current arming state as stored on the server 400. It will be appreciated that any arming state identifier that may be received by the device 100 to enable the device 100 to verify that the current arming state record on the device matches any remotely stored current arming states may explicitly define the arming state, or may define that there has been a change in the arming state. However, that arming state identifier transmitted from the server 400 to the device 100 may alternatively imply the arming state, for example by defining an instruction for the device 100, the provision of which is dependent upon the remotely stored arming state (e.g. an instruction to sound a siren would imply an armed arming state).

[0062] The transmitting of the notification may be when the device 100 is in the second mode, but in other embodiments the transmitting of the notification may be before the device 100 enters the second mode. Further, in some embodiments the user is notified not only of the detected event but also of an indication of a time remaining to communicate with the security device 100 before it returns to the first state, since the first state may result in a longer latency. Optionally the user has the capacity to issue a command to the security device 100 that extends the waiting period thereby providing a longer time for the user to response using the shorter latency.

[0063] Further, in some embodiments, in the first mode of operation the device 100 may receive cellular communications at specific times coordinated with the cellular network by which it is agreed between the modem 110 and the cellular network 30 when the modem 110 is to be in a receptive state. In this manner the modem 110 can receive updates as to its arming state without having to poll the server 400. Likewise, once the device 100 has transmitted a notification of the detected event and transitioned to the second mode and, the modem 110 may receive commands for responding to the detected event, via the cellular network during the waiting period, without having to poll the server 400, in some embodiments.

[0064] An example manner in which this may be achieved is now described with reference to an example of paging within the context of the present disclosure. In some embodiments the device 100 operates in at least the first mode with the modem being in an idle condition in which the modem 110 is mostly asleep but at certain times that are scheduled to be synchronized with the server 400, the modem 110 listens for a paging communication from the cellular network 30. In order to receive messages from the server or send messages to the server 400 the modem 110 needs to leave the idle mode and switch to a connected mode, which may be a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connected mode.

[0065] When the server 400 tries to send a communication to the device 100, the cellular core network 20 then transmits a paging signal to the device 100 when the device’s modem 110 is listening. In response to receiving the paging signal the modem 110 initiates a random access procedure with the cellular network 30 that places the modem 110 into a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connected mode. The device 100 may then receive the communication.

[0066] As will be appreciated from the depicted examples, in some embodiments the server 400 pushes arming state updates to the device 100, resulting in the cellular network 30 paging the device 100. For such embodiments, the device 100 transmits periodic keep-alive signals. The keep alive signals may be transmitted with a regularity sufficient to maintain a connection to a MQTT broker used by the server 400 (e.g. to maintain a subscription to an MQTT topic), with the regularity being greater then maximum time interval referred to herein. It may for example be at least 5 times greater, or at least 10 times greater.

[0067] In some embodiments, the device 100 switching between the first and second modes comprises the modem 110 detaching and reattaching from the cellular core network 20 to request the feature of the correspond one of the first and second modes. However, in any case, at least for the duration of the device 100 being in the first mode the modem 110 may optionally maintain attachment to the cellular network 30. By keeping attached, there is no need to re-attach or reestablish PDN connections each time the device 100 needs to communicate using the WAN 35. Likewise, the duration of the device 100 being in the second mode the modem 110 may maintain attachment to the cellular network 30.

[0068] Figure 6 illustrates a conceptual diagram showing times depicting current consumption by the cellular modem 110 of the security device 100, according to an example, when the security device 100 is in the first mode of operation. Using this mode, the device 100 is able to periodically receive an arming state identifier to synchronize the device arming state with that stored on the server 400. This may be achieved by the cellular core network 20 paging the device 100 during one of a plurality of periodically spaced times 602 at which the modem 110 is in listening state (as opposed to being asleep, for example). In response to being paged the modem 110 switches the device 100 out of the first mode by the modem 110 initiating a random access procedure with the cellular network that places the modem 110 into a Radio Resource Control (RRC) state (not shown in Figure 6). The modem 110 may then receive the arming state identifier.

[0069] The listening times 602 alternative with non-listening times during a paging phase having a duration 604 of a repeating cycle having a period 608. During the non-listening times the modem 110 may be in a sleep state. Within in the paging phase the listening times occur according to a cycle within the paging phase, the cycle within the paging phase having a periodicity, as indicated by 606. The listening times constitute paging opportunities. Between successive paging phases the modem is in an extended sleep phase having a duration 610, in which the modem does not listen for signals and therefore may be in a sleep state, which may be a deep sleep state. The extended sleep phase may be considered extended in the sense of being longer than any of the sleep states during the paging phase. During the cycle within the paging phase, when the modem 110 is not in a listening state it may be in a sleep state, but for a duration that is less the duration of the extended sleep phase.

[0070] In the illustrated example, when the cycle within the paging phase commences the modem is depicted as being in a sleep state, but it may alternatively commence with the modem starting in the listening state. In the first mode there is a first maximum interval 612 between successive times at which the modem is able to receive cellular communications, the first maximum interval including the extended sleep phase. Optionally the period 608 of the repeating cycle of the first mode has a value in the range of 20 to 170 seconds, but in another embodiment in a range of 20 to 90 seconds, and in other embodiment in a range between 40 and 90 seconds, for example 40.96 or 81.92 seconds. Optionally the duration of the paging phase may be set to a value that is no more than one quarter of the period of the cycle (i.e. no more than 10.24 seconds for a cycle of 40.96 seconds and no more than 20.48 seconds for a cycle of 81.92 seconds)

[0071] In some embodiments, the modem 110 sets up for operating with the cellular network 30 to suit the respective first and / or second modes by requesting a feature of the cellular communications protocol when attaching to the cellular network 30. For example in the context of LTE or 5G or other cellular protocols (e.g. GSM, 3G), for the first mode, this may comprise requesting values used by the cellular network 30 to enable extended discontinuous reception (eDRX), for example values for the TeDRX Timer the Paging Time Window Time (PTW).

[0072] In the examples herein the operation of the modem 110 when the device 100 is in the first mode may be eDRX operation in accordance with a standard of the 3rdGeneration Partnership Project (3GPP), for example Cat NB1, Cat NB2 or Cat Ml or Cat M2, for example in accordance LTE or 5G. In some implementations, more specifically, in accordance with 3GPP release 13, which covers LTE Cat Ml and LTE NB1 and in other implementations, in accordance with LTE Cat Ml and 3GPP release 14, which covers LTE Cat NB2 and LTE Cat M2.

[0073] The period 608 may be set by a TeDRX timer, and the period 604 may be a period of a Paging Transmission Window Time (PTW). The periodicity 606 of cycle within the paging phase may be the duration of a regular (i.e. non-extended) DRX cycle.

[0074] To operate using eDRX in coordination with the cellular network, the modem requests values for TeDRX and PTW when attaching to the cellular network (it may alternatively be requested when performing a tracking area update (TAU), but a TAU can only be performed at times that are prescheduled with the cellular network). When the device 100 no longer needs to be in the second mode it may, in some embodiments, detach from the cellular network 30 and then reattach to operate again in the second mode.

[0075] Figure 7 illustrates a conceptual diagram showing times depicting current consumption by a cellular modem 110 of device 100, according to an example, when the security device 100 in the second mode of operation. In the second mode of operation, there are listening periods 707 in which the modem 110 is able to receive communication an non listening periods in which the modem 110 is not able to receive communications and is in a sleep mode. The time interval between the start of successive listening periods is constant and the duration of each listening period being constant. This characteristic is shared by the paging phase described above in reference to Figure 6.

[0076] However, in the second mode, since there is no extended sleep phase as there is in the first mode. In this example, the maximum interval 712 between successive times at which the modem 110 is able to receive cellular communications is equal to the difference between the time interval 714 between the start of successive listening periods and the duration 716 of each listening period. Further this, maximum time interval is shorter than the first maximum time interval referred to above.

[0077] In some embodiments, to operate in the second mode a different feature(s) of the cellular network 30 may be utilized to a feature used for the first mode. This may be achieved, for example by requesting a value for the T3324 Active Timer (hereinafter simply referred to as T3324) for Power Saving Mode as will be described in more detail below, or by operating in discontinuous reception (DRX). In some embodiments, this may more particularly comprise operating in idle mode discontinuous reception (i.e. idle mode DRX), though in some embodiments connected discontinuous reception (Connected DRX) may be utilised in the second mode.

[0078] It will be appreciated by the person skilled in the art the eDRX occurs when the modem is idle (as opposed to connected) mode. However for avoidance of confusion, when using the term “DRX” herein without reference to the term “extended” it is intended to refer to a form of discontinuous reception other than eDRX.

[0079] When DRX used in the second mode the cellular modem 110 is intermittently in a reception state, i.e. in a listening period, within listening periods spaced by non-listening (optionally sleep) periods. For the listening periods may for example repeat with a periodicity in the range of 0.64 to 5.12 seconds, so as to avoid excessive power consumption, albeit without having an extended sleep phase in the second mode. In a more specific example, the second mode may comprise DRX mode consisting of listening for 40ms of a repeating period lasting 2.56 seconds.

[0080] The second mode as exemplified in Figure 7 may involve the modem 110 operating in DRX in accordance with either of the 3 GPP standards referred to above, for example being idle mode DRX. To operate the idle mode DRX feature in coordination with the cellular network 30, the modem 110 performs an attachment procedure with the cellular network 30 in which the modem 110 does not ask for eDRX values (i.e. it does not ask for TeDRX or PTW) or for any other power saving feature (e.g. PSM). When the device 100 no longer needs to be in the second mode it may, in some embodiments, detach from the cellular network 30 and then reattach to the cellular network 30 to set up operation again in the first mode.

[0081] Although not illustrated in Figure 7 it is possible that while the device 100 is in the second mode, the device 100 may transmit information, for or receive information from, the server 400. However for idle mode DRX, like in the case of eDRX, this requires the modem 110 to firstly transition to an RRC connected mode. That is, to transmit information for the server 400, the modem 110 must first initiate an exchange with the cellular core network 20 that places the modem 110 in an RRC connected mode. To receive information from the server 400 the modem 110 must be paged by the cellular core network 20 during a listening phase and in response the device 100 must initiate an exchange with the cellular core network 20 that places the modem 110 in an RRC connected mode.

[0082] In other embodiments, during some or all of the second mode the modem 110 may have continuous reception. The continuous reception may be provided in an RRC (radio resource control) connected mode.

[0083] To explain how the second mode may be generated using an RRC connected mode, it is first worthwhile describing certain features of the RRC connected mode, with reference to Figure 8A. When in the RRC connected mode the cellular network 30 commences an Inactivity Timer. If there is no traffic to or from the security device 100 for a period of timer longer that a value used by the Inactivity Timer, the cellular network 30 releases the security device 100 from RRC connected mode to enter RRC idle mode. Optionally, the modem 110 may maintain the device 100 in the RRC connected mode by continuing to transmit before the value used by the Inactivity Timer is reached.

[0084] For the device 100 to maintain itself in the second mode for the waiting period the device 100 may continuously transmit with a period between transmissions that is less than the value used by the Inactivity Timer (thereby restarting the Inactivity Timer). When the waiting period has expired device, the device 100 may cease the continuous transmissions to allow the device 100 to return to the RRC idle mode.

[0085] If upon attaching to the cellular network 30, the modem 110 was configured for extended DRX, then when the device 100 is released from the RRC connected mode it will return to operate extended DRX, thereby returning to the first mode.

[0086] In other embodiments, the continuous reception is provided for only some of the waiting period. For example, while in the RRC connected mode the modem 110 may operate DRX, like was described above in relation to Figure 7, but being Connected DRX.

[0087] A further example may utilize the Power Saving Mode (PSM) feature of the abovementioned 3 GPP standards. A specific example is now described with reference to Figure 8B. Use of the PSM feature may be achieved by requesting a value for T3324 when attaching to the cellular network 30 (though such a value may alternatively be requested when performing a Tacking Area Update). Optionally when requesting a value for the T3324 timer a value for a T3412 timer may be requested to set a specific time interval for performing a Tracking Area Update. However, in the example of Figure 8B the value that would typically be set for the Tracking Area Updates would be so large so as not to come in the second mode of operation (e.g. it would be larger than the duration operating in the second mode). Using PSM, the modem 110 is in a sleep phase / state (e.g. a deep sleep state) until the device 100 initiates connection to the cellular network 30. The initiation involves a transfer of data, as indicated at 812. This places the modem 110 into RRC connected mode for a duration of time 814. While in RRC connected mode, the cellular core network 20 operates an Inactivity Timer 816. If there is traffic to or from the security device 100 for a period of time longer that a value used by the Inactivity Timer, the cellular network 30 releases the security device 100 from RRC connected mode to enter RRC idle mode.

[0088] In this version of providing the second mode, in order to save power, rather than keeping the modem 110 in the RRC connected mode by continuously transmitting, the modem 110 allows the Inactivity Timer to expire thereby releasing the modem 110 into the RRC idle mode. This commences the T3324 timer 818, and until the timer T3324 timer expires (when it reaches the requested value) the modem 110 operates in idle mode DRX 820. At the expiry of the T3324 timer 818 idle mode DRX 820 finishes and the modem 110 enters a deep sleep 822 until the modem 110 is next commanded by the device 100 to enter the RRC connected mode at 824.

[0089] In some embodiments the waiting period may be provided based on the value selected for the T3324. For example, the waiting period may end when T3324 expires. In other embodiments, however, the waiting period may be controlled to a higher resolution by using a shorter value for T3324 then transmitting another signal, thereby involving the modem 110 re-entering the RRC connected state and repeating the cycle just described. This may be repeated as many times as needed to provide the desired duration of the waiting period. Optionally the re-entering to the RRC connected mode may be the T3324 timer is operating or, as illustrated in the figure, shortly after the expiry of the T3324, so long as the maximum interval between successive listening periods permitted for the second mode is adhered to. Optionally the period of deep sleep 822 may be avoided by re-entering the RRC connected mode before a most recent T3324 timer expires.

[0090] Figures 9 to 10 depict various examples of operation commencing with the device 100 being in the first mode of operation. In each of these examples, the device is depicted at different times as either being in an extended sleep phase or not being in an extended sleep phase. It will be appreciated this example is depicted with reference to the first mode comprising a paging phase and a sleep phase (in particular an extended sleep phase) as described herein, but the same concepts may be applied to other manners of providing the first mode of operation. For the purposes of the examples described in Figures 9 and 10, the other state during the first mode may be assumed to be a paging phase, i.e. in the first mode the modem is in eDRX. However, optionally the first mode of operation may be provided in other manners. Figure 9 illustrates an example a scenario causing the security device 100 to switch from the first mode to the second mode. In this example, the device 100 is initially, at time 902, unarmed. As will be now described the arming state at the server switches at a time 904. This occurs because momentarily before that time 904 the user device 300 receives a command from a user to enter the device 100 into an armed state, and this command is conveyed to the server 400 for forwarding to the security device 100 so that the sever 400 switches to an armed state at the time 904, as indicated in Figure 9 by the change in the remote arming state record. . The sever 400 then indicates to the cellular network 30 that it wants to communicate with the device 100. When the extended sleep phase ends at a time 906, the modem of the device 100 switches to a receptive state during which time the cellular core network 20 pages the device 100. In response, the device initiates a random access procedure with the cellular network 30 to enter an RRC connected state and the modem then receives the updated armed state. The device 100 then returns to an extended sleep at 909.

[0091] At 910 the device 100 detects an event, and since the local arming state record indicates the device 100 is armed, the device 100 switches from the first mode to the second mode at 912 for a duration defined by a waiting period. During the waiting period, due the relatively shorter maximum between listening periods (compared with the first mode) commands can be communicated to the device 100 with a short latency. At the expiry of the waiting period, at 914, the device 100 may return to the first mode.

[0092] In this example, the device 100 may determine to operate in the second mode only on the basis that the arming state stored on the device 100 at the time of the event detection was an armed state.

[0093] However, in another embodiment, the device 100 may first switch from the first mode to another, intermediate or third mode, in which the modem is in a communications mode, to verify that with the server 400 that the arming state stored on the device 100 is consistent with an arming state stored on the server 400 before determining to commence the waiting period (i.e. commence the second mode of operation of the device). If the verification fails (i.e. the arming state on the server 400 is a disarmed state) the device 100 returns to the first mode without commencing the second mode. As will be appreciated at least from this example, the commencement of the waiting period need not necessarily require the modem 110 to change its state from the state it has been in when the device was in the third mode. For example, if the modem 110 was in a discontinuous receive mode in the third mode of the device 100, the modem 110 may in some embodiments remain in the discontinuous receive mode when the second mode of the device 100 commences. However, in some embodiments there is a distinct change in the modem configuration, e.g. by utilizing a different feature or mode of the cellular network, which for the modem 110 to access may require detaching and reattaching to the cellular network 30. Further, in the absence of the modem 100 transmitting verification data during the waiting period, the modem 110 may in some embodiments not transmit any data or transmit so little data as to consume less power while in the waiting period compared to if and when in modem 100 is in a communications mode immediately before commencing the waiting period.

[0094] Figure 10 illustrates another example of a scenario causing the security device 100 to switch from the first mode to another, intermediate or third mode in which the modem 110 is in a communications mode but immediately thereafter switch back to the first mode, in an embodiment. In this example, the device 100 is initially, at time 1102, armed. This is because momentarily before 1104 the user device 300 receives a command from a user to disarm the device 100, and this command is conveyed to the server 400 for forwarding (optionally via an MQTT broker) to the security device 100. The server updates its arming state to disarmed at 1104, and would ideally immediately command the security device 100 to disarm. However, the security device 100 cannot receive any commands because it is asleep, and is still asleep when an event is detected at 1110. Since the arming state stored on the device 100 is armed when the event is detected, at 1106 the device 100 immediately leaves the first mode by prematurely ending the sleep period and enters another mode in which the modem 110 switches to RRC connected mode and communicates with the server 400. The device 100 then at 1108, receives a signal informing it that the device 100 had been remotely set to be switched to an unarmed state. Based on a timestamp associated with that received signal, that the remote setting to the unarmed state had occurred before the event had been detected. As a result, the device 100 determines that is not required to be commence a waiting period and so immediately switches back to the first mode at 1112. In an embodiment the signal informing it that the device had been remotely set to be switched to an unarmed state is received in response to the device 100 transmitting a notification of the event. However, in another embodiment the signal may be received prior to transmitting such a notification, in which case the device 100 may in some embodiments not send the notification.

[0095] It will be appreciated that if user device 300, and in turn the security device 100, received the disarm command earlier, such that the device 100 disarmed before the commencement at 1116 of the extended sleep phase during which the event was detected, then the device 100 would not have switched to out of the first mode in response to the detected event.

[0096] Figure 11 illustrates a swim-lane diagram for an example operation of the security device 100 and system 10 containing the security device 100 in a situation in which the security device 100 is armed before an event is detected. The example commences with the device 100 detecting an event at step 1202. In response, at 1204, the device 100 may capture one or more images (e.g. a photo or a video) and switches to another mode that may then be used the device 100 at 1206 to notify the server 400 of the detected event and obtain a response to the notification. At 1207 the server may verify that notification constitutes a valid threat detection (e.g. based on the arming state as set at the server 400). At 1208 the server 400 may check consistency between its arming state and that of the device 100 and transmit a signal to the device 100 that confirms the consistency.

[0097] At 1210 in response to having the armed state confirmed the device 100 may optionally sound an alarm siren, or start a count-down timer upon the expiry of which the device 100 will sound an alarm if it does not in the meantime receive a user command instruction that cancels the alarm. In a variation of this example such a countdown timer may be commenced at step 1204 and may additionally be cancelled if necessary depending on the reply from the server 400 at step 1208.

[0098] Additionally or alternatively in response to having the arming state confirmed the device 100 may in some embodiments transmit the image(s) it had captured at step 1204 and / or may capture one or more further images (and optionally transmit it / them), the transmitting of images being at step 1212.

[0099] Then at step 1214 the device 100 the switches to the second mode whereby it maintains a short latency connection with the cellular network 30 for a duration defined by a waiting period. In other embodiments this step may occur at 1210, i.e. upon having the arming state confirmed as being armed. In embodiments in which no verification of the arming state is performed, the switching to the second mode may optionally occur when transmitting the notification of the event.

[0100] Regardless of when the waiting period is commenced, for embodiments herein which the device 100 does verify consistency with regard to its arming state, the length of time with the device 100 is not operating in the first mode is longer in the event that there is an arming state consistency compared with there being arming state inconsistency. For example, if the device 100 learns that it had not most recently been intended by the user to be in the armed state, the device 100 responds by returning to the first mode at that time rather delaying the returning to provide an opportunity for a user response.

[0101] Upon receiving the notification of the event and optionally conditionally upon confirming with the notification represents a valid threat detection event (e.g. based on arming state information stored at the server), the server 400 transmits an alert to an operator device 300 at step 1216. In some embodiments, the server 400 also transmits to the operator device 300 any images (or sound) received from step 1212. At 1220 the operator device 300 receives the alert from the server 400 and indicates the alert to the user of the operator device 300, e.g. using a sound notification and a pop-up notification on a screen. Additionally the operator device 300 displays an indication of a remaining time (e.g. as a countdown time) for contacting the security device 100 in order to ensure that any commands from the operator device 300 reach the security device 100 before the waiting window expires. To provide a safety margin the indicated time may be before the scheduled end of the waiting period. For example, a countdown display may display a time which may include a reduction to compensate for user reaction time and system latency, to encourage a user to make an early decision, so that the user’s decision can be conveyed to the security device 100 in due time.

[0102] Optionally the user may then use the operator device 300 to perform any of the following actions: a) view any received images (or sounds) that have captured by the security device 100; b) dismiss the event; c) disarm the device 100; or d) command the device 100 to perform a response action, optionally from a range of response actions. e) extend the response window

[0103] The range of response actions may include one or more verification actions and deterrent actions (e.g. actions for outputting an advanced deterrent). In an embodiment, the available response action includes emitted light-obscuring matter.

[0104] If the user selects options b) or c) the device 100 upon receiving the selection (which generally will be received via the server) may end the waiting period.

[0105] If the user selects options e) the device 100 upon receiving the selection extends the waiting period. This will also result in an indication, to the user, of an updated remaining time for contacting the security device 100 in order to ensure that any commands from the operator device 300 reach the security device 100 before the waiting window expires.

[0106] However, in this example it is assumed that at step 1222 the user selects option d) optionally after first selecting option a). The response action selected in this example is a verification action (e.g. capturing one or more further images).

[0107] The device 100 then receives the selection as 1224, and in response performs the response action. In some embodiments, as illustrated in Figure 11, this also results in the device 100 extending the waiting period. At step 1226 the operator device 300 receives at least some evidence of the verification, e.g. the captured images or an indication that the images are available from the server 400 for downloading, enabling the user to observe the evidence. At 1228 the user may provide a further response action. For example the user may present with the same options as presented at step 1222. In this illustrative example the user selects a deterrent action, which comprises emitted light-obscuring matter, in an embodiment.

[0108] The device 100 receives and then performs the commanded deterrent action at 1230, and in some embodiments then performs a verification action to confirm that present an indication of the observed scene after performing the deterrent action (e.g. captures more images) and optionally transmits evidence of the verification for eventual delivery to the operator device 300. Thereafter, in some embodiments the device 100 will again extend the waiting period, e.g. in case the user wants further verifications, and .in other embodiments the device 100 will instead immediately end the waiting period, and in yet other embodiments the device 100 will allow the waiting period to expire when it had been scheduled to expire.

[0109] In the examples of the first mode provided above in relation to Figures 6, 9 and 10, the arming state may be updated using push notifications timed to coincide with when the modem 110 of the device 100 is in the paging phase of the first mode of operation, for example where the device 100 uses an eDRX mode of the cellular network 30 to implement the first mode. However in an alternative example of a first mode of operation in accordance with one or more embodiments, the device 100 may use the PSM mode feature of the cellular network, and the examples of Figures 9 and 10 may be understood to equally apply to such embodiments. For example, the device 100 may operate in a PSM and with a periodicity selected to define a first maximum time interval to poll the server 400 to obtain the most current arming state information.

[0110] Like in the cases of Figures 6, 9 and 10, apart from finding out the most current arming state information the device 100 may while monitoring for a detected event have its modem 110 remaining in a deep sleep in accordance with by the PSM mode (or in an alternative embodiment may be off) while monitoring for an event. In the context of Figures 9 and 10, the polling of the server 400 to obtain the most current arming state information is provided by waking from the extended sleep, for example at time 906, during the first mode of operation.

[0111] Like in the case of Figures 6, 9 and 10, if an event being monitored for is detected while the modem 110 of the device 100 is in the sleep phase between being able to obtain arming state updates, and the device 100 is armed, the modem 110 wakes early from the sleep mode (i.e. before it would have woken for the next listening time) and the device 100 notifies the server 400 using the modem 110. In this example the device 100 may provide the second mode of operation, and also the first mode of operation, by performing a procedure in accordance with Figure 8B, with a short (e.g. no more than 5.12 seconds) or zero-length duration 822 of being in deep sleep. In such an embodiment the device 100 may maintain attachment to the cellular core network 20 so that it does not need to reattach to the cellular core network 20 when switching from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation nor when switching back to the first mode of operation.

[0112] With reference to Figure 8B, in the first mode of operation, a first maximum interval between successive times at which the modem 110 is able to receive cellular communications may be controlled by controlling the duration 822 of the deep sleep. The modem 110 wakes from the extended sleep to enter the RRC connected state at time 812 in order to poll the server 400 to find out if there has been any changes concerning arming state information. The device 100 may receive a reply from the server 400 before the inactivity timer 816 expires, and then once the T3324 timer 818 expires, the device 100 re-enters the extended sleep phase until the next due time to poll the server 400 for arming state information. To provide the first mode of operation, typically the duration of 822 may be relatively long (in contrast with the depiction in Figure 8, the duration of 822 would typically be longer than the combined duration of the T3324 timer 818 and the during 814 of being in the RRC connected state). If the update from the server 400 instead had arrived while the T3324 timer 818 was active the modem would re-enter the RRC connected state in order to receive the update, but would eventually thereafter enter the extended sleep state once the inactivity timer 816 again expires and then the T3324 timer again expires. The second mode of operation may be provided, when needed, by similarly entering the RRC connected state and keeping a second maximum time interval between successive times in which the modem is able to receive communications (for example as determined by period 806 of the idle DRX cycle) to be less than the first maximum interval.

[0113] In one or more of the examples above the operator requested arming state may correspond to an arming state that an operator requests to be implemented by the security device 100 as soon as possible, i.e. when the security device 100 is next contactable to receive the operator requested arming state. For example, in the case of Figure 9 the change in the arming state of the server 400 at 904 is, upon reaching the device 100 at 908, immediately implemented. Similarly, in the case of Figure 10 the change in the arming state of the server 400 at 1104 is, upon reaching the device 100 at 1108, immediately implemented.

[0114] However, the change in the arming state may be additionally or alternatively requestable by the user ahead of time, for example at a schedule-defined time. That is, an operator requested arming state may be determined using a schedule requested by user. Some examples of such an implementation may be understood with reference to Figures 12 to 17. Figures 12 to 17 may operate in the same manner as Figures 9 to 10 except that, in Figures 12 to 17, rather than device 100 being commanded to be immediately implement an instructed arming state change, the device 100 is instead commanded to store or update an arming state schedule that defines: (i) one or more times; and,

[0115] (ii) for each time of the one or more times, the arming state that is to be taken to be (optionally conditionally upon a step of verifying that it is still valid) the devicestored operator-requested arming state at that time.

[0116] The scheduled-defined time may for example be a predefined time on a given day or days (for example on workdays). Optionally a different schedule may be requested for other days (e.g. non workdays or workdays with different working hours).

[0117] Optionally, a predetermined period of time (e.g. 5 minutes or less, 1 minute or less, e.g. 30 seconds, e.g. 15 to 30 seconds) prior to the device 100 implementing the scheduled change in its arming state the server 400 may send a notification to the user device 300 to check that the scheduled operator requested change of state is still to be implemented, i.e. that the user still wants to switch the arming state at the user’ s previously requested schedule-defined time. The user device 300 may then present a notification on the user device 300 on a screen, optionally accompanied by an audible alert. The user may respond to the notification, by approving the change in state, ignoring the notification (which may have the same effect as approving the change in state), rescheduling the change of state, or dismissing the change of state such that the change of state does not occur at all. The device 100 may then learn from the server 400 whether the user has cancelled / aborted the scheduled change, and only implement the scheduled change if it had not been cancelled / aborted. An advantage of checking the currency / validity of a scheduled change in arming state before changing the arming state is that it may lead to fewer unjustified security response actions, like triggering an alarm and / or automatic image capture. However, in other embodiments, the device 100 may implement the scheduled change in the arming state at the schedule-defined time and then check with the server 400 that the changed arming state had not been made obsolete, and if it had the device 100 would then revert to the prior arming state.

[0118] The cases of Figures 12 to 15 will now be described in further detail. In these examples, the first mode of operation is one in which the device 100 periodically polls the server 400 to learn of any updates concerning arming state information. This may be in accordance with the PSM example, so Figures 12 and 15 will be described in that context, but it will be appreciated that push-based arming state updates may alternatively be employed for example using an eDRX implementation for the first mode of operation, as described above. Thus Figures 12 to 15 are similarly presented in reference to the device 100 being at various times either in an extended sleep or not in an extended sleep. Turning firstly to Figure 12, an intended current arming state for the device 100 as stored on the server 400 (and also at the device 100) is initially a disarmed state at time 1300. At a time 1301 an arming state intended for device 100 is updated by a user 300, to an armed state, but the update includes a scheduled implementation time 1304.

[0119] The device 100 learns of the update at a time 1303 when the device 100 is not in the extended sleep phase of the first mode of operation and polls the server at time 1306. Then at time 1309 the device 100 returns to an extended sleep phase of the first mode of operation. When the scheduled implementation time 1304 arrives, the arming state of the device 100 switches to armed, as indicated at 1308. Thus, when an event 1310 is detected by detector 120, since the arming state is armed at that time, the device 100 switches from the first mode to the second mode at 1312 for a duration defined by a waiting period. In some embodiments in response to the detected event the device 100 also automatically captures verification data comprising a series of images in order to verify that there is a legitimate threat and / or inform the user whether action may be warranted. During the waiting period, due the relatively shorter maximum interval between listening periods (compared with the first mode) commands can be communicated to the device 100 with a short latency. At the expiry of the waiting period, at 1314, the device 100 may return to the first mode of operation. As in the case of Figure 9, likewise in Figure 12, the device 100 may, upon detecting the event 1310 verify that the arming state intended for the device 100, as stored on the server 400, is in fact an armed state, before commencing the waiting period. This may be beneficial if there is a further update to the scheduled arming state change (e.g. a delay or cancellation of the scheduled change) during the same extended sleep period in which the event detection occurs such that the device 100 is unaware of the further update at the moment that the event is detected by the device 100.

[0120] Figure 14 shows an embodiment that is the same as in Figure 12 except that instead of the initial arming state being unarmed and the scheduled change in arming state being to an armed state, the initial arming state is armed and the scheduled change in arming state is to a disarmed state. This is reflected in the arming state schedules updated at time 1501 and 1503 in the server 400 and device 100, respectively. As a result, when the schedule-defined time to implement the arming state change arrives at time 1508, the arming state is changed to unarmed. In one embodiment, when the event detection occurs subsequently at time 1510, the device 100 remains in the first mode of operation, as shown in Figure 14. However, in another embodiment (not illustrated in figure 14), when the event detection 1510 occurs, the device 100 exits the first mode by waking the modem 110 prematurely to transmit an event notification to the server. The device 100 then awaits confirmation that the device 100 stored arming state is still correct (unarmed in this example), i.e. since the scheduled arming state change, there had thereafter been no request to change the arming state. If the arming state is still unarmed, the device 100 returns to operating in the first mode. Were the device to discover after transmitting the event notification that the arming state had in the meantime been requested to be changed to armed, the device 100 would at that time capture verification data in the form or a series of images, which may automatically or upon receiving a request, be transmitted by the device to the server 400.

[0121] Figure 13 depicts an example similar to Figure 12, except in this example the requested schedule for arming the device 100 is further updated by the operator, to cancel or delay the arming of the detector 100 that had been scheduled to occur at a defined time 1304 (based on a schedule that had been learned at time 1303). In this example the server 400 becomes aware of the further update at time 1405, before the defined time 1304, but during the same extended sleep period in which the detection occurs. However, in this example, the device 100 is configured to, at a scheduled time prior to the defined time, leave the first mode of operation to operate in a different mode (which may be the third mode or a fourth mode) in which the modem is in a communications mode for determining whether the scheduled change in the arming state still accords with the remotely held operator requested arming state, at the server 400. In this example, where the PSM feature of the cellular network 30 is utilized the communications mode may simply comprise a polling procedure implemented in the same manner as the polling at 1305, but by ending the extended sleep prematurely, due to the scheduled change to the arming state. As a result of that polling the device 100 learns the most recent arming schedule at time 1407, so that instead of arming at that time 1308 the device 100 remains unarmed, in accordance with the most recent schedule. Shortly thereafter, at time 1410, an event is detected by the device 100, using its sensor. In one embodiment, when the event detection occurs subsequently at time 1410, the device 100 remains in the first mode of operation, as shown in Figure 13. However, in another embodiment (not illustrated in Figure 13), when the event detection 1410 occurs, the device 100 exits the first mode by waking the modem 110 prematurely to transmit an event notification to the server. The device then awaits confirmation that the device 100 stored arming state is still correct (unarmed in this example), i.e. since the scheduled arming state change, there had thereafter been no request to change the arming state. If the arming state is still unarmed, the device 100 returns to operating in the first mode. Were the device 100 to discover after transmitting the event notification that the arming state had in the meantime been requested to be changed to armed, the device 100 would at that time capture verification data in the form or a series of images, which may automatically or upon receiving a request, be transmitted by the device 100 to the server 400. Figure 15 depicts an example similar to Figure 14, except in this example the requested schedule for disarming the device 100 is further updated by the operator, to cancel or delay the disarming of the detector 100 that had been scheduled to occur at a defined time 1504 (based on a schedule learned at time 1503). In this example the server 400 becomes aware of the further update at time 1605, before the defined time 1504, but during the same extended sleep period in which the detection occurs. However, in this example, the device 100 is configured to, at a scheduled time prior to the defined time, leave the first mode of operation to operate in a different mode (which may be the third or a fourth mode) in which the modem 110 is in a communications mode for determining whether the scheduled change in the arming state still accords with the remotely held operator requested arming state, at the server 400. In this example that where the PSM feature of the cellular network 30 is utilized the communications mode may simply comprise a polling procedure implemented in the same manner as the polling at 1605, but by ending the extended sleep prematurely, due to the scheduled change to the arming state. As a result of that polling the device learns at time 1607 that the arming schedule in the device 100 had been updated to remain armed at time 1508, so that instead of disarming at time that time 1508 the device 100 remains armed, in accordance with the most recent schedule.

[0122] Thus, when an event 1610 is detected by detector 120 (also referred to herein as a sensor) since the arming state is armed at that time, the device 100 switches from the first mode to the second mode at 1612 for a duration defined by a waiting period. In some embodiments in response to the detected event the device 100 also automatically captures verification data comprising a series of images in order to verify that there is a legitimate threat and / or inform the user whether action may be warranted. During the waiting period, due the relatively shorter maximum between listening periods (compared with the first mode) commands can be communicated to the device 100 with a short latency. At the expiry of the waiting period, at 1614, the device 100 may return to the first mode of operation. Optionally the device 100 may, upon detecting the event 1310, again verify that the arming state intended for the device 100, as stored on the server 400, is in fact an armed state, before commencing the waiting period.

[0123] Further in the examples of Figures 13 and 15, to account for the possibility that the operator may have changed their mind before the scheduled change in the arming state, at time 1409, 1609 a short period (e.g. 30 seconds) before the scheduled change, the sever 400 pushes a message to the operator device 300 to remind / notify the operator of the scheduled change. The operator has then a window of time (slightly less that the short period) to cancel or reschedule the change so that by the time the device 100 checks with the server 400 whether there is consistency of arming state information, the server 400 has already determined that the user still wants to implement the scheduled change, or that the user has not responded to the reminder / notification during the window of time, thereby concluding that the scheduled change is to be implemented.

[0124] Figure 16 is a swim lane diagram depicting one example way in which a scheduled change in an arming state may be verified and implemented on the security device 100. In this example, a user of the operator device 300 enters a request for a change in an arming state at a defined time, causing the operator device 300 transmitting a request for a change in an arming state to the server 400 at time 1700. Upon receiving the request, the server is unable to immediately transmit a corresponding request to the security device 100 because the security device 100 is in a communications inoperable phase of a repeating cycle of a first state. In the cycle the communications inoperative phase lasts a predefined duration, so when that duration has completed, the cycle enters a communications operative phase at time 1702 during which the device 100 is able to receive data from a server 400 in order to receive requests relating to the arming state information, which may include the request to change the arming state at the defined time. The device receives the request at time 1704. In this example the request is received in response to the device 100 polling the server 400 at time 1706, for example using a polling method described herein. In another example however, the device 100 may receive the request without polling the server at time 1706, for example by listening for a paging communication, such as described herein. Upon receiving the request, the device 100 stores the scheduled change in its local memory. The device 100 may calculate a scheduled time at or a little prior to the defined time to check, before implementing the scheduled change, that the scheduled change is still valid, e.g. that the request has not been cancelled and optionally replaced by a different / modified request. In other embodiments, the request received by the device 100 may include the scheduled time to check that the scheduled change is still valid. In some embodiments, the scheduled time is randomly determined (within a maximum window) based on the defined time to change the arming state. The server 400 may service a large number of devices like device 100, and the schedules may tend to align for many of the devices, particularly around times where arming states are commonly changed, e.g. 9am and / or 5pm, etc. By the device 100 randomly determining the scheduled time, there may be a reduce risk of overloading the server 400 with simultaneous communications from numerous devices 100 attempting to perform checks relating to the respective operators’ intended arming states.

[0125] When the communications operative phase finishes, the cycle repeats, re-entering the inoperative phase for the predefined duration to conserve power until it is next time to check again for arming state information from the server at 1708, and so on. In this example the schedule-defined time to change the arming state and the scheduled time to check that the scheduled change is still valid occur during a subsequent communications inoperative phase of the cycle of the first mode of operation of the device 100. The scheduled time to check that the scheduled change is still valid in this example is at time 1710. Since the time 1710 falls during a communications inoperative phase of the first mode of operation, the device 100 switches to different mode of operation in which the communications are operative so that the device 100 may be notified if the scheduled change in the arming state had been cancelled since that last communications-operative state of the device 100. In this example the different mode of operation involves the device 100 sending a request to the server 400 at 1712, which sends a corresponding request to the operator device 300 at time 1714. Upon receiving that request the operator device 300, at time 1716, presents a visual reminder notification on a screen of the operator device 300 and sounds an audible alert on a speaker of the device 300. The visual reminder may be presented as a pop-up question or menu presentation that enables the user to confirm, cancel or modify (i.e. cancel the original request and replace it with a changed or different request).

[0126] The device 100 remains in the different mode for a defined period of time to provide time for the user to receive, comprehend and provide their response. In the particular example illustrated in figure 16, the user does not respond to the reminder, and since the scheduled change in arming state has not been cancelled, the device 100 assumes that the scheduled change in arming state is to proceed. Thus, when the defined time to implement the change arrives at time 1718, the device 100 implements the change, and returns to the first mode of operation, periodically listening during a communications-operative phase (e.g. at time 1720) for further updates with regards to arming state information. Optionally before returning the first mode of operation, the device 100 may transmit a message (not shown) to the server to notify the server the device 100 has implemented the scheduled change in the arming state.

[0127] The device 100 may then operate in the changed arming state in any of the manners described herein. For example, upon detecting an event at time 1722 during a communications inoperative phase of the first mode of operation, the device 100 may exit the first mode by, before the expiry of the predefined duration of the communications inoperative phase, switching to another mode of operation in which communications are operative. Optionally from the perspective of the modem’s operation the other mode may be the same as the aforementioned “different mode”. In that mode the device 100 may transmit a notification of the event at time 1724 and receive in a reply at time 1726 information as to whether the arming state for the device 100 as stored on the device 100 matches an arming state for the device 100 as stored on the server 400, and so on, as has been described herein already. As will be appreciated the transmission of the notification may in some embodiments only occur if the device 100 had at that time been armed according to the device on-board memory, but in other embodiments the notification may also occur even if the device 100 had that that time been unarmed.

[0128] Figure 17 is a swim lane diagram depicting another example way in which a scheduled change in an arming state may be verified and implemented on the security device 100. The example in Figure 17 may be the same as in Figure 16 except that in the different mode of operation entered at time 1710, the device 100 does not send a request to the server 400 to check the arming state. Rather the device 100 merely switches to modem 110 into a listening mode to receive any relevant arming state information at the initiative of the server 400. Optionally in this case the server 400 may, at its own initiative, transmit the reminder notification to the operator device 300 like in step 1714, at some time before the defined time for the scheduled change. Alternatively, the operator device 300 may, at its own initiative, present the reminder notifications to the user like in step 1716, at some time before the defined time for the scheduled change. Similar to the case of Figure 16, to reduce server load at times of high traffic, the operator device 300 may initiate the user reminder at a randomised time within some time window prior to the schedule-defined time. Likewise if step 1802 is included, the server 400 may similarly randomise that time, or may perform that step in any other way such that a time calculated to transmit the reminder at step 1802 is at a time determined to mitigate communications congestion.

[0129] In any case, in this example, in response to the reminder at time 1804, a user response to the reminder is received and transmitted to the server 400 at time 1806 and, in turn, to the device 100 at time 1808. Upon the device 100 receiving a confirmation that the scheduled arming state is still valid, the device 100 may return to the first mode of operation at time 1810. The return the first mode may optionally be once the device 100 has changed the arming state at the schedule- defined time, and optionally notified the server 400 that it has changed the arming state.

[0130] In the above examples involving a schedule, if the arming state is scheduled to be configured to be in a certain arming state at the defined time, but is already in that arming state at the scheduled time, the device 100 may in some embodiments omit the step of checking that the scheduled change is still valid at the scheduled time. Therefore, in some embodiments, the device 100 need not operate the modem 110 in the communications mode at the scheduled time. In other embodiments, however, the operating of the modem 110 in the communications mode to enable such checking may proceed regardless of whether the device 100 is already operating in that certain arming state at the scheduled time. As will be appreciated, in some embodiments operation in an armed state compared with a disarmed state may comprise or consist of operating a deterrent feature and / or in a feature of heightened surveillance (e.g. to verify that a detected event relates to a real threat and / or requires action to be taken) for example by automatically collecting image(s) or other supplementary sensor derived data.

[0131] It should be noted that while embodiments are described that do not include a control hub local to the secured premises, the present disclosure does not preclude provision of a control hub.

[0132] As will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, the listening periods referred to herein are synchronized with the cellular core network so that the cellular core network knows when it can send messages to the device.

[0133] The cellular communications herein may be LTE and / or 5G compliant, for example in accordance with CAT Ml, CAT M2, CAT NB1 or CAT NB2 parts of the LTE protocol, in some embodiments.

[0134] As used herein, except where the context requires otherwise, the terms “comprises”, “includes”, “has”, and grammatical variants of these terms, are not intended to be exhaustive. They are intended to allow for the possibility of further additives, components, integers or steps.

[0135] Any embodiments herein in relation to a device or system is also applicable to a method and to a computer program product, which may take the form of a processor executable nontransient memory for storing instructions which when executed by the processor cause the performance of the method. Alternative implementations of a computer program product are contemplated as part of the present disclosure, including that such a product may be delivered by way of a downloaded signal from a server, and may be in the form of an update or cooperative product to one or more computer program products already installed in the device.

[0136] The following clauses represent at least some aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure:

[0137] 1. A security device comprising: a cellular modem for establishing a communications channel between the device and a base station of a cellular network; and a sensor for detecting an event within a monitored environment; wherein the device is operable in a first mode in which there is a first maximum interval between successive times at which the modem is able to receive cellular communications ; wherein in response to satisfaction of a first condition, the device operates in a second mode in which the modem is continuously able to receive cellular communications or in which there is a second maximum time interval between successive times at which the modem is able to receive cellular communications, wherein the second maximum time interval is shorter than the first maximum time interval, and the device remains in second mode for a waiting period to enable receipt of an operator command via the cellular modem, wherein the first condition comprises that an operator requested arming state for the device that is stored on the device when the event is detected by the sensor is an armed state. security device comprising: a cellular modem for establishing a communications channel between the device and a base station of a cellular network; a sensor for detecting an event within a monitored environment; and a memory for storing an operator requested arming state; wherein the device is operable in a first mode in which the operator requested arming state is updateable via the cellular modem with successive updates never being separated by more than a first maximum time interval; wherein in response to satisfaction of a first condition, the device operates in a second mode in which the modem is continuously able to receive cellular communications or in which there is a second maximum interval between successive times at which the modem is able to receive cellular communications, wherein the second maximum time is shorter than the first maximum time interval, and the device remains in second mode for a waiting period to enable receipt of an operator command via the cellular modem, wherein the first condition comprises that an operator requested arming state for the device that is stored on the device when the event is detected by the sensor is an armed state. security device comprising: a cellular modem for establishing a communications channel between the device and a base station of a cellular network; a sensor for detecting an event within a monitored environment; and a memory for storing an operator requested arming state; wherein the device is operable in a first mode in which the operator requested arming state is updatable via the cellular modem with a regularity that is limited by a first maximum time interval; wherein in response to satisfaction of a condition, the device operates in a second mode in which the modem is continuously able to receive cellular communications or in which there is a second maximum interval between successive times at which the modem is able to receive cellular communications, wherein the second maximum time is shorter than the first maximum time interval, and the device remains in second mode for a waiting period to enable receipt of an operator command via the cellular modem, wherein the condition comprises that an operator requested arming state for the device that is stored on the device when the event is detected by the sensor is an armed state.

[0138] 4. A device according to clause 2 or 3, wherein the operator requested arming state is updateable by the device receiving a push notification or by the device polling a server.

[0139] 5. A device according to any one of clauses 1 to 3 wherein, in response to the operator requested arming state for the device that is stored on the device when the event is detected by the sensor being an armed state, the modem operates in a communications mode for the device to determine whether the arming state for the device that is stored on the device is consistent with a remotely set arming state that had not been stored on the device when the event was detected by the sensor is an armed state, wherein the first condition further comprises that the arming state for the device that is stored on the device is consistent with a remotely set arming state that had not been stored on the device when the event was detected by the sensor is an armed state.

[0140] 6. A device according to any one of clauses 1 to 5, wherein the operator requested arming state for the device is based on a communication received via the cellular modem.

[0141] 7. A device according to clause 6, wherein the communication was received following a paging communication to the device from the cellular network, wherein the paging communication was received by the device while the device operated in the first mode. 8. A device according to any one of the clauses 5 to 7, wherein operation of the sensor is at least partly dependent on the operator requested arming state for the device that is stored on the device.

[0142] 9. A device according to any one of the clauses 5 to 7, wherein, the sensor is operational regardless of the operator requested arming state for the device that is stored on the device.

[0143] 10. A device according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the first maximum time interval comprises a power conserving period in which the modem is in an off or sleep state and the second maximum time is shorter the power conserving period.

[0144] 11. A device according to clause 10, wherein in response to detecting the event during the power conserving period, the device ends operating in the first mode before an expiry of the power conserving period to enter the modem into a communications mode to at least one of: determine whether the arming state for the device that is stored on the device is consistent with a remotely set arming state that had not been stored on the device when the event was detected by the sensor is an armed state; and transmit a notification of the detected event.

[0145] 12. The device according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the first maximum time interval comprises a power conserving period in which the modem is in an off or sleep state and the second maximum time is shorter the power conserving period, wherein the device is configured to obtain updates to the arming state without interrupting the power conserving period. In an embodiment obtaining an update to the arming state without interrupting the power conserving period comprises receiving a push notification, the receiving of the push notification comprising receiving a signal from the cellular network when the modem is able to receive cellular communications in the first mode. In another embodiment, obtaining updates to the arming state without interrupting the power conserving period comprises polling a server, wherein the times at which the modem is able to receive cellular communications follow communication windows opened by the device after respective ones of the power conserving periods. In some embodiments, each communication window is commenced by a transmission from the modem. In an example, this may be achieved by operating the device using a PSM feature of the cellular network, wherein the modem transitions to an RRC connected state in order to commence the communication window. In an embodiment, each time a communication window the device engages in a tracking area update procedure and / or transmits a keep-alive message and / or transmits a signal for a remote server to supervise a health of the security device.

[0146] 13. A device according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the first maximum time window is no less than 20 seconds, e.g. no less than 30 seconds.

[0147] 14. A device according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the first maximum time window is no more than 164 seconds, e.g. no more than 80 seconds.

[0148] 15. A device according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the second maximum time window is no more than 6 seconds.

[0149] 16. A device according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein said cellular communications are received by the modem in accordance with 3 GPP release 13 in relation to Cat Ml or Cat NB 1.

[0150] 17. A device according to any one of clauses 1 to 14 wherein said cellular communications are received by the modem in accordance with 3GPP release 14 in relation to Cat M2 or Cat NB2.

[0151] 18. A device according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein when the device is in the first mode the modem operates a cycle comprising an extended sleep phase and a paging phase.

[0152] 19. A device according to clause 18 wherein during the extended sleep phase the modem is in a condition in which it is unable to receive cellular communications, e.g. it may be in a sleep state (e.g. a deep sleep state). 0. A device according to clause 18 or 19, wherein when the device is in the first mode the modem is able to receive cellular communications only during a paging opportunity of a plurality of predetermined paging opportunities in the paging phase. 21. A device according to clause 20, wherein while in the paging phase the modem operates in a sleep state between the paging opportunities.

[0153] 22. A device according to any one of the preceding clauses when dependent on any one of clauses 1187 to 21 wherein the first maximum interval is determined by a difference between a duration of the cycle and a duration of the paging phase.

[0154] 23. A device according to clause 22 wherein the second maximum interval is less than a difference between the duration of the cycle and the duration of the paging phase duration of the first mode.

[0155] 24. A device according to of any one of the preceding clauses wherein the modem operates in an eDRX mode when the device is in the first mode.

[0156] 25. A device according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the modem operated in a DRX mode for at least a part of a time in which the device is in the second mode.

[0157] 26. A device according to clause 25 wherein the DRX mode is operated when the modem is in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) idle mode.

[0158] 27. A device according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein in response to the operator requested arming state for the device that is stored on the device when the event is detected by the sensor being an armed state, the device: ends operating in the first mode and configures the modem to operate in a communications mode to determine whether the arming state for the device that is stored on the device is consistent with a remotely set arming state that had not been stored on the device when the event was detected by the sensor is an armed state; in response to the armed state being inconsistent returning to operating in the first mode sooner than if the armed state is consistent.

[0159] 28. A device according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein in response to the first condition not being satisfied, the device determines not to operate in the second mode in response to the detected event. For example, the device may continue to operate in the first mode if it had not left the first mode or it may return to the first mode if it had left the first mode.

[0160] 29. A device according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein in response to an alternative condition being satisfied, the device operates in the second mode in which the modem is continuously able to receive cellular communications or in which there is a second maximum time interval between successive times at which the modem is able to receive cellular communications, wherein the second maximum time interval is shorter than the first maximum time interval, and the device remains in the second mode for a waiting period to enable receipt of an operator command via the cellular modem; wherein in response to the event detected by the sensor, the modem operates in a communications mode for the device to determine whether the arming state for the device that is stored on the device is consistent with a remotely set arming state that had not been stored on the device when the event was detected by the sensor is an armed state; and wherein the alternative condition comprises that operator requested arming state for the device that is stored on the device when the event is detected by the sensor is an unarmed state, and a remotely set arming state that had not been stored on the device when the event was detected by the sensor is an armed state.

[0161] 30. A device according to clause 29 wherein in response to the first condition not being satisfied and the alternative condition not being satisfied, the device determines not to operate in the second mode in response to the detected event.

[0162] 31. A device according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein upon expiry of the waiting period the device returns to the first mode.

[0163] 32. A device according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the waiting period has a duration that has predefined default length. In some embodiments the default length is at least 3 minutes, e.g. at least 5 minutes.

[0164] 33. A device according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein, the waiting period may be initially no more than 10 minutes. In an embodiment, the waiting period is 7 minutes. 34. A device according to clause 32, wherein, the default length is defined by a range (e.g. the device may control the default length to be at least a predefined minimum and no more than a predefined maximum).

[0165] 35. A device according to the clause 32 or 34, wherein in response to receiving, during at least a portion of the waiting period, an operator command via the cellular modem that dismisses the device from operating in the second mode, the device is configured to end the waiting period by reducing the duration to less than the default length.

[0166] 36. A device according to the clause 35, wherein the operator command via the cellular modem that dismisses the device from operating in the second mode comprises a disarm command.

[0167] 37. A device according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein in response to receiving, during the waiting period, an operator command to perform an action, the device performs the action.

[0168] 38. A device according to clause 37, wherein the action comprises performing one or more or each of: operating a microphone on the device; and operating a device that has a field of view.

[0169] 39. A device according to clause 38, wherein the device having a field of view comprises a camera.

[0170] 40. A device according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein when the device is in the second mode there is a reduced maximum latency for the device to receive data via the cellular modem compared with when the device is in the first mode.

[0171] 41. A device according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein for an operator command of at least one type, upon receiving the operator command within at least a portion of the waiting period, the device is configured to extend the waiting period.

[0172] 42. A device according to clause 41, wherein the at least one type of command comprises a command to perform a response action. 43. A device according to clause 41 or 42, wherein the at least one type of command comprises an explicit command to extend the waiting period.

[0173] 44. A device according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein in response to receiving, during the waiting period, an operator command to perform an action comprising a deterrent action, the device is configured to perform the deterrent action.

[0174] 45. A device according to clause 44, wherein the deterrent action comprises emitting visible- light obscuring matter.

[0175] 46. A device according to clause 44 or 45, wherein in response to receiving, during the waiting period, an operator command to perform an action comprising a deterrent action, the device extends the waiting period.

[0176] 47. A device according to any one of clause 44 to 46, wherein after performing the deterrent action, the device is configured to operate a camera on the device to capture an image.

[0177] 48. A device according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the sensor comprises a motion detector.

[0178] 49. A device according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein in response to the detecting of the event, then conditional upon the operator requested arming state for the device that is stored on the device when the event is detected by the sensor being an armed state, the device performs a verification action to verify the event.

[0179] 50. A device according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein in response to said first condition being satisfied, the device performs a verification action to verify the event.

[0180] 51. A device according to clause 49 or 50 wherein the verification action comprises operating a camera on the device to capture an image.

[0181] 52. A device according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein in response to the detecting of the event, then conditional upon an arming state setting indicating the device is armed, the device triggers a siren to sound an alarm. 53. A device according to clause 52, wherein the arming state setting is further determined using an arming state identifier received by the device via the cellular modem after the detecting of the event.

[0182] 54. A device according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the device does not transmit signals via the cellular modem while in the first mode.

[0183] 55. A device according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein while the device is in the first mode the modem is always idle with respect to the cellular network.

[0184] 56. A device according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the device transitions to the second mode by detaching from the cellular network and then instructing the modem to reattach to the cellular network with a request to a cellular core network of the cellular network to synchronize cellular communications with the modem in accordance with the second mode.

[0185] 57. A device according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein after operating in the second mode the device returns to operating in the first mode by detaching from the cellular network and then instructing the modem to reattach to the cellular network with a request to a cellular core network of the cellular network to synchronize cellular communications with the modem in accordance with the first mode.

[0186] 58. A device according to any one of clauses 1 to 57, wherein the device operates in the second mode by repeatedly transmitting signals with a maximum interval between respective signal transmissions, wherein each signal transmission commences or prolongs an RRC connected mode so that the modem is continuously able to receive cellular communications or is operated to maintain the second maximum interval.

[0187] 59. A device according to clause 58 wherein the device is configured to switch between the first and second modes without detaching and reattaching to the cellular network.

[0188] 60. A security device according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the operator requested arming state is updateable by any one of or both of: updating an arming state to be implemented immediately; or updating an arming state to be implemented at a schedule-defined time, wherein the memory stores a scheduling for the operator requested arming state.

[0189] 61. A security device according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the operator requested arming state is not determined using a schedule requested by a user.

[0190] 62. A security device according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein a change in an arming state is not requestable by a user ahead of time.

[0191] 63. A device according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the operator requested arming state that is stored on the device comprises a most recently received current arming state.

[0192] 64. A device according to any one of the clauses 1 to 60 wherein the operator requested arming state that is stored on the device comprises a current arming state as determined by a most recently received schedule for the operator requested arming state.

[0193] 65. A device according to clause 64 wherein the device is configured to: at a time associated with a scheduled change in arming state, operate the modem in a communications mode to determine whether the scheduled change in the arming state corresponds to a remotely stored operator requested arming state.

[0194] 66. A device according to clause 65 wherein the device is configured to implement the scheduled change conditional upon the scheduled change being consistent with the remotely stored operator requested arming state.

[0195] 67. A device according to clause 65 wherein the device is configured to implement the scheduled change before determining whether the scheduled change in the arming state corresponds to a remotely stored operator requested arming state, and to maintain the scheduled change conditional upon the scheduled change being consistent with the remotely stored operator requested arming state. 68. A device according to any one of clauses 65 to 67 wherein upon determining whether the scheduled change in the arming state corresponds to a remotely stored operator requested arming state the device switches to operation in the first mode of operation.

[0196] 69. A device according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein in response to satisfaction of a criterion comprising that an operator requested arming state for the device that is stored on the device when the event is detected by the sensor is an armed state, the device transmits an event notification, via the cellular modem, the event notification identifying the detection of the event.

[0197] 70. A device according to clause 69 wherein the criterion is that the operator requested arming state for the device that is stored on the device when the event is detected by the sensor is an armed state.

[0198] 71. A device according to clause 69 or 70 wherein the criterion further comprises that an arming state identifier received by the device after the detecting of the event but determined by an operator request before the detected event corresponds to an armed state.

[0199] 72. A system comprising a security response device in accordance with any one of clauses 69 to 71 and further comprising a server, wherein the server is configured to receive the event notification and in response, or conditional upon an arming state for the device stored on the server that had not been known by the device when the event was detected corresponding to an armed state, the server is configured to transmit an alert for an operator device.

[0200] 73. A system according to clause 72, wherein the server is configured to determine an expected expiry time of the waiting period and transmit a timing parameter for reception by the operator device for configuring the operator device, the timing parameter being correlated with the expected expiry of the waiting period.

[0201] 74. A system according to clause 73, wherein the timing parameter represents a time that is earlier than a time of the expected expiry of the waiting period. A system according to any one of clauses 72 to 74, wherein the server is operable to receive an arming state request by the operator device, the arming state request identifying an intended arming state for the security device, wherein upon receiving the arming state request, the server is, at least if the intended arming state is different to a most-recently stored arming state, transmit an indication of the intended arming state for the security device. A system according to any one of clauses 72 to 74, wherein the server is operable to receive an arming state request by the operator device, wherein the arming state request comprises a requested scheduling for an arming state, wherein the server is configured to communicate the requested scheduling to the security response device at least in an event that the requested scheduling differs from previously requested scheduling. A system according to clause 76, wherein at a time associated with the requested scheduling the server is configured to transmit a message for the operator device to remind the operator device of the requested scheduling. A system according to clause 77, wherein the time associated with the requested scheduling transmit is a predetermined period of time before a requested time to implement an arming state. A system according to any one of clauses 72 to 78 wherein the system further comprises at least one non-transient computer readable medium for storing instructions for executing by a processor of the operator device, wherein by executing the instructions the processor is configured to receive the alert via a communications module and in response to receiving the alert, configure an interface of the operator device to present an indication of the alert. A system according to clause 79 wherein by executing the instructions the processing system is further configured to configure an interface of the operator device to display a remaining time for the operator to respond to the alert. A system according to clause 79 or 80 wherein by executing the instructions the processing system is further configured to configure an interface of the operator device to display a selectable option for the operator, wherein upon the operator selecting the option, the processing system is configured to instruct the communications module to transmit an indication of the selected option for the server, wherein the server, in response to receiving indication of the selected option, is configured to transmit a corresponding message for the security device, wherein the security device, upon receiving the corresponding message extends the waiting period.

[0202] 82. A method for operating a security device, the security device comprising: a cellular modem for establishing a communications channel between the device and a base station of a cellular network; and a sensor for detecting an event within a monitored environment; wherein the device is operable in a first mode in which there is a first maximum interval between successive times at which the modem is able to receive cellular communications ; wherein the method comprises: in response to satisfaction of a first condition, the operating in a second mode in which the modem is continuously able to receive cellular communications or in which there is a second maximum interval between successive times at which the modem is able to receive cellular communications, wherein the second maximum time is shorter than the first maximum time interval, and the remaining in second mode for a waiting period to enable receipt of an operator command via the cellular modem, wherein the first condition comprises that an operator requested arming state for the device that is stored on the device when the event is detected by the sensor is an armed state.

[0203] 83. A non-transient computer readable medium comprising code for executing by a processor of a security device, the processor configuring the security device to perform the method of clause 82.

[0204] 84. A security device comprising: a sensor for detecting an event within a monitored environment; a cellular modem for establishing a communications channel between the device and a base station of a cellular network; a memory for storing a schedule for, at a defined time, configuring an arming state of the device to be in a second arming state that is not a first arming state; wherein the device is configured to determine a scheduled time that is associated with the defined time, wherein at the scheduled time, at least if the device is operating in the first arming state, the device operates the modem in a communications mode to enable a determination of whether the configuring of the arming state to be in the second arming state at the defined time is to be aborted by a remotely commanded update concerning the schedule, wherein in response to satisfaction of a condition comprising that the configuring of the arming state to be in the second arming state at the defined time is determined not to be aborted by a remotely commanded update concerning the schedule, the device transitions from operating in the first arming state to operating in the second arming state.

[0205] 85. The device according to clause 84, wherein the device is operable in a first mode in which the device implements a repeating cycle comprising: a communications-inoperative phase during all of which the cellular modem is off or asleep; and a communications-operative phase during which the cellular modem is able to at least receive cellular communications to at least one of receive or update the schedule; wherein a complete instance of the cycle comprises the device being in the communications-inoperative phase for a predefined duration, wherein the scheduled time can fall at least during a time period that commenced when the device commences an instance of the communications-inoperative phase, the time period lasting for the predefined duration, wherein in response to the scheduled time falling within at least a part of the time period, the device ends the first mode before and enters, before an expiry of the time period, a different mode in which the modem is in the communications mode.

[0206] 86. The device according to clause 85, wherein the entering the different mode before an expiry of the time period enables the determination to be during the time period. 87. The device of clause 85 or 86, wherein said time period commences after the device completes at least one instance of said cycle.

[0207] 88. The device of any one of clauses 85 to 87, wherein the condition comprises that the scheduled time falls anywhere within the time period.

[0208] 89. The device of any one of clauses 84 to 88, wherein absent the device transmitting signals indicating an event being detected by the sensor, the device operates in the first arming state.

[0209] 90. The device of any one of clauses 84 to 89, wherein the first arming state is an unarmed state and the second arming state is an armed state.

[0210] 91. The device of any one of clauses 84 to 89, wherein the first arming state is an armed state and the second arming state is an unarmed state.

[0211] 92. The device of any one of clauses 84 to 91, wherein the transitioning from the first arming state to the second arming state is at the defined time.

[0212] 93. The device according to any one of clauses 84 to 92 wherein the defined time can fall at least during said time period.

[0213] 94. The device according to any one of clauses 84 to 93 wherein the device performs the determination by transmitting a message to a remote server and awaiting a response message from the remote server, using the cellular modem.

[0214] 95. The device according to any one of clauses 84 to 93 wherein the device performs the determination by listening for a message from a remote server, using the cellular modem, without first transmitting a message to the remote server.

[0215] 96. The device according to clause 94 or 95 wherein in response to a message from the remote server not being received by the device during a time window, the device changes the arming state from the first arming state to the second arming state. 97. The device according to any one of clauses 94 to 96 wherein in response to a message from the remote server being received by the device during a time window, the message defining an intention to cancel the changing the arming state from the first arming state to the second arming state at the scheduled time, the condition is not satisfied.

[0216] 98. The device according to any one of clauses 85 to 97 wherein the device is configured to return to the first mode after verifying that the changing of the arming state from the first arming state to the second arming state at the defined time is not to be aborted by a remotely commanded update concerning the schedule.

[0217] 99. The device according to any one of clauses 84 to 98 wherein for one of the first arming state and the second arming state the device is configured to, in response to an event being detected by the sensor during a time frame that commences when the device commences another instance of the communications-inoperative phase, the time frame lasting for the predefined duration, the device is configured to exit the first mode to enter another mode before an end of the time frame, wherein in the other mode the modem is in a communications mode and in the communications mode the modem transmits a notification of the detected event.

[0218] 100. The device according to any one of clauses 84 to 98 wherein for one of the first arming state and the second arming state the device is configured to at least one of: disable event detection by the sensor; or disable event notifications based on events detected by the sensor.

[0219] 101. The device according to clause 99 or 100 wherein for the one of the first arming state and the second arming state the device is configured to not automatically capture a verification data using a second sensor for verifying events detected by the sensor.

[0220] 102. The device according to any one of clauses 99 to 101 wherein for the other of the first arming state and the second arming state the device is configured to, in response to detecting an event by the sensor, automatically capture verification data for verifying the event. 103. The device according to clause 101 or 102, wherein capturing verification data using a second sensor comprises capturing one or more images using an image sensor of a camera.

[0221] 104. The device according to any one of clauses 99 to 102 wherein for the other of the first arming state and the second arming state the device is configured to, in response to an event being detected by the sensor during an occurrence of the communications- inoperative phase, exit the first mode to enter another mode before the occurrence of the communications operative phase has lasted for the predefined duration, wherein in the other mode the modem is in a communications mode and in the communications mode the modem transmits a notification of the detected event.

[0222] 105. The device according to any one of clauses 98 to 104 wherein one of the first arming state and the second arming state is an unarmed state and the other of the first arming state and the second arming state is an armed state.

[0223] 106. The device according to any one of clauses 84 to 105, wherein in the first mode there is a first maximum interval between successive times at which the modem is able to receive cellular communications, the first maximum interval corresponding to the communications inoperative phase; wherein in response to satisfaction of another condition, the device operates in a second mode in which the modem is continuously able to receive cellular communications or in which there is a second maximum time interval between successive times at which the modem is able to receive cellular communications, wherein the second maximum time interval is shorter than the first maximum time interval, and the device remains in second mode for a waiting period to enable receipt of an operator command via the cellular modem; and wherein the other condition comprises that an operator requested arming state for the device that is stored on the device when the event is detected by the sensor is an armed state.

[0224] 107. A device according to any one of clauses 84 to 106 wherein the scheduled time associated with the defined time is the defined time. 108. A device according to any one of clauses 84 to 106 wherein the scheduled time associated with the defined time precedes the defined time by an amount that is no more than predetermined maximum.

[0225] 109. A device according to any one of clauses 84 to 106 or clause 108 wherein the scheduled time associated with the defined time precedes the defined time by an amount that is randomised.

[0226] 110. A device according to clause 108 to 109 wherein the amount of time is less than the predefined duration.

[0227] 111. A device according to clause 110 wherein the amount of time is no more than 1 minute.

[0228] 112. A device of any one of clauses 84 to 111 wherein the predefined duration is any one of: greater than 1 minute, greater than 5 minutes, greater than 10 minutes, greater than 30 minutes, or greater 1 hour.

[0229] 113. A device of any one of clauses 84 to 112 wherein the predefined duration is any one of: less than 8 hours or less than 4 hours.

[0230] 114. A device of any one of clauses 84 to 113 wherein the communications-inoperative phase corresponds to a deep sleep phase provided by a Power Saving Mode feature of the cellular network.

[0231] 115. A device of any one of clauses 84 to 113 wherein the communications-inoperative phase corresponds to an extended sleep phase of an eDRX cycle.

[0232] 116. A device of any one of clauses 84 to 115 wherein for at least part of the communications-operative phase the modem operates in a DRX mode.

[0233] 117. A system comprising a device in accordance with any one of clauses 84 to 116 and further comprising a server, wherein the server is configured, to at a reminder time associated with but before the defined time, transmit a notification to an operator device to determine whether a user of the operator device still wants to proceed with the changing of the arming state from the first arming state to the second arming state at the defined time. . A system according to clause 117, comprising the operator device, wherein the operator device is configured to output a reminder to a user to remind the user of the scheduled changing of the arming state from the first arming state to the second arming state at the defined time, and present the user with at least one option comprising an option to abort the scheduled changing, and in an event of at least one of the user aborting the scheduled changing, the operator device is configured to transmit an abort message to the server, and the server is configured to relay an abort message to the device before the defined time. . A system according to clause 118, wherein the option to abort comprises as an option to confirm or reject the scheduled changing. . A system according to clause 118 or 119, wherein the option to abort comprises an option to change a timing of the scheduled changing. . A computer- implemented method for use with a device comprising: a cellular modem for establishing a communications channel between the device and a base station of a cellular network; a sensor for detecting an event within a monitored environment; and a memory for storing an operator requested arming state; the method comprising: operating the device in a first mode in which the operator requested arming state is updateable via the cellular modem with successive updates never being separated by more than a first maximum time interval; and in response to satisfaction of a first condition, operating the device in a second mode in which the modem is continuously able to receive cellular communications or in which there is a second maximum interval between successive times at which the modem is able to receive cellular communications, wherein the second maximum time is shorter than the first maximum time interval, and the device remains in second mode for a waiting period to enable receipt of an operator command via the cellular modem, wherein the first condition comprises that an operator requested arming state for the device that is stored on the device when the event is detected by the sensor is an armed state.

[0234] 122. A non-transient computer readable medium comprising code for executing by a processor of a security device, the processor configuring the security device to perform the method of clause 121.

[0235] 123. A computer- implemented method for use with a security device comprising: a cellular modem for establishing a communications channel between the device and a base station of a cellular network; a sensor for detecting an event within a monitored environment; and a memory for storing an operator requested arming state; the method comprising: operating the device in a first mode in which the operator requested arming state is updatable via the cellular modem with a regularity that is limited by a first maximum time interval; and in response to satisfaction of a condition, operating the device in a second mode in which the modem is continuously able to receive cellular communications or in which there is a second maximum interval between successive times at which the modem is able to receive cellular communications, wherein the second maximum time is shorter than the first maximum time interval, and the device remains in second mode for a waiting period to enable receipt of an operator command via the cellular modem, wherein the condition comprises that an operator requested arming state for the device that is stored on the device when the event is detected by the sensor is an armed state.

[0236] 124. A non-transient computer readable medium comprising code for executing by a processor of a security device, the processor configuring the security device to perform the method of clause 123.

[0237] 125. A computer-implemented method for use with a security device comprising: a sensor for detecting an event within a monitored environment; a cellular modem for establishing a communications channel between the device and a base station of a cellular network; a memory for storing a schedule for, at a defined time, configuring an arming state of the device to be in a second arming state that is not a first arming state; wherein the method comprises: configuring the device to determine a scheduled time that is associated with the defined time; and at the scheduled time, at least if the device is operating in the first arming state, operating the modem in a communications mode to enable a determination of whether the configuring of the arming state to be in the second arming state at the defined time is to be aborted by a remotely commanded update concerning the schedule, wherein in response to satisfaction of a condition comprising that the configuring of the arming state to be in the second arming state at the defined time is determined not to be aborted by a remotely commanded update concerning the schedule, the device transitions from operating in the first arming state to operating in the second arming state.

[0238] 126. A non-transient computer readable medium comprising code for executing by a processor of a security device, the processor configuring the security device to perform the method of clause 125.

[0239] Each of the device and system clauses referred to herein are also applicable to any of the method clauses 82, 121, 123 or 125 or to any of the non-transient computer readable medium clauses 83, 122, 124 or 126, with appropriate corresponding features.

[0240] The embodiments described above are intended to be indicative, and are not limiting on the scope of protection sought, which should be determined on the basis of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A security device comprising: a sensor for detecting an event within a monitored environment; a cellular modem for establishing a communications channel between the device and a base station of a cellular network; and a memory for storing a schedule for, at a defined time, configuring an arming state of the device to be in a second arming state that is not a first arming state; wherein the device is configured to determine a scheduled time that is associated with the defined time, wherein at the scheduled time, at least if the device is operating in the first arming state, the device operates the modem in a communications mode to enable a determination of whether the configuring of the arming state to be in the second arming state at the defined time is to be aborted by a remotely commanded update concerning the schedule, wherein in response to satisfaction of a condition comprising that the configuring of the arming state to be in the second arming state at the defined time is determined not to be aborted by a remotely commanded update concerning the schedule, the device transitions from operating in the first arming state to operating in the second arming state.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is operable in a first mode in which the device implements a repeating cycle comprising: a communications-inoperative phase during all of which the cellular modem is off or asleep; and a communications-operative phase during which the cellular modem is able to at least receive cellular communications to at least one of receive or update the schedule; wherein a complete instance of the cycle comprises the device being in the communications-inoperative phase for a predefined duration, wherein the scheduled time can fall at least during a time period that commenced when the device commences an instance of the communications- inoperative phase, the time period lasting for the predefined duration, wherein in response to the scheduled time falling within at least a part of the time period, the device ends the first mode before and enters, before an expiryof the time period, a different mode in which the modem is in the communications mode. The device according to claim 2 wherein the entering the different mode before an expiry of the time period enables the determination to be during the time period. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the device performs the determination by: a. transmitting a message to a remote server and awaiting a response message from the remote server, using the cellular modem; or b. listening for a message from a remote server, using the cellular modem, without first transmitting a message to the remote server. The device according to claim 4 wherein in response to a message from the remote server not being received by the device during a time window, the device changes the arming state from the first arming state to the second arming state. The device according to any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein for one of the first arming state and the second arming state the device is configured to, in response to an event being detected by the sensor during a time frame that commences when the device commences another instance of the communications-inoperative phase, the time frame lasting for the predefined duration, the device is configured to exit the first mode to enter another mode before an end of the time frame, wherein in the other mode the modem is in a communications mode and in the communications mode the modem transmits a notification of the detected event. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein for one of the first arming state and the second arming state the device is configured to at least one of: disable event detection by the sensor; or disable event notifications based on events detected by the sensor.The device according to any one of claims 2 to 7 wherein for the other of the first arming state and the second arming state the device is configured to, in response to an event being detected by the sensor during an occurrence of the communications-inoperative phase, exit the first mode to enter another mode before the occurrence of the communications operative phase has lasted for the predefined duration, wherein in the other mode the modem is in a communications mode and in the communications mode the modem transmits a notification of the detected event. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the scheduled time associated with the defined time precedes the defined time by an amount that is randomised. A device according to claim 9 wherein the amount of time is less than the predefined duration. A device according to claim 9 wherein the amount of time is no more than 1 minute. A device of any one of claims 2 to 11 wherein the communications-inoperative phase corresponds to a deep sleep phase provided by a Power Saving Mode feature of the cellular network. A device of any one of claims 2 to 11 wherein the communications-inoperative phase corresponds to an extended sleep phase of an eDRX cycle. A system comprising a device in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 13 and further comprising a server, wherein the server is configured, to at a reminder time associated with but before the defined time, transmit a notification to an operator device to determine whether a user of the operator device still wants to proceed with the changing of the arming state from the first arming state to the second arming state at the defined time. A system according to claim 14, comprising the operator device, wherein the operator device is configured to output a reminder to a user to remind the user of the scheduled changing of the arming state from the first arming state to the second arming state at the defined time, and present the user with at least one option comprising an option to abort the scheduled changing, and in an event of at least one of the user aborting the scheduledchanging, the operator device is configured to transmit an abort message to the server, and the server is configured to relay an abort message to the device before the defined time. A system according to claim 15, wherein the option to abort comprises as an option to confirm or reject the scheduled changing. A system according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the option to abort comprises an option to change a timing of the scheduled changing. A security device comprising: a cellular modem for establishing a communications channel between the device and a base station of a cellular network; a sensor for detecting an event within a monitored environment; and a memory for storing an operator requested arming state; wherein the device is operable in a first mode in which the operator requested arming state is updatable via the cellular modem with a regularity that is limited by a first maximum time interval; wherein in response to satisfaction of a condition, the device operates in a second mode in which the modem is continuously able to receive cellular communications or in which there is a second maximum interval between successive times at which the modem is able to receive cellular communications, wherein the second maximum time is shorter than the first maximum time interval, and the device remains in the second mode for a waiting period to enable receipt of an operator command via the cellular modem, wherein the condition comprises that an operator requested arming state for the device that is stored on the device when the event is detected by the sensor is an armed state. A device according to claim 18 wherein, in response to the operator requested arming state for the device that is stored on the device when the event is detected by the sensor being an armed state, the device modem operates in a communications mode to determine whether the arming state for the device that is stored on the device is consistent with a remotely set arming state that had not been stored on the device when the event was detected by the sensor is an armed state, wherein the condition further comprises that the arming state for the device that is stored on the device is consistent with a remotely setarming state that had not been stored on the device when the event was detected by the sensor is an armed state. A device according to any one of claims 18 to 19, wherein the operator requested arming state for the device is based on a communication received via the cellular modem. A device according to claim 20, wherein the communication was received following a paging communication to the device from the cellular network, wherein the paging communication was received by the device while the device operated in the first mode. A device according to any one of the claims 19 to 21, wherein operation of the sensor is at least partly dependent on the operator requested arming state for the device that is stored on the device. A device according to any one of the claims 19 to 21, wherein the sensor is operational regardless of the operator requested arming state for the device that is stored on the device. A device according to any one of claims 18 to 23 wherein the first maximum time interval comprises a power conserving period in which the modem is in an off or sleep state and the second maximum time is shorter the power conserving period. A device according to claim 24, wherein in response to detecting the event during the power conserving period, the device ends operating in the first mode before an expiry of the power conserving period to enter the modem into a communications mode to at least one of: determine whether the arming state for the device that is stored on the device is consistent with a remotely set arming state that had not been stored on the device when the event was detected by the sensor is an armed state; and transmit a notification of the detected event. The device according to any one of claims 18 to 25, wherein the first maximum time interval comprises a power conserving period in which the modem is in an off or sleep state and the second maximum time is shorter the power conserving period, wherein thedevice is configured to obtain updates to the arming state without interrupting the power conserving period. A device according to of any one of claims 18 to 26, wherein the modem operates in an eDRX mode when the device is in the first mode. A device according to any one of claims 18 to 27, wherein in response to the operator requested arming state for the device that is stored on the device when the event is detected by the sensor being an armed state, the device: ends operating in the first mode and configures the modem to operate in a communications mode to determine whether the arming state for the device that is stored on the device is consistent with a remotely set arming state that had not been stored on the device when the event was detected by the sensor is an armed state; in response to the armed state being inconsistent returning to operating in the first mode sooner than if the armed state is consistent. A device according to any one of claims 18 to 28, wherein when the device is in the first mode the modem operates a cycle comprising an extended sleep phase and a paging phase. A device according to claim 29 wherein during the extended sleep phase the modem is in a condition in which it is unable to receive cellular communications. A device according to claim 29 or 30, wherein when the device is in the first mode the modem is able to receive cellular communications only during a paging opportunity of a plurality of predetermined paging opportunities in the paging phase. A device according to any one of claims 18 to 31, wherein in response to receiving, during the waiting period, an operator command to perform an action comprising a deterrent action, the device is configured to perform the deterrent action. A device according to any one of claims 18 to 32, wherein in response to receiving, during the waiting period, an operator command to perform an action comprising a deterrent action, the device extends the waiting period.A device according to any one of claims 18 to 33, wherein for an operator command of at least one type, upon receiving the operator command within at least a portion of the waiting period, the device is configured to extend the waiting period. A device according to any one of claims 18 to 34, wherein in response to said condition being satisfied, the device performs a verification action to verify the event.

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