Security monitoring system

Abstract

A security monitoring system and a method of a security monitoring system. The system comprises a definition of a first area of the premises, a sensor configured for monitoring at least a portion of the first area, a decision module including digital information representing at least one action rule related to the first area, the at least one action rule includes a trigger specification, a condition expression, and an action specification, and the decision module having an output configured to, in response to an action rule being fulfilled, send a signal indicating one or a plurality of actions specified in the action specification of the fulfilled action rule.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for operating a security monitoring system and such security monitoring system.BACKGROUND

[0002] Security installations that are or include security monitoring systems for monitoring premises, often referred to as alarm systems, typically provide a means for detecting the presence and of people at premises and reacting to detected events. Commonly, such systems include sensors to detect opening and closing of doors and / or windows to provide a secure perimeter to the premises, creating one or more protected interior spaces, movement detectors to monitor spaces (both within and outside buildings) for signs of movement, microphones to detect sounds such as breaking glass, and image sensors to capture still or moving images of monitored zones. Such systems may be self-contained, with alarm indicators such as sirens and flashing lights that may be activated in the event of an alarm condition being detected. Such security installations typically include a control unit (which may also be termed a central unit), generally mains powered, that is coupled to the sensors, detectors, cameras, etc. ("nodes"), and which processes received detections and determines a response. The central unit may be linked to the various nodes by wires, but increasingly is instead linked wirelessly, rather than by wires, since this facilitates installation and may also provide some safeguards against sensors / detectors effectively being disabled by disconnecting them from the central unit. Similarly, for ease of installation and to improve security, the nodes of such systems typically include an autonomous power source, such as a battery power supply, rather than being mains powered.

[0003] As an alternative to self-contained systems, a security monitoring system may include an installation at a premises, domestic or commercial, that is linked to a remote central monitoring station (CMS) where, typically, operators manage the responses required by different alarm and notification types. In such centrally monitored systems, the central unit at the premises installation typically processes detection events received from the nodes in the installation, and notifies the central monitoring station of only some of these events, depending upon the settings of the system and the nature of the detected events. In such a configuration, the central unit at the installation is effectively acting as a gateway between the nodes and the central monitoring station. Again, in such installations the central unit may be linked by wires, or wirelessly, to the various nodes of the installation, and these nodes will typically, although not always, be battery rather than mains powered.

[0004] Such security monitoring systems contribute to the safety and wellbeing of occupants of the protected premises, as well as safeguarding articles within the protected perimeter - which may of course not simply be limited to a house or dwelling but may also extend to the grounds of the house, protected by a boundary fence and gate, for example.

[0005] Embodiments of the present invention seek to provide enhanced security monitoring systems, and corresponding apps, methods and other implementations that improve the scope of security monitoring systems to address aspects of the problem of entry systems as well as providing new functionality and methods.SUMMARY

[0006] The invention is defined by the appended independent claims. Additional features and advantages of the concepts disclosed herein are set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the described technologies. The features and advantages of the concepts may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features of the described technologies will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the disclosed concepts as set forth herein.

[0007] In a first aspect, according to embodiments of the invention, a security monitoring system of a premises comprises a definition of a first area of the premises, a sensor configured for monitoring at least a portion of the first area, a decision module including digital information representing at least one action rule related to the first area, the at least one action rule includes a trigger specification, a condition expression, and an action specification, and the decision module having an output configured to, in response to an action rule being fulfilled, send a signal indicating one or a plurality of actions specified in the action specification of the fulfilled action rule. One advantage of such a system is that the security monitoring system may be more dynamic and adaptable allowing for taking into account specific features, hazards, or security levels, of a specific area.

[0008] In some embodiments the definition of the first area is stored in a central unit, and the central unit is configured to receive surveillance data from the sensor and to send a detection signal to the decision module in response to the surveillance data from the sensor being determined to represent an activity in the portion of the first area. These features may facilitate advanced identifications and detections of movement.

[0009] In some embodiments the detection signal indicates human movement in the first area.

[0010] In some embodiments the decision module is configured to receive the detection signal representing a detection in the portion of the first area, and to indicate that the at least one action rule related to the first area is fulfilled if both the trigger specification and the condition expression of the at least one action rule are fulfilled. One advantage is that these features further improves the flexibility of the security monitoring system.

[0011] In In some embodiments the security monitoring system further comprises a definition of a second area of the premises, wherein at least part of the second area differs from the first area, a sensor configured for monitoring at least a portion of the second area, and the decision module further including digital information representing at least one action rule related to the second area, the at least one action rule includes a trigger specification, a condition expression, and an action specification. By introducing additional areas having action rules makes the security monitoring system more versatile and may allow for types of notifications not meaningful in an ordinary system.

[0012] In some embodiments at least one of the trigger specification, the condition expression, or the action specification of the action rule of the second area differs from the action rule related to the first area.

[0013] In some embodiments the sensor is a camera.

[0014] In some embodiments the security monitoring system is configured to in response to detection of movement of a human in at least one of the defined areas identify a person and make information handled by the security monitoring system of the identified person related to the defined area in which the person was detected available for the decision module.

[0015] In some embodiments the person may be identified by using one of or a combination of face recognition and gait recognition.

[0016] In some embodiments the information handled by the security monitoring system relating to individuals may include, for each individual, different authorizations for different defined areas.

[0017] In some embodiments wherein the condition expression of an action rule may include conditions relating to a category of people.

[0018] According to another aspect of the invention, a method in a security monitoring system comprises detecting movement within a monitored premises, determining that the movement is detected in a first area defined as a sub area of the total area of the premises, evaluating at least one action rule relating to movement detection in the first area by checking that the movement detection fulfill both a trigger specification and a condition expression, and sending, in response to the at least one action rule being fulfilled, a signal indicating one or a plurality of actions specified in the at least one action rule. The advantaged relating to the features of this aspect of the invention correspond to the advantages relating to the corresponding features discussed above.

[0019] In some embodiments the method in a security monitoring system further comprises determining that the movement is detected in a second defined as a sub area of the total area of the premises, wherein at least part of the second area differs from the first area, evaluating at least one action rule relating to movement detection in the second area by checking that the movement detection fulfill both a trigger specification and a condition expression, and sending, in response to the at least one action rule relating to the movement detection in the second area being fulfilled, a signal indicating one or a plurality of actions specified in the at least one action rule.

[0020] In some embodiments the method in a security monitoring system further includes identifying a person responsible for the detected movement by using one of or a combination of face recognition and gait recognition.

[0021] According to yet another aspect of the invention a data processing system comprising a processor configured to execute code to perform the method as described above. The advantaged relating to the features of this aspect correspond to the advantages relating to the corresponding features discussed above.

[0022] A further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given below. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. Hence, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular component parts of the device described or steps of the methods described as such device and method may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claim, the articles "a," "an," "the," and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a sensor" or "the sensor" may include several sensors, and the like. Furthermore, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] In order to best describe the manner in which the above-described embodiments are implemented, as well as define other advantages and features of the disclosure, a more particular description is provided below and is illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only exemplary embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting in scope, the examples will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic drawing showing a front elevation of stylized building monitored by a security monitoring system according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic part plan view of a premises protected by the security monitoring system, together with other elements of the system; Fig. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a central unit according to some embodiments of the invention, and Fig.4 is a flowchart of a method for operating the security monitoring system.

[0024] Further, in the figures like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several figures.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Hereinafter, certain embodiments will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the inventive concept. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice disclosed herein. The embodiments herein are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the inventive concept, and that the claims be construed as encompassing all equivalents of the present inventive concept which are apparent to those skilled in the art to which the inventive concept pertains. If nothing else is stated, different embodiments may be combined with each other.

[0026] Figure 1 shows a view of the front of a premises 100 protected by a security monitoring system. The premises 100, here in the form of a house, has an exterior door, here front door, 102. The door gives access to a protected interior space 200. The security monitoring system secures at least part of a perimeter to the premises 100, and the door 102 constitutes an exterior closure in the secure perimeter giving access to a protected interior space 200 of the premises. A lock 104 on the exterior door is optionally electrically controlled so that it can be locked and unlocked remotely.

[0027] The premises 100 is equipped with an exterior sensor 112, e.g., image detection unit, such as a camera 112, such as a video camera, which is coupled to, or includes, a presence and / or movement detector 114. In some embodiments, the premises 100 is equipped with more than one exterior sensor 112, 115, e.g. image detection unit(s), and possibly also one or more interior image detection units 214. Any interior image detection unit 214 may be associated with an interior movement detector 216. In the described embodiment, the exterior sensors 112, 115, comprise cameras or video cameras and sensors 112, 115 will hereinafter generally be referred to as such.

[0028] The video camera 112 and the movement detector 114 may be arranged to monitor the same exterior area 108 of premises, or at least overlapping exterior area of premises 100. The video camera 115 and the movement detector 117 may be arranged to monitor the same exterior area 109 of premises, or at least overlapping exterior areas of premises 100.

[0029] Optionally, as shown, the façade of the house 100 carries an external keypad 110 by means of which a user can arm and / or disarm the security monitoring system, and, in some embodiments, unlock the lock 104. Optionally, the keypad is an internal keypad arranged in the interior of the house 100.

[0030] Figure 2 is a schematic part plan view of the premises 100 protected by the exterior and interior security monitoring system, and other elements of the system, corresponding generally to the premises of figure 1. The front door 102, with lock 104, leads into the protected interior space 200 of the premises. The premises comprises windows 202, each of which, and a rear door 204, being fitted with a sensor 206, respectively, to detect when they are opened. Each of the sensors 206 includes a radio transceiver to report events to a controller, or central unit, 208 of the security monitoring system. If one of the sensors 206 is triggered when the system is armed, a signal is sent to the central unit 208 which in turn may signal an alarm event to a remote central monitoring station 210. The central unit 208 is connected to the remote central monitoring station 210 via the Internet 212, either via a wired or a wireless connection. The central unit 208 may include a memory unit.

[0031] The system comprises one or more exterior image detection unit(s) 112, 115 configured to capture images of the specific outside areas 108, 109 of the premises 100. The exterior image detection units 112, 115 are e.g. a cameras, such as a motion picture cameras, such as video cameras, or still image cameras. The exterior sensors 112, 115, also referred to as image detection units 112, 115, may each be associated with a movement detector 114, 117, which may be separate from or may be integral with the exterior image detection units 112, 115. The movement detector may be a PIR sensor, a pixel movement sensor or any other suitable motion detection sensor. The interior video camera 214 may have a field of view including the front door 104 and / or the front door opening of the premises 100. The interior video camera 214 may be directed towards the front door 104.

[0032] The video camera 112 may be arranged, when the security monitoring system is armed, to capture images, such as video images, of an exterior area 108 of the house 100, e.g. a garden, in front of the house and signal an alarm event to a controller of the security monitoring system. The video camera 115 may be arranged to capture images of a backside of the house on the premises 100, including an exterior area 109. The video cameras are preferably provided with, or being in operative connection with an audio interface 230 to enable (bi-)directional audio communication with anyone observed by the camera.

[0033] The video camera 112 may be arranged to capture video / images of the front of the house and a private area, e.g. a garden, in front of the house when the security monitoring system is armed, and signal an alarm event to the controller 208 of the security monitoring system.

[0034] The system may further comprise one or more audio interface(s) 230, optionally comprising both an audio input device 231, and an audio output device 232. The audio interface 230 may be separate from or may be integral with the video camera 112, 115. The audio interface 230 may be configured to record sound / audio in the environment where it is arranged.

[0035] In some embodiments, the electrically controlled lock 104 is wirelessly coupled to the central unit 208.

[0036] One or more of the interior doors 218 of the premises may be provided with a sensor 206 to detect the opening / closing of the door.

[0037] The above mentioned items are preferably coupled to the central unit 208 using transceivers operating in the industrial scientific and medical (ISM) bandwidths, for example a sub-gigahertz bandwidth such as 868 MHz, and the communications are encrypted preferably using shared secret keys.

[0038] Also shown in figure 2 is a user device 220, preferably loaded with an appropriate app, and a public land mobile network (PLMN) by means of which the central monitoring station 210, and the central unit 208, may communicate with the user device 220.

[0039] Operation of the security monitoring system may be controlled by one or more of: the central unit 208, the remote central monitoring station 210, and a security monitoring app installed on the user device 220. For example, the remote monitoring station 210, if provided, may receive one or more signals from any one of: the exterior image detection unit 112, 115, the keypad 110, the sensors 206, the audio interface 230. The remote monitoring station 210 may transmit commands for controlling any one or more of: the arm state of the alarm system (e.g. armed or unarmed); commanding a tripped alarm state to be signaled by the alarm system (e.g. by triggering one or more sirens to generate alarm noise); commanding a lock state of the door lock 104 (e.g. locked or unlocked), commanding operation of one or more cameras to transmit images to the remote monitoring unit / user device application / app. Communication with the remote monitoring station 210 may pass through the controller 208, as described above. In other embodiments, not including the remote monitoring station 210, or should communication with the remote monitoring station 210 be interrupted, operation of the alarm system may be controlled by the central unit 208. In yet other embodiments, the central unit 208 may be omitted, and the individual peripheral devices may communicate directly with the remote monitoring station 210.

[0040] The security monitoring system application / app is installed on a user device 220, here shown as a smartphone, although it could be almost any kind of electronic device, such as a laptop or desktop computer, a tablet such as an iPad, a smart watch, or even a television. The security monitoring system app may be used to display still or video images captured by the one or more cameras 112, 115, receive audio from the audio interface 230, provide position data of the device on which the app is installed to the controller 208, transmit input data provided by a user to the central unit 208, transmit locking and / or unlocking signals to the electronic lock 104, receive data from the central unit 208 and present these as notifications.

[0041] The video cameras 112, 115 may be configured to be armed or unarmed. In the armed state, they may be configured to capture video images. The cameras may be configured to capture images only as a response to a detection by the movement detector 114 of a movement. Alternatively, the cameras may be configured to capture images continuously. The video cameras 112, 115 may be configured to capture images only when the audio interface 230 captures an audio signal, or it may be configured to capture images continuously.

[0042] The video cameras 112, 115 may include an internal CPU, and / or be configured to communicate with the central unit 208. In the case of the video cameras 112, 115 comprising an internal CPU, they may be configured to communicate directly with the user device 220. In other cases, the video cameras 112, 115 may be configured to transmit data to the central unit 208 and / or the central monitoring station 210, any one of them may be configured to communicate with the user device 220.

[0043] Now further referring to Fig. 3, according to one aspect, the security monitoring system is configured to store at least one definition of an area 108, 109, of the premises 100. Such area definition 304 may be stored in a memory 306 of the central unit 208. Such defined area 108, 109, is at least partly covered by a camera 112, 115. In some embodiments an entire defined area is covered in the view of one camera 112, 115. In some embodiments a defined area is entirely covered using a plurality of cameras, which may have overlapping views. These areas of particular interest may be defined by a user of the system, for instance via the app 220. This may be achieved by having the user indicating on a overview of the premises shown in the app the different areas or by making the user move around and defining corners of the area by holding the device running the app 220 at the location of the corner and adding the position to the definition of the area. In some alternatives the user may take a picture including the area and then simply marking the area in the picture. The system may include software to interpret such an image into the views captured by the video cameras 112, 115, and translate the drawing into boundaries that can be interpreted by the security monitoring system. Yet another method of defining areas may be to have an aerial image of the premises or a blueprint of the premises be analyzed by an Al model identifying pools and other hazardous environments and automatically set the boundaries for those areas. Aerial images and blueprints may also be used for manually defining areas. Areas that may be of interest to define for specific functionality may be a pool area, a shed or a room storing dangerous tools, a cabinet for medicine, a cabinet or a location storing chemicals, etc.

[0044] Further, the central unit 208 may include a decision module configured to make decisions on whether to send alerts to users, e.g. via the app 220, the central monitoring station 210, and / or sending audio outputs to the audio system for sounding an alarm or for sending a spoken message. The decision module, which may be a software module, includes access to the area definitions 304 and to action rules 308-311.

[0045] An action rule is related to at least one defined area 108, 109 of the premises 100. Each action rule 308-311 include a trigger specification, a condition expression, and an action specification. A trigger specification may be a specific level of movement detected by a sensor covering the area, a tripping of a virtual tripwire in the area, etc., i.e. the trigger specification relates to various detections by sensors covering the specific area. A condition expression may be any one of, or any combination of, a time interval, e.g. 08:00 - 17:00, a date interval, the premises should be empty of people, only kids at the premises, etc. An action specification may be any one of, or any combination of sending an alert to user, sending an alert to central monitoring station 210, sending an alarm signal to audio interface, sending an instruction to audio interface for playing a specific message or sound, registering an event in a log, flashing a light, etc.

[0046] A defined area may be related to a set of action rules presenting different actions for different condition expressions. Then another defined area may be related to a different set of action rules also presenting different actions for different condition expressions. The two defined areas may have some action rules in common but may also have entirely different action rules. Accordingly, the action rules for different areas may be different.

[0047] In an embodiment where these action rules are processed in the central unit 208, the central unit 208 includes operational code 312 written to process, when executed in a processor 314, the action rules 308-311 related to the area definitions 304. An I / O interface 316 is arranged to send out signals and / or messages resulting from action rules via available I / O connections, e.g., short range wireless communication, WiFi, LAN, WAN, the Internet, PLMN, dedicated wires to specific devices, etc.

[0048] The decision module may be implemented in the central unit 208, as described in connection with Fig. 3. However, decision modules may alternatively be arranged at the central monitoring station 210, in a dedicated device for this purpose, in a personal computer connected to the system, one of the monitoring cameras of the system, etc. In some embodiments the decision module may be distributed among a plurality of sensors and the central unit of the security monitoring system. For instance, a video camera 112, 115, may have processing power and memory to store and perform some of the operations related to an action rule.

[0049] According to some embodiments the process 400 in relation to an action rule may be as schematically described by the flowchart of Fig. 4. A camera 112, 115, detects at trigger event in an area covered by the camera, step 410. The camera 112, 115, sends an event message to the central unit 208, step 412. The message includes information of the type of trigger detected, possibly a level indicating an amount related to the detection, and information identifying the area covered by the camera. For example, the trigger may indicate movement in the specific areaThe information identifying the area may simply be an identification of the camera in case the central unit 208 has information relating to what area the camera is covering. However, in cases a camera is covering a plurality of areas, the camera may send a specific area identifier. Then the event message is received by the central unit 208 and the decision module. The decision module then identifies at least one action rule relating to the identified area, step 414, and check if the detected event fulfills both a trigger specification and a condition expression of the action rule, 416. If the detected event fulfills both the trigger specification and the condition expression, then the decision module produce send the signal, signals, and / or message specified in the action specification, step 418. If the detected event does not fulfill both the trigger specification and the condition expression of any action rule relating to the specific area, then the process ends.

[0050] Further conditions used in the condition expression may be to include identification of the nature of the sending of the event message from the camera. For instance is it a human presence, an animal, or an unknown event, e.g. a plastic bag blowing into the area.

[0051] In case of a human triggering the sending of the event, e.g. a movement detection or passing of a virtual tripwire, the condition expression may include identification of the human in order to determine if the person is authorized on not to be present in the area or to pass the tripwire. In such case the security monitoring system, e.g. the central unit, may be configured to attempt to identify the person triggering the sending of the event. When a person is to be identified the identification may be based on video captured from a certain point in time before the trigger event and to a certain point in time after the trigger event. The amount of video required may vary. The central unit may be configured to identify the person by correlating the movement detection with (near-real time) data regarding the location of authorized users. The correlation may be based on whether an authorized user is near the premises 100 within a predetermined time limit (e.g., 10 or 15 seconds).

[0052] The central unit may be configured to utilize face or gait recognition algorithms in order to determine if the person belongs to one of the following categories: a known person, which may be an authorized person or a known unauthorized person; an unknown person or an unrecognizable person.

[0053] A known person may be a person the system has been trained to recognize. A known authorized person may be a person the system has been trained to recognize or a person not previously recognized by the system, but whose biometric data has been entered into the system and labelled as authorized.

[0054] A known unauthorized person may be a person who is specifically not allowed to be in the specific area related to the condition expression. The data of such known, unauthorized person may have been entered into the system and labelled as unauthorized.

[0055] An unknown or unrecognizable person is a person who cannot be identified as authorized or unauthorized by the security monitoring system. A separate action rule may be set up for these persons and thereby possibly an entirely different action specification,

[0056] The system may be configured to store identification information of known persons, authorized persons and / or unauthorized person in the memory unit. Alternatively, this information is stored externally, e.g. in the cloud. The identification information may be biometrics data, gait data, voice samples, etc.

[0057] Based on the determination of the category in which the person falls, the system is configured to take one of following actions.

[0058] If the person is identified as an authorized person, the action specification may instruct to disarm the security monitoring system. The action specification may also instruct to perform one or more additional actions such as unlocking the front and / or back door, or any other exit / entrance of the premises, transmitting push notifications to smart devices of one or more users associated with the security monitoring system.

[0059] If the person is identified as a known, unauthorized person, the action specification may instruct to trigger the alarm of the security monitoring system. It may also / alternatively instruct to perform one or more additional actions, such as notifying the remote central monitoring station (CMS), locking or unlocking the front and / or back door, transmitting push notifications to one or more users associated with the security monitoring system, transmitting a security alarm e.g. to a security company or a police department.

[0060] If the person is determined to be an unknown or unrecognizable person, i.e. the identification fails, the action specification may instruct to trigger the alarm of the security monitoring system.

[0061] Alternatively, if the identification fails, the system may be configured to allow the person to authenticate themselves in a different manner, within a certain amount of time. The system may thus be configured to attempt to identify the person by means of one or more alternative authentication methods or second identification methods. However, this alternative is preferably used if the defined area is of a type where persons should be allowed to authenticate themselves.

[0062] Some areas may require another type of identifications for the condition expression. For instance, it may be useful to make a difference between adults and children. Children may be identified by the above described identification if they are known to the system. Alternatively or in combination the system may estimate the height of a person. For example, an action rule may be set up to not allow children be at the pool without the presence of an adult. In such case the condition expression may state that if the pool area is occupied by only children the action in the action specification may be to alert an adult, to play a message telling them to leave the pool area, etc.

[0063] The allowed access to some areas may depend on whether you are registered as a visitor or you are an occupant. Once again the identification of persons may be used and the central unit 208, or another data storage location, may be storing the information of the people that are to be considered occupants and visitors. In this way areas restricted for visitors may be set up with action specifications including sounding of alarm, register the visitor in a log for further action, sending the information to a person in charge of the area, etc.

[0064] The identification on the level of identifying children, adults, visitors, occupants, etc. may be classified as categories of individuals. This type of categories may be applied to individuals registered in the system and used in condition expressions.

[0065] Further, a person authorized to be present in one defined area are not necessarily authorized to be present in another defined area. Therefore, a data set in the system for identifying persons may include different authorizations for the same person in different defined areas.

[0066] According to some embodiments the sensors and the monitoring of at least some areas may be armed even if the general security monitoring system has been transferred to a state where it is unarmed. In these cases when the sensors and monitoring of areas are kept armed, the sensitivity level may be changed or an alternative set of action rules may activated.

[0067] Moreover, according to some embodiments the security monitoring system may keep track of where individuals registered in the system are, e.g. the individual is indoor, in area one, etc. This makes it possible to have condition expressions like "if movement of human in area 1 (being the backyard) and all occupants are indoors, then send an alert"

[0068] Hence, the security monitoring system according to some embodiments of the invention makes it possible to tailor the handling of various events and delivered actions for different areas with different requirements within the monitored premises.

[0069] The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the invention. For example, the principles herein may be applied to any remotely controlled device. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made to the present invention without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0070] Throughout this specification, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e. meaning having the potential to), rather than in the mandatory sense (i.e. meaning must).

[0071] Throughout this specification, the words "comprise", "include", and variations of the words, such as "comprising" and "comprises", "including", "includes", do not exclude other elements or steps.

[0072] As used throughout this specification, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the", include plural referents unless explicitly indicated otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "an" element includes a combination of two or more elements, notwithstanding use of other terms and phrases for one or more elements, such as "one or more" or "at least one".

[0073] The term "or" is, unless indicated otherwise, non-exclusive, i.e. encompassing both "and" and "or". For example, the feature "A or B" includes feature "A", feature "B" and feature "A and B".

[0074] Unless otherwise indicated, statements that one value or action is "based on", "in response to" and / or "in dependence on" another condition or value or action, encompass both instances in which the condition or value or action is the sole factor and instances where the condition or value or action is one factor among a plurality of factors.

[0075] Unless otherwise indicated, statements that "each" instance of some collection have some property should not be read to exclude cases where some otherwise identical or similar members of a larger collection do not have the property, i.e. each does not necessarily mean each and every.

Claims

1. A security monitoring system of a premises comprising: a definition of a first area of the premises, a sensor configured for monitoring at least a portion of the first area, a decision module including digital information representing at least one action rule related to the first area, the at least one action rule includes a trigger specification, a condition expression, and an action specification, and the decision module having an output configured to, in response to an action rule being fulfilled, send a signal indicating one or a plurality of actions specified in the action specification of the fulfilled action rule.

2. The security monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the definition of the first area is stored in a central unit, and the central unit is configured to receive surveillance data from the sensor and to send a detection signal to the decision module in response to the surveillance data from the sensor being determined to represent an activity in the portion of the first area.

3. The security monitoring system according to claim 2, wherein the detection signal indicates human movement in the first area.

4. The security monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the decision module is configured to receive the detection signal representing a detection in the portion of the first area, and to indicate that the at least one action rule related to the first area is fulfilled if both the trigger specification and the condition expression of the at least one action rule are fulfilled.

5. The security monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: a definition of a second area of the premises, wherein at least part of the second area differs from the first area, a sensor configured for monitoring at least a portion of the second area, and the decision module further including digital information representing at least one action rule related to the second area, the at least one action rule includes a trigger specification, a condition expression, and an action specification.

6. The security monitoring system according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the trigger specification, the condition expression, or the action specification of the action rule of the second area differs from the action rule related to the first area.

7. The security monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the sensor is a camera.

8. The security monitoring system according to 7, wherein the security monitoring system is configured to in response to detection of movement of a human in at least one of the defined areas identify a person and make information handled by the security monitoring system of the identified person related to the defined area in which the person was detected available for the decision module.

9. The security system according to claim 8, wherein the person may be identified by using one of or a combination of face recognition and gait recognition.

10. The security monitoring system according to any one of claims 8 to 9, wherein the information handled by the security monitoring system relating to individuals may include, for each individual, different authorizations for different defined areas.

11. The security monitoring system according to any one of claims 1-10, wherein the condition expression of an action rule may include conditions relating to a category of people.

12. A Method in a security monitoring system, the method comprising: detecting movement within a monitored premises, determining that the movement is detected in a first area defined as a sub area of the total area of the premises, evaluating at least one action rule relating to movement detection in the first area by checking that the movement detection fulfill both a trigger specification and a condition expression, and sending, in response to the at least one action rule being fulfilled, a signal indicating one or a plurality of actions specified in the at least one action rule.

13. The method in a security monitoring system according to claim 10, further comprising determining that the movement is detected in a second area defined as a sub area of the total area of the premises, wherein at least part of the second area differs from the first area, evaluating at least one action rule relating to movement detection in the second area by checking that the movement detection fulfill both a trigger specification and a condition expression, and sending, in response to the at least one action rule relating to the movement detection in the second area being fulfilled, a signal indicating one or a plurality of actions specified in the at least one action rule.

14. The method in a security monitoring system according to any one of claim 12 to 13, further including identifying a person responsible for the detected movement by using one of or a combination of face recognition and gait recognition.

15. A data processing system comprising a processor configured to execute code to perform the method of any one of claims 12 to 14.

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