Security monitoring system

Abstract

There is provided a method of operating a security monitoring system of a premises, the method comprising: detecting, using one or more imaging means, a first non-human movement in an exterior part of the premises; determining if a notification inhibition criterion is met; storing data relating to the first non-human movement if the notification inhibition criterion is met; and in response to the notification inhibition criterion no longer being met, transmitting a notification to one or more devices, wherein the notification comprises the stored data relating to the first non-human movement.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a security monitoring system, and in particular a security monitoring system with video monitoring capabilities, and to methods of operating the same.BACKGROUND

[0002] Security installations that are or include security monitoring systems for monitoring premises (e.g. a building such as a home), often referred to as alarm systems, typically provide means for detecting the presence and / or actions of people at premises and reacting to detected events.

[0003] 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 including video monitoring of an outside of the premises. In particular, the sensors may be arranged to monitor an area of the premises (including an exterior area) and detect an unauthorized intruder entering or moving within or around the premises.

[0004] 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. Alternatively, or additionally, such systems may be linked to a remote monitoring centre where, typically, human operators manage the responses required by different alarm and notification types.

[0005] Hence, the security monitoring systems can alert a user (e.g. a homeowner) or an operator (e.g. at a remote monitoring centre or at the emergency services) that an undesirable security or safety event has occurred. Accordingly, 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, which may be protected by a boundary fence and gate, for example.

[0006] Known systems using one or more externally located video monitoring units (e.g. in the form of a video doorbell), are configured to transmit a notification to a user whenever movement is detected by the video monitoring unit. However, such systems tend to transmit a very large number of notifications, e.g. in chronological order, to the user, which can be inconvenient and annoying.

[0007] Embodiments of the present invention thus seek to provide enhanced security monitoring systems, and corresponding apps, methods and other implementations that improve the scope of security systems to address aspects of security and monitoring as well as providing new functionality and methods.SUMMARY

[0008] 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.

[0009] In a first aspect, there is provided a method of operating a security monitoring system of a premises, the method comprising: detecting, using one or more imaging means, a first non-human movement in an exterior part of the premises; determining if a notification inhibition criterion is met; storing data relating to the first non-human movement if the notification inhibition criterion is met; and in response to the notification inhibition criterion no longer being met, transmitting a notification to one or more devices, wherein the notification comprises the stored data relating to the first non-human movement. Such a method advantageously inhibits non-urgent notifications during a time period where a user may be disturbed by an excessive number of notifications. Similarly, a data traffic amount may be reduced by inhibiting non-urgent notifications during certain time periods.

[0010] In some embodiments, the method further comprises: detecting, using one or more imaging means, a second non-human movement in the exterior part of the premises; determining if the notification inhibition criterion is met; storing data relating to the second non-human movement if the notification inhibition criterion is met; wherein the notification further comprises the stored data relating to the second non-human movement.

[0011] In some embodiments, the method further comprises: detecting, using one or more imaging means, one or more additional non-human movements in the exterior part of the premises; determining, for each additional non-human movement, if a notification inhibition criterion is met; storing data relating to each of the additional non-human movements if the notification inhibition criterion is met; wherein the notification further comprises the stored data relating to the additional non-human movements.

[0012] In some embodiments, the step of detecting the non-human movement comprises: detecting a movement in an exterior part of the premises; and determining, using one or more images from one or more imaging means, that the movement was not caused by a human.

[0013] In some embodiments, the notification inhibition criterion comprises: a current time of day being within a predefined time span; and / or an elapsed time since previously transmitting a notification being less than a threshold amount of time; and / or the security monitoring system being in an armed-at-home state.

[0014] In some embodiments, the method further comprises, in response to the inhibition criterion no longer being met, compiling a list of all non-human movements detected in a time period during which the inhibition criterion was met. For example, such a list may be compiled in response to a current time of day having passed a predefined time span, and / or in response to the system no longer being in an armed-at-home state, and / or in response to a threshold amount of time having elapsed since a previous notification.

[0015] In some embodiments, the method further comprises: detecting a human movement, and transmitting a notification to one or more devices, wherein the notification comprises data relating to the human movement.

[0016] In some embodiments, the method further comprises: detecting a human movement, determining if the human movement was caused by an authorized person, and transmitting, if the human movement was not caused by an authorized person, a notification to one or more devices, wherein the notification comprises data relating to the human movement.

[0017] In some embodiments, the step of determining if the human movement was caused by an authorized person comprises using biometric recognition to identify a person associated with the detected human movement, optionally wherein the biometric recognition comprises face recognition, gait recognition, voice recognition, a retina or iris scan, a fingerprint scan, or any combination thereof.

[0018] Alternatively, or additionally, the step of determining if the human movement was caused by an authorized person comprises determining if a user device associated with an authorized person has joined a local network of the premises within a predetermined time from the detected human movement;

[0019] Alternatively, or additionally, the step of determining if the human movement was caused by an authorized person comprises determining a position of a user device associated with an authorized person.

[0020] Alternatively, or additionally, the step of determining if the human movement was caused by an authorized person comprises determining if a deactivation action has been performed within a predetermined time from the detected human movement, optionally wherein the deactivation action comprises: inputting of a deactivation code into a keypad or input means, and / or entering an authentication into a user device, and / or performing a disarming action of the security monitoring system.

[0021] In some embodiments, the detection of the human movement comprises: detecting a movement in an exterior part of the premises; and determining, using one or more images from one or more imaging means, that the movement was caused by a human.

[0022] In some embodiments, the stored data comprises video or image data from the exterior imaging means.

[0023] In a second aspect, there is provided a security monitoring system for monitoring a premises, the system comprising: at least one imaging means arranged in an exterior part of the premises, wherein the imaging means is configured to obtain one or more images of its field of view. The security monitoring system may further comprise a memory for storing data.

[0024] In some embodiments, the security monitoring system is configured to perform the method according to the first aspect.

[0025] In some embodiments, the security monitoring system and / or the imaging means is configured to: detect a first non-human movement in an exterior part of the premises; determine if a notification inhibition criterion is met; store, in the memory, data relating to the first non-human movement if the notification inhibition criterion is met; and in response to the notification inhibition criterion no longer being met, transmit a notification to one or more devices, wherein the notification comprises the stored data relating to the first non-human movement.

[0026] In some embodiments, the security monitoring system and / or the imaging means is configured to: detect a second non-human movement in the exterior part of the premises; determine if the notification inhibition criterion is met; store, in the memory, data relating to the second non-human movement if the notification inhibition criterion is met; wherein the notification further comprises the stored data relating to the second non-human movement.

[0027] In some embodiments, the security monitoring system and / or the imaging means is configured to: detect, using one or more imaging means, one or more additional non-human movements in the exterior part of the premises; determine, for each additional non-human movement, if a notification inhibition criterion is met; store, in the memory, data relating to each of the additional non-human movements if the notification inhibition criterion is met; wherein the notification further comprises the stored data relating to the additional non-human movements.

[0028] In some embodiments, the security monitoring system and / or the imaging means is configured to: detect a movement in an exterior part of the premises; and determine, using one or more images from one or more imaging means, that the movement was not caused by a human.

[0029] In some embodiments, the notification inhibition criterion comprises: a current time of day being within a predefined time span; and / or an elapsed time since previously transmitting a notification being less than a threshold amount of time; and / or the security monitoring system being in an armed-at-home state.

[0030] In some embodiments, the security monitoring system is configured to, in response to the inhibition criterion no longer being met, compile a list of all non-human movements detected in a time period during which the inhibition criterion was met. For example, such a list may be compiled in response to a current time of day having passed a predefined time span, and / or in response to the system no longer being in an armed-at-home state, and / or in response to a threshold amount of time having elapsed since a previous notification.

[0031] In some embodiments, the security monitoring system is configured to: detect a human movement, and transmit a notification to one or more devices, wherein the notification comprises data relating to the human movement.

[0032] In some embodiments, the security monitoring system is configured to: detect a human movement, determine if the human movement was caused by an authorized person, and transmit, if the human movement was not caused by an authorized person, a notification to one or more devices, wherein the notification comprises data relating to the human movement.

[0033] In some embodiments, security monitoring system is configured to use biometric recognition to identify a person associated with the detected human movement, optionally wherein the biometric recognition comprises face recognition, gait recognition, voice recognition, a retina or iris scan, a fingerprint scan, or any combination thereof.

[0034] Alternatively, or additionally, the security monitoring system is configured to determine if a user device associated with an authorized person has joined a local network of the premises within a predetermined time from the detected human movement;

[0035] Alternatively, or additionally, the security monitoring system is configured to determine a position of a user device associated with an authorized person.

[0036] Alternatively, or additionally, the security monitoring system is configured to determine if a deactivation action has been performed within a predetermined time from the detected human movement, optionally wherein the deactivation action comprises: inputting of a deactivation code into a keypad or input means, and / or entering an authentication into a user device, and / or performing a disarming action of the security monitoring system.

[0037] In some embodiments, the security monitoring system is configured to: detect a movement in an exterior part of the premises; and determine, using one or more images from one or more imaging means, that the movement was caused by a human.

[0038] In some embodiments, the stored data comprises video or image data from the exterior imaging means.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] 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. 1is a schematic front view of a premises with a security monitoring system according to embodiments; Fig. 2is a schematic plan view of a premises with a security monitoring system according to embodiments; and Fig. 3is a flowchart of a method of operating a security monitoring system according to embodiments.

[0040] Further, in the figures like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several figures. The first digit in the reference character denotes the first figure in which the corresponding element or part appears.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] Various embodiments of the disclosed methods and arrangements are discussed in detail below. While specific implementations are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components, configurations, and steps may be used without parting from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention.

[0042] 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. It is to be understood that elements and materials may be substituted for those illustrated and described herein, parts and processes may be reversed or omitted, certain features may be utilized independently, and embodiments or features of embodiments may be combined, all as would be apparent to the skilled person in the art.

[0043] 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 modifications, equivalents and alternatives 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.

[0044] Although reference may be made to directions (e.g. left, right, up, down, upper, lower) as shown in the figures, it will be appreciated that these references are purely for illustrative purposes, and that embodiments are not limited to such directions.

[0045] Fig. 1 shows a front view of a premises 100 protected by a security monitoring system 110 (which may also be referred to as an alarm system). The security monitoring system 110 is configured to monitor an interior and / or exterior area of the premises 100. In doing said monitoring, the security monitoring system 110 is configured to detect an alarm-incurring event such as an intruder entering the premises 100.

[0046] The premises 100 may be a residential building such as a house or an apartment, and / or a commercial building such as an office building, or the like. The premises 100 may have one or more exterior doors 102 and / or windows 103, such as the front door shown in Fig.1. The door 102 gives access to a protected interior of the premises 100. A door lock 111 may be provided on the exterior door 102, which may optionally be electrically controlled so that it can be locked and unlocked remotely. Optionally, as shown in Fig. 1, the facade of the house also carries an external keypad 112 by means of which a user can disarm the security monitoring system 110 and / or lock or unlock the door lock 111.

[0047] The security monitoring system 110 comprises one or more exterior imaging means 113, such as a camera (e.g. a video camera or a still image camera) or other image capturing device, configured to obtain still or moving images of an exterior of the premises. The exterior imaging means 113 may provide a live (video) stream of its field of view, or it may capture still or moving images.

[0048] The one or more exterior imaging means 113 are arranged outside the building, i.e. at an exterior of the premises 100. The exterior imaging means 113 may be part of a video doorbell or may be provided as a stand-alone unit may be mounted to the facade or arranged remotely from the building (e.g. to include a part of the building in its field of view).

[0049] The exterior imaging means 113 may be associated with a movement detector, which may be separate from or may be integral with the exterior imaging means 113. The movement detector may be an infrared sensor such as a PIR sensor, a pixel movement sensor or any other suitable motion detection sensor.

[0050] The exterior imaging means 113 may be configured to be in an armed or disarmed state. In the armed state, the exterior imaging means 113 may be configured to capture or otherwise acquire images. In some embodiments, however, the exterior imaging means 113 may be configured to acquire images only when the movement detector has detected a movement, or it may be configured to capture or acquire images continuously. The exterior imaging means 113 may alternatively or additionally be configured to capture images in response to an audio interface capturing an audio signal.

[0051] The exterior imaging means 113 may include an internal CPU, and / or be configured to communicate with a control unit 114 (shown in Fig. 2) of the security monitoring system 110 and / or a remote monitoring centre 115 (also shown in Fig. 2). In the case of the exterior imaging means 113 comprising an internal CPU, it may be configured to communicate directly with a user device 116 (shown in Fig. 2). In other cases, the exterior imaging means 113 may be configured to transmit data to the control unit 114, which in turn may be configured to communicate with the user device 116 and / or the remote monitoring centre 115.

[0052] The security monitoring system 110 may further comprise one or more audio interfaces 122 arranged in an exterior part of the premises. The audio interface 122 may comprise an audio input device, such as a microphone, configured to detect and / or record sound / audio in the environment where it is arranged. In some embodiments, the audio interface 122 is part of the exterior imaging means 113. The security monitoring system may further comprise one or more additional audio interfaces 122 arranged in an interior part of the premises 100.

[0053] Fig. 2 shows a schematic plan view of the premises 100 provided with the security monitoring system 110.

[0054] The security monitoring system 110 may include one or more interior sensors for detecting an intruder entering or moving within the premises 100. Such sensors may comprise one or more presence sensors 117, one or more perimeter sensors 118, one or more image sensors 119, or a combination of one or more thereof.

[0055] A presence sensor 117 may be defined as a sensor sensitive to the presence of persons and / or objects within an area monitored by the presence sensor. Presence sensors 117 may include motion or passage sensors sensitive to motion or passage of a person and / or object within the premises 100. The presence sensor 117 may thus comprise any type of sensor or detector capable of detecting presence, and / or movement of a person and / or object. For example, the presence sensor 117 may comprise a line-of-sight sensor, a radiation-based sensor for detecting an amount of incident radiation, or the like. In particular, the presence sensor(s) 117 may include an infrared sensor such as a thermal-MOS (TMOS) sensor and / or a passive infrared sensor (also referred to as a PIR sensor). Other examples of presence sensors 117 include photosensors, optical sensors, visual sensors, thermal sensors, radiation-based sensors and / or image capturing means such as a camera.

[0056] A perimeter sensor 118, on the other hand, may be defined as a sensor configured to detect persons and / or objects crossing or breaching a perimeter of the premises 100. Exemplary perimeter sensors 118 include magnetic sensors arranged at windows 103 and / or doors 102, and / or glass breakage sensors (such as a shock sensor) for detecting breakage of e.g. a window 103 or glass door 102.

[0057] An image sensor 119 may be defined as a sensor comprising imaging means, such as a camera (e.g. a photographic camera), video camera, and / or any other type of type of optical sensing device capable of capturing or acquiring one or more still and / or moving images of its field of view.

[0058] The security monitoring system 110 may further comprise one or more alarm indicators 120 such as a visual alarm indicator (e.g. a flashing light), an audible alarm indicator (e.g. a siren), or the like, that may be activated in the event of an alarm-incurring event being detected. The alarm indicators 120 may be arranged in an interior and / or exterior part of the premises.

[0059] The security monitoring system 110 may also comprise a control unit 114 as previously mentioned. The control unit may also be referred to as a central unit. The control unit 114, which may generally be mains powered, is coupled or connected to the sensors and is configured to process received signals and determine a response. The sensors may, for example, be provided with wireless (e.g. via Wi-Fi, radio frequency, or the like) and / or wired communication means, such as a radio transceiver, for communicating with the control unit 114.

[0060] The control unit 114 may include a processor and an alert triggering unit for providing an alert signal when the security monitoring system 110 is triggered or set off, e.g. when an alarm-incurring event has occurred.

[0061] The control unit 114 may be connected to input means 121 allowing a user to interact with the control unit 114. The input means 121 may be a keypad (either an exterior keypad 112 as shown in Fig. 1, or a keypad arranged inside the premises 100) or similar, for arming and disarming the sensors so as to arm and disarm the security monitoring system 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the input means 121 is arranged in the vicinity of the entrance door 102.

[0062] The control unit 114 may communicate with one or more user devices 116, which may be almost any kind of electronic device such as a smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer, a smart watch, or even a television. For example, the control unit 114 may communicate with an app or other program installed on such user devices 116 allowing the user to interact with the control unit 114 and / or the security monitoring system 110. The user device 116 may also be loaded with a public land mobile network (PLMN) by means of which the control unit 114 (and / or the remote monitoring centre 115), may communicate with the user device 116. The user device 116, and in particular the app or program installed thereon, may thus form input means to the control unit 114 such that the user can, though the user device 116, instruct the control unit 114 to arm or disarm the security monitoring system 110, or the like. The user device 116 may also provide the user with information relating to a state of the security monitoring system 110 (e.g. if it is in an armed or disarmed state) and / or one or more of its sensors. The security monitoring system 110 may accordingly notify the user via the user device(s) 116 if and when the security monitoring system 110 is set off or triggered.

[0063] The app installed on the user device(s) 116 may be used to display still or video images captured by the one or more interior image sensors 119, exterior imaging means 113, or any other sensors, receiving audio from an audio interface 122 (as will be described later), provide position data of the user device 116 on which it is installed to the security monitoring system 110, transmit input data provided by a user to the security monitoring system 110, receive data or signals from the control unit 114 and present such data or signals as notifications (e.g. push notifications).

[0064] The control unit 114 may further be connected to the remote monitoring centre 115, which is located remotely from the premises 100. The control unit 114 may accordingly be configured to transmit alert signals to the remote monitoring centre 115, where operators (i.e. human operators) and / or computerised systems manage the alert signals and determines an appropriate action. That is, the control unit 114, typically located in the premises 100, is configured to process notifications and signals received from the sensors, and to notify the remote monitoring centre 115 of at least some of these signals that are indicative of an alarm-incurring event, depending upon the settings of the system and the nature of the detected events. In such a configuration, the control unit 114 at the installation is effectively acting as a gateway between the sensors and the remote monitoring centre 115.

[0065] The control unit 114 may be connected to the remote monitoring centre 115 by wires, such as a telephone line, or by a wireless telecommunications system such as GSM or other radio frequency systems. The connection may also be through the internet or any other suitable network.

[0066] Hence, operation of the security monitoring system 110 may be controlled by one or more of: the control unit 114, the remote monitoring centre 115, and a security monitoring app installed on the user device 116. For example, the remote monitoring centre 115, if provided, may receive one or more signals from any of the sensors. The remote monitoring centre 115 may transmit commands for controlling any one or more of: the arm state of the security monitoring system 110 (e.g. armed or unarmed), commanding a tripped alarm state to be signalled by the security monitoring system 110 (e.g. by triggering one or more alarm indicators 120 to generate alarm noise), and / or commanding operation of one or more functions of the sensors. Communication with the remote monitoring centre 115 may pass through the control unit 114. In other embodiments without the remote monitoring centre 115, or should communication with the remote monitoring centre 115 be interrupted, operation of the security monitoring system 110 may be controlled by the control unit 114. In yet other embodiments, the control unit 114 may be omitted, and the sensors may instead communicate independently with the remote monitoring centre 115, for example, via wireless communication (such as Cat-M LTE).

[0067] Howsoever the communication is implemented, the remote monitoring centre 115 may alert one or more operators of an alarm-incurring event. The one or more operators may monitor communications received from the security monitoring system 110. Thus, the one or more operators may, in response to an alert signal being transmitted, send a patrol unit and / or the emergency services to the premises 100 and / or notify an owner or resident of the premises 100.

[0068] Fig. 3 shows a method of operating the security monitoring system 110, and in particular a method of handling and transmitting notifications to one or more user devices 116 in response to movement detected by the exterior imaging means 113 (or any other imaging means or sensor arranged to monitor an exterior of the premises 100).

[0069] The security monitoring system 110 is configured to determine whether detected movements correspond to human movement or non-human movement (e.g. movement caused by an animal or an object). The system may be configured to transmit a notification to one or more user devices 110 in response to human movement, but not necessarily send immediate notifications for all non-human movements. Instead, the system may collate non-human movements into a summary notification which provides contextual information about the non-human movements and reduces the number of notifications necessary.

[0070] In step 301, a movement or motion is detected by the exterior imaging means 113 or a movement detector. In particular, the exterior imaging means 113, and / or its associated movement detector, may detect, in step 501, a movement or motion exterior to the premises 100. In response to said motion detection, the exterior imaging means 113 may be configured to start capturing or streaming images.

[0071] In some embodiments, step 301 comprises detecting movement or motion by a motion detector (such as the motion detector, e.g. PIR sensor, associated with the exterior imaging means 113).

[0072] In some embodiments, step 301 additionally or alternatively comprises capturing a plurality of images by the imaging means 113, and recognizing a change between at least some of the captured images, wherein the change optionally corresponds to a movement. In other words, the movement detection may be made in dependence on changes in subsequent image frames captured by the exterior imaging means 113. This may, for example, be the case when the exterior imaging means 113 are configured to continuously (or always) capture or stream images.

[0073] In step 303, the security monitoring system 110 determines whether the detected movement is caused by a human (i.e. a person). The determination may be made using images from (e.g. captured or streamed) the exterior imaging means 113. Suitable, and commonly known algorithms may be used for determining whether the movement is caused by a person.

[0074] Additionally, in the case of non-human movement, step 303 may further comprise determining what non-human object caused the movement. For example, the system may, using object recognition techniques that are within the capabilities of the skilled person, recognize if the movement was caused by, e.g. a moving branch of a tree, a moving animal (and optionally what type of animal), and the like.

[0075] If it is determined that the movement was caused by a person or human, the security monitoring system 110 may proceed to step 305 and transmit a notification to one or more user devices 116. The notification is intended to alert the user(s) that a movement has been detected, and the notification may further comprise information that the movement was caused by a human. The notification may also comprise video data and / or one or more images from the exterior imaging means 113 showing the detected movement and what caused it.

[0076] If, on the other hand, it is determined in step 303 that the movement was caused by a non-human object, such as an animal or another moving object (e.g. a vehicle or the like), the system may proceed to steps 307 to 311.

[0077] In optional step 307, the system 110 determines if a notification inhibition criterion is met. If the criterion is met, the system may inhibit notifications relating to one or more non-human movements until the inhibition criterion is no longer met.

[0078] A first inhibition criterion may be that the current time of day (at the time of the detected movement) is within a predefined time span. The predefined time span may correspond to a time during which a user is normally asleep or likely to be disturbed by excessive notifications. This may be a nighttime such as between 00:00 and 05:00, optionally between 23:00 and 06:00, optionally between 22:00 and 07:00. The predefined time span may be adjustable by a user of the system to conform with their habits / lifestyle / schedule etc.

[0079] Step 307 may accordingly comprise determining a current time of day and determining if the time is within the predefined time span.

[0080] If the time is within the predefined time span, the system may inhibit (i.e. not transmit) a notification and proceed to step 309. If, on the other hand, the time is outside the predefined time span, the system may transmit a notification to one or more user devices 116 alerting the user that a movement has been detected. Such notification may comprise contextual information such that the movement was not caused by a person, and may optionally identify what caused the movement. The notification may also comprise video data and / or one or more images from the exterior imaging means 113 showing the detected movement and what caused it.

[0081] A second inhibition criterion may be that the security monitoring system 110 is in an armed-at-home state. Here it is noted that the armed-at-home state refers to a state where the security monitoring system 110 is configured to detect breaches of a perimeter of the premises 100 (such as a door opening), but generally not movement within at least part of the premises 100 (to allow residents to move to, say, the bathroom without triggering the alarm). Typically, users will turn on the armed-at-home state before they go to bed, and turn off the armed-at home state sometime after they wake up. The system being in an armed-at-home state thus indicates that the user is likely in bed, and would appreciate non-urgent notifications (e.g. movements caused by non-humans) to be inhibited.

[0082] Accordingly, If the security monitoring system 110 is in the armed-at-home state, the system may inhibit (i.e. not transmit) a notification and proceed to step 309. If, on the other hand, the security monitoring system 110 is in a disarmed state and / or an armed state, the system may transmit a notification to one or more user devices alerting the user that a movement has been detected. Such notification may comprise contextual information such that the movement was not caused by a person, and may optionally identify what caused the movement. The notification may also comprise video data and / or one or more images from the exterior imaging means 113 showing the detected movement and what caused it.

[0083] A third inhibition criterion may be whether a sufficient amount of time has elapsed since the system last sent a notification about detected non-human movement. For example, the system may be configured to not send such notifications too often so as to overwhelm the user with a large number of notifications. Thus, if the time passed since last sending a notification is less than a threshold amount, the system may inhibit (i.e. not transmit) a notification and proceed to step 309. If, on the other hand, sufficient time has passed, the system may transmit a notification to one or more user devices 110 alerting the user that a movement has been detected. Such notification may comprise contextual information such that the movement was not caused by a person, and may optionally identify what caused the movement. The notification may also comprise video data and / or one or more images from the exterior imaging means 113 showing the detected movement and what caused it.

[0084] It will be appreciated that the system may apply one or more of the above-described inhibition criteria. For example, the system may inhibit notifications if any one of the criteria are met. As another example, the system may inhibit notifications if any one of the first and second criteria are met.

[0085] In step 309, the system (temporarily) stores data relating to the detected movement. The system may store the data in a memory, such as a memory of the exterior imaging means 113, a memory of the control unit, or in a remotely located server or cloud, or the like. The system may store such data at least until a notification is transmitted at a later time in step 311.

[0086] The system may store video data and / or one or more images from the exterior imaging means 113 showing the detected movement and what caused it. As another example, the system may store data about a time of the detected movement, what caused the detected movement, duration of the detected movement, and the like.

[0087] After the system stores the data, the system may restart the method and detect further events.

[0088] In step 311, which is performed once the inhibition criterion is no longer met (i.e. when the current time of day has passed the predefined time span, and / or when the system is no longer in an armed-at-home state, and / or when sufficient time has elapsed since a previous notification), the system compiles a report or list of all non-human movements detected in the time period while the inhibition criterion was met.

[0089] The complied report may comprise contextual information about the detected movement events. The compiled report may further comprise video data and / or images of the detected movement events. The system may further be configured to connect different detected movements that are likely to be related to each other. For example, if the same non-human object (such as a cat or other animal) is recognized in the images of more than detected movement event, the system may determine that these events are related, which may be included in the contextual information. For instance, the compiled report may state that the same cat has been seen by, say, a first exterior imaging means at 1.03am and by a second exterior imaging means at 1.05am.

[0090] Although the system has been described as always transmitting a notification in response to detected human movement, in some embodiments, the system may inhibit notifications for detected human movement if it is determined that the human movement is caused by an authorized or known person. Thus, the security monitoring system 110 may be configured to determine if the person causing the detected movement is an authorized or known person.

[0091] Such determination may comprise performing biometric recognition to identify an authorized person. The biometric recognition may comprise facial recognition and / or gait recognition (which may be made in dependence on images from the exterior imaging means 113), voice recognition (which may be made in dependence on audio captured by an externally located audio interface 122), performing of a retina or iris scan, performing of a fingerprint scan, or any combination thereof. In particular, the security monitoring system 110 may have been trained to recognize one or more biometrics of authorized person(s), and / or biometric data of authorized person(s) may have been entered into the security monitoring system 110 and labelled as known and / or authorized. To this effect, the security monitoring system 110 may be configured to store biometric identification information of authorized or known persons in a memory unit. Alternatively, this information may be stored externally, e.g. on an external server or in the cloud. The biometric identification information may comprise biometrics data, gait data, voice samples, fingerprints, iris or retina characteristics, or the like.

[0092] The determination may alternatively or additionally comprise determining whether a user has authenticated themselves (e.g. by inputting a deactivation code into the keypad or input means 121) within a predetermined time from the movement detection.

[0093] The determination may alternatively or additionally comprise determining if a user device 116 associated with an authorized user has joined a local network of the premises 100 within a predetermined time from the movement detection. For example, the system may determine whether a smart device associated with an authorized user has joined a local Wi-Fi network of the premises 100. This indicates that it is the authorized person that is detected by the exterior imaging means 113.

[0094] The determination may alternatively or additionally comprise determining a position of a user device 116 associated with an authorized person. Such determination may for example be based on the geolocation of a smart device associated with an authorized person. If the user device 116 is determined to be in a position corresponding to where movement was detected, this is indicative of the person detected by the exterior imaging means 113 being the authorized person.

[0095] Although the exterior imaging means 113 have generally been described as a video camera, it will be appreciated that the exterior imaging means 113 may, in other embodiments, be a still picture camera or other imaging device. Instead of capturing or streaming a sequence of moving images, the still picture camera may be configured to capture still images. The remaining handling, analysis, calculations, determinations, triggerings, notifications and the like will still correspond to the above described, with possible adjustments for the image being a still image instead of a moving image, which adjustments would be familiar to the person skilled in the art.

[0096] 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 alarm system or security monitoring system, even if it only includes some of the sensors described. 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.

[0097] 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).

[0098] 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.

[0099] 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".

[0100] 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".

[0101] 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.

[0102] 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 method of operating a security monitoring system of a premises, the method comprising: detecting, using one or more imaging means, a first non-human movement in an exterior part of the premises; determining if a notification inhibition criterion is met; storing data relating to the first non-human movement if the notification inhibition criterion is met; and in response to the notification inhibition criterion no longer being met, transmitting a notification to one or more devices, wherein the notification comprises the stored data relating to the first non-human movement.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises: detecting, using one or more imaging means, a second non-human movement in the exterior part of the premises; determining if the notification inhibition criterion is met; storing data relating to the second non-human movement if the notification inhibition criterion is met; wherein the notification further comprises the stored data relating to the second non-human movement.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the method further comprises: detecting, using one or more imaging means, one or more additional non-human movements in the exterior part of the premises; determining, for each additional non-human movement, if a notification inhibition criterion is met; storing data relating to each of the additional non-human movements if the notification inhibition criterion is met; wherein the notification further comprises the stored data relating to the additional non-human movements.

4. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the step of detecting the non-human movement comprises: detecting a movement in an exterior part of the premises; and determining, using one or more images from one or more imaging means, that the movement was not caused by a human.

5. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the notification inhibition criterion comprises: a current time of day being within a predefined time span; and / or an elapsed time since previously transmitting a notification being less than a threshold amount of time; and / or the security monitoring system being in an armed-at-home state.

6. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the method further comprises, in response to the inhibition criterion no longer being met, and / or in response to a current time of day having passed a predefined time span, and / or in response to the system no longer being in an armed-at-home state, and / or in response to a threshold amount of time having elapsed since a previous notification, compiling a list of all non-human movements detected in a time period during which the inhibition criterion was met.

7. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the method further comprises: detecting a human movement, and transmitting a notification to one or more devices, wherein the notification comprises data relating to the human movement.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the method further comprises: detecting a human movement, determining if the human movement was caused by an authorized person, and transmitting, if the human movement was not caused by an authorized person, a notification to one or more devices, wherein the notification comprises data relating to the human movement.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the step of determining if the human movement was caused by an authorized person comprises: using biometric recognition to identify a person associated with the detected human movement, optionally wherein the biometric recognition comprises face recognition, gait recognition, voice recognition, a retina or iris scan, a fingerprint scan, or any combination thereof; and / or determining if a user device associated with an authorized person has joined a local network of the premises within a predetermined time from the detected human movement; and / or determining a position of a user device associated with an authorized person; and / or determining if a deactivation action has been performed within a predetermined time from the detected human movement, optionally wherein the deactivation action comprises: inputting of a deactivation code into a keypad or input means, and / or entering an authentication into a user device, and / or performing a disarming action of the security monitoring system.

10. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the detection of the human movement comprises: detecting a movement in an exterior part of the premises; and determining, using one or more images from one or more imaging means, that the movement was caused by a human.

11. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the stored data comprises video or image data from the exterior imaging means.

12. A security monitoring system for monitoring a premises, the system comprising: at least one imaging means arranged in an exterior part of the premises, wherein the imaging means is configured to obtain one or more images of its field of view; wherein the security monitoring system is configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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