Premise Gateway for Security System Interoperability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional home and small business security systems are limited by proprietary technologies, preventing interoperability between vendors and failing to leverage advanced networking capabilities like broadband and mobile access, resulting in limited functionality and complex installations.

Innovation Solution

An integrated security system that uses a gateway device and associated software to connect conventional security systems to broadband and mobile networks, enabling remote monitoring and control through a tri-mode security network (broadband, cellular/GSM, POTS access), and supports various wireless protocols for interoperability with different control panels and devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If proprietary security systems are used, then system reliability is improved, but adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidadaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a gateway device as an intermediary component that connects proprietary security systems to broadband networks. The gateway translates proprietary protocols into standard network protocols, enabling interoperability without compromising the reliability of the original security system. This mediator approach allows the system to maintain its proven reliability while gaining adaptability to modern networking standards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If broadband networking capabilities are added, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the networking functionality into a separate gateway device rather than integrating it directly into the security panel or sensors. This segmentation isolates the complexity of broadband networking, protocol translation, and network management into a dedicated component, allowing the core security system to remain simple and focused on its primary function while the gateway handles all networking complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If proprietary wireless technologies are used, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The gateway device provides universal interface capabilities that support multiple wireless protocols and communication standards simultaneously. It can translate between proprietary security system protocols and standard network protocols (HTTP, HTTPS, SMTP, etc.), making the system operable through common web browsers and mobile devices without requiring proprietary software or specialized knowledge of the underlying wireless technologies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of manufacture

If traditional security systems are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidproductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The gateway device is pre-configured with network parameters, protocol translation rules, and communication templates during manufacturing. Common configurations such as email alert settings, web interface parameters, and protocol mapping are established in advance, allowing rapid deployment and reducing on-site configuration time. This preliminary setup enables installers to quickly activate broadband capabilities without complex manual configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2569712B1Control system user interface
Publication Date: 2021.10.13 ICONTROL NETWORKS INC
  • EP2569712B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2569712B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2569712B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments include systems and methods comprising a gateway located at a premise forming at least one network on the premise that includes a plurality of premise devices. A sensor user interface (SUI) is coupled to the gateway and presented to a user via a remote device. The SUI includes at least one display element. The at least one display element includes a floor plan display that represents at least one floor of the premise. The floor plan display visually and separately indicates a location and a current state of each premise device of the plurality of premise devices.