Server-Side Alarm Reporting for Security Controller Link Failure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current home security and automation systems require multiple devices for control and monitoring, lack flexibility, and are prone to failure as a single point of vulnerability, with limited ability to report communication losses or zone fault events effectively.
Innovation Solution
A server-based system that detects cessation of network connection between a security, monitoring, and automation (SMA) controller and a remote server, automatically reporting alarm messages to users and central stations after a delay window expires, ensuring timely notification of potential security breaches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single centralized controller is used for security, monitoring and automation, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to single point of failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized controller into two functional parts: a local SMA controller that remains in the dwelling and a remote server that provides monitoring and communication functions. This segmentation maintains simplicity at the local level while distributing risk, so that failure of one component does not completely compromise system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a remote server as an intermediary between the local SMA controller and external monitoring systems. This intermediary handles communication failures and zone fault events, providing a backup pathway for alarm notifications that enhances reliability without requiring multiple complex local devices.
2Reliability
If communication failure detection is implemented, then reliability is improved, but loss of information increases due to potential failure to report zone fault events
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the SMA controller send an initial alarm message to the remote server before communication failure occurs. The server then monitors for subsequent messages within a predetermined time window, proactively detecting communication failures before they result in complete loss of zone fault event notifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where the remote server monitors for expected communication messages from the SMA controller. When messages are not received within the predetermined time window, the server generates a communication failure indication, creating a closed-loop feedback system that detects and reports communication issues while ensuring zone fault events are not lost.
3Reliability
If multiple devices are used for security, monitoring and automation control, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the remote server universal by designing it to perform multiple functions: receiving alarm messages, monitoring communication failures, detecting zone fault events, and generating notifications. This multi-functionality provides reliability through redundancy without requiring multiple separate devices at the local dwelling level.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the remote server to autonomously monitor communication status, detect failures, and generate appropriate notifications without requiring additional local devices or manual intervention. The server independently handles all monitoring and notification functions, achieving reliability through a single multi-functional remote system rather than multiple local devices.
Data Source
AI summary
A server-based environment for reporting a status of a security, monitoring and automation controller is provided. Detecting cessation of an always-on persistent network connection between the SMA controller and the server is also provided. Reporting the cessation of the network connection to an end user and defined others is further provided. A further aspect provides for automatically reporting an alarm event to a central station, the end user, and others, in the event the cessation of the network connection occurs while the SMA controller is aimed and after a zone fault event, and not receiving a disarm notification prior to expiration of a preset entry delay.