Instant messaging applications in security systems
View Patent ↗A method of operating a security system by generating an instant message at a first location, the instant message including security system data, then transmitting the instant message from the first location over a computer network to a second location via an instant message server computer. The instant message is received at the second location, and a security system function is initiated at the second location based on the security system data from the instant message.
1. A method of operating a security system comprising:
a. generating first instant message at a first location, the first instant message comprising a security system text command;
b. transmitting the first instant message from the first location over a computer network to a redirector server via an instant message server computer;
c. the redirector server translating said security system text command from the first instant message to a security system bus command comprising digital data recognizable by a premises monitoring system at a second location;
d. the redirector server transmitting a second instant message comprising the security system bus command to a second location;
e. receiving the second instant message at the second location; and
f. initiating a security system function by a premises monitoring system at the second location based on the security system bus command from the second instant message.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first instant message is generated by a central station operator at the first location.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the first instant message is generated by a portable computing device wirelessly interconnected to the network.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the security system text command comprises a status request for security information from a premises monitoring system at the second location.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the security system function initiated at the second location comprises responding to the status request by generating a response instant message comprising security system status data indicative of a status condition of the premises monitoring system.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the security system text command controls the premises monitoring system at the second location.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the security system function initiated at the second location comprises executing the security system command for the premises monitoring system at the second location.
8. A security system communications system comprising:
a) an instant messaging server interconnected to a computer network;
b) a first computing device located at a first location and interconnected to the computer network, said first computing device programmed to transmit, to a redirector server via the instant messaging server computer, a first instant message comprising a security system text command;
c) a redirector server interconnected to the computer network for receiving said first instant message, and comprising processing circuitry programmed to (i) translate the security system text command from the first instant message to a security system bus command comprising digital data recognizable by a premises monitoring system at a second location, and (ii) transmit a second instant message comprising the security system bus command;
d) a premises monitoring system at a second location, comprising
a plurality of security system devices, each adapted to monitor a condition at the second location,
a control panel interconnected to the plurality of security system devices for communication therewith via a security system bus, and
an instant messaging client adapter interconnected with the control panel and the computer network via the security system bus, said instant messaging client adapter programmed to receive the second instant message and to transmit the security system bus command from the second instant message onto the security system bus.