Granted Patent B2

US 9,973,626 · App. 14/561,644 · Granted May 15, 2018

Abstract

Claims (37)

1. A control panel comprising:

a processor;

a memory in electronic communication with the processor; and

instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable by a processor to:

detect an alarm event;

attempt to establish a connection over a first network with a backend system;

if no connection with the backend system is made, initiate a communications link over a second network distinct from the first network with a central station, wherein the communication link comprises a two-way cellular call; and

deliver information to the central station via the communications link, wherein the information is associated with the alarm event and comprises a caller identification (ID).

2. The control panel of claim 1 , wherein the control panel is located at a residence, and the control panel comprises controls for a home security system.

3. The control panel of claim 1 , further comprising dispatching emergency assistance through the central station in response to receiving the caller ID.

4. The control panel of claim 1 , wherein the first network includes the Internet.

5. The control panel of claim 4 , wherein the central station is a call center and the call center places a separate two-way call over the second network to a designated person responsible for the control panel upon receipt of the caller ID.

6. The control panel of claim 1 , wherein the control panel includes a cellular radio.

7. The control panel of claim 1 , wherein the instructions are executable by a processor to perform an intervening action after the caller ID is delivered.

8. The control panel of claim 7 , wherein the intervening action includes at least one of dispatching fire, police or medical assistance, or dispatch maintenance service.

9. The control panel of claim 1 , wherein the information further comprises at least one of an alarm code or a residence address.

10. The control panel of claim 1 , wherein the control panel is not configured to deliver information over the first network that comprises a caller ID or to deliver information via a two-way cellular call over the first network.

11. A computer-program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by a processor to:

detect an alarm event;

attempt to establish a connection between a control panel and a backend system over a first network;

if no connection between the control panel and backend system is made, initiate direct communication between the control panel and a central station over a second network distinct from the first network, wherein the direct communication includes a two-way cellular call; and

deliver information from the control panel to the central station via the direct communication, wherein the information relates to the alarm event and includes a caller identification (ID).

12. The computer-program product of claim 11 , wherein the first network includes the Internet and the central station is a call center; and

wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to place a separate two-way call over a network different from the first network to a designated person responsible for the control panel upon receipt of the caller ID.

13. A computer-implemented method comprising:

detecting an alarm event;

attempting to establish a connection over a first network between a control panel and a backend system;

confirming that no connection between control panel and backend system is made;

initiating a two-way cellular call over a second network distinct from the first network between the control panel and a central station; and

communicating information between the control panel and the central station via the two-way cellular call, wherein the information relates to the alarm event and includes a caller identification (ID).

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the alarm event includes one of detecting smoke, fire, or an intruder, or a medical emergency.

15. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:

confirming whether an alarm signal has been received from the backend system to the central station in connection with the control panel.

16. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:

accessing a database to confirm whether the information received by the central station corresponds with a control panel being monitored by the central station.

17. The computer-implemented method of claim 13 , wherein the first network includes the Internet and the central station is a call center, and further comprising:

placing a separate two-way call over the second network to a designated person responsible for the control panel upon receipt of the caller ID.

Assignments (10)