Abstract:
A computer system for creating pre-authenticated, functional URLs within SMS messages is disclosed. The computer system includes a computer having non-transitory memory for storing machine instructions that are to be executed by the computer. The machine instructions when executed by the computer implement the following functions: receiving a login ID and passcode of an alarm management system user; receiving a specific function to be utilized by the alarm management system user; generating a URL that embeds the login ID, passcode and specific function to create a pre-authenticated, functional URL; combining a text message string with the pre-authenticated, functional URL to create an SMS message; and transmitting the SMS message.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/327,109 filed Apr. 25, 2016 and Ser. No. 62/346,140 filed Jun. 6, 2016, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This invention relates to authenticated and functional short message service (“SMS”) links for use in alarm security computer systems and other web-based systems. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Short message service (“SMS”) is a text messaging service that uses standardized communication protocols to allow fixed line or mobile phone devices to exchange short text messages. The use of SMS notifications with alarm security computer systems and other web-based systems has been limited. Because of these limitations, the computer and web-based systems lack the ability to be directly accessed from SMS notifications. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In one embodiment, a computer system for creating pre-authenticated, functional URLs within SMS messages is disclosed. The computer system includes a computer having non-transitory memory for storing machine instructions that are to be executed by the computer. The machine instructions when executed by the computer implement the following functions: receiving a login ID and passcode of an alarm management system user; receiving a specific function to be utilized by the alarm management system user; generating a URL that embeds the login ID, passcode and specific function to create a pre-authenticated, functional URL; combining a text message string with the pre-authenticated, functional URL to create an SMS message; and transmitting the SMS message. 
         [0005]    In another embodiment, a computer readable medium having non-transitory memory for storing machine instructions that are to be executed by the computer is disclosed. The machine instructions when executed by the computer implements the following functions: receiving a login ID and passcode of an alarm management system user; receiving a specific function to be utilized by the alarm management system user; generating a URL that embeds the login ID, passcode and specific function to create a pre-authenticated, functional URL; combining a text message string with the pre-authenticated, functional URL to create an SMS message; and transmitting the SMS message. 
         [0006]    In yet another embodiment, a method for creating pre-authenticated, functional URLs within SMS messages is disclosed. The method includes the following steps: receiving a login ID and passcode of an alarm management system user; receiving a specific function to be utilized by the alarm management system user; generating a URL that embeds the login ID, passcode and specific function to create a pre-authenticated, functional URL; combining a text message string with the pre-authenticated, functional URL to create an SMS message; and transmitting the SMS message. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  depicts a system architecture for a short message service (“SMS”) gateway according to one embodiment. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a graphical user interface (“GUI”) for setting up contacts within the SMS gateway, which includes alarm monitoring and event management software. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a GUI for changing the value of an SMS notify flag according to one embodiment. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a GUI for setting an SMS notify type according to one embodiment. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a GUI for editing an SMS notify type according to one embodiment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  depicts a SMS text user interface according to one embodiment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  depicts a burglary alarm notification webpage that can be directly accessed using a pre-authenticated and functional URL link. 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  depicts a webpage for customizing an SMS notification page according to one embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  depicts a GUI for cancelling an alarm according to one embodiment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  depicts a GUI for dispatching an alarm according to one embodiment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  depicts a webpage showing a scrolling history of events associated with an alarm according to one embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 12  depicts a GUI for inputting a duress code according to one embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. 
         [0020]    Short message service (“SMS”) notifications applied to alarm monitoring software are known. The SMS notification includes information relating to an alarm. However, the known SMS notifications do not include a web link to link the SMS notification with alarm event and monitoring software. Accordingly, the user cannot directly access the alarm event and monitoring software from an SMS message. 
         [0021]    In one or more embodiments, the present disclosure relates to SMS gateway system that provides pre-authenticated, functional uniform resource locators (“URLs”) or links within SMS messages. These SMS messages can be customized for a specific user to send the user directly to a web-based portal in real-time without the user completing a login screen. Also, since the link is customized for the user, the link can direct the user to specific and customized contact, features and functionality of the alarm event and monitoring software. This technology can also be used to provide other pre-authenticated, functional URLs within SMS messages as set forth herein. 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  depicts a system architecture for an SMS gateway  10  according to one embodiment. The system includes a number of cell carriers  12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c ,  12   d  and  12   e , first and second SMS gateways  14   a  and  14   b , a global network  16 , and software modules  18   a ,  18   b  and  18   c . Each cell carrier  12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c ,  12   d  and  12   e  is in two-way communication with each SMS gateway  14   a  and  14   b . A non-limiting example of each SMS gateway  14   a  and  14   b  is an IPtelX center. Each SMS gateway  14   a  and  14   b  is in two-way communication with global network  16 . A non-limiting example of global network  16  is an IPtelX global network. Global network  16  is in two-way communication with each software module  18   a ,  18   b  and  18   c . Software module  18   a  includes monitoring and event management software. A non-limiting example of software module  18   a  is DICE Matrix Software. Software module  18   a  may include automation modules. Software module  18   a  may also include a web-enabled portal system for users to interact with features and functionality of the monitoring and event management software. Software module  18   b  includes automation modules other than those included in software module  18   a . Software module  18   c  includes software modules other than those included in software module  18   a . The system architecture described in  FIG. 1  can be used to transmit and receive pre-authenticated, functional URLs within SMS messages, as set forth herein. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  is a graphical user interface (“GUI”)  100  for setting up contacts within the the software module  18   a . GUI  100  includes a display list  102  of contact record. Each contact record  104  includes information relating to the contact, such as contact name, personal information, opening ID, phone number, passcode, and SMS notify flag. An administrator of software module  18   a  can input and edit the contact information shown in each contact record  104 . If the SMS notify tag is set to “Y,” then the pre-authenticated, functional URLs within the SMS messages feature is enabled for the corresponding contact. The opening ID and passcode is used by the pre-authenticated, functional URLs within SMS messages feature as described herein. The contact information is stored so that it is accessible by the software module  18   a.    
         [0024]      FIG. 3  is GUI  200  for changing the value of the SMS notify flag. GUI  200  includes an SMS Notify click box  202 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , click box  202  is selected, denoting that the user&#39;s SMS notify flag is set to “Y.” GUI  200  includes a Save button  204  and a Cancel button  206 . The Save button  204  saves the current setting in click box  202  and the Cancel button  206  cancels operation of GUI  200 . The SMS notify flag value is stored so that it is accessible by the software module  18   a.    
         [0025]      FIG. 4  is GUI  300  for setting the SMS notify type. GUI  300  includes a display list  302  of notify types. As shown in  FIG. 4 , information is presented for the “BURG” notify type, which is a burglary notify type. The information also includes the number of delay minutes of 15 minutes for the burglary notify type. The notify type information is stored so that it is accessible by the software module  18   a.    
         [0026]      FIG. 5  is GUI  400  for editing the SMS notify type. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the “BURG” notify type is being edited. Text field  402  can be edited to change the delay minutes for the burglary notify type. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the delay minutes are set to 15 minutes. GUI  400  includes a Save button  404  and a Cancel button  406 . The Save button  404  saves the current setting in text field  402  and the Cancel button  406  cancels operation of GUI  400 . The notify type information is stored so that it is accessible by the software module  18   a.    
         [0027]      FIG. 6  depicts a SMS text user interface  500 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , a text message  502  is displayed within SMS text user interface  500 . Software module  18   a  generates the text message  502  and transmits it to a contact as identified in the contact information described above. The text message  502  includes text notification  504  and a URL  506 . The text notification  504  notifies the contact of information relating to a notify type. In the case of this specific example, the notify type is “BURG.” The text notification  504  identifies when the burglary alarm has been received. The URL  506  is a link that can be selected by the contact to respond to the burglary alarm notification. 
         [0028]    The URL  506  is a pre-authenticated and functional URL link. The URL link embeds authentication information for the web-based portal system of software module  18   a . Accordingly, when the contact selects the link, the contact can automatically access the web-based portal system without inputting any ID or passcode information. The URL link also embeds information relating to the notify type and/or an address of specific web-based portal system functionality. For example, the notify type information is related to notify type “BURG” and the address of specific web-based portal system functionality relates to a burglary alarm notification. 
         [0029]      FIG. 7  depicts a burglary alarm notification webpage  600  that can be directly accessed using a pre-authenticated and functional URL link. The webpage can be part of the web-based portal system. The web page is viewable on a smart device, such as a phone, tablet, or PC with a messenger function. The webpage  600  includes information  602  regarding the burglary alarm, including, but not limited to, an address, time, zone and zone message for the alarm. Field  604  of webpage  600  includes the date and time of the last refresh for the burglary alarm notification. Fields  606  of webpage  600  include the other contacts that received the burglary alarm. The other contacts may be family members. Fields  606  include an eyeball icon for each contact. The eyeball icon has a slash through it if the contact has not viewed the SMS message. The eyeball icon does not have a slash through it if the contact has viewed the SMS message. The webpage  600  also includes three click buttons, i.e., dispatch alarm button  608 , do not dispatch button  610  and call center button  612 . If the dispatch alarm button  608  or the call center button  612  is selected, then the web-based portal system would route a call to a call center and the alarm information so that an operator could handle them combined as a customer relation event. If the do not dispatch button  610  is selected by the contact, the webpage  600  prompts the contact for a code. The code could be an authorized cancel code. The contact could also input a duress code if the contact is under a hostage situation and is being forced to cancel the alarm. 
         [0030]    All contacts with the capability to access webpage  600  can view the actions of other contacts in real-time. For example, if one contact selects the dispatch alarm button  608 , the other contacts would be able to view the selected dispatch, and view when an operator is dispatched, and view any messages typed in by the center agent, such as, remarks by the police. Other activities by the center agent will also be viewable. The central agent may call other responders to meet the police with keys and the webpage may display information, such as estimated time of arrival by a key holder. The central agent may also update the information with other messages such as “premise was found secure” or “broken windows.” This information would also be viewable by all related contacts. 
         [0031]      FIG. 8  depicts a webpage  700  for customizing an SMS notification page. Webpage  700  permits a user to select colors for different areas of the webpage and also insert an alarm dealer logo. 
         [0032]    Other authenticated, functional links can be provided through SMS messages according to one or more embodiments. For example, a billing link can be provided to allow pre-authenticated access to a billing webpage to pay a bill using a credit card, checking account, PAYPAL® PAYMENTS, APPLE PAY®, etc. As another example, a credit card update link can be provided to allow pre-authenticated access to a credit card update webpage to allow a user to update credit card billing information. Another example is a past due link to allow pre-authenticated access to a webpage to pay a past due bill using a credit card, checking account, PAYPAL® PAYMENTS, APPLE PAY®, etc. Another link is a service appointment link that includes information regarding a scheduled appointment and requesting authorization of the appointment through the link. The service appointment link can be provided to allow pre-authenticated access to a service appointment webpage to authorize the appointment. The link may also include information, such as the user&#39;s absence at a scheduled service time, which may result in a default charge. As another example, a contact update list link can be provided. The link will direct the user to a webpage that displays contacts within a contact list and requests the user to update the list to ensure that the phone numbers are accurate in the case of an emergency. The webpage also includes functionality to add contacts for protected premises and delete contacts and modify phone numbers, and provide passcodes for alarm cancellations and duress codes for hostage situations. Yet another link is a quality inspection link. The SMS message will include a link to a webpage to rate the service of the people who worked at a customer&#39;s premises from an alarm company. These and other authenticated, functional links can be provided through SMS messages according to one or more embodiments. 
         [0033]      FIG. 9  depicts a GUI  900  for cancelling an alarm according to one embodiment. If a user clicks on the do not dispatch button  610  shown in  FIG. 7 , then GUI  900  is displayed. The GUI  900  prompts the user for a code in field  902 . The code could be an authorized cancel code. The contact could also input a duress code if the contact is under a hostage situation and is being forced to cancel the alarm. Once the code is entered, the user selects icon  904  to activate cancellation of the alarm. The user also has the option to cancel GUI  900  by selecting icon  906 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 10  depicts a GUI  1000  for dispatching an alarm according to one embodiment. If a user clicks on the dispatch alarm button  608  shown in  FIG. 7 , then GUI  1000  is displayed. The GUI  1000  prompts the user confirm dispatch of an alarm by selecting icon  1002  or cancelling the dispatch request by selecting icon  1004 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 11  depicts a webpage  1100  showing a scrolling history of events associated with an alarm according to one embodiment. In window  1102  of webpage  1100 , a scrolling history of events associated with an alarm that a user is responding to is presented. 
         [0036]      FIG. 12  depicts a GUI  1200  for inputting a duress code according to one embodiment. The duress code can be input into field  1202  of GUI  1200 . The duress code is provided to the central station in the event the user is under duress and if entered it alerts the central station that the user is in trouble and needs help, but does not want the individuals present to know. 
         [0037]    While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.