Abstract:
Embodiments of the invention relate to premise, fire, security, or access control systems and their associated communication devices that can receive data routing commands from a security programming or monitoring center, and to a lesser extent, those devices that receive and transmit those data routing commands. The data routing command may instruct the premise communication device to route data to a specific destination address. The data routing commands may instruct the premise communication device to redirect, repeat, or send the data to multiple destinations. More specifically, the data routing command may instruct the premise communication device to route audio/video (A/V) data streams or files to a specified server, monitoring center, or other security address destination. By intelligently routing incoming data to a specific location on command, the data can be redirected to areas of greatest need. This technique enables the monitoring center to process the incoming data efficiently.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Embodiments of the present invention relate to premise protection systems, which may include fire, security, access control, or other similar systems. More particularly, embodiments of the invention are directed to a system and method for facilitating data transmission between premise protection systems and a destination. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Currently, in the field of premise protection systems, existing event communication systems typically send event information or premise data in the form of digital data to a monitoring center. The premise data is usually received, authenticated, and formatted to a standard protocol format by receiving equipment within the monitoring center. The receiving equipment passes the premise data to an automation system computer for storage and distribution. This automation system computer passes the data and general customer account information to an operator&#39;s terminal. Using the data, the monitoring center personnel can determine what steps should be taken for each incoming report. 
     In recent years, the types and quantity of data collected by premise protection systems have increased. With the additional data, such as Audio/Video (A/V) data and other non-standard alarm data, the monitoring center receives several pieces of information that need to be evaluated to determine the most appropriate response. Some monitoring center locations now require that in addition to the standard premise control data, another type of verification signal be provided in order to keep emergency response organizations, such as the police and fire departments, informed. The verification signal would typically originate from some type of A/V device. 
     Several different premise protection system configurations exist.  FIG. 10  illustrates an example of an existing premise protection system  100  that may be associated with A/V equipment  110 . Both the premise protection system  100  and the A/V equipment  110  may communicate with a monitoring center  140  including receiving equipment  150 , automation equipment  160 , and an operator&#39;s terminal  170 . While the premise protection system  100  may implement a first network  120  for communication, the A/V equipment may implement a second discrete network  130  for communication with the receiving equipment  150  of the monitoring center  140 . 
     Thus, the A/V equipment may include one or more totally independent A/V devices programmed to communicate collected data to a specific destination address when the data are triggered. The premise protection system may only receive an input signal notifying it that an A/V event activation occurred. Thus, the A/V equipment directs the A/V data to a pre-programmed specific destination address. In other systems, the A/V device communicates its data back through a premise control system of the premise protection system. The premise control system is often used as the communicator only and doesn&#39;t retain any of the data passed. 
     Concerns may arise when the A/V data is passed through the premise control system during the communication and the A/V data is sent as part of the premise event message. Using this method, the central station receiving equipment may be communicating for an extended time period while the A/V data is being received. This extended time period could delay other potentially important premise data signals from being received. 
     To avoid this delay, one solution is to add additional equipment and communication lines to handle the increased traffic load. This solution places a higher cost on the equipment requirements of the monitoring center and the personnel required to maintain the monitoring center. 
     Currently, in most cases, the link between the premise control system and the A/V device is limited. Usually the link includes a premise output trigger to signal the A/V device from the premise control system to start recording data or to send captured data. Future systems may be more integrated as the premise control system may have the capability to connect with and control more devices. The volume of data communicated to the monitoring center will also increase. Currently, in some systems, completion of a premise control transmission may consume approximately twenty seconds. Minimization of transmission time requires efficient management. 
     A/V device signals usually contain much more data than what is typically passed from the premise control system to the monitoring center. The most commonly used communication transport medium today is the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). The typical premise protection control system communicates over a PSTN phone line at a baud rate of 300 baud. Accordingly, if for example, a high resolution picture were sent, a significant amount of additional time would be required to transmit the image for interpretation at the monitoring center. 
     The delay in receiving the A/V data prevents the monitoring center from responding in a timely fashion with the most appropriate response. For example, if the photograph shows that a family pet caused an alarm but because of the transmission delay, the monitoring center had already dispatched the police, then the extended transmission time contributed to a false alarm. Due to this type of communication delay, many of the A/V devices today have separate communicators used to send A/V data at substantially higher communication rates and over a variety of communication mediums. The A/V data is usually not passed back to the premise control system due to the communication bandwidth limitation and the limited storage capacity of the premise control system. 
     In this scenario and as shown in  FIG. 10 , when the A/V data is sent as an independent signal, the monitoring center may be required to determine how to link the independent event signals together. The additional data is generally sent to different destination addresses within the monitoring center in order to avoid overloading central receiving equipment with high bandwidth data. The data must then be retrieved and linked with the premise event data. Since the data come from independent devices, linking received data becomes a challenge. 
     Because premise protection systems send digital alarm event information as well as additional non-standard data information (video, audio, data) to the monitoring center, improved data management is necessary. The existing model involves either having independent transmission paths that do not share data or interact with each other, or burdening the alarm receiving equipment with the task of receiving both the control data and the additional data simultaneously, thus limiting the capacity, response time, and the ability of the receiver to process other alarms. 
     Accordingly, a solution is needed for intelligently routing data in order to avoid overloading a particular destination within the central monitoring center. A solution is also needed for routing data efficiently in order to improve response times and the ability to use all available data in determining an appropriate response. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect, an intelligent data routing system for performing data routing from a monitoring center is provided. The data routing is performed for data collected from a source device associated with a premise protection system. The intelligent data routing system includes receiving equipment for receiving source device information from the premise protection system. The intelligent data routing system additionally includes a routing command center for determining a destination for the collected data based on the source device information and available destination information. 
     In an additional aspect, a method may be provided for performing data routing from a monitoring center for data collected from a source device associated with a premise protection system. The method may include receiving a device identifier from the premise protection system, determining a routing destination based on the device identifier; and communicating the routing destination to the premise protection system. 
     In yet a further aspect, a method may be provided for performing data routing from a monitoring center for data collected from a source device associated with a premise protection system. The method may include receiving a device identifier from the premise protection system, determining a routing destination based on the device identifier, and routing the collected data internally from the monitoring center to the routing destination. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an environment for implementing interactive intelligent data routing in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating components of a monitoring center in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a premise protection system environment in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating a computerized environment in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a flow chart illustrating intelligent interactive data routing in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a flow chart illustrating a method for updating a destination address in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a flow chart illustrating a direct connect method for intelligently routing data in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a flow chart illustrating a method for intelligent data routing in accordance with an additional embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 9  is a flow chart illustrating data routing in accordance with an additional embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 10  is a block diagram illustrating a conventional data routing scheme. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a system and method for intelligent routing of data collected by a premise protection system and/or associated devices producing high bandwidth data, such as A/V devices. A monitoring center or other data routing source may send data routing destination address information to the premise protection system or associated devices, such that the data can route directly to where the information is needed, thus shortening the response time and improving the ability to use all available data in determining the most appropriate response to an incoming event. 
     Embodiments of the invention allow premise protection systems to direct digital alarm event information as well as additional data information (video, audio, data) to an appropriate destination selected at the monitoring center. In accordance with embodiments of the invention, the monitoring center instructs the premise protection system to direct or redirect the audio/video/data information to a specified destination. 
     The system described herein allows modification of the destination without reprogramming of the premise protection system. Furthermore, in the monitoring center, the amount of bandwidth required to support A/V or other high bandwidth data would not limit the amount of digital alarm information that could be processed on the central station receiving equipment. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating components of a premise protection environment in which a premise protection system  30  communicates over a network  10  with a monitoring center  20 . The premise protection system  30  may include standard premise components  32  connected with one or more premise devices  34 . The standard premise components  32  may include sensors such as vibration sensors, heat sensors, motion sensors, etc. and may also include central controls for collecting data from these sensors. The standard premise components  32  are preferably included within a computing environment having a processor, memory, and communication component such as those illustrated in  FIG. 4  and further described below. 
     The one or more premise devices  34  may include A/V equipment or other devices that collect non-standard format data or data that consumes a large amount of bandwidth. The devices  34  may communicate with the monitoring center  20  directly or alternatively, may receive monitoring center instructions through the standard premise components  32 . The premise protection system  30  may also communicate over the network  10  with multiple destinations  12 ,  14 . The premise protection system  30  may direct information from the premise devices  34  to the destinations  12  and/or  14 , or to the monitoring center  20 . The monitoring center  20  may include a routing command center  22  that determines an appropriate destination for information and data collected by the premise protection system  30 . The monitoring center  20  may instruct the premise protection system  30  to route the data or may be equipped to internally route the data to both internal and external destinations. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , in a typical communication process, when the premise protection system  30  has data to be transmitted, it opens up one of its available communication network channels (PSTN, IP, RF, etc.) Through each individual communication link, a connection may be established between the premise protection system  30  and the monitoring center  20 . A message is then transmitted by the premise protection system  30  and the message is acknowledged by the monitoring center  20 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a monitoring center  200  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The monitoring center  200  may include receiving equipment  210 , connected with an automation system computer  240 , and an operator&#39;s terminal  250 . A routing command center  220  is located within the monitoring center and is shown is connected with the receiving equipment  210 . However, the routing command center  220  may be disposed in any appropriate location within the monitoring center  200 . The routing command center  220  may be connected with an address information database  230 . 
     The routing command center  220  may determine an appropriate destination for received information. In embodiments of the invention, the routing command center  220  includes a computer program that evaluates the availability of data destinations within the monitoring center and additionally determines whether to route data to locations external to the monitoring center. The routing command center  220  may access the database  230  to determine characteristics of the source device in making its destination determination. The routing command center  220  may also be controlled by an operator access the operator&#39;s terminal  250 , such that the operator can interactively control data destinations. 
     The routing command center  220  may be connected with the address information database  230 , which stores address information and other identifying data pertaining to potential data destinations and sources. The potential data destinations and sources may include those illustrated in  FIG. 1  and others. This database  230  allows the details of devices and associated routing information to be stored in the monitoring center  200 . Within the monitoring center  200 , the address information database  230  may be stored within the receiving equipment  210  or automation equipment  240  or in an alternative location and is accessible to the routing command center  220 , which may be incorporated in the receiving equipment  210  or the automation system computer  240 . 
     A benefit of a monitoring center controlled database such as the address information database  230  is that in the event of a problem at the monitoring center  200 , the source devices could be instructed to send their information to an alternate destination address. This would prevent data from being lost if there was a problem at the primary destination address. 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a premise protection system  300 . The premise protection system  300  may include standard premise protection components such as premise central controls  320  that cooperate with various premise devices  310 ,  312 , and  314  and sensors  316 , which may include standard data collection components such as motion sensors, heat sensors, vibration sensors, etc. The premise central controls  320 , which may be incorporated in a computerized environment such as that illustrated in  FIG. 4 , may include a premise communication device  324  for communicating with the monitoring center. 
     The various premise devices  310 ,  312 ,  314  may include video cameras and/or other types of recording devices. The premise devices  310 ,  312 ,  314  may include devices that collect data in a non-standard format or devices that collect data that consumes a large amount of bandwidth. Although these devices  310 ,  312 , and  314  are located within the premise protection system  300  and are shown as connected with the premise central controls  320 , these devices may also be independent of the premise central controls  320 . In the latter case, the devices  310 ,  312 , and  314  would collect data and report directly to the monitoring center  200  through their own communication devices. 
     Optionally, the premise central controls  320  may be connected with an address information database  322 . This database is configured to function substantially in accordance with the description of the database  230  as explained above. Because of the many different communication paths the data can take to reach the destination address, the premise protection system  300  and/or the monitoring center  200  preferably maintain a database  230  and/or  322  of the source device address information. This information provides knowledge to facilitate determination of which devices are available for that specific system configuration. 
     Both the premise protection system  300  and the monitoring center  200  exist within and/or include a computerized environment. Individual components of the premise protection system  300  and the monitoring center  200  may exist within the same or separate computing environments. An exemplary computerized environment is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The computerized environment, may include a computing device  400 . The computing device  400  may include a system memory  430  and a processing unit  420  connected over a system bus  421 . Other types of memory resources such as non-removable, nonvolatile memory interface  440  and removable non-volatile memory interface  450  may be connected over the system bus  421 . Interfaces, such as a video interface  490 , peripheral interface  495 , user input interface  460 , and network interface  470  may also be connected over the system bus  421 . 
     The network interface  470  may allow connection between components such as a remote computer  480  through the use of a LAN  471 , WAN  473 , or other network. In embodiments of the invention, the network interface  470  may connect using a modem  472  with the remote computer  480 . 
     The system memory  430  may include computer storage media in the form of volatile and/or nonvolatile memory such as read only memory (ROM)  431  and random access memory (RAM)  432 . A basic input/output system (BIOS)  433 , containing the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within the system, such as during start-up, is typically stored in ROM  431 . RAM  432  typically contains data and/or program modules that are immediately accessible to and/or presently being operated on by processing unit  420 . 
     The RAM  432  may include an operating system  434 , application programs  435 , other program modules  436 , and program data  437 . Programs stored in RAM  432  may be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computer. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may be practiced with other computer system configurations, including multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like. 
     The computing system  400  may also include other removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storage medias as shown at  440  and  450 . A hard disk drive may be provided that reads from or writes to non-removable, nonvolatile magnetic media, a magnetic disk drive that reads from or writes to a removable, nonvolatile magnetic disk, and an optical disk drive that reads from or writes to a removable, nonvolatile optical disk such as a CD ROM or other optical media. Other removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media that can be used in the exemplary operating environment include, but are not limited to, magnetic tape cassettes, flash memory cards, digital versatile disks, digital video tape, solid state RAM, solid state ROM, and the like. The hard disk drive is typically connected to the system bus  421  through a non-removable memory interface. The magnetic disk drive and optical disk drive are typically connected to the system bus by a removable memory interface. 
     A user may enter commands and information through the user input interface  460  using input devices such as a keyboard and pointing device, commonly referred to as a mouse, trackball or touch pad. Other input devices may include a microphone, satellite dish, scanner, or the like. These and other input devices are often connected to the processing unit  420  through the user input interface  460  that is coupled to the system bus  441 , but may be connected by other interface and bus structures, such as a parallel port or a universal serial bus (USB). A monitor or other type of display device and other peripherals may also be connected to the system bus  421  via an interface, such as the peripheral interface  495 . 
     The illustrated computer system  400  is merely an example of a suitable environment for the system of the invention and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of the invention. Neither should the system  400  be interpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating to any one or combination of components illustrated. 
     The computer system  400  in embodiments of the present invention may operate in a networked environment using logical connections to communicate with networked components. Logical connections for networking may include a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), but may also include other networks. When used in a LAN networking environment, the system may be connected to the LAN through the network interface  470  or adapter. When used in a WAN networking environment, the system  400  typically includes a modem  472  or other means for establishing communications, such as the Internet. The modem, which may be internal or external, may be connected to the system bus  421  via the network interface  470  or other appropriate mechanism. 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a method for interactive intelligent data routing in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The data routing may be performed through the routing command center  220  as illustrated in  FIG. 2  and the address information database  230 . 
     The method begins in S 500  and in S 502 , a connection is established between the premise protection system and the monitoring center. The initial data communication exchange of S 502  uses existing security communication format protocols. The initial data communication may be made through a connection handshake originating from the monitoring center or the premise protection system. To send standard data, the premise protection system communicates over the available communication channel using the premise communication device  324  as pre-programmed over available connections. In S 506 , after a connection has been established, the premise protection system sends message data to the monitoring center. In S 508 , when data transfer is complete, the monitoring center acknowledges receipt of the message data. 
     In S 510 , at the end of the standard data communication format, which typically does not support A/V or other high bandwidth or non-standard format data, the monitoring center may wait for additional information from the premise protection system. The monitoring center may implement a delay during which it determines whether the premise protection system has more data. If there is no additional data in S 510 , after remaining connected for a predetermined additional time period, the monitoring center and the premise protection system may disconnect in S 520 . 
     If the premise protection system or one of its associated devices has more data to transmit in S 510 , the communication component of the premise protection system, or alternatively a premise device such as an A/V device of the premise protection system, sends a data flag or device identifier in S 512  after standard communication has completed. This device identifier information would either be the device&#39;s actual source address or the device&#39;s ID. The monitoring center acknowledges receipt in S 514  and in embodiments of the method, will send a destination to the premise protection system. Accordingly, the premise protection system either sends the data in S 516  or acknowledges the destination. The monitoring center sends an acknowledgement in S 518  and the premise protection system and the monitoring center disconnect in S 520 . The process ends in S 522 . 
     The device identifier data received at the monitoring center in S 512  would either be direct or indirect with regard to the device source address. Direct data would contain the actual source device&#39;s routing information and path. In S 514 , the monitoring center would send specific routing information to the device specified. In embodiments of the invention, the monitoring center sends the routing information through the central controls of the premise protection system. In other embodiments, the monitoring center sends the routing information directly to the premise device. If the data is indirect, then the monitoring center receives a device ID from the premise protection system in S 512 . The device ID along with other information may be used to look up the actual source address information from a database, such as the address information database illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a method for updating a pre-programmed destination address in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The method begins in S 600  and the monitoring center contacts the premise protection system in S 602 . In S 604 , the premise protection system acknowledges the connection. In S 606 , the monitoring center sends updated routing destination information required to reconfigure the communication device of the premise protection system or associated premise device. The message containing the routing destination address information may also include additional information regarding other aspects of data (for example: formatting, compression, file type, time, encryption, etc). Intelligent interactive security data routing would apply to the data content as well as the destination address. 
     In S 608 , after the premise protection system receives a new routing destination address, it sends a message to the previous routing destination indicating that the address has been changed. Although this step is not required and may optionally be included, it adds an additional level of security to the system to prevent tampering and/or take-over. In S 610 , the premise protection system acknowledges the updates. 
     In S 612 , the premise protection system and monitoring center disconnect. In S 614 , the premise protection system contacts the updated destination. In S 616 , the destination acknowledges receipt and S 618 , the premise protection system sends data. In S 620 , the destination acknowledges the data as accepted. In S 622 , the premise protection system disconnects from the destination and the method ends in S 624 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a direct connect method in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The method begins in S 700 . The monitoring center contacts the premise protection system in S 702 . The premise protection system acknowledges the message in S 704 . The monitoring center sends updated routing information in S 706  indicating that updated destination address so that the premise protection system can immediately transmit the data to the updated destination. In S 708 , the premise protection system acknowledges the routing information. In S 710 , the premise protection system sends data. 
     If the transmission is unsuccessful including retry attempts at S 712 , a trouble condition may be generated in S 714 . If the transmission is successful in S 712 , the destination acknowledges the data as accepted in S 716 . S 716  may optionally be included and may in particular be desirable in cases in which the destination address is outside of the monitoring center. The method ends in S 718 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a further embodiment of the method of the invention in which the premise protection system is able to make a pre-programmed connection prior to the interactive data routing. The method begins in S 800  and the premise protection system establishes a pre-programmed connection in S 802 . In S 804 , if the routing information is not current, the monitoring center uploads alternative routing or destination address information in S 806 . The premise protection system connects with the updated destination in S 808  and the destination acknowledges the connection in S 810 . Alternatively, if the routing information is current S 804 , no updating is necessary and the destination acknowledges the connection in S 810 . 
     In S 812 , the premise protection system sends the data to the destination and in S 814 , the destination acknowledges the data as accepted. The method ends in S 816 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates an additional embodiment of the method of the invention. In this embodiment, the address information database at the monitoring center includes the capability to route data internally to a specified destination address. Thus, the routing may be controlled entirely by the monitoring center without altering any external devices. The method begins in S 900  and in S 902 , a premise protection system/monitoring center connection is established. The connection may be established through a connection handshake originating at the monitoring center or at the premise protection system. In S 906 , the premise protection system sends message data. In S 908 , the monitoring center consults an internal database containing routing information. In S 910 , the monitoring center routes the data internally. The method ends in S 912 . The internal routing illustrated by the method of  FIG. 9  provides improved control over received data, but requires additional and/or improved monitoring center equipment. 
     The data routing of S 910  may occur in a number of different ways. For instance, a premise protection system call may be transferred to a pre-preprogrammed destination. Alternatively, the monitoring center may internally route the call by automatically placing the call on hold at a predetermined location so that an external handset or other device can be activated to listen to the call. Also, the monitoring center may internally modify data before routing it to a destination. For example, the monitoring center may receive a video signal in a first format and convert it to another second format before sending the video signal. 
     It should be understood that although the methods described above refer to communication between the premise protection system and the monitoring center, the premise protection system can refer to either a data collection device (such as devices  310 ,  312 ,  314 , of  FIG. 3 ) located on the protected premises or the central controls  320  of the premise system  300 . Thus, the devices  310 ,  312 , and  314  may communicate independently with the monitoring center in embodiments of the invention. 
     Furthermore, with regard to routing destinations, it should be understood that the routing destinations may be located within the monitoring center  200  and/or outside of the monitoring center  200 . One set of data may be routed to multiple destinations both inside and outside of the monitoring center  200 . 
     If in any of the above-described situations, if the premise device could not complete the transmission of its data to the destination address it was routed to, it could generate a local trouble condition to the main premise protection system or premise controls that could also be communicated to the monitoring center indicating a communication failure. 
     Also, in any of the methods described above with reference to  FIGS. 5-9 , the monitoring center may instruct the premise protection system to send information directly to the police, fire, or other security agency. The agency could then use the information at its discretion in apprehension of intruders or location of fire or other disturbance. Furthermore, the routing command center may require routing of information to several destination addresses simultaneously. This scenario may allow for example, for data to be routed directly to a police vehicle, to be analyzed for additional information at a laboratory facility, and to be stored for later retrieval. 
     The above-described methods allow the monitoring center to work with the existing devices that do not have the ability to support the additional information directly. This method gives the monitoring center forward and backward compatibility with the existing premise protection systems and communication formats. 
     While particular embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described in detail herein, it should be understood that various changes and modifications might be made to the invention without departing from the scope and intent of the invention. 
     From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects set forth above, together with other advantages, which are obvious and inherent to the system and method. It will be understood that certain features and sub-combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. This is contemplated and within the scope of the appended claims.