Abstract:
A security and automation system that is very simple and does not require any phone or device applications is disclosed. The system simply looks for an IP/MAC address that is registered onto a local Wi-Fi network and a response to a communication, such as a ping. The presence or absence of this indicates whether the device, and hence a user with the device, is near or away, and whether the security system can be automatically armed or disarmed and whether automation components should be activated or deactivated. Using this information the system can intelligently arm or disarm the system as well as make decisions about controlling devices within the structure, such as automatically switching on lights when a user returns, or switching them off and automatically locking all the doors when the user leaves.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/921,255 filed on Dec. 27, 2013 titled “Security And Home Automation System” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all that is taught and disclosed therein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    This application is directed to a security system and more particularly to a security system that is not expensive and does not have high maintenance costs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    This Summary is provided to introduce in a simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
         [0004]    As used herein, “at least one,” “one or more,” and “and/or” are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C,” “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, or C,” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B, and C together. When each one of A, B, and C in the above expressions refers to an element, such as X, Y, and Z, or class of elements, such as X1-Xm, Y1-Yn, and Z1-Zo, the phrase is intended to refer to a single element selected from X, Y, and Z, a combination of elements selected from the same class (e.g., X1 and X2) as well as a combination of elements selected from two or more classes (e.g., Y1 and Z3). 
         [0005]    It is to be noted that the term “a entity” or “an entity” refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more,” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” can be used interchangeably. 
         [0006]    The term “means” as used herein shall be given its broadest possible interpretation in accordance with 35 U.S.C., Section 112, Paragraph 6. Accordingly, a claim incorporating the term “means” shall cover all structures, materials, or acts set forth herein, and all of the equivalents thereof. Further, the structures, materials or acts and the equivalents thereof, shall include all those described in the summary of the invention, brief description of the drawings, detailed description, abstract, and claims themselves. 
         [0007]    Disclosed is a security and automation system that is very simple and does not require any additional phone or device applications, just the ability to monitor the Wi-Fi network of the connected device. The system simply looks for an IP/MAC address to be registered onto a local network and a response to a communication, such as a ping. The presence or absence of this communication indicates whether the device, and hence, a person with the device, is home or away from home, and whether the security system can be automatically armed or disarmed. The system may also be used in an office building, a warehouse, or any other structure where automated security is desired. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  shows a diagram of the components of a security and automation system of the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2A  shows a diagram of an embodiment of the security and automation system of the present invention where a user registered device is approaching the wireless network range of a structure. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2B  shows a diagram of an embodiment of the security and automation system of the present invention where a user registered device is within the wireless network range of a structure. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2C  shows a diagram of an embodiment of the security and automation system of the present invention where a user registered device is leaving the wireless network range of a structure. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2D  shows a diagram of an embodiment of the security and automation system of the present invention where a user registered device remains within the wireless network range of a structure during a scheduled time period. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    The invention may be implemented as a computer process, a computing system, or as an article of manufacture such as a computer program product. The computer program product may be a computer storage medium readable by a computer system and encoding a computer program of instructions for executing a computer process. 
         [0014]    With the computing environment in mind, embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to logical operations being performed to implement processes embodying various embodiments of the present invention. These logical operations are implemented (1) as a sequence of computer implemented steps or program modules running on a computing system and/or (2) as interconnected machine logic circuits or circuit modules within the computing system. The implementation is a matter of choice dependent on the performance requirements of the computing system implementing the invention. Accordingly, the logical operations making up the embodiments of the present invention described herein are referred to variously as operations, structural devices, acts, applications, or modules. It will be recognized by one skilled in the art that these operations, structural devices, acts, applications, and modules may be implemented in software, firmware, special purpose digital logic, and any combination thereof without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention as recited within the claims attached hereto. 
         [0015]    Referring now to the Figures, like reference numerals and names refer to structurally and/or functionally similar elements thereof, and if objects depicted in the figures that are covered by another object, as well as the tag line for the element number thereto, may be shown in dashed lines. 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  shows a diagram of the components of the security and automation system of the present invention. Referring now to  FIG. 1 , the security and automation system  100  can be deployed in a home, an office, a warehouse, etc. The term “structure” is used herein to refer to any of these types of deployment areas. System  100  has an embedded computer  102 . [Rod: is there a software program loaded on computer  102  that runs system  100 ? Or, does the web application run System  100 , or a combination of both?]System  100  in one embodiment is based on an embedded Linux computer. However, one skilled in the art will recognize that other computers and operating systems could also be used. Computer  102  is connected to a Wi-Fi router  104 . A user(s) of system  100  registers their Smartphone(s) or cellular phone(s), or any other mobile devices (e.g., Tablet, iPad, iPod, Kindle, etc.), that are collectively referred to as registered devices  136 , on the Wi-Fi network connected to or provided by Wi-Fi router  104 . This is done using the security protocols required by Wi-Fi router  104  and each particular registered device. System  100  will keep track of the IP/MAC address of each registered device. System  100  will constantly communicate/ping with the registered devices through Wi-Fi router  104  and wireless connection  138  to determine if the registered devices are still on the network and talking. A ping is defined as any type of IP wireless communication between any registered device  136  and system  100 . 
         [0017]    Components of system  100  fall into two general categories: security components and automation components. Security components include, but are not limited to, motion sensor(s)  124 , video camera(s)  125 , glass break sensor(s)  126 , smoke detector(s)  127 , CO 2 /gas detector(s)  128 , door lock(s)  129 , passive infra-red detector(s)  130 , and any other type of security device  131 , such as water detectors, sirens, strobe lights, etc. Automation components include, but are not limited to, light switch(es)  114 , window switch(es)  118 , thermostat(s)  122 , and any other type of automation device  123 , such as RGB color changing lights, etc. 
         [0018]    When a registered device  136  physically leaves the vicinity of the Wi-Fi range surrounding the structure, system  100  will no longer be able to communicate/ping with this IP/MAC address and it will receive a negative response, indicating that the user with the registered device has left the vicinity of the structure. System  100  will continue to try and contact that registered device  136 , so when the registered device  136  comes back into Wi-Fi range and reconnects to the Wi-Fi network through wireless connection  138 , then communication/pings will be positively acknowledged and system  100  will know that the user with the registered device  136  has returned to the vicinity of the structure. Using this information system  100  can intelligently arm or disarm system  100  as well as make decisions about controlling devices within the structure, such as automatically switching on light switch(es)  114  when a user returns or switching light switch(es)  114  off and automatically locking all the door lock(s)  129  when the user leaves. 
         [0019]    System  100  can operate using any radio network that provides IP/MAC addresses of the registered devices that automatically register onto its network, such as Bluetooth, Z-wave, Zigbee, Xbee and any other suitable wireless protocol. 
         [0020]    The automatic arming or disarming can be further controlled by the addition of a user predefined schedule, using system  100  to know whether user(s) are in the vicinity of the structure or away from the vicinity of the structure. For example, between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm, if all users with registered devices  136  have left the vicinity of the structure, then system  100  will automatically set to an Arm-Away status, which means every installed security sensor/detector is armed or activated. Between 8:00 pm and 8:00 am an Arm-Away status would be manual only (i.e., the user would have to physically arm system  100 , ensuring that if a user&#39;s Smartphone died because of lack of battery power at the end of the day system  100  would not set to Arm-Away with users still in the vicinity of the structure). Physically arming system  100  can be accomplished through a web application  134  hosted on Hosted Managed Network (HMN)  110 , through a Smartphone app, through a key fob, or through a control panel mounted on a wall of the structure. All of these methods access and send a command to HMN  110 . The schedules, if any, are entered through web application  134  or a mobile application. 
         [0021]    Additionally, system  100  could use the schedule to set an Arm-Stay status. In Arm-Stay status system  100  only arms the security components located on the perimeter of the structure, allowing users to move around the inside of the structure without setting off any alarms of system  100 . For example, for an Arm-Stay schedule between 11:00 pm and 6:00 am, if all user(s) with registered devices are in the vicinity of the structure after 11:00 pm, then system  100  in Arm-Stay status automatically arms the security components located on the perimeter of the structure. System  100  then automatically disarms at 6:00 am in the morning. Additionally, system  100  may use a further schedule attribute to say if any users move around the structure after 5:00 am in the morning, then disarm system  100  before the normal 6:00 am time. System  100  would know this because it would be monitoring motion sensors  124  within the structure. 
         [0022]    System  100  communicates locally over the Wi-Fi network. Computer  102  is usually connected directly to Wi-Fi router  104  and uses this mechanism to access the Wi-Fi network. System  100  ensures connectivity to the Internet  133  by monitoring the connectivity between itself and the hosted managed network  110 . If this connection fails System  100  via computer  102  will reboot the Wi-Fi router  104 . The power supply for the Wi-Fi router  104  is plugged into computer  102  and can automatically be switched off/on, which will fix most connectivity issues automatically.[Rod: I substituted computer  102  in some places above instead of referring to system  100 . Is this more accurate?] Additional support for Xbee, Zigbee, Zwave or Bluetooth devices is available to allow third party sensors (such as window switch(es)  118 , a video camera(s)  125 , glass break sensor(s)  126 , a smoke detector(s)  127 , CO 2 /gas detector(s)  128 , a passive infra-red detector(s)  130 , etc.) and home-automation devices (such as light switch(es)  114 , thermostat(s)  122 , automatic door lock(s)  129 , etc.) to be connected to system  100  as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0023]    Communication between computer  102  and the various devices  114 - 131 , represented by the arrows shown, may be wired, wireless, or any other suitable communications means. Communication to HMN  110  and to an Alarm Receiving Center (ARC)  108  is also via the Wi-Fi network and the Internet  133 . In the event that one or more of the security sensors are set off, computer  102  sends an alarm signal to ARC  108  and based upon the type of sensor, one or more different actions may be taken by ARC  108 . System  100  has a permanent TCP/IP connection  132  known as a lifeline to HMN  110  to give additional remote control of system  100  and a path to deliver alarms and signals. Permanent TCP/IP connection  132  is lightweight and will only deliver small pieces of data. If more data such as video and audio are required another on-demand connection would be made to a server at HMN  110  designed for that purpose. 
         [0024]    The main user interface is a web application  134  hosted on HMN  110 , which connects to system  100  using permanent TCP/IP connection  132 , and communicates with processes directly on system  100 . No user interface is needed on system  100  because this is done at HMN  110 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 2A  shows a diagram of an embodiment of the security and automation system of the present invention where a registered device is approaching the wireless network range of a structure. Referring now to  FIG. 2A , a user carrying a registered device  202  (Smartphone, cellular phone, Tablet, iPad, iPod, Kindle, etc.) approaches a secured area, such as a structure  204 . The Wi-Fi range  206  of Wi-Fi router  104  typically extends beyond the exterior walls of the structure. System  100  has previously been set to the Arm-Away status, where all of the security system sensors/detectors are armed. System  100  continuously looks for the IP/MAC addresses of the registered devices on the Wi-Fi network that have been previously registered with system  100 . If no addresses are found on the Wi-Fi network, the user(s) are assumed to be away and system  100  remains in the Arm-Away status. In one embodiment, System  100  checks every 10 seconds by trying to ping any registered devices  202 . System  100  stays in the Arm-Away status until a successful ping is received. 
         [0026]      FIG. 2B  shows a diagram of an embodiment of the security and automation system of the present invention where a user registered device is within the wireless network range of a structure. Referring now to  FIG. 2B , the user with registered device  202  is now inside the Wi-Fi range  206  around the premises of the structure  204 . System  100 , which has been continuously looking for the IP/MAC address of registered device  202 , now finds registered device  202  on the Wi-Fi network and pings registered device  202 . The ping gives positive confirmation that registered device  202  is on the network and that system  100  is not seeing a computer cache that is old. System  100  automatically upon receiving the positive ping confirmation disarms the security devices so the user can enter the structure  204  without triggering an alarm. There is no application required to reside on registered device  202 . Registered device  202  is detected by its being registered onto the Wi-Fi network. 
         [0027]      FIG. 2C  shows a diagram of an embodiment of the security and automation system of the present invention where a user registered device is leaving the wireless network range of a structure. Referring now to  FIG. 2C , the user with registered device  202  has left structure  204  and is now outside Wi-Fi range  206  of the Wi-Fi network. System  100  now cannot find the IP/MAC address of registered device  202  on the Wi-Fi network, and the ping fails to get a response from registered device  202 . System  100  automatically sets to Arm-Away status as the user with registered device  202  has left the vicinity of structure  204 . However, the rearming could take a minute or two as system  100  has to be sure the user(s) are away. In one embodiment, System  100  pings for any registered devices  202  every 10 seconds while all registered devices  202  are away. When the registered devices  202  are in the vicinity of structure  204  a successful ping will stop the check until next cycle, which in one embodiment is about every two to three seconds. However, when the registered device  202  leaves the vicinity of structure  204 , system  100  has to fail to ping sixty times over about thirty seconds. This ensures that simple network failures do not give a false positive. A ping is the application layer used which uses Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) and is the most frequently used protocol in networking technology. A connectionless protocol, ICMP does not use any port number and works in the network layer. If there are two or more registered devices  202 , system  100  will not automatically set to Arm-Away status until the last user with a registered device  202  has left the vicinity of structure  204 . This whole process can be reversed for a time period that the user is expected to be in the vicinity of the structure, such as nighttime for a home structure. At night system  100  uses the same mechanism to decide if all users are in the vicinity of structure  204 . If they are system  100  sets to Arm-Stay status discussed below. 
         [0028]      FIG. 2D  shows a diagram of an embodiment of the security and automation system of the present invention where a user registered device remains within the wireless network range of a structure during a scheduled time period. Referring now to  FIG. 2D , at night system  100  can set to Arm-Stay status. If all the IP/MAC addresses of all of the registered devices  202  are detected, indicating that all users are in the vicinity of the structure, and within a scheduled time span, typically in the evening, system  100  can set to Arm-Stay status, where only the perimeter sensor/detectors are armed. In the morning at a predetermined time system  100  can automatically disarm, or, if motion is detected within the structure, system  100  can disarm. Should a user turn off their registered device  202  at night for recharging, a time window (10:00 pm to 5:00 am for example) can be set to prevent system  100  from setting to Arm-Away status. If the registered device  202  is left on while charging, then this time window would not be necessary. 
         [0029]    Having described the present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that many changes in construction and circuitry and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the present invention.