Systems and methods for managing supervision signals

Aspects of the present disclosure include methods, systems, and non-transitory computer readable media that perform the steps of determining, in response to receiving a first failed supervision signal, a notification signal, or failing to receive a first anticipated supervision signal, that at least the first communication channel is entering into a failure state or in the failure state, monitoring, in response to determining that the first communication channel is entering into a failure state or in the failure state, a second communication channel for a second supervision signal from the security device, and receiving the second supervision signal from the security device via the second communication channel.

BACKGROUND

Certain assets may be monitored by a security system for intrusion, fire, flood, or other emergencies. In an emergency, the security system may transmit an alert signal to a monitoring server indicating the occurrence of emergency. The monitoring server may transmit signals to appropriate authorities to summon assistance to the assets. To ensure that the assets are being actively monitored by the security system, the security system may periodically transmit supervision signals to the monitoring server indicating the status of the security system. The security system may transmit the supervision signals on more than one communication channels. However, some communication channels may fail and/or disrupt the transmission of the supervision signals. Some communication channels may require more power and thus transmit less signals to conserve battery/standby power. Further, some communication channels may be more costly than others when transmitting supervision signals. Therefore, improvements in monitoring the security system may be desirable.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the present disclosure include methods, systems, and non-transitory computer readable media that perform the steps of transmitting a first supervision signal to a server via a first communication channel, receiving a first response signal from the server via the first communication channel, determining, in response to the first response signal, that at least the first communication channel is entering into a failure state or in the failure state, and transmitting, in response to determining that the first communication channel is entering into a failure state or in the failure state, a second supervision signal to the server via a second communication channel.

An aspect of the present disclosure includes a method including determining, in response to receiving a first failed supervision signal, receiving a notification signal, or failing to receive a first anticipated supervision signal, that at least the first communication channel is entering into a failure state or in the failure state, monitoring, in response to determining that the first communication channel is entering into a failure state or in the failure state, a second communication channel for a second supervision signal from the security device, and receiving the second supervision signal from the security device via the second communication channel.

Aspects of the present disclosure includes a system having a memory that stores instructions and a processor configured to execute the instructions to perform the steps of determining, in response to receiving a first failed supervision signal, receiving a notification signal, or failing to receive a first anticipated supervision signal, that at least the first communication channel is entering into a failure state or in the failure state, monitoring, in response to determining that the first communication channel is entering into a failure state or in the failure state, a second communication channel for a second supervision signal from the security device, and receiving the second supervision signal from the security device via the second communication channel.

Certain aspects of the present disclosure includes a non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored therein that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of determining, in response to receiving a first failed supervision signal, receiving a notification signal, or failing to receive a first anticipated supervision signal, that at least the first communication channel is entering into a failure state or in the failure state, monitoring, in response to determining that the first communication channel is entering into a failure state or in the failure state, a second communication channel for a second supervision signal from the security device, and receiving the second supervision signal from the security device via the second communication channel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following includes definitions of selected terms employed herein. The definitions include various examples and/or forms of components that fall within the scope of a term and that may be used for implementation. The examples are not intended to be limiting.

The term “processor,” as used herein, can refer to a device that processes signals and performs general computing and arithmetic functions. Signals processed by the processor can include digital signals, data signals, computer instructions, processor instructions, messages, a bit, a bit stream, or other computing that can be received, transmitted and/or detected. A processor, for example, can include microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), state machines, gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardware configured to perform the various functionality described herein.

The term “bus,” as used herein, can refer to an interconnected architecture that is operably connected to transfer data between computer components within a singular or multiple systems. The bus can be a memory bus, a memory controller, a peripheral bus, an external bus, a crossbar switch, and/or a local bus, among others.

The term “memory,” as used herein, can include volatile memory and/or nonvolatile memory. Non-volatile memory can include, for example, ROM (read only memory), PROM (programmable read only memory), EPROM (erasable PROM) and EEPROM (electrically erasable PROM). Volatile memory can include, for example, RAM (random access memory), synchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), and direct RAM bus RAM (DRRAM).

In some aspects of the present disclosure, a security system may transmit supervision signals to a monitoring server on a first communication channel at a higher rate and supervision/status signals to the monitoring server on a second communication channel at a lower rate. When the supervision signals on a first communication channel become unstable, the monitoring server may begin monitoring a second communication channel for supervision signals at the higher rate. After a predetermined duration of unstable supervision signals on the first communication channel, the security system may begin transmitting supervision signals on the second communication channel at the higher rate to the monitoring server.

Referring toFIG. 1, in a non-limiting implementation, an example of a security system100(e.g., security monitoring) may include a security device102. The security device102may monitor one or more assets104via a plurality of sensors (not shown), such as motion sensors, proximity sensors, fire detectors, flood detectors, etc. The security device102may be a security panel having communication circuits (e.g., cellular radio). The security device102may receive signals from the plurality of sensors indicating the detection of at least one of intruders, fires, floods, etc. The security device102may include a communication component132that sends and/or receives data to/from the monitoring server140. The security device102may include a determination component136that determines the primary channel is in the failure state and chooses a secondary channel to replace a primary channel (discussed below) when the primary channel is in the failure state. The security device102may include a timing component134that tracks the frequency and/or occurrence of response signals.

In some instances, the security system100may include a monitoring server140and an optional data repository141. The monitoring server140may include a communication component142that sends and/or receives data to/from the security device102. The monitoring server140may include a timing component144that tracks the frequency and/or occurrence of successful and/or failed supervision signals (described in detail below). The monitoring server140may include a determination component146that determines when the communication channel is in the failure state.

In some implementations, the security system100may include a plurality of communication channels110. The plurality of communication channels110may include Ethernet communication channels, internet communication channels, broadband communication channels, wireless-fidelity (Wi-Fi) communication channels, long range radio communication channels, cellular communication channels (e.g., New Radio, Long Term Evolution, Global System for Mobile, Code Division Multiple Access, etc.), satellite communication channels, short message service (SMS) communication channels, or other communication channels suitable for transmitting supervision signals. For example, the first communication channel110-1may be an internet communication channel, the second communication channel110-2may be a satellite communication channel, the third communication channel110-3may be a cellular communication channel, and so forth. It may be less costly to transmit the same number of supervision signals on the first communication channel110-1than the third communication channel110-3.

During the normal operation state of the security system100as illustrated inFIG. 1, in some instances, the security device102may transmit a first plurality of supervision signals150-lato the monitoring server140over the first communication channel110-1(e.g., a primary channel). The first plurality of supervision signals150-lamay include supervision signals transmitted at a first predetermined interval, such as every 30 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes, 5 minutes, or longer. Each supervision signal of the first plurality of supervision signals150-lamay include data structures (e.g., messages, packets, texts) that carry information such as time stamp, status of the security device102, identifier for the security device102, etc. In response to receiving the first plurality of supervision signals150-1a, the monitoring server140may transmit a first plurality of response signals150-1b. The first plurality of response signals150-1bmay indicate to the security device102that the monitoring server140successfully received the first plurality of supervision signals150-1a. The first plurality of response signals150-1bmay include acknowledgement (ACK) information, control information (e.g., changing the first predetermined interval), updates, or other relevant information for the security device102.

In some examples, the security device102may transmit a plurality of status signals150-2ato the monitoring server140over the third communication channel110-3(e.g., a secondary channel) at a second predetermined interval, such as every 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, or longer. The monitoring server140may rely on the first plurality of supervision signals150-lato monitor the one or more assets104, the integrity of the security device102(e.g., an intruder disabling the security device102), and/or the integrity of the first communication channel110-1(e.g., a power outage at the internet service provider may disrupt the first communication channel110-1). The monitoring server140may rely on the plurality of status signals150-2ato monitor the status and/or integrity of the third communication channel110-3(e.g., a server upgrade at the cellular service provider may disrupt the third communication channel110-3). In other words, the monitoring server140may rely on the signals on one or more primary channels (i.e., the first communication channel110-1) to monitor the security device102, and the signals on one or more secondary channels to monitor the statuses of the secondary channels. The cost per unit data transmitted for the first communication channel110-1may be lower than the cost per unit data transmitted for the third communication channel110-3. In other examples, the power consumption per unit data transmitted for the first communication channel110-1may be higher than the power consumption per unit data transmitted for the third communication channel110-3.

Turning toFIG. 2, the security system100may include a channel operating in the failure state. The failure state may indicate that one or more of the primary channels is failing. For example, an intruder may sever a hardline associated with the primary channel, and resulting in no signals (i.e., supervision or response) being transmitted/received. In certain non-limiting examples, the security device102may transmit a second plurality of supervision signals152-laon the first communication channel110-1. The second plurality of supervision signals152-lamay be a portion of the supervision signals intended to be transmitted by the security device102(e.g., the first plurality of supervision signals150-1a). For example, the second plurality of supervision signals152-lamay include supervision signals transmitted at unintentionally irregular intervals (e.g., interference impacting the first communication channel110-1), failed supervision signals (e.g., supervision signals that the monitoring server140cannot properly decode), supervision signals with low signal to noise ratio (SNR) due to channel noise (e.g., below a predetermined threshold, such as 10-15 decibels), and/or lost signals due to adverse channel conditions (e.g., the service provider operating the first communication channel110-1experiences a power outage and/or equipment failure). In response to receiving the second plurality of supervision signals152-1a, the communication component142of the monitoring server140may transmit one or more response signals152-1bto the security device102. In some instances, the monitoring server140may be unable to decode some of the second plurality of supervision signals152-1a. In some examples, the one or more response signals152-1bmay include ACK information of some of the second plurality of supervision signals152-laand not others.

In some instances, the communication component142of the monitoring server140may receive the second plurality of supervision signals152-1a. In response, the timing component144of the monitoring server140may track at least one of a number of successful supervision signals (e.g., supervision signals that the monitoring server140can decode) in the second plurality of supervision signals152-1a, the intervals between successful supervision signals in the second plurality of supervision signals152-1a, the SNR of the second plurality of supervision signals152-1a, and/or other parameters used to determine the quality of the first communication channel110-1.

In some non-limiting examples, the determination component146may determine that the first communication channel110-1is in the failure state. In one example, the determination component146may determine a failure state after not receiving any supervision signals. For example, the determination component146may determine a failure state after receiving a predetermined number of failed supervision signals. In another example, the determination component146may determine a failure state after receiving failed supervision signals over a predetermined amount of time. In some examples, the determination component146may determine a failure state when a ratio of failed supervision signals versus successful supervision signals exceeds a predetermined threshold. In a non-limiting example, the determination component146may determine a failure state after receiving successful supervision signals at intervals other than the predetermined interval (e.g., the first interval). Other algorithms for determining a failed state may be used.

In optional implementations, the determination component146of the monitoring server140may determine, in response to the monitoring server140receiving the second plurality of supervision signals152-1a, that the first communication channel110-1is in the failure state because the security device102may transmit a confirmation signal (not shown) to the monitoring server140on at least one of the second communication channel110-2, the third communication channel110-3, . . . the nthcommunication channel110-nindicating that the security device102is functioning properly.

In some aspects, the communication component132of the security device102may receive the one or more response signals152-1bin response to the second plurality of supervision signals152-1a. The determination component136may determine that the first communication channel110-1is in the failure state because the one or more response signals152-1bdo not include the ACK information associated with at least some of the second plurality of supervision signals152-la(e.g., due to failed supervision signals not decoded by the monitoring server140. In other instances, the determination component136may determine that the first communication channel110-1is in the failure state because of excessive delay (i.e., longer than predetermined intervals) in receiving the ACK information, network compromised (e.g., spoofing attack, replay attack, etc.), or the monitoring server140enters into a maintenance service mode indicating the transmitter to use the alternate path during maintenance, and/or local connection loss.

In another aspect of the present disclosure the communication component132may transmit a notification signal to the monitoring server140indicating that the first communication channel110-1is entering into a failure state (e.g., scheduled maintenance, scheduled power down, etc.). In some instances, the security device102may switch (in real time or substantially real time) to the third communication channel110-3instead for waiting for the first communication channel110-1to enter the failure state.

Turning toFIG. 3, an example of the security system100may operate in the by-pass mode. In the by-pass mode, one or more secondary channels may temporarily replace one or more primary channels. For example, after the determination component136of the security device that the first communication channel110-1is in the failure state, the determination component136may transmit instructions to the communication component132to transmit a third plurality of supervision signals154-laon the third communication channel110-3. The third plurality of supervision signals154-lamay include supervision signals transmitted at a third predetermined interval, such as every 30 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes, 5 minutes, or longer. Due to the failure state of the first communication channel110-1, the determination component136of the security device102may select, for example, the third communication channel110-3to replace the first communication channel110-1as the primary channel during the by-pass mode. For example, when the third communication channel110-3replaces the primary channel during the by-pass mode, the third communication channel110-3transmits supervision signals at the same or different rate as the primary channel that the third communication channel is replacing.

In other examples, after the determination component146determines that the first communication channel110-1is in the failure state, the determination component146may transmit instructions to the communication component142to monitor channels other than the first communication channel110-1, such as the third communication channel110-3, for incoming supervision signals. The monitoring server140may receive the third plurality of supervision signals154-1a. In response to receiving the third plurality of supervision signals154-1a, the monitoring server140may transmit a third plurality of response signals154-1b. The third plurality of response signals154-1bmay indicate to the security device102that the monitoring server140successfully received the third plurality of supervision signals154-1a. The third plurality of response signals154-1bmay include acknowledgement (ACK) information, control information (e.g., changing the first predetermined interval), updates, or other relevant information for the security device102. In a non-limiting example, the monitoring server140may monitor the security device102via the third communication channel110-3(serving as the substitute primary channel during the by-pass mode).

In some implementations, the determination component136of the security device102may switch the primary channel from the first communication channel110-1to the third communication channel110-3after the first communication channel110-1remains in the failure state for a predetermined amount of wait time (e.g., 30 seconds, 1 minute, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, or more) as determined by a timing component134.

In certain implementations, the determination component136of the security device102may switch the primary channel from the first communication channel110-1to the third communication channel110-3after failing to receive a predetermined amount of ACK information for supervision signals sent.

In some instances, the determination component136of the security device102may switch the primary channel from the first communication channel110-1to the third communication channel110-3after failing to receive any ACK information or a number of expected ACK signals for a predetermined amount of wait time as determined by the timing component134.

In other examples, the determination component136of the security device102may switch the primary channel from the first communication channel110-1to the third communication channel110-3after receiving an indication signal from the monitoring server140on one of the communication channels110other than the first communication channel110-1.

In some implementations, the determination component136of the security device102may switch the primary channel from the first communication channel110-1to the third communication channel110-3after sending the notification signal to the monitoring server140indicating that the first communication channel110-1is entering into the failure state (e.g., scheduled maintenance, power down, battery replacement, etc.).

Turning toFIG. 4, an example of the security system100may operate in the recovery mode. In the recovery mode, the previously failed primary channel may be in the process of restoring to the normal operational state while the substitute primary channel transmits supervision signals. For example, the security device102may transmit the third plurality of supervision signals154-laon the third communication channel110-3while transmitting a fourth plurality of supervision signals156-1aon the first communication channel110-1. The fourth plurality of supervision signals156-1amay include supervision signals transmitted at a fourth predetermined interval, such as every 30 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes, 5 minutes, or longer. The security device102may transmit the fourth plurality of supervision signals156-1ato test whether the first communication channel110-1has recovered from the failure state.

In some instances, the communication component142of the monitoring server140may receive the fourth plurality of supervision signals156-1a. In response to receiving the fourth plurality of supervision signals156-1a, the communication component142of the monitoring server140may transmit a fourth plurality of response signals156-1bto the security device102. Based on the fourth plurality of response signals156-1b(e.g., the number of successful supervision signals exceeding a predetermined threshold), the determination component136of the security device102may determine that the first communication channel110-1is no longer in the failure state and/or switch the primary channel back to the first communication channel110-1as shown inFIG. 1. Specifically, the security device102may resume transmitting the first plurality of supervision signals150-1aon the first communication channel110-1and the first plurality of status signals150-2aon the third communication channel110-3. As a result, the security device102may prevent unnecessary transmission on the third communication channel110-3(higher cost per data transmitted than the first communication channel110-1) after the first communication channel110-1is no longer in the failure state.

In optional implementations, if all the communication channels110fail, the security device102and/or the monitoring server140may contact security personnel and/or authority.

Turning toFIG. 5, an example of a method500for receiving supervision signals may be performed by the monitoring server140and/or one or more of the communication component142, the timing component144, and/or the determination component146.

At block502, the method500may optionally receive a first supervision signal from the security device via a first communication channel. For example, the communication component142of the monitoring server140may receive one or more of the second plurality of supervision signals152-lavia the first communication channel110-1.

At block504, the method500may determine, in response to the first supervision signal, that at least the first communication channel is entering into a failure state or in the failure state. For example, the timing component144and/or determination component146may determine that the first communication channel110-1is in the failure state. For example, the determination component146may determine a failure state after receiving a predetermined number of failed supervision signals. In another example, the determination component146may determine a failure state after receiving consecutive failed supervision signals over a predetermined amount of time. In some examples, the determination component146may determine a failure state when a ratio of failed supervision signals versus successful supervision signals exceeds a predetermined threshold. In a non-limiting example, the determination component146may determine a failure state after receiving successful supervision signals at intervals other than the predetermined interval (e.g., the first interval).

At block506, the method500may monitor, in response to determining that the first communication channel is entering into a failure state or in the failure state, a second communication channel for a second supervision signal from the security device. For example, the communication component142may monitor the third communication channel110-3for supervision signals transmitted by the security device102due to the first communication channel110-1being in the failure state.

At block508, the method600may receive the second supervision signal from the security device via the second communication channel. For example, the communication component142may receive the third plurality of supervision signals154-lafrom the security device102via the third communication channel110-3.

In optional implementations, the method600may suspend an alarm (e.g., a siren, a flashing light, a local annunciation of the trouble) associated with determining the failure state at the security device in response to receiving the second supervision signal. The method600may wait until a time at which the local user can respond to the issue (e.g., waking hours, activity seen in the premises, hours of operation etc.).

Turning toFIG. 6, an example of a method600for transmitting supervision signals may be performed by the security device102and/or one or more of the communication component132and/or the determination component136.

At block602, the method600may transmit a first supervision signal to a monitoring server via a first communication channel. For example, the communication component132of the security device102may transmit one or more of the second plurality of supervision signals152-lato the monitoring server140via the first communication channel110-1.

At block604, the method600may receive a first response signal from the server via the first communication channel. For example, the communication component132of the security device102may receive the one or more response signals152-1bfrom the monitoring server140.

At block606, the method may determine, in response to the first response signal, that at least the first communication channel is in a failure state. For example, the determination component136may determine that the first communication channel110-1is in the failure state because the one or more response signals152-1bdo not include the ACK information associated with at least some of the second plurality of supervision signals152-la(e.g., due to failed supervision signals not decoded by the monitoring server140.

At block608, the method600may transmit, in response to determining that the first communication channel is in the failure state, a second supervision signal to the server via a second communication channel. For example, the communication component132of the security device102may transmit at least one of the third plurality of supervision signals154-1aon the third communication channel110-3after determining that the first communication channel110-1is in the failure state.

The computer system700includes one or more processors, such as processor704. The processor704is connected with a communication infrastructure706(e.g., a communications bus, cross-over bar, or network). Various software aspects are described in terms of this example computer system. After reading this description, it will become apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement aspects of the disclosures using other computer systems and/or architectures.

The computer system700may include a display interface702that forwards graphics, text, and other data from the communication infrastructure706(or from a frame buffer not shown) for display on a display unit750. Computer system700also includes a main memory708, preferably random access memory (RAM), and may also include a secondary memory710. The secondary memory710may include, for example, a hard disk drive712, and/or a removable storage drive714, representing a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, an optical disk drive, a universal serial bus (USB) flash drive, etc. The removable storage drive714reads from and/or writes to a removable storage unit718in a well-known manner. Removable storage unit718represents a floppy disk, magnetic tape, optical disk, USB flash drive etc., which is read by and written to removable storage drive714. As will be appreciated, the removable storage unit718includes a computer usable storage medium having stored therein computer software and/or data. In some examples, one or more of the main memory708, the secondary memory710, the removable storage unit718, and/or the removable storage unit722may be a non-transitory memory.

Alternative aspects of the present disclosures may include secondary memory710and may include other similar devices for allowing computer programs or other instructions to be loaded into computer system700. Such devices may include, for example, a removable storage unit722and an interface720. Examples of such may include a program cartridge and cartridge interface (such as that found in video game devices), a removable memory chip (such as an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), or programmable read only memory (PROM)) and associated socket, and other removable storage units722and interfaces720, which allow software and data to be transferred from the removable storage unit722to computer system700.

Computer system700may also include a communications circuit724. The communications circuit724may allow software and data to be transferred between computer system700and external devices. Examples of the communications circuit724may include a modem, a network interface (such as an Ethernet card), a communications port, a Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) slot and card, etc. Software and data transferred via the communications circuit724are in the form of signals728, which may be electronic, electromagnetic, optical or other signals capable of being received by the communications circuit724. These signals728are provided to the communications circuit724via a communications path (e.g., channel)726. This path726carries signals728and may be implemented using wire or cable, fiber optics, a telephone line, a cellular link, an RF link and/or other communications channels. In this document, the terms “computer program medium” and “computer usable medium” are used to refer generally to media such as the removable storage unit718, a hard disk installed in hard disk drive712, and signals728. These computer program products provide software to the computer system700. Aspects of the present disclosures are directed to such computer program products.

Computer programs (also referred to as computer control logic) are stored in main memory708and/or secondary memory710. Computer programs may also be received via communications circuit724. Such computer programs, when executed, enable the computer system700to perform the features in accordance with aspects of the present disclosures, as discussed herein. In particular, the computer programs, when executed, enable the processor704to perform the features in accordance with aspects of the present disclosures. Accordingly, such computer programs represent controllers of the computer system700.

In an aspect of the present disclosures where the method is implemented using software, the software may be stored in a computer program product and loaded into computer system700using removable storage drive714, hard drive712, or communications interface720. The control logic (software), when executed by the processor704, causes the processor704to perform the functions described herein. In another aspect of the present disclosures, the system is implemented primarily in hardware using, for example, hardware components, such as application specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Implementation of the hardware state machine so as to perform the functions described herein will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s).