Authenticated and functional SMS links

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.

TECHNICAL FIELD

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

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

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.

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.

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.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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.

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.

FIG. 1depicts a system architecture for an SMS gateway10according to one embodiment. The system includes a number of cell carriers12a,12b,12c,12dand12e, first and second SMS gateways14aand14b, a global network16, and software modules18a,18band18c. Each cell carrier12a,12b,12c,12dand12eis in two-way communication with each SMS gateway14aand14b. A non-limiting example of each SMS gateway14aand14bis an IPtelX center. Each SMS gateway14aand14bis in two-way communication with global network16. A non-limiting example of global network16is an IPtelX global network. Global network16is in two-way communication with each software module18a,18band18c. Software module18aincludes monitoring and event management software. A non-limiting example of software module18ais DICE Matrix Software. Software module18amay include automation modules. Software module18amay also include a web-enabled portal system for users to interact with features and functionality of the monitoring and event management software. Software module18bincludes automation modules other than those included in software module18a. Software module18cincludes software modules other than those included in software module18a. The system architecture described inFIG. 1can be used to transmit and receive pre-authenticated, functional URLs within SMS messages, as set forth herein.

FIG. 2is a graphical user interface (“GUI”)100for setting up contacts within the the software module18a. GUI100includes a display list102of contact record. Each contact record104includes information relating to the contact, such as contact name, personal information, opening ID, phone number, passcode, and SMS notify flag. An administrator of software module18acan input and edit the contact information shown in each contact record104. 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 module18a.

FIG. 3is GUI200for changing the value of the SMS notify flag. GUI200includes an SMS Notify click box202. As shown inFIG. 3, click box202is selected, denoting that the user's SMS notify flag is set to “Y.” GUI200includes a Save button204and a Cancel button206. The Save button204saves the current setting in click box202and the Cancel button206cancels operation of GUI200. The SMS notify flag value is stored so that it is accessible by the software module18a.

FIG. 4is GUI300for setting the SMS notify type. GUI300includes a display list302of notify types. As shown inFIG. 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 module18a.

FIG. 5is GUI400for editing the SMS notify type. As shown inFIG. 5, the “BURG” notify type is being edited. Text field402can be edited to change the delay minutes for the burglary notify type. As shown inFIG. 5, the delay minutes are set to 15 minutes. GUI400includes a Save button404and a Cancel button406. The Save button404saves the current setting in text field402and the Cancel button406cancels operation of GUI400. The notify type information is stored so that it is accessible by the software module18a.

FIG. 6depicts a SMS text user interface500. As shown inFIG. 6, a text message502is displayed within SMS text user interface500. Software module18agenerates the text message502and transmits it to a contact as identified in the contact information described above. The text message502includes text notification504and a URL506. The text notification504notifies the contact of information relating to a notify type. In the case of this specific example, the notify type is “BURG.” The text notification504identifies when the burglary alarm has been received. The URL506is a link that can be selected by the contact to respond to the burglary alarm notification.

The URL506is a pre-authenticated and functional URL link. The URL link embeds authentication information for the web-based portal system of software module18a. 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. The embedded information may be a text message string that includes an identification of a specific alarm function. 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.

FIG. 7depicts a burglary alarm notification webpage600that 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 webpage600includes information602regarding the burglary alarm, including, but not limited to, an address, time, zone and zone message for the alarm. Field604of webpage600includes the date and time of the last refresh for the burglary alarm notification. Fields606of webpage600include the other contacts that received the burglary alarm. The other contacts may be family members. Fields606include 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 webpage600also includes three click buttons, i.e., dispatch alarm button608, do not dispatch button610and call center button612. If the dispatch alarm button608or the call center button612is 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 button610is selected by the contact, the webpage600prompts 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.

All contacts with the capability to access webpage600can view the actions of other contacts in real-time. For example, if one contact selects the dispatch alarm button608, 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.

FIG. 8depicts a webpage700for customizing an SMS notification page. Webpage700permits a user to select colors for different areas of the webpage and also insert an alarm dealer logo.

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'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's premises from an alarm company. These and other authenticated, functional links can be provided through SMS messages according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 9depicts a GUI900for cancelling an alarm according to one embodiment. If a user clicks on the do not dispatch button610shown inFIG. 7, then GUI900is displayed. The GUI900prompts the user for a code in field902. 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 icon904to activate cancellation of the alarm. The user also has the option to cancel GUI900by selecting icon906.

FIG. 10depicts a GUI1000for dispatching an alarm according to one embodiment. If a user clicks on the dispatch alarm button608shown inFIG. 7, then GUI1000is displayed. The GUI1000prompts the user confirm dispatch of an alarm by selecting icon1002or cancelling the dispatch request by selecting icon1004.

FIG. 11depicts a webpage1100showing a scrolling history of events associated with an alarm according to one embodiment. In window1102of webpage1100, a scrolling history of events associated with an alarm that a user is responding to is presented.

FIG. 12depicts a GUI1200for inputting a duress code according to one embodiment. The duress code can be input into field1202of GUI1200. 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.