Patent Publication Number: US-2020304875-A1

Title: User interface for intrusion security panel through streaming device

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to a security system and, more particularly, to a security system that utilizes a streaming device such as a smart television for notification and control. 
     Intrusion security panels are electronic control devices that are primarily used to supervise residence and office premises to report access events to a user and/or monitoring stations. Intrusion security panels usually utilize a human machine interface (HMI) such as a keypad and LCD display, touchscreen display and/or, smartphone apps. The mounted interfaces may require close proximity to view and control; whereas smartphones are battery operated and may possibly be engaged in a variety of other activities which may leave the user with no alternate option for accessing the security panel unless current smartphone activity is discontinued. 
     SUMMARY 
     A security system, according to another disclosed non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure can include a security panel; a sensor suite in communication with the security panel; and a streaming device in communication with the security panel, the streaming device operable as an interface to control the security system. 
     A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include, wherein the security panel is a fixture. 
     A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include, wherein the streaming device is a television. 
     A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include, wherein the sensor suite is associated with home automation. 
     A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include, wherein the sensor suite includes a security sensor. 
     A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include, wherein the sensor suite includes a sensor associated with house lighting. 
     A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include, wherein the sensor suite includes a sensor associated with a thermostat. 
     A security system according to another disclosed non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure can include a conversion device; a sensor suite in communication with the conversion device; and a streaming device in communication with the sensor suite via the conversion device, the streaming device operable as an interface to control the security system. 
     A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include, wherein the security panel is a fixture. 
     A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include, wherein the streaming device is a television. 
     A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include, wherein the conversion device includes a USB interface. 
     A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include, wherein the sensor suite includes a security sensor. 
     A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include 8, wherein the sensor suite includes a sensor associated with house lighting. 
     A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include, wherein the sensor suite includes a sensor associated with a thermostat. 
     A method of operating a security system, the method according to another disclosed non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure can include utilizing a streaming device as an interface to control a security system. 
     A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include, wherein the streaming device communicates with a sensor suite through a security panel. 
     A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include, wherein the streaming device communicates with a sensor suite through a conversion device. 
     A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include plugging the conversion device into the streaming device. 
     A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include, wherein the streaming device is a television. 
     A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include, wherein the streaming device is a television. 
     The foregoing features and elements may be combined in various combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated otherwise. These features and elements as well as the operation thereof will become more apparent in light of the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be appreciated; however, the following description and drawings are intended to be exemplary in nature and non-limiting. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various features will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the disclosed non-limiting embodiment. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a security system according to one disclosed non-limiting embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of the security system; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic view of a security system according one disclosed non-limiting embodiment; and 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic view of a security system according another disclosed non-limiting embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  schematically illustrates a security system  20 . The security system  20  generally includes a security panel  22 , a sensor suite  24  in communication with the security panel  22 , and one or more streaming devices  26 , e.g. a smart Television, TV Streaming device, an internet router, etc. ( FIG. 2 ). It should be appreciated that the security panel  22  may be a security panel or form a portion thereof. It should be still further appreciated that although particular systems are separately defined, each or any of the systems may be otherwise combined or separated via hardware and/or software. The communication may be conveyed to one or more networks. For example, the communication may be transmitted to the Internet and/or a cellular network. The network(s) may include infrastructure that may be organized to facilitate cloud computing. 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , the security panel  22  generally includes a control module  40  with a processor  42 , a memory  44 , and an interface  46 . The processor  42  may be any type of microprocessor having desired performance characteristics. The memory  44  may include any type of computer readable medium that stores the data and executable instructions  48  described herein below. The executable instructions may be stored or organized in any manner and at any level of abstraction, such as in connection with one or more applications  48 , processes, routines, procedures, methods, etc. The memory  44  may also store data  50  that, for example, includes an access code validation engine, a device identifier, or any other type of data. The access code validation engine is the authorization code that disables sensors  30  reporting to the security panel  22  to disarm the security system  20 . The processor  42  may execute the instructions stored in the memory  44  that are operative on the data  50 . The processor  42  may be coupled to the interface  46  that may include one or more of a keyboard or keypad, a touchscreen or touch panel, a display screen, a microphone, a speaker, etc. The interface  46  may also support a graphical user interface (GUI) and/or voice-to-text capabilities to operate the system. 
     In one disclosed non-limiting embodiment, the user can remotely access an interface  60  on the streaming device  26  that provides system operability similar to the interface  46 . The control module  40  of the security panel  22  may include a communications module  62  that is operable to connect with an Interface  70  and communicate with the streaming device  26 . The security panel  22  often communicates on a less than 1 GHZ unlicensed band such as 319.5, 433, or 868 MHZ such that the control module  40  may be operable to convert the communication to that typically operable with the streaming device  26  such as the Smart TV, TV Streaming devices (like Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku etc.) That is, applications  69  on the streaming device  26  may be utilized to securely exchange security panel protocol between the streaming device  26  and the control module  40  to present a rich graphical user interface to view and control security features, life style functions (home automation, lights thermostats, outdoor camera live streams, etc.) and other security panel  22  functionalities. Existing remote controls of the Smart TV/TV Streaming device can be used for easy navigation between different screens and features on the app. 
     With reference to  FIG. 4 , in another disclosed non-limiting embodiment, a conversion device  80  may be plugged directly into the streaming device  26  such as via a USB port to permit the sensor suite  24  to have direct communication with the streaming device  26 . That is, the streaming device  26  itself operates as the security panel interface  26  to the sensor suite  24  via the conversion device  70 . 
     In another disclosed non-limiting embodiment, smartphone apps may be provided for smart television and streaming devices which could use the network and display capabilities of the television to provide a rich user interface to the control panel. Also like any other streaming devices such as Apple TV, Amazon Fire, etc., a dedicated security panel streaming device, for instance AdvisorTV similar to AppleTV, can be plugged into the television to stream content on a television. Also, these streaming devices could be configured as a client to the control panel and video streaming of the cameras can be viewed on the apps on the streaming devices. Further, these streaming devices could be configured as a Wi-Fi client to the control panel and video streaming of the cameras can be viewed on the apps on the streaming devices. 
     Usage of the streaming device  26  as an intrusion security panel provides an efficient graphical user interface such that users can view and control the security status, home automation, live stream of cameras sitting comfortably in the living, bedroom and other locations on a relatively large display. That is, the necessity for auxiliary displays can be reduced by utilizing the most used and available electronic device typically present in a home. This idea can be utilized to make TV as a primary user interface for display less, touchscreen less control panels and can bring cost benefits to the user and the company. This streaming device  26  can also be extended to legacy panels which were operated by alpha numeric displays to have a richer user interface on television. 
     The elements disclosed and depicted herein, including in flow charts and block diagrams throughout the figures, imply logical boundaries between the elements. However, according to software or hardware engineering practices, the depicted elements and the functions thereof may be implemented on machines through computer executable media having a processor capable of executing program instructions stored thereon as a monolithic software structure, as standalone software modules, or as modules that employ external routines, code, services, and so forth, dynamically loaded or updated modules, or any combination of these, and all such implementations may be within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     It should be appreciated that like reference numerals identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several drawings. It should also be appreciated that although a particular component arrangement is disclosed in the illustrated embodiment, other arrangements will benefit herefrom. 
     Although the different non-limiting embodiments have specific illustrated components, the embodiments are not limited to those particular combinations. It is possible to use some of the components or features from any of the non-limiting embodiments in combination with features or components from any of the other non-limiting embodiments. 
     Although particular step sequences are shown, disclosed, and claimed, it should be appreciated that steps may be performed in any order, separated or combined unless otherwise indicated and will still benefit from the present disclosure. 
     The foregoing description is exemplary rather than defined by the limitations within. Various non-limiting embodiments are disclosed herein, however, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that various modifications and variations in light of the above teachings will fall within the scope of the appended claims. It is therefore to be appreciated that within the scope of the appended claims, the disclosure may be practiced other than as specifically disclosed. For that reason the appended claims should be studied to determine true scope and content.