Patent Description:
Security and other monitoring systems are increasing in popularity and technical sophistication. Recent monitoring systems implemented through WLANs (wireless local area networks) have simplified hardware mounting and installation by eliminating various hardwired signal-conducting wires. Such systems typically include one, and more typically several monitoring devices, such as cameras and sensors, that communicate wirelessly with a base station hub in communication with a wide area network (WAN), typically via the Internet. The base station hub also communicates wirelessly with one or more user devices such as a smart phone, and possibly with an external server such as a cloud-based server.

Other improvements of monitoring systems include enhanced versatility that corresponds to the development of different types of monitoring devices that can collectively provide a more comprehensive security or monitoring experience.

Although an availability of a variety of wireless monitoring devices simplifies initial setting up and later customization of monitoring systems, mounting numerous monitoring devices in diverse locations can present numerous challenges. It can be difficult to assess potential wireless connectivity issues when evaluating potential mounting locations for monitoring devices within a system. A system is typically installed by initially setting up a base station hub by connecting it to an internet-connected router hub. Accordingly, the location of the base station hub typically is influenced by the location of the internet-connected router hub. The monitoring devices must be mounted in locations that are close enough to the base station hub to connect to the system through a wireless communication path between the monitoring device and the hub. Although hubs typically have defined communication ranges based on, for example, the particular hardware components and communication protocol(s), the actual distances from which a monitoring device can communicate with its hub and, therefore, the maximum working distances of the monitoring device from the associated hub, varies greatly based on numerous factors. These factors include the number and types of obstructions between the monitoring device and the base station hub, the locations of potential interference-creating devices, and the relative orientations of the monitoring device, the hub, and their respective antennas. Due to these factors, an actual communication zone of a WLAN is typically not defined by an area of uniform or even constant radius of connectivity, swept about the hub(s). It instead is of irregular and variable shape. Accordingly, when trying to evaluate suitable mounting locations of monitoring devices, especially when the potential mounting locations are near an outer boundary of a hub's maximum communication range, users or installers may resort to guess-and-check or trial and error types of evaluations.

The need therefore has arisen to provide a monitoring system and method configured such that suitable locations for a monitoring device can be determined during system setup even if the monitoring device is located outside of a WLAN.

The need additionally has arisen to provide a monitoring system and method that provides for at least limited functionality of monitoring devices in the event of a communication failure over a WLAN or positioning of a monitoring device outside of the WLAN. <CIT> relates to a technique for changing topology of a wireless network in a multi-band wireless networking system. In a wireless network with multiple wireless networking devices and one or more client devices, communications between the wireless networking devices occurs via a backhaul channel, and communication between the client(s) and the wireless networking devices occurs via a fronthaul channel. At boot up, a wireless networking device configures the wireless network with a certain topology. After the topology is initially configured, the wireless networking device determines a network-related parameter and changes the topology of the wireless network based on the network-related parameter. <CIT> relates to systems and methods comprising a gateway located at a premise forming at least one network on the premise that includes a plurality of premise devices. A sensor user interface (SUI) is coupled to the gateway and presented to a user via a remote device. The SUI includes at least one display element. The at least one display element includes a floor plan display that represents at least one floor of the premise. The floor plan display visually and separately indicates a location and a current state of each premise device of the plurality of premise devices.

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, one or more of the identified needs is met by a system with multiple wireless communication paths that permits implementation of a connection failure-induced fail-over or fallback strategy that provides a seamless communication environment that can be used for, e.g., evaluations of appropriateness of potential mounting locations for monitoring devices of a security system.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the system can be used to provide real-time feedback to facilitate identifying a suitable mounting location (including device position) of a monitoring device. To evaluate the suitability of mounting locations, the user may carry the monitoring device and a user interface, typically implemented as an app (application) on a mobile device or other user device, to different potential mounting locations. The user interface provides a real-time display of whether the monitoring device is connected to the intended (primary) network, such as a WIFI network, or if it is out of range and disconnected from such primary communication path. As the user moves the monitoring device, the user interface continuously displays connectivity status, allowing real-time feedback of transitioning from in range to out of range or vice-versa as the monitoring device is moved around. The connectivity information can be transmitted through a secondary communication path, which has a longer range than the primary communication path. Signals may be transmitted over the secondary communication path in the sub-GHz or rf frequency range, which has a considerably longer transmission range than signals transmitted over a <NUM> or <NUM> range usually employed by WIFI. This allows the monitoring device and user interface to remain connected through the network and provide the real-time feedback and connection status information about the primary communication path, even when the monitoring device and user interface are out-of-range and disconnected from the primary communication path.

Each monitoring device has two communication devices or radios, a primary radio that communicates through the primary communication path and a secondary radio that communicates through the secondary communication path. The secondary radio operates at a lower frequency than the primary radio. The low(er) frequency of the secondary radio communications may be in a sub-GHz (gigahertz) frequency band, such as an RF band, whereas the primary radios may implement a WIFI communications standard at a frequency at or above <NUM>, such as a <NUM> frequency band and/or a <NUM> frequency band In accordance with another aspect of the invention, connectivity states of the monitoring device, including whether the monitoring device is communicating through the primary communication path, is displayed or otherwise communicated to the user. When the system experiences a communication failure, such as when a monitoring device is moved out of range of the monitoring device's primary radio, the system automatically transitions or switches from its default primary communication path to a fail-over or fallback secondary communication path in which the monitoring device communicates via the secondary radio. This facilitates evaluating potential mounting locations and positions of monitoring components because fail-over or automatic switching from a default primary communication path to a fallback secondary communication path can be detected and communicated through a user device, alerting the user when the monitoring device is positioned out of range of its hub during a location evaluation. When the monitoring device is positioned out of range of the device's primary radio, the device communicates over the secondary communication path, and an out of range or other related message is presented to the user device, alerting the user or installer that the particular location or position is unacceptable based on connectivity issues.

These and other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings
The invention is defined by the subject-matter of the independent claims. Advantageous examples of the present invention are the subject-matter of the dependent claims.

Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout, and in which:.

Referring now to <FIG>, in accordance with an aspect of the invention, an electronic monitoring system <NUM> is provided that is implemented in a WLAN (wireless local area network) operating environment or WLAN <NUM>. The WLAN <NUM> is communicatively connected to a WAN (wide area network) operating environment or WAN <NUM>. Within WLAN <NUM>, various monitoring devices <NUM>, sometimes referred to as "client devices," are wirelessly networked to a base station or high frequency hub <NUM> which, in turn, communicates with the WAN <NUM> via a gateway hub shown as gateway router <NUM>. Most systems will employ several monitoring devices <NUM> of the same or varying configurations as described below. Base station hub <NUM> and router <NUM> provide a high frequency connection to the WAN <NUM>. Base station hub <NUM> may be eliminated as a stand-alone module if at least part of its functionality is incorporated into the gateway router <NUM> and any remaining functionality is incorporated in one or more other device(s), in which case the router also serves as a base station hub. The system also includes a security hub <NUM> that communicates with the monitoring device(s) <NUM> and with the WAN <NUM> and that provides a low frequency connection between the WAN <NUM> and the monitoring devices <NUM>. Security hub <NUM> also communicates with the router <NUM>, such as through a high frequency connection <NUM> and/or a low frequency connection <NUM> to the router <NUM>. Conceivably, the security hub <NUM> also could be provided with the capability providing a high frequency connection with the devices <NUM>. Thus, at least some of the monitoring devices have two radios operating at different frequencies. A first, "primary" communication device or radio operates at a high frequency, typically of <NUM> to <NUM>, during period of normal conductivity to perform monitoring and data capture functions such as video capture and transmission, sound transmission, motion sensing, etc. The second or "secondary" communication device or radio may be of considerably longer frequency in the sub-GHz or even RF range and may have longer range than the primary radio. The secondary radio may be operable, when communications over the primary communication path are unavailable, to permit the system to generate, transmit and display information obtained from the performance diagnostic and troubleshooting operations.

Still referring to <FIG>, each monitoring device <NUM> may perform any of a variety of monitoring, sensing, and communicating functions. One such device may include an imaging device <NUM>, such as a video camera, that is configured to capture and store visual images or video of the monitored area within the environment. One such camera is a video camera, which could be an Arlo® camera available from Arlo Technologies, Inc. of Carlsbad, California. Typically, system <NUM> will include multiple monitoring devices <NUM> that are mounted to face toward respective areas being monitored, such as around a building or other structure or area. Instead of or in addition to containing a video camera or other imaging device <NUM>, one or all of the monitoring devices <NUM> may include one or more sensors <NUM> configured to detect one or more types of conditions or stimulus, for example, motion, opening or closing events of doors or windows, the presence of smoke, carbon monoxide, water leaks, and temperature changes. The monitoring devices <NUM> may further include or be other devices such as audio devices, including microphones, sound sensors, and speakers configured for audio communication or providing audible alerts, such as Arlo Chime audible devices. The cameras or imaging devices <NUM>, sensors <NUM>, or other monitoring devices <NUM> also may be incorporated into form factors of other house or building accessories, such as doorbells, floodlights, etc..

Still referring to <FIG>, gateway router <NUM> is typically implemented as a WIFI hub that communicatively connects WLAN <NUM> to WAN <NUM> through an internet provider <NUM>. Internet provider <NUM> includes hardware or system components or features such last-mile connection(s), cloud interconnections, DSL (digital subscriber line), cable, and/or fiber-optics. As mentioned, the functionality of the base station hub <NUM> also could be incorporated into the router <NUM>, in which case the router <NUM> becomes the base station hub as well as the router. Another connection between WLAN <NUM> and WAN <NUM> may be provided between security hub <NUM> and a mobile provider <NUM>. Mobile provider <NUM> includes hardware or system components or features to implement various cellular communications protocols such as <NUM>, <NUM>, LTE (long term evolution), <NUM>, or other cellular standard(s). Besides the mobile connection, security hub <NUM> is typically also configured to connect to WAN <NUM> by way of its connection to router hub <NUM> and the router hub's connection to WAN <NUM> through internet provider <NUM>. Each of the internet provider <NUM> and mobile provider <NUM> allows the components of system <NUM> to interact with a backend system or control services that can control functions or provide various processing tasks of components of system <NUM>, shown as a cloud-based backend control service system <NUM>, which could be an Arlo SmartCloud system. The backend system, such the cloud-based control service system <NUM> includes at least one server <NUM> and typically provides, for example, cloud storage of events, AI (artificial intelligence) based processing such as computer vision, and system access to emergency services.

Still referring to <FIG>, one or more user devices <NUM>, such as a smart phone, tablet, laptop, or PC may communicate with various components or devices within each of WLAN <NUM> and WAN <NUM> to provide an interface through which a user may interact with system <NUM>. Each user device <NUM> includes a display system that typically includes both an audio display and a video display such as a touchscreen. Each user device <NUM> also has internal computing and storage capabilities and a program or application, such as the Arlo Smart application, serving as the user interface with the remainder of system <NUM>.

Still referring to <FIG>, within WLAN <NUM>, multiple communication paths <NUM> are defined that transmit data between the various components of system <NUM>. Communication paths <NUM> include a default or primary communication path <NUM> providing communication between the monitoring device <NUM> and the base station hub <NUM>, and a fail-over or fallback secondary communication path <NUM> providing communication between the monitoring device <NUM> and the security hub <NUM>. Optionally, some of the monitoring devices <NUM> that do not require high bandwidth to operate, such as the sensors <NUM> shown in <FIG>, may be able to fully communicate through the secondary communication path <NUM> after a fail-over path-switching event or may be configured to only communicate through the secondary communication path <NUM>. Thus, even during a failure of the primary communication path <NUM>, sensors <NUM> will continue to operate normally. Other monitoring devices <NUM> that require high bandwidth to communicate may maintain at least some of their functions and operations but may perform these at lower-bandwidths and therefore transmit less data. An example is an imaging device <NUM> that may continue its optical monitoring activities of an environment, but in a low-data mode that implements still image(s) and/or video capture with lower-resolution (for both still images and video capture) and/or shorter clip duration (for video capture) while communicating through the secondary communication path <NUM> than in its normal operational mode(s).

Still referring to <FIG>, a collective area in which device communication can occur through the primary communication path <NUM> defines a primary coverage zone. A second, typically extended, collective area in which the device communication can occur through the secondary communication path <NUM> defines a secondary coverage zone. A wired communication path <NUM> is shown between the router <NUM> and the internet provider <NUM>, and a cellular communication path <NUM> is shown between security hub <NUM> and mobile provider <NUM>. WAN <NUM> typically includes various wireless connections between or within the various systems or components, even though only wired connections <NUM> are shown. The controller of one or more of the monitoring devices <NUM> also could provide a wireless communication path <NUM> directly to the router <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, system <NUM> is configured to implement a seamless communication environment by implementing a communication path switching strategy as a function of the operational state of primary and/or secondary communication paths <NUM>, <NUM>. The seamless communication environment may be achieved by providing the monitoring device(s) <NUM> and hubs <NUM> and <NUM> with circuitry, software, and cooperating components that facilitate recognizing, for example, connectivity issues in the primary communication path <NUM>. If connectivity issues in the primary communication path <NUM> are recognized, then system <NUM> automatically switches to implementing data transfer through the secondary communication path <NUM> in order to maintain communications through system <NUM> and facilitate troubleshooting the issues with primary communication path <NUM>.

Still referring to <FIG>, each monitoring device <NUM> is configured to acquire data and to transmit it to a respective hub <NUM> and/or <NUM> for further processing and/or further transmission to a server such as the server <NUM> of the cloud-based control service system <NUM> and/or the user device(s) <NUM>. The server <NUM> or other computing components of system <NUM> or otherwise in the WLAN <NUM> or WAN <NUM> can include or be coupled to a microprocessor, a microcontroller or other programmable logic element (individually and collectively considered "a controller") configured to execute a program. The controller(s) also may be contained in whole in the monitoring device <NUM>, base station hub <NUM>, security hub <NUM>, and/or the WIFI hub or router <NUM> Alternatively, interconnected aspects of the controller and the programs executed by it could be distributed in various permutations within the monitoring device <NUM>, the hubs <NUM> and <NUM>, router <NUM>, and the server <NUM>. This program may be utilized in filtering, processing, categorizing, storing, recalling and transmitting data received from the monitoring device <NUM> via the hubs <NUM> and <NUM>, router <NUM>, and <NUM>. Server <NUM> or other appropriate system device may also be in communication with or include a computer vision program ("CV"), which can apply one or more filters or processes, such as edge detection, facial recognition, motion detection, etc., to detected one or more characteristics of the recording such as, but not limited to, identifying an individual, animal, vehicle, or package present in the recording.

Still referring to <FIG>, each monitoring device <NUM> may be battery powered or wired to a power source and is shown here with a power supply <NUM>. Each monitoring device <NUM> has circuitry <NUM> that includes corresponding hardware, firmware, software, or any combination thereof. Circuitry <NUM> of camera-type imaging device <NUM> implementations of monitoring device <NUM> may include, for example, imagers, an audio circuit, a media encoder, a processor, and a non-transient memory storage device, among other components. Regardless of the particular type of monitoring device <NUM>, the circuitry <NUM> of monitoring devices <NUM> include multiple wireless I/O communication devices or radios, including a primary radio <NUM> and a secondary radio <NUM>.

Still referring to <FIG>, as shown in security hub <NUM>, each hub has circuitry <NUM> that includes corresponding hardware, firmware, software, or any combination thereof for controlling, for example, data transmission or other communications through respective segments of system <NUM>. Circuitry <NUM> includes a processor and a non-transient memory storage device, among other components. Circuitry <NUM> of the different hubs of system <NUM> may have different numbers and types of wireless I/O communication devices or radios, while allowing for the establishment discrete communication paths <NUM>, with each radio including, for example, a transceiver and cooperating antenna for transmitting and receiving signals or data. For example, the circuitry <NUM> of router <NUM> is shown with a primary radio <NUM> that transmits data within the WLAN <NUM> (<FIG>), whereas the circuitry of security hub <NUM> is shown with multiple radios. The security hub's <NUM> radios include a primary radio <NUM> which communicates with the primary radio <NUM> of router <NUM>, a secondary radio <NUM> which communicates with the secondary radio <NUM> of the monitoring device <NUM> through the communication paths <NUM> of WLAN <NUM> (<FIG>), and a cellular radio <NUM> that transmits data between the WLAN <NUM> (<FIG>) and WAN <NUM> (<FIG>) through the cellular communication path <NUM>.

Still referring to <FIG>, primary radios <NUM>, <NUM> transmit data at a different frequencies and bandwidths than the secondary radios <NUM>, <NUM> so that the primary and secondary communication paths <NUM>, <NUM> correspondingly define different operational frequencies and bandwidths. Typically, the primary communication path <NUM> has a higher frequency, a higher bandwidth, and a lower range than the secondary communication path <NUM>. More typically, the primary communication path <NUM> provides medium range connectivity and operates using a WIFI communication protocol, such as those prescribed by the IEEE <NUM> standards. Although the primary communication path <NUM> is illustrated as a single path, it is understood that the primary communication path <NUM> may provide multi-component WIFI communications by, for example, dual-band implementation(s) and corresponding radio(s) that can communicate at both <NUM> and <NUM> WIFI frequencies. Suitable frequencies of the sub-GHz secondary communication path <NUM> include RF ranges of <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, and cellular (<NUM>, <NUM>, LTE, <NUM>) bands, and which may be a proprietary communications protocol, such as the ArloRF sub-GHz protocol.

Referring to <FIG>, a representation of radio and communication path control methodologies to evaluate communication quality at different potential monitoring device mounting locations is illustrated, using an example with an imaging device <NUM> as a monitoring device <NUM> (<FIG>) and with different radios implemented in different hubs (<FIG>) that are shown as security hub <NUM> and base station hub <NUM>. Referring now to <FIG>, imaging device <NUM> is shown in a first potential mounting location, represented as potential location PL1. This particular potential location PL1 provides an acceptable mounting location and position within range of the primary radios <NUM> and <NUM>, and, thus, capable of communicating through the primary communication path <NUM>. A collective area in which device communication can occur through the primary communication path <NUM> to provide acceptable potential mounting locations for the imaging device <NUM> is defined by a primary coverage zone, represented as primary zone Z1. An outer boundary of primary zone Z1, shown as primary boundary PB, corresponds to a perimeter of area or end of a range at which effective communication can be established through the primary communication path <NUM>. Typically, primary zone Z1 has an irregular shape as defined by primary boundary PB since the particular range at which base station hub <NUM> can communicate with an imaging device <NUM> in any particular direction is defined as a function of, for example, the particular relative orientations of the base station hub <NUM> and imaging device <NUM> and/or their antennae, as well as the number and types of obstructions between them and the locations of potential interference-creating devices. External interference or even jamming can also affect the shape and size of the primary zone Z1. When the imaging device <NUM> is positioned in the primary zone Z1, system <NUM> operates in its default and functioning operational state over the primary communication path <NUM> via the primary radios <NUM>, <NUM>. This shape is also variable given the fact that obstructions or interference-generating devices may move into and out of the vicinity of the system <NUM>.

Still referring to <FIG>, when imaging device <NUM> is in an acceptable potential mounting location such as P1, the imaging device's <NUM> primary radio <NUM> and the base station hub's <NUM> primary radio <NUM> are communicatively connected. In a WIFI implementation of base station hub <NUM>, this default primary connection provides WIFI communications within the WLAN <NUM> (<FIG>) for transmitting data through system <NUM> and typically from WLAN <NUM> (<FIG>) to WAN <NUM> (<FIG>) through the internet provider system <NUM> (<FIG>) for processing by server <NUM> (<FIG>). The data transmitted through the primary communication path <NUM> may include monitoring data. Monitoring data is typically data that corresponds to the normal use of a particular monitoring device. For example, monitoring data from imaging device <NUM> may correspond to an image, captured frames, or a video clip. If the monitoring device additionally includes a motion sensor and a microphone, it may also include a trigger signal indicative of activation of the sensor and/or sound. When data is transmitted through the primary communication path <NUM> during a monitoring device location evaluation procedure, typically server <NUM> (<FIG>) transmits connection data to the user device <NUM> (<FIG>) to display connection status information that corresponds the primary communication path's status, allowing the user to quickly visually or otherwise confirm that potential location PL1 is acceptable.

Referring now to <FIG>, a second potential mounting location of imaging device <NUM> is shown, represented as potential location PL2, which is beyond the primary boundary PB and, therefore, outside of the primary zone Z1. Locations outside of primary zone Z1 are typically unacceptable mounting locations or positions for the imaging device <NUM> to suitably communicate through the primary communication path <NUM> of system <NUM>. In potential location PL2, system <NUM> recognizes a fault state, with a failure in the communication through the primary communication path <NUM>. This failure could occur for any of a number or reasons. Examples include a primary RF (radio frequency) network outage, a primary ISP (internet service provider) outage, a primary network SSID (service set identifier) change, a primary network password or authentication failure, a possible moving of the imaging device <NUM> out of range of the primary radios <NUM>, <NUM> (<FIG>), network interference issues, and power loss issues. During a fault state, the imaging device <NUM> may detect the communication failure, for example, by way of a device polling strategy, roaming scan, or other suitable connectivity-confirmation technique. When imaging device <NUM> detects a fault state, it may command a response from itself, which may include attempting to reconnect the imaging device's primary radio <NUM> to the hub's <NUM> primary radio <NUM>. If the primary communication path <NUM> is defined by a dual-band WIFI system, then imaging device <NUM> may attempt to reconnect the primary radios <NUM>, <NUM> by broadcasting through the other WIFI frequency than what was dropped in the interruption. For example, if a <NUM> connection dropped, then imaging device <NUM> may command an attempted establishment of a <NUM> connection to establish communications through the primary communication path <NUM>.

Referring still to <FIG>, during a potential mounting location evaluation, if reconnection (or repeated initial connection attempts) through the primary communication path <NUM> fails because the imaging device is in the secondary zone Z2 beyond the barrier PB, then a fail-over path switching event occurs automatically to provide communication through the secondary communication path <NUM> via the secondary radios <NUM>, <NUM>. An outer boundary of secondary zone Z2, shown as secondary boundary SB, corresponds to a perimeter of the end of the area or maximum range at which effective communication can be established through the secondary communication path <NUM> via the radios <NUM>, <NUM>. This boundary SB represents the system's maximum communication range. Like the perimeter shape of primary zone Z1 and for the same reasons, the perimeter shape of secondary zone Z2 defined by the secondary boundary SB is typically irregular and variable.

Still referring now to <FIG>, if potential location PL2 is within the secondary zone Z2, then a fail-over or fallback connection is made for communications through the secondary communication path <NUM>. Typically, any gap in data transmission only corresponds to an amount of time in recognition of the fault state and/or attempted reconnection of the primary communication path <NUM>. The fail-over automatic switching includes activating the secondary radio <NUM> within imaging device <NUM>, which is typically in a low power state or "sleep" mode while system <NUM> is in an operational state with the primary communication path <NUM> connected. When activated by a trigger event such as the failing of one or more failed reconnection attempts of the primary communication path <NUM>, the imaging device <NUM> activates the secondary radio <NUM> and its data transmissivity to secondary radio <NUM> of security hub <NUM>. When a fail-over or fallback connection is made for communications through the secondary communication path <NUM>, imaging device's <NUM> secondary radio <NUM> is communicatively connected to the security hub's <NUM> secondary radio <NUM>. In a sub-GHz implementation of security hub <NUM>, this fallback or secondary connection provides sub-GHz communications within the WLAN <NUM> (<FIG>) for transmitting data through system <NUM>, for example, between the monitoring imaging device <NUM> (<FIG>) and the security hub <NUM>. Security hub <NUM> is typically configured for data transmission on a cellular, sub-GHz, frequency for communication from WLAN <NUM> (<FIG>) to WAN <NUM> (<FIG>) through the mobile provider system <NUM> (<FIG>) for processing by the external server <NUM> (<FIG>). It is understood that security hub <NUM> may also communicate with server <NUM> (<FIG>) through router <NUM> (<FIG>) and the internet provider <NUM> (<FIG>). The data transmitted through the secondary communication path <NUM> may include diagnostic data. Diagnostic data typically includes data that can be used to identify the issue or fault condition of the connectivity failure in the primary communication path <NUM>. For example, diagnostic data may correspond to statuses of components within system <NUM>. Imaging device <NUM>, security hub <NUM>, or another system component that may define a node communicating by way of the secondary communication path <NUM>, may command a diagnostic scan within the WLAN <NUM> (<FIG>). The results of such a diagnostic scan may include the component statuses or other state information within WLAN <NUM> (<FIG>).

Still referring to <FIG>, similar to the connection status notifications during a successful communication connection through primary communication path <NUM>, after a fail-over or fallback connection during which communication is established through the secondary communication path <NUM> during a monitoring device location evaluation procedure, server <NUM> (<FIG>) transmits connection data to the user device <NUM> (<FIG>). The user device <NUM> (<FIG>) displays the connection status information regarding he primary communication path's failed status, such as by displaying "CAMERA X OUT OF RANGE" on the user device's screen, where "CAMERA X" is the monitoring device undergoing evaluation. This notification allows the user to quickly visually or otherwise confirm that potential location PL2 is unacceptable based on communication issues (non-connectivity) in the primary communication path <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, a third potential mounting location of imaging device <NUM> is shown, represented as potential location PL3, which is beyond both the primary and secondary boundaries PB, SB and therefore, outside of both of the primary and secondary zones Z1, Z2. Locations outside of secondary zone Z2 are unacceptable mounting locations or positions for the imaging device <NUM> to suitably communicate through system <NUM>. In potential location PL3, system <NUM> is in a fault state, with no communication through either the primary communication path <NUM> or the secondary communication path <NUM>. This is shown by the lack of any connection of imagining <NUM> to either hub <NUM> or <NUM> in <FIG>. In one example, during a fault state generated by the imaging device beyond boundary SB or generated by other factors altogether, such as failure of one or more of the radios, disruption in WIFI communications etc., imaging device <NUM> will detect total communication failure(s). Failure may be detected, for example, as by timing-out or failing at a defined number of sequential communication connection attempts for the primary and secondary communication paths <NUM>, <NUM>. These attempts may take the form of device polling strategies, roaming scans, or other suitable connectivity-confirmation techniques. The imaging device thereafter will sit idle or in a low power state or low power mode. The server <NUM> may cause the user device <NUM> to display a suitable notification such as by visually displaying a "SYSTEM FAULT" on the screen of the user device.

Referring now to <FIG>, and with background reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the evaluating of potential mounting locations for monitoring device such as an imaging device <NUM> is shown schematically in the flowchart as process <NUM>, which starts at block <NUM>. At block <NUM>, a monitoring device such as imaging device <NUM> is placed in a new location. This action may include the user placing the imaging device <NUM> in an initial location or moving it from an original location to an updated location as discussed below. At block <NUM>, the evaluation of the preliminary communication path <NUM> begins by the imaging device <NUM> activating its primary radio <NUM> for establishing a connection by way of, for example, a WIFI protocol to the primary radio <NUM> of base station hub <NUM>. At decision block <NUM>, imaging device <NUM> determines whether the primary communication path <NUM> is functioning to transfer data between the primary radios <NUM>, <NUM>. If the primary radios <NUM>, <NUM> are communicating through the primary connection path <NUM> (as shown schematically in <FIG>), then, at block <NUM>, system <NUM> reports that the imaging device <NUM> is within the primary range or primary zone Z1. This effect may be achieved by the server <NUM> pushing an automated notification acknowledging the primary communication path <NUM> connection for display by the user device <NUM>. For example, a visual "CAMERA X IN RANGE" notification may be displayed on the device's screen. The user may then mount the imaging device <NUM> at the evaluated location in block <NUM>, and the process <NUM> proceeds to END in block <NUM>.

If the process <NUM> determines at block <NUM> that there is no connection through the preliminary communication path <NUM>, then a fail-over or fallback switching event(s) attempts to establish communications through the secondary communication path, as represented at block <NUM>. The imaging device <NUM> activates its secondary radio <NUM> to attempt communication with secondary radio <NUM> of security hub <NUM>. At decision block <NUM>, the imaging device <NUM> evaluates whether the connection was made between the secondary radios <NUM>, <NUM> and, therefore, whether data transfer is occurring through the secondary communication path <NUM> as shown schematically in <FIG>. If not, server <NUM> may push an automated message such as a visual "SYSTEM FAULT" display to user device <NUM> indicating a total communication failure within system <NUM> as represented at block <NUM>. The user may then move the imaging device <NUM> to another new location at block <NUM> to attempt to establish connection between the monitoring device and the remainder of the system <NUM>. If, at decision block <NUM>, the imaging device <NUM> determines that a connection was made between the secondary radios <NUM>, <NUM> as shown schematically in <FIG>, then at block, system <NUM> uses the secondary communication path <NUM> to report that the imaging device <NUM> is outside of the primary zone Z1 or inside of the secondary zone Z2 as represented at block <NUM>. This reporting may be done by the server <NUM> automatically pushing an audio and/or video notification to the user device such as a "CAMERA X OUT OF RANGE" visual notification to the screen of user device <NUM>. The user then can move the imaging device <NUM> to a new location at block <NUM>, and the process <NUM> advances through the various steps until communication is established through the primary communication path <NUM>, confirmed as an acceptable location, and the imaging device <NUM> mounted at the location.

Claim 1:
An electronic monitoring system (<NUM>) for monitoring an environment, the electronic monitoring system (<NUM>) comprising:
a hub primary radio (<NUM>) configured to transmit data in a first transmission range through a primary communication path (<NUM>) to define a primary coverage zone;
a hub secondary radio (<NUM>) configured to transmit data in a second transmission range through a secondary communication path (<NUM>) to define a secondary coverage zone, the second transmission range being longer than the first transmission range;
a monitoring device (<NUM>) configured to monitor a characteristic within the environment, the monitoring device (<NUM>) including:
a device primary radio (<NUM>) configured to transmit data at a first frequency within a frequency band at or above <NUM> to communicate with the hub primary radio through the primary communication path;
a device secondary radio (<NUM>) configured to transmit data at a second frequency within a frequency band that is lower than the frequency band of the device primary radio (<NUM>) to communicate with the hub secondary radio through the secondary communication path in the event of failure to communicatively connect the monitoring device primary radio (<NUM>) to the hub primary radio (<NUM>).