Patent ID: 7119609

Claim:
A method for remote monitoring of a premises, said method comprising: operatively coupling a remote client to a security system server, said security system server being capable of authenticating a user of said remote client; operatively coupling said remote client to a security gateway, said security gateway being capable of managing the monitoring of one or more portions of said premises; said operative coupling of said remote client to said security gateway further comprising: said security system server verifying the identity of said user of said remote client; transmitting authorization information from said security system server to said remote client and from said security system server to said security gateway, said authorization information transmitted to said remote client including access permissions for said user; said remote client using said authorization information received thereby to initiate operative coupling with said security gateway; said security gateway using said authorization information received from said security system server and said authorization information received from remote client to complete operative coupling with said security gateway; activating a signal at said premises for notifying an occupant at said premises that remote monitoring is occurring; and transferring information between said security gateway and said remote client; wherein said user is at a location which is geographically remote from said premises; wherein access to said security gateway by said remote client is allowed based upon said access permissions for said user; and wherein said access permissions for said user are based upon a permission profile created by a general administrator of said security gateway.