Patent Document

RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/751,115, filed on Jan. 10, 2013, and related to U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. ______, Attorney Docket No. 0270.0017US2, entitled “Security system and method with help and login for customization” by Inventor Luc Champagne, ______, Attorney Docket No. 0270.0017US3, entitled “Security system and method with information display in flip window” by Inventor Luc Champagne, and ______, Attorney Docket No. 0270.0017US4 “Security system and method with modular display of information” by Inventor Luc Champagne. The related applications are filed on an even date herewith, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
       [0002]    A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Security systems protect people, property, and reduce crime for homeowners and businesses alike and have become an increasingly cost-effective tool to reduce risk. These systems have multiple components, such as server systems, display devices, and security devices that communicate over a security network. These security devices include monitoring points, video cameras for capturing live video of an area of interest, physical access control devices such as key pads and card readers, and a variety of sensor devices installed within and at entry and exit points for premises. 
         [0004]    Operators of the security systems typically view and manage the security devices and their information using applications installed on workstations connected to the security network. The applications have graphical user interfaces for management and display of the security network and the security devices. 
         [0005]    Security devices send information periodically and in response to changes in status of the devices. One piece of information that is of critical importance to operators of security systems is event data information. These events include changes in the environment the devices were designed to detect, such as a when a window sensor detects that the window has been opened, or when a motion sensor detects motion in a monitored area. 
         [0006]    A major challenge for security system operators is the ability to manage and display the event data from the security devices in security system installations. Networks allow access and management of security devices installed in different buildings and locations to appear as a single logical security network. While this improves control and access to the security devices, it also increases the volume of event data traffic. 
         [0007]    Current systems typically display event data from all security devices in the security network in a dedicated event viewing window. The event viewing window typically presents the event data in tabular form. The operator selects specific events from the event viewing window to reveal the event data details. 
         [0008]    Event data often includes such information as the name of the event, the time the event was received, its severity, and the name of the device that sent the event. The operator filters the events within the event viewing window to narrow the events displayed. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The inventive management application (the “Application”) is a management application for a security system that uses graphical user interface (“GUI”) elements to represent the objects of the security system, and present object information for the objects. The GUI elements include windows, panels, dialogs, icons, and other graphical indicators that represent windows and devices, such as thumbnails. Objects of the security system include security devices such as door controllers, access control systems, motion sensors, fire/smoke detectors, other input devices, other detector devices, relays, and security cameras, to list a few examples. 
         [0010]    The object information includes access cards associated with door controllers for gaining access to a building, user access control lists, virtual maps of monitored areas within buildings, and video streams from security cameras, in examples. The Application enables the operator to create associations between these objects and the object information for performing user-centric configuration and management tasks upon the security system. 
         [0011]    The Application includes graphical user interfaces. The graphical user interfaces include graphics elements or widgets such as windows, pull-down menus, panels, icons, and dialogs, in a current example. The terms “window” and “application window” are generic names for a resizable graphics container that accepts and displays other graphics elements onto a working area of the windows. 
         [0012]    Windows include panels that typically provide a layout or structure for arranging and grouping the graphical elements presented in the working area of the windows. For this reason, panels are often referred to as the “faces” of a window. Example panels include grids, lists, and tables. 
         [0013]    A dialog box is typically a child window of the current window. Dialog boxes are displayed in front of their parent windows and can be moved around without the parent moving with it. The Application utilizes dialog boxes, in examples, for prompting operators to enter information for configuring the objects of the security system. 
         [0014]    Many existing GUI-based security system applications create multiple windows for performing tasks upon the objects of the security system. These applications typically open a separate window associated with each security object. This creates clutter on the display device of the user device displaying the application, which can distract operators and cause delays in responding to security events. In contrast, the Application normally presents the panels and dialogs that include the object information for the objects of the security system within a single window of a browser. This single window is also known as the main window. 
         [0015]    The contents of the main window are also referred to as a “screen” of information. To distinguish between the different screens or windows of information in the Application, each screen is named according to the features and/or object information provided in each screen. In one example, at initial login, the Application presents a “login screen” that provides the ability for users to enter a user picture and change their credentials. In another example, the Application provides the ability for users to manage the objects and the object information to include within dockviews via a “configuration screen”. 
         [0016]    Windows include graphics elements and information for displaying and managing different aspects of the security system, and for performing specific operations upon the objects of the security system and their object information. To identify and distinguish between the windows and the information that each window provides, users of applications typically prefix a context-specific modifier to the generic word “window”. Examples include a “watchlist window” which includes lists of objects of the security system, for monitoring event data from the objects included in the lists, and the aforementioned “configuration screen” and “login screen”. 
         [0017]    For selecting among the specific screens or windows that enable the management and display of the objects of the security system and their object information, the main window includes a main menu toolbar with main menu items. In response to selection of each main menu item, the Application presents the screen specific to each main menu item in the main window. In examples, the main menu items include a “Dockviews” item for displaying and managing user-defined collections of security system objects in custom windows referred to as dockview windows, or simply as dockviews; an “Operation” item for displaying and managing objects such as doors and relays; and, a “Configuration” item for performing scheduling operations upon the objects and managing user access control lists of the objects. 
         [0018]    Each object of the security system has an object type, or class, that supports one or more objects or instances of each type. For example, a separate User object represents each user in the system, where each instance of the User object is of type User. Each instance of an object type is also referred to as an object entry. There is a one-to-many relationship between object types and their object entries. 
         [0019]    The object type/entry classification provides a common “look and feel” mechanism for organizing and displaying information throughout the Application, while also providing context-specific display and management capabilities. 
         [0020]    Events associated with a security device, such as an intrusion detected by a motion sensor, are critical to operators of security systems. The potentially large number of security devices in a security system, combined with the number and frequency of events associated with these devices, makes the task of managing events challenging. Moreover, operators typically focus most of their attention on a small set of critical security devices, such as door controllers for main entry and exit doors to a building. 
         [0021]    Current systems also require operators to take their gaze away from critical monitoring tasks in order to manage and display event data in the event viewing window. This creates delay and overhead for the operator, who must frequently switch between the separate contexts of event data management in the event viewing window or panel, and security device and systems management in the other panels and windows. 
         [0022]    The watchlist window, also known as the watchlist, provides the ability to “watch” or flag events from a user-specified list of objects such as security devices. Current security systems typically maintain event information only in a dedicated application window, or require the use of a separate event management application. In contrast, the Application provides the display and management of events from nearly any Application window. The Application provides the event data within real-time scrolling feeds included in the windows. 
         [0023]    Event data indicators in the scrolling feeds also enable the display of the event data. The event data indicators are associated with the event data, and are indexed by time intervals in the scrolling feeds. The operator uses time interval scale selectors in the scrolling feeds to shrink and grow the displayed time scale. The operator displays the event data by indicating the event data indicators, using a pointing device such as a mouse. In response to the indication, the Application displays the event data in a pop-up window overlaid upon the current window. This saves the operator from having to search through the event timeline for the details of each event, and delivers potentially system-critical information “at-a-glance” and in real time for security system managers and first responders. Because the scrolling feeds display event data from security devices in real-time, the scrolling feeds are also known as real-time scrolling feeds. 
         [0024]    The watchlist window also takes advantage of the Application object type/entry abstraction. The watchlist window displays each object added to the watchlist window in a fashion similar to the way file system contents are displayed on GUIs for typical computer operating systems. These systems display files underneath their parent directories, and indent filename entries so users can easily determine the directory/file relationships. In a likewise fashion, the watchlist window organizes and displays object types similar to the display of directories, and displays object entries similar to the display of files. This provides the operator with an intuitive display of all object types and objects in the security system currently selected for displaying their event data. 
         [0025]    Another concept that is central to the Application is the dockview window, or dockview. A dockview is a facility for a user, such as an administrator, to organize the object information for objects of the security system, such as security devices, into logical and/or physical groups. Dockviews accept icons associated with objects of the security system and their object information. Once the operator associates the icons for the objects in the dockview, the operator can configure, manage, and display the objects and their object information within the dockview. Each icon represents a different object type for each object. Using a drag-and-drop interface on a configuration screen, users select icons for each object type, and add the selected icons to a drop region of a configuration screen of the dockview for defining the contents of the dockview. 
         [0026]    Each dockview window also accepts icons associated with the configuration and management of non-device object information related to the objects of the security system. Examples include user credentials associated with access cards, and reports that include event data from the objects of the security system. 
         [0027]    The Application provides a summary listing of all dockviews in a Dockview List window or screen of the main window. To provide the summary listing of the dockviews, the Dockview List window displays a graphical indicator associated with each dockview. The graphical indicators are preferably dockview thumbnails. 
         [0028]    However, unlike thumbnails in most graphical user interfaces, which typically display a single bitmap image that represents a single object in an application, such as a GUI window or a security device, each dockview thumbnail presents multiple graphical elements associated with each dockview and their contents. In examples, dockview thumbnails present graphical elements that identify each dockview, enable the management of the dockviews, and display icons associated with each object included in each dockview. This provides “at-a-glance” information about the contents of each dockview at a high-level in the Dockview List window, including the type of objects and the number of objects associated with each dockview, without requiring the operator to “drill down” into each dockview to examine their contents. 
         [0029]    A typical dockview example is a dockview that includes security system objects and their object information for a specific location, such as the security cameras and their video streams for a monitored room. For this example, the operator creates a dockview with the name of the room, and associates security camera objects with the dockview. Additionally, the operator can include the door object for the door controller that controls access to the monitored room, and can include access card objects for controlling user access to the door object. 
         [0030]    Another example of a dockview is to support user-oriented task objectives, such as creating a dockview for a security guard who is monitoring only the foyer area of a building. For this example, the operator might create a dockview with name “FoyerGuard,” and associate only those object types to the dockview which the foyer guard requires access. In this case, the operator would provide the foyer guard with access to the object associated with the specific door controller for the door outside the foyer, but not provide access to other door controllers, consistent with policy objectives. 
         [0031]    As the dockview name implies, a dockview can be “docked,” also known as embedded. By default, all dockviews are non-embedded in the Application, meaning that the Application displays and enables the managing of dockviews within the main window in a browser. 
         [0032]    However, when the operator “docks” or “embeds” a dockview, the Application opens a new Application window on the user device that is separate from the main window displayed in the browser. The new window includes the embedded dockview contents. The Application provides the ability to dock or embed each dockview in its own application window via an embedded dockview selector, available on each dockview thumbnail in the Dockviews list window. 
         [0033]    Once opened, the new window for an embedded dockview remains open until the operator closes it, and the operator can move the window freely about the windows space of the display device. A typical usage of embedded dockviews is to enable communications between objects of the dockviews, and other applications of the user devices. Embedding dockviews also allows operators to move the separate application windows that include the embedded dockviews to different regions of a desktop display of the user devices for improved visibility and isolation. 
         [0034]    The terms “dockview,” and “dockview window” are synonymous. An operator of the system is also a user of the system, but the concept of an operator is similar to a person with “super-user” or Administrator access privileges on typical computer systems with access control privileges. Operators grant and revoke user access to security system objects based on company policy guidelines. 
         [0035]    An operator highlights or indicates a GUI element, such as a dockview thumbnail in the Dockview List window, or a “Relay” object type thumbnail in the Operation Window, by indicating the GUI element or object with a pointing device. One example of a pointing device is a mouse. Indication occurs when the operator moves the pointing device over the object, which is also known as a hover operation. Highlighting outlines the indicated object with a color, such as blue, to make the object stand out as compared to other objects. 
         [0036]    When an object is highlighted, the Application reveals context-specific help or summary text for operations available on that object. Moreover, the process of selecting an object to reveal more details about that object is preceded by a highlighting of that object, which aids the user in object selection. Selection of an object typically opens a popup window overlaid upon the current Application panel that reveals more detail about the object. 
         [0037]    In general, according to one aspect, the invention features a security system that comprises a server system for a security network that aggregates object information from objects on the security network, and graphical user interfaces displayed on user devices that present the object information received from the server as scrolling feeds. 
         [0038]    In one example, the object information is event data from the objects. The event data are typically transmitted in response to changes in status of the objects, the event data comprising a date and time, a name, a description, a picture, and/or a video. 
         [0039]    Preferably, the graphical user interfaces comprise windows that include the scrolling feeds within the windows, and watchlist windows that control inclusion of the event data in the scrolling feeds. The watchlist windows include lists of the objects, the objects in the lists presenting their event data within the scrolling feeds. 
         [0040]    In another aspect, the windows further include graphical objects associated with the objects, arranged in panes; time interval scale selectors for selecting the scale of time intervals within the scrolling feeds; and watchlist window selectors for enabling the display of the watchlist windows. Typically, the scale of the time intervals of the scrolling feeds change in response to selection of the time interval scale selectors. 
         [0041]    In yet another aspect, the scrolling feeds include event data indicators indexed by the time intervals, the event data indicators displaying the event data in event data windows in response to indication of the event data indicators. 
         [0042]    The graphical user interfaces can overlay the watchlist windows upon the windows in response to selection of the watchlist window selectors, and the graphical user interfaces close the watchlist windows in response to deselection of the watchlist window selectors. Preferably, the graphical objects associated with the objects include a watchlist add/delete selector for adding and deleting the objects from the list of objects in the watchlist window. 
         [0043]    The graphical objects associated with the objects further preferably include an object type for each type of the objects. The object type comprises an icon, a name, and an object entry for each of the objects, wherein each object entry is associated with one of the object types, each object entry comprising an icon, and a name. Preferably, the watchlist windows display the object type names and the object entry names for the objects in separate TOWS. 
         [0044]    In general, according to one aspect, the invention features a method for displaying object information for objects in a security system, comprising a server system, a security network for connecting the server system to the objects, user devices for displaying graphical user interfaces. The method comprises the server system aggregating the object information from the objects on the security network, and the user devices receiving the object information from the server system, and displaying the object information in graphical user interfaces that present the object information as scrolling feeds. 
         [0045]    The above and other features of the invention including various novel details of construction and combinations of parts, and other advantages, will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims. It will be understood that the particular method and device embodying the invention are shown by way of illustration and not as a limitation of the invention. The principles and features of this invention may be employed in various and numerous embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0046]    In the accompanying drawings, reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale; emphasis has instead been placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Of the drawings: 
           [0047]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a security system managed by the Application; 
           [0048]      FIG. 2  shows the login screen of the Application, along with user login customization features; 
           [0049]      FIG. 3  shows the login screen during configuration of user-related information; 
           [0050]      FIG. 4  shows the Edit Picture dialog displayed in response to selection of a user picture in the login screen; 
           [0051]      FIG. 5  is a flow chart illustrating a method for configuring user settings on the security system workstation; 
           [0052]      FIGS. 6A-6C  show the configuration screen for configuring dockviews, showing the user task flow and tooltips that guide the user through configuration tasks; 
           [0053]      FIG. 7  shows the contents of an exemplary dockview named “Main” that includes a door object, an event data object, and a security camera object displaying live video streams in separate object windows within the dockview; 
           [0054]      FIG. 8  shows a dockview list window for selection and management of dockviews; 
           [0055]      FIG. 9  is a flow chart illustrating a method for creating and defining a dockview for presenting object information from objects in the security system; 
           [0056]      FIG. 10A-10B  show highlighted dockview thumbnails representing dockviews in the dockview list window, the highlighted thumbnails associated with the selection of the embedded dockview feature; 
           [0057]      FIG. 11  shows an embedded dockview, displayed in a new application window; 
           [0058]      FIG. 12  shows the assign dockview dialog, displayed in response to an “assign user” operation performed upon a dockview thumbnail in the Dockview List window; 
           [0059]      FIG. 13  is a flow chart illustrating a method for embedding dockviews in a new application window; 
           [0060]      FIG. 14A-14B  show how the Application updates the display of information in the main window in response to screen transitions, by presenting the information in a presentation direction within the working area, having a cylindrical graphical surface, of the main window; 
           [0061]      FIG. 15  displays the Operation window, and its associated object types; 
           [0062]      FIG. 16A  displays the users window for the users object type, for displaying and managing users of the security system; 
           [0063]      FIG. 16B  shows the edit user dialog, displayed in response to selection of a specific user from the users window in  FIG. 16A , wherein the edit user dialog is presented within a flip window; 
           [0064]      FIG. 16C  displays additional object information of the edit user dialog, displayed in response to operator selection of the flip button of the edit user dialog in  FIG. 16B ; 
           [0065]      FIG. 17  displays a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the flip window; 
           [0066]      FIG. 18  shows the first dialog of the Reports selection wizard of the Reports window, for adding users to a report; 
           [0067]      FIG. 19  shows the Configuration window and its associated Configuration object types; 
           [0068]      FIG. 20  s the access levels window for the access object type; 
           [0069]      FIG. 21  shows the schedule window for the schedule object type, with the edit schedule dialog displayed in response to selection of a specific schedule; 
           [0070]      FIG. 22  shows the Hardware Setup window and its associated Hardware object types; 
           [0071]      FIG. 23  shows the Connections Window for the connections object type, displaying associated door controllers for each connection; 
           [0072]      FIGS. 24A-24D  show the Controller Setup wizard displayed in response to selection of a specific connection from the Connections Window of  FIG. 23 ; 
           [0073]      FIG. 25  shows the Doors window for the doors object type, with the edit door dialog displayed in response to selection of a specific door; 
           [0074]      FIG. 26  is a flow chart displaying a method of operation of the flip window; 
           [0075]      FIGS. 27A and 27B  show the watchlist window and the scrolling feeds of event data displayed within the Doors window and the Dockview List window, respectively; 
           [0076]      FIG. 28  shows the Events window for displaying details for the event data from the objects of the security system; 
           [0077]      FIG. 29A  is a flow chart displaying a method for adding a watchlist entry to the watchlist window for a newly created Door object, for displaying its event data in the scrolling feeds; 
           [0078]      FIG. 29B  is a flow chart displaying a method for deleting an object entry for a Door object from the watchlist window, for removing the display of its event data from the scrolling feeds; 
           [0079]      FIG. 29C  is a flow chart displaying a method for deselecting all watchlist entries associated with the Door object type from the watchlist window, for removing the display of the event data from the scrolling feeds for all objects of the Door type; 
           [0080]      FIG. 29D  is a flow chart displaying a method for deselecting an individual watchlist entry for a specific Door object from the watchlist window, for removing the display of the object&#39;s event data from the scrolling feed; 
           [0081]      FIG. 29E  is a flow chart displaying a method for displaying event data from an object of the security system within a pop-up event data window on the main window of the Application; 
           [0082]      FIG. 30A  and  FIG. 30B  are flow charts displaying methods for selecting event timelines within the scrolling feeds, using a pointing device; and 
           [0083]      FIG. 31A  and  FIG. 31B  are flow charts displaying methods for selecting the scale of time intervals within the scrolling feeds, using the time interval scale selector. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0084]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a security system  150 , with security devices such as one or more input devices  154 , one or more door controllers  162  for a door  164 , and one or more security cameras  166 . The user devices  163  include one or more mobile computing devices  159  and one or more security system workstations  158 . A display device  156 , a pointing device  160 , and a keyboard  168  are connected to the security system workstation  158 . The door controller  162 , the input device  154 , the security camera  166 , the mobile devices  159  and the security system workstation  158  communicate over a security network  152 . 
         [0085]    The security system workstation  158  includes graphical user interfaces  180  for presenting the object information from the objects of the security system, such as security devices, and includes a browser  161 . The security system workstation  158  is typically located within the security network  152 . 
         [0086]    An operator placed at the security system workstation  158  manages the objects of the security system  150 , and their object information, using the graphical user interfaces  180  of the Application. The graphical user interfaces  180  are installed and running on the security system workstation  158 . The graphical user interfaces  180  of the Application display on the display device  156 , and the operator interacts with the Application using the pointing device and/or touch screen  160  and the keyboard  168 . 
         [0087]    An operator also manages the security devices and other objects of the security system via user devices  163  such as mobile devices  159 , which communicate over the security network  152  via a network cloud  151 . The mobile devices  159  also includes graphical user interfaces  180  for presenting information from the security devices, and a browser  161 . 
         [0088]    The security system  150  also includes a server system  130  connected to the security network  152  that aggregates the object information from the objects of the security system. Examples of object information include user account settings  155  for access cards  113 , video streams  999  from security cameras  166  and login sessions  157  initiated by users. The mobile devices  159  and the security system workstation  158  receive the object information from the server system  130 . The server system  130  stores user account settings  155  for the users, and authenticates the users when the users request access to the server system  130  from the graphical user interfaces  180  on the user devices  163 . Upon authentication of the users, the server system  130  creates login sessions  157  on the server system  130  for the users. 
         [0089]    During the login sessions  157 , users can change their user account settings  155 . The graphical user interfaces  180  of the user devices  163  enable the users to make changes to their user account settings  155 . 
         [0090]      FIG. 2  shows the Application login screen  100  that the Application presents to the user or operator upon initial login to the Application. The login screen  100  is presented within the main window  101  of the Application. The login screen  100  includes graphical elements within the working area  301  of the main window  101 . The login screen includes a company logo  102  and a user login graphic  108 . The login screen  100  displays an operator username  106  in multiple places within the login screen  100 , such as username  106 - 1  in the middle of the login screen  100  as part of a welcome message  121 , and within a user account pull-down menu  107  as username  106 - 2 . The login screen  100  allows the operator to select a user picture  104 , and the user-customizable logo, or company logo  102 . 
         [0091]    The user login graphic  108 , which surrounds the user picture  104 , in one implementation, presents a visual indication of time remaining in the operator&#39;s login session. The user login graphic  108  has time blocks  103 , the color of which changes in response to user inactivity during the user&#39;s login session. As user inactivity continues, successive time blocks  103  change their color in response to the inactivity. Preferably, contiguous time blocks  103  change their color in a counter-clockwise fashion in response to the user&#39;s inactivity, suggesting that the operator&#39;s login session is approaching a timeout limit. 
         [0092]    As with nearly all windows or screens in the Application, the login screen  100  includes a main menu toolbar  100  for navigation among the Application windows, a watchlist window selector  114 , scrolling feeds  820  that displays real-time event data  892  from the objects of the security system, and a time interval scale selector  824 . The watchlist window selector  114  has an eye icon. The operator selects and deselects the watchlist window selector  114  to alternatively enable and disable the display of the watchlist window  802  on the application windows. Example illustrations of the watchlist window  802  are provided in  FIGS. 27A and 27B . 
         [0093]    The operator selects among the different Application windows by selecting Main menu tabs  112  associated with the window name. For example, the Dockviews Main menu tab  112 - 1  is associated with the initialization, creation, and display of dockview windows, also known as dockviews  203 . 
         [0094]      FIG. 3  displays the login screen  100  that the Application displays during customization of user-related parameters by a user. In the example login screen  100 , the user has selected a non-default user picture  104 , and has selected the user account pull-down menu  107  for editing information such as their user credentials for logging onto the server system  130 . 
         [0095]      FIG. 4  shows the edit picture dialog  122  that the Application displays in response to operator selection of the user picture  104  in  FIG. 3 . Image buttons  3102  allow the user to select and perform manipulation of the user picture  104 , and commit buttons  3103  allow the user to accept or cancel the user operations from the image buttons  3102 . A preview window  3104  displays the resulting user picture  104  prior to the user accepting the user picture  104  via the commit buttons  3103 . 
         [0096]      FIG. 5  displays a method  1800  for customizing the Application login screen  100 . In step  1802 , the security system workstation  158  executes the Application. In step  1804 , the login screen  100  displays on the user devices  163  and the display device  156  of the security system workstation  158 . In step  1806 , the operator enters company logo  102  information. In step  1808 , the operator creates a username for the user, and imports a user picture  104  from the security system workstation  158  to the user login graphic  108 . In step  1810 , the operator enters a username/password combination and either proceeds to step  1814  to save the information to the security system workstation  158 , or selects the next user according to step  1812 . If the operator selects the next user in step  1812 , the operator returns to step  1808 . 
         [0097]      FIG. 6A-6C  shows the configuration screen  200  that the Application displays in response to operator creation of a new dockview  203  Dockviews  203  are operator-created collections of objects of the security system and their object information. Typically, operators utilize dockviews  203  for managing and displaying the security system objects and their object information associated with physical premises. Examples include creating dockviews  203  that include the security system objects for an entire office building, or creating dockviews  203  for individual rooms within a building. In addition, operators can create dockviews  203  associated with logical grouping, such as a “user-specific” dockview  203  that includes the objects and their object information to which a specific user has access. 
         [0098]    Each dockview  203  accepts object type icons  214  associated with the objects of the security system  150  and their object information. Each object type icon  214  represents a different object type for each object. In the configuration screen  200 , operators include the object type icons  214  within the dockviews  203  using a drag-and-drop interface. 
         [0099]    Using the drag-and-drop interface, operators select the object type icons  214  from one or more object type lists  210 , and add the selected object type icons  214  icons to a drop region  208  of the configuration screen  200 . This defines the contents of the dockview  203 . The description that accompanies  FIG. 7  describes the contents of an example dockview  203  in more detail, including how each drag and drop of the object type icons  214  in the configuration screen  200  creates a separate object within an object window  604  of the dockview  203 . 
         [0100]    The operator has multiple ways to create dockviews  203 . One way to create a dockview is by selecting the Dockviews main menu tab  112 - 1  from the main menu toolbar  110 , which opens the  FIG. 8  Dockview list window  300 . Within the Dockview list window  300 , the operator selects the  FIG. 8  “New” pinned dockview thumbnail  317  from the  FIG. 8  featured dockview window  316 . In response to operator selection of the “New” pinned dockview thumbnail  317 , the Application opens the configuration screen  200  for a new dockview with “Untitled” dockview name  240  displayed in  FIG. 6A-6C . 
         [0101]    Another way to create a dockview  203  is when there are no dockviews  203  currently defined in the Application, and the operator selects the Dockviews main menu tab  112 - 1  from the main menu toolbar  110 . This opens the configuration screen  200  with default dockview name  240 , “Untitled,” as illustrated in  FIG. 6C . Yet another way to create a dockview  203  is to select the  FIG. 8  dockview graphical indicator  302 , which in this example is a thumbnail, associated with the “New” dockview name  240  from the Dockview list window  300 . In response to operator selection of the “New” dockview thumbnail  302 , the Application opens the configuration screen  200  for a new dockview with “Untitled” dockview name  240  displayed in  FIG. 6A-6C . 
         [0102]    During dockview  203  creation, the configuration screen  200  in  FIG. 6A  displays the dockview name dialog  204 , which prompts the user to enter a dockview name  240 , with the aid of the dockview name tooltip  206 . The add item tooltip  212  prompts the user to add object type icons  214  from the object type list  210  for adding objects to the dockview  203   
         [0103]    The object type icons  214  represent the different types of objects of the security system  150 . The Application supports multiple object types, each identified by an object type name  508 . The object type names  508  for the supported object types include: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Relay 508-1; 
               
               
                   
                 User 508-2; 
               
               
                   
                 Event 508-3; 
               
               
                   
                 Door 508-4; 
               
               
                   
                 Report 508-5; 
               
               
                   
                 Video 508-6; 
               
               
                   
                 Map 508-7; 
               
               
                   
                 Input 508-8; 
               
               
                   
                 Access Level 508-9 
               
               
                   
                 Schedule 508-10; 
               
               
                   
                 Holiday 508-11; 
               
               
                   
                 Tenant List 508-12; 
               
               
                   
                 Connection 508-13; and 
               
               
                   
                 Controller 508-14. 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0104]    In one example, object type icon  214 - 1  is associated with the “Input” object type name  508 - 8 , for input devices  154 . Each drag-and-drop operation of an object type icon  214 - 1  upon the drop region  208  creates a separate input device  154  object within the dockview  203 . 
         [0105]    The object type selector  226 , in one example, offers two options for object type selection, either “Configuration” or “Operation.” The Application displays different object type icons  214  in the object type list  210  for the two options. 
         [0106]    The object type icons  214  that appear in the object type list  210  for the “Operation” object type selector  226  are displayed in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . The object type icons  214  that appear in the object type list  210  for the “Configuration” object type selector  226  are displayed in  FIG. 6C . 
         [0107]    The “Operation” object type icons  214  include icons for the following object type names  508 : Relay  508 - 1 , User  508 - 2 , Event  508 - 3 , Door  508 - 4 , Report  508 - 5 , Video  508 - 6 , Map  508 - 7 , and Input  508 - 8 . 
         [0108]    The “Configuration” object type icons  214  include icons for the following object type names  508 : User  508 - 2 , Access Level  508 - 9 , Schedule  508 - 10 , Holiday  508 - 11 , and Tenant List  508 - 12 . 
         [0109]    The Connection object type, object type name  508 - 13 , and the Controller object type, object type name  508 - 14 , are associated with the configuration of Door objects. More information on these object type names  508  accompanies the descriptions for the  FIG. 23  Connections window  1500  and the  FIG. 22  Hardware Setup window  1400 , appearing later in this section. 
         [0110]    The add item tooltip  212  prompts the user to drag and drop object type icons  214  from the object type list  210 . Operators add objects to their dockviews  203  by dragging and dropping the object type icons  214  associated with objects onto the drop region  208  of the configuration screen  200 . The add item tooltip  212  directs the operator to perform the drag and drop of the object type icons  214 . 
         [0111]    The open/close button  222  displays action “close” to indicate that dockview  203  editing or initialization is still in progress, and the operator must “close” the configuration screen  200  to end the dockview  203  creation or editing process and save their changes. When operators complete changes to their dockview  203  in the configuration screen  200 , they select the open/close button  222  with the aid of the close button tooltip  220 . 
         [0112]      FIGS. 6B and 6C  display the configuration screen  200  for the newly created dockview  203  of  FIG. 6A  after the operator has dragged and dropped an object type icon  214  associated with a security camera  166 , or “video” object, from the object type list  210  onto the drop region  208 . In response to the operator drag and drop operation, the Application creates an object window  604  in the drop region  208  that includes one or more objects of the same object type. In  FIGS. 6A and 6B , a specific security camera  166  object is displayed in object window  604 , which also includes video stream  999  object information from the security cameras  166 . 
         [0113]      FIG. 6C  also displays the “Configuration” option of the object type selector  226 . Selection of the “Configuration” object type selector  226  displays object type icons  214  associated with configuring object information that are typically not associated with security device objects. Instead, “Configuration” objects apply to lists of object information that often apply to more than one object type. For example, the object type icons  214  in the object type list  210  include icons for assigning users to access cards  113 , assigning users to access control lists, and defining schedules of operation for all security devices. 
         [0114]    In  FIGS. 6B and 6C , the operator can drag and drop additional object type icons  214  from the object type list  220  onto the drop region  208  of the configuration screen  200  in order to add more objects to the dockview  203 . The open/close button  222  displays action “close” to indicate that dockview editing or initialization is still in progress, and the operator must “close” the window to end the dockview editing process and save their changes. 
         [0115]      FIG. 7  shows the contents of an exemplary dockview  203  with dockview name “Main.” The dockview  203  includes object windows  604  that include objects and object information associated with different object types. Each object window  604  typically presents the object information for its objects in a manner that befits intuitive display and management. For example, object window  604 - 3  includes objects of the “Event” type. Each instance of the Event type is a string of text associated with event data  892  sent from security device objects. As a result, object window  604 - 3  presents the event data  892  in a list. 
         [0116]    In another example, object window  604 - 1  includes Door objects. Unlike the Event type objects, which display their object information in text strings, Door objects for individual doors  164  are associated with door controllers  162 , which have multiple configuration parameters. In addition, because the security system  150  can support objects located in different geographical locations or buildings over a security network  152 , security systems  150  often include hundreds or even thousands of doors  164  to manage and display. As a result, the Application supports the display and management of Door objects in the “Door” type object window  604 - 3  differently than the display and management of Event objects in the “Event” object window  604 - 1 . 
         [0117]    Specifically, in response to the operator dragging and dropping each object type icon  214  of the “Door” object type during dockview creation/modification illustrated in  FIG. 6A-6C , the Application creates a separate object entry icon  818  for each Door object in the “Door” type object window  604 - 3 . The Door object that each object entry icon  818  represents is “blank” or uninitialized. The operator then selects the object entry icon  818  for each uninitialized Door object, and associates the object entry icon  818  with an actual Door object. The operator utilizes a site selector  830  for selecting an actual Door object from a list of Door objects for each site or physical installation. 
         [0118]    Object window  604 - 2  includes objects and object information from “Video” type objects associated with security cameras  166 . The object information from the security cameras  166  include video streams  999 . As with the “Doors” object window  604 - 1  and selection of its Door objects, Object window  604 - 2  utilizes graphical elements that befit the unique configuration and display needs of security cameras  166  and their video streams  999 . For example, the Video object window  604 - 2  includes video action buttons  831 , which enable selection and display of video streams  999  from a video stream list  832 . 
         [0119]    The operator can also modify the contents of an existing dockview  203  via the open/close button  222 . Note that the open/close button  222  of existing dockview  203  of  FIG. 7  displays state “open.” In response to operator selection of the open/close button  222 , the Application “opens” the dockview  203  for editing, and displays the contents of the existing dockview  203  in the configuration screen  200  as illustrated in  FIGS. 6B and 6C . 
         [0120]      FIG. 8  shows the Dockview list window  300  for displaying and managing dockviews  203 . When one or more dockviews  203  exist in the Application, selection of the Dockviews main menu tab  112 - 1  from the Main menu toolbar  110  brings up the dockview list window  300 . The dockview list window  300  allows the operator to select an existing dockview  203  for editing and displaying its contents. The Dockview list window  300  displays dockview thumbnails  302  that represent each dockview  203  in a dockview matrix  310 . 
         [0121]    When the operator selects the dockview thumbnail  302  for a dockview  203 , the Application opens its associated dockview  203  in either the main window  101  in browser  161 , as shown in  FIG. 7 , or in a new application window  1001  as shown in  FIG. 11 . This display choice depends on whether the dockview is “not embedded,” or “embedded,” respectively. 
         [0122]    Embedding a dockview  203  provides the operator with the ability to include the contents of the dockview  203  in a new application window  1001 , separate from the main window  101  displayed inside the browser  161 . The operator can then move the new application window  1001  including the embedded dockview  2900  across the display device  156  of the security system workstation  158 , or across the display of the mobile devices  159 . 
         [0123]    The operator embeds a dockview  203  by indicating the embedded dockview selector  318  of its dockview thumbnail  302  in the Dockview list window  300 . In response to the indication, an embedded dockview indicator  320  of each dockview thumbnail  302  reflects the current state of the dockview with respect to embedding. The possible states are “embedded,” as shown within indicated dockview thumbnail  314 - 1  in  FIG. 8 , and within indicated dockview thumbnail  314 - 3  in  FIG. 10B , and “not embedded,” as shown within indicated dockview thumbnail  314 - 2  in  FIG. 10A . 
         [0124]    The new application windows  1001  also enable interactions between the objects of embedded dockviews  203 , and other applications of the user devices. An embedded dockview  203  that includes Map objects can communicate with an interactive map application for location services, in one example. In another example, a video stream  999  of an embedded dockview  2900  can be selected/“dragged and dropped” onto the interface of a call center application in the same application window  1001 , for associating the video stream  999  to an emergency event tracked by the call center application. 
         [0125]    The dockview thumbnail  302  displays the value of the embedded dockview indicator  320  when the operator indicates the embedded dockview selector  318  of an indicated dockview thumbnail  314 , such as via a pointing device  160  hover operation. 
         [0126]    Operators navigate to additional dockview thumbnails  302  within the dockview matrix  310  via the window navigation control  308  and the window number selector  322 . The additional dockview thumbnails  302  exist when the number of existing dockviews  203  exceeds the ability of the Application to display their associated dockview thumbnails  302  within the working area  301  of the main window  101 . The window number selector  322  indicates the total number of screens of dockview thumbnails  302  in the Application, highlights the current screen number  323  being displayed, and moves to the selected screen in response to operator selection of a screen number  323  in the window number selector  322 . 
         [0127]    The window navigation control  308  also moves the display of dockviews  203  to the next screen of dockviews  203 , and the window number selector  322  reflects the current screen display selection. Each dockview thumbnail  302  displays the dockview name  240 , object type overlays  312  that correspond to object types currently assigned to the dockview  203 , and a set of selection tools to perform operations upon the dockview  203 . Each object type overlay  312  includes an object type icon  214  that allows operators to “at a glance” ascertain the object types included within the dockviews  203  for each dockview thumbnail  302 , without requiring the operator to open the dockview  203 . The selection tools include a pinning selector  304  for adding the dockview  203  to the featured dockviews window  316 , a delete selector  305  for deleting the dockview  203 , a user assignment selector  306  for assigning users to a dockview  203 , and an embedded dockview selector  318 . 
         [0128]    Pinning of a dockview thumbnail  302  for a dockview  203  allows an operator to feature the display of pinned dockview thumbnails  302  similar to a “favorites” list. To pin a dockview thumbnail  302 , the operator selects the pinning selector  304  within the dockview thumbnail  302 . In response to the selection, the pinning selector  304  moves to an upright position, and changes its color to indicate the selection. 
         [0129]    When the operator pins a dockview thumbnail  302 , the Application adds a pinned dockview thumbnail  317  for the dockview  203  to the featured dockview window  316 . The featured dockview window  316  is not displayed by default. The Application displays the featured dockview window  316  when the user indicates the Dockviews main menu tab  112 - 1  in the main window  101  via a pointing device  160  hover operation. Deselecting the pinning selector  304  for a pinned dockview  203  removes its pinned dockview thumbnail  317  from the featured dockview window  316 . The pinning selector  304  moves to a down position and changes its color in response to the deselection. 
         [0130]    The featured dockview window  316  displays pinned dockview thumbnails  317  associated with pinned dockviews  203 . The featured dockviews window  316  also displays a default pinned dockview thumbnail  317 , for creation of a “New” dockview  203 . 
         [0131]    The Application displays a separate object type overlay  312  for each object type the operator has added to their dockview  203 . Each object type overlay  312  displays the object type icon  214  for the object type that the overlay represents. The object type overlays  312  display with different transparency so the operator can determine the number of object type overlays  312 , and therefore the number of object types assigned to the dockview  203 . This is another visual reference for the operator to see “at a glance” the high-level information associated with each dockview  203  from the dockview list window  300 . 
         [0132]    The operator selects the user assignment selector  306  for a dockview thumbnail  302  to assign one or more users to a dockview  203 . 
         [0133]      FIG. 9  displays a method  1900  for initializing a dockview. According to step  1902 , the operator selects a “New” dockview from the Dockview list window  300  menu, and in response, the Application displays the configuration screen  200  for editing the dockview  203  in step  1904 . In step  1906 , the operator enters the dockview name  240  in the dockview name dialog  204 . In step  1908 , the Application displays tooltip graphics to assist the operator in dockview  203  creation tasks. According to step  1910 , the operator selects from the object type selector  226  either Configuration or Operation options. 
         [0134]    In step  1912 , the Application displays object type icons  214  for objects of the security system in the object type list  210 . According to step  1914 , the operator selects an object type icon  214  from the object type list  210 , and drags and drops it to the drop region  208 . The operator then either selects the next object type icon  214  to drag and drop to the drop region  208  in step  1916 , which returns to step  1910 , or continues to step  1918  to select the open/close button  222  to save and exit. 
         [0135]      FIGS. 10A and 10B  also display the Dockview list window  300 , which is illustrated and described in detail in the description for  FIG. 8 . Operators can indicate only one dockview thumbnail  302  at a time within the dockview matrix  310  of the Dockview list window  300 . As a result,  FIG. 10A  illustrates indicated dockview thumbnail  314 - 2 , the embedded dockview indicator  320 - 10  of which indicates the “not embedded” state, and  FIG. 10B  illustrates indicated dockview thumbnail  314 - 3 , the embedded dockview indicator  302 - 12  of which indicates the “embedded” state. 
         [0136]    The indicated dockview thumbnail  314 - 2  highlights dockview thumbnail  302 - 10  in  FIG. 10A . Dockview thumbnail  302 - 10  includes embedded dockview selector  318 - 10 , embedded dockview indicator  320 - 10 , and object type overlays  312 - 10  with object type icons  214 - 10 . Dockview thumbnail  302 - 10  also includes user assignment selector  306 - 10 , delete selector  305 - 10 , pinning selector  304 - 10 , and dockview name  240 , “Main”. 
         [0137]    The indicated dockview thumbnail  314 - 3  highlights dockview thumbnail  302 - 12  in  FIG. 10B . Dockview thumbnail  302 - 12  includes embedded dockview selector  318 - 12 , embedded dockview indicator  320 - 12 , and object type overlays  312 - 12  with object type icons  214 - 12 . Dockview thumbnail  302 - 12  also includes user assignment selector  306 - 12 , delete selector  305 - 12 , pinning selector  304 - 12 , and dockview name  240 , “test”. 
         [0138]      FIG. 11  shows an embedded dockview  2900  within a new application window  1001 . Specifically, the Application displays embedded dockview  2900  with dockview name  240 , “test,” in response to operator selection of dockview thumbnail  302 - 12  in  FIG. 10B . An embedded dockview  2900  presents graphical elements associated with creation and initialization of dockviews  203 , such as the dockview name  240 , the object windows  604 , and the open/close button  222 . Otherwise, the new application window  1001  does not include the graphical elements and panels found in “non-embedded” dockviews  203 , such as the main menu toolbar  110  and the scrolling feeds  820 . However, unlike dockviews  203  displayed in the main window  101  of browser  161 , each new application window  1001  provides the ability for the objects of their embedded dockviews  2900  to communicate with other applications of the user devices presented in the application windows  1001 . 
         [0139]    In  FIG. 11 , the graphical user interfaces  180  presented by the Application also include an inset thumbnail  2901 - 1  of the main window  101  of the Application, and an inset thumbnail  2901 - 2  of the new application window  1001  that includes the contents of the embedded dockview  2900 . The inset thumbnails  2901  are included within an inset window  2904  of the Application. 
         [0140]      FIG. 12  shows the Assign Dockview dialog  402  displayed by the Application in the main window  101 , in response to selection of the user assignment selector  306  for a dockview thumbnail  302  in the Dockview List window  300 . The operator selects users  405  from a user list  404 , and only selected users will have access to that dockview  203 . The operator accepts or cancels the selection via the commit buttons  3103 . 
         [0141]      FIG. 13  displays method  2500  for defining an embedded dockview  2900 , which includes the contents of that dockview  203  in a new application window  1001  specific to each embedded dockview  2900 . In step  2502 , in the Dockviews List window  300 , the operator indicates a dockview thumbnail  302  for a dockview  203  in the dockview matrix  310 . Indication is a hover operation of the dockview thumbnail  302  via a pointing device  160 . In step  2504 , the operator selects the embedded dockview selector  318  on the indicated dockview thumbnail  314 . In step  2506 , the embedded dockview indicator  320  changes to “embedded” to reflect the operation. 
         [0142]    In step  2508 , the operator selects the dockview  203  via its dockview thumbnail  302  in the dockview list window  300 . In step  2510 , in response to the selection, the Application opens the embedded dockview  2900  in a separate application window  1001 . 
         [0143]      FIGS. 14A and 14B  illustrate the display of information within the main window  101  during transitions and screen updates. Navigation in the Application has a common look and feel when displaying information. When the Application updates currently displayed window content with new content, the Application displays the update in a novel way. The Application renders the content on a graphics plane that suggests the information is displayed within a curved image surface  3003  or virtual cylinder. The currently displayed content “turns away” from the operator along the curved image surface  3003  according to a presentation direction  3002 . 
         [0144]    In addition,  FIGS. 14A and 14B  illustrate the action pop-up windows  319  that display in response to indication of the main menu tabs  112 . In the figures, main menu tab  112 - 2 , “Operation,” is indicated by the operator via a pointing device  160  such as a mouse. In response to the indication, the Application presents object type icons  214  in the action pop-up window  319 , for the actions associated with each main menu tab  112 .  FIG. 15  shows the Operation window  500 . The Application displays the Operation window  500  when the user selects the Operation main menu tab  112 - 2  of the main menu toolbar  110 . The Operation window  500  displays object type thumbnails  504  associated with each Operation object type. Each object type thumbnail  504  has an object type name  508 , also known as an object type  508 , and an object type icon  214 . For example, object type name  508 - 1 , “Relay,” and object type icon  214 - 2  are associated with the Relay object type. 
         [0145]    Object types associated with the Operation window  500  include User, Event, Video, Map, Door, Relay, Input, and Report object types. As with indication of dockview thumbnails  302  associated with dockviews  203  in  FIGS. 8 ,  10 A, and  10 B, operators indicate, or highlight, object type thumbnails  504  associated with Operation objects. The Application displays a highlighted object type overlay  506 , here for the “Event” object type, in response to an indication of an object type thumbnail  504 . The highlighted object type summary text  510  displays context-specific summary and help information associated with the highlighted object type thumbnail  504 . 
         [0146]    To select and manage operations and parameters associated with an Operations object type, the operator selects the corresponding object type thumbnail  504  from the Operations window  500 . A standard user typically does not have access to the Operations window  500 . A standard user typically has access only to dockviews  203  assigned to the user by an administrator, and by extension, the user has access to only those objects included within the object windows  604  of their dockviews  203 . 
         [0147]    As with the Dockview List Window  300  indication of dockviews thumbnails  302 , which displays an indicated dockview thumbnail  314  in response to the indication, the indication of an object type thumbnail  504  in the Operation window  500  displays a highlighted object type overlay  506 . The highlighted object type summary text  510  displays context-specific summary and help information associated with the highlighted object type thumbnail  504 . 
         [0148]      FIG. 16A  shows the users window  700 . The Application displays the users&#39; window  700  when the operator selects object type thumbnail  504 - 2  for the User object type name  508 - 2  from the  FIG. 15  Operations window  500 . 
         [0149]    The users&#39; window  700  displays individual users, or object entries  704  associated with the User object type name  508 - 2 . The object entries  704  appear in an object entries pane  714 . Information associated with a selected user object entry  704 - 1  is displayed to the right of the object entries pane  714 , in an object detail pane  721 . A user has an object name  706 , also known as an object entry name  706 , a user picture  104 , and user access card status information  723 . 
         [0150]    The User type supports an object entry search tool  708  to search for users, and an object entry toolbar  710  with object entry toolbar buttons  712  for managing the object entry names  706 . The User object type also supports a filter by last name tool  702  that is specific to the User type, for narrowing the list of users based on the selection. 
         [0151]      FIG. 16B  displays the edit user dialog  724 . The Application displays the edit user dialog  724  when the operator selects an object entry  704  such as object entry  704 - 1  for a specific user in the Users Window  700 , displayed in  FIG. 16A . The edit user dialog  724  displays further information for the current user, such as a user picture  104 , and detail for access card information not displayed on the  FIG. 16A  object details pane  721 . 
         [0152]    The edit user dialog  724  also includes a flip button  718 , with flip text  722  that provides help context for operation of the flip button  718 . The edit user dialog  724  is presented within a flip window  764 , and the flip window  764  is presented within the main window  101 . The flip window  764  undergo a graphical conversion that enables the operator to view additional object information for objects, such as additional user information in the edit user dialog  724 . 
         [0153]    Conventional graphical user interface window design practice calls for the use of a scrollbar element for accessing window content that spans beyond the current display screen. As an application adds more content to a window, the application developer often utilizes a scrollbar to access the new information. Alternatively, the application developer creates new windows for the additional content, negating the need for a scrollbar. The main disadvantage for scrolling within a window is that scrolling is a linear operation, which can disrupt user task flow when the window includes a large amount of content. Moreover, the creation of new windows often clutters a display device  156  with extra windows, and wastes system resources. 
         [0154]    The flip button  718  provides the ability for the operator initiate a graphical conversion of the window that enables the operator to enter the additional object information, in one example, “on the back” of the edit user dialog  724 . The flip button  718  allows the operator to enter information within the current context of the edit user dialog  724  without the addition of scrollbar elements, and without creating new windows for the contents. 
         [0155]      FIG. 16C  displays the edit user dialog  724  in response to selection of the  FIG. 16B  flip button  718 . Additional object information for access card objects, such as the access cards associated with the current user, listed in access card entries  729 , and the user&#39;s department number  731  are displayed. Upon subsequent selection of the flip button  718  by the operator, the edit user dialog  724  “flips,” or rotates back to the main or front display of the edit user dialog  724 , as illustrated in  FIG. 16B . 
         [0156]      FIG. 17  displays a schematic diagram of the flip operation  760  for a flip window  764 , such as the flip window  764  that includes the edit user dialog  724  of  FIGS. 16B and 16C . The flip operation  760  presents additional object information that spans more than the contents of the current window. When the user selects the flip button  718 , the flip window  764  rotates in the flip direction  762 . In one implementation, the flip direction  762  rotates in a counter-clockwise fashion for 180 degrees about the flip axis  766 . The Application displays the additional content on the “flipped” edit user dialog  724  in  FIG. 16C . 
         [0157]    Because the edit user dialog  724  cannot display all user parameters within the current edit user dialog  724 , the Application enables the flip button  718  for display of additional object information, the additional user contents. The additional user contents are displayed within one or more working areas  301  of the flip window  764 . When selected, the flip button  718  performs a flip operation  760  to display the additional contents on a “flipped” display of the edit user dialog  724  within the flip window  764  of in  FIG. 16C . 
         [0158]    Operator selection of the flip button  718  of the edit user dialog  724  causes the edit user dialog  724  to iterate to the next “flip” display window of content. As illustrated in  FIGS. 16B and 16C , flip text  722  is displayed that provides preview information about the content of the additional object information to be presented in the flip window  764 . 
         [0159]    While  FIGS. 16B and 16C  illustrate a “front and back” implementation of the flip operation  760 , with a 180 degree flip direction  762  about the flip axis  766 , the Application enables a potentially unlimited number of virtual windows with working areas  301  or “pages” for the operator to iterate or “flip” through, via the flip button  718 . Moreover, in another implementation, the Application can display the additional object information in the flip windows by rendering the flip windows within a graphics plane that suggests a curved image surface, as with the presentation of information during screen updates, presented herein above in the description associated with  FIGS. 14A and 14B . 
         [0160]      FIG. 18  displays the first window of the reports selection wizard  902 . The Application displays the reports selection wizard  902  when the operator selects the Reports object type from the  FIG. 15  Operation window  500 . The Reports object type has object type name  508 - 5 , “Reports.” The reports selection wizard  902  displays within the main window  101 . The Application walks the operator through the screens of the reports selection wizard  902  to assist the operator in creating a Report object type. 
         [0161]      FIG. 19  displays the Configuration window  1100  that displays when the operator selects the Configuration main menu tab  112 - 3  from the main menu toolbar  110 . The Configuration window  1100  displays within the main window  101 . The Configuration window  1100  includes object types User, Access level, Schedule, Holiday, and Tenants List. Each object type thumbnail  504  has an object type name  508 , and an object type icon  214 . For example, object type thumbnail  504 - 6  includes object type name  508 - 9 , “Access level,” and object type icon  214 - 4 . 
         [0162]    Operators indicate object type thumbnails  504  associated with Configuration objects. The Application displays a highlighted object type overlay  506  in response to an indication of an object type thumbnail  504 . The highlighted object type summary text  510  displays context-specific summary and help information associated with the highlighted object type thumbnail  504 . For example, in response to operator indication of object type thumbnail  504 - 6 , with object type name  508 - 12 , “Tenants List,” the Application displays highlighted object type overlay  506 - 2 , and displays context-sensitive highlighted object type summary text  510 - 2 . 
         [0163]      FIG. 20  displays the access levels window  1200  that the Application displays in response to operator selection of the Access Level object type thumbnail  504 - 6  from the  FIG. 19  Configuration window  1100 . The access levels window  1200  displays within the main window  101 . The access levels window  1200  displays individual access levels in object entries  704  associated with the Access Level object type name  508 - 9 . Each user object entry  704 - 4  has an object entry name  706 - 4  that appears in an object entries pane  714 . 
         [0164]    The Access Level type supports an object entry search tool  708 - 4  to search for access levels by their object entry names  706 - 4 , and an object entry toolbar  710  with object entry toolbar buttons  712  for managing the object entry names  706 - 4 . Object entries  704 - 4  appear within the object entries pane  714 . An access levels display schedule  1202  displays access levels for each day of the week, and includes extra fields for displaying holidays. 
         [0165]      FIG. 21  illustrates the schedule dialog  1300  that displays when the operator selects the Schedule object type thumbnail  504 - 7  from the Configuration window  1100 . The schedule window  1300  displays an edit schedule dialog  1302  associated with editing schedule access to a door  164 . Interval slider bar  1312  allows the operator to configure the hours when a door  164  can be opened. 
         [0166]    The operator selects an interval entry  1310 , and one or more day selectors  1314 . Day selectors  1314  also include extra fields for scheduling holiday access. The Schedule type supports a schedule toolbar  1304  with interval tool bar buttons  1306  to add or remove intervals from the schedule. 
         [0167]      FIG. 22  displays the Hardware Setup window  1400  that displays when the operator selects the Hardware Setup main menu tab  112 - 4  from the main menu toolbar  110 . The Hardware Setup window  1400  displays within the main window  101 . The hardware setup window  1400  includes object types Connection, Controller, Door, Relay, and Input. Each object type thumbnail  504  has an object type name  508 , and an object type icon  214 . 
         [0168]    Operators highlight object type thumbnails  504  associated with Hardware Setup objects. The Application displays a highlighted object type overlay  506  in response to an indication of an object type thumbnail  504 . For example, in response to operator indication of object type thumbnail  504 - 9 , the Application displays highlighted object type overlay  506 - 4 . The highlighted object type summary text  510 - 4  displays context-specific summary and help information associated with the highlighted object type thumbnail  504 - 9 . 
         [0169]      FIG. 23  illustrates the Connections window  1500  that displays when the operator selects a Connection object type from the Hardware Setup window  1400 . Typically, many connections (and Connection objects) exist in a security system  150 . As a result, an operator configures connections using the connection selector  1530  associated with a monitored site, or for a device such as a gateway. 
         [0170]    The Connections window  1500  displays object entries  704 - 5  for connection objects using an object type icon  214 - 5 . The object entries for connections are displayed in object entries pane  714 - 5 . Operators search for Connection object entries  704 - 5  by their object entry names  706 - 5  using the object entry search tool  708 - 6 . The Connections object supports an object entry toolbar  710 - 6  with object entry toolbar buttons  712 . 
         [0171]    Each connection also has one or more Controllers associated with the connection. Controllers for a connection are displayed in the object entries pane  714 - 6 . Each of the Controller objects has an object entry  704 - 6 , an object entry icon  818 - 6 , and an object entry name  706 - 6 . Object entry toolbar  710 - 7  has object entry toolbar buttons  712 —for adding controllers and editing their advanced settings. 
         [0172]      FIGS. 24A-24D  display the controller setup wizard  1603  displayed when the operator selects the Controller object type from the Hardware Setup window  1400  in  FIG. 22 . The controller setup wizard  1603  displays within the main window  101 . The Application displays the controller setup wizard  1602 - 1  through  1602 - 4  for guiding the operator through Controller setup tasks. 
         [0173]      FIG. 24A  displays an object type icon  214  for a door controller  162 , and prompts the user to enter initial information for the door controller  162 .  FIG. 24B  enables the operator to assign up to four door objects, or object entries  704 , to the door controller  162 , in one example. The door object entries  704  display separate entry door icons  1504  and exit door icons  1506  for each door object entry  704 . 
         [0174]      FIG. 24C  enables the definition of additional door options for each door object entry  704  selected in  FIG. 24C . Finally,  FIG. 24D  summarizes the configuration information from the prior wizard steps, and enables completion of the door controller  162  configuration. 
         [0175]      FIG. 25  displays the edit door dialog  1402  that displays when the operator selects a Door object type from the Hardware Setup window  1400 , and then selects an individual door object entry  704 . The edit door dialog  1402  displays within the main window  101 . As with the  FIG. 12  edit user dialog  724 , the edit door dialog  1402  displays further information for the selected door, and is presented within a flip window  764  that includes a flip button  718  that allows the operator to access additional object information for the door objects. 
         [0176]      FIG. 26  shows method  2400  for displaying additional object information for the objects of the security system  150 , in response to selection of a flip button  718  on a flip window  764 . In step  2402 , the operator identifies a flip window  764  that includes object information that spans more than one working area  301  of the current application window. In step  2404 , the operator selects the flip button  718  on the flip window  764 . In step  2406 , the Application rotates the window  180  degrees in the flip direction  762  about the flip axis  766 , in response to the selection of the flip button  718 . In step  2408 , the Application displays as much of the additional object information that will display within the next working area of the current application window. 
         [0177]      FIG. 27A  displays the doors window  800  within the main window  101 . The Application displays the doors window  800  when the operator selects the Door object type name  508 - 4  from the  FIG. 15  operation window  500 . Typically, many doors (and Door objects) exist in a security system  150 , so the operator utilizes a site selector  830  to select between monitored security system sites. 
         [0178]    The Door object type name  508 - 4  supports object entries  704  with object entry names  706 . Unlike the User object type, which displays its users as row entries within a table of users, the Door type displays its door objects using an object entry icon  818  associated with each door object entry  704 . 
         [0179]    Similar to the way the Application provides pinning of “favorite” dockviews  203  via the featured dockviews window  316  in the Dockview list window  300 , the Application provides pinning of Door objects in the Doors window  800 . Unlike the featured dockviews window  316  for displaying pinned dockviews  203 , however, the pinning of a Door object causes its associated object entry icon  818  to move to the top left of the doors window  800 . In this way, the Doors window displays pinned object entries first within the working area  301  of the Doors window  800 . The operator pins a door object entry icon  818  via its object entry pinning selector  819 , which has the same behavior as the pinning selector  304  for dockview thumbnails  302 . The Application displays a pinning selector tooltip  828  when the operator indicates the object entry pinning selector  819  with a pointing device  160 . 
         [0180]    As with the User object type, the Door object type supports an object entry search tool  708 - 2  to search for door objects, and an object entry toolbar  710 - 2  with object entry toolbar buttons  712 - 2  for managing object entry names  706 . The doors window  800  displays within the main window  101 . 
         [0181]    The object entry icon  818  for each door object also has a watchlist add/delete selector  804  that toggles the entry&#39;s inclusion within the watchlist window  802 . The watchlist window  802  display watchlist entries  799 , that include the name and type of objects that the operator wishes to monitor for receiving and displaying event data  892  from the objects of the security system  150 . 
         [0182]    As with the Application-wide watchlist window selector  114 , the watchlist add/delete selector  804  also uses an eye icon. The eye icon changes its color in response to selection of the watchlist add/delete selector  804  for a given object entry, such as the highlighted Door object entry  704 - 2 . Selection of the watchlist add/delete selector  804  within the Door object entry  704 - 2  changes the color of its eye icon color in response to the selection, and creates an entry for the associated object entry  704 - 2  in the watchlist window  802 . Deselection of the watchlist add/delete selector  804  changes the color of its eye icon color, and removes the associated object entry  704  from the watchlist window  802 . Each object entry  704  in the watchlist window  802  is included within a list of watchlist entries  799 . 
         [0183]    Within the watchlist window  802 , watchlist entries  799  are organized by their object type name  508 , and object entry name  706 . In  FIG. 27A , the watchlist window  802  displays watchlist entries  799  for the Door and Relay object types. Each watchlist object entry name  706  has an associated email notification selector  822 . When an object in the watchlist window  802  transmits an event, the scrolling feeds  820  display an event data indicator  891  within the time interval  825  of the event transmission. 
         [0184]      FIG. 27B  displays the watchlist window  802  within the Dockview List window  300 . When the operator indicates an event data indicator  891 , the scrolling feeds  820  display a pop-up window, the event data window  890 , overlaid upon the current application window. The event data window  890  includes the event data  892 - 2  of the event. In addition, if the email notification selector  822  is selected, the event data  892  of the event will be sent to the specified email address associated with the email notification selector  822 . 
         [0185]    The Application also allows the operator to toggle the inclusion of event data  892  in the scrolling feeds  820  from the watchlist entries  799  in the watchlist window  802 , without having to remove the watchlist entries  799  from the watchlist window  802 . The watchlist object type selectors  806  allow the operator to toggle the inclusion of event data  892  from all object entry names  706  associated with the selected type. 
         [0186]    In a similar fashion, watchlist object entry selectors  808  allow the operator to toggle the inclusion of event data  892  from the selected object entry names  706 . Both the watchlist object type selectors  806  and the watchlist object entry selectors  808  use an eye icon, similar to the other watchlist selectors in the Application, to provide a common look-and-feel for Application watchlist window  802  operations. The scrolling feeds  820  and the time interval scale selector  824  are tools associated with the navigation, selection, and display of events. Like the watchlist window selector  114 , these tools display on nearly every Application window, with the exception of new application windows  1001  that include embedded dockviews  2900 . The scrolling feeds  820 , as the name implies, is constantly moving forward in time, and captures event data  892  from the objects of the security system  150  in real time. 
         [0187]    Using a pointing device  160 , such as a mouse, the operator can select and drag the scrolling feeds  820  to the right to access time intervals  825  that are increasingly older in time, and to the left to access time intervals  825  that are increasingly more recent in time, up to the present time. The server system  130  records and saves all events and the times that the events occur. The operator selects an object of the security system such as a security device for including its event data  892  in the scrolling feeds  820  by including the object entry name  706  for the device in the watchlist window  802 . The operator displays the event data  892  for an event by selecting the time interval  825  within the scrolling feeds  820  that include an event data indicator  891  associated with the event. The operator expands or compresses the time intervals  825  within the scrolling feeds  820  by selecting and dragging the scrolling feeds  820  with a pointing device  160  such as a mouse. 
         [0188]    The Application maintains the timeline of the scrolling feeds  820  in 15 second intervals, in one example. To aid in selection of an event, and to expand or compress the timeline for displaying events, the time interval scale selector  824  changes the scale of the displayed time intervals  825  by 15 seconds for each selection of the time interval scale selector  824 . 
         [0189]    Selection of the (−) portion of the time interval scale selector  824  incrementally compresses the time intervals  824 , and selection of the (+) portion of the time interval scale selector  824  incrementally expands the time intervals  825 . 
         [0190]    Relative to  FIG. 27A , the operator in  FIG. 27B  has expanded the time intervals  825  using the time interval scale selector  824  to provide a smaller scale of the scrolling feeds  820 . This enables the operator to isolate event data  892  for a specific event, when one or more security devices transmit events in the same time interval  825 . 
         [0191]    For example, event data indicators  891 - 1  and  891 - 2  appear within the same time interval  825 . The operator cannot indicate the event data indicators  891 - 1  and  891 - 2  unless the time intervals  825  are sufficiently expanded to enable the pointing device  160  to access the event data indicators  891 - 1  and  891 - 2 . In response to indication of event data indicator  891 - 2 , the Application displays the associated event data  892 - 2  within the event data window  890 , overlaid upon the Dockview list window  300 . 
         [0192]    In both  FIGS. 27A and 27B , watchlist entry  799 - 10  includes watchlist object type selector  806 - 10 , the selection of which enables the display of event data  892  from all objects of the Door type, given by Door object type name  508 - 4 . All watchlist entries  799  for specific objects of the “Doors” type are displayed in an indented fashion immediately underneath the Door type watchlist entry  799 - 10 . When the operator selects the watchlist object type selector  806 - 10  of watchlist entry  799 - 10 , all watchlist entries  799  for objects of the “Doors” type are selected in response. This enables the display of event data  892  from all Door objects within the scrolling feeds  892 . In a similar fashion, when the operator deselects the watchlist object type selector  806 - 10  of watchlist entry  799 - 10 , all watchlist entries  799  for objects of the “Doors” type are deselected in response. This disables the display of event data  892  from all Door objects within the scrolling feeds  892 . 
         [0193]      FIG. 28  displays the events window  1000  displayed when the operator selects the Events object type from the  FIG. 15  operation window  500 . The events window  1000  displays within the main window  101 . As with the User object type, the Event object type supports an object entry search tool  708 - 3  to search for reports by their object entry name  706 - 3 . Each report has an object entry  704 - 3  within the objects entries pane  714 - 3 . 
         [0194]    The Events window  1000  displays event data  892  in an event data table  894 . The event data table  894  has event data columns  895  that correspond to fields within the event data  892 . The event data table  894  displays within object entries pane  714 - 3 . 
         [0195]    The example also highlights event data  892 - 3  for a specific event in the event data table  894 . The fields within the event data  892 - 3  include an object entry name  706 - 3  for the Events type, which is the Date and Time  899 - 1  of the event, a name  899 - 2 , and a description  899 - 3 . The event data  892  also supports picture and video streams  999 . The event data table  894  displays information for the picture and video fields of the event data  892  via the “Picture” event data column  895 - 1  and “Video” event data column  895 - 2 . 
         [0196]    In response to indication of event data indicator  891 - 4 , the Events window  1000  displays the associated event data  892 - 4  within the event data window  890 , overlaid upon the Events window  1000 . 
         [0197]    In addition, the event data  892 - 4  displayed within the event data window  890 , and the event data  892 - 4  within the event data table  894  are labeled the same. This is because they represent the event data  892  for the same event. The event data  892 - 4  within the event data window  890  is as a “snapshot” of the event data  892 , displaying a subset of the fields of the event data  892 , whereas the event data  892 - 4  within the event data table  894  displays all fields and detail associated with the event data  892 - 4 . 
         [0198]      FIG. 29A  displays method  2000  for adding a watchlist entry  799  for a newly created object of the security system  150  to the watchlist window  802 . The watchlist entry  799  is for a Door object. In step  2002 , the operator opens the Operation window, and selects the Door object type thumbnail  504  to open the Doors window  800 . In step  2003 , the operator creates a new door object in the Door window. All remaining method  2000  steps are executed within the Doors window  800 . In step  2004 , the operator selects the watchlist window selector  114  in the Operation panel to display the current contents of the watchlist window  802 . 
         [0199]    The operator verifies that a watchlist entry  799  with the object entry name  706  of the newly created door object does not display within the watchlist window  802  in step  2005 . In step  2006 , the operator selects the object entry icon  818  for the door object in the object entries pane  714  of the Doors window  800 , and selects its watchlist add/delete selector  804 . In step  2008 , the eye icon for the watchlist add/delete selector  804  of the object entry icon  818  changes color in response to the selection. In step  2010 , the Application displays a watchlist entry  799  for the door object in the watchlist window  802 . As a result, the Application displays event data indicators  891  are within the time intervals  825  of the scrolling feeds  820  when the door object transmits event data  892 , in step  2012 . 
         [0200]      FIG. 29B  displays method  2040  for deleting watchlist entries  799  from the watchlist window  802 . Though the Application enables display of the watchlist window  802  from nearly any application window, this method displays the watchlist window  802  from the Doors window  800 . In step  2000 , method being displayed in  FIG. 29A , the operator adds an object entry to the watchlist window. The object entry is a Door object. 
         [0201]    In step  2042 , the operator opens the Doors window  800 , and in step  2044  selects the watchlist window selector  114  in the Doors window  800  to display the current contents of the watchlist window  802 . The operator verifies that the watchlist entry  799  with the object entry name  706  for the door object displays within the watchlist window  802  in step  2045 . In step  2046 , the operator selects the object entry icon  818  for the door object in the object entries pane  714  of the Doors window  800 , and deselects its watchlist add/delete selector  818 . In step  2048 , the eye icon for the watchlist add/delete selector  804  of the object entry icon  818  changes color in response to the deselection. 
         [0202]    In step  2050 , the Application removes the watchlist entry  799  for the door object from the watchlist window  802 . As a result, the Application no longer displays event data indicators  891  within the time intervals of the scrolling feeds  820  for the door object when it transmits event data  892 , in step  2052 . 
         [0203]      FIG. 29C  displays method  2060  for deselecting an object type from the watchlist window  802 . Though the Application enables display of the watchlist window  802  from nearly any application window, this method displays the watchlist window  802  from the Dockviews List window  300 . 
         [0204]    In step  2000 , whose method is displayed in  FIG. 29A , the operator adds an object entry to the watchlist window  802  for a newly created Door object. In step  2062 , the operator selects the Dockviews main menu tab  112 - 1  to open the Dockview List Window  300 . In step  2064 , the operator selects the watchlist window selector  114  in the Dockviews list window  300  to display the watchlist window  802 . 
         [0205]    In step  2066 , the operator deselects the watchlist object type selector  806 - 10  of watchlist entry  799 - 10 , of Doors object type name  508 - 10  (the Door type) in the watchlist window  802 . 
         [0206]    In step  2068 , the Application deselects the watchlist entry  799  for the object type name  508 - 4 , and deselects all associated watchlist entries  799  of that type in the watchlist window  802 . As a result, event data indicators are no longer displayed within the time intervals of the scrolling feeds  820  for all Door objects when they transmit event data  892 , in step  2070 . 
         [0207]      FIG. 29D  displays method  2080 , another way of deselecting a watchlist entry in the watchlist window  802 . Though the Application enables display of the watchlist window  802  from nearly any application window, this method displays the watchlist window  802  from the Door window  800 . 
         [0208]    In step  2000 , method being displayed in  FIG. 29A , the operator adds a watchlist entry  799  to the watchlist window  802  for a newly created Door object. In step  2082 , the operator opens the application window that displays and manages the object entry. In this example, the current application window is the Doors window  800  as displayed in  FIG. 27A . In step  2084 , the operator selects the watchlist window selector  114  in the current application window to display the watchlist window  802 . In step  2086 , the operator selects the watchlist object entry selector  808  for the watchlist entry  799  in the watchlist window. 
         [0209]    In step  2088 , the Application deselects the watchlist entry  799  in the watchlist window. As a result, event data indicators are no longer displayed within the time intervals  825  of the scrolling feeds  820  for the deselected Door object, when it transmits event data  892 , in step  2090 . The deselected object is a Door object associated with a Door controller device, in this example. 
         [0210]      FIG. 20E  displays method  2020  for displaying event data  892  for an object associated with a security device, within a pop-up event data window  890  on the current application panel. In step  2000 , whose method is displayed in  FIG. 2A , the operator adds an watchlist entry  799  to the watchlist window  802  for a newly created Door object. In step  2022 , the security device (a door controller) associated with the object entry, a door object, sends one or more events. 
         [0211]    In step  2024 , the Application displays event data indicators  891  within the time intervals  825  of the scrolling feeds  820 , for the time intervals during which the security device transmits events. The operator indicates an event data indicator  891  for the object within a time interval  825  of the scrolling feed, in step  2026 . In response to the indication, in step  2028 , the Application displays a pop-up event data window  890  on the current application window, which displays the event data  892 . 
         [0212]      FIG. 30A  displays method  2100  for moving the event timeline of the scrolling feeds  820  using a pointing device  160 , such as a mouse. In step  2102 , on any application window that includes the scrolling feeds  820 , the operator selects the scrolling feeds  820  with a pointing device  160 , and moves the scrolling feeds  820  to the left. In step  2104 , the Application moves its event timeline display for the scrolling feeds  820  forwards in time in response to the selection 
         [0213]      FIG. 30B  displays method  2110  for moving the event timeline of the scrolling feeds  820  using a pointing device  160 , such as a mouse. In step  2112 , on any application window that supports the scrolling feeds  820 , the operator selects the scrolling feeds  820  scrollbar with a pointing device  160 , and moves the scrolling feeds  820  to the right. In step  2114 , the Application moves its event timeline display within the scrolling feeds  820  backwards in time in response to the selection. 
         [0214]      FIG. 31A  displays method  2200  for changing the scale of the time intervals  825  within the scrolling feeds  820 . In step  2201 , on any application window that supports scrolling feeds  820 , the operator selects the time interval scale selector  824  with a pointing device  160 , selecting the (−) indicator. In step  2202 , the Application incrementally compresses the time intervals  825  displayed within the scrolling feeds  820  in response to the selection. This enables the operator to display more time intervals  825  within the scrolling feeds  820  of the current Application window, and therefore, to display more event data indicators  891  for event data  892 . 
         [0215]      FIG. 31B  displays method  2210  as another way for changing the scale of the time intervals within the scrolling feeds  820 . In step  2212 , on any application panel that supports the scrolling feeds  820 , the operator selects the time interval scale selector  824  with a pointing device  160 , selecting the (+) indicator. In step  2214 , the Application incrementally expands the time intervals  825  displayed within the scrolling feeds  820  in response to the selection. 
         [0216]    By expanding the time intervals  825 , the operator can narrow their search for event data  892  within the time intervals  825 . This is especially necessary when multiple objects of the security system  150  send event data  892  at virtually the same time. 
         [0217]    While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims.

Technology Category: h