Method and apparatus for using SMS short code messaging to facilitate the transmission of a status update for a security system

Abstract

A notification system for receiving a request for a remote status update from a remote device is disclosed. The notification system comprises a server for relaying the request for the remote status update, an access server for receiving the relayed request for the remote status update and for determining whether a remote device is registered to receive the remote status update, a host website for allowing the remote device to be registered to receive the remote status update, and a central monitoring server for generating the remote status update based upon the request. The central monitoring server is coupled to a remote security device. The security device is configured to detect an event and transmit a message to the central monitoring server in response to the detected event. The remote status update includes information regarding the detected event.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent by reference to the following text and figures, with like reference numbers referring to like elements across the views, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram which depicts the user registering a remote device with a central monitoring station;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram, which depicts a method of requesting a remote status update and receiving the requested remote status update.

Claims

1. A notification system for receiving a request for a remote status update from a remote device comprising: (a) an access server for receiving the request for the remote status update and for determining whether said remote device is registered to receive said remote status update;(b) a host website for allowing said remote device to be registered to receive said remote status update; and(c) a central monitoring server for generating said remote status update based upon the request, said central monitoring server is coupled to a remote security device wherein said security device is configured to detect an event, said security device transmits a message to said central monitoring server in response to the detected event, and said remote status update includes information regarding said detected event.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said access server denies said remote device access to the central monitoring server if said access server determines that said remote device is not registered, via the host website, to receive said remote status update.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein when said access server denies the remote device access to the central monitoring server, said access server transmits contact information for the host website to the remote device to enable registration.

4. The system according to claim 17, wherein said short code message requests a specific format for the remote status update.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein said specific format includes one or more of text, video and voice message.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein said host website allows a user to select a format for said status update and to select at least one event from a plurality of events to receive said remote status update.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein said plurality of events includes emergency events, status events, and functional events.

8. A method of requesting a remote status update comprising the steps of: (a) transmitting a short code message from a remote device to an access server indicating a requesting;(b) receiving said short code message by the access server;(c) determining if said remote device is registered in a host website for receiving said remote status update;(d) allowing access to a central monitoring server when said remote device is registered; and(e) transmitting said remote status update from said central monitoring server to said remote device, said remote status update is based upon information received from a security device remotely located and configured to detect a plurality of events.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of determining if said remote device is registered further comprises the step of matching a received unique identifier with a plurality of registered identifiers.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of: (a) selecting a specific format for said status update message; and(b) selecting at least one event from a list of a plurality of events for receiving the remote status update, wherein said selecting steps are performed using the host website.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said remote status update including only said selected at least one event is transmitted in said selected specific format.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein a format of said remote status update is based upon said short code message.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of matching the received short code message with a predefined list of short code messages to determine the format for said remote status update.

14. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of denying said remote device access to the central monitoring server if said determining step determines that said remote device is not registered, via the host website, to receive said remote status update.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of transmitting contact information for the host website to the remote device to enable registration.

16. A method for registering a remote device to receive a remote status update regarding a remotely located security device comprising the steps of: (a) inputting a unique contact identifier into a host website for said remote device;(b) selecting a format for said remote status update via said host website; and(c) selecting at least one event from a list of a plurality of events for receiving said remote status update via said host website.

17. The notification system of claim 1, wherein said server includes a means for recognizing a short code message from said remote device as being the request.

18. A remote management system for controlling and managing a security device comprising: (a) a remote device for issuing a designated management message corresponding to a management command;(b) an access server for receiving said designated management message and for determining whether said remote device is registered to issue said designated management message;(c) a host website for allowing said remote device to be registered to issue said designated management message; and(d) a central monitoring server for generating a control signal and transmitting said control signal to said security device based upon said designated management message, wherein said security device performs a function based on said control signal.

19. The remote management system according to claim 18, wherein said management command includes a command to arm or disarm said security device.

20. The remote management system according to claim 18, wherein said management command includes a command for said security device to generate an alarm.

21. The remote management system according to claim 18, wherein said management command includes a command to receive a remote status update.