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Insurance Abstract
There is provided a method for an insurance auditor to derive an
insurance premium comprising the steps of obtaining system parameters
of a premise alarm system of a premise, and deriving the insurance
premium by using the system parameters in a multi-variable function.
Insurance Claims
1. A method for an insurance auditor to derive an insurance premium
comprising the steps of: obtaining system parameters over a network
of a premise alarm system of a premise; and deriving the insurance
premium by using the system parameters in a multi-variable function.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of obtaining system
parameters comprises the steps: establishing a communication channel
through the network between the insurance auditor and a system parameters
provider, the system parameters provider providing the system parameters
of the premise alarm system; and communicating the system parameters
of the premise alarm system from the system parameters provider
to the insurance auditor over the communication channel.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of deriving includes
the step of calculating a discount on the insurance premium from
the multi-variable function.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of deriving includes
the step of calculating the insurance premium from the multi-variable
function.
5. The method of claim 2, wherein the network is the Internet.
6. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of establishing a communication
channel includes the step of authenticating the insurance auditor
to the system parameters provider.
7. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of establishing a communication
channel includes the step of authenticating the system parameters
provider to the insurance auditor.
8. The method of claim 2, wherein the communication channel is
a secure communication channel.
9. The method of claim 2, wherein the step further includes storing
the system parameters in a data storage means.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further includes
the step of storing the derived insurance premium.
11. The method of claim 2, wherein the system parameters provider
is the premise alarm system of the premise.
12. The method of claim 2, wherein the premise is a vehicle, the
premise alarm system is a vehicle alarm system and the system parameters
provider is the vehicle alarm system.
13. The method of claim 2, wherein the system parameters provider
is a monitoring service provider, the monitoring service provider
monitoring the premise alarm system.
14. A method for an insurance auditor to audit an insurance policy
comprising the steps: obtaining system parameters of a premise alarm
system of a premise; and auditing the insurance policy with respect
to the system parameters of the premise alarm system.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of auditing includes
the step of determining if a new insurance premium needs to be calculated.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of auditing includes
determining if the system parameters of the premise alarm system
have changed since a previous audit.
17. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of auditing includes
classifying the premise into a category of insurance from a group
of categories of insurance based on the system parameters of the
premise alarm system.
18. In combination, an insurance auditor audit means for auditing
an insurance policy, a system parameters provider means for providing
system parameters of a premise alarm system of a premise and a network:
the insurance auditor audit means comprising: a first data processing
means; a first data storage means coupled to the first processing
means; a first gateway coupling the first data processing means
to the network; means for communicating the system parameters from
the system parameters provider means over the network; and means
for auditing the insurance policy with respect to the system parameters
of the premise alarm system; the system parameters provider means
comprising: a second data processor means; a second data storage
means coupled to the second data processing means; a second gateway
coupling the second data processing means to the network; and means
for communicating the system parameters to the insurance auditor
audit means over the network.
19. The combination of claim 18, wherein the network is the Internet.
Insurance Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims domestic priority from the previously
filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 60/594,088, 60/596,025
and 60/597,340.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a method and system for
an insurance auditor to audit system parameters of a premise alarm
system of a premise.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] There are many premise alarm systems and methods that allow
monitoring service providers to monitor premise alarm systems. There
are also neighborhood premise alarm systems that allow neighbors
to be alerted of alarm events within the neighborhood, while simultaneously
alerting the monitoring service provider of the alarm event as well.
[0006] In United States Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0062997
A1 by Naidoo et al., a system and method for distributed monitoring
and remote verification of conditions surrounding an alarm condition
in a security system is provided. A security gateway detects alarm
conditions at a premise and records video relating to the alarm
condition, and transmits an alarm notification and the video across
a network to a security system server. The security system server
relays information to one or more distributed monitoring clients.
An operator at a monitoring client determines whether the alarm
condition represents an actual alarm event and activates an appropriate
response.
[0007] In United States Patent Application No. 2003/0184436 A1
by Seales et al., a security system and method is disclosed that
includes a base unit at a monitored premise. When the base unit
detects an alarm it establishes radio communications with similar
base units or compatible devices at residences within the same neighborhood
and transmits voice and other audio information to alert the residents
of the activation of the alarm.
[0008] These and other conventional systems and methods have the
disadvantage of not providing an insurance auditor, for example,
without limitation, an insurance provider, an insurance broker or
an insurance agent, with access to system parameters of the premise
alarm system. This is a disadvantage to a premise insurance policy
holder, and to the insurance provider. By way of example only and
without limitation, the insurance provider can be a premise insurance
provider, a life insurance provider or both.
[0009] A conventional business practice of the premise insurance
providers is to provide a discount on a premise insurance premium,
i.e. homeowners and property insurance, if a premise has a premise
alarm system installed. Typically, the premise insurance provider
offers an intrusion discount if the premise alarm system can detect
intruders or burglars and a fire discount if it can detect fire.
A person seeking premise insurance, typically a premise owner or
a premise occupant, must provide to the premise insurance provider,
the insurance broker or the insurance agent a certificate from a
monitoring service provider stating that the premise is protected
with a monitored premise alarm system.
[0010] The characteristics of the premise alarm system do not influence
the discount offered by the premise insurance provider. As long
as a minimum level of protection is provided, i.e. a premise alarm
system for intrusion and/or fire that is monitored by a monitoring
service provider, the respective generic insurance premium discount
is offered. This business practice of premise insurance providers
has many disadvantages to both the premise insurance provider and
to the person seeking premise insurance.
[0011] The discount afforded by the monitored premise alarm system
is completely offset by the monthly premiums of the monitoring service
provider. In fact, it is more expensive to have the discounted premise
insurance premium with the premise alarm system monitored by the
monitoring service provider than it is to not have the premise alarm
system and pay the full premise insurance premium.
[0012] If the insurance coverage is the same in both cases, than
there is not a great financial advantage to having a monitored premise
alarm system. It is a disadvantage of conventional premise alarm
systems and methods and conventional business practices of premise
insurance providers to not provide a financial advantage in having
a premise alarm system installed at a premise.
[0013] It is understood that having premise alarm systems installed
can significantly aid police in apprehending home intruders and
burglars and thereby preventing future break-ins thus saving money
for the premise insurance providers and premise insurance customers.
It is a disadvantage that there is not a financial incentive to
install premise alarm systems so that premise alarm systems become
a standard feature for most dwellings which would create an environment
that provides police with more indications of home intruding and
burglar activity thereby aiding the police in apprehending home
intruders and burglars more frequently thus preventing future break-ins.
[0014] It is a disadvantage to the premise insurance provider to
require the premise alarm system to be monitored by a monitoring
service in order for the premise insurance customer to receive an
insurance premium discount. The premise insurance provider is in
essence transferring part of their insurance premium to the monitoring
service provider.
[0015] There is a safety benefit in having the premise alarm system
since it can notify someone of an emergency event who can then take
appropriate action. This can save people from danger, for example,
from fire, gas leaks or encounters with home intruders and burglars.
[0016] There are many types of premise alarm systems that a person
can choose from when protecting their premise. These systems can
vary in price from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars,
and correspondingly vary in ability, reliability and accuracy of
reporting alarm events. However, premise insurance providers typically
do no differentiate between the different types of alarm systems
and provide only a generic insurance premium discount for having
a premise alarm system installed at a premise.
[0017] The premise insurance provider, and quite often the monitoring
service, can not test the operational health of the premise alarm
system. Quite often premise alarm systems are installed and verified
operationally by a qualified technician, but after that the premise
alarm system may later malfunction. This may lead to increased property
damage or theft during an emergency event for which the premise
insurance provider is liable.
[0018] It is a disadvantage of current premise alarm systems and
methods not to provide a means for insurance providers to differentiate
between the different types of alarm systems.
[0019] It is a further disadvantage for premise insurance providers
to charge discounted premise insurance premiums to a person who
installs a premise alarm system, and to pay for increased property
damage or theft because of an emergency event when the premise alarm
system was in fact malfunctioning.
[0020] The conventional practices of premise insurance providers
are a disadvantage to the person seeking premise insurance in not
differentiating between the different types of alarm systems. There
is no financial incentive to equip the premise with a more able,
reliable, accurate and therefore more expensive premise alarm system.
The person seeking premise insurance may sacrifice increased safety
benefits in order to save on money.
[0021] It is a disadvantage to premise insurance providers to not
be able to differentiate between the different types of alarm systems.
They can not adjust their premise insurance premiums depending upon
the system parameters of the premise alarm system which gives an
indication of the ability, reliability and accuracy of the premise
alarm system.
[0022] It is a disadvantage to the premise insurance policy holder
who has the premise alarm system installed at their dwelling premise
and who also has a life insurance policy from a life insurance provider
to not receive a discount on a life insurance premium when the life
insurance provider can audit the system parameters of the premise
alarm system. The premise alarm system can protect the health and
safety of the life insurance policy holder by alarming in case of
emergency, for example without limitation, intrusion, fire and gas
leak and accordingly the discount on the life insurance premium
can be offered.
[0023] It is an object of the present invention to overcome these
disadvantages by providing a novel method and system for an insurance
auditor to remotely audit a premise alarm system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0024] In a first aspect of the present invention a method is provided
for an insurance auditor to derive an insurance premium comprising
the steps of obtaining system parameters of a premise alarm system
of a premise, and deriving the insurance premium by using the system
parameters in a multi-variable function.
[0025] In a second aspect of the present invention a method is
provided for an insurance auditor to audit an insurance policy comprising
the steps of obtaining system parameters of a premise alarm system
of a premise, and auditing the insurance policy with respect to
the system parameters of the premise alarm system.
[0026] In a third aspect of the present invention a combination
is provided comprising an insurance auditor that audits an insurance
policy, a system parameters provider for providing system parameters
of a premise alarm system of a premise and a network. The insurance
auditor comprises a first data processor, a first data store coupled
to the first data processor and a first gateway coupling the first
data processor to the network. The insurance auditor also includes
a first software program, stored on the first data store and executed
on the first data processor. The first software program comprises
software instructions for communicating the system parameters from
the system parameters provider over the network and software instructions
for auditing the insurance policy with respect to the system parameters
of the premise alarm system. The system parameters provider comprises
a second data processor, a second data store coupled to the second
data processor and a second gateway coupling the second data processor
to the network. The system parameters provider further includes
a second software program, which is stored on the second data store
and executes on the second data processor. The second software program
comprises software instructions for communicating the system parameters
to the insurance auditor over the network.
[0027] It is an advantage of the present invention to provide a
method and system for an insurance auditor to audit a premise alarm
system to obtain system parameters.
[0028] The present invention advantageously allows the insurance
auditor to determine the type of premise alarm system installed
and its corresponding abilities, reliability and accuracy in reporting
alarm events. With this information the insurance auditor can calculate
the premise or life insurance premium discount according to the
type of alarm system installed. This gives incentives to the person
seeking premise or life insurance to install better and typically
more expensive premise alarm systems for increased protection, which
in turn will reduce property damage, theft and death benefiting
the insurance auditor and ultimately the insurance customer.
[0029] The present invention also allows the insurance auditor
to determine the operational status of an installed premise alarm
system dynamically in real-time. This allows the insurance auditor
to determine if the premise or life insurance premium discount is
warranted.
[0030] Many advantages of the present invention are further related
to the formation of security communities and peer-to-peer premise
alarm system monitoring networks. These security communities and
peer-to-peer networks are typically, but not always, formed between
family, friends and other closely related people.
[0031] One advantage is the reduction in false alarms relayed to
emergency services, i.e. police and fire department. These security
communities and peer-to-peer networks allow family, friends and
other closely related people to be notified of alarm events and
receive media, i.e. audio or video, representative of the premise
generating the alarm. There is no one better than family, friends
and closely related people to make a judgment call on whether a
person generating an alarm event is an intruder or not. It is much
more difficult for a stranger at a monitoring service provider to
make this judgment call.
[0032] Another advantage related to security communities and the
peer-to-peer networks is the elimination of monitoring service fees.
As security communities and peer-to-peer networks grow, for example
when family, friends and close acquaintances join in, it increasingly
becomes statistically likely that at least one person is notified
of an alarm event. Under these circumstances the insurance auditor
will offer a discount on the premise or life insurance premium while
not requiring the premise alarm system to be monitored by a monitoring
service provider. The methods and systems of the present invention
allow the insurance auditor to dynamically and periodically audit
a premise alarm system to determine system parameters of the peer-to-peer
network. This provides another financial incentive to insurance
customers.
[0033] The present invention advantageously provides yet another
financial incentive for a person installing a premise alarm system
to install a more advanced and expensive premise alarm system that
offers increased protection. Again, this is possible because the
person will have more financial resources available to spend on
the premise alarm system since they will not have to pay monitoring
fees in order to obtain the premise insurance premium discount offered
by the premise insurance provider.
[0034] The present invention advantageously eliminates the essentially
inherent transfer of premiums from the insurance provider to the
monitoring service provider by eliminating monitoring fees, and
without increasing the liability of the insurance provider by the
formation of security communities and peer-to-peer networks of premise
alarm systems. The insurance provider can offer a discount to the
insurance customer according to the system parameters of their premise
alarm system, which includes system parameters of any peer-to-peer
network, instead of offering a single generic discount for intrusion
and for fire. This provides a financial advantage to insurance providers.
[0035] The system and method of the present invention provides
the ability to record media and alarm event information at peer
premise alarm systems other than the premise alarm system generating
the event. This ensures that a record of the alarm event is safely
stored in a remote location.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0036] The invention will be more readily understood from the following
description of preferred embodiments thereof given, by way of example
only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0037] FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of a system for an
insurance auditor to audit a premise alarm system according to one
embodiment of the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 2a is a simplified block diagram of one embodiment
of the premise alarm system of FIG. 1;
[0039] FIG. 2b is a simplified block diagram of another embodiment
of the premise alarm system of FIG. 1;
[0040] FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram of the insurance auditor
of FIG. 1;
[0041] FIG. 4a is a simplified block diagram of alarm controller
software of the premise alarm system of FIG. 1;
[0042] FIG. 4b is a simplified block diagram of audit controller
software of the insurance auditor of FIG. 1;
[0043] FIG. 5a is a simplified flowchart diagram of one aspect
of the operation of the audit controller software of FIG. 4b;
[0044] FIG. 5b is a simplified flowchart diagram of the operation
of the alarm controller software of FIG. 4a in accordance with the
operation of the audit controller software in FIG. 5a;
[0045] FIG. 6a is a simplified flowchart diagram of one embodiment
of performing an insurance policy audit in the operation of the
audit controller software in FIG. 5a;
[0046] FIG. 6b is a simplified flowchart diagram of another embodiment
of performing an insurance policy audit in the operation of the
audit controller software in FIG. 5a;
[0047] FIG. 7a is a simplified flowchart diagram of another aspect
of the operation of the alarm controller software of FIG. 4a;
[0048] FIG. 7b is a simplified flowchart diagram of the operation
of the audit controller software of FIG. 4b in accordance with the
operation of the alarm controller software in FIG. 7a;
[0049] FIG. 8a is a simplified block diagram of a system for an
insurance auditor to audit a premise alarm system of a peer network
of premise alarm systems according to another embodiment of the
present invention;
[0050] FIG. 8b is a simplified block diagram illustrating peer
networks of the embodiment of FIG. 8a;
[0051] FIG. 8c is a simplified block diagram illustrating another
peer network of the embodiment of FIG. 8a;
[0052] FIG. 9a is a simplified flowchart diagram of one aspect
of the operation of the alarm controller software of one of the
premise alarm systems of FIG. 8;
[0053] FIG. 9b is a simplified flowchart diagram of the operation
of the alarm controller software of another one of the premise alarm
systems of FIG. 8 in accordance with the operation of the alarm
controller software in FIG. 9a;
[0054] FIG. 10a is a simplified flowchart diagram of the operation
of the alarm controller software of one of the premise alarm systems
of FIG. 8 having an alarm event;
[0055] FIG. 10b is a simplified flowchart diagram of the operation
of the alarm controller software of another one of the premise alarm
systems of FIG. 8 in accordance with the operation of the alarm
controller software in FIG. 10a;
[0056] FIG. 11 is a simplified block diagram of a system for a
third party to audit a premise alarm system and communicate audit
information to an insurance auditor according to another embodiment
of the present invention;
[0057] FIG. 12 is a simplified block diagram of a system for a
monitoring service provider to audit a premise alarm system and
communicate audit information to an insurance broker who communicates
audit information to a premise insurance provider according to another
embodiment of the present invention;
[0058] FIG. 13 is a simplified network diagram of a conventional
premise alarm system and a central monitoring station;
[0059] FIG. 14 is a simplified network diagram of a plurality of
the conventional premise alarm systems and the central monitoring
station of FIG. 14;
[0060] FIG. 15 is a simplified network diagram of a security community
service provider and a plurality of conventional premise alarm systems;
[0061] FIG. 16 is a block diagram of an application of the security
community service provider of FIG. 15; and
[0062] FIG. 17 is a simplified flow chart diagram of the operation
of the security community service provider of FIG. 15 during an
alarm event.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0063] Referring to the drawings and first to FIG. 1, in one embodiment
of the present invention there is a premise 100, a network 102 and
an insurance auditor 104. The premise 100 has a premise alarm system
indicated generally by reference numeral 106 which comprises an
alarm system controller 108, at least one sensor 110, a gateway
112, one or more video cameras 114, one or more audio devices 116,
a remote controller 118, a key entry device 120 and a display 122
in this example. In other examples the premise alarm system can
comprise indoor and outdoor motion lights, indoor and outdoor sirens
and indoor water sprinklers. The premise alarm system 106 detects
alarm events in and around the premise 100, such as intrusion, fire
or gas leaks, and raises an alarm by notifying one or more entities,
such as people or other premise alarm systems.
[0064] The sensor 110 can be any conventional sensor used in burglar
and safety type alarm systems, for example, without limitation,
a PIR sensor, a glass break sensor, a smoke detector, a gas detector,
an infrared sensor, a radar motion sensor, a Hall-effect sensor
and a magnetic sensor. The sensors 110 are strategically placed
in and around the premise 100.
[0065] The gateway 112 couples the alarm system controller 108
to the network 102. The gateway 112 interfaces with the network
102 at network access point 103. In this example the gateway 112
comprises a modem device and is described in more detail below.
In other examples the gateway 112 can comprise more than one modem
device, and additionally a network switch, a hub and a VPN router.
[0066] The video cameras 114 provide conventional video formats
in this example. In other examples the video cameras 114 can provide
still images. Each of the video cameras 114 provides images representative
of the premise 100 or the area surrounding the premise. During an
alarm event it is intended that at least some of the images are
related to the alarm event. Some of the video cameras may act, but
are not required to act, as video sensors and detect motion in order
to provide an indication of an alarm event. The video cameras 114
can include in some examples pan and tilt functionality.
[0067] The audio devices 116 comprise a microphone and provide
one-way audio communications in this example. In other examples
the audio devices 116 can further comprise a speaker and provide
two-way audio communications. Each of the audio devices 116 provides
audio representative of sound in the premise 100 or the area surrounding
the premise. During an alarm event it is intended that at least
some of the audio is related to the alarm event. Some of the audio
devices 116 may act, but are not required to act, as audio sensors
to detect sound in order to provide an indication of an alarm event.
[0068] The remote controller 118 allows arming and disarming of
the premise alarm system 106 in this example, and may provide other
command functionality in other examples. The key entry device 120
can be used to arm and disarm the premise alarm system 106 and for
entering other types of commands and data. The display 122 can be
used for viewing status information and user menus associated with
the premise alarm system 106.
[0069] The insurance auditor 104 comprises an audit controller
124, a keyboard 125, a display 126 and a gateway 128 in this example.
The gateway 128 couples the audit controller 124 to the network
102. The gateway 128 interfaces with the network 102 at network
access point 105. In this example the gateway 128 comprises a modem
device and is described in more detail below. The insurance auditor
104 is not shown to be within a premise. Although the insurance
auditor 104 is typically within a premise, e.g. an office building
or a data center, it is not a requirement. For example, a field
technician associated with the insurance auditor 104 may perform
an audit, which is described in more detail below, while in the
field, e.g. within a company vehicle on location at an insurance
customer premise.
[0070] The network 102 comprises the Internet in this example and
the network access points 103 and 105 provide access to the Internet
and are typically provided by Internet Service Providers (ISP).
There are many kinds of ISPs that provide access to the Internet,
for example, and without limitation, Bell operating companies, cable
provider companies, wireless data service provider companies and
satellite service provider companies, and all those kinds of ISPs
are within the scope of the present invention. In other examples
the network 102 can comprise a public or private network, a single
network or a combination of two or more networks, a homogenous network
or a heterogeneous network. The network 102 can comprise physical
connection oriented networks such as the PSTN, or IP based networks
such as the Internet. The network 102 can comprise wired networks
and wireless networks.
[0071] The modem devices of the gateways 112 and 128 are of a type
of modem device that corresponds to the network access points 103
and 105 respectively, and are typically related to the type of ISP.
By way of non-limiting examples only, if the network access point
is provided by a traditional Bell operating company (Plain Old Telephone
Service via a PSTN network) then the gateway can comprise a dial-up
modem or an xDSL modem, if the network access point is provided
by a cable network provider then the gateway can comprise a cable
modem, if the network access point is provided by a wireless network
provider then the gateway can comprise a GPRS modem or a CDMA modem.
[0072] In this example the gateway 112 comprises a CDMA modem and
gateway 128 comprises an xDSL modem. The network 102 further comprises
a wireless network of a CDMA data service provider that couples
the CDMA modem to the Internet, and a PSTN network that couples
the xDSL modem to the network.
[0073] In other examples the gateways 112 and 128 can comprise
interfaces to one or more types of networks contained within the
network 102. For example, the premise alarm system 106 may access
both the PSTN with a conventional dial-up modem and simultaneously
access the Internet with an xDSL or cable modem.
[0074] With the arrangement of FIG. 1, the premise alarm system
106 and the insurance auditor 104 can exchange information with
each other. The information can be exchanged in a substantially
real-time manner, in a non-real-time manner or in a store-and-forward
manner.
[0075] Referring now to FIG. 2a, the premise alarm system 106 is
shown in more detail. The alarm controller 108 in this example comprises
a data processor 132 and a memory 134. The data processor 132 is
a microprocessor in this example, but can comprise, for example,
and without limitation, a microcontroller or a digital signal processor
in other embodiments. The memory 134 comprises non-volatile memory
and volatile memory in this example. The non-volatile memory is
an electrically erasable programmable read only memory in this example,
but can comprise, without limitation, a read only memory (ROM),
a FLASH device or a hard disk in other examples. The volatile memory
is a random access memory (RAM) in this example.
[0076] The alarm system controller 108 further comprises a network
interface 140, a sensor interface 150, a media interface 160, a
remote controller interface 180, a keypad interface 190 and a display
interface 200 in this example. In other examples the alarm system
controller preferably comprises at least the network interface 140
and the sensor interface 150.
[0077] The network interface 140 couples the gateway 112 to the
data processor 132. The network interface 140 has an I/O port 142,
which comprises an Ethernet interface in this example. The gateway
112 is connected to the I/O port 142 by connection 144, which is
an Ethernet connection in this example. In other embodiments the
I/O port 142 can comprise, for example, without limitation, a wireless
Ethernet interface or a Bluetooth interface.
[0078] The I/O port 142 of the network interface 140 provides a
corresponding interface to the gateway 112. By way of non-limiting
example only, if the gateway 112 is a xDSL or a cable modem, which
typically provide Ethernet or USB interfaces, then the I/O port
142 can comprise corresponding Ethernet or USB interfaces. If the
gateway 112 is a conventional dial-up modem, a GPRS modem or a CDMA
modem, which provide conventional serial ports, then the I/O port
142 can comprise a conventional UART interface. In other examples
GPRS and CDMA modems can provide Ethernet or PCMCIA type interfaces,
and the I/O port 142 would then provide respectively corresponding
Ethernet or PCMCIA interfaces.
[0079] The sensor interface 150 couples the sensors 110 to the
data processor 132. The sensor interface 150 comprises a wired port
152 and a wireless port 154 in this example. In other examples,
the sensor interface 150 is not required to have both wired and
wireless ports. The wired port 152 comprises a digital CMOS I/O
port in this example. The wireless port 154 comprises a Bluetooth
interface in this example. In other examples, the wireless port
154 can comprise, for example, without limitation, a wireless Ethernet
interface, a Zigabee interface or an ultra-wideband (UWB) interface.
One sensor 110 has a wired connection 156 to the wired port 152,
and another sensor has a wireless connection 158 to the wireless
port 154. The connections 156 and 158 are bi-directional connections
for two-way communication in this example, but do not need to be
in other examples.
[0080] The media interface 160 couples the video cameras 114 and
the audio devices 116 to the data processor 132. The media interface
160 comprises a wired port 162 and a wireless port 164 in this example.
In other examples, the media interface 160 is not required to have
both wired and wireless ports. The wired port 162 comprises an Ethernet
interface, and the wireless port 164 comprises a wireless Ethernet
interface in this example. In other embodiments there can be more
than one wired port 162 having one or more types of wired interfaces,
for example, without limitation, a Firewire interface, a USB interface
or a serial port interface. In other embodiments, there can be more
than one wireless port 164 having one or more types of wireless
interfaces, for example, without limitation, a Bluetooth interface.
[0081] One video camera 114 has a wired connection 166 and another
video camera has a wireless connection 168. One audio device 116
has a wired connection 170 and another audio device has a wireless
connection 172. The wired connections 166 and 170 of the video cameras
114 and audio devices 116 respectively are, in this example, Ethernet
connections to a network switch 174. The network switch 174 has
an Ethernet connection 176 to the wired port 162. In other embodiments,
the wired connections can comprise, for example, without limitation,
Firewire connections, USB connections or serial port connections
terminating in a respective wired port interface.
[0082] The wireless connections 168 and 172 of the video cameras
114 and audio devices 116 respectively are wireless Ethernet connections
corresponding to the wireless port 164 in this example. In other
embodiments the wireless connections 168 and 172 can comprise, for
example, Bluetooth connections. In other examples the video cameras
114 can communicate with a wireless Ethernet port and the audio
devices can communicate with a Bluetooth port.
[0083] The connections 166 and 168 are simplex connections in this
example, but are not required to be in other examples. The connections
170 and 172 are also simplex connections in this example, and are
also not required to be in other examples.
[0084] The remote controller interface 180 comprises a wireless
port 182 and couples the remote controller 118 to the data processor
132. The remote controller 118 is connected to the remote controller
interface 180 by wireless connection 184. The wireless connection
184 can be any conventional wireless connection including, without
limitation, an RFID connection, an infrared connection or a radio
frequency connection.
[0085] The key entry device 120 of the premise alarm system 106
(see FIG. 1) is a keypad 192 in this example. The keypad interface
190 couples the keypad 192 to the data processor 132. The keypad
interface 190 has a port 194 which connects to the keypad 192 by
connection 196. The port 194 comprises a corresponding interface
to the keypad 192. The connection 196 is a wired connection in this
example, but is not required to be in other examples.
[0086] The display 122 of the premise alarm system 106 (see FIG.
1) is an LCD display 202 in this example. The display interface
200 couples the LCD display 202 to the data processor 132. The display
interface 200 has a port 204 which connects to the LCD display 202
by connection 206. The port 204 comprises a corresponding interface
to the LCD display 202. The connection 206 is a wired connection
in this example, but is not required to be in other examples.
[0087] The data processor 132, the memory 134 and the interfaces
140, 150, 160, 180, 190 and 200 are connected to each other by a
system bus 136. It is understood by those in the art that many architectures
can be used between the data processor 132, the memory 134 and the
interfaces 140, 150, 160, 180, 190 and 200 to achieve an equivalent
or similar result to that described above and those architectures
are within the scope of the present invention. For example, it is
possible in some examples that the network interface 140 and the
media interface 160 are replaced by a single communication interface
providing either or both wired ports and wireless ports.
[0088] Another embodiment of the premise alarm system 106 of FIG.
1 is shown in FIG. 2b, wherein like parts to previous embodiments
have like reference numerals with an additional suffix ".2".
The premise alarm system 106.2 comprises an alarm system controller
108.2, a network switch 174.2, a gateway 112.2, one or more video
cameras 114.2, one or more audio devices 116.2, one or more sensors
110.2, a remote controller 118.2, a wireless display 222 and a wireless
keyboard 220.
[0089] The alarm system controller 108.2 comprises a personal computer
210. The personal computer 210 is a conventional personal computer
and comprises a microprocessor, a hard disk, dynamic RAM, at least
one Ethernet port 162.2, at least one wireless Ethernet port 164.2,
at least one Bluetooth port 212, at least one Zigabee port 213,
at least one wired port 152.2, an RF port 182.2, a wireless keyboard
port 214 and a wireless display port 216 in this example, and can
comprise different ports in other examples.
[0090] Wireless connection 224 connects the wireless keyboard 220
to the wireless keyboard port 214, and wireless connection 226 connects
the wireless display 222 to the wireless display port 216. Wireless
connection 184.2 connects the remote controller 118.2 to the RF
port 182.2. The gateway 112.2 is connected to the wireless Ethernet
port 164.2 by wireless connection 228. Bluetooth connection 172.2
connects one of the audio devices 116.2 to the Bluetooth port 212.
Wireless Ethernet connection 168.2 connects one of the video cameras
114.2 to the wireless Ethernet port 164.2. Zigabee connection 158.2
connects one of the sensors 110.2 to the Zigabee port 213. Ethernet
connections 166.2 and 170.2 connect one of the video cameras 114.2
and one of the audio devices 116.2 to the network switch 174.2 respectively.
The network switch 174.2 is connected to the Ethernet port 162.2
by Ethernet connection 176.2. The wired connection 156.2 connects
one of the sensors 110.2 to the wired port 152.2.
[0091] Referring now to FIG. 3, the insurance auditor 104 is shown
in more detail. The audit controller 124 comprises a server 230
in this example, and can comprise a personal computer in other examples.
The server 230 is a conventional server and comprises a data processor
in the form of at least one microprocessor, a hard disk, dynamic
RAM, an Ethernet port 232, a wireless keyboard port 234 and a wireless
display port 236.
[0092] The keyboard 125 is wireless in this example, but is not
required to be in other examples, and is connected to the wireless
keyboard port 234 by wireless connection 240. The display 126 is
wireless in this example, but is not required to be in other examples,
and is connected to the wireless display port 236 by wireless connection
238. The gateway 128 is connected to the Ethernet port 232 by wired
connection 242. In other examples the gateway 128 can be connected
to the server 230 by other types of connections including, without
limitation, USB connections and wireless connections.
[0093] In other embodiments, the insurance auditor 104 can comprise
a laptop computer. This is advantageous for the field technician
who needs to perform an audit while on location in the field, e.g.
in the company vehicle. In this embodiment, the gateway 128 would
comprise, for example, without limitation, a GPRS modem, a CDMA
modem or a WiFi modem which would provide, in combination with a
wireless CDMA data service provider, the laptop computer with access
to the Internet. The laptop computer would communicate with the
server 230 in order to obtain customer records, as will be explained
in more detail below.
[0094] Referring again to FIGS. 1, 2a, 2b and 3, the alarm system
controllers 108 and 108.2 have a software program and the audit
controller 124 has a software program. The software program of the
alarm system controller 108 is stored in the memory 134 and executes
on the data processor 132. The software program of the alarm system
controller 108.2 is stored on the hard disk drive of the personal
computer 210 and executes on the microprocessor of the personal
computer 210. These software programs are referred to as the alarm
controller software herein. The software program of the audit controller
124 is stored on the hard disk drive of the server 230 and executes
on the data processor of the server, and is referred to as the audit
controller software herein.
[0095] Referring to FIG. 4a, the alarm controller software has
a control loop module 300, a system parameter module 302, a peer
premise alarm system module 304, an alarm processing module 306,
a user interface module 308, a network communication module 310,
a Voice/Video over IP module 312, a security module 314, a database
module 316, a sensor module 318, a video camera module 320, an audio
device module 322, a remote controller module 324, a keypad module
326 and a display module 328. The control loop module 300 includes
a main execution loop for the software program of the alarm controllers
108 and 108.2.
[0096] The system parameter module 302 includes software instructions
related to retrieving, storing and processing system parameters
of the premise alarm system 106. The peer premise alarm system module
304 includes software instructions related to forming and maintaining
peer networks, which will be described in more detail below. The
alarm processing module 306 includes software instructions related
to receiving and handling alarm events. The user interface module
308 includes software instructions related to presenting menus and
web pages to users and can include, in some examples, a web server
such as Apache.
[0097] The network communication module 310 includes software instructions
related creating and destroying network communication channels over
network 102 and logic related to sending and receiving data over
those communications channels. The Voice/Video over IP (VoIP) module
312 includes software instructions related to creating, managing
and destroying VoIP calls over network 102. The security module
314 includes software instructions related to authenticating insurance
auditors 104, other premise alarm systems 106 and other entities
in the network 102. The security module 314 also includes software
instructions for encrypting and decrypting data. The database module
316 includes software instructions for storing, retrieving and modifying
data in a database in the memory 134 of the alarm controller 108
and on the hard disk of the personal computer 210 of the alarm controller
108.2. These databases are referred to as the alarm controller database
herein.
[0098] The sensor module 318 includes software instructions for
communicating with sensors 110. The video camera module 320 includes
software instructions related to communicating with the video cameras
114. The audio device module 322 includes software instructions
related to communicating with the audio devices 116. The remote
controller module 324 includes software instructions for communicating
with the remote controller 118.
[0099] The keypad module 326 includes software instructions related
to communicating with the keypad 192, for example receiving key
strokes. The display module 324 includes software instructions related
to communicating with the display 122, for example providing user
menus.
[0100] Referring to FIGS. 2a and 2b, the alarm controllers 108
and 108.2 further comrpise an operating system stored in the memory
134 and the hard disk of the personal computer 210 respectively
in this example. The operating system comprises the Linux operating
system in this example, and can comprise other operating systems
in other examples, such as, without limitation, one of the Microsoft
Windows operating systems, UNIX, Mac OS, VxWorks.RTM. and QNX.RTM..
In other examples the alarm controller 108 does not need to comprise
an operation system. The software program of the alarm controllers
108 and 108.2 executes within the operating system. In other examples
the operating system can further comprise a Java Virtual Machine
(JVM) which executes on top of the operating system and the alarm
controller software would execute within the JVM environment.
[0101] Referring to FIG. 4b, the audit controller software has
a control loop module 350, a system parameter module 352, an insurance
premium module 354, a user interface module 356, a network communication
module 358, a database module 360 and a security module 362. The
control loop module 350 includes a main execution loop for the software
program of the audit controller 124.
[0102] The system parameter module 352 includes software instructions
related to retrieving, storing and processing the system parameters
of the premise alarm system 106. The insurance policy module 354
includes software instructions related to auditing insurance policies
and calculating insurance premiums. The user interface module 356
includes software instructions related to presenting menus and web
pages to users and can include, in some examples, a web server such
as Apache. The network communication module 358 includes software
instructions related creating and destroying network communication
channels over network 102 and software instructions related to sending
and receiving data over those communications channels. The database
module 360 includes software instructions for storing and retrieving
data from a database on the hard disk of the server 230. This database
is referred to as the audit controller database herein. The security
module 362 includes software instructions related to authenticating
premise alarm systems 106 and other entities in the network 102.
The security module 362 also includes software instructions for
encrypting and decrypting data.
[0103] Referring to FIG. 3, the server 230 of the audit controller
124 has an operating system stored on the hard disk of the server
230 in this example. The operating system comprises the Linux operating
system in this example, and can comprise other operating systems
in other examples, such as, without limitation, one of the Microsoft
Windows operating systems, UNIX, Mac OS, VxWorks.RTM. and QNX.RTM..
The audit controller software executes within the operating system.
In other examples the operating system can further comprise a Java
Virtual Machine (JVM) which executes on top of the operating system
and the audit controller software executes within the JVM environment.
The audit controller database is managed by a database program,
which is Oracle in this example and can be other database programs
in other embodiments, for example, without limitation, MySQL or
Microsoft SQL. The database program is also stored on the hard disk
of the server 230 and executes on the data processor of the server.
[0104] The operation of the software programs of the alarm system
controllers 108 and 108.2 and the audit controller 124 are described
in more detail below where the operation of the system of the present
invention is described.
[0105] The system parameters of the premise alarm system 106 include,
for example and without limitation, the intrinsic system parameters
in the table below. TABLE-US-00001 Parameter Definition Timestamp
of Last The date and time of the last audit. Audit Sensor ID The
identification number of a sensor. Sensor Type The type of sensor,
for example, without limitation, PIR sensor, glass break sensor,
magnetic sensor. Sensor Power Is the sensor is battery powered or
line powered? Sensor Interface The interface type to the sensor,
for example, without limitation, Bluetooth, digital CMOS, Ethernet,
wireless Ethernet, Zigabee. Sensor Status The current status of
the sensor, i.e. communicating with alarm system controller and
operational. Sensor Downtime The total amount of time the sensor
was not operational since the last audit. Video Camera ID The identification
number of a video camera. Video Camera Type This indicates the type
of video camera, for example, without limitation, IP camera and
CCTV camera. Video Camera Power This indicates whether the video
camera is battery powered or line powered. Video Camera I/F This
indicates the interface type to the video camera, for example, without
limitation, USB, Ethernet, wireless Ethernet or Bluetooth. Video
Camera Status The current status of the video camera, i.e. communicating
with alarm system controller and operational. Video Camera The total
amount of time the video camera was not operational since Downtime
the last audit. Audio Device ID The identification number of an
audio device. Audio Device Type The type of audio device, for example,
without limitation, microphone only, microphone and speaker, one-way
communications, two way communications. Audio Device Power Is the
audio device battery powered or line powered? Audio Device I/F The
interface type to the audio device, for example, without limitation,
USB, Ethernet, wireless Ethernet and Bluetooth. Audio Device Status
The current status of the audio device, i.e. communicating with
alarm system controller and operational. Audio Device The total
amount of time the audio device was not operational since Downtime
the last audit. Gateway ID The identification number of a modem
device. Gateway Type The type of modem device, for example, without
limitation, a dial-up modem, a xDSL modem, a cable modem, a GPRS
modem, a CDMA modem or a WiFI modem. Gateway Status The current
status of the gateway, i.e. communicating with the alarm system
controller and operational. Gateway Downtime The total amount of
time the gateway was not operational since the last audit. Motion
Light ID Identification number of the motion light. Motion Light
A room ID, premise wall ID or fence ID associated with the motion
Location light. Siren ID Identification number of the siren. Siren
Location A room ID, premise wall ID or fence ID associated with
the siren. Water Sprinkler ID Identification number of the water
sprinkler. Water Sprinkler A room associated with the water sprinkler.
Room Premise Type House, Apartment, Townhouse Property Perimeter
Length of perimeter around premise property. Fence ID Identification
number of a fence Fence Type Type of fence Fence Length Length of
fence Fence Height Height of fence at lowest portion. Fence Sensor
A sensor ID associated with this fence. Fence Video An audio device
ID associated with the fence. Fence Audio A video camera ID associated
with the fence. Outside Wall ID Identification number of an outside
wall. Outside Wall Door A door ID associated with the outside wall.
Outside Wall A window ID associated with the outside wall. Window
Outside Wall Sensor A sensor ID associated with the outside wall.
Outside Wall Video An audio device ID associated with the outside
wall. Outside Wall Audio A video camera ID associated with the outside
wall. Door ID Identification number of a door. Door Location Is
the door a basement outside door, a basement inside door, ground
level outside door, a ground level inside door, an upper storey
outside door or an upper storey inside door? Door Lock Type of lock
on door, for example, without limitation, dead bolt, locking mechanism.
Door Type Is the door a sliding door, a wood door, a metal door
or a glass door? Door Sensor A sensor ID associated with this window.
Door Audio Device An audio device ID associated with the door. Door
Video Camera A video camera ID associated with the door. Window
ID Identification number of a window. Window Location Is the window
a basement window, a ground level window or an upper storey window?
Window Lock Type of lock on window, for example, without limitation,
auto-lock, manual lock. Window Type Is the window a sliding window,
a tilt window or other type of window? Window Sensor A sensor ID
associated with this window. Window Audio An audio device ID associated
with the window. Device Window Video A video camera ID associated
with the window. Camera Room ID Identification number of a room.
Room Location Is the room in the basement, the ground level or an
upper storey? Room Windows A window ID associated with the room.
Room Doors A door ID associated with the room. Room Sensor A sensor
ID associated with the room. Room Audio Device An audio device ID
associated with the room. Room Video Camera A video camera ID associated
with the room. Floor ID Identification number of the floor. Floor
location Is the floor a basement floor, a ground level floor or
an upper storey floor? Floor Rooms Room ID associated with the floor.
Appliance ID Identification number of an appliance. Appliance Type
Is the appliance a stove, a fireplace, a furnace, a hot water heater,
a clothes dryer, a clothes washer, a dish washer, a refrigerator
or other type of appliance? Appliance Power Is the appliance powered
by electricity, gas, wood or other type of power? Appliance Room
A room ID associated with the appliance. Appliance Sensor A sensor
ID associated with the appliance. # of Alarm Events The number of
alarm events during which contact attempts were made with a contact
list. # of Alarm Events The number of times a person who was contacted
about an alarm Acks event responded to the alarm event. # of Peers
The number of peer premise alarm systems in a peer network with
this premise alarm system. # of Contacts The number of contacts
in the audit controller database. # of Peer Contacts The total number
of contacts in the audit controller databases of the peer premise
alarm systems.
[0106] In the preferred embodiment, each of the sensors 110, video
cameras 114 and audio devices 116 has a unique identification number,
although it is not required in other examples. This allows the insurance
auditor 104 to determine the types of devices installed in the premise
alarm system 106 and to track changes in the premise alarm system
more accurately during an audit.
[0107] Some of the foregoing system parameters are inherently tabulated
by the alarm system controller 108, for example, the number of sensors,
video cameras and audio devices. Other system parameters need to
be tabulated and entered into the alarm controller database by an
authorized field technician, for example, the number of doors, windows
and rooms, and the mapping of the sensors, video cameras and audio
devices to the doors, windows and rooms. It is advantageous to allow
a field technician to tabulate these system parameters in order
to receive a greater insurance premium discount. The premise or
life insurance policy holder would notify the insurance auditor
104, for example in writing, if some of the system parameters that
were tabulated by the field technician and entered into the alarm
controller database have changed. It is possible that the field
technician can perform periodic field audits for these types of
parameters.
[0108] The operation of the insurance auditor 104 and the premise
alarm system 106 are now discussed. Two situations when audits are
performed are first described.
[0109] In one situation when an insurance customer first installs
the premise alarm system 106 at the premise 100 the insurance provider,
represented by the insurance auditor 104, must be made aware of
the premise alarm system 106 so that a discount on an insurance
premium can be obtained. Generally speaking, this can be accomplished
in one of two ways, by the insurance auditor 104 contacting and
auditing the system parameters of the premise alarm system 106 or
the premise alarm system contacting the insurance auditor and providing
the system parameters in a self-audit.
[0110] In another situation, when the premise 100 already has the
premise alarm system 106 installed, a periodic audit may be performed
to update the insurance auditor 104 with the system parameters of
the premise alarm system 106. Again, generally speaking, this can
be accomplished in one of two ways, by the insurance auditor 104
contacting and auditing the system parameters in the premise alarm
system 106 or the premise alarm system contacting the insurance
auditor and providing the system parameters in a self-audit.
[0111] It is understood that a third party can receive the alarm
system parameters from the premise alarm system 106 and relay them
to the insurance auditor 104 and this situation is considered within
the metes and bounds of the present invention. This situation is
also described in more detail below.
[0112] Referring to FIG. 5a, a flowchart diagram is shown illustrating
the operation of the insurance auditor 104 remotely auditing the
premise alarm system 106. The various steps in FIG. 5a are performed
by respective software modules in the audit controller software
of FIG. 4b.
[0113] The audit controller software is idle in step 400 and in
step 402 the audit controller software initiates the operation of
auditing system parameters in the premise alarm system 106. A human
operator can stimulate the transition from step 400 to step 402,
for example if this is the first time the insurance auditor 104
is accessing the system parameters, or the audit controller software
can stimulate this transition itself by responding to a scheduled
software event when performing scheduled audits. The audit controller
software performs housekeeping operations and reserves any resources
it may require in step 402, before transitioning to step 404.
[0114] The audit controller software retrieves an insurance customer
record from the audit controller database in step 404. This record,
which may comprise one or more database table records, comprises
insurance customer account information and includes a network address
of the premise alarm system 106. The network address is parsed from
the customer record in step 404, after which the audit controller
software transitions to step 406.
[0115] The network address of the premise alarm system 106 is used
to establish a communication channel with the premise alarm system
in step 406. In this example the network address is an IP address
on the Internet. The communication channel comprises any conventional
means of communicating over the Internet, for example, without limitation,
user datagram protocol (UDP) sockets, transmission control protocol
(TCP) sockets and security architecture for the Internet protocol
(IPsec). When the communication channel is established, the audit
controller software transitions to step 408.
[0116] The audit controller software may use, but is not required
to use, secure communication protocols for the communication channel.
For example, the audit controller software can use conventional
authentication protocols and conventional cryptographic protocols.
In step 408 the audit controller software requests the premise alarm
system 106 to authenticate itself by using conventional means of
authentication, for example, without limitation, a username and
password or a digital certificate issued and verified by a Certificate
Authority (CA) and used as part of a public key infrastructure.
If the premise alarm system 106 can not authenticate itself the
insurance auditor 104 records this event in the audit controller
database and notifies an insurance auditor employee, for example
by email or in a digital report, to investigate, and then returns
to step 400. It is understood by those in the art that steps 406
and 408 can be performed together in other examples.
[0117] After the communication channel is established and the premise
alarm system 106 is authenticated, the audit controller software
uses another protocol on top of the communication channel protocol
to send information to and receive information from the premise
alarm system 106. The audit controller software sends a request
for one or more premise alarm system parameters in step 410 and
receives the one or more premise alarm system parameters in step
412.
[0118] The system parameters received over the communication channel
in step 412 are stored in the audit controller database in step
416 and changes in previously stored system parameters, if any,
are also stored in the audit controller database. The communication
channel is closed in step 418.
[0119] The audit controller software audits the insurance policy
in step 420. The audit can be performed in more than one way and
involves analyzing the system parameters just received. Two methods
are discussed below. In some examples, step 420 can be performed
at a later point in time when batch auditing of insurance policies
is performed.
[0120] Referring to FIG. 6a, a flowchart diagram is shown illustrating
one embodiment of the audit controller software performing an audit
on the insurance policy in step 420 of FIG. 5a. The audit controller
software determines if there is a change in system parameters since
a previous audit in step 430. For example, in one situation, if
this is the first time the audit controller software has received
the system parameters from the premise alarm system 106 then there
is a change in system parameters since there were not any system
parameters stored in the audit controller database previously. In
another situation, the audit controller 124 already has a previous
copy of the system parameters stored in the audit controller database
and the audit controller software compares the system parameters
just received in step 412 of FIG. 5a with the previous system parameters
in the audit controller database to determine if there are any changes.
[0121] If there is a change in system parameters the audit controller
software transitions to step 432 and if there is not a change the
audit controller software transitions to step 400. A new insurance
premium is derived by calculation in step 432.
[0122] A formula used in the calculation is a multivariable function
of the system parameters of the premise alarm system 106 in this
example. As an example only, the insurance premium can be indirectly
proportional to the number of sensors, the number of video cameras,
the number of audio devices, the number of peer premise alarm systems
in a peer network (to be described below in more detail) and to
the total number of contacts who are notified of an alarm event.
The new insurance premium is stored in the audit controller database
in step 434.
[0123] Insurance customers receive a periodic invoice from the
insurance provider for premise or life insurance. The periodic invoice
has been delivered by mail to the insurance customer and the customer
has made payment by check, credit card or electronic funds transfer
from an online bank account interface, or the insurance customer
has given permission for the insurance provider to receive electronic
payment of the invoice by debiting a bank account or charging a
credit card of the insurance customer. The metes and bounds of the
present invention include adjustment to the periodic invoice based
on the new insurance premium calculated above. The insurance policy
between the insurance customer and the insurance provider must include
a clause for the adjustable insurance premium based on premise alarm
system audits.
[0124] The automatic billing system of the insurance provider is
automatically informed of any new insurance premium. The audit controller
software initiates the notification of the insurance customer of
the new insurance premium in step 436. The notification can be by
way of postal mail or by email for example. After initiating the
notification of the customer the audit controller software returns
to step 400.
[0125] Referring to FIG. 6b, a flowchart diagram is shown illustrating
another embodiment of the audit controller software performing an
audit on the insurance policy in step 420 of FIG. 5a. A new insurance
premium is derived by calculation in step 440. If the new insurance
premium is different then the previous insurance premium, if any,
then the new insurance premium is stored in step 444. If the new
insurance premium is not different then the audit controller software
returns to step 400. After storing the new insurance premium in
step 444, the audit controller software initiates the notification
of the insurance customer in step 446 and then returns to step 400.
[0126] In other embodiments the step of auditing 420 can include
classifying the premise with the premise alarm system into a category
of insurance from a group of categories of insurance. Each category
of insurance would have an insurance premium or a discount on an
insurance premium associated with it.
[0127] In other embodiments the insurance auditor 104 can calculate
a discount on an insurance premium instead of calculating an insurance
premium directly. The discount is then subtracted from the insurance
premium the insurance customer would pay if they did not have the
premise alarm system 106. Other methods of auditing the insurance
policy based on the system parameters of the premise alarm system
and deriving an insurance premium are considered to be within the
scope of the present invention.
[0128] An example of a formula for calculating an insurance premium
discount is illustrated by the equation below. This formula calculates
a discount D.sub.premise on a premise insurance premium for a house.
The maximum value of each fraction in the equation below is one
(1).
[0129] There is a maximum discount that can be awarded, which is
equal to D.sub.fl+D.sub.f+D.sub.owl+D.sub.od+D.sub.wn. A discount
D.sub.fl is given for having a fence around the perimeter of the
premise, and the discount is scaled by the ratio of the length of
the fence with the length of the perimeter. A discount D.sub.f is
given for providing surveillance of the fence, and the discount
is scaled by a factor related to the nature of the surveillance.
A discount D.sub.owl is given for providing surveillance of the
outside walls of the premise, and the discount is scaled by a factor
related to the nature of the surveillance. A discount D.sub.od is
given for providing surveillance of the outside doors, and the discount
is scaled by a factor related to the nature of the surveillance.
A discount D.sub.wn is given for providing surveillance of the outside
windows, and the discount is scaled by a factor related to the surveillance.
D premise = .times. ( D fl .times. l f l p + D f .times. n fs +
n fv + n fa + n fm 4 .times. n f + D owl .times. n owls + n owlv
+ n owla + n owlm 4 .times. n owl + D od .times. n ods + n odv +
n oda 3 .times. n od + D wn .times. n wns + n wnv + n wna 3 .times.
n wn ) * 2 .times. .pi. .times. k .times. c .times. tan - 1 .function.
( k .times. ppas .times. n .times. ppas + k .times. lc .times. n
.times. lc + k .times. pc .times. n .times. pc ) [0130] D.sub.fl
discount for a fence [0131] I.sub.f length of fence [0132] I.sub.p
length of perimeter [0133] D.sub.f discount for surveillance of
fence [0134] n.sub.fs number of sensors associated with fence [0135]
n.sub.fv number of video cameras associated with fence [0136] n.sub.fa
number of audio devices associated with fence [0137] n.sub.fm number
of motion lights associated with fence [0138] n.sub.f number of
fences [0139] D.sub.owl discount for outside wall surveillance [0140]
n.sub.owls number of sensors associated with outside walls [0141]
n.sub.owlv number of video cameras associated with outside walls
[0142] n.sub.owla number of audio devices associated with outside
walls [0143] n.sub.owlm number of motion lights associated with
outside walls [0144] n.sub.owl number of outside wals [0145] D.sub.od
discount for outside door surveillance [0146] n.sub.ods number of
sensors associated with outside doors [0147] n.sub.odv number of
video cameras associated with outside doors [0148] n.sub.ods number
of audio devices associated with outside doors [0149] n.sub.od number
of outside doors [0150] D.sub.wn discount for outside windows surveillance
[0151] n.sub.wns number of sensors associated with windows [0152]
n.sub.wnv number of video cameras associated with windows [0153]
n.sub.wna number of audio devices associated with windows [0154]
n.sub.wn number of windows [0155] k.sub.c constant of proportionality
for contacts [0156] k.sub.ppas constant of proportionality for peer
premise alarm systems [0157] n.sub.ppas number of peer premise alarm
systems [0158] k.sub.lc constant of proportionality for local contacts
[0159] n.sub.lc number of local contacts [0160] k.sub.pc constant
of proportionality for peer contacts [0161] n.sub.pc number or peer
contacts
[0162] Another example of a formula for calculating an insurance
premium discount is illustrated by the equation below. This formula
calculates a discount D.sub.life on a life insurance premium. The
maximum value of each fraction in the equation below is one (1).
D life = ( D a .times. n as n a + D wsp .times. n wsp + n rs 2 .times.
n r ) * 2 .pi. .times. k c .times. tan - 1 .function. ( k lc .times.
n lc + k pc .times. n pc ) [0163] D.sub.life discount for life insurance
premium [0164] D.sub.a discount for surveillance of appliances [0165]
n.sub.as number of appliance sensors [0166] n.sub.a number of appliances
[0167] D.sub.wsp discount for water sprinklers [0168] n.sub.wsp
number of water sprinklers [0169] n.sub.rs number of room sensors
[0170] n.sub.r number of rooms [0171] k.sub.c constant of proportionality
for contacts [0172] k.sub.lc constant of proportionality for local
contacts [0173] n.sub.lc number of local contacts [0174] k.sub.pc
constant of proportionality for peer contacts [0175] n.sub.pc number
or peer contacts
[0176] Now referring to FIG. 5b, a flowchart diagram is shown illustrating
the corresponding operation of the alarm controller software of
the premise alarm system 106 to the operation of the audit controller
software of the insurance auditor 104 in FIG. 5a. The alarm controller
software receives a request to establish a communication channel
in step 450 and transitions to step 452 where the communication
channel is established.
[0177] The alarm controller software requests the insurance auditor
104 to authenticate itself by conventional means of authentication
in step 454. In most examples authentication would be performed
for security reasons, but it is not essential for operation. It
is understood that in other examples steps 452 and 454 can be performed
together. If the insurance auditor 104 can not authenticate itself
the alarm controller software stores a record of this event in the
alarm controller database, notifies the insurance customer and returns
to step 450. If the insurance auditor 104 can authenticate itself
it proceeds to step 456.
[0178] A request for one or more system parameters is received
over the communication channel from the insurance auditor 104 in
step 456. The alarm controller software retrieves the system parameters
from the alarm controller database where they are stored. It is
understood that the system parameter module 302 in FIG. 4a of the
alarm controller software maintains current values of the system
parameters in the alarm controller database. It is understood that
some of the system parameters may be retrieved in real time from
the devices in the premise alarm system 106 illustrated in FIGS.
2a and 2b.
[0179] The alarm controller software sends the one or more system
parameters to the insurance auditor 104 in step 460 and closes the
communication channel in step 462 before returning to step 450.
[0180] As mentioned above, the premise alarm system 106 may perform
the self-audit by contacting the insurance auditor 104 and providing
the system parameters as illustrated in the flowchart diagram of
FIG. 7a. This situation is similar to the previous situation where
the insurance auditor 104 initiated the audit, and many similar
steps still apply.
[0181] The alarm controller software is idle in step 470 and in
step 472 the alarm controller software initiates the self-audit.
A human operator can stimulate the transition from step 470 to step
472, for example, if this is the first time the audit is performed,
or the alarm controller software can stimulate the transition itself
by responding to a scheduled software event when performing scheduled
self-audits. The alarm controller software performs housekeeping
operations and reserves any resources it may require in step 472,
before transitioning to step 474.
[0182] In step 474 the alarm controller software retrieves one
or more system parameters from the alarm controller database that
will be communicated to the insurance auditor 104, and also retrieves
the network address of the insurance auditor.
[0183] The network address is used to establish a communication
channel with the insurance auditor 104 in step 476 in a manner similar
to the previous example with the insurance auditor 104 using the
network address of the premise alarm system 106 to establish a communication
channel. The alarm controller software can request the insurance
auditor 104 authenticate itself in step 478, in a manner similar
to the previous example where the insurance auditor 104 initiated
the audit, to ensure that the communication channel is with the
intended insurance auditor. If authentication fails the premise
alarm system 106 can log this event in the alarm controller database
and terminate the self-audit by returning to step 470. If authentication
succeeds the alarm controller software transitions to step 480.
[0184] The alarm controller software sends the one or more system
parameters to the insurance auditor 104 over the communication channel
in step 480. It is possible in some examples for the insurance auditor
104 to request one or more additional system parameters, and the
alarm controller software would then send those additional system
parameters as well. After all the system parameters have been sent
the alarm controller software closes the communication channel in
step 482 and returns to step 470.
[0185] The flowchart diagram of FIG. 7b illustrates the corresponding
operation of the audit controller software of the insurance auditor
104 to the operation of the alarm controller software of the premise
alarm system 106 in FIG. 7a. This situation is similar to the previous
situation where the insurance auditor 104 initiated the audit, and
many similar steps still apply.
[0186] The audit controller software receives a request to establish
a communication channel in step 490 and transitions to step 492
where the communication channel is established in a manner similar
to the previous example where the premise alarm system 106 received
a request to establish a communication channel. The audit controller
software requests the premise alarm system 106 to authenticate itself
in step 494.
[0187] The one or more system parameters are received over the
communication channel from the premise alarm system 106 in step
496. The audit controller software can request additional system
parameters in step 496 as well. The system parameters received from
the premise alarm system 106 are stored in the alarm controller
database in step 498, and the communication channel is closed in
step 500.
[0188] The audit controller software audits the insurance policy
in step 502 using, for example, the methods of either FIG. 6a or
6b. After the audit of the insurance policy is complete the audit
controller software returns to step 490. In some examples, step
502 can be performed at a later point in time when batch auditing
of premise insurance policies is performed.
[0189] Referring now to FIG. 8a, in another embodiment of the present
invention, wherein like parts to previous embodiments have like
reference numerals with the additional suffix ".8" and
like parts within this embodiment are delineated by additional alphabetical
suffixes, there is a system comprising a plurality of premises 100.8,
an insurance auditor 104.8 and a network 102.8. Each of the premises
100.8a, b, c, d and e comprise premise alarm systems 106.8a, b,
c, d and e respectively that are each similar to the premise alarm
system 106 in the previous embodiment.
[0190] Each of the premise alarm systems 106.8 can form peer networks.
Each premise alarm system 106.8 can belong to a peer network as
a master or as a slave, in this embodiment. Each premise alarm system
can only belong to one peer network as a master, which is its own
peer network, in this embodiment. Each premise alarm system 106.8
can belong to any number of peer networks as a slave, in this embodiment.
[0191] Referring to FIGS. 8a and b, a first example of a peer network
includes the premise alarm system 106.8a, which has formed peer
network generally indicated by root reference numeral 101a, in which
it is the master as generally indicated by reference numeral 101am.
The premise alarm systems 106.8b and c belong to the peer network
101a as slaves indicated generally by reference numeral 101as.
[0192] A second example of a peer network includes the premise
alarm system 106.8b, which has formed peer network generally indicated
by root reference numeral 101b, in which it is the master as generally
indicated by reference numeral 101bm. The premise alarm system 106.8a
belongs to the peer network 101b as slave indicated generally by
reference numeral 101bs.
[0193] A third example of a peer network includes the premise alarm
system 106.8c which has formed peer network generally indicated
by root reference numeral 101c, in which it is the master as generally
indicated by reference numeral 101cm. The premise alarm system 106.8e
belongs to the peer network 101c as slave indicated generally by
reference numeral 101cs.
[0194] A fourth example of a peer network includes the premise
alarm system 106.8d, which has formed peer network generally indicated
by root reference numeral 101d, in which it is the master as generally
indicated by reference numeral 101dm. The premise alarm systems
106.8c and e belong to the peer network 101d as slaves indicated
generally by reference numeral 101ds.
[0195] The premise alarm systems 106.8 can advantageously communicate
alarm and media information with each other during alarm events
by forming peer networks. This advantageously allows a large group
of contacts, formed by all the contacts within the respective peer
network, to be contacted during the alarm events.
[0196] Each of the premise alarm systems 106.8 has a list of people
to contact during an alarm event which is stored in the alarm controller
database. The greater the number of premise alarm systems 106.8
there are in a peer network the greater the number of people that
can be contacted in case of an alarm event. The chances of contacting
at least one person statistically improve with the greater number
of people being contacted. This eliminates the need to require the
services of a monitoring service provider, and therefore eliminates
the need to pay monitoring fees.
[0197] As an example, with reference to FIG. 8c, consider the situation
where a couple has three children, two siblings, two neighbors and
parents, who all dwell in their own premise 100.8f, g, h, i, j,
k, l, m and n and all are married for a total of 18 people. The
children, siblings and neighbors each have two children of their
own for a total now of 32 people. Each of the premises 100.8f, g,
h, i, j, k, l, m and n has premise alarm systems 106.8f, g, h, i,
j, k, l, m and n installed which forms a peer network 101f of 9
premise alarm systems. The premise alarm system 106.8f is the master,
and the other premise alarm systems 106.8g, h, i, j, k, l, m and
n are slaves.
[0198] The 32 people above are primary contacts and have authorization
to receive media during an alarm event. Each of the 32 people has
two friends for an additional 64 people who are secondary contacts
and do not have authorization to receive media, but are notified
of alarm events and who can themselves contact one of the primary
contacts. Therefore, during an alarm event there are a total of
96 people who are contacted and 8 premise alarm systems that can
receive media as described in more detail below. It is statistically
very probable that a contact will respond to the alarm event. The
96 people are contacted simultaneously, which is possible with the
use of Voice/Video over IP technology as will be explained in more
detail below.
[0199] Another advantage of forming peer networks is the reduction
if false alarms which is a serious problem in alarm systems monitored
by monitoring service providers. Typically, members in a peer network,
such as the peer network 101f, are premise alarm systems of family,
friends and close acquaintances, in this case the premise alarm
systems 106.8f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m and n. When the members of the
peer network 101f are notified of the alarm event they can, depending
on their authorization, receive media related to the alarm event,
such as video and/or audio. The family, friend and close acquaintance
members of the peer network 101f can review the media and determine
if it is a false alarm or not, since they would know who has authorization
to be at the premise 100.8f and who does not.
[0200] A monitoring service provider does not know if a person
has authorization by reviewing video and/or audio of the alarm event
since they do not know the family, friends or close acquaintances
of the premise 100.8f generating the alarm event, unless the person
is obviously an intruder, e.g. wearing a mask. The monitoring service
provider may ask for an authorization code from the person generating
an alarm event, but not all family, friends and close acquaintances
would know or remember the code. The monitoring service providers
in these situations tend to err on the side of caution and notify
the authorities since they are liable in part for the safety and
protection of the premise. This has become a serious problem in
some regions, and police in some cases have stopped responding to
alarm events without having at least video verification from the
monitoring service provider, which, as discussed above, is far from
accurate.
[0201] In some regions it may be a regulated requirement that a
central monitoring service provider monitor the premise alarm systems
106.8 f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m and n in order for respective insurance
premium discounts to be obtained, or insurance providers may require
this before offering respective insurance premium discount. In these
situations, and others, the central monitoring service can provide
a contact of last resort service. Referring to FIG. 8c, if during
an alarm event at the premise 100.8f, none of the family, friends
and close acquaintance members of the peer network 101f respond
to the notification attempts performed by the premise alarm systems
106.8f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m and n, for example not one of these
members answers a VoIP call from respective premise alarm systems
after a certain number of ring attempts, then the premise alarm
system 106.8f can notify the central monitoring service that the
notification attempts of the alarm event have not been responded
to by members of the peer network 101f, and therefore the central
monitoring service would then respond, i.e. attempt to verify the
alarm event as an intrusion and take appropriate action. The central
monitoring service is operational twenty four hours per day and
staffed with alarm personnel who can respond to the alarm notification
from the premise alarm system 106.8f.
[0202] In this situation, there will be a monitoring fee paid to
the central monitoring service. However, since the central monitoring
service is a contact of last resort, then statistically they will
be contacted much less frequently than other central monitoring
services, which are contacts of first resort, for a given customer
base. For example, it is expected that members of the peer network
101f respond statistically more often then not to alarm notification
attempts, and therefore the central monitoring service is not notified
to take action for most alarm events. The call volume for the central
monitoring service operating on the principle of contact of last
resort is much less then the call volume for the central monitoring
services operating on the principle of contact of first resort.
Therefore, the operating costs of the central monitoring service
operating on the principle of contact of last resort are much less
then the operating costs of central monitoring services operating
on the principle of contact of first resort, since the former requires
less equipment and staff. The reduced operating costs are passed
on to the consumer, i.e. the owner of the premise 101f, and therefore
the monitoring fees can be less.
[0203] The monitoring fee paid by the owner of the premise 100.8f
to the central monitoring service operating on the principle of
contact of last resort can be calculated based on the percentage
of alarm events that the central monitoring service was notified
of to take action by the premise alarm system 106.8f. The principle
of the present invention is peer monitoring and therefore less dependence
on monitoring service providers. If the monitoring service provider
is in actual fact responding to most alarm events for a given premise
then that premise should pay higher monitoring fees. It is the responsibility
of the members of the peer network 101f to monitor alarm events
in the peer network 101f.
[0204] In order for the members of the peer network 101f to respond
to notification attempts of alarm events in the peer network 101f
in ample time before the central monitoring service is notified,
the premise alarm systems 106.8f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m and n should
know how to reach their respective contacts. This involves, for
example, knowing which particular communication device the respective
contacts are using and knowing how to contact that device. The respective
contacts of the premise alarm systems 106.8f, g, h, i, j, k, l,
m and n may periodically notify their respective premise alarm systems
with information related to how they can be contacted. The premise
alarm systems 106.8f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m and n may also employ
smart algorithms that determine how to notify their respective contacts.
For example, the algorithms may use location services provided by
cellular service providers to determine whether a cellular phone
of a contact is changing location, in which case the contact is
most likely with the cellular phone and can be notified that way.
[0205] Referring again to FIGS. 8a and 8b, the insurance customers
associated with the premise alarm systems 106.8a, b, c and d, which
are masters of peer networks 101a, b, c and d respectively, are
entitled to receive a discount on their respective insurance premiums
if they exchange system parameter information with the insurance
auditor 104.8. The premise alarm systems 106.8 associated with the
peer networks 101a, b, c and d can exchange information with each
other, and in particular system parameter information, alarm information
and media information, using conventional means of exchanging information
over the network 102.8.
[0206] Referring to FIG. 9a, a flowchart diagram is shown illustrating
the operation of the alarm controller software of one of the premise
alarm systems of FIG. 8a, for example the premise alarm system 106.8a,
initiating and performing the process of exchanging system parameter
information with another premise alarm system, for example the premise
alarm system 106.8b. In one situation, this can be the first time
the premise alarm system 106.8a is communicating with the premise
alarm system 106.8 in order to invite the premise alarm system 106.8b
into the peer network 101a. In another situation, this can be an
update of system parameter information between the premise alarm
systems 106.8a and 106.8b.
[0207] The alarm controller software of the premise alarm system
106.8a is idle in step 600 and in step 602 the alarm controller
software initiates peer-to-peer communication with the premise alarm
system 106.8b. A human operator can stimulate the transition from
step 600 to step 602, for example, if this is the first time the
premise alarm systems 106.8a and 106.8b are communicating with each
other, or the alarm controller software can stimulate the transition
itself by responding to a scheduled software event when performing
scheduled peer communications. The alarm controller software performs
housekeeping operations and reserves any resources it may require
in step 602, before transitioning to step 604.
[0208] In step 604 the alarm controller software retrieves the
network address of the peer premise alarm system 106.8b. The network
address must have been added to the alarm controller database by
the insurance customer if this is the first time the alarm controller
software is contacting the premise alarm system 106.8b. The network
address is used to establish a communication channel with the peer
premise alarm system 106.8b in step 606. Again, conventional means
are used for establishing the communication channel over the network
102.8.
[0209] The alarm controller software can request the peer premise
alarm system 106.8b to authenticate itself to ensure that the communication
channel is with the intended peer premise alarm system. If authentication
fails the alarm controller software can record this event in the
alarm controller database, close the communication channel and return
to step 600.
[0210] The alarm controller software exchanges system parameters
with the premise alarm system 106.8b in step 610. The alarm controller
software sends a request to the premise alarm system 106.8b for
one or more system parameters and, if the premise alarm system 106.8
accepts the request, receives the one or more system parameters
which it stores in the alarm controller database in step 612. At
this point the premise alarm system 106.8b has joined the peer network
101a as a slave.
[0211] The premise alarm system 106.8b may also request one or
more system parameters from the alarm controller software in step
610. If the alarm controller software accepts the request, it retrieves
the one or more system parameters from the alarm controller database
in step 612 and sends them to the premise alarm system 106.8b in
step 610. At this point the premise alarm system 106.8a has joined
the peer network 101b as a slave. The communication channel is closed
in step 614 and the alarm controller software returns to idle in
step 600.
[0212] Referring now to FIG. 9b, a flowchart diagram is shown illustrating
the corresponding operation of the alarm controller software of
the premise alarm system 106.8b discussed above in relation to FIG.
9a. The alarm controller software receives a request to establish
a communication channel with the peer premise alarm system 106.8a
in step 620 and transitions to step 622 where the communication
channel is established.
[0213] The alarm controller software can request the peer premise
alarm system 106.8a to authenticate itself by conventional means
of authentication in step 624. In most examples authentication would
be performed for security reasons, but it is not essential for operation.
In is understood that in other examples steps 622 and 624 can be
performed together. If the peer premise alarm system 106.8a can
not authenticate itself the alarm controller software stores a record
of this event in the alarm controller database, and notifies the
insurance customer and returns to step 620. If the peer premise
alarm system 106.8a can authenticate itself it proceeds to step
626.
[0214] The alarm controller software receives a request for one
or more system parameters from the peer premise alarm system 106.8a
in step 626. If the alarm controller software accepts the request,
it retrieves the one or more system parameters from the alarm controller
database in step 628 and sends them to the peer premise alarm system
106.8a in step 626. The premise alarm system 106.8b has joined the
peer network 101a at this point as a slave.
[0215] The alarm controller software may request one or more system
parameters from the peer premise alarm system 106.8 in step 626.
If the peer premise alarm system 106.8a accepts the request the
alarm controller software receives the one or more system parameters
in step 626 and stores them in the alarm controller database in
step 628. The premise alarm system 106.8a has joined the peer network
101b at this point as a slave. The communication channel is closed
in step 632 before returning to step 620.
[0216] Referring back to FIG. 8a, the premise alarm system 106.8a
can communicate alarm event information and media with the premise
alarm systems 106.8b and 106.8c of the peer network 101a during
an alarm event. Referring now to FIG. 10A, a flow chart diagram
is shown illustrating the operation of the alarm controller software
of the premise alarm system 106.8a during an alarm event at premise
100.8a.
[0217] The alarm controller software is monitoring the sensors
110 in step 700 and transitions to step 702 after detecting an alarm
event. The alarm controller software does general housekeeping tasks
and reserves any resources in step 702 before proceeding to step
704. The network addresses of the peer premise alarm systems 106.8b
and 106.8c and of contact persons of the premise alarm system 106.8a
are retrieved from the alarm controller database in step 704.
[0218] Two threads of execution are carried out after step 704.
In one thread the peer premise alarm systems 106.8b and 106.8c are
contacted, and in the other thread the contact persons are contacted.
[0219] A Voice/Video over IP (VoIP) call is established over the
network 102.8 with each of the contact persons using their respective
network addresses in step 706. Once the VoIP calls are made the
contact persons are informed there is an alarm event in step 708,
and media representative of the premise 100.8a is sent over the
VoIP call in step 710.
[0220] A secure communication channel is established with each
peer premise alarm system 106.8b and 106.8c using conventional means
discussed above for establishing a secure communication channel
over network 102.8 in step 712. Once the communication channels
are opened a notification of the alarm event is sent to the peer
premise alarm systems 106.8b and 106.8c in step 714. The alarm controller
software then sends media over the communication channels representative
of the premise 100.8a to each of the peer premise alarm systems
106.8b and 106.8c in step 716.
[0221] It is possible in other examples where the network 102.8
also comprises the Internet that a single multicast communication
channel is established to multicast the media. In this situation
each of the peer premise alarm systems 106.8b and 106.8c would be
part of a multicast group. During an alarm event the peer premise
alarm systems 106.8b and 106.8c are notified to join the multicast
of the media.
[0222] The alarm controller software waits for an alarm reset event
in step 718, and when the reset is received the VoIP calls and the
communication channels are closed in step 720 and the alarm controller
software returns to step 700.
[0223] Now referring to FIG. 10b, a flowchart diagram is shown
illustrating the corresponding operation of the alarm controller
software of each of the peer premise alarm systems 106.8b and 106.8c
discussed above in relation to FIG. 10b. The alarm controller software
is idle in step 750 and transitions to step 752 after receiving
a request from the peer premise alarm system 106.8a to open a communication
channel. The alarm controller software opens the communication channel
and after authentication, receives a notification of an alarm event
in step 754.
[0224] Two threads of execution are carried out after step 754.
In one thread the contact persons are contacted, and in the other
thread media is stored.
[0225] The alarm controller software receives the media representative
of the premise 100.8a where the alarm event originates in step 764
and the media is saved in step 766.
[0226] The alarm controller software retrieves the network addresses
of each of the contact persons from the alarm controller database
in step 756 and establishes a VoIP call with each of the contact
persons using their respective network addresses in step 758. Once
the VoIP calls are made a notification is sent over each of the
respective call legs to the contact persons in step 760. The media
is sent over each of the VoIP call legs in step 762.
[0227] The alarm controller software waits for an alarm reset event
in step 768, and when the reset is received the VoIP calls and the
communication channel are closed in step 770 and the alarm controller
software returns to step 750.
[0228] In some examples the alarm controller software can be notified
by the peer premise alarm system 106.8a over the communication channel
to join a multicast group. In this situation, another communication
channel is opened to the multicast group and the media is received
over that multicast channel.
[0229] Referring now to FIG. 11, another embodiment of the present
invention, wherein like parts to previous embodiments have like
reference numerals with an additional suffix ".11", comprises
a premise 100.11 having a premise alarm system 106.11, an insurance
auditor 104.11 and a third party 804. The third party 804 can be,
for example and without limitation, an insurance broker, an insurance
agent or a monitoring service provider. The third party 804 is similar
to the insurance auditor 104.11, and comprises an audit controller
824, a gateway 828, a keyboard 825 and a display 826.
[0230] The third party 804 communicates with the premise alarm
system 106.11 in a manner similar to the description above related
to FIGS. 5a, 5b, 7a and 7b for the purpose of collecting audit information
related to system parameters of the premise alarm system. The third
party may, but is not required to, perform the operation of auditing
the insurance policy described above in relation to FIGS. 6a and
6b. The third party 804 communicates the audit information to the
insurance auditor 104.11 in a similar manner to that described above.
[0231] Referring now to FIG. 12, another embodiment of the present
invention, wherein like parts to previous embodiments have like
reference numerals with an additional suffix ".12", comprises
a premise 100.12 having a premise alarm system 106.12, an insurance
auditor 104.12, an insurance broker 900 and a monitoring service
provider 910. In this example, the insurance auditor 104.12 is an
insurance provider. The insurance broker 900 is similar to the insurance
auditor 104.12 and comprises an audit controller 902 and a gateway
904 coupling the audit controller to the network 102.12. The monitoring
service provider 910 is similar to the insurance auditor 104.12
and comprises an auditor controller 912 and a gateway 914 coupling
the audit controller to the network 102.12.
[0232] The monitoring service provider 910 communicates with the
premise alarm system 106.12 over network 102.12 to collect audit
information related to system parameters of the premise alarm system
106.12. The insurance broker 900 communicates with the monitoring
service provider 910 to collect the audit information, and the insurance
auditor 104.12 communicates with the insurance broker 900 to collect
the audit information from the insurance broker.
[0233] Another example of the present invention |