Abstract: An electronic access control system comprising an electronic access control device that is communicably engaged with a local or remote alarm system via a networked communications interface. In accordance with certain embodiments, the electronic access control device may be operably engaged with the local or remote alarm system to send and receive one or more communication and execute one or more operations to (1) authenticate/authorize an access request from an authorized user, (2) suppress/disable a door intrusion alarm and (3) actuate the electronic access control device to unlock a door. In accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure, the electronic access control system may be communicably engaged with one or more remote server, back-end data system, remote alarm system and/or electronic access control system to enable/enforce the interface between the electronic access control device and the local or remote alarm system.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include methods, systems, and non-transitory computer readable media that perform the steps of determining, in response to receiving a first failed supervision signal, a notification signal, or failing to receive a first anticipated supervision signal, that at least the first communication channel is entering into a failure state or in the failure state, monitoring, in response to determining that the first communication channel is entering into a failure state or in the failure state, a second communication channel for a second supervision signal from the security device, and receiving the second supervision signal from the security device via the second communication channel.

Abstract: A method and system for processing information from a control panel in a building management system validates programming data of the control panel and then a monitoring station responding to the information from the control panel if its programming data was validated. A server system can be used for this validation. The proposed system can provide a lightweight system for validation to avoid problems arising from incorrectly configured panels sending false alarms to monitoring stations.

Abstract: A system and method for communication between a building management system control panel and a monitoring station are disclosed. Examples of building management systems include fire alarm systems and security systems. The monitoring station and the control panel establish an encrypted channel between each other. The monitoring station and the control panel then transmit status information over the encrypted channel. In examples, the status information includes alarm information sent from fire control panels, intrusion information sent from security panels, and operational information of the panels and/or monitoring station, in examples.

Abstract: Techniques for decoding communications transmitted by a remote alarm panel over a communications network to a central monitoring station (CMS) are provided. A first signal from the remote alarm panel can be received by the CMS. The CMS can determine that the first signal cannot be decoded due to errors, missing data, or corrupted data in the first signal. The remote alarm panel can retransmit the signal. The CMS can analyze the first and second signals to determine if the first signal can be reconstructed based on information provided by the second signal. The first signal can subsequently be repaired and decoded, allowing the CMS to more quickly respond to the alarm condition provided in the first signal.

Abstract: A network data aggregation system and method for connected building management systems are disclosed. The aggregation system assesses network connectivity for the building management system. For this purpose, the aggregation system includes building management control panels including modems for reporting to monitoring stations, and a customer management server (CMS). The control panels collect network connectivity information of the modems, and the CMS receives the network connectivity information. In one example, the CMS analyzes the network connectivity information to identify issues in service provider networks that provide connections between the modems of the building management control panels and the service provider networks.

Abstract: A network data aggregation system and method for connected building management systems are disclosed. The aggregation system assesses network connectivity for the building management system. For this purpose, the aggregation system includes building management control panels including modems for reporting to monitoring stations, and a customer management server (CMS). The control panels collect network connectivity information of the modems, and the CMS receives the network connectivity information. In one example, the CMS analyzes the network connectivity information to identify issues in service provider networks that provide connections between the modems of the building management control panels and the service provider networks.

Abstract: A system and method for providing account number substitution for dial capture and IP based communicators (panel communicators) is disclosed. The system processes alarm information sent from building management systems such as fire alarm systems and security systems. In the system, control panels of the building management systems are located at one or more premises, and provide raw signals which include the alarm information and account numbers for identifying the control panels. A station receiver installed at a monitoring station provides site account numbers for the account numbers of the control panels. In an embodiment, panel communicators at the premises enable communications between legacy control panels having telephony interfaces and the station receiver. The monitoring station then uses the site account numbers to identify the premises at which each control panel is installed for responding to the alarm information sent from the control panels.

Abstract: A method and security system arrangement are disclosed for processing incoming signals at an alarm monitoring station. The method includes analyzing the incoming signals to assess if any particular incoming signal includes characteristics of a facsimile signal to thereby identify whether or not a given incoming signal is a facsimile signal. If the analyzing identifies that a given incoming signal includes characteristics of a facsimile signal, thus identifying that the given incoming signal is likely a facsimile signal, the alarm monitoring station refrains from initiating an alarm handling procedure to handle the given incoming signal. Caller ID information may be extracted from the facsimile signals received by the alarm monitoring station, and added to a call block list. Calls originating from caller IDs on the call block list may be blocked by the alarm monitoring station.

Abstract: A system and method for communication between a building management system control panel and a monitoring station are disclosed. Examples of building management systems include fire alarm systems and security systems. The monitoring station and the control panel establish an encrypted channel between each other. The monitoring station and the control panel then transmit status information over the encrypted channel. In examples, the status information includes alarm information sent from fire control panels, intrusion information sent from security panels, and operational information of the panels and/or monitoring station, in examples.

Abstract: A system and method for providing account number substitution for dial capture and IP based communicators (panel communicators) is disclosed. The system processes alarm information sent from building management systems such as fire alarm systems and security systems. In the system, control panels of the building management systems are located at one or more premises, and provide raw signals which include the alarm information and account numbers for identifying the control panels. A station receiver installed at a monitoring station provides site account numbers for the account numbers of the control panels. In an embodiment, panel communicators at the premises enable communications between legacy control panels having telephony interfaces and the station receiver. The monitoring station then uses the site account numbers to identify the premises at which each control panel is installed for responding to the alarm information sent from the control panels.

Abstract: A method and system for processing information from a control panel in a building management system validates programming data of the control panel and then a monitoring station responding to the information from the control panel if its programming data was validated. A server system can be used for this validation. The proposed system can provide a lightweight system for validation to avoid problems arising from incorrectly configured panels sending false alarms to monitoring stations.

Abstract: Techniques for decoding communications transmitted by a remote alarm panel over a communications network to a central monitoring station (CMS) are provided. A first signal from the remote alarm panel can be received by the CMS. The CMS can determine that the first signal cannot be decoded due to errors, missing data, or corrupted data in the first signal. The remote alarm panel can retransmit the signal. The CMS can analyze the first and second signals to determine if the first signal can be reconstructed based on information provided by the second signal. The first signal can subsequently be repaired and decoded, allowing the CMS to more quickly respond to the alarm condition provided in the first signal.

Abstract: Techniques for a central monitoring station (CMS) of a monitoring system to establish communications with a remote alarm panel more quickly and efficiently are provided. A signal from a remote alarm panel can be received by the CMS. The CMS can identify the remote alarm panel based on information related to the received signal. The CMS can determine if the remote alarm panel is known or unknown based on any prior interaction with the remote alarm panel. The CMS can store information regarding known remote alarm panels from prior interactions. Handshake signals and data formatting information determined from prior interactions with the known remote alarm panel can be stored and used on subsequent calls. Additional operational information related to the remote alarm panel can also be updated after each call to further customize future interactions with the remote alarm panel.

Abstract: An alarm system includes two subsystems: a security subsystem that performs critical alarm condition monitoring and reporting; and an auxiliary subsystem that allows execution of other non-critical software components. The security subsystem may monitor the performance of the auxiliary subsystem, and maintain the performance by resetting and/or otherwise controlling the execution of software and use of hardware at the auxiliary subsystem, providing increased overall reliability of the security system, without compromising its ability to monitor security conditions at an associated premises.

Abstract: Alarm panels are assigned to monitoring servers at a monitoring station by an allocation server. Each panel obtains the data network address of its assigned monitoring server by contacting the allocation server, upon installation/configuration. The provided data network address is stored at the panel for later use. This allows the allocation server to fairly and flexibly distribute monitoring responsibility for the many panels across multiple monitoring servers.

Abstract: An alarm system includes an alarm panel that signals sensed alarm conditions at a premises to a monitoring server over a packet switched data network. The alarm panel also senses and buffers audio at the premises. In response to a sensed alarm condition, buffered audio, buffered prior to signalling the sensed alarm condition, is transferred to the monitoring station. The alarm panel may further receive live audio from the premises. Data representing live audio and buffered audio may be transferred concurrently, allowing an operator at a monitoring center to listen to audio arising from events before and after an alarm is signalled. The alarm system may further allow real-time communication between the monitoring center and panel.

Abstract: A method at an alarm monitoring station and security system arrangement for detecting alarm signals originating at security systems on incoming calls carried by a telecommunications line includes, for each call, measuring a noise level on the line in the absence of signals originated by the security systems. Based on the measuring, at least one signal detection threshold above the noise level is set, wherein a level of a signal must exceed the signal detection threshold in order to be detected as a data signal. Alarm data signals in the call are detected using the signal detection threshold.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for enhancing the throughput of signals from a security system receiver to an associated automation server. Multiple parallel Ethernet connections or ports are provided between the receiver and server to enable multiple signals to be transmitted between the two when such signals are received from a client's security system panel. The system and method may access the ports in a variety of orders to provide efficient transmittal of signals from the receiver to the server. In one embodiment, received event signals may be routed though the ports in numeric sequence, forward or reverse. In another embodiment, received event signals may be routed preferentially to the first port, if it is not busy. If the first port is busy then the signal may be routed to the second port, and so on. In a further embodiment, received event signals from specific client panels may be directed through predetermined ports, and a predetermined automation server at the central monitoring facility.

Abstract: An alarm system includes two subsystems: a security subsystem that performs critical alarm condition monitoring and reporting; and an auxiliary subsystem that allows execution of other non-critical software components. The security subsystem may monitor the performance of the auxiliary subsystem, and maintain the performance by resetting and/or otherwise controlling the execution of software and use of hardware at the auxiliary subsystem, providing increased overall reliability of the security system, without compromising its ability to monitor security conditions at an associated premises.