Abstract: A digital display of an active window is provided. An application, separate from the application providing the digital display, is capable of identifying an artifact in the active window of the digital display without a priori knowledge or an application programming interface to the application providing the digital display. The artifacts may be alpha-numeric artifacts or non-alpha-numeric artifacts. The active window may be examined in multiple dimensions including 2 dimensions, 3 dimensions or more. Alpha-numeric artifacts, once identified, are pre-processed to remove anti-aliasing to allow for processor optical recognition.

Abstract: A digital display of an active window is provided. An application, separate from the application providing the digital display, is capable of identifying an artifact in the active window of the digital display without a priori knowledge or an application programming interface to the application providing the digital display. The artifacts may be alpha-numeric artifacts or non-alpha-numeric artifacts. The active window may be examined in multiple dimensions including 2 dimensions, 3 dimensions or more. Alpha-numeric artifacts, once identified, are pre-processed to remove anti-aliasing to allow for processor optical recognition.

Abstract: A digital display of an active window is provided. An application, separate from the application providing the digital display, is capable of identifying an artifact in the active window of the digital display without a priori knowledge or an application programming interface to the application providing the digital display. The artifacts may be alpha-numeric artifacts or non-alpha-numeric artifacts. The active window may be examined in multiple dimensions including 2 dimensions, 3 dimensions or more. Alpha-numeric artifacts, once identified, are pre-processed to remove anti-aliasing to allow for processor optical recognition.

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: An alarm system communicator monitors alarm event data output from an alarm panel to a communications path, irrespective of whether the alarm system communicator is in an active or a passive mode. The alarm event data is forwarded to a remote central monitoring station (CMS) over another communications path while the alarm system communicator is operable in the active mode, and not forwarding the alarm event data to the CMS while operable in a passive mode. At least a portion of the alarm event data is forwarded to a secondary monitoring station (SMS), at least while the CMS communications module is in the passive mode. Further, there may be forwarding of at least a portion of the alarm event data to the SMS, irrespective of whether the alarm system communicator is in the active mode or the passive mode.

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: A control panel of an alarm system at a premises stores call-back numbers/addresses and provides these to a monitoring center, as required. In embodiments, the call-back numbers/address may be provided along with the signalling of an alarm condition. In other embodiments, call-back numbers/addresses may be retrieved from the panel at the request of an operator or installer, or periodically. Call-back numbers/address may be stored or updated at the panel by installers or occupants, or automatically.

Abstract: A control panel of an alarm system at a premises stores call-back numbers/addresses and provides these to a monitoring center, as required. In embodiments, the call-back numbers/address may be provided along with the signalling of an alarm condition. In other embodiments, call-back numbers/addresses may be retrieved from the panel at the request of an operator or installer, or periodically. Call-back numbers/address may be stored or updated at the panel by installers or occupants, or automatically.