Abstract: A method of establishing a communication path between a first terminal and a second terminal, the method including receiving a first call from the first terminal; answering the first call; generating a call establishment request (CER); establishing a second call to the second terminal; forwarding the CER to the second terminal; receiving an acknowledgement from the second terminal; and connecting the first call and the second call.

Abstract: A method and system for remote monitoring are provided. The system includes a network including a plurality of communication points that provide a path of communication between connected devices, wherein the network is adapted to communicate via internet resources, a video device that is communicatively connected using the network an image/alarm converter that is communicatively connected to the video device using the network, and a proprietary router in the network through which the video device is able to connect to the image/alarm converter using a secure communication tunnel established by the proprietary router over the network.

Abstract: A method of establishing a communication path between a first terminal and a second terminal, the method including receiving a first call from the first terminal; answering the first call; generating a call establishment request (CER); establishing a second call to the second terminal; forwarding the CER to the second terminal; receiving an acknowledgement from the second terminal; and connecting the first call and the second call.

Abstract: A message communication system, such as a security system, having a distributed architecture includes a plurality of customer terminals, one or more proprietary routers, one or more automation systems, each customer terminal being associated with an associated at least one of the automation systems, wherein each customer terminal includes at least one communication address of at least one of the proprietary routers, the proprietary router including a routing table to forward the message to the associated automation system or a central station gateway linked to the automation system.

Abstract: A method and system for remote monitoring are provided. The system includes a network including a plurality of communication points that provide a path of communication between connected devices, wherein the network is adapted to communicate via internet resources, a video device that is communicatively connected using the network an image/alarm converter that is communicatively connected to the video device using the network, and a proprietary router in the network through which the video device is able to connect to the image/alarm converter using a secure communication tunnel established by the proprietary router over the network.

Abstract: A system, method, and devices for routing signals and controlling a home device are provided. The system includes a network including communication points that provide a path of communication between connected devices a home device that is connected using the network, a mobile device that is connected to the home device using the network, and a proprietary router in the network through which the mobile device is able to connect to the home device. The mobile device is configured to detect a triggering event at the mobile device, wherein the triggering event is associated with a control signal for controlling the home device, generate the control signal in response to the triggering event being detected, and transmit the control signal to the home device through the network using the proprietary router through the path of communication in response to the triggering event being detected.

Abstract: Data switching means (6.070, 6.072) for directing messages from a plurality of sources (6.040, 6.042, 6.044, 6,045) and having a common destination (6.108) to a link (6.078) to the common destination, including a first multiplexer (6.070) having a data link (6.074) adapted to receive upstream messages from a plurality of sources, and one or more upstream ports (12.410.1, 12.410.2) each upstream port having a specific port identity, wherein each upstream message includes address information (16.602) identifying the multiplexer and a selected one of the upstream port identities, the transmission means being adapted to link upstream message to the selected upstream port, the selected upstream port being linked to message delivery means (6.072) adapted to address the upstream message to a destination address associated with the message delivery means. Format conversion means can be included to convert the messages from a first format to a second format.

Abstract: A customer terminal (1.000) is adapted to communicate with an alarm system (1.002), and includes: a customer terminal processor (4.019); customer terminal memory associated with the customer terminal processor (4.056); one or more external communication network interfaces (4.015, 4.214, 4.018.2); at least a first local communication interface adapted to connect with an alarm system (4.026, 4.062); wherein the customer terminal memory includes a web server (4.018) adapted to communicate with a remote device (2.030) via at least one external communication network (2.022, 2.024); the customer terminal being adapted to convert instructions in a first format from the remote device to an alarm system format suitable for reception by the alarm system via at least the first local communication interface.

Abstract: A content retrieval control system includes a management center, programming capability, and one or more managed terminals. The managed terminals are connectable to content repositories. The content retrieval control system includes one or more association registers associating each managed terminal with the programming capability. The content retrieval control system includes programmable content delivery schedules for each managed terminal storing content identification information identifying selected content. The programming capability programs the content delivery schedules with content identification information identifying content in the content repositories for each managed terminal with which the programming terminal is associated. The management center delivers the content delivery schedules including content identification information to each corresponding managed terminal.

Abstract: A message communication system such as a security system having a distributed architecture includes a plurality of customer terminals (1.134.1 1.134.4), one or more proprietary routers (1.122.1 1.122.4), one or more automation systems (1.104.1 1.104.2), each customer terminal being associated with an associated at least one of the automation systems, wherein each customer terminal includes at least one communication address of at least one of the proprietary routers, the proprietary router including a routing table to forward the message to the associated automation system or a central station gateway (2.108.1) linked to the automation system.

Abstract: A customer terminal (1.000) is adapted to communicate with an alarm system (1.002), and includes: a customer terminal processor (4.019); customer terminal memory associated with the customer terminal processor (4.056); one or more external communication network interfaces (4.015, 4.214, 4.018.2); at least a first local communication interface adapted to connect with an alarm system (4.026, 4.062); wherein the customer terminal memory includes a web server (4.018) adapted to communicate with a remote device (2.030) via at least one external communication network (2.022, 2.024); the customer terminal being adapted to convert instructions in a first format from the remote device to an alarm system format suitable for reception by the alarm system via at least the first local communication interface.

Abstract: Data switching means (6.070, 6.072) for directing messages from a plurality of sources (6.040, 6.042, 6.044, 6,045) and having a common destination (6.108) to a link (6.078) to the common destination, including a first multiplexer (6.070) having a data link (6.074) adapted to receive upstream messages from a plurality of sources, and one or more upstream ports (12.410.1, 12.410.2) each upstream port having a specific port identity, wherein each upstream message includes address information (16.602) identifying the multiplexer and a selected one of the upstream port identities, the transmission means being adapted to link upstream message to the selected upstream port, the selected upstream port being linked to message delivery means (6.072) adapted to address the upstream message to a destination address associated with the message delivery means. Format conversion means can be included to convert the messages from a first format to a second format.

Abstract: A system including a plurality of remotely configurable telephone network communication terminals (102) is adapted to communicate with a programming terminal (134) over a data network (222) by adding a remote interface means (RIM) (202) for each terminal to convert communications between the terminal to or from a format adapted for transmission over the data network, the programming terminal having a modem emulator (202) having communication and programming capabilities to interface the programming terminal with the network; by converting the programming terminal data to a network compatible format, obtaining an address for the RIM, connecting the programming terminal and the RIM via the data network, connecting the RIM and the communication terminal, transmitting the converted programming terminal data to the RIM, reconstituting the converted data to a format suitable for the communication terminal, and transmitting the reconstituted data to the communication terminal.

Abstract: Methods and systems for relaying an optical signal from a remote control to a remote-controlled device such as a home entertainment device or a security device. Embodiments include at least one optical receiver and a plurality of optical transmitters. The optical transmitter positioned with an unobstructed line-of-sight to the home entertainment device is identified and the data encoded in the optical signal from the remote control is sent to that transmitter. A second optical signal that is substantially identical to the first is then generated at the optical transmitter and communicated to the home entertainment device.

Abstract: A system including a plurality of remotely configurable telephone network communication terminals (102) is adapted to communicate with a programming terminal (134) over a data network (222) by adding a remote interface means (RIM) (202) for each terminal to convert communications between the terminal to or from a format adapted for transmission over the data network, the programming terminal having a modem emulator (202) having communication and programming capabilities to interface the programming terminal with the network; by converting the programming terminal data to a network compatible format, obtaining an address for the RIM, connecting the programming terminal and the RIM via the data network, connecting the RIM and the communication terminal, transmitting the converted programming terminal data to the RIM, reconstituting the converted data to a format suitable for the communication terminal, and transmitting the reconstituted data to the communication terminal.

Abstract: A method of providing remote configuration access for a programming terminal via one or more data networks (113) to remote terminals (102) that are designed to be remotely configured using a programming terminal (134) adapted to program said remote terminal(s) via the PSTN using an analog dial up modem (132) via the PSTN (113), wherein a first remote interface means (RIM) (202) is connected to the remote terminal (102), the first remote interface means being adapted to provide a bi-directional interface between a remote terminal and a data network (222), and a modem emulator function (232) is provided to interface the programming terminal (134) with the network (222), including programming capabilities adapted for transmitting information via the network, the method including the steps of: obtaining an address for the first RIM or the remote terminal; converting the programming terminal output signals to a format suitable for transmission via a data network; establishing a data connexion between the programmi

Abstract: Methods and systems for relaying an optical signal from a remote control to a remote-controlled device such as a home entertainment device or a security device. Embodiments include at least one optical receiver and a plurality of optical transmitters. The optical transmitter positioned with an unobstructed line-of-sight to the home entertainment device is identified and the data encoded in the optical signal from the remote control is sent to that transmitter. A second optical signal that is substantially identical to the first is then generated at the optical transmitter and communicated to the home entertainment device.

Abstract: In a remote monitoring system, a supervision terminal (37) monitors the status of the communication link (32, 34, 36) between the supervision terminal and each of a plurality of remote terminals (33) connected to the supervision terminal via a data network (35). The remote terminals may be used to emulate a line interface for monitor devices such as fire alarms (31), while providing continual assurance of the integrity of the link between the supervision terminal and the alarm.

Abstract: In a remote monitoring system, a supervision terminal (37) monitors the status of the communication link (32, 34, 36) between the supervision terminal and each of a plurality of remote terminals (33) connected to the supervision terminal via a data network (35). The remote terminals may be used to emulate a line interface for monitor devices such as fire alarms (31), while providing continual assurance of the integrity of the link between the supervision terminal and the alarm.

Abstract: In a remote monitoring system, a supervision terminal, 37, monitors the status of the communication link, 32, 34, 36, between the supervision terminal and each of a plurality of remote terminals, 33, connected to the supervision terminal via a data network, 35. The remote terminals may be used to emulate a line interface for monitor devices such as fire alarms, 31, while providing continual assurance of the integrity of the link between the supervision terminal and the alarm.