Abstract: An access control system includes a mobile application executing on a mobile computing device rendering a graphical user interface (GUI), which presents available access points, which are prioritized based on predictions of the next access points to be engaged. These predictions are based on prioritized lists of access points associated with times of day, days of the week and/or locations. The prioritized lists are modified based on recently selected access points, authorization status, prescribed schedules and/or prescribed sequences of access points. A selection pane of the GUI includes graphical elements associated with the access points. Graphical elements associated with the access points predicted to be next engaged by the user are displayed near the top of the selection pane. An inferred location of the user, based on the predictions, is sent to a monitoring center in response to selecting a help request option.

Abstract: A user-centric management application system and method for a security system that conceptualizes the security devices and the tasks to perform on the security devices as separate objects with common properties and behavior. Operators of the system create abstract containers, called dockviews, which the operator adds objects to in order to perform specific tasks. Because the operator assigns user access to dockviews and objects, the system tailors system access for both application users and tenants of the security system based on policy objectives. Dockviews have the ability to open in separate application windows to support priority display and isolation of critical management tasks. The system provides integrated user administration, event management and reports capability, a consistent “look and feel,” and system-wide automated event notification via a watchlist window.

Abstract: A testing system and method for a security system is disclosed. In one example, the testing system includes a mobile computing device carried by an operator such as a technician and a configuration server, the configuration server communicating with one or more of an intrusion detection subsystem, video surveillance subsystem, and/or access control subsystem and providing testing information to the mobile device. In one embodiment, the testing system provides configuration information to security devices within the subsystems, where the configuration information includes associations between the devices of the subsystems for executing testing upon the devices in the associations.

Abstract: A security system comprises at least one component interconnected with the security system for detecting an alarm condition. A control panel is interconnected with the security system for at least one of controlling and communicating with the at least one component. A memory is interconnected with the control panel for storing a system identifier (ID) associated with the control panel and for storing connection information for accessing a system configuration file associated with the system ID. The system ID and the connection information are stored prior to interconnecting the control panel and the security system. The system configuration file identifies the at least one component and is stored remote from the security system.

Abstract: A system and method for energy saving on access control products is disclosed. An access controller controls access control readers, which in turn enable access to a building and/or interior areas of the building. The access controller can identify the locations of the access control readers relative to the building, such as whether the access control readers are located on the perimeter of the building for controlling access to the building, or whether the access control readers are located within the building for controlling access to interior areas of the building. The access controller can then place one or more of the access control readers into a power saving state without compromising overall building security, such as placing interior access control readers into a power saving state when the building is assessed to be unoccupied.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for a facility supporting an access controller, at least one ingress card reader and an auto-enrollment type controller including a front panel having a single button, a controller board, a terminal block for connecting at least the one ingress card reader to the auto-enrollment type controller board and to connect the auto-enrollment type controller to door locks, and a mounting plate, with the auto-enrollment type controller being configured by a user according to operational requirements of the facility by the user asserting the button for a defined period of time.

Abstract: An access control system includes a mobile application executing on a mobile computing device rendering a graphical user interface (GUI), which presents available access points, which are prioritized based on predictions of the next access points to be engaged. These predictions are based on prioritized lists of access points associated with times of day, days of the week and/or locations. The prioritized lists are modified based on recently selected access points, authorization status, prescribed schedules and/or prescribed sequences of access points. A selection pane of the GUI includes graphical elements associated with the access points. Graphical elements associated with the access points predicted to be next engaged by the user are displayed near the top of the selection pane. An inferred location of the user, based on the predictions, is sent to a monitoring center in response to selecting a help request option.

Abstract: A system and method for energy saving on access control products is disclosed. An access controller controls access control readers, which in turn enable access to a building and/or interior areas of the building. The access controller can identify the locations of the access control readers relative to the building, such as whether the access control readers are located on the perimeter of the building for controlling access to the building, or whether the access control readers are located within the building for controlling access to interior areas of the building. The access controller can then place one or more of the access control readers into a power saving state without compromising overall building security, such as placing interior access control readers into a power saving state when the building is assessed to be unoccupied.

Abstract: A testing system and method for a security system is disclosed. In one example, the testing system includes a mobile computing device carried by an operator such as a technician and a configuration server, the configuration server communicating with one or more of an intrusion detection subsystem, video surveillance subsystem, and/or access control subsystem and providing testing information to the mobile device. In one embodiment, the testing system provides configuration information to security devices within the subsystems, where the configuration information includes associations between the devices of the subsystems for executing testing upon the devices in the associations.

Abstract: A user-centric management application system and method for a security system that conceptualizes the security devices and the tasks to perform on the security devices as separate objects with common properties and behavior. Operators of the system create abstract containers, called dockviews, which the operator adds objects to in order to perform specific tasks. Because the operator assigns user access to dockviews and objects, the system tailors system access for both application users and tenants of the security system based on policy objectives. Dockviews have the ability to open in separate application windows to support priority display and isolation of critical management tasks. The system provides integrated user administration, event management and reports capability, a consistent “look and feel,” and system-wide automated event notification via a watchlist window.

Abstract: A user-centric management application system and method for a security system that conceptualizes the security devices and the tasks to perform on the security devices as separate objects with common properties and behavior. Operators of the system create abstract containers, called dockviews, which the operator adds objects to in order to perform specific tasks. Because the operator assigns user access to dockviews and objects, the system tailors system access for both application users and tenants of the security system based on policy objectives. Dockviews have the ability to open in separate application windows to support priority display and isolation of critical management tasks. The system provides integrated user administration, event management and reports capability, a consistent “look and feel,” and system-wide automated event notification via a watchlist window.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for a facility supporting an access controller, at least one ingress card reader and an auto-enrollment type controller including a front panel having a single button, a controller board, a terminal block for connecting at least the one ingress card reader to the auto-enrollment type controller board and to connect the auto-enrollment type controller to door locks, and a mounting plate, with the auto-enrollment type controller being configured by a user according to operational requirements of the facility by the user asserting the button for a defined period of time.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for a facility supporting an access controller, at least one ingress card reader and an auto-enrollment type controller including a front panel having a single button, a controller board, a terminal block for connecting at least the one ingress card reader to the auto-enrollment type controller board and to connect the auto-enrollment type controller to door locks, and a mounting plate, with the auto-enrollment type controller being configured by a user according to operational requirements of the facility by the user asserting the button for a defined period of time.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for a facility supporting an access controller, at least one ingress card reader and an auto-enrollment type controller including a front panel having a single button, a controller board, a terminal block for connecting at least the one ingress card reader to the auto-enrollment type controller board and to connect the auto-enrollment type controller to door locks, and a mounting plate, with the auto-enrollment type controller being configured by a user according to operational requirements of the facility by the user asserting the button for a defined period of time.

Abstract: A user-centric management application system and method for a security system that conceptualizes the security devices and the tasks to perform on the security devices as separate objects with common properties and behavior. Operators of the system create abstract containers, called dockviews, which the operator adds objects to in order to perform specific tasks. Because the operator assigns user access to dockviews and objects, the system tailors system access for both application users and tenants of the security system based on policy objectives. Dockviews have the ability to open in separate application windows to support priority display and isolation of critical management tasks. The system provides integrated user administration, event management and reports capability, a consistent “look and feel,” and system-wide automated event notification via a watchlist window.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for communicating heartbeat signals representative of the condition of a security system to a monitoring station. A controller is provided that transmits a heartbeat signal to a monitoring station within a given time period and awaits an acknowledgement signal from the monitoring station. If an acknowledgement signal is received within a time interval from the transmission of the heartbeat signal, then the time period is reset and another heartbeat signal is not sent until the next time period. If an acknowledgement signal is not received by the controller within a few seconds of transmitting the heartbeat signal, then another heartbeat signal is sent from the controller to the monitoring station. Heartbeat signals are only transmitted from the controller if an acknowledgement signal is not received from the monitoring station. In this manner, the amount of data sent over a communication link is reduced.

Abstract: An alarm system senses alarm conditions on a premises, reports the occurrence of an alarm condition to a remote monitoring facility and for selected alarm conditions establishes two way voice communications with a person at the monitored premises or elsewhere. Multiple modes of communication are available such as public switched telephone (audio or audio modulated data), GSM (cellular audio), GPRS (cellular packet data), GSM/SMS (cellular text), etc. The programmed processor selects the network and communication protocol to rely on data communications if only data reporting is required. When two way voice communications will be required, the processor can select a network (e.g., GSM) that can be used for both data and audio communications.

Abstract: In an alarm system, outgoing calls representing a sensed alarm condition are routed to one of several communications networks. The calls are routed by first initiating a telephone call to a defined number, in response to sensing the alarm condition, and then selecting one of plurality a plurality of available networks based on called number information. A communication over the chosen network is placed to signal the alarm condition. Routing may be performed at an interface module in communication with a conventional alarm panel.

Abstract: An alarm system senses alarm conditions on a premises, reports the occurrence of an alarm condition to a remote monitoring facility and for selected alarm conditions establishes two way voice communications with a person at the monitored premises or elsewhere. Multiple modes of communication are available such as public switched telephone (audio or audio modulated data), GSM (cellular audio), GPRS (cellular packet data), GSM/SMS (cellular text), etc. The programmed processor selects the network and communication protocol to rely on data communications if only data reporting is required. When two way voice communications will be required, the processor can select a network (e.g., GSM) that can be used for both data and audio communications.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for communicating heartbeat signals representative of the condition of a security system to a monitoring station. A controller is provided that transmits a heartbeat signal to a monitoring station within a given time period and awaits an acknowledgement signal from the monitoring station. If an acknowledgement signal is received within a time interval from the transmission of the heartbeat signal, then the time period is reset and another heartbeat signal is not sent until the next time period. If an acknowledgement signal is not received by the controller within a few seconds of transmitting the heartbeat signal, then another heartbeat signal is sent from the controller to the monitoring station. Heartbeat signals are only transmitted from the controller if an acknowledgement signal is not received from the monitoring station. In this manner, the amount of data sent over a communication link is reduced.