WO2024068038A1

WO2024068038A1 - Video entry arrangement, and system and method related thereto

Info

Publication number: WO2024068038A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/088062
Authority: WO
Original assignee: Verisure Sàrl
Priority date: 2022-09-29
Filing date: 2022-12-30
Publication date: 2024-04-04

Abstract

Provided is a video entry arrangement comprising at least one user device (220) associated with the video entry arrangement; a video entry arrangement controller configured to assign communication priority values to the user devices; wherein the video entry arrangement controller is further configured to receive an input signal; and wherein the video entry arrangement controller is configured to attempt to communicate with the user devices (220) according to their assigned communication priority values in response to the received input signal.

Description

Video entry arrangement, and system and method related thereto

Technical field

The present invention relates to security installations to secure at least part of a perimeter of premises and to monitor premises, a video entry arrangement, and to methods performed by the arrangement and system and by controllers of the system.

Background

Security installations that are or include security monitoring systems for monitoring premises, often referred to as alarm systems, typically provide a means for detecting the presence and/or actions of people at the premises, and reacting to detected events. Commonly such systems include sensors to detect the opening and closing of doors and windows to provide a secure perimeter to the premises, creating one or more protected interior spaces, movement detectors to monitor spaces (both within and outside buildings) for signs of movement, microphones to detect sounds such as breaking glass, and image sensors to capture still or moving images of monitored zones. Such systems may be self-contained, with alarm indicators such as sirens and flashing lights that may be activated in the event of an alarm condition being detected. Such installations typically include a control unit (which may also be termed a central unit), generally mains powered, that is coupled to the sensors, detectors, cameras, etc. (“nodes”), and which processes received notifications and determines a response. The central unit may be linked to the various nodes by wires, but increasingly is instead linked wirelessly, rather than by wires, since this facilitates installation and may also provide some safeguards against sensors/detectors effectively being disabled by disconnecting them from the central unit. Similarly, for ease of installation and to improve security, the nodes of such systems typically include an autonomous power source, such as a battery power supply, rather than being mains powered.

As an alternative to self-contained systems, a security monitoring system may include an installation at a premises, domestic or commercial, that is linked to a remote Central Monitoring Station (CMS) where, typically, human operators manage the responses required by different alarm and notification types. In such centrally monitored systems, the central unit at the premises installation typically processes notifications received from the nodes in the installation, and notifies the Central Monitoring Station of only some of these, depending upon the settings of the system and the nature of the detected events. In such a configuration, the central unit at the installation is effectively acting as a gateway between the nodes and the Central Monitoring Station. Again, in such installations the central unit may be linked by wires, or wirelessly, to the various nodes of the installation, and these nodes will typically be battery rather than mains powered.

Such security monitoring systems contribute to the safety and wellbeing of occupants of the protected premises, as well as safeguarding articles within the protected perimeter - which may of course not simply be limited to a house or dwelling, but may also extend to the grounds of the house, protected by a boundary fence and gate, for example.

Embodiments of the present invention seek to provide enhanced security monitoring systems, and corresponding apps, methods and other implementations that improve the scope of security monitoring systems to address aspects of the problem of entry systems as well as providing new functionality and methods.

Summary of the invention

According to a first aspect, there is provided a video entry arrangement comprising at least one user device associated with the video entry arrangement; a video entry arrangement controller configured to assign the at least one user device a communication priority value. The video entry arrangement controller is configured to receive an input signal, and the video entry arrangement controller is further configured to attempt to communicate with the at least one user device according to the assigned communication priority values in response to the received input signal.

As used herein, the term “priority value” means a value that determines a respective degree of prioritization by the system. Depending on how the system is implemented, higher prioritization may be given to a lower priority value. For example, a value “1” may indicate a first or highest degree of priority, a value “2” may indicate a next degree of priority after the first value. This scheme is illustrated in some of the embodiments, but it is not limiting. Alternatively, higher prioritization may be given to a higher priority value. Other implementations of relative prioritization according to a priority value are also envisaged.

The video entry arrangement controller may be configured to make communication attempts to the one or more user devices starting with the one or more user device assigned the first communication priority value (assigned the highest relative degree of priority).

If no response is received from any of these user devices, the video entry arrangement controller may be configured to make communication attempts to the one or more user devices assigned the next consecutive communication priority value. The assigned communication priority values are not static, but may be reassigned at any time. The communication priority values may also be temporarily removed or de-assigned from a user device.

The video entry arrangement is advantageous in that different user devices associated with the entry arrangement may be attempted to be contacted by the entry arrangement depending on their assigned communication priority value. The communication priority value for a user device may be altered according to the needs and requirements of a user connected to the user device.

In one embodiment, the video entry arrangement further comprises an actuator configured to provide the input signal upon operation of a user. The actuator may be any kind of suitable actuator device, such as a mechanical actuator like a press button, a digital button, a touch screen, an audio receiver and a voice recognition device.

In one embodiment, the video entry arrangement further comprises a first video camera, and the video entry arrangement controller may be configured to transmit video images captured by the first video camera to the user device upon successful communication. Thus, a user of the arrangement may see who is operating the actuator of the entry system, i.e., who rings/calls the doorbell. The user is also provided with information of the immediate surroundings of the door with which the entry arrangement is installed. In another embodiment, a security monitoring system controller is configured to transmit video images captured by the first video camera to the user device. Alternatively, one or more still images are transmitted instead of video images. Optionally, the user may activate the camera also at times where the actuator has not been operated, i.e., when no one rings the doorbell. It may be advantageous for the user to be able to check up on the house’s surroundings/porch/entry at any time.

In one embodiment, the video entry arrangement further comprises a second video camera, configured to have a different field of view compared to the first video camera. The video entry arrangement controller may be configured to transmit video images captured by the first and/or the second video camera to the user device upon successful communication. The user handling the user device is provided with visual information regarding events taking place within the field of view of the first and/or second camera of the video entry system. The first camera may capture the person operating the actuator, while the second camera may reveal information hidden from the first camera, which may impact the user’ s decision whether or not to answer the door with which the video entry arrangement is associated.

In one embodiment, the video entry arrangement further comprises a display means configured to present users associated with the video entry arrangement as response to the input signal. The video entry arrangement may be configured to receive input data regarding which user device to attempt to communicate with, based on which user from the presented users is chosen as input data. A visitor operating the actuator, i.e. the doorbell, may choose which person from the presented list should be contacted. The system may be configured to contact only the chosen person, or, if no response is received from that person, the system may be configured to contact other persons connected to the arrangement. The presentation of the users on the display means may be in the form of a list of users.

In a second aspect, a method for operating the video entry arrangement is provided, comprising the steps of assigning communication priority values to the user devices; receiving an input signal; attempting to communicate with the one or more user devices according to the assigned communication priority values in response to the received input signal.

The method may comprise a step of forming a communication priority list comprising the user devices connected to the video entry arrangement based on their assigned priority values. The step of receiving an input signal may be receiving an input from an actuator of the video entry arrangement.

In one embodiment, the step of attempting to communicate with the one or more user devices according to the assigned communication priority values comprises attempting to communicate with the one or more user devices assigned the first (e.g. lowest) communication priority value, and, if the communication is not successful, attempting to communicate with the at least one user device assigned the next consecutive communication priority value. The step of attempting to communicate is repeated through all assigned consecutive communication priority values until communication is successful or the last (e.g. highest) assigned communication priority value is reached. The communication attempts may restart at the first (e.g. lowest) priority value if no response is received by any user device, or the communication attempts may be interrupted if no response is received by any user device. Alternatively, the a communication attempt may be made to a remote operator of a concierge service and/or of a security service if (i) communication with the user devices is unsuccessful and/or if all user devices have an assigned communication priority that deselects the respective user device from communication and/or if the priority values refer directly to a remote operator (e.g. in the case of the system having been set in a holiday mode, meaning that no users are available).

In one embodiment, the step of assigning communication priority values comprises assigning several communication priority values to each user device, forming separate communication priority value lists. The video entry arrangement controller may be configured to contact user devices based on communication priority values from e.g., a standard list, a night time list, a day time list, a weekend list, a holiday list, a work day list, etc. In each list user devices may be assigned different communication priority values, depending on when in the consecutive order of priority values they should be contacted, i.e. when the user connected to the user device intends to be contactable.

It is beneficial to a user to be able to program the controller of the video entry system to contact different user devices/persons associated with user devices at different times, or dependent on other factors such as which users are present at the premises, geographical distance of user devices from the premises, etc..

The video entry arrangement controller may be provided with a priority order regarding which communication priority list should take precedence over other lists. E.g., a night time list may take precedence over a proximity list, and a delivery list may take precedence over on at-home-list. A user of the system may assign priority orders to the different lists.

In one embodiment, the method for operating the video entry arrangement further comprises a step of determining the geographical position of the user devices, and the step of assigning a communication priority value to the user devices comprises assigning the lowest communication priority value to the one or more user devices being geographically closest to the video entry arrangement and assigning consecutive communication priority values to the remaining user devices according to their respective geographical proximity of the video entry arrangement. A smaller geographical distance corresponds to a lower communication priority value. The assigned proximity communication priority values may be arranged in a proximity communication priority list. The list may be updated at regular time intervals, as the user devices may be moved and their proximity to the premises changes. It may be beneficial for a user present at the premises to be contacted primarily, thus the user device associated with such user may be denoted the lowest communication priority value.

In one embodiment, the step of determining the geographical position of the user devices comprises receiving position data from the respective user devices. The position data is preferably GPS position data. Alternatively or additionally, position data of the respective user devices may be received from the security monitoring system controller. The position data of different user devices may be received from different sources. Some user devices may be stationary and have a fix geographical position which is entered as a static value to the arrangement controller. The position of other user devices may be shifting and are thus to be regularly updated to keep the proximity communication priority list updated.

In one embodiment, the method comprises assigning communication priority values in dependence on information from the video entry arrangement (510) and/or from a security system with which the video entry arrangement is associated. That information can indicate which of the users is currently present at the premises for the video entry arrangement and/or security system, and thus more available to receive communication from the video entry arrangement (510).

In one embodiment, the method further comprises a step of analysing, by means of images from one or more video cameras of the video entry arrangement, an operator providing the input signal in order to determine if the operator is a delivery person. The step of analysing the operator may comprising one or more of: analysing if the operator carries a load or parcel, the colours of clothing of the operator, trademarks or logos visible on the clothing of the operator, and colours, trademarks or logos on a vehicle in the background of the operator. If the operator is determined to be a delivery person, the system may be configured to attempt to contact a user device according to a delivery communication priority list. It is beneficial for a user to appoint preferred user devices to be contacted in case of a recognized delivery, or to exclude certain user devices from being contacted once a delivery has been recognized.

In one embodiment, the step of assigning communication priority values to the user devices comprises receiving user input data. The controller of the video entry arrangement may be configured to assign communication priority values to user devices based on the user input data. The controller of the video entry arrangement may be configured to remove assigned communication priority values of user devices based on the user input data.

The user input data may affect the assigning of communication priority values to one or more user devices associated with the user providing the user input or affect the removal of assigned communication priority values of one or more user devices associated with the user providing the user input.

The user input data may affect the assigning of communication priority values to one or more user devices associated with other users than the user providing the user input or affect the removal of assigned communication priority values of one or more user devices associated with other users than the user providing the user input. In some cases it may be beneficial for a user to be able to affect the communication priority values of other user’ s user devices, such as user devices belonging to children, if a user is unavailable, another user may remove the communication priority value of its associated user device(s), or if a user device is lost and it is not possible to use that device to remove its associated communication priority values.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises, following the step of receiving an input signal of the video entry arrangement, a step of presenting users associated with the video entry arrangement to the operator providing the input signal. The input signal may be provided by the operator by manoeuvring an actuator of the video entry arrangement.

The method may further comprise receiving input data from the operator of the actuator regarding which user from the presented users to attempt to communicate with. Possibly, the step of presenting the users comprises presenting a list of users on a display unit. The step of presenting the users may alternatively comprise an audio presentation by an audio output device, and the input data from the operator may be received by an audio input device. The possibility of the operator to choose which user to contact may be beneficial e.g. if the video entry arrangement is installed in an office building or apartment building with several non-related users.

In a third aspect, a security monitoring system comprising a security monitoring system controller and at least one security monitoring system sensor is provided, where the security monitoring system controller is configured to be in operative communication with a video entry arrangement.

It may be beneficial for a security monitoring system to be associated with a video entry arrangement in that a user may operate an electrically controlled lock associated with the security monitoring system and/or operate an alarm based on the visual and/or audio contact the user gets with the person operating the actuator of the entry arrangement.

Further aspects relate to apparatus configured to perform the above method(s), and software which when executed by processing means performs the above method(s).

Description of Figures

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic drawing showing a front elevation of stylised building with an external space which is monitored by a security monitoring system according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic part plan view of premises protected by a security monitoring system, together with other elements of the system; Figure 3 is a schematic view of an exemplary communication priority list according to one embodiment;

Figure 4 is a schematic view of an exemplary communication priority list according to one embodiment

Figure 5 shows schematically an architecture including a security monitoring system, a video entry arrangement, and an electrically controlled lock; and

Figure 6 is a schematic block diagram of a video entry arrangement.

Specific description

Figure 1 shows a view of the front of a premises 100 protected by a security monitoring system according to an aspect of the present invention. The premises, here in the form of a house, have an exterior door, here front door, 102. The door gives access to a protected interior space. The security monitoring system secures at least part of a perimeter to the premises 100, and the door constitutes an exterior closure 102 in the secure perimeter giving access to a protected interior space 200 of the premises. A lock 104 on the exterior door is optionally electrically controlled so that it can be locked and unlocked remotely.

To the side of the door, on the facade of the house, is a first video camera in the form of a video doorbell 106 which looks out from the facade of the premises so that anyone approaching the door along the path 108 can be seen, and in particular when a visitor stands at the door their face should clearly be visible. The video doorbell includes an actuator, e.g. a push button, for a visitor to indicate their presence at the closure. The video doorbell also includes an audio interface to enable bidirectional audio communication with a visitor at the closure 102.

As is conventional, the video doorbell preferably includes an infrared light source to illuminate whatever is in front of the video doorbell. Optionally, as shown, the facade of the house also carries an external keypad 110 by means of which a user can disarm the security monitoring system, and unlock the lock 104. Also shown is an optional second video camera 112 which is coupled to a presence and/or movement detector 114. The detector may optionally be a thermal detector, for example a PIR sensor. The second video camera 112 may be arranged when the security monitoring system is armed, to capture video of the front of the house and the private area, e.g. the garden, in front of the house and signal an alarm event to a controller of the security monitoring system. As with the doorbell camera, the second video camera is preferably provided with an audio interface 116 to enable bidirectional audio communication with anyone observed by the second video camera. Although the first video camera is illustrated in the form of a video doorbell, the first video camera may additionally or alternatively have the features described above for the second video camera, whether or not plural video cameras are used.

Figure 2 is a schematic part plan view of a premises 100 protected by security monitoring system according to an aspect of the invention, together with other elements of the system, corresponding generally to the premises of figure 1. The front door 102, with electrically controlled lock 104, leads into the protected interior space 200 of the premises. Each of the windows 202, and the rear door 204 is fitted with a sensor 206 to detect when they are opened. Each of the sensors 206 includes a radio transceiver to report events to a controller , or central unit, 208 of the security monitoring system. If one of the sensors 206 is triggered when the system is armed, a signal is sent to the central unit 208 which in turn may signal an alarm event to a remote central monitoring station 210. The central unit 208 is connected to the remote central monitoring station 210 via the Internet 212, either via a wired or a wireless connection. Also wirelessly coupled to the central unit 208 are the video doorbell 106, the electrically controlled lock 104, and if present the second video camera 112, its associated presence and/or movement detector 114 (although the latter may be integral with the second video camera 112) and the audio interface 116. These items, and the sensors 206, are preferably coupled to the central unit 208 using transceivers operating in the industrial scientific and medical (ISM) bandwidths, for example a sub-gigahertz bandwidth such as 868 MHz, and the communications are encrypted preferably using shared secret keys. The security monitoring system may also include other sensors within the protected interior space, such as an interior video camera 214 and associated movement detector 216 (which again may be integral with the camera 214), and each of the interior doors 218 may also be provided with a sensor 206 to detect the opening/closing of the door. Also shown in figure 2 are a user device 220, preferably loaded with an appropriate app - as will be described later, and a public land mobile network (PLMN) by means of which the central monitoring station 210, and the central unit 208, may communicate with the user device 220.

Operation of the security monitoring system may be controlled by one or more of: the controller 208, the remote monitoring station 210, and a security monitoring app installed on the user device 220. For example, the remote monitoring station 210, if provided, may receive one or more signals from any of the first camera and/or video doorbell 106, the second camera 112, the keypad 110, the sensors 206 and/or 520 (described in more detail later). The remote monitoring station 210 may transmit commands for controlling any one or more of: the arm state of the alarm system (e.g. armed or unarmed); commanding a tripped alarm state to be signalled by the alarm system (e.g. by triggering one or more sirens to generate alarm noise); commanding a lock state of the door lock 104 (e.g. locked or unlocked), commanding operation of one or more functions of the video doorbell 106, commanding operation of one or more cameras to transmit images to the remote monitoring unit. Communication with the remote monitoring station 210 may pass through the controller 208, as described above. In other embodiments without the remote monitoring station 210, or should communication with the remote monitoring station 210 be interrupted, operation of the alarm system may be controlled by the controller 208. In yet other embodiments, the controller 208 may be omitted, and the individual peripheral devices may communicate directly with the remote monitoring station 210.

The security monitoring system app is installed on a user device 220, here shown as a smartphone, although of course it could be almost any kind of electronic device, such as a laptop or desktop computer, a tablet such as an iPad, a smart watch, or even a television. The security monitoring system app may be used to display still or video images captured by the one or more cameras associated with the video doorbell 106, receiving audio from the video doorbell 106, transmitting audio or still or video images to the video doorbell 106, provide position data of the device on which the app is installed to the security system monitoring controller 208 and/or to the video entry arrangement controller 600, transmit input data provided by a user to the security system monitoring controller 208 and/or to the video entry arrangement controller 600, transmit locking and/or unlocking signals to the electronic lock 104.

These and other aspects of methods and systems according to aspects of the invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1-6.

The security monitoring system may further comprise an audio interface to enable audio communication with a visitor at the closure, the controller 208 being configured to enable the remote monitoring centre 210 to use the audio interface to speak to the visitor.

The security monitoring system preferably further comprises a first video camera arranged to observe a space in front of the exterior of the closure, the controller 208 being configured to enable the remote monitoring centre 210 to use the first video camera to observe the visitor.

Conveniently, the first video camera may be a video doorbell, which is convenient both in terms of the location of the camera, and the co-location of the video and audio interfaces, along with the actuator, and in terms of the visual performance of the camera - as video doorbells are typically very well placed to capture images of people at the door. Conveniently, the video doorbell includes the audio interface, as this is likely to be well located from the point of view of performance, and it may also reduce installation complexity and time.

Preferably, the security monitoring system further comprising a second video camera arranged to observe the protected interior space behind the closure, the controller being configured to enable the remote monitoring centre to use the second video camera to observe any visitor within the protected interior space.

Although use of a doorbell video camera for the purpose of observing the visitor, and the doorbell audio interface as a means to speak with a visitor at the door are preferred, it will be appreciated that the actuator, the external video source, and the external audio interface may all be provided in free-standing components to implement embodiments of the invention. Thus, although it is preferred for the first video camera, if used, to be the video camera of a video doorbell, because of the generally ideal location of such a camera in terms of surveying the space in front of the front door 102, it is also possible to use a different video camera installation, such as that shown as 112, which also observes the space in front of the front door. Unlike most video doorbells, which typically do not show a view of the exterior face of the front door itself, a video camera installation such as that shown schematically in figures 1 and 2 as 112 may provide a view not only of the space in front of the front door, but also of the door. As previously described, the video camera installation 112 includes, or has an associated, presence and/or motion detector 114, such as a PIR or other thermal sensor, with the camera 112 typically only being turned on when the sensor detects movement and/or a presence within its field of view. It is also possible to make use of a different form of video camera installation, such as a surveillance camera installation. Typically, a surveillance camera installation does not require a movement/presence sensor, rather when the surveillance camera is activated it may continuously monitor the area under surveillance, typically streaming images continuously or every few seconds to a monitoring location. Such a surveillance camera may also operate under the control of a security monitoring system according to an aspect of the invention, the controller 208 of the security monitoring system transmitting a signal to cause the surveillance camera to capture images and transmit the captured images to the controller 208, and to forward the captured images for checking remotely, e.g. at the central monitoring station 210 or at a user device 220.

Conventional video entry arrangements comprising a video doorbell are configured to transmit a communication signal to all user devices connected to the video entry arrangement at the same time. Any one of the user devices may respond to the communication signal by transmitting a response signal, thereby establishing a communication, via audio and/or video, with the visitor operating the actuator of the video door bell.

This may at times not be an optimal way of distributing the communication signal. For example, some users may not be suitable for receiving the communication signal, some user devices should not be contacted depending on the time of day and others depending on the type of visitor. Referring to figures 5 and 6, the video entry arrangement 510 will be described in more detail.

Figure 5 shows schematically an architecture in which a security monitoring system, shown generally as 500, is coupled to a video entry arrangement 510, an electrically controlled lock, such as the lock 104 of figures 1 to 4, and a remote monitoring station 210. The security monitoring system 500 includes a security monitoring system controller 208, together with a collection of various sensors 520, including an external video camera 112, an internal video camera 214, a closure status sensor 206 for the closure (e.g. door 102) which is locked by electrically controlled lock 104, and an admittance zone sensor 216 - an example of which is the motion sensor 216 shown in figure 2, but more generally this is a sensor of any form to detect presence within a zone to which a visitor such as a delivery person, or the like, may be admitted.

Figure 6 is a schematic block diagram of a video entry arrangement 510, such as that shown in figure 5. Conveniently, the video entry arrangement 510 may take the form of a video doorbell. The video entry arrangement 510 includes a video entry arrangement controller 600, including a processor 602, and a memory 604, which controls operation of the video entry arrangement - in necessary in association with the central unit 208 (if present) and/or the central monitoring station 210 if present and contactable. An RF transceiver 606 is provided for communication with the central unit 208 (if present), and/or the central monitoring station 210, and optionally with other nodes of the security monitoring system (for example an electronic door lock if fitted). The video entry arrangement 510 also preferably includes a power supply unit 608 which may be mains powered, or D.C. powered from an external source (which itself may be mains powered), and which preferably includes at least battery backup but may be only battery powered. Also provided are an audio interface 610, preferably comprising both an input device 612, and an output device 614, a video camera 620, and an actuator, or bell push, 630, all of which are operatively coupled to the controller 600.

In one embodiment, when the actuator 630 is operated, i.e. the bell push or similar is operated by e.g. a visitor, the controller 600 of the video entry arrangement 510 is configured to transmit a communication signal according to a predetermined scheme. The scheme may be stored in the memory unit 604 and may include a priority order, forming a communication priority list. The priority order comprises a list of the user devices 220 associated with the security monitoring system 500. Each user device 220 is assigned a position on the list corresponding to the order in which the system is configured to transmit a communication signal to the respective user device 220 when the actuator 630 is operated. Thus, an optimized or preferred communication scheme can be set up for the video entry arrangement 510. See figure 3, where user devices 220 denoted “user device 1” - “user device x” are arranged in a communication priority list.

Each position in the communication priority list may contain several user devices 220, see example in figure 4. That is, e.g., the first position of the communication priority list may contain three user devices 220 (denoted user device 1-3 in the figure), which thus have the same communication priority ranking (communication priority value no 1 in the figure). The controller 600 is thus configured to transmit communication signals to each of the three user devices 220 listed in the first position of the communication priority list simultaneously. See further below.

The priority order may be predetermined by a user or a super user of the security monitoring system 500. In one embodiment, every user of the system 500 may be authorized to set up and manage the communication priority list. In other embodiments, certain authorized users, or a super user only, may set up and manage the communication priority list.

When a communication priority list has been set up, the controller 600 is configured to attempt to communicate with the one or more user device(s) 220 listed in the first position of the communication priority list by transmitting a communication signal to the one or more first listed user device(s) 220.

The controller 600 is then configured to wait for a response signal from the one or more first user device(s) 220 for a predetermined time period, which may be e.g., 1-5 seconds. If no response signal has been received from any of the one or more first listed user device(s) 220 within that time period, the controller 600 is configured to transmit a communication signal to the one or more user device(s) 220 listed in the second position of the communication priority list. Optionally, the controller 600 may be configured to continue to wait for a response signal from the first listed user device(s) 220, while transmitting the communication signal to the second listed user device(s) 220, or it may be configured to cancel or discontinue the communication attempt with the first listed user device(s) 220. The video entry arrangement processor 602 may be configured to transmit the communication signal via the transceiver 606 of the video entry arrangement 510. The video entry arrangement 510 is in operative communication with the security monitoring system 500 and it may alternatively be configured to transmit the communication signal via the security monitoring system controller 208.

The above procedure will continue correspondingly by the controller 600 performing communication attempts to each consecutive user device 220, or group of user devices 220, according to the priority list until a response signal is received. Then, all other communication attempts are interrupted.

When a response signal is received, a communication line between the video entry arrangement 510 and the responding user device 220 is established in that the video camera 620 and/or the audio interface 610 of the video entry system 500 are transmitting and receiving video and/or audio signals, respectively, to/from the responding user device 220.

If the controller 600 has transmitted communication signals to all user devices 220 listed in the priority list and not received any response signal, in one embodiment, the controller is configured to start over from the top of the list again and re-transmit communication signals to each user device 220 in the order of the communication priority list. One alternative may be to call a remote operator, acting as a concierge service, to respond to the doorbell call when none of the users reply. Another alternative may be that users can manually deselect their devices from the priority list, or the priority list may indicate that that all of the users are away (for example, if the device is set in a holiday mode). In that case, if there are no available users to call, and/or if the device is set in holiday mode, a call may be made to a remote operator in the form of an operator at a security monitoring service. Alternatively, the controller 600 is configured to discontinue the communication attempts and cancel the transmission of any communication signals after a predetermined time period. The controller 600 may or may not be configured to provide a output signal via e.g., the audio interface 610 or any other suitable communication means such as a LED or other visual communication means, confirming the unsuccessful communication attempts.

As explained above, in one embodiment, the priority list may be designed to include several user devices 220 in the same list position. For example, referring again to figure 4, three different user devices 220 are listed in the first position of the communication priority list, another three user devices 220 are listed in the second position of the list, and a single user device is listed in the third position of the list. In this embodiment, the controller 600 is configured to transmit a communication signal to each of the user devices 220 listed in the first list position simultaneously. If none of these user devices 220 transmits a response signal within the predetermined time period mentioned above, the controller 600 is configured to transmit a communication signal to each of the user devices 220 listed in the second list position simultaneously. Optionally, the controller 600 will continue to transmit the communication signal to the user devices 220 in the first list position during the communication attempts of the user devices 220 of the second lists position. Alternatively, the communication attempts with the user devices 220 of the first list position will be interrupted as the communication attempts with the user devices 220 of the second list position are performed. When a response signal is received from any one of the user devices 220, the remaining communication signals are cancelled or interrupted.

The communication priority list is created by assigning each user device 220 registered or associated with the video entry arrangement 510 a communication priority value. Referring to the above example in figure 4, the three user devices 220 of the first position of the communication priority list are assigned the communication priority value 1. Correspondingly, the three user devices 220 listed in the second position of the communication priority list are assigned the communication priority value 2, and the user device 220 listed in the third position of the communication priority list is assigned the communication priority value 3. The controller 600 is configured to first attempt to communicate with the user devices 220 assigned the lowest communication priority value. Thereafter, the user devices 220 assigned the next consecutive communication priority value until all assigned communication priority values have been attempted.

In one embodiment, the priority scheme comprises not only one priority list of user devices 220, but several lists to be applied during specific time periods.

From a user’ s perspective, this is embodied by a possibility for the user to provide input data into the security monitoring system app installed in the user device 220 defining time periods during which the user is not available to respond to communication attempts from the controller 660, i.e., not available to answer the doorbell 106. The user may define these time periods in advance, in the form of one or more recurrent or periodical events. Alternatively or additionally, the user may define that he/she is unavailable, resulting in that the user device 220 is temporarily removed or excluded from the communication priority list. The user device(s) 220 associated with that user are thus not assigned any communication priority value. The user may alternatively or additionally define that the user device 220 is relocated to a different position in the priority list, i.e., assigned a different communication priority value. The user may assign the user device 220 a higher or a lower communication priority value. In another embodiment, depending on the authorization of the user in the security monitoring system 500, the user may be allowed to relocate the user device 220 downwards in the hierarchy, i.e., assigning the user device 220 a higher communication priority value, but not to a more prioritized position in the list, i.e. assigning the user device 220 a lower communication priority value.

The controller 600 is configured to compile the input data received from each user device 220 into the communication priority list. The communication priority list may be updated at regular time intervals and/or as a response to input data received from a user device 220. Thereby, the communication priority list is kept up-to-date.

In one embodiment, the controller 600 of the video entry arrangement 510 is configured to detect, via the first 106 and/or the second video camera 112, features indicating that the person operating the actuator 630 of the video entry arrangement 510 is a delivery person. Features indicating a delivery person recognizable in the field of view of the video camera 106, 620 may be that the person is holding a package or parcel, presentation of a dedicated “delivery” QR code to the camera, identification of a delivery or product barcode within the field of view, a delivery vehicle 250, delivery companies’ colours or visible trademarks on the person or on a vehicle 250, the clothing of the person being associated with a delivery company by colours or visible trademarks.

If the controller 600 determines that a delivery person is operating the actuator 630, a delivery communication priority list may be followed instead of the previously described communication priority list. The process of communication attempts corresponds to the earlier described, but the delivery communication priority list may contain more or fewer user devices 220 compared to the communication priority list, and/or it may refer to a remote operator or concierge for handling deliveries. The delivery communication priority list may contain the same user devices 220 as the priority list, but in a different order, i.e. the user devices 220 are assigned different communication priority values compared to the communication priority list. A user device 220 associated with a child may be excluded from the delivery priority list if it is considered inappropriate that the child receives the delivery.

If a predetermined user device 220 is defined as the preferred user device 220 when a delivery has been identified, i.e. only one user device 220 is defined in the delivery communication priority list, and this user device 220 does not transmit a response signal, the controller 600 may be configured to follow the communication priority list instead, or to cancel the communication attempt.

Also if several user devices 220 are assigned to the delivery communication priority list, but none of these user devices 220 transmits a response signal, the controller 600 may be configured to follow the communication priority list instead, or to cancel the communication attempt.

In one embodiment, the security monitoring system 500 is configured to determine the geographical location of user devices 220 associated with the video entry arrangement 510. The controller 600 is configured to create a proximity communication priority list based on the proximity of user devices 220 in relation to the premises 100 where the security monitoring system 500 with video entry arrangement 510 is installed. The user device 220 closest to the premises 100 is denoted the first position in the list, i.e. assigned communication priority value no 1, the second closest user device 220 is denoted the second position in the list, i.e., communication priority value no 2 etc..

When the actuator 630 of the video entry arrangement 510 is operated, the controller 600 is configured to transmit communication signals to the user devices 220 according to the defined proximity communication priority list. The process of attempting to communicate with the respective user devices 220 corresponds to what has been described above.

There are several options to determine the geographical proximity of the user devices 220. A first option is that the security monitoring system controller 208 is configured to store a user-ID data corresponding to a user registered in the security monitoring system 500. The user-ID data may be connected to one or several user devices 220. When a user enters the premises 100, he/she may be obliged to “check-in” or “badge-in”. Then, the security monitoring system controller 208 is configured to store the user-ID of the checked-in user as being present in the premises 100. All user devices 220 connected to that user-ID are stored in the first position of the proximity communication priority list, i.e., assigned communication priority value 1. The video entry arrangement 510 is configured to transmit simultaneous communication signals to every user device 220 associated with a user-ID being registered as being in the premises 100 when the actuator 630 is operated.

Another, or additional, option to determine the geographical proximity of user devices 220 in relation to the premises 100, is to use position information provided by the security monitoring system app installed in user devices 220. The app may provide position information, e.g., via the GPS system, which information is transmitted to the security monitoring system controller 208. Based on the position information, the security monitoring system controller 208 is configured to create the proximity communication priority list.

In one embodiment, the security monitoring system controller 208 is configured to create the proximity communication priority list based on both position information provided by the security monitoring system app and user-ID data.

The security monitoring system controller 208 may be configured to cross-check userID data and position information provided by the security monitoring system app. The userID data may indicate presence of a user device 220 at the premises 100, but the position data provided by the security monitoring system app may indicate that the user device 220 actually is not on the premises 100. In this case, the security monitoring system controller 208 may be configured to exclude that user device 220 from the first position of the proximity list. Instead, that user device 220 may be associated with a higher communication priority vale, based on the proximity to the premises 100 of the received position data.

Certain predetermined user devices 220 may be excluded from the proximity communication priority list, based on input provided by a user and/or a super user of the system. For example, a user device 220 of a child may be excepted from the proximity list independent of the position of that user device 220 and the associated user-ID being recognized as being at the premises or not.

In one embodiment, the security monitoring system 500 may have several states. One state may be “armed/away” meaning that the security monitoring system 500 is active and no user-ID is registered as being present on the premises 100. The security monitoring system 500 is thus arranged to detect presence and/or actions of people at the premises 100, and to react to detected events. Another state may be “armed/at home”, meaning that the security monitoring system 500 is active but one or more user-ID ’s are registered as being present on the premises 100. This state may e.g. be used at night, when the system is configured to detect presence and/or actions of people at the premises 100, and to react to the detected events, even though user-ID’ s are recognized as being present on the premises 100.

Yet another state may be “unarmed/at home” meaning one or more user-ID ’s are registered as being present on the premises 100 and the security monitoring system 500 is inactive. The security monitoring system 500 may in this state be configured not to detect presence and/or actions of people at the premises 100, or to detect presence and/or actions of people at the premises 100 but configured not to react to detected events. This state may be use at day time when users are at home/on the premises 100, and their user-ID’ s thus registered as present on the premises 100. These states of the security monitoring system 500 may be used by the video entry arrangement controller 600 in order to create the proximity communication priority list. For example, when the system 500 is in the state “armed/at home”, several user-ID’s may be registered as present on the premises 100, but the state “armed/at home” indicates that only one or more of selected user devices 220 associated with these user-ID’s are denoted the first position of the proximity list. Thus, not all at-home-residents are disturbed by the doorbell e.g. at night time.

In one embodiment, security monitoring system 500 comprises a register over users associated with system, e.g. users living or working at the premises 100. The register may be stored in the memory unit 604 of the video entry arrangement 510, or in a memory of the security monitoring system 500.

The register may be presented to an operator of the actuator 630 of the video entry arrangement 510, also referred to as a visitor to the premises 100. The register may be presented by the security monitoring system 500 by means of an audio output via the output device 614, or by means of visual output, in the case the video entry arrangement 510 comprises a display unit. The visitor may make a selection among the registered user, i.e. for example the residents of the premises, audibly via the audio input device 612, or by visual means e.g. via a touch screen, to indicate which user the controller 600 should attempt to communicate with.

The video entry arrangement processor 602 is configured to transmit communication signals to the one or more user devices 220 associated with the selected user.

Claims

1. A video entry arrangement (510) comprising at least one user device (220) associated with the video entry arrangement (510); a video entry arrangement controller (600) configured to assign communication priority values to the user devices (220); wherein the video entry arrangement controller (600) is further configured to receive an input signal; and wherein the video entry arrangement controller (600) is configured to attempt to communicate with the user devices (220) according to their assigned communication priority values in response to the received input signal.

2. The video entry arrangement (510) according to claim 1, further comprising an actuator (630) configured to provide the input signal upon operation of a user.

3. The video entry arrangement (510) according to claims 1-2, further comprising a first video camera (106), the video entry arrangement controller (600) being configured to transmit video images captured by the first video camera (106) to the user device (220) upon successful communication.

4. The video entry arrangement (510) according to claim 3, further comprising a second video camera (112), configured to have a different field of view compared to the first video camera (106), the video entry arrangement controller (600) being configured to transmit video images captured by the first and/or the second video camera (106) to the user device (220) upon successful communication.

5. The video entry arrangement (510) according to any one of claims 2-4, further comprising a display means configured to present users associated with the video entry arrangement (510) as response to the input signal, and the video entry arrangement (510) being configured to receive input data regarding which user, associated with a user device(s) (220), from the presented users to attempt to communicate with.

6. A method for operating the video entry arrangement (510) according to any one of the claims 1-5, comprising the steps of: assigning communication priority values to the user devices (220); receiving an input signal; attempting to communicate with the one or more user devices (220) according to the assigned communication priority values in response to the received input signal.

7. The method for operating the video entry arrangement (510) according to claim 6, wherein the step of attempting to communicate with the one or more user devices (220) according to the assigned communication priority values comprises attempting to communicate with the one or more user devices (220) assigned the first communication priority value, and, if the communication is not successful, attempting to communicate with the at least one user device (220) assigned the next consecutive communication priority value, repeating the step of attempting to communicate through all assigned consecutive communication priority values until communication is successful or the last assigned communication priority value is reached, and optionally communicating with a remote operator of a concierge service and/or of a security service if (i) communication with the user devices is unsuccessful and/or if all user devices have an assigned communication priority that deselects the respective user device from communication and/or if the priority values refer directly to a remote operator.

8. The method for operating the video entry arrangement (510) according to any one of claims 6-7, wherein the step of assigning communication priority values comprises assigning several communication priority values to each user device (220) forming separate communication priority lists.

9. The method for operating the video entry arrangement (510) according to any of claims 6-8, wherein the step of assigning communication priority values comprises assigning values in dependence on information from the video entry arrangement (510) and/or from a security system with which the video entry arrangement is associated, the information indicating which of the users is currently present at the premises for the video entry arrangement and/or security system.

10. The method for operating the video entry arrangement (510) according to any one of claims 6-9, further comprising a step of determining the geographical position of the user devices (220), and wherein the step of assigning a communication priority value to the user devices (220) comprises assigning the first communication priority value to the one or more user devices (220) being geographically closest to the video entry arrangement (510) and assigning consecutive communication priority values to the remaining user devices (220) according to their respective geographical proximity of the video entry arrangement (510), a smaller geographical distance corresponding to a communication priority value having increased degree of prioritization.

11. The method for operating the video entry arrangement (510) according to claim 10, wherein the step of determining the geographical position of the user devices (220) comprises receiving position data from the respective user devices (220), the position data preferably being GPS position data, alternatively or additionally, receiving position data of the respective user devices (220) from the security monitoring system controller (208).

12. The method for operating the video entry arrangement (510) according to any one of claims 9-11, further comprising a step of analysing, by means of images from one or more video cameras (106, 112) of the video entry arrangement (510), an operator providing the input signal in order to determine if the operator is a delivery person, the step of analysing the operator comprising one or more of: analysing if the operator carries a load or parcel, a QR code, a barcode, the colours of clothing of the operator, trademarks on the clothing of the operator, and colours, trademarks or logos of a vehicle (250) in the background of the operator, wherein if the operator is determined to be a delivery person, attempting to contact a user device (220) and/or a remote operator according to a delivery communication priority list.

13. The method for operating the video entry arrangement (510) according to any one of claims 6-12, wherein the step of assigning communication priority values to the user devices (220) comprises receiving user input data, the user input data affecting the assigned communication priority value, and/or removing the assigned communication priority value from one or more user devices (220), and/or deselecting the user device from communication, and/or setting a remote operator as a final communication priority, and/or setting a remote operator as a first and/or sole communication priority.

14. The method for operating the video entry arrangement (510) according to any one of claims 6-13, further comprising, following the step of receiving an input signal, a step of presenting users associated with the video entry arrangement (510) to an operator providing the input signal, and receiving input data from the operator regarding which user from the presented users to attempt to communicate with.

15. A security monitoring system (500) comprising a security monitoring system controller (208) and at least one security monitoring system sensor (520), wherein the security monitoring system controller (208) is configured to be in operative communication with the video entry arrangement (510) according to any one of the claims 1-5.

16. Computer software which when run on processing means of a video entry arrangement optionally according to any of claims 1 to 5, is configured to perform the method defined in any of claims 6 to 14.