Olivistar, LLC v. Facebook, Inc.

Filing 1

COMPLAINT against All Defendants ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number 0540-4611897.), filed by Olivistar, LLC. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Exhibit A, # 3 Exhibit B)(Hansley, Austin)

EXHIBIT A

US006839731B2

(12) United States Patent
Alexander et al.

(54)

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING

(List continued on next page.)

(75) Inventors: Bruce Alexander, Poulsbo, WA (US);
David Antal, Silverdale, WA (US);
Matthew Litke, Seattle, WA (US);
Christoph Schebel, Suquamish, WA
(US); Paul Thompson, Poulsbo, WA

FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
EP
W0
W0

0804031 A
WO 97/07486 A
WO 01/28251

(73) Assignee: Vigilos, Inc., Seattle, WA (US)
Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
patent is extended or adjusted under 35

U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.

(21) Appl. No.: 10/443,120
(22) Filed:
May 20, 2003
(65)

10/1997
2/1997
4/2001

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

(Us)
Notice:

Jan. 4, 2005

3/1 99 1 Weiss
3/ 1992 Weiss

4,998,279 A
5,097,505 A

DATA COMMUNICATION IN A DEVICE
NETWORK

(*)

US 6,839,731 B2

(10) Patent N0.:
(45) Date of Patent:

EyeCast.com Introduces SchoolCast services for School
Safety Officials and LaW Enforcement Agencies, Press
Release dated Apr. 28, 1999.
EyeCast.com Adds 360—degree Continuous Pan Rotation
Cameras to It’s[sic] EyeVieW Service, Press Release dated
Mar. 15, 1999.
Screen Printing from WWW.remotecams.com, “Take a Step
Into the Future . . . ,” printed Sep. 17, 1999.
EyeCast.com, “EyeCast secures deals . . . ,” Washington

Business Journal, Aug. 13—19, 1999, Tech Section, p. 16.
EyeCast.com Announces EyeVieW Control, Press Release

Prior Publication Data

dated Oct. 12, 1998.

US 2004/0068657 A1 Apr. 8, 2004

(List continued on next page.)

Related US. Application Data
(60)

Provisional application No. 60/382,035, ?led on May 20,
2002.

(51)
(52)

Int. Cl.7 .............................................. .. G06F 15/16
US. Cl. ..................... .. 709/201; 709/203; 709/219;

709/227; 713/176
(58)

Field of Search ............................... .. 709/201, 203,

709/219, 227; 713/176
(56)

Primary Examiner—FrantZ B. Jean
(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Christensen O’Connor
Johnson Kindness PLLC

(57)

ABSTRACT

A system and method for facilitating data communications
in a device network are provided. An integrated information

system includes a number of premises-server computing
devices, a central communication device, and a number of

References Cited
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client computing devices. Each client computing device
communicates With the central communication device to
request access to device data from the premises-server
computing devices. Once access rights are established, the

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202

210

OUTPUTDEVICES

DEVICE

SERVER

MONITORINGDEWCES

PREMISES

214

' SERVER

60%;5'1;G

j

DEVICE

206
20s

CLIENT
COMPUTING
DEVICE

f/T
<-——~

4

CENTRAL

INTERNET

)<—-—-—> SERVER
21.2

PREMISES
SERVER

CLIENT
COMPUTING

214 J
210

OUTPUT DEVICES

DEVICE
SERVER

MONITORJNGDEVICES

J
206

208

DEVICE
202

214 J

US 6,839,731 B2
Page 2

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5,960,174
6,064,723
6,233,588
6,356,949

A
A
A
A
A
E
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A

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2002/0019945 A1 *
2002/0029263 A1 *

2/2002

Houston et al.

3/2002

Toyoshima et al. ....... .. 709/223

.......... .. 713/201

Gay et al.

Cooper

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

Barrett et al.
Kaarsoo et al.

EyeCast Announces EyeCapture Services, Press Release

Johnston, Jr.

dated Jul. 8, 1998.

Ulch et al.

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Matthews, III

Surveillance & Monitoring Over the Internet”.
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Camera”.

Axis Communications, publication entitled “Axis 240 Cam

Skorupski et al.

era Server”.

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and Solutions,” printed Sep. 28, 1999.
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Kung et al.
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........ .. 707/200

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* cited by examiner

U.S. Patent

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US 6,839,731 B2

STARTDEVICE DATA
PROCESSING ROUTINE
‘

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RELEASE RESOURCES
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US 6,839,731 B2
1

2

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING
DATA COMMUNICATION IN A DEVICE
NETWORK

tools hosted by a netWork-based softWare application, gen
erally referred to as a broWser application. Generally

described, broWser applications require “handshake” or
acknowledgment signals prior to an exchange of data.
HoWever, the handshaking steps consume available process

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
APPLICATION

ing capacity and bandWidth that can constrain access to and

How of data. Additionally, data How is typically initiated by
the receiving computing device such that the receiving
computing device must constantly poll another netWorked

This application claims the bene?t of US. Provisional
Application No. 60/382,035, entitled SYSTEM AND
METHOD FOR PROVIDING DATA COMMUNICATION

INADEVICE NETWORK, and ?led on May 20, 2002. US.

10

reference herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

In general, the present invention relates to computer

15

is too small, computing and communication resources are
unnecessarily strained. Furthermore, as the data tools are
designed for a generic netWork softWare application, some

data tool features may not be supported various implemen
tations of a netWork softWare application. Accordingly, the
functionality for a class of users utiliZing the particular

softWare, computer hardWare, communication networks,
and in particular, to a method and system for real-time data

communication, including device condition and state,
betWeen netWorked computing devices.

device for data to enable pseudo real-time communications.

If the polling frequency is too large, time-sensitive data may
become stale before it is received. If the polling frequency

Provisional Application No. 60/382,035 is incorporated by

hosting softWare application is diminished.
20

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In another embodiment, a computing device may be
loaded With a resident softWare application speci?cally
constructed to communicate With the netWorked communi

A number and variety of hardWare and softWare devices

cations controller. Although the resident softWare applica

may be utiliZed to capture, process, or transmit data Within

tion provides a user With a more permanent communications
a device netWork. In a commercial environment a device 25
solution, conventional resident softWare applications can

netWork could include bar code readers, point-of-sale

present security risks for unauthoriZed users accessing the

terminals, card scanners, cash registers, receipt printers,

computing device. In one aspect, the amount of data a user
may be authoriZed to access may vary greatly. In another

video cameras, and the like. In a medical, or patient

monitoring environment, the devices might include various
devices used for monitoring vital signs and body functions
such as blood pressure monitors, respiratory activity
monitors, heart activity monitors (such as electrocardiogram
devices), brain activity monitors (such as electro
encephalography monitors), and various output device such
as intravenous pumps, incubators, respirators, and the like.
In a physical-security environment the devices utiliZed

aspect, multiple users may be utiliZing the same computing
30

Zation levels. Further, the utiliZation of resident softWare
applications places the burden on each individual user to
update the resident softWare application in the event modi
?cations are made. Accordingly, resident softWare applica
35

might include door and WindoW contacts, card readers, video

ment.
40

generally, the particular devices used in a device netWork
Will vary in accordance With the required function of the
device netWork.
In a conventional security embodiment the controls for
security, environmental, and access control devices are

tions become de?cient in addressing varying authoriZation
rights and maintenance needs.
Thus, there is a need for a system and method for
processing data communications in a netWorked environ

cameras, motion detectors, environmental sensors, metal

detectors, scanning devices, electronic article surveillance
tags, biometric devices, and the like. Accordingly, stated

device, With each user having potentially varying authori

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system and method for facilitating data communica
tions in a device netWork are provided. The device netWork
45

includes a number of physically distributed premises-based

typically administered through hardWare control panels.

server computing devices in communication With a number

Control panels are used to physically activate, deactivate, or
con?gure devices that are physically or logically connected
to a panel. Control panels generally include some type of

communication device, and a number of client computing
devices. Each client computing device communicates With

of data generating input and/or output devices, a central

small format screen to display teXtual data re?ective of a
device’s condition such as “armed” or “disarmed.” Atypical

the central communication device to request access to device

control panel has little memory and limited data processing
or storage capacity. Further, the typical control panel is not

devices. Once access rights are established, the client com

Well suited for data communication to remote monitoring
terminals, such as the transmission of control commands
from a remote monitoring terminal to a control panel. One

data collected by the premises-based server computing

puting devices communicate directly With speci?c premises
55

server computing devices. A command application resident
on each premises-based server computing device, referred to
as the command proXy, administers the direct How of data

betWeen the computing devices.

approach to provide greater remote user functionality
involves the use of a netWorked communications controller

In accordance With an aspect of the present invention, a

for facilitating communication to the devices. For eXample,

method for processing device data is provided. The method

devices such as video cameras can be connected to self

contained data collection/Web servers that operable to send
collected data directly over a netWork Without the assistance
of an external device. Accordingly, information may be
shared across a Wide-area netWork (“WAN”) With remote
clients.
In one embodiment, a remote client may gain access to

device data and control through the utiliZation of data access

60

may be implemented in a system including one or more

65

premises-based server computing devices in communication
With a number of input and/or output devices, a central
communication device, and at least one client computing
device in communication With the central communication
device. In accordance With the method, a client computing
device transmits an access request to the central communi
cation device. The access request includes one or more

US 6,839,731 B2
3

4

identi?cation attributes corresponding to a client computing
device. The client computing device obtains a listing of
available premises-based server computing devices. The

communication With the client computing device via a
communication netWork. The central communication
devices receives the access request and transmits a list of

listing of available premises-based server computing
devices corresponds to a set of premises-server computing

available premises-server computing devices. The list of
available premises-server computing devices corresponds to

devices a client computing device is authoriZed to access
based at least in part on the identi?cation attributes. The

to access. The system further includes one or more premises

a set of premises the client computing device is authoriZed

client computing device transmits a communication request
to communicate With one or more premises-server comput

ing devices and establishes a direct connection With a proxy
application in each of the one or more premises-server

10

computing devices for Which the communication request is
successful. The client computing device obtains device
information from a proxy application associated With the

premises-server computing device. The device information

15

corresponds to a current device state. Additionally, the client
computing device cannot establish a direct connection With
a proxy application in each of the one or more premises

server computing devices prior to obtaining the listing of

available premises-server computing devices.

server computing devices in communication With a number
of input and/or output devices. The one or more premises
server computing devices includes a proxy application to
communicate With the client computing device via a direct
communication connection and to transmit device data to the
client computing device via the direct communication con

nection. The client computing device cannot establish the
direct communication connection With the premises-server
computing device prior to obtaining the list of available
premises-server computing devices from the central com
munication device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In another aspect of the present invention, a method for
processing device data is provided. The method may be
implemented in a system including one or more premises

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advan
tages of this invention Will become more readily appreciated

server computing devices in communication With a number

folloWing detailed description, When taken in conjunction
With the accompanying draWings, Wherein:

of input and/or output devices, a central communication

as the same become better understood by reference to the
25

device and at least one client computing device in commu
nication With the central communication device. In accor
dance With the method, a central communication device
obtains an access request from a client computing device.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an Internet environment;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrative of an integrated

information system including a number of premises servers,

The access request includes one or more identi?cation

a central server and a number of client computing devices

attributes corresponding to the client device. The central
communication device generates a list of premises-server
computing devices available for communication With the

formed in accordance With the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram depicting an illustrative archi

client device. The list of premises-server computing devices
corresponds to a set of premises-server computing devices

invention;

tecture for a premises server in accordance With the present
35

the client device is authoriZed to access based upon a
processing of the one or more identi?cation attributes. The

invention;

central communication device transmits the list of premises
server computing devices available for communication With
the client device. The client device cannot directly access the

FIG. 5 is a block diagram depicting an illustrative archi
tecture for client computing device in accordance With the
40

premises-server computing device prior to obtaining the list
of premises-server computing devices available for commu
nication.
In accordance With a further aspect of the present
invention, a method for processing device data is provided.
The method may be implemented in a premises-server
computing device in communication With a number of input

FIG. 4 is a block diagram depicting an illustrative archi
tecture for a central server in accordance With the present

present invention;
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the integrated information
system of FIG. 2 illustrating the connection of a client
computing device to a premises server in accordance With

45

and/or output devices, Wherein the premises-server comput

the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the integrated information
system of FIG. 2 illustrating the connection of a client
computing device to a premises server in accordance With

ing device includes a command proxy application for com

the present invention;

municating With client computing devices. In accordance
With the method, a premises-server computing device

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the integrated information
system of FIG. 2 illustrating the connection of a client
computing device to a premises server in accordance With

obtains a communication request from a client computing

the present invention; and

device and registers the client computing device to obtain
device data from at least one input and/or output device. The

premises-server computing device obtains device data from

FIG. 9 is a How diagram illustrative of device data
55

the at least one input and/or output device and transmits the
device data to the client computing device. The transmission
of the device data to the client computing device occurs
Without requiring a request from the client computing
device.
In accordance With yet another aspect of the present

invention, a system for processing device data is provided.
The system includes at least one client computing device for
transmitting access requests via a communication netWork.
The access request includes one or more identi?cation 65

attributes corresponding to the client computing device. The
system also includes a central communication device in

monitoring routine implemented by a client computing
device in accordance With the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As described above, aspects of the present invention are
embodied in a WWW or (“Web”) site accessible via the
Internet. As is Well knoWn to those skilled in the art, the term
“Internet” refers to the collection of netWorks and routers
that use the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol
(“TCP/IP”) to communicate With one another. A represen
tative section of the Internet 20 is shoWn in FIG. 1, in Which
a plurality of local area netWorks (“LANs”) 24 and a Wide

US 6,839,731 B2
5

6

area network (“WAN”) 26 are interconnected by routers 22.
The routers 22 are special purpose computers used to

location by Way of a client computing device connected to
a communication netWork. Additionally, the data from the
monitoring devices may be processed at the remote control

interface one LAN or WAN to another. Communication

links Within the LANs may be tWisted Wire pair, or coaxial
cable, While communication links betWeen netWorks may

location according to one or more data rules. The control

utiliZe 58 Kbps analog telephone lines, 1 Mbps digital T-1

dependent on an evaluation of the data rule pertaining to the

location may also customiZe output of the processed data

lines, 45 Mbps T-3 lines or other communications links
knoWn to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, computers 28
and other related electronic devices can be remotely con
nected to either the LANs 24 or the WAN 26 via a modem

device data. While the system of the present invention is

utiliZed to integrate traditional security monitoring
functions, it is also utiliZed to integrate any information
10

and temporary telephone or Wireless link. It Will be appre
ciated that the Internet 20 comprises a vast number of such

With reference to FIG. 2, the integrated information
system 200 includes a premises server 202 that functions as

interconnected netWorks, computers, and routers and that
only a small, representative section of the Internet 20 is
shoWn in FIG. 1. One skilled in the relevant art Will

a communication gateWay betWeen various monitoring
devices 208 and output devices 210 and the integrated
15

appreciate that aspects of the present invention may be

information system 200. The premises server 202 includes a
resident application program, referred to as a command

practiced on Internet netWorks, such as an Intranet.

proxy 204, that is operable to facilitate communication With
external components of the integrated information system
200. The function of the command proxy application 204
Will be explained in greater detail beloW.
In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the

The Internet has groWn exponentially over the past decade
and noW links millions of computers WorldWide. As the
Internet has groWn, so has the WWW. As is appreciated by
those skilled in the art, the W is a vast collection of
interconnected or “hypertext” documents Written in Hyper

premises server 202 communicates With one or more device
servers 206 via a communication netWork, such as a subnet,

Text Markup Language (“HTML”), or other markup
languages, that are electronically stored at WWW sites
throughout the Internet. A WWW site is a server connected
to the Internet that has mass storage facilities for storing
hypertext documents and that runs administrative softWare

input in a like manner.

to address individual monitoring devices 208 and/or output
25

devices 210. For example, the subnet may be a sWitched
Ethernet netWork that runs through a high-speed sWitch. One
or more device servers 206 may be con?gured in a distrib

for handling requests for those stored hypertext documents.

uted netWork to facilitate the sharing of computing
resources, including processing, memory, and communica

A hypertext document normally includes a number of

hyperlinks, i.e., highlighted portions of text Which link the

tion bandWidth. An illustrative device server netWork can be

document to another hypertext document possibly stored at
a WWW site elsewhere on the Internet. Each hyperlink is
associated With a Uniform Resource Locator (“URL”) that

found in commonly assigned US. application Ser. No.
10/117,557 entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MAN -

AGING A DEVICE NETWORK, Which is hereby incorpo
provides the exact location of the linked document on a
server connected to the Internet and describes the document. 35 rated by reference. Alternatively, the premises server 202
may communicate directly With the monitoring devices 208
and output devices 210.
In accordance With the present invention, the monitoring

Thus, Whenever a hypertext document is retrieved from any
WWW server, the document is considered to be retrieved
from the WWW. As is knoWn to those skilled in the art, a
WWW server may also include facilities for storing and

transmitting application programs, such as application pro
grams Written in the JAVA® programming language from

devices 208 can include any number of sensors, monitors,
40

Sun Microsystems, for execution on a remote computer.
LikeWise, a WWW server may also include facilities for

executing scripts and other application programs on the

and control devices (both hardWare and softWare) used for
environmental monitoring, access control, biometric
identi?cation, facial recognition, and intrusion detection.
Still further, the monitoring devices 208 can include devices
used to monitor industrial processes, inventory control

WWW server itself.
45
A consumer or other remote consumer may retrieve

processes, ?nancial transactions (including point-of-sale

hypertext documents from the WWW via a WWW broWser

apparent to one skilled in the relevant art that additional or

alternative monitoring devices 208 may be practiced With
the present invention.

application program. AWWW broWser, such as Netscape’s
NAVIGATOR® or Microsoft’s Internet Explorer, is a soft
Ware application program for providing a graphical con
sumer interface to the WWW. Upon request from the con
sumer via the WWW broWser, the WWW broWser accesses

and retrieves the desired hypertext document from the
appropriate WWW server using the URL for the document
and a protocol knoWn as HyperText Transfer Protocol

systems) and medical or patient monitoring. It Will be

The device servers 206 also communicate With one or

more output devices 210. In an illustrative embodiment, the
output devices 210 can include audio speakers, display or

other audio/visual displays. The output devices 210 may also
include electrical or electro-mechanical devices that alloW
55

the system to perform actions. The output devices 210 can

(“HTTP”). HTTP is a higher-level protocol than TCP/IP and
is designed speci?cally for the requirements of the WWW.

include computer system interfaces, point-of-sale terminals,
cash registers, automatic teller machines, telephone

It is used on top of TCP/IP to transfer hypertext documents
betWeen servers and clients. The W broWser may also

interfaces, Wireless interfaces, door and WindoW locking
mechanisms, aerosol sprayers, and the like. As Will be
readily understood by one skilled in the art, the type of
output device is associated primarily With the type of action

retrieve application programs from the WWW server, such
as JAVA applets, for execution on the client computer.
Referring noW to FIG. 2, an actual embodiment of an

the integrated information system 200 produces.

integrated information system 200 in accordance With the
present invention Will be described. The integrated informa
tion system 200 is a subscriber-based system alloWing

Accordingly, additional or alternative output devices 210 are
considered to be Within the scope of the present invention.
With continued reference to FIG. 2, the premises server
202 is in communication With a central server 212. Gener
ally described, the central server 212 manages the number of

monitoring devices (or a subset thereof) Within one or more

premises to be processed from a single, remote control

65

US 6,839,731 B2
7

8

premises servers 202 connected to the integrated informa
tion system 200. Additionally, the central server 212 man
ages access rights for external components attempting to

With a modem for connecting to the Internet through a

access device data from the various premises servers 202. In
an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the
central server 212 may also be operable to obtain monitoring
device data from the premises servers 202 and process the
data according to a number of processing rules. A descrip
tion for a system and method for processing monitoring

skilled in the art.
The premises server 202 each includes a processing unit

point-to-point protocol (“PPP”) connection or a serial line
Internet protocol (“SLIP”) connection as knoWn to those
302, an optional display 304, and a mass memory 306, all
connected via a communication bus, or other communica
tion device. The mass memory 306 generally comprises a
RAM, ROM, and a permanent mass storage device, such as

device data may be found in commonly assigned US.
application Ser. No. 09/825,506 entitled SYSTEM AND

a hard disk drive, tape drive, optical drive, ?oppy disk drive,
or combination thereof. The mass memory 306 stores an

METHOD FOR IMPLEMENTING AN INTEGRATED

operating system 308 for controlling the operation of the

INFORMATION PORTAL, the disclosure of Which is

premises server 202. It Will appreciated that this component
may comprises a general-purpose server operating system as

hereby incorporated by reference.
puting devices 214 operable to communicate With the pre

is knoWn to those skilled in the art, such as UNIX,
LINUXTM, or Microsoft WINDOWS NT®.
The mass memory 306 also stores program code and data

mises servers 202 and the central server 212. Each client
computing device 214 corresponds to one or more autho

for interfacing With various connected monitoring devices
208 and output devices 210, for processing the monitoring

With continued reference to FIG. 2, the integrated infor

15

mation system 200 also includes one or more client com

riZed users having distinct access rights to the monitoring

device data and for transmitting the data to client computing

device data provided by the premises servers 202. For
example, the client computing device 214 can be associated
With premises oWners, security directors or administrators,

devices 214 and/or a central server 212. More speci?cally,
mass memory stores a device interface application 310 in

on-site security guards, technicians, remote monitors
(including certi?ed and non-certi?ed monitors), customer
service representatives, emergency personnel, and others.

accordance With the present invention to obtain monitoring
device data. The device interface application 310 comprises
25

computer-executable instructions Which, When executed by
the premises server 202 obtains and transmits device data as
Will be explained beloW in greater detail. The mass memory
306 also stores a data processing application 312 for pro

The client computing devices 214 can include personal

computers, hand-held computing devices, Wireless applica
tion protocol enabled Wireless devices, cellular or digital
telephones, digital pagers, and the like. Moreover, the cen

cessing incoming and outgoing data. One skilled in the

tral server 212 may communicate With these devices via the

encryption, compression, transformation, and the like. The

Internet 20 utilizing electronic messaging or Web access, via
Wireless transmissions utiliZing the Wireless application
protocol, short message services, audio transmission, and

mass memory 306 also stores a data messaging and delivery
application knoWn as a command proxy application 314

the like. As Will be readily understood by one skilled in the

relevant art Will appreciate that processing data can include

application. The command proxy application 314 is operable
35

to manage data communications betWeen the client comput

art, the speci?c implementation of the communication medi

ers 314/central server 212 and the premises server 212. It

ums may require additional or alternative components to be
practiced. All are considered to be Within the scope of

Will be appreciated that these components may be stored on
a computer-readable medium and loaded into the memory of
the premises server using a drive mechanism associated With
the computer-readable medium, such as a ?oppy, CD-ROM,
DVD-ROM drive, or netWork drive 300.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram depicting an illustrative archi

practicing the present invention. Additionally, in an illustra
tive embodiment of the present invention, each client com
puting device 214 utiliZes a softWare application provided
by the central processing server 212 to communicate With
the premises servers 202, Which Will be explained in greater
detail beloW. Although the premises server 202 and the

40

tecture for a central server 212 in accordance With the

present invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art Will

central processing server 212 are referred to as “server” 45 appreciate that the central server 212 includes many more

components then those shoWn in FIG. 4. HoWever, it is not
necessary that all of these generally conventional compo

computing device, one skilled in the relevant art Will appre

ciate that a variety of computing devices may provide the
functionality associated With either premises server 202 or
the central processing server 212. For example, the func
tionality may implemented in a peer-to-peer netWork envi

nents be shoWn in order to disclose an illustrative embodi

ment for practicing the present invention. As shoWn in FIG.
4, the central server 212 includes a netWork interface 400 for
connecting directly to a LAN or a WAN, or for connecting
remotely to a LAN or WAN. Those of ordinary skill in the

ronment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram depicting an illustrative archi
tecture for a premises server 202. Those of ordinary skill in
the art Will appreciate that the premises server 202 include
many more components than those shoWn in FIG. 3.

55

HoWever, it is not necessary that all of these generally
conventional components be shoWn in order to disclose an

art Will appreciate that the netWork interface 400 includes
the necessary circuitry for such a connection, and is also
constructed for use With the TCP/IP protocol, the particular
netWork con?guration of the LAN or WAN it is connecting
to, and a particular type of coupling medium. The central

illustrative embodiment for practicing the present invention.

server 212 may also be equipped With a modem for con

As shoWn in FIG. 3, the premises server 202 includes a
netWork interface 300 for connecting directly to a LAN or a
WAN, or for connecting remotely to a LAN or WAN. Those

necting to the Internet 20.
The central server 212 also includes a processing unit 402,

of ordinary skill in the art Will appreciate that the netWork
interface 300 includes the necessary circuitry for such a
connection, and is also constructed for use With the TCP/IP
protocol, the particular netWork con?guration of the LAN or
WAN it is connecting to, and a particular type of coupling
medium. The premises server 202 may also be equipped

an optional display 404 and a mass memory 406, all con
nected via a communication bus, or other communication

device. The mass memory 406 generally comprises a RAM,
ROM, and a permanent mass storage device, such as a hard
65

disk drive, tape drive, optical drive, ?oppy disk drive, or
combination thereof. The mass memory 406 stores an oper

ating system 408 for controlling the operation of the central

US 6,839,731 B2
10
server 212. It Will appreciated that this component may
comprises a general-purpose server operating system as is
knoWn to those skilled in the art, such as UNIX, LINUXTM,
or Microsoft WINDOWS NT®.
The mass memory 406 also stores program code and data

these components may be stored on a computer-readable
medium and loaded into the memory of the central server
using a drive mechanism associated With the computer
readable medium, such as a ?oppy, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM
drive, or netWork drive 500.

for interfacing With the premises servers 202 and the client
computing devices 214 and for processing various data

Generally described, the present invention provides a
distributed netWork environment for processing monitoring

requests. More speci?cally, the mass memory 406 stores a

device 208 and output device 210 data. In an actual embodi
ment of the present invention, the central server 212 man

premises server interface application 410 in accordance With

the present invention for communicating With the premises

10

ages client computer request connection requests and pro

server 202. The premises interface application 410 com

vides requesting client computers access to one or more of

prises computer-executable instructions, Which, When

the premises servers 212. Upon establishing access rights to
a premises server 202, the client computer device 214

executed by the central server 212, interfaces With the
premises server 202 as Will be explained beloW in greater

establishes a direct communication connection to targeted
detail. The mass memory 406 also stores a client computer 15 premises servers via the command proxy application 314.

Through the direct communication connection, the com
mand proxy application 314 and the client computing device

interface application 412 for communicating With client
computing devices 214 to obtain data requests and transmit
communication softWare. The operation of the client com
puter interface application 412 Will be described in greater

214 can transmit data as it is modi?ed.

FIGS. 6-8 are illustrative of various integrated informa
tion system component interactions to process client com

detail beloW. The mass memory 406 also stores a data

processing application 414 for processing client computing

puting device connection requests in accordance With the

device 214 data requests in accordance With the present
invention. It Will be appreciated that these components may

present invention. With reference to FIG. 6, a client com

puting device 214 initiates a communication request by

be stored on a computer-readable medium and loaded into
transmitting an access request to the central server 212. In an
the memory of the central server using a drive mechanism 25 illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the con
nection request is transmitted by the central server interface
associated With the computer-readable medium, such as a

?oppy, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM drive, or netWork drive 400.

application 512 (FIG. 5), utiliZing a WWW broWser appli

FIG. 5 is a block diagram depicting an illustrative archi
tecture for a client computing device 214 utiliZed by autho
riZed users to request and gain access to premises servers
202 in accordance With the present invention. Those of

cation. The access request can include information indica
tive of the access rights of a user associated With the client

ordinary skill in the art Will appreciate that the client

client computing device.

computing device 214 includes many more components then
those shoWn in FIG. 5. HoWever, it is not necessary that all
of these generally conventional components be shoWn in
order to disclose an illustrative embodiment for practicing
the present invention. As shoWn in FIG. 5, the client
computing device 214 includes a netWork interface 500 for

Upon receipt of the access request, the central server 212
processes the request to identify Which premises servers 202
the client computing device 214 may access. Additionally,

connecting directly to a LAN or a WAN, or for connecting
remotely to a LAN or WAN. Those of ordinary skill in the

art Will appreciate that the netWork interface 500 includes
the necessary circuitry for such a connection, and is also
constructed for use With the TCP/IP protocol, the particular
netWork con?guration of the LAN or WAN it is connecting
to, and a particular type of coupling medium. The client
computing device 214 may also be equipped With a modem
502 for connecting to the Internet 20 through a PPP or SLIP

computing device 214 and of the version and resources of
the premises server interface application 514 stored on the

35

the central server 212 may also determine Whether the client

computing device 214 requires an additional softWare
upgrade or update for the premises server interface appli
cation 514. The central server 212 transmits to the client
40

computing device 214 a listing identifying Which premises
servers 202 are available for a data connection. Additionally,
the central server 212 may transmit the premises server
interface application 514 or updates to the current version of

45

connection as knoWn to those skilled in the art.

The client computing device 214 also includes a process
ing unit 504, a display 506, and a mass memory 508, all

the premises server interface application 514 running on the
client computing device 214. In an illustrative embodiment
of the present invention, the central server 212 may utiliZe
a Web-based softWare system, such as Sun Microsystems’s
JAVA WEB START, that enables the central server 212 to

distribute and update the premises server interface applica
tion 514 via a WWW connection.
With reference noW to FIG. 7, the client computer 214

connected via a communication bus, or other communica
tion device. The mass memory 508 generally comprises a
RAM, ROM, and a permanent mass storage device, such as

transmitted by the central server 212. Depending on a user

a hard disk drive, tape drive, optical drive, ?oppy disk drive,

selection, the client computing device 214 then initiates a

obtains the access list and any softWare doWnloads/updates

or combination thereof. The mass memory 508 stores an 55 command proxy interface protocol With the selected com

operating system 510 for controlling the operation of the
computing device. It Will appreciated that this component
may comprise a general-purpose operating system as is
knoWn to those skilled in the art, such as UNIX, LINUXTM,
or Microsoft WINDOWS NT®. The mass memory 508 also

includes a central server interface application 512 operable
to communicate With the central server 212. In an illustrative

embodiment of the present invention, the central server
interface application 512 includes a WWW broWser appli
cation. The mass memory 508 further stores a premises 65

server interface application 514 operable to interface With
one or more premises servers 202. It Will be appreciated that

mand proxy applications 314 (FIG. 3) on each selected
premises server 202. The designated premises server 202
responds to the command proxy interface protocol and
registers the client computing device With the command
proxy application 314 of the premise server. In an illustrative
embodiment of the present invention, the command proxy
interface protocol alloWs the client computing device 214 to
register With the command proxy application to receive
monitoring device data. Further, the command proxy inter
face protocol alloWs the client computing device 214 to
select Which monitoring device data is requested and hoW
the monitoring device data should be delivered. In certain

US 6,839,731 B2
11

12

embodiments, the client computing device 214 maintains a
persistent connection to the command proxy application, in
others the connection may be timed, periodic, or transitory.
With reference noW to FIG. 8, upon registration by the

appreciate, hoWever, alternative or modi?ed command
proxy interface protocols may also be practiced With the
present invention.
In an actual embodiment of the present invention, the
client computing device 214 may utiliZe an IP address
speci?ed in the communication With the central server 202

client computing device 214, the command proxy applica
tion 314 can detect various monitoring device data changes.
In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the
data changes can include the transmission of monitoring
device data from the monitoring devices 208. Additionally,
the data changes can also include data or con?guration
changes submitted by a system administrator or other autho
riZed user of the integrated information system 200. The
command proxy application 314 can then transmit the data
changes to the client computing device 214 in accordance

10

With the registration requirements of the client computing
device. Accordingly, the command proxy application 314

15

to identify the appropriate premise server 202. Accordingly,
the ?rst message sent by the client computing device 214
should include a command string identifying a particular
At block 910, the premises server interface application
514 obtains current device information from the premises
server 202. In an actual embodiment of the present

application 314 for each premises server 202 can maintain a
table corresponding to all data objects, such as a monitoring
device 208 in its control, and the potential attribute values

device to determine Whether to send the related data should

for the data objects. Further, the command proxy application

also be transmitted to the client computing device. Thus, the
client computing device 214 can effectuate the receipt of
25

monitoring routine 900 implemented by the client comput

table.
At decision block 914, a test is conducted to determine
Whether the user has indicated a desire to terminate the

the central server 212. In an illustrative embodiment of the

connection. If the user does not Wish to terminate the

present invention, the central server interface application
512 may be a WWW broWser-based application operable to
communicate With the central server 212 via the WWW. At 35

block 904, the central server interface application 512
obtains an access list and any applicable doWnloads from the
central server. As discussed above, in an illustrative embodi
ment of the present invention, the distribution of the access
40

a distribution such as JAVA WEB START. HoWever, one

skilled in the relevant art Will appreciate that alternative
distribution systems may be also be utiliZed in accordance
With the present invention.
At block 906, the client computing device 214 obtains a

314 identi?es the client computing devices 214 that have
registered for noti?cation for each data object attribute
value. Accordingly, as data changes are received, the data
processing application 312 can identify Which client com
puting devices 214 are to be contacted by evaluating the

relevant data managed by the command proxy application

ing device 214 in accordance With the present invention. At
block 902, the central server interface application 512 of the
client computing device 214 initiates an access request With

list and the applicable doWnloads may be accomplished via

invention, the premises server 202 initialiZes the data trans
mission by transmitting selected device status information to

the client computing device 214. At block 912, the premises
server interface application 512 obtains changed data from
the command proxy application 314. In an illustrative
embodiment of the present invention, the command proxy

may individually ?lter outgoing data for each client com
puting device 214 registered With the command proxy
application. Further, in an actual embodiment of the present
invention, the command proxy application may also be
operable to associate various data changes With a selected

selective real-time data from a number of premises servers
202.
FIG. 9 is a How diagram illustrative of a device data

premises server 202.

connection, the routine 900 returns to block 910.
Alternatively, if the user Wishes to terminate the connection,
the client computing device 214 releases the connection at
block 916. At block 918, the routine 900 terminates.
In an actual embodiment of the present invention, the
monitoring device data can be categoriZed and processed as
asset data, resource data, or device data. Asset data is
obtained from a monitoring device corresponding to an

identi?able object that is not capable of independent action.

45

selection of one or more premises servers 202 to monitor. At

For example, asset data includes data obtained from a bar
code or transponder identifying a particular object, such as
a computer, in a particular location. Resource data is
obtained from a monitoring device corresponding to an

identi?able object that is capable of independent action. For

block 908, the premises server interface application 514
connects to each designated premises server 202 and regis

example, resource data includes data from a magnetic card
reader that identi?es a particular person Who has entered the
premises. Event data is obtained from a monitoring device

ters With the command proxy application 314 residing on the
premises server 202. In an illustrative embodiment of the

present invention, the premises server interface application

corresponding to an on/off state that is not correlated to an

514 may utiliZe a command proxy interface protocol to
establish a connection With the command proxy application

identi?able object. Event data is a default category for all of
the monitoring devices. An illustrative system and method
for processing asset data, resource data, and device data can

314 and register data receipt preferences With the command
proxy application 314. The command proxy interface pro
tocol alloWs the client computing device 214 to register for

55

be found in commonly assigned US. application Ser. No.
09/825,506, Which has been incorporated by referenced. As

speci?c data change events (e.g., specify types of data, data

Will be readily understood by one skilled in the relevant art,

from speci?c devices) that are of interest and specify value
ranges that Will require that the client computing device be

alternative data categoriZations are considered to be Within
the scope of the present invention.
The present invention provides a method for obtaining

noti?ed. One skilled in the relevant art Will appreciate that
types of available data Will depend on the available devices

real-time device data over a netWork connection from a

connected to a selected premises server 202 and/or the

hardWare and softWare monitoring devices. The invention

potential utiliZation of the devices (e. g., security monitoring,
patient care, inventory monitoring, and the like). Further, the

describes an architecture that can be ?exibly used to operate
Within or outside of a broWser application. The system

command proxy interface protocol alloWs a client comput
ing device to prioritiZe data change types for immediate or
delayed transmission. One skilled in the relevant art Will

65

provides the ability to use application features regardless of
Whether they are supported by the broWser applications or
operating system in use on a client computing device.

US 6,839,731 B2
14

13
While illustrative embodiments of the invention have

9. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising

been illustrated and described, it Will be appreciated that
various changes can be made therein Without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention.

proxy application, Wherein the updated device data is

obtaining updated input and/or output device data from the
obtained Without subsequent request from the client com

puting device.

The embodiments of the invention in Which an exclusive
property or privilege is claimed are de?ned as folloWs:
1. In a system including one or more premises-server
computing devices in communication With a number of

10. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising

obtaining softWare updates from the central communication

input and/or output devices, a central communication
device, and at least one client computing device in commu
nication With the central communication device, a method

1O

for processing device data, the method comprising:

private netWork.

transmitting an access request to the central communica
tion device, the access request including one or more
identi?cation attributes corresponding to a client com

puting device;

12. The method as recited in claim 1, Wherein obtaining
device information from each proxy application in the one or
15

criteria submitted to the proxy application.

13. A computer-readable medium having computer

puting devices corresponding to a set of premises
server computing devices a client computing device is

executable instructions for performing the method recited in
claim 1.

authoriZed to access based at least in part on the

14. A computer system including a processor, a memory

identi?cation attributes;

and an operating system, the computer system operable to
perform the method recited in claim 1.
15. In a system including one or more premises-server
25

and at least one client computing device in communication
With the central communication device, a method for pro

cessing device data, the method comprising:
obtaining an access request from a client computing
device, the access request including one or more iden

associated With the one or more premises-server com

puting device, the device information corresponding to

ti?cation attributes corresponding to the client device;
generating a list of premises-server computing devices
available for communication With the client device, the

a current input and/or output device state;
Wherein establishing a direct connection With a proxy
application in each of the one or more premises-server

computing devices cannot occur prior to obtaining the

35

ing to a set of premises-server computing devices the
the one or more identi?cation attributes; and

an access request includes transmitting information used to

transmitting the list of premises-server computing devices

authenticate an individual user.
40

an access request includes:

available for communication With the client device;
Wherein the client device cannot directly access the

premises-server computing device prior to obtaining

accessing a netWork-based Web site corresponding to the

the list of premises-server computing devices available

central communication device;
providing the one or more identi?cation attributes; and

submitting the access request via the netWork-based Web
site.
4. The method as recited in claim 1, Wherein obtaining a

list of premises-server computing devices correspond
client device obtains access based upon a processing of

2. The method as recited in claim 1, Wherein transmitting

3. The method as recited in claim 1, Wherein transmitting

computing devices in communication With a number of

input and/or output devices, a central communication device

cessful; and
obtaining device information from each proxy application

listing of available premises-server computing devices.

more premises-server computing device includes obtaining
device information ?ltered in accordance With one or more

obtaining a listing of available premises-server computing
devices, the listing of available premises-server com

transmitting a communication request to communicate
With one or more premises-server computing devices;
establishing a direct connection With a proxy application
in each of the one or more premises-server computing
devices for Which the communication request is suc

device upon transmitting an access request to the central
communication device.
11. The method as recited in claim 1, Wherein establishing
a direct connection With a proxy application includes estab
lishing a direct connection With a proxy application in a

45

for communication.
16. The method as recited in claim 15, Wherein obtaining
an access request includes obtaining a user identi?cation and

passWord.

listing of available premises-server computing devices

17. The method as recited in claim 15 further comprising:

includes obtaining a listing of available input and/or output
devices connected to each of the available premises-server

generating a netWork-based Web site in response to an
initial access request from a client device; and

computing devices.

obtaining a user input of the one or more identi?cation

attributes corresponding to the client device.
18. The method as recited in claim 15, Wherein transmit

5. The method as recited in claim 4, Wherein transmitting
a communication request to communicate With one or more

ting the list of premises-server computing devices available

premises-server computing devices includes transmitting a

selection to receive data from one or more available devices. 55 for communication With the client device includes transmit
ting an identi?cation of one or more devices associated With
6. The method as recited in claim 5, Wherein transmitting

a communication request includes transmitting information

each of the premises-server computing device available for

used for the delivery of input and/or output device data.

communication.
19. The method as recited in claim 15, Wherein transmit

7. The method as recited in claim 1, Wherein transmitting
a communication request to communicate With one or more

ting the list of premises-server computing devices available

premises-server computing devices includes initiating a
command proxy protocol registering a client computing
device With the proxy application of the premises-server

for communication With the client device includes transmit
ting an IP address corresponding to each premises-server

computing device, the IP address facilitating direct commu
nication With a premises-server computing device.

computing device.
8. The method as recited in claim 1, Wherein the direct
connection With the proxy application is a persistent con
nection.

65

20. The method as recited in claim 15 further comprising

transmitting softWare updates With the transmission of the
list of available premises-server computing devices.

US 6,839,731 B2
15

16

21. A computer-readable medium having computer

at least one client computing device for transmitting

eXecutable instructions for performing the method recited in
claim 15.
22. Acomputer system having a processor, a memory and

access requests via a communication netWork, the
access requests includes one or more identi?cation

attributes corresponding to the client computing

an operating system, the computer system operable to per

device;

form the method recited in claim 15.
23. In a premises-server computing device in communi
cation With a number of input and/or output devices, Wherein
the premises-server computing device includes a command

proXy application for communicating With client computing

a central communication device in communication With
the client computing device via a communication

netWork, Wherein the central communication devices
receives the access request and transmits a list of
10

devices, a method for processing device data comprising:
obtaining a communication request from a client comput

ing device;
registering the client computing device to obtain device
data from at least one input and/or output device;
obtaining device data from the at least one input and/or

available premises-server computing devices, the list of
available premises-server computing devices corre
sponding to a set of premises the client computing
device is authoriZed to access; and

15

one or more premises-server computing devices in com

munication With a number of input and/or output

transmitting the device data to the client computing
device, Wherein transmitting the device data to the

devices, the one or more premises-server computing
devices including a proXy application to communicate
With the client computing device via a direct commu
nication connection and to transmit device data to the

client computing device occurs Without requiring a

client computing device via the direct communication

output device;

connection;

request from the client computing device.
24. The method as recited in claim 23, Wherein registering

the client computing device includes registering interest in
updates made to one or more records in a table used to 25

Wherein the client computing device cannot establish the
direct communication connection With the premises
server computing device prior to obtaining the list of

collect attribute data associated With the input and/or

available premises-server computing devices from the

devices.
25. The method as recited in claim 24, Wherein the table

central communication device.
35. The system as recited in claim 34, Wherein the client
computing device transmits the access request via a

of available input and/or output device data includes criteria
for ?ltering the data to be received by the client computing

netWork-based Web site provided by the central communi

device.

26. The method as recited in claim 25, Wherein ?ltering
the data from the input and/or output device includes a
threshold of data values to be satis?ed prior to transmitting
the input and/or output device data to the client computing
device.
27. The method as recited in claim 25, Wherein ?ltering
the input and/or output device data includes a range of data
values that must be satis?ed prior to transmitting the data
from the input and/or output device to the client computing
device.

cation device.
36. The system as recited in claim 34, Wherein the central

communication device transmits softWare application
updates to the client computing device in response to an
35 access request.

37. The system as recited in claim 34, Wherein the proxy

application in the premises-server computing device regis
40

received by the client computing device.

28. A computer-readable medium having computer
eXecutable instructions for performing the method recited in
claim 25.
29. Acomputer system having a processor, a memory and
an operating environment, the computer system operable to
perform the method recited in claim 25.
30. The method as recited in claim 24, Wherein the table
of available device data includes instructions for processing
the data from the input and/or device to be received by the

39. The system as recited in claim 37, Wherein the
45

registration includes instructions for processing the device
data prior to transmitting the device data to the client

computing device.
41. The system as recited in claim 37, Wherein the direct
connection betWeen the proXy application and the client

31. The method as recited in claim 30, Wherein processing
the input/and or output device data includes prioritiZing the

computing device is persistent.

data from the input and/or output device.

matting.
33. The method as recited in claim 24, Wherein the table
of available input and/or output device data includes a

registration includes instructions for ?ltering the device data
prior to transmitting the device data to the client computing
device.
40. The system as recited in claim 37, Wherein the

client computing device.

32. The method as recited in claim 30, Wherein processing
the data from the input/and or output device includes for

ters the client computing device to receive the data from the
input/and or output device.
38. The system as recited in claim 37, Wherein the
registration includes an identi?cation of device data to be

55

42. The system as recited in claim 37, Wherein the proxy
application transmits updated device data to the client com

puting device Without requiring a request for updated device
data from the client computing device.
43. The system as recited in claim 37 further comprising

schedule for transmitting data from the input and/or output

a device server in communication With the premises-based
server computing device, Wherein the device server com

device to the client computing device.

municates directly With the input and output devices.

34. Asystem for processing the data from the input and/or

output device, the system comprising:

*

*

*

*

*

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION
PATENT NO.

: 6,839,731 B2

Page 1 of 2

APPLICATION NO. : 10/443120

DATED

: January 4, 2005

INVENTOR(S)

: B. Alexander et a1.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identi?ed patent and that said Letters Patent is
hereby corrected as shown below:

COLUMN

LINE

13

31

ERROR

“puting device,” should read --puting devices,-

(Claim 1, line 25)
14

1

“claim 1” should read --claim 1,-

(Claim 9, line 1)
14

6

“claim 1” should read --claim 1,-

(Claim 10, line 1)
14

15

“computing device” should read --computing devices-

(Claim 12, line 3)
14
36
(Claim 15, line 13)
14

48

“computing devices the” should read --computing
devices to Which“claim 15” should read --claim 15,-

(Claim 17, line 1)
14

57

“computing device” should read --computing devices-

(Claim 18, line 5)
14

65

“claim 15” should read --claim 15,-

(Claim 20, line 1)
15

17

“device;” should read --device; and-

(Claim 23, line 11)
15

27

“devices.” should read --output devices.-

(Claim 24, line 5)
15

50

“and/or device” should read --and/ or output device-

(Claim 30, line 3)
15

56

“input/and or” should read --input and/or-

(Claim 32, line 2)
16

3

(Claim 34, line 5)

“includes” should read --including-