Internet surveillance system and remote control of networked devices

Abstract

Methods are provided to access devices over the Internet and to control and/or set states of devices over the Internet. One method includes providing, at a server connected to the Internet, code for enabling access to networked devices at a remote location using a networked computing device. The method receives, at the server, user login data via the networked computing device, to identify a user and to provide access to the networked devices. The method enables receiving a status request at the server, via the networked computing device, to view status of one or more of the networked devices. The status includes an update condition for at least one of the networked devices. The method also enables receiving a control request at the server, via the networked computing device, to operate one or more utility controls at the remote location. The utility controls include one or more of controls for a security system, accessing cameras at the remote location, setting temperature level for heating or cooling at least a region of the remote location, or setting lighting of a selected room at the remote location. The remote location includes a location computer that is in communication with the networked devices and is connected to the Internet. The location computer includes a processor and is configured for communication with the server. The method is operable for any computing device that has access to the Internet, including wireless hand-held networked devices.

1 . A method, comprising:
 providing, at a server connected to the Internet, code for enabling access to networked devices at a remote location using a networked computing device;   receiving, at the server, user login data via the networked computing device, to identify a user and to provide access to the networked devices;   the method enabling,
 receiving a status request at the server, via the networked computing device, to view status of one or more of the networked devices, the status including an update condition for at least one of the networked devices; and 
 receiving a control request at the server, via the networked computing device, to operate one or more utility controls at the remote location, the utility controls including one or more of controls for accessing a security system, accessing cameras at the remote location, setting temperature level for heating or cooling for at least a region of the remote location, or setting lighting of a selected region of the remote location, 
   the remote location includes a location computer that is in communication with the networked devices and is connected to the Internet, the location computer including a processor and is configured for communication with the server.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the networked computing device is a hand-held personal computer that connects to the Internet via a wireless link. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising,
 sending a notification regarding the update condition, the notification being provided in a way selected from one of a telephone call, a pager signal, an electronic mail, a cellular phone, text message, a video notification, an audio notification, a push notification, or through an application.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the notification is sent to the hand-held personal computer via the wireless link or to a computer connected to the Internet. 
     
     
         5 . A system, comprising:
 a server connected to the Internet having code for enabling access to networked devices at a remote location using a networked computing device, the server configured to receive user login data via the networked computing device to identify a user and to provide access to the networked devices;
 the server configured for receiving a status request via the networked computing device, to view status of one or more of the networked devices, the status including an update condition for at least one of the networked devices; 
 the server configured for receiving a control request via the networked computing device, to operate one or more utility controls at the remote location, the utility controls including one or more of controls for a security system, for accessing cameras at the remote location, for setting temperature level for heating or cooling at least a region of the remote location, or for setting lighting of a selected region of the remote location; and 
   a location computer at the remote location that is in communication with the networked devices and is connected to the Internet, the location computer including a processor and is configured for communication with the server.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the networked computing device is a hand-held personal computer that connects to the Internet via a wireless link. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the server is configured for sending a notification for the update condition, the notification is provided through a telephone call, a pager signal, an electronic mail, a cellular phone, text message, video data, audio data, a push notification, or through an application. 
     
     
         8 . A method, comprising:
 providing, at a server connected to the Internet, code for enabling access to networked devices at a remote location using a networked computing device, the server including a processor;   receiving, at the server, user login data via the networked computing device to identify a user and to provide access to the networked devices; and   receiving a request, at the server from the networked computer, to,   i. view status of one or more of the networked devices, the status including an update condition of at least one of the networked devices, and   ii. operate one or more utility controls for the network devices at the remote location.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the network devices include a security system. 
     
     
         10 . A method of  claim 8 , wherein the utility controls include one or more of controls for cameras at the remote location, setting temperature of a selected room at the remote location, or setting lighting of a selected room at the remote location. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the update condition is a change in condition at the remote location, the update condition is triggered if a predetermined condition is reached. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the request is received from the networked computer to view status after being notified of the update condition, the notification being provided in a way selected from one of a telephone call, a pager signal, an electronic mail, a cellular phone, text message, a video notification, an audio notification, or a launchable application. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the update condition is determined by detecting a change in state at the remote location, the change in state being identified by way of image analysis, motion detection, door sensors, switches, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein viewing status includes viewing images from one or more video cameras. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the images are provided in a streaming fashion over the Internet to the networked computer, or the images include still images or video clips. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the server is connected to storage for storing video or audio captured at the remote location, and the viewing of the status providing access to the storage that the sever is connected to access the video or audio. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising, establishing a two-way connection between the remote location and the networked computer, the two-way connection providing visual and audio communication in nearly real-time. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the remote location includes a computer that is connected to the networked devices and is connected to the Internet, the computer is configured for communication with the server. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the remote computer is a hand-held personal computer that is connected via a wireless link. 
     
     
         20 . Non-transitory computer readable media having program instructions, the computer readable media comprising:
 program instructions for enabling Internet access to networked devices at a remote location using a networked computing device;   program instructions for receiving user login data via the networked computing device, to identify a user and to provide access to the networked devices;   program instructions for receiving a status request via the networked computing device, to view status of one or more of the networked devices, the status including an update condition for at least one of the networked devices;   program instructions for receiving a control request, via the networked computing device, to operate one or more utility controls at the remote location, the utility controls including one or more of controls for a security system, cameras at the remote location, setting temperature level for heating or cooling at least a region of the remote location, or setting lighting of a selected room at the remote location.