Method and process for configuring a premises for monitoring

Abstract

A system and method for configuring an integrated information system through a common user interface are provided. A user accesses a graphical user interface and selects client, premises, location, monitoring device, and processing rule information. The graphical user interface transmits the user selection to a processing server, which configures one or more monitoring devices according to the user selections.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

be , is on the list of available system clients. In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the user interface application 414 of the central server 210 may display a list of available system users and allow the user to select from the list. If the client is on the list, at block 806 the central server 210 retrieves the existing client data values. If the client is not on the list, or once the existing client values have been retrieved, at block 808, the central server 210 process the client data entry. Once the central server 210 has processed the client data entry at block 808, the central server stores the updated user data at block 810. At block 812, the sub-routine 800 returns to routine 500.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of a process client data entry sub-routine 900 implemented by the central server 210 in accordance with the present invention. At block 902, the central server 210 attempts to obtain the stored client data. At decision block 904, a test is conducted to determine whether the client data is available. If the data is available, the central server 210 retrieves the client data values at block 906. If the client data is not previously stored, or once the client has been retrieved, at block 908, the user interface 414 application of the central server 210 obtains client data values inputs from the user. For example, the user interface application 414 may import data files, obtain keyboard or computer mouse entries, obtain voice inputs, and the like. In one aspect, the user data entry can include data modifying an existing user data record. In another aspect, the user data entry can include data defining new user data records.

Once the client data values have been obtained by the user interface application 414, at decision block 910, a test is conducted to determine whether more client data entries are desired. If more data entries are available, the sub-routine 900 returns to block 902. Alternatively, if no more data entries are available, the routine 900 returns to sub-routine 800 at block 912.

Returning to FIG. 5A, at decision block 510, a test is conducted to determine whether the user wishes to create or modify one or more premises associated with the selected integrated information system client. In accordance with the present invention, the integrated information system 200 provides monitoring services for a client that may be associated with one or more premises to be monitored, such as multiple buildings within one or more geographic locations. Similar to the other decision blocks of FIG. 5A, in an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, decision block 510 may be executed in the user selects to modify or create a user, such as by manipulating a user input device. Alternatively, the user interface application 414 of the central server 210 may prompt a user to determine whether the action is desired. If the user does not wish to create or modify a premises on the integrated information system 200, the routine 500 proceeds to decision block 514, which will be explained in greater detail below. Alternatively, if the user wishes to create or modify locations, the central server 210 processes the create or modify locations request at block 508.

FIGS. 10, 11A and 11B are flow diagrams illustrative of various process create or modify premises sub-routines implemented by the central server 210 of an integrated information system 200 in accordance with the present invention. With reference to FIG. 10, at block 1002, the central server 210 obtains a list of available premises for current system clients. At decision block 1004 a test is conducted to determine whether a desired premises is on the list. If the premises is on the list, the central server 210 retrieves existing premises values at block 1006. For example, the central server 210 may obtain the data values from the databases 212. If the desired premises is not on the list, or once the central server 210 has obtained the premises data, at block 1008, the central server 210 processes the user entry of the premises data. In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the user interface application 414 utilizes block 1008 to obtain client contact data, such as client address and communication information. Additionally, the user interface application 414 obtains premises user data related to the selected premises. Once the central server 210 obtains the premises data entry, at block 1010, the central server stores the updated premises data and the sub-routine 1000 returns to sub-routine 500 at block 1012.

Turning now to FIGS. 11A and 11B, a process premises user data entry sub-routine will be described. In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the premises data can include user premises assignment data, user group assignment data, and user process assignment data. With reference to FIG. 11A, at block 1102, the central server 210 obtains user premises assignment data. At decision block 1104, a test is conducted to determine whether user process assignment data is available. If the user premises assignment data is available, at block 1106, the central server 210 retrieves the user premises data values. If the data is not available, or once the user premises data values have been retrieved at block 1108, the central server 210 obtains user premises assignment data values from the user input. For example, the user interface application 414 may import data files, obtain keyboard or computer mouse entries, obtain voice inputs, and the like. In one aspect, the user data entry can include data modifying an existing user data record. In another aspect, the user data entry can include data defining new user data records.

At block 1110, the central server obtains a list of the user group assignment data. At decision block 1112, a test is conducted to determine whether the user group data is available. If the data is available, the central server 210 retrieves the user premises data values at block 1114. With reference to FIG. 11B, if the group assignment data is not available, or once the central server 210 has retrieved the user group assignment data, at block 1116, the user interface application 414 of the central server obtains the user entry of the group assignment data. As described above, the user interface application 414 can obtain the group assignment data entry in a variety of manners.

At block 1118, the central server 210 obtains user process assignment data. At decision block 1120, a test is conducted to determine whether the user process assignment data is available. If the user process assignment data is available, the central server 210 retrieves the user process data values at block 1122. For example, the central server 210 may retrieve the data from the databases 212. If the data is not available, or once the central server 210 has retrieved the user process data values, at block 1124, the central server 210 obtains the user process data values. At decision block 1126, a test is conducted to determine whether there are more user premises assignments. If there are more user premises assignments, the routine 1100 returns to block 1108. Alternatively, if there are no more assignments, the sub-routine 1100 returns to sub-routine 1000 at block 1128.

Returning to FIG. 5A, at decision block 514, a test is conducted to determine whether the user wishes to create or modify one or more locations corresponding to the selected client and premises. If the user does not wish to create or modify one or more locations, the routine 500 proceeds to decision block 518 (FIG. 5B), which will be explained in greater detail below. Alternatively, if the user wishes to create or modify locations, the central server 210 processes the create or modify location request at block 516.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are flow diagrams illustrative of a create or modify location sub-routine 1200 implemented by the central server 210 in accordance with the present invention. In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the location data can include premises location data and location group data. With reference to FIG. 12A, at block 1202, the central server 210 obtains premises location data. At decision block 1204, a test is conducted to determine whether the desired premises location data is available. If the premises location data is available, at block 1206, the central server 210 retrieves existing location values. In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the user interface application 414 of the central server 210 may generate a list of available locations for the selected premises. If the premises location data is not available, or once the premises location data has been retrieved, at block 1208, the central server obtains location data values.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram representative of a screen display 1700 illustrating a an integrated information system location selection interface generated by the central server 210 in accordance with the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 17, the screen display includes a user selection portion 1702 for selecting the modification or creation of location data. The screen display also includes an identification portion 1704 for informing a user of which data is currently being modified or created. Additionally, the screen display further includes data entries portions 1706 and 1708 for displaying to the user the available location data and for facilitating the entry of additional data. One skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that alternative screen displays may be utilized in accordance with the present invention.

Returning to FIG. 12A, at block 1210, the central server 210 obtains location group data. At decision block 1212, a test is conducted to determine whether the group location data is available. If the group location data is available, at block 1214, the central server 210 routine retrieves location group data values. With reference to FIG. 12B, if the location group data values are not available, or once the central server 210 has retrieved the location group data, at block 1216, the central server 210 obtains location group assignment data. At decision block 1218, a test is conducted to determine whether there are more location groups. If there are more location groups, the central server retrieves additional location group data values at block 1214 (FIG. 12A). Alternatively, if there are no more location groups, at decision block 1220, a test is conducted to determine whether there are more locations to be modified. If there are more locations, the sub-routine 1200 returns to block 1208. Alternatively, if there are no more locations, the sub-routine 1200 returns at block 1222. One skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that the central server 210 may implement the various decision blocks of sub-routine 1200 in a single action or series of actions.

Turning now to FIG. 5B, at decision block 518 a test is conducted to determine whether the user wishes to create or modify devices and rules. If the user does not wish to create or modify devices and rules, the process 500 proceeds to block 522, which will be described in greater detail below. Alternatively, if the user wishes to create or modify devices and rules, the central server 210 processes the create or modify devices and rules sub-routine at block 520.

FIGS. 13A, 13B, 14, 15, 16 and 17 are flow diagrams illustrative of various sub-routines implemented by the central server 210 to create or modify devices and rules in accordance with the present invention. With reference to FIGS. 13A and 13B, a create or modify devices and rules sub-routine 1300 will be described. At block 1302, the central server 210 lists all installed monitoring devices 206 and/or output devices 208 that are found within a previously selected premises. In accordance with the present invention, the user interface application 414 can generate a screen display to facilitate the selection of installed devices within the premises. More specifically, in an actual embodiment of the present invention, the user interface application 414 may utilize tree-structures and data tables to facilitate the selection of devices and the management of device attributes.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram representative of a screen display 1800 illustrating a an integrated information system device selection interface having a tree-structure in accordance with the present invention. The screen display 1900 includes a user selection portion 1802 for selecting the modification or creation of location data. As illustrated in FIG. 18, the user can select to manipulate various devices by selecting the corresponding tab of the user selection portion 1802. The screen display further includes a tree-structure portion 1804 for hierarchically displaying which monitoring device has been installed into the premises. In an actual embodiment of the presentation, the data processing application 412 of the central server 210 may configure the tree-structure portion 1904 based on the authorization of the user, a most recently utilized list, or a combination thereof. Moreover, the data processing application 412 may utilize additional information inputted by the user, such as specific device, to determine device compatibility and adjust the tree-structure accordingly. One skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that a user can select a specific device, through the manipulation of the elements of a graphical user interface, or of peripheral devices linked to a graphical user interface, such as a mouse or touch pad.

Returning to FIG. 13A, at decision block 1304, a test is conducted to determine whether a desired device is listed. If the desired device is not listed, the routine 1300 proceeds to block 1322 (FIG. 13B), which will be explained in detail below. If the desired device is listed and selected, at decision block 1306, a test is conducted to determine whether the selected device has any auxiliary locations. In accordance with the present invention, an auxiliary location includes one or more areas or zones within a premises with which a monitoring device 206 is associated. For example, a pan-tilt-zoom (“PTZ”) camera may monitor a door as a primary location and a portion of a hallway as an auxiliary location. If the device has auxiliary locations, the central server 210 processes the auxiliary location selection at block 1308.

FIG. 14 is a flow diagram illustrating a process auxiliary device locations sub-routine 1400 implemented by the central server 210 in accordance with the present invention. At block 1402, the central server 210 obtains a list of all known auxiliary locations corresponding to the selected monitoring device. At decision block 1404, a test is conducted to determine whether a desired auxiliary location is found in the list. If the desired auxiliary location is not found, at block 1406, the user interface application 414 obtains a user selection of an auxiliary location desired. For example, the user may define an auxiliary location by naming the location and defining some parameters of the location. At block 1408, the data processing application 412 of the central server 210 stores the selected auxiliary location. At decision block 1410, a test is conducted to determine whether the user wishes to select additional auxiliary locations. If the user wishes to select additional auxiliary locations, the sub-routine 1400 returns to block 1402. Alternatively, the sub-routine returns to sub-routine 1300 at block 1412.

Returning to FIG. 13A, once the auxiliary locations have been processed, or if no auxiliary locations are selected/exist, at block 1310, the central server 210 obtains the device location and communication attributes. In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the device location and communication attributes can include an Internet protocol (“IP”) address, a unique name, computing device port settings, zone settings for monitoring, and the like. At decision block 1312, a test is conducted to determine whether a selected device includes device attributes. If the selected device does not include attributes, the sub-routine proceeds to decision block 1316, which will be explained in greater detail below. Alternatively, if the selected device includes device attributes, the central server 210 processes the device attributes at block 1314.

FIG. 15 is a flow diagram illustrative of a process device location attributes sub-routine 1500 implemented by the central server 210 in accordance with the present invention. At block 1502, the central server obtains the device location attribute data. At decision block 1504, a test is conducted to determine whether the device location attribute data exists. If the device location attribute data exists, at block 1506, the central server 210 obtains and displays the listed device location attributes. At block 1508, the user interface application 414 of the central server 210 obtains any user edits to the device location attribute data. Referring again to FIG. 18, the screen display 1800 further includes a data table portion 1806 for displaying to the user various device location attributes of a device selected in the tree-structure portion 1804. The data table portion 1806 allows the user to review the various device attributes and modify them by manipulating a user interface.

Referring again to FIG. 15, if at decision block 1504 the device location attribute data does not exist, at block 1510, the data processing application 412 retrieves any default device attributes for use with the device. For example, the device manufacturer may include some default settings for a device, or an integrated information system 200 administrator may designate default values. At decision block 1512, a test is conducted to determine whether the user wishes to edit the default device location attributes. If the user selects to edit the default attributes, the sub-routine 1500 proceeds to block 1508 as described above.

Once the user has completed editing the device location attributes, or if the user does not wish to edit the default attributes at decision block 1512, at decision block 1514, a test is conducted to determine whether there are additional device location attributes that are to be edited. If there are additional device location attributes, the sub-routine 1500 returns to block 1502. Alternatively, the sub-routine 1500 returns to sub-routine 1300 at block 1516.

Returning to FIG. 13A, at decision block 1316, a test is conducted to determine whether the user wishes to create a device rule for the selected device. If the user wishes to create or modify a device rule, the central server 210 processes the device rule at block 1318. If the user does not wish to create or modify a device rule or once the device rule has been processed, the sub-routine 1300 returns to routine 500 at block 1320.

FIG. 16 is a flow diagram of a process device rules sub-routine 1600 implemented by the central server 210 in accordance with the present invention. At block 1602, the central server 210 obtains a list of installed device rules. At decision block 1604, a test is conducted to determine whether a desired device rule is listed. If no device rule is listed, at block 1606, the central server 210 obtains default rule data for the device. In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the default data may be set by the user or by an integrated information system administrator. Alternatively, if the desired device rule is found, at block 1608, the central server 210 obtains the existing device rule data.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram representative of a screen display 1900 illustrating a an integrated information system monitoring device processing rules selection interface generated by the user interface application 414 of the central server 210 in accordance with the present invention. The screen display 1900 includes a user selection portion 1902 for selecting the modification or creation of location data and a display portion 1904 for informing the user what data is being edited. As illustrated in FIG. 19, the user can select to manipulate various devices by selecting the corresponding tab of the user selection portion 1902. The screen display 1900 further includes a rules display portion 1906 for displaying and editing rule details, as will be explained in better detail below.

Returning to FIG. 16, at block 1610, the user interface application 414 obtains device rule data from the user. In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the user interface application 414 can obtain device rule data relating to a rule name, rule purpose, effective date ranges, severity of a violation, and corresponding device/location information. At block 1612, the user interface application 414 obtains notification information from the user. In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the notification information can include a selection of a set of user, notification routing information, and timing information. At decision block 1614 a test is conducted to determine whether there are more users to add to the notification. If so, the sub-routine 1600 returns to block 1612. If no additional users are to be added, the sub-routine 1600 returns at block 1616.

Turning now to FIG. 13B, if at decision block 1304, the desired device is not listed, at block 1322, the central server 210 obtains a list of all available devices to be installed. In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the central server 210 databases 212 may maintain a list and attributes of a number of devices that may be installed in the integrated information system 200. With reference to FIG. 18, the user interface application 414 may generate a tree-structure screen interface to facilitate a user selection. At decision block 1324, a test is conducted to determine whether the desired device is found in the list of available devices. If the device is not available, the sub-routine 1300 returns to block 1322 to obtain an indication of another device. Alternatively, the user may provide configuration information for a specific device, such as by downloading information via the user interface application 414.

Once the device has been selected, at block 1326 the central server obtains a primary location for the device. At decision block 1328, a test is conducted to determine whether the specified location is recognized by the integrated information system. If the location is not recognized, at block 1330, the user inputs the desired location to be recognized. If the location is recognized or once the location has been entered, the sub-routine returns to decision block 1306 (FIG. 13A), which was previously explained.

Returning to FIG. 5B, at block 522, the central server 210 configures the integrated information system 200 in accordance with the user inputs. In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the premises interface application 412 of the central server 210 may transmit the necessary configuration data for each monitoring device 206. Additionally, the data processing application 412 may provide any necessary translation processes that allow the central server 210 to communication communicate with the one or more premises servers 204. In an alternative embodiment, the central server 210 may implement the configuration changes as they are received from the user, and block 522 may be omitted. Additionally, the central server 210 may generate a confirmation report at block 522. At block 524, the routine 500 terminates.

While illustrative embodiments of the invention have 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.

Claims

1. In an integrated information system in communication with a number of monitoring devices, a method for configuring the monitoring devices through a central interface, the method comprising:

obtaining a user selection of at least one client associated with the integrated information system;

obtaining a user selection of at least one premises associated with the user selection of at least one client, within the integrated information system;

obtaining a user selection of at least one location wherein the user selection of at least one location is associated with an identifiable attribute of the user selection of at least one premises;

obtaining a user selection of at least one monitoring device associated with the user selection of at least one location;

obtaining a user selection of at least one processing rule associated with the user selection of at least one monitoring device; and

configuring the integrated information system according to the user selection of at least one client, premises, location, monitoring device and processing rule data;

wherein the user selection of at least one client, premises, location, monitoring device and processing rule data is obtained from a common user interface.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein obtaining the user selection of at least one client, premises, location, monitoring device, or processing rule data includes obtaining data modifying a previous selection.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the user selection of at least one monitoring device includes a selection of monitoring device setting information related to the operation of the user selection of at least one monitoring device.

4. The method as recited in claim 3 further comprising displaying a current monitoring device setting information prior to obtaining the selection of monitoring device setting information.

5. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising obtaining a user selection of at least one user associated with the integrated information system.

6. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the user selection of at least one user is authorized to provide configuration information to the integrated information system.

7. The method as recited in claim 6, where the user selection of at least one user authorized to obtain information regarding the user selection of at least one premises is dynamically generated in response to the processing of the user selection of at least one processing rule in accordance with the integrated information system.

8. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the user selection of at least one user is associated with the user selection of at least one client or premises and is authorized to accept a notification of a processing rule violation.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the user selection of at least one client is associated with a plurality of premises, and wherein the user selection of at least one premises includes a selection of all the plurality of premises associated with the user selection of at least one client.

10. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the user selection of at least one premises includes obtaining a user selection of users authorized to obtain information regarding the user selection of at least one premises.

11. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the user selection of at least one location corresponds to a zone or area within a premises.

12. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the user selection of at least one location corresponds to a plurality of monitoring devices, and wherein the user selection of at least one monitoring device includes a user selection of all the plurality of monitoring devices associated with the user selection of at least one location.

13. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the user selection of at least one monitoring device includes a user selection of at least one primary or auxiliary location associated with the monitoring device.

14. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the user selection of at least one primary or auxiliary location is based on a default setting for the user selection of at least one monitoring device.

15. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the user selection of at least one monitoring device includes a user selection of at least one monitoring device attribute, wherein the user selection of at least one monitoring device attribute can include a default value.

16. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the user selection of at least one processing rule includes a user selection of a threshold indicating a violation of the user selection of at least one processing rule.

17. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the user selection of at least one processing rule includes a specification of a comparison of collected data to information stored in a database.

18. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the user selection of at least one processing rule includes a specification of Boolean operators for creating associations between the user selection of at least one rule for the user selection of at least one monitoring device.

19. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the user selection of at least one processing rule includes a specification of two or more processing rules that are considered as a single processing event.

20. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the user selection of at least one processing rule includes a selection of one or more notification acceptors corresponding to the evaluation of the user selection of at least one processing rule.

21. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein configuring the integrated information system includes inserting default values for the client, premises, location, monitoring device and processing rule data.

22. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the common user interface is a graphical user interface displayed on a computing device.

23. The method as recited in claim 22, wherein the common user interface is a graphical user interface accessible through the World Wide Web.

24. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the common user interface includes a plurality of hyperlinks for any of the client, premises, location, monitoring device, or processing rule data selections.

25. In an integrated information system in communication with a number of monitoring devices and including a computer system having a display and user input device, a method for configuring the monitoring devices through a central interface, the method comprising:

generating a common user interface, wherein the common user interface receives a plurality of input from a user;

obtaining a user selection of at least one client associated with the integrated information system from the common user interface;

obtaining a user selection of at least one premises associated with the user selection of at least one client from the common user interface;

obtaining a user selection of at least one location from the common user interface, wherein the user selection of at least one location is associated with an identifiable attribute of a premises;

obtaining a user selection of at least one monitoring device associated with the user selection of at least one location from the common user interface;

obtaining a user selection of at least one processing rule associated with the user selection of at least one monitoring device from the common user interface; and

transmitting the user selection of at least one client, premises, location, monitoring device and processing rule to a server, wherein the server configures the integrated information system according to the user selection of at least one client, premises, location, monitoring device and processing rule.

26. A system for configuring monitoring devices through a central interface, the system comprising:

a computing device in communication with the one or more data stores, the computing device configured to:

cause a user interface to be presented on a computing device associated with a user;

obtain a user selection of at least one client associated with an integrated information system;

obtain a user selection of at least one premises associated with the user selection of at least one client, within the integrated information system;

obtain a user selection of a location, wherein the user selection of at least one location is associated with an identifiable attribute of the user selection of at least one premises;

obtain a user selection of at least one monitoring device associated with the location;

obtain a user selection of at least one processing rule associated with the user selection of at least one monitoring device,

configure the integrated information system according to the user selection of the at least one client, premises, location, monitoring device and processing rule,

wherein the user selection of the at least one client, premises, location, monitoring device, and processing rule obtained from the computing device associated with the user.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein to obtain a user selection of at least one monitoring device, the computing device is configured to obtain a threshold that establishes when a violation of the at least one processing rule will occur.

28. The system of claim 26, wherein to obtain a user selection of the at least one client, the computing device is configured to authorize the at least one client to accept a notification of a processing rule violation.

29. The system of claim 26, wherein to obtain the user selection of at least one monitoring device, the computing device is configured to identify an attribute associated with the user selection of the location.

30. The system of claim 26, wherein to obtain the user selection of the location, the computing device is configured to identify an attribute associated with the at least one processing rule.

31. The system of claim 26, wherein the user selection of at least one monitoring device includes a user selection of all monitoring devices associated with the location.

32. The system of claim 26, wherein the user selection of at least one processing rule includes a specification of a comparison of collected data to information stored in a database.

33. A computer-readable, non-transitory storage medium having one or more computer-executable modules for configuring monitoring devices through a central interface, the one or more computer-executable modules comprising:

a first module configured to:

cause a user interface to be presented on a computing device associated with a user;

obtain a user selection of at least one client associated with an integrated information system;

obtain a user selection of at least one premises associated with the user selection of at least one client, within the integrated information system;

obtain a user selection of a location, wherein the user selection of at least one location is associated with an identifiable attribute of the user selection of at least one premises;

obtain a user selection of at least one monitoring device associated with the location;

obtain a user selection of at least one processing rule associated with the user selection of at least one monitoring device,

configure the integrated information system according to the user selection of the at least one client, premises, location, monitoring device and processing rule,

wherein the user selection of the at least one client, premises, location, monitoring device, and processing rule obtained from the computing device associated with the user.

34. The computer readable storage medium of claim 33, wherein to obtain a user selection of at least one monitoring device, the first module is configured to obtain a threshold that establishes when a violation of the at least one processing rule will occur.

35. The computer readable storage medium of claim 33, wherein to obtain a user selection of the at least one client, the first module is configured to authorize the at least one client to accept a notification of a processing rule violation.

36. The computer readable storage medium of claim 33, wherein to obtain the user selection of at least one monitoring device, the first module is configured to identify an attribute associated with the user selection of the location from one of multitude of locations at multiple premises.

37. The computer readable storage medium of claim 33, wherein to obtain the user selection of the location, the first module is configured to identify an attribute associated with the at least one processing rule.

38. The computer readable storage medium of claim 33, wherein the user selection of at least one monitoring device includes a user selection of all monitoring devices associated with the location.

39. The computer readable storage medium of claim 33, wherein the user selection of at least one processing rule includes a specification of a comparison of collected data to information stored in a database.