BACKGROUND

The present disclosure, for example, relates to security and/or automation systems, and more particularly to unlocking a control panel and/or device using unique information.

Security and automation systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication and functional features such as monitoring, communication, notification, and/or others. These systems may be capable of supporting communication with a user through a communication connection or a system management action.

In some instances, the control panel may be susceptible to one or more undesirable scenarios. For example, the control panel may experience an unauthorized takeover, unauthorized alterations, inept software, or software with a bug, and the like. A competitor may attempt to reverse engineer the software located within the control panel. The unauthorized takeover may be a competitor attempting to utilize the hardware provided by the current automation system provider. A user may also attempt to make one or more alterations to a control panel. In some embodiments, a larcenist may attempt to install software to illicitly access one or more aspects of the automation system. The control panel may need to protect itself from one or more of these scenarios.

SUMMARY

A control panel may prevent access to one or more aspects of the control panel based at least in part on one or more security parameters. The security parameters may include a default locked status and a takeover locked status. The default locked status may prevent a user or other personnel from accessing portions of the software, code, or other intellectual property on the control panel while still allowing the user to interface with the security and/or automation system. The takeover locked status may prevent any access or use of the control panel. To protect the automation system and the automation system provider, it may be desired to use a unique identifier to unlock at least one or more aspects of the control panel. The unique identifier may be loaded onto an external storage device which the control panel may automatically recognize.

In one embodiment, a method to unlock a device is described. The method may comprise generating a unique identifier and transmitting the unique identifier to a location remote from the device. The method may include locking at least one aspect of the device based at least in part on one or more security parameters and unlocking the at least one aspect the device when the unique identifier is input into the device.

In further embodiments, the method may include determining when an external storage device connects to the device via a universal serial bus connection. The external storage device may be authenticated using an authentication code and then searched for an unique identifier. The method may include opening a profile associated with the unique identifier after unlocking the device. The profile may comprise a provider profile to troubleshoot a problem with the control panel. In alternative embodiments, the profile may comprise a user profile and unlocking the device enables a user to presume regular use of the device.

Authenticating the external storage device may comprise detecting an authentication code on the external storage device and comparing the detected authentication code with an authentication code stored locally on the device. Authenticating the external storage device may further comprise approving the external storage device when the two authentication codes match.

In some embodiments, the method may include alerting an automation system provider of the locking when the device is completely inaccessible, wherein the device is a control panel associated with the automation system provider. The unique identifier may be reset at a predetermined time period. In further embodiments, the unique identifier may expire after a predetermined time period. The device may be a control panel and the unique identifier may only be accessible on an external device authenticated by an automation system provider associated with the control panel. The external device may be a universal serial bus (USB) drive and the external device may connect to a USB port on the device.

In some embodiments, a device for an automation system is disclosed. The device may comprise a processor, memory in electronic communication with the processor; and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions may be executable by the processor to generate a unique identifier and transmit the unique identifier to a location remote from the device. The instructions may be further executable by the processor to lock at least one aspect the device based at least in part on one or more security parameters and unlock the at least one aspect of the device when the unique identifier is input into the device.

In further embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable code for security and/or automation systems is disclosed. The code may be executable by a processor to generate a unique identifier and transmit the unique identifier to a location remote from the device. The code may be further executable to lock at least one aspect of the device based at least in part on one or more security parameters and unlock the at least one aspect of the device when the unique identifier is input into the device

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of examples according to this disclosure so that the following detailed description may be better understood. Additional features and advantages will be described below. The conception and specific examples disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. Such equivalent constructions do not depart from the scope of the appended claims. Characteristics of the concepts disclosed herein—including their organization and method of operation—together with associated advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. Each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only, and not as a definition of the limits of the claims.

