EP3662652A1 - Doorbell communication systems and methods - Google Patents
Doorbell communication systems and methodsInfo
- Publication number
- EP3662652A1 EP3662652A1 EP18840346.3A EP18840346A EP3662652A1 EP 3662652 A1 EP3662652 A1 EP 3662652A1 EP 18840346 A EP18840346 A EP 18840346A EP 3662652 A1 EP3662652 A1 EP 3662652A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- visitor
- doorbell
- computing device
- communication
- remote computing
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
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Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M9/00—Arrangements for interconnection not involving centralised switching
- H04M9/02—Arrangements for interconnection not involving centralised switching involving a common line for all parties
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M11/00—Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems
- H04M11/02—Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems with bell or annunciator systems
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M11/00—Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems
- H04M11/04—Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N7/00—Television systems
- H04N7/18—Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast
- H04N7/183—Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast for receiving images from a single remote source
- H04N7/186—Video door telephones
Definitions
- Figure 3 illustrates an embodiment in which a security system is connected to a building, according to some embodiments.
- Figure 14 illustrates an example of various alarm types that may be used based on the certainty and severity of the event, according to some embodiments.
- Figure 48 illustrates a front view of another doorbell system, according to some embodiments.
- Figure 59 illustrates a diagrammatic view of the system shown in Figure 57, according to some embodiments.
- Communication systems can provide a secure and convenient way for a remotely located individual to communicate with a person who is approaching a sensor, such as a proximity sensor or motion sensor, or with a person who rings a doorbell, which can be located in a doorway, near an entrance, or within 15 feet of a door.
- Some communication systems allow an individual to hear, see, and talk with visitors who approach at least a portion of the communication system and/or press a button, such as a doorbell's button.
- communication systems can use a computing device to enable a remotely located person to see, hear, and/or talk with visitors.
- Computing devices can include computers, laptops, tablets, mobile devices, smartphones, cellular phones, and wireless devices (e.g., cars with wireless communication).
- Example computing devices include the iPhone, iPad, iMac, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro made by Apple Inc. Communication between a remotely located person and a visitor can occur via the Internet, cellular networks, telecommunication networks, and wireless networks.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a communication system embodiment.
- the communication system 200 can include a security system 202 (e.g., a doorbell) and a computing device 204.
- a security system 202 e.g., a doorbell
- the security system 202 can include a camera assembly 208 and a doorbell button 212.
- the camera assembly 208 can be a video camera, which in some embodiments is a webcam.
- the security system 202 can include a diagnostic light 216 and a power indicator light 220.
- the diagnostic light 216 is a first color (e.g., blue) if the security system 202 and/or the communication system 200 is connected to a wireless Internet network and is a second color (e.g., red) if the security system 202 and/or the communication system 200 is not connected to a wireless Internet network.
- the power indicator 220 is a first color if the security system 202 is connected to a power source.
- the power source can be power supplied by the building 300 to which the security system 202 is attached.
- the power indicator 220 is a second color or does not emit light if the security system 202 is not connected to the power source.
- the security system 202 can include an outer housing 224, which can be water resistant and/or waterproof.
- the outer housing can be made from metal or plastic, such as molded plastic with a hardness of 60 Shore D.
- the outer housing 224 is made from brushed nickel or aluminum.
- the security system 202 can be electrically coupled to a power source, such as wires electrically connected to a building's electrical power system.
- the security system 202 includes a battery for backup and/or primary power.
- the security system 202 can initiate voice calls or send text messages to a computing device 204 (e.g., a smartphone, a desktop computer, a tablet computer, a laptop computer).
- a computing device 204 e.g., a smartphone, a desktop computer, a tablet computer, a laptop computer.
- the user interface 240 can include a connectivity indicator 248.
- the connectivity indicator can indicate whether the computing device is in communication with a security system, the Internet, and/or a cellular network.
- the connectivity indicator 248 can alert the user if the computing device 204 has lost its connection with the security system 202; the security system 202 has been damaged; the security system 202 has been stolen; the security system 202 has been removed from its mounting location; the security system 202 lost electrical power; and/or if the computing device 204 cannot communicate with the security system 202.
- the connectivity indicator 248 alerts the user of the computing device 204 by flashing, emitting a sound, displaying a message, and/or displaying a symbol.
- a remote server 206 sends an alert (e.g., phone call, text message, image on the user interface 240) regarding the power and/or connectivity issue.
- the remote server 206 can manage communication between the security system 202 and the computing device.
- information from the security system 202 is stored by the remote server 206.
- information from the security system 202 is stored by the remote server 206 until the information can be sent to the computing device 204, uploaded to the computing device 204, and/or displayed to the remotely located person via the computing device 204.
- the remote server 206 can be a computing device that stores information from the security system 202 and/or from the computing device 204. In some embodiments, the remote server 206 is located in a data center.
- the computing device 204 and/or the remote server 206 attempts to communicate with the security system 202. If the computing device 204 and/or the remote server 206 is unable to communicate with the security system 202, the computing device 204 and/or the remote server 206 alerts the remotely located person via the software, phone, text, a displayed message, and/or a website. In some embodiments, the computing device 204 and/or the remote server 206 attempts to communicate with the security system 202 periodically; at least every five hours and/or less than every 10 minutes; at least every 24 hours and/or less than every 60 minutes; or at least every hour and/or less than every second.
- a user can log into an "app," website, and/or software on a computing device (e.g., mobile computing device, smartphone, tablet, desktop computer) to adjust the security system settings discussed herein.
- a computing device e.g., mobile computing device, smartphone, tablet, desktop computer
- the user interface 240 displays an image 252 such as a still image or a video of an area near and/or in front of the security system 202.
- the image 252 can be taken by the camera assembly 208 and stored by the security system 202, server 206, and/or computing device 204.
- the user interface 240 can include a recording button 256 to enable a user to record images, videos, and/or sound from the camera assembly 208, microphone of the security system 202, and/or microphone of the computing device 204.
- the user interface 240 includes a picture button 260 to allow the user to take still pictures and/or videos of the area near and/or in front of the security system 202.
- the user interface 240 can also include a sound adjustment button 264 and a mute button 268.
- the user interface 240 can include camera manipulation buttons such as zoom, pan, and light adjustment buttons.
- the camera assembly 208 automatically adjusts between Day Mode and Night Mode.
- Some embodiments include an infrared camera and/or infrared lights to illuminate an area near the security system 202 to enable the camera assembly 208 to provide sufficient visibility (even at night).
- buttons include diverse means of selecting various options, features, and functions. Buttons can be selected by mouse clicks, keyboard commands, and touching a touch screen. Many embodiments include buttons that can be selected without touch screens.
- the user interface 240 can include a termination button 276 to end communication between the security system 202 and the computing device 204.
- the termination button 276 ends the ability of the person located near the security system 202 (i.e., the visitor) to hear and/or see the user of the computing device 204, but does not end the ability of the user of the computing device 204 to hear and/or see the person located near the security system 202.
- a button 276 is both an answer button (to accept a communication request from a visitor) and is a termination button (to end communication between the security system 202 and the computing device 204).
- the button 276 can include the word "Answer" when the system is attempting to establish two-way communication between the visitor and the user. Selecting the button 276 when the system is attempting to establish two-way communication between the visitor and the user can start two-way communication.
- the button 276 can include the words "End Call” during two-way communication between the visitor and the user. Selecting the button 276 during two-way communication between the visitor and the user can terminate two- way communication. In some embodiments, terminating two-way communication still enables the user to see and hear the visitor. In some embodiments, terminating two-way communication causes the computing device 204 to stop showing video from the security system and to stop emitting sounds recorded by the security system.
- the software includes means to start the video feed on demand.
- a user of the computing device might wonder what is happening near the security system 202.
- the user can open the software application on the computing device 204 and instruct the application to show live video and/or audio from the security device 202 even if no event near the security system 202 has triggered the communi cati on .
- the security device 202 can be configured to record when the security device 202 detects movement and/or the presence of a person.
- the user of the computing device 204 can later review all video and/or audio records when the security device 202 detected movement and/or the presence of a person.
- the server 206 controls communication between the computing device 204 and the security system 202, which can be a doorbell with a camera, a microphone, and a speaker. In several embodiments, the server 206 does not control communication between the computing device 204 and the security system 202.
- Figure 3 illustrates an embodiment in which a doorbell 202 is connected to a building 300, which can include an entryway 310 that has a door 254.
- a visitor 388 can approach the doorbell 202 and then can be detected by the doorbell 202.
- the visitor 388 can press the doorbell button 212.
- the user of the doorbell 202 can configure the doorbell 202 such that when the visitor 388 presses the doorbell button 212, the user receives a notification regarding the visitor 388.
- a wireless network 308 can allow devices to wirelessly access the Internet.
- the security system 202 can access the Internet via the wireless network 308.
- the wireless network 308 can transmit data from the security system 202 to the Internet, which can transmit the data to remotely located computing devices 204.
- the Internet and wireless networks can transmit data from remotely located computing devices 204 to the security system 202.
- a security system 202 connects to a home's WiFi.
- one computing device 204 can communicate with multiple security systems 202.
- multiple computing devices 204 can communicate with one security system 202.
- Figure 4 illustrates a communication system 310 that includes a security system 320, a doorbell button 212, a WiFi router 328, a server 332, and users 336.
- a visitor initiates a communication request by pressing the doorbell button 212 or triggering a motion or proximity sensor. The visitor can trigger the motion or proximity sensor by approaching the security system 320.
- the security system 320 connects or otherwise communicates with a home WiFi router 328.
- the server 332 receives a signal from the WiFi router 328 and sends video and/or audio to the users 336 via a wireless network 364.
- the users see the visitor, hear the visitor, and talk with the visitor.
- the doorbell 202 can include one or more heating elements 508 configured to regulate the temperature of the doorbell 202.
- doorbells 202 can be used in very cold environments, such as in Alaska.
- the heating element 508 can be used in various methods to protect temperature sensitive portions of the doorbell 202 from cold weather.
- Several embodiments can be configured for 9 to 40 volts alternating current (“VAC”) and/or 9 to 40 volts direct current (“VDC”). Some embodiments convert input electricity into direct current (DC), such as 12 VDC.
- DC direct current
- Several embodiments include a converter 494 for power conversion (e.g., converting electrical energy from one form to another).
- the converter 494 can convert input power (e.g., from wiring in a building) to a suitable power form for the doorbell 202.
- the power conversion can convert between AC and DC, change the voltage, and/or change the frequency.
- the converter 494 can include a transformer and/or a voltage regulator.
- the converter 494 can include a DC to DC converter, a voltage stabilizer, a linear regulator, a surge protector, a rectifier, a power supply unit, a switch, an inverter, and/or a voltage converter. In some embodiments, the converter 494 converts 50 Hertz ("Hz") power into 60 Hz power.
- Hz Hertz
- the PCB 516 and the electrical components of the doorbell 202 can be the electrical system 456 of the doorbell 202. Additional details regarding the PCB 516 and the electrical components of the doorbell 202 are described in U.S. Nonprovisional Patent Application No. 14/612,376; filed February 3, 2015; and entitled DOORBELL COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS. The entire contents of Patent Application No. 14/612,376 are incorporated by reference herein.
- software can start the video feed on demand.
- a user of the computing device might wonder what is happening near the security system 202.
- the user can open the software application (e.g., an "app") on the computing device 204 and instruct the application to show live video and/or audio from the security device 202 even if no event near the security system 202 has triggered the communication.
- the software application e.g., an "app”
- a user can initiate communicate via a doorbell and/or can initiate live video from the doorbell by pressing a button 260 on a user interface (shown in Figure 2). Pressing the on-demand button 260 again can terminate the communication and/or the live video.
- SITUATIONAL SOUND EMBODIMENTS SITUATIONAL SOUND EMBODIMENTS
- the security system 202 may be configured to play unique sounds in response to detecting specific situations and/or during certain times of day.
- the sounds may be preprogrammed sounds or completely customizable by a user of the security system 202.
- the security system 202 may be configured to play any of the sounds according to specific situations.
- the security system 202 may be configured to play a specific message for a specific visiting individual, and/or may be configured to play a specific message when a potential visitor is identified as a specific person or is included in a list of specific people.
- the security system 202 may include a speaker 488 configured to emit any type of sound.
- the security system 202 may also include a visitor detection system that may include at least one of a button 212, a camera 208, and a motion detector 218. Accordingly, the visitor detection system may be configurable to receive various indications of a visitor's presence.
- the speaker 488 and the visitor detection system may be directly or indirectly coupled to the security system 202. Even still, the speaker 488 and the visitor detection system may be mechanically, electrically, and/or communicatively coupled to the security system 202.
- the security system 202 may detect different indications of a visitor's presence. As shown in Figure 5, the security system 202 can be configured to receive a first indication of a visitor's presence (at step 560). In response to receiving the first indication of the visitor's presence, the security system 202 can emit a first sound with the speaker 488 (at step 562). The security system 202 can be configured to receive a second indication of a visitor's presence (at step 564). In response to receiving the second indication of the visitor's presence, the security system 202 can emit a second sound with the speaker 488 (at step 566). The first sound can be audibly different than the second sound.
- the security system 202 when the security system 202 receives an indication that a visitor 580 has pressed the button 212 (at step 582), this can be interpreted as an indication of a friendly, or welcome visitor.
- the speaker 488 can emit a first sound (at step 584), such as a friendly sound (e.g. "Welcome to our very abode.”).
- the security system 202 can be configured to receive any number of indications.
- the indications can include indications of a remote computing device 204, a noise, a thermal signature (such as a thermal gradient indicating the presence of a person or animal), a retina scan, a fingerprint scan, a ground vibration, and the like. It should be appreciated that the indication can include any indication of a presence of any visitor, such as a person or animal.
- the security system 202 can emit different sounds for a first visitor. For example, as the first visitor approaches the building 300, the security system 202 can emit a first sound based upon the motion of the first visitor. As well, the security system 202 can emit a second sound once the first visitor pushes the button 212 of the security system 202.
- the security system 202 can be configured to any environment in which the building 300 is situated. For example, some buildings 300 can be located in high traffic areas where it is common for people to walk by the front of the security system 202 without pressing the button 212. In this regard, the security system 202 can be configured to ignore indications of motion and only emit sounds in response to affirmative indications that the visitor is visiting the building 300, such as an indication that the button 212 has been pressed. In some embodiments, the security system 202 can be configured to only respond to motion in certain zones.
- the security system 202 can be configured to ignore all motion that occurs more than 15 feet from the security system 202. In this manner, the security system 202 can only respond to movements occurring on the building property.
- combinations of indications can be interpreted in various manners. For example, a combination of an indication of motion (i.e. movement) of a visitor in front of the security system 202 and an indication that the visitor has pressed the button 212 can indicate that the visitor is welcome at the building 300. As previously described, the speaker 488 of the security system 202 can emit a friendly message in response to the combination of indications.
- an indication of motion i.e. movement
- an indication that the visitor has pressed the button 212 can indicate that the visitor is welcome at the building 300.
- the speaker 488 of the security system 202 can emit a friendly message in response to the combination of indications.
- the time of day and/or day when a visitor approaches the building 300 can also indicate whether the visitor is welcome or not.
- the security system 202 can be configured to receive an indication of a visitor's presence at a first time of day (at step 570).
- the first time of day can occur between sunrise and sunset, or any other time of day.
- the security system 202 can emit a first sound with the speaker 488 (at step 572).
- the first sound comprises an audible message spoken by a female voice, while some embodiments may comprise an audible message spoken by a male voice.
- the security system 202 can be configured to receive an indication of the visitor's presence at a second time of day (at step 574). It should be appreciated that the second time of day can occur between sunset and sunrise, or any other time of day. In response to receiving the indication of the visitor's presence at the second time of day, the security system 202 can emit a second sound with the speaker 488 (at step 576).
- the second sound comprises an audible message spoken by a male voice, while some embodiments may comprise an audible message spoken by a female voice.
- the speaker 488 can emit a welcome message (e.g. "Welcome. We'll be right there.) (at step 596).
- a welcome message e.g. "Welcome. We'll be right there.
- the speaker 488 can emit a do not disturb message or a message instructing the visitor to come back another time (e.g. "Please come back tomorrow!).
- Combinations of indications can be interpreted differently depending on the time of day. For example, in response to an indication of a motion and a noise during the day, the speaker 488 of the security system 202 can emit a friendly message. However, in response to an indication of a motion and a noise during the night, the speaker 488 can emit a warning message.
- the security system 202 can be configured to respond differently based on the unique circumstances of the indication. For example, if the motion detector 218 of the security system 202 detects a slow movement versus a faster movement, then the speaker 488 can emit different sounds based upon these various circumstances.
- a slow movement can be interpreted as a prowler approaching the building, while a faster movement, such as a movement of a person walking at 3.5 miles per hour, can be interpreted as a friendly visitor approaching the building 300.
- the time of day can be any selected time of day and any number of time ranges can be used.
- the security system 202 can emit a welcome message during sunrise to sunset and an alert or warning message during sunset to sunrise. Accordingly, because sunrise and sunset change on a daily basis, the security system 202 can be communicatively coupled to an outside database(s) to allow the security system 202 to thereby automatically respond to these ever-changing conditions.
- the security system 202 can be configured to provide unique responses during different time ranges on specific days. For example, the user may have a bowling league every third Monday of the month. Accordingly, during that time, (e.g. from 6pm- 8:30pm) on the third Monday of the month, in response to detecting an indication of a presence of a friendly visitor, the speaker 488 of the security system 202 can emit a friendly message telling the visitor that their presence is appreciated but the visitor should come back another time. In another example, the user may be on vacation from the 1 st to the 10 th and the user may wish to emit more intimidating warnings to secure the building 300. Generally speaking, the security system 202 can be configured to emit any type of sound in response to any time of day and/or day.
- the security system 202 can be configured to detect specific visitors and emit certain sounds in response to detecting the specific visitors. For example, if the security system 202 detects a first visitor, such as a relative of the homeowner, the security system 202 can always emit a friendly sound, no matter how the first visitor approaches the home, or during what time of day. As well, if the security system 202 detects a second visitor, such as an unknown party (e.g. a solicitor), the security system 202 can emit an unfriendly sound, no matter how the second visitor approaches the home, or during what time of day.
- a first visitor such as a relative of the homeowner
- the security system 202 can always emit a friendly sound, no matter how the first visitor approaches the home, or during what time of day.
- a second visitor such as an unknown party (e.g. a solicitor)
- the security system 202 can emit an unfriendly sound, no matter how the second visitor approaches the home, or during what time of day.
- the security system 202 can use any type of identity recognition technology, such as facial recognition, to determine an indication of an identity of a visitor.
- identity recognition technology such as facial recognition
- Some of these types of identity recognition technologies are disclosed in U.S. Nonprovisional Patent Application No. 14/612,376; filed February 3, 2015; and entitled DOORBELL COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS. The entire contents of Patent Application No. 14/612,376 are incorporated by reference herein.
- the different types of sounds emitted by the speaker 488 can be configured to match the appropriate indication as detected by the security system 202. For example, if the security system 202 detects an unfriendly visitor, the speaker 488 can emit a message spoken by a male voice to thereby intimidate the unfriendly visitor. Contra, if the security system 202 detects a friendly visitor, the speaker 488 can emit a message spoken by a female voice to thereby welcome the visitor. As well, the security system 202 can be configured to emit any other type of sound. For example, a welcome visitor can be greeted by a pleasant melody or a ding-dong, while an unwelcome visitor can be greeted by an alarm sound or a warning message.
- messages can be spoken in any language, volume, pitch, accent, and the like. Users may find that various combinations of vocal characteristics to be useful in different situations. For example, if a user is hosting a Mardi Jerusalem party, the user can configure the security system 202 to emit a message spoken by a person with a southern accent. Generally, it should be appreciated that the speaker 488 of the security system 202 can be configured to emit any type of sound for any type of specific situation. Likewise, the security system 202 can be configured to play a specific message if the potential visitor is not included in a list. For example, where a potential visitor is not included in a list of the resident's contacts, the security system 202 can be configured to indicate that the resident does not accept solicitors and/or request the visitor to provide identifying information or describe the purpose of the visit.
- the security system 202 can be configured to play a specific message if the potential visitor has a criminal background. For example, a user can configure the security system 202 to play a specific message where a potential visitor is a registered sex offender.
- the sounds emitted by the security system 202 can be recorded by the user him/herself.
- the sounds can be downloaded from another source, such as a remote computer (e.g. a remote server), a remote computing device (e.g. a smart phone), a website, a database (e.g. iTunes®), and the like.
- methods can include selecting the first sound and the second sound with a remote computing device that is configured to receive alerts from the doorbell.
- the selected sounds can be wirelessly transmitted to the doorbell.
- the sounds can be recorded with a remote computing device 204 and the sounds can be set up for temporary use whereby the sounds can expire upon a predetermined time.
- a user can enter an expiration date of the recorded sound with the remote computing device 204.
- the user can wirelessly send the first sound and the expiration date from the remote computing device to the doorbell. Once the expiration date passes, the security system 202 can then cease to emit the recorded sound from the security system 202.
- the security system 202 can be configured to receive sound emitting parameters from a remote computing device 204.
- the security system 202 can emit a predetermined sound based upon the sound emitting parameter.
- the sound emitting parameter includes at least one of an identity of the first visitor, data associated with the first visitor, a time, a location of a user of the remote computing device.
- the security system 202 can automatically download a third sound based on the sound emitting parameters.
- the security system 202 can emit the third sound from the speaker according to rules associated with the third sound.
- Embodiments of the security system 202 can be configured to alert individuals located outside of a building (e.g. a home).
- the security system 202 can be configured to flash a light, emit a sound (e.g. alternating high pitch and low pitch sounds), initiate a communication session with a remote computing device 204, and the like.
- These various alerts can be useful to individuals, such as first responders, seeking to identify the location of an event, such as an emergency event(s) occurring within or outside the home.
- Home may refer to a building whereby one or more occupants sleep in the building on a permanent basis. Home may distinguishable from an office building by the lack of permanent occupants that sleep in the office building. Home may refer to an apartment building due to the permanent nature of an occupant for the duration of a lease. Home may be distinguishable from a hotel due to the lack of permanent occupants.
- Figure 11 illustrates an embodiment in which a security system 202 is communicatively coupled to a communication device 416.
- the security system 202 may be part of a communication system 400.
- the communication system 400 can be similar to that of the communication system 200 except, the communication system 400 may also be configured to allow communication between the security system 202 and the communication device 416.
- the security system 202 can be communicatively coupled, directly and/or via the cloud, to a communication device 416, such as a hub device, a communication system, and/or an event detection device 418, such as a sensor, (e.g., a peripheral device, such as a Nest Protect® (registered by Google Inc.), Nest Learning Thermostat® (registered by Google Inc.), DropCam® (registered by Google Inc.), and the like.
- the communication device 416, event detection device 418 and/or the security system 202 can be used to monitor various events within the building 300 (e.g., home). Specifically, the communication device 416 and/or event detection device 418 can detect emergency events and then notify the security system 202.
- the communication device 416 is communicatively coupled to the event detection device 418 that detects the emergency event or adverse event (which is discussed further herein). In this manner, the security system 202 may directly or indirectly receive a notification of the emergency event from the event detection device 418 and/or the communi cati on devi ce 416.
- the security system 202 can communicate with the communication device 416 via a communication network 414.
- the communication network 414 can be similar to the wireless communication 230, however, the communication network 414 can be wired or wireless.
- the communication network 414 can utilize the existing electrical wires in the doorbell wires to communicate with the security system 202 (e.g., powerline networking).
- the communication network 414 can also utilize a wired Local Area Network.
- the communication network 414 can include a Wide Area Network (WAN) that connects the communication device 416 to the security system 202 over the Internet.
- WAN Wide Area Network
- the communication device 416 is a type of device that is configured to connect multiple devices and facilitate communication between the multiple devices.
- the security system 202 may be a device that also is communicatively coupled to the communication device 416.
- the communication device 416 may receive a transmission from one device (i.e., an event detection device 418), make a determination on what type of communication to perform (e.g., an alert), and transmit the communication to a second device (e.g., the security system 202) to take further action.
- the security system 202 can be configured to communicate with remote computing devices (i.e., the computing device 204).
- the computing device 204 may refer to a remote computing device in embodiments.
- the security system 202 can initiate a communication session through the communication network 414 by sending a request to the computing device 204 to establish a secure connection (e.g., a virtual private network) to enhance security.
- the communication session may also include an indication that an event (as discussed further herein) has been initiated.
- the outer housing 224 can also include a visitor detection system 412 coupled to the outer housing 224.
- the visitor detection system 412 can be an assembly of components that are collectively configured to detect visitors in the immediate vicinity (e.g., within 0.5 to 50 feet) of the security system 202.
- the visitor detection system 412 can include the doorbell button 212, the camera assembly 208, and an audio input device 410.
- the visitor detection system 412 can also include the motion detector 218 and fingerprint sensor 210.
- the audio input device 410 can be a device that captures audio (e.g., a microphone).
- the audio input device 410 can have various sensitivity ranges depending on the application.
- the audio input device 410 can include multiple microphones to extend the coverage area of audio capture.
- the audio input device can have one microphone on board the outer housing 224 and receive input from another microphone located within the house (e.g., through the communication network 414).
- the outer housing 224 may also include a deactivation unit 411.
- the deactivation unit 411 can be a component that is communicatively coupled to the security system 202.
- the deactivation unit 411 may be responsible for disabling the alert communication system 402.
- the deactivation unit 411 is part of the alert communication system 402.
- the alert communication system 402 may work passively or actively.
- the actively monitoring for the command can be advantageous where communication is lost with the deactivation unit 411 (i.e., the communication is modified or the deactivation is spoofed by an intruder).
- the deactivation unit 411 may also passively monitor for the command. For example, an occupant may input a command through the deactivation unit 411 that is transmitted to the security system 202. The security system 202 can receive the command passively. In embodiments, the deactivation unit 411 may also be communicatively coupled with a remote computing device 204. The deactivation command may originate from the remote computing device 204 to deactivate the alert communication system 402 in either actively or passively.
- the outer housing 224 can also include an alert communication system 402 coupled to the outer housing 224.
- the alert communication system 402 can be configurable to activate in response to an initiation of an event. For example, an alert from the communication device 416 that is transmitted to the security system 202 can activate various components on the security system 202 through the alert communication system 402.
- the alert communication system 402 can include components to communicate alerts to a user (e.g., an occupant of the home).
- the alert communication system 402 is the security system 202 or part of the security system 202.
- the alert communication system 402 includes a light 406 and a speaker 404.
- the light 406 can comprise the diagnostic light 216 and/or the power indicator light 220, as shown in Figure 1, and/or any other light coupled to the security system 202.
- the speaker 404 may comprise the speaker 488, as illustrated in Figure 1, and/or any other speaker coupled to the security system 202.
- the alert communication system 402 refers to a collection of components for the purpose of alerting an occupant of the building 300.
- the alert communication system 402 can also refer to a control unit for the components that alert an occupant of the building 300.
- the control of the alert communication system 402 can be separate from the control for the security system 202.
- the alert communication system 402 is attached to an exterior surface of the home (i.e., a building 300).
- the outer housing 224 may be attached to an interior surface of the home (i.e., a building 300).
- the remote computing device 204 can be operated by the homeowner (i.e., a type of occupant).
- the speaker 404 of the alert communication system 404 can be configured to emit a sound in response to the initiation of the event.
- the security device 202 can emit a sound in the speaker 404 that indicates danger.
- the speaker 404 can be configured to emit a wide-range of sounds and various decibel levels depending on the application. For example, a more severe alert can be louder than a less severe alert.
- the security system 202 can alert an occupant of suspicious smoke by saying the location of the smoke and the time the smoke was detected.
- the speaker 404 can simply emit a voice that says "Danger, Danger, Danger” to alert an occupant of the building 300.
- the sound emitted by the security device 202 can be unique to the type of alert. For example, if a fire alert is transmitted by the communication device 416, then the security device 202 can emit a voice that says "Fire, Fire, Fire” and repeats at a set interval.
- Various sounds can also be used to selectively alert other occupants. For example, a high frequency sound of 24 kHz to 45 kHz can selectively alert canine occupants of the building 300 without alerting a human. In another example, a sound from 17 kHz to 23 kHz may selectively alert children but not adults.
- Various patterns of sounds can also be produced. For example, the "SOS" Morse code pattern may be used to indicate distress.
- the light 406 of the security system 202 may be configurable to illuminate in response to the initiation of the event.
- the light 406 can emit a variety of colors in a variety of patterns.
- the light 406 can emit both a green light, a white light, and a red light.
- a green light can be lit during normal operation.
- a white light color can be used for ordinary alerts, such as a power outage.
- a red light color can be used to indicate an imminent emergency that alerts the occupant to leave the building 300 immediately.
- the red light color can be used to alert the occupant of a gas leakage or a fire or armed intruders.
- the light 406 can flash at various frequencies to indicate a pattern. For example, three short flashes, followed by three long flashes, followed by three short flashes, can indicate distress. While rapid flashes can indicate a higher priority than slower flashes of light.
- the light 406 can be coordinated with the speaker 404. For example, the light 406 can flash at the same time that the speaker 404 makes a sound. The light 406 can also flash before or after the emission of sound from the speaker 404.
- the alert communication system 402 can also include emission of an odor.
- the odor can be discernable by an occupant to know that something is wrong or can ward away an intruder. For example, if the communication device 416 alerts the security system 202 of an intruder, then a strong smell (such as that of a skunk) can trigger a silent alarm.
- a strong smell such as that of a skunk
- Various smells can be used. For example, flowery odors can be used for non- urgent alerts (such as a water leak) while mercaptan-based odors can be used for urgent alerts.
- the alert communication system 402 can include remote communication 407.
- the remote communication 407 can be responsible for communicating with a remote computing device 204 the status of the alarm.
- the remote communication 407 can be a module that communicates with a security monitoring service, which can also have a dedicated communication channel that is different than the communication network 414 in order to alert authorities in the event of a power outage.
- the security system 202 is powered by an electrical power input 408.
- the electrical power input 408 can be a battery.
- the electrical power input 408 can also be from an electrical source such as from a household Alternating Current.
- the electrical power input 408 can also be configured to receive a step-down voltage (e.g., around 8V to 24V) from doorbell wires 304.
- the alert communication system 402 may be electrically coupled to electrical wires 409 (through the electrical power input 408).
- the electrical wires 409 can be configurable to be coupled to the doorbell wires 304 of a home(e.g., the building 300).
- the alert communication system 402 can be configurable to activate in response to a determination that an event has been initiated through the electrical wires 409.
- the communication can happen over powerline networking.
- Various spikes in electrical signals from the electrical wires 409 can also signal the alert communication system 402.
- a lack of electrical signal from the electrical wires 409 can also activate the alert communication system 402.
- the lack of electrical power input 408 from the electrical wires 409 can activate the alert communication system 402.
- the alert communication system 402 can further utilize a backup battery system through the electrical power input 408 and cause the light 406 to emit white colored light so that an occupant can see.
- the security system 202 may be configured as a passive or active device. As a passive device, the security system 202 may receive notifications of emergency events from the communication device and/or the event detection device 418. For example, a smoke detector event detection device 418 can transmit a smoke event to the communication device, which may communicate to the security system 202 an indication that the smoke event is occurring. The security system 202 can be monitoring for notifications from the communication device whenever a communication channel is established.
- the security system 202 may be configured to actively monitor whether the communication device and/or event detection device 418 has detected the occurrence or initiation of an emergency event (or adverse event). For example, the security system 202 can periodically request from the communication device a status of events. If there is no status, then the security system 202 can wait until another request is filled.
- Figure 12 illustrates a block diagram of an enhanced view of various event detection devices 418, according to some embodiments.
- the event detection devices 418 can be communicatively coupled to the communication device. Types of event detection device 418 can include a smoke alarm 420 or a burglar alarm 422.
- the event detection device 418 can be configured to communicate with a communication device or to the remote device 204 through the communication network 414. In embodiments, the event detection device 418 can be "smart" and communicate with a variety of devices.
- the event detection device 418 can connect via the Internet of Things (IoT) and may each have a unique network identifier. The IoT may encompass various standards.
- IoT Internet of Things
- the security system 202 may comprise an alert communication system 402 that may include a light 406, a speaker 404, and a wireless communication system 230 that may be configured to initiate a transmission with a remote computing device 204.
- the communication device may comprise a smart smoke detector 420 (e.g.
- the security system 202 may activate its alert communication system 402 (e.g. flashing a light and/or emit a sound). This may thereby alert individuals outside the home as to the location of the home where the emergency event is occurring.
- alert communication system 402 e.g. flashing a light and/or emit a sound
- the emergency event can comprise any type of event 424 that may require the attention of another party.
- event can refer to an emergency event or an adverse event, which indicates harm to an occupant or requires the attention of a party other than the occupant.
- the emergency event may comprise at least one of a fire 426, a gas leak 428, a break-in 436, elevated levels of smoke 434, elevated levels of radon 432, elevated levels of carbon monoxide 430, and the like.
- the alert communication system 402 can be configured to alert individuals located outside the home in any variety of ways.
- the alert communication system 402 can flash a bright light emitting diode and/or a light located behind the doorbell button 212, such as the diagnostic light 216, on the security system 202.
- the alert communication system 402 can emit a loud sound from the speaker 404.
- the loud sound can be alternating high and low pitch sounds that may be heard by individuals located within 300 feet of the home.
- the high and low pitch sounds can be of high and low frequencies that may be heard by individuals located within a neighboring home and/or a vehicle passing by.
- the loud sound can be a unique sound easily detectable by individuals.
- the sound can comprise a noise that indicates danger or help is required.
- the alert communication system 402 can be configured to initiate a transmission to a remote computing device 204.
- the security system 202 may initiate a computing session and/or a notification with the remote computing device 204 to alert an individual that is operating the remote computing device 204 of the break-in 436 at the home.
- the security system 202 can initiate a transmission to any other party, such as an emergency dispatcher (e.g. 911).
- the security system 202 may be configured to activate its alert communication system 402 after a predetermined amount of time.
- the predetermined amount of time may be 0 seconds, 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 1 minute, and the like.
- the alert communication system 402 may activate nearly at the same time as the communication device 416 detecting the emergency event 424 or any time thereafter.
- Figure 13 illustrates a flowchart of a method 500 of monitoring for an event through a communication device 416, according to some embodiments.
- the method 500 can generally involve connecting to a communication device 416 and receiving a notification of an event from the communication device 416.
- the security system 202 can react based on the event from the communication system.
- the method 500 begins at block 510.
- the security system 202 can establish a connection with the communication system.
- the communication device 416 may utilize either a wired or wireless connection 230 to communicate with the security system 202.
- a wireless home network that utilizes Wi-Fi may be used or local BluetoothTM pairing may be used.
- the communication device 416 may be configured to only communicate with security system 202 at the ID provided by the security system 202.
- the security system 202 may have a unique IPv6 address that the communication device 416 transmits to.
- the communication device 416 may also have a unique IPv6 address that the security system 202 transmits to.
- the security system 202 may also be configured to receive alerts from only the IPv6 address that belongs to the communication device 416, thus preventing spoofing type alarms.
- Various permissions may be set up using an Application Programming Interface (API) of the communication device 416.
- API Application Programming Interface
- the security system 202 can be set up as a client with read/write permissions which identifies the security system 202 that has permission to share data with the communication device 416.
- the security system 202 may monitor for an event.
- the security system 202 monitors for an event from the communication device 416.
- the communication device 416 may receive a notification of an event from an event detection device 418.
- the security system 202 can monitor for an event using localized components.
- the security system 202 may have a camera that is used to monitor for suspicious activity.
- the event may be communicated with the communication device 416 and the communication device 416 may take appropriate action (e.g., notify emergency services).
- the types of events may be selected from at least one of a fire, a gas leak, a break-in, elevated levels of smoke, elevated levels of radon, elevated levels of carbon monoxide, and the like.
- the event detection device 418 may detect an event using a variety of methods. For example, various thresholds may be employed to detect an event 424.
- the elevated levels of smoke event 434 can be based off of optical obscuration or electrostatic precipitation.
- the smoke can be based off of a threshold of parts per million or percentage of optical transmittance.
- the radon event 432 can be based off of PicoCuries per Liter reading from a radon detection unit.
- the gas leak event 428 can be based off of an 80% Lower Explosive Limit.
- Various gas detectors can be used (e.g., electrochemical, infrared point, infrared imaging, semiconductor, ultrasonic, holographic, etc.).
- a fire event 426 may be detected using temperature or a combination of readings from a smoke event 434 and a carbon monoxide event 430.
- the break-in event 436 may utilize various sensors present in the security system 202 or external sensors to the security system 202 (e.g., motion sensors).
- the event 424 is associated with a home (i.e., building 300), and the doorbell (i.e., security system 202) is attached to the home of a homeowner.
- the security system 202 can determine whether an event has been initiated.
- the event may be initiated whenever the security system 202 receives a transmission from a communication device 416 communicatively coupled to the security system.
- the transmission may be over various forms of communication and provide an indication that the event has been initiated.
- the security system 202 may monitor the communication system to detect whether the event has been initiated.
- the security system 202 e.g., the doorbell
- the security device 202 can establish a communication session with a remote computing device 204 in a similar manner as to the communication device 416.
- the communication session may include an indication that the event that has been initiated. For example, an occupant can receive a communication of a fire alert on a local application on their remote computing device 204 from the security system 202.
- the security system 202 can determine the alarm type. In embodiments, block 516 may be optional. Despite a variety of devices available to the security system 202, not all devices or tools may be appropriate in certain settings. For example, a non-urgent alert (such as elevated radon levels) may not warrant a high- pitched, high-volume noise in the middle of the night.
- the security system 202 can balance the severity of the alert with the certainty for the alert. For example, significant amounts of dust can trigger a smoke detector but the certainty of a fire can be determined using a carbon monoxide detector in conjunction with the smoke detector. The severity of a fire may be high but if the certainty that a fire is occurring is low, then the security system 202 can determine that another alarm type is more appropriate. Examples of determining an alarm type are described further herein.
- the security system 202 can activate the alert communication system 402 in response to determining that the event has been initiated in block 514.
- activating the alert communication system 402 can include activating selected components of the alert communication system 402 (e.g., the speaker 404 or the light 406).
- the alert communication system 402 can include a light 406 which, when the alert communication system 402 is activated, can cause the light 406 to illuminate in a variety of patterns and colors.
- the alert communication system 402 can also include a speaker 404 that emits a sound in a variety of intensities, frequencies, and patterns.
- the activating can also include activating a control element for the alert communication system 402.
- the control element for the alert communication system 402 can instigate a variety of patterns and alerts for multiple components (e.g., a flashing light followed by emission of selected sound frequencies).
- the security system 202 can monitor for a command to deactivate the alert communication system 402.
- block 520 may be optional.
- a user of the security system 202 may not desire the security system 202 to alert occupants (e.g., a false positive).
- the command can be a sequence of instructions that is understood by the security system 202 to deactivate the alert communication system 402.
- the command can be a button press and an audible predetermined message.
- an occupant can push a button (e.g., the door bell button 220) and speak an audible predetermined message such as "Alarm Deactivate" to deactivate the alert communication system 402.
- the deactivation unit 411 can be configured to perform vocal recognition in order to distinguish between the voice of the occupant with the voice of a non-occupant, such as a prowler. Once the command is received, then the method 500 can continue to operation 522.
- the security system 202 can deactivate the alert communication system 402 in response to receiving the command to deactivate the alert communication system.
- the alert communication system 402 may be deactivated in a variety of ways.
- the alert communication system 402 may deactivate (e.g. turn off the current alert) in response to the security system 202 receiving an indication that the doorbell button 212 has been pressed.
- the security system 202 may be configured to turn off the alert communication system 402 in response to receiving an audible predetermined message, such as a spoken safety message or a spoken password that indicates that the event is being attended to or has ended.
- the security system 202 can receive a deactivation command from the remote computing device 204.
- the deactivation of the alert communication system 402 can include selectively deactivating less than all of the components of the alert communication system 402.
- the deactivating of the alert communication system 402 can include deactivating only the localized communication (i.e., the speaker 404 and the light 406) but not the remote communication 407 with law enforcement (e.g., a silent alarm).
- Figure 14 illustrates an example table 600 of various alarm types that are used based on the certainty and severity of the event, according to some embodiments.
- the table 600 can correspond to block 516 in Figure 13 where a security system 202 can determine the alarm type.
- the alarm type may be pre-assigned depending on the certainty and the severity of the event. For example, an occupant may desire that a gas leak is always associated with an audible alarm and a red light, despite a low certainty.
- the alarm type can also be based on threshold values. For example, if the certainty of a fire is 20% but the severity is high, the security system 202 can create a score that is based on the severity and the certainty. The security system 202, based on the score, can determine the type of alarm. For example, a high severity event with a low certainty may (such as the fire) may be associated with a sound to invite an occupant to investigate further. A high severity event such as a gas leak but with a higher certainty may trigger a red flash along with the sound. A low severity event such as a baby crying can trigger a different set of alarm types such as playing comforting music. CUSTOMIZED SOUND EMBODIMENTS
- the security system 202 may be configured to receive a custom sound(s) from a user and thereby emit the custom sound in response to a particular situation(s).
- a doorbell system 200 may receive a custom message (at step 1500).
- a user of the system may then optionally assign the custom message to a select visitor (at step 1502).
- the doorbell 202 may then respond by emitting the custom message with a speaker 404, 488 of the doorbell 202 (at step 1506).
- the term "detecting” may be defined as discovering or identifying the presence or existence of a visitor. As such, the term “detecting” may be used interchangeably with the term "determining.”
- the custom sound, or custom message may be received by the doorbell system 200 in a variety of ways.
- the doorbell system 200 may download the custom message from a remote computer, such as a remote computing device (e.g. a smart phone) (at step 1600).
- the doorbell system 200 may record the custom message (at step 1602).
- a user of the doorbell system 200 may record the custom message on his or her remote computing device, such as a smart phone, (at step 1602) and then download the custom message from the smart phone onto the doorbell system 200.
- the custom message may be directly recorded by the doorbell 202 (at step 1602), such as recorded by a microphone of the doorbell 202.
- the custom message may be recorded by any type of recording device that is communicatively coupled to the doorbell system 200 (at step 1602). In this manner, the doorbell system 200 may download the custom message from the recording device.
- any number of custom messages may be recorded and/or downloaded by the doorbell system 200.
- the doorbell system may record and/or download a second custom message (at step 1604), a third custom message, a fourth custom message, and any number of additional custom messages.
- the doorbell system 200 may also be configured to interact with a visitor whereby the doorbell system 200 gives and receives audible information. In this manner, the doorbell system 200 may interpret information from the visitor.
- the doorbell system 200 e.g. a speaker 404, 488 of the the doorbell 202
- the doorbell system 200 may be configured to emit an audible question(s) (at step 1700).
- the doorbell system 200 e.g. via a microphone of the doorbell 202
- the doorbell system 200 may then receive an audible response from the visitor (at step 1702).
- the doorbell system 200 may thereby determine the meaning of the audible response given by the visitor. For example, the doorbell system 200 may determine whether the audible response comprises a first meaning or a second meaning (at step 1704).
- the doorbell system 200 may then emit a first audible response, via the speaker 404, 488, (at step 1706).
- the doorbell system 200 may then emit a second audible response, via the speaker 404, 488, (at step 1708).
- the doorbell system 200 may be a smart system that is able to interpret and respond to different responses given by the visitor.
- the doorbell system 200 may also be configured to intiate a communication session with a remote computing device 204, such as a remote computing device 204 associated with the visitor and/or a user of the doorbell system 200 (e.g. a resident of the building 300).
- a remote computing device 204 such as a remote computing device 204 associated with the visitor and/or a user of the doorbell system 200 (e.g. a resident of the building 300).
- the doorbell system 200 may detect an indication of a presence of a visitor (at step 1800).
- the doorbell system 200 may then initiate a communication session with the remote computing device of the visitor and/or the resident (at step 1802).
- the communication session may comprise any type of communication and/or transmission to the remote computing device, such as a text message, phone call, voicemail, email, and the like.
- the communication session may comprise a written message that substantially matches a content of the custom message as emitted by the speaker 404, 488. In this manner, hearing impaired visitors may be able to
- the doorbell system 200 may be configured to determine an identity of a first visitor and/or a second visitor. Accordingly, the doorbell system 200 may intiate a communication session, such as transmit a text message, to a remote computing device 204 that includes at least one of the identity of the first visitor and/or the identity of the second visitor.
- a communication session may include any type of information relating to the visitor and/or the visitor's presence at the doorbell 200.
- the doorbell system 200 may also be configured to detect various types of visitors.
- the doorbell system 200 may be referred to as a first doorbell system 200a, which may be configured to detect an indication of a presence of a criminal (at step 1900).
- the first doorbell system 200a may detect the indication of the presence of a visitor, such as a criminal, by receiving a notification from a second doorbell sysem 200b that is communicatively coupled to the first doorbell system 200a and remotely located with respect to the first doorbell system 200a.
- the second doorbell system 200b may determine that a criminal is in the area and then alert all other doorbell systems 200 located within the vicinity, including the first doorbell system 200a.
- the doorbell 202 may emit a warning message with a speaker 404, 488 of the doorbell 202 (at step 1902).
- the doorbell system 200 may then initiate a communication session with a law enforcement agency to notify the agency of the presence of the criminal (at step 1904).
- the warning message may include a message to scare away the criminal and/or inform the criminal that the law enforcement agency has been contacted.
- the doorbell system 200 may also be configured to identify a visitor, such as a criminal or suspicious person, by taking a picture of the visitor (at step 2000). The doorbell system 200 may then determine, based on the picture, that the visitor is included in a database of suspicious visitors, such as a database of criminals, that previously visited other doorbells 202 (at step 2002). The doorbell system 200, and/or a remote computer, may use facial recognition software to match the facial data of the criminal with facial data from a law enforcement database. As well, the doorbell system 200 may detect the indication of the presence of the criminal by detecting body language of the criminal, such as detecting evasive or suspicious moves, detecting a fingerprint of the criminal, detecting a retina of the criminal, and the like.
- the doorbell system 200 may be configured to determine various types of visitors. As shown in Figure 21, for example, the doorbell system 200 may determine that a visitor is a predetermined visitor type (at step 2100).
- the predetermined visitor type may comprise any type of visitor, such as a known visitor (e.g. a friend, a family member, and/or anyone included on a smart phone contact list of a user), a known visitor, a suspicious visitor, a criminal, and the like.
- the doorbell system 200 via the doorbell 202, can select a custom message from a first message and a second message (at step 2102).
- the doorbell system 200 may emit the first message (at step 2104).
- the first message optionally includes a name of the known person.
- the doorbell system 200 may determine that a known person named Tim, who is a friend of the resident, is present. Accordingly, the doorbell 202 may audibly announce, "Welcome, Tim.”
- the doorbell 202 may emit the second message (at step 2106). For example, if the doorbell system 200 determines that the stranger is a solicitor, the doorbell 202 may emit an audible message informing the solicitor that the resident does not purchase items from solicitors, an apology, and an invitation to exit the premise. Generally, it should be appreciated that the doorbell system 200 may be configured to determine any type of visitor and emit any type of custom message in response to the type of visitor.
- the doorbell system 200 may also be configured to emit custom messages in response to the occurrence of predetermined conditions.
- the doorbell system 200 may detect an indication of a presence of a visitor (at step 2200).
- the doorbell system 200 may thereby determine that a predetermined condition has occurred (at step 2202).
- the predetermined condition may be a time of day, a period of days, such as a time when the resident(s) is on vacation, an event (e.g. a birthday party, during a football game, etc.), and the like.
- the doorbell 202 may thereby emit a custom message (at step 2204).
- the custom message may correspond with the occurrence of the predetermined condition. For example, if the predetermined condition is the occurrence of a game in which the resident's favorite football team is competing, then the custom message may be the fight song for the football team.
- the predetermined condition may also be an occurrence when the resident(s) is away from the building 300 or when the resident(s) is located within the building 300.
- the doorbell system 200 may be configured to record and/or download more than one custom message, such as a first custom message and/or a second custom message, and then emit the respective custom message in particular situations (at step 2300). Accordingly, the method may thereby include determining whether a resident is located within the building 300 or whether the resident is not located within the building 300 (at step 2302). In response to determining that the resident is present within the building 300, the doorbell 202 may thereby emit the first custom message (at step 2304).
- the first custom message may be a message informing the visitor that the resident will be right there, such as, "Please wait a moment. Mr. Banks will be right there" (whereby Mr. Banks is the resident).
- the doorbell 202 may thereby emit the second custom message (at step 2306).
- the second custom message may include a message informing the visitor that the resident is busy (if the visitor is a suspicious person - to avoid a robbery) or away from the building 300 (if the visitor is a known person).
- the second custom message may state, "I'm sorry. Mr. Banks is currently occupied. Please come back another time.”
- the doorbell system 200 via the doorbell 202, may be configured to receive the custom message in response to a variety of inputs as received by the doorbell system 200.
- the doorbell 202 may receive an indication of a first button press from a button 212 of the doorbell 202 (at step 2400).
- the doorbell 202 may thereby record the custom message and store the custom message within a memory of the doorbell system 200 (at step 2402).
- the doorbell system 200 may be configured to receive an input, such as receive an indication of a second button press from the doorbell 202 (at step 2404).
- the doorbell system 200 can thereby erase the custom message from the memory of the doorbell system 200 (at step 2406).
- first button press can refer to any number of button presses or duration of respective button presses.
- the first button press can comprise two button presses and the second button press can comprise one button press.
- the first button press can comprise one button press and the second button press can comprise two button presses.
- the first button press can comprise the button 212 being pressed for a first duration and the second button press can comprise the button 212 being pressed for a second duration.
- the first duration can be greater than, equal to, or less than the second duration.
- the inputs may be any type of inputs into the doorbell system 200.
- the doorbell system 200 may be configured to receive various motions from the user.
- the camera 208 of the doorbell 202 may detect a first motion from the user, such as the user waving a hand once. In response to detecting the first motion, the doorbell 202 may thereby record the custom message and store the custom message within a memory of the doorbell system 200.
- the camera 208 may detect a second motion from the user, such as the user waving a hand twice. In response to detecting the second motion, the doorbell 202 may thereby erase the custom message from the memory of the doorbell system 200.
- any type of input such as a bodily motion, may be received by the doorbell system 200.
- the doorbell system 200 may also be configured to provide security and anonymity to a user of the doorbell system 200.
- the doorbell system 200 may record and/or download a first custom message (at step 2500).
- the first custom message may be spoken by a first voice.
- the doorbell system 200 may be configured to effectively convert the first message into a second message, whereby the second message is spoken by a second voice that is different from the first voice.
- the content of the first custom message can substantially match the content of the second custom message.
- the doorbell system 200 may emit the second custom message (at step 2502) that is spoken by the second voice. In this manner, the doorbell system 200 may effectively protect the identity of the user (e.g. resident) of the doorbell system 200.
- the doorbell system 200 may create a schedule of a first timeframe to emit a first sound, a second timeframe to emit a second sound, and a third timeframe to emit a third sound (at step 2600).
- the doorbell system 200 may thereby determine that a visitation time of the visitor is within the first timeframe (at step 2602), and in response to determining that the visitation time of the visitor is within the first timeframe, the doorbell 202 may emit the first sound (at step 2604). Accordingly, if the doorbell system 200 determines that the visitation time of the visitor is within the second timeframe, the doorbell 202 may emit the second sound. Likewise, if the doorbell system 200 determines that the visitation time of the visitor is within the third timeframe, the doorbell 202 may emit the third sound.
- the first timeframe might include overnight and morning hours when the resident is either sleeping or getting ready for work. The first sound may thereby inform a visitor that the resident is busy and that the visitor should come back another time.
- the second timeframe might include daytime hours, when the resident is away at work. The second sound might include a message that the resident is not available and that the visitor can reach the resident at work or on the resident's smart phone, if the visitor is a known or trusted visitor.
- the third timeframe might include a time during evening hours when the resident is home from work. The third sound may thereby inform the visitor that the resident will answer the door shortly.
- the doorbell system 200 may be configured to accommodate any timeframe or number of timeframes. As well, the doorbell system 200 may be configured to receive and thereby emit any sound in response to any of the respective timeframes.
- the doorbell system 200 may be configured to receive any number of custom messages and then emit respective messages in response to the doorbell system 200 (e.g. the doorbell 202) detecting an indication of a presence of any number of respective visitors.
- the doorbell 202 may emit a first custom audible message with a speaker 404, 488 in response to the doorbell system 200 detecting an indication of a presence of a first visitor (at step 2700).
- the doorbell 202 may emit a second custom audible message with the speaker 404, 488 in response to the doorbell system 200 detecting an indication of a presence of a second visitor (at step 2702).
- the doorbell 202 may emit a third custom audible message with the speaker 404, 488 in response to the doorbell system 200 detecting an indication of a presence of a third visitor (at step 2704).
- the first, second and third custom audible messages can be assigned to specific visitors or groups of visitors.
- the first custom audible message may be assigned to a specific first visitor.
- the first custom audible message may be assigned to a specific group or type of visitor, such as any known visitor.
- the doorbell system 200 may be referred to as a first doorbell system 200a that is attached to a first building 300a.
- the first doorbell system 200a may be communicatively coupled to a second doorbell system 200b that is attached to an exterior of a second building 300b that is remotely located with respect to the first building 300a.
- the first doorbell 202a may also be communicatively coupled to the second doorbell 202b.
- the first doorbell system 202a may detect an indication of a presence of a first visitor by receiving a first notification from the second doorbell system 202b (at step 2800).
- the first doorbell system 202a may detect an indication of a presence of a second visitor by receiving a second notification from the second doorbell system 202b (at step 2802). In this manner, the first doorbell system 202a and the second doorbell system 202b may be networked. This may allow doorbell systems 200 that are located within a specific area, such as a neighborhood, to communicate and transmit data to each other. The network of doorbell systems may exchange information and/or data to thereby monitor the entire neighborhood. CHIME EMBODIMENTS
- Chimes 302 (shown in Figures 3 and 31-37) can include all of the features, assemblies, parts, systems, and components of any doorbell 202 described herein or incorporated by reference. Chimes 302 can include all the items shown in Figure 12.
- the chime 302 is a remote communication device that can be configured to communicate with any doorbell 202 described herein or incorporated by reference.
- a user can use the remote computing device 204 to select a sound emitted by the chime 302 (e.g., a remote communication device) located inside the building or silence the chime 302 located inside the building.
- a sound emitted by the chime 302 e.g., a remote communication device
- Several embodiments include many different sounds that the chime 302 can emit when someone "rings" the doorbell 202 or is detected by the doorbell 202.
- the chime 302 may receive backup or primary power from a power source of a building 300 and/or a battery 462b located within the chime.
- the chime 302 may include various components to detect different events within the vicinity of the chime 302.
- embodiments may include a motion detector 218 configurable to detect motion along an inside portion of the building 300.
- the chime 302 may also include a camera assembly 208b configurable to capture an image along the inside portion of the building 300.
- the chime 302 may include a speaker 488b configurable to emit sounds and a microphone 484b configurable to receive an audible message spoken by a user.
- the chime 302 may include additional components including, but not limited to, a thermometer 512b configurable to determine temperature along the inside portion of the building 300 and a humidity sensor 305 configurable to determine humidity along the inside portion of the building 300.
- the chime 302 may include a detection system 528b that may include miscellaneous detection components to monitor and detect various other events.
- the chime 302 may include a communication system 504b configurable to communicatively couple the chime to the doorbell 202, the remote computing device 204, and/or any other communication device.
- the communication system 504b may communicate via WiFi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, Thread, ZigBee, and the like. It should be appreciated that the chime 302 may utilize none, some, or all the same components as utilized by the doorbell 202.
- a user can select a sound to be emitted by the chime 302 on her remote computing device 204 by using a control application 600.
- the remote computing device 204 can then send the sound to the chime 302 via the doorbell 202 (and/or via a server 206 and a wireless network 308).
- the sound can be a song, a greeting recorded by the user, or any other type of sound.
- Some embodiments include using a remote computing device 204 to download a sound from the Internet, sending the sound (or data associated with the sound) to the doorbell 202 (e.g., in response to using the remote computing device 204 to select the sound), sending the sound (or data associated with the sound) from the doorbell 202 to the chime 302, and/or emitting the sound from the chime 302.
- the chime 302 can include an electrical plug 307.
- the plug 307 can be mechanically and electrically coupled to a power outlet 309 (as shown in Figure 33).
- the doorbell 202 can serve as a communication bridge between the remote computing device 204 and the chime 302.
- the doorbell 202 can be used to enable the remote computing device 204 to control the chime 302.
- a user can select an option (e.g., a song or a chime setting) on the remote computing device 204, then the system can send information regarding the option to and/or from the computing device 204. Then, the system can send information regarding the option from the doorbell 202 to the chime 302 in response to the user selecting the option via the remote computing device 204.
- the communication 230 between the computing device 204 and the doorbell 202 can be wireless.
- the communication 230 between the doorbell 202 and the chime 302 can be wireless.
- the chime 302 (e.g., a remote communication device) can serve as a communication bridge between the remote computing device 204 and the doorbell 202. This can be especially helpful when the doorbell 202 cannot access the wireless network 308 of the building 300 to which the doorbell is mechanically and/or electrically coupled.
- the chime 302 can be located inside the building 300, and thus, is more likely to access the wireless network 308 of the building 300 (due to a superior signal strength of the wireless network 308 at the chime 302 compared to the signal strength at the doorbell 202, which can be located much farther from a router of the wireless network 308).
- Some embodiments include configuring the chime 302 to serve as a communication bridge between the remote computing device 204 and the doorbell 202 in response to a first wireless signal strength of the wireless network 308 at a first location of the chime 302 being greater than a second wireless signal strength of the wireless network 308 at a second location of the doorbell 202.
- the chime 302 (e.g., a remote communication device) can serve as a communication bridge between the doorbell 202 and a wireless network 308 of a building 300.
- Figure 32 illustrates embodiments of the chime 302 (e.g., a remote communication device) that include at least one plug 307 that may be electrically, mechanically and/or communicatively coupled to a power outlet 309.
- the one plug 307 can thereby electrically and/or communicatively couple the doorbell 202 to the wires of the power outlet 309.
- the system 200 can be configured to communicate in various manners.
- the remote computing device 204 communicates directly with the doorbell 202, while the doorbell 202 communicates directly with the chime 302.
- the remote computing device 204 communicates directly with the chime 302, while the doorbell 202 communicates directly with the chime.
- the system 200 can be configured in any manner by the user.
- the doorbell system 200 can emit sounds from a chime 302.
- the method can include selecting the sound by a remote computing device 204 (at step 1300).
- the remote computing device 204 can allow a user to select the sound by toggling a radio button (not shown) as displayed on a screen of the remote computing device 204.
- the user can select the sound by selecting a song or any type of audio file from a database, such as a music database (e.g. iTunes®), that is accessible through the remote computing device 204.
- the remote computing device 204 can be a server 206, a communication device with a user interface (e.g. smart phone, tablet, etc.), and the like.
- methods can also include sending a data file, which can include a first data file 213 and/or a second data file 211, to a doorbell 202 that is communicatively coupled to the remote computing device 204 (at step 1302).
- the data file 211, 213 can include information that can represent the sound.
- the data file 211, 213 can be sent by the remote computing device 204 to the server 206 to the doorbell 202.
- the data file 211, 213 can be sent by the remote computing device 204 to the doorbell 202.
- the remote computing device 204 can instruct the server 206, via a wireless communication 230 including a signal 604, to send the data file 211, 213 to the doorbell 202.
- methods can include the doorbell 202 sending the data file 211, 213 to the chime 302 that is communicatively coupled to the doorbell 202 and remotely located with respect to the doorbell 202 (at step 1304).
- the data file 211, 213 is transmitted wirelessly to the chime 302.
- the data file 211, 213 is transmitted via a wire, such as wire 304b, as shown in Figure 38. In this manner, the data file 211, 213 is transmitted via a sound file communication 209.
- the chime 302 can receive the data file 211, 213.
- the data file can be downloaded from a web server, by at least one of the doorbell and the chime. Even still, in some embodiments, the remote computing device 204 can download the data file from the web server.
- Methods can also include emitting the sound from a speaker 488b of the chime 302 at least partially in response to the chime 302 receiving the data file 211, 213 and at least partially in response to the doorbell 202 detecting an indication of a presence of a visitor.
- the doorbell system 200 can alert the user by playing any type of customized or prerecorded sound through the speaker 488b of the chime 302.
- methods of the doorbell system 200 may configure the system 200 to emit the sound in accordance with certain parameters, such as sound emission parameters. Accordingly, methods may include receiving, by the doorbell 202, a sound emission parameter from the remote computing device 204. Methods may also include emitting the sound from a speaker 488b of the chime 302 in response to the doorbell system 202 determining that the sound emission parameter has been met.
- the sound emission parameters may comprise predetermined timeframes. For example, the user may elect a sound emission parameter, such as a "do not disturb" parameter, so that the chime 302 does not emit the sound during predetermined hours of the day.
- the sound emission parameters 302 may comprise specific visitors.
- the sound emission parameters can instruct the chime 302 not to emit the sound when the doorbell system 200 detects the presence of the unknown or unwelcome visitor.
- the chime 302 may also be configured to emit an audible message from a speaker 488b of the chime 302.
- the audible message may be a message that is spoken by a user and recorded by the doorbell 202, the remote computing device 204, and/or the chime 302 itself.
- a user of the system 200 may wish to transmit an audible message through the chime 302.
- a first resident may speak an audible message such as, "Honey, I'll be home in 30 minutes," into his/her remote computing device 204.
- the system 200 may emit the audible message from the chime 302.
- the first resident my type a message into his/her remote computing device 204, and the system 200 may thereby announce an audible message that comprises the contents of the typed message.
- the chime 302 may also be used to detect motion and capture audio and video recordings along an inside portion of a building 300.
- the method may include the motion detector 218b of the chime 302 detecting a first motion within the inside portion of the building 300.
- Methods may also include initiating a first communication session with the remote computing device 204 in response to the motion detector 218b of the chime 302 detecting the first motion.
- the first communication session may include a first notification of the first motion detected by the motion detector of the chime.
- the chime 302 may detect a prowler within the inside portion of the building 300 and the system 200 may thereby send an alert to the remote computing device 204 of the user.
- the method may also include the motion detector 218b of the chime 302 detecting a second motion within an inside portion of the building 300. It should be appreciated that the second motion may be different from the first motion, or the same.
- the system 200 may thereby initiate a second communication session with a second remote computing device 204b in response to the motion detector 218b of the chime 302 detecting the second motion.
- the second communication session can comprise a second notification of the second motion detected by the chime 302.
- the first remote computing device 204a may not receive the second communication session.
- the system 200 can be configured to alert different users based on different motions within the building 300.
- the chime 302 may detect suspicious motions and thereby alert the police.
- the chime 302 may detect non- suspicious motions within the building 300, such as the dog walking around, whereupon an alert is sent to the remote computing device 204 of the resident.
- methods may include selecting more than one sound and sending the more than one sound to the chime 302.
- methods may include selecting a second sound by the remote computing device 204 and thereby sending a second data file comprising second information to the doorbell 202.
- the second information may represent the second sound.
- methods may include sending the second data file to the chime 302.
- the chime 302 may be configured to emit different sounds in response to different motions detected by the motion detector 218 of the doorbell along an outside portion of the building 300.
- methods may include detecting a first motion, by a motion detector 218 of the doorbell 202, along the outside portion of the building 300.
- the chime may thereby emit the first sound from a speaker 488b of the chime 302.
- the motion detector 218 of the doorbell 202 may detect a second motion along the outside portion of the building 300. It should be appreciated that the second motion may be different from the first motion, or the same.
- methods may include emitting the second sound from the speaker 488 of the chime 302 in response to the doorbell 202 detecting the second motion.
- the chime 302 may be configured to audibly alert people within the building 300 as to whether various motions have been detected by the doorbell 202.
- the chime 302 may emit an audible alarm if the doorbell 202 detects a suspicious motion.
- the chime 302 may emit a more friendly sound (e.g. "ding-dong”) if the doorbell 202 detects a non-suspicious motion.
- this disclosure also includes a method of using a doorbell system 200 to emit a sound from a chime 302.
- the method may include selecting a sound by a remote computing device 204 (at step 1400) and sending a data file 211, 213 comprising information to the chime 302 (at step 1402). It should be appreciated that the information may represent the sound.
- the data file 211, 213 may be sent to the chime 302 by the remote computing device 204 and/or the server 206.
- methods may include detecting an indication of a presence of a visitor with a doorbell 202 (at step 1404) and emitting the sound from a speaker 488b of the chime 302 in response to detecting the indication of the presence of the visitor (at step 1406).
- the chime 302 and/or the doorbell 202 may also capture audio, images and/or video.
- methods may include using the camera 208b of the chime 302 to capture an image and/or video within the inside portion of the building 300.
- the image and/or video may correspond to the motion detected by the chime 302.
- the image and/or video may thereby be sent to the doorbell 202 and/or the remote computing device 204 where the image and/or video can be viewed via a control application 600 viewed on a display 603 of the computing device 204.
- the method may use a microphone 484b of the chime to detect and record audio within the inside portion of the building 300.
- the audio recording may thereby be transmitted to the doorbell 202 and/or the remote computing device 204, where it can be played back.
- the system 200 may be configured to respond in other various ways in response to detecting a motion. For instance, in embodiments, in response to detecting a motion with the motion detector 218b of the chime 302, the doorbell 202 may flash a light 216, 220 to thereby indicate to people passing by the building 300 that there is an event underway at the building 300. This may serve useful to personnel (e.g. law enforcement) to thereby determine the exact location of the building 300.
- personnel e.g. law enforcement
- the chime 302 may be configured to emit any various type of sound in response to any of the previously mentioned components detecting various events.
- the chime 302 may emit a first sound in response to the doorbell detecting an indication of a presence of a visitor.
- the chime 302 may emit a second sound in response to the motion detector 218b detecting motion along the inside portion of the building 300.
- the chime 302 may emit a third sound, such as an announcement of the temperature as detected by the thermometer 528b.
- the chime 302 may be configured to emit a fourth sound in response to the humidity sensor 305 detecting that a predetermined humidity has been met.
- the disclosure also includes methods of identifying visitors and emitting different sounds according to the visitor detected.
- methods may include recognizing, by a doorbell 202, a first visitor (at step 1500).
- the method may include emitting the first sound from the chime 302 in response to recognizing the first visitor (at step 1502).
- the method may include emitting a second sound from the chime in response to not recognizing, by the doorbell 202, a second visitor (at step 1506). It should be appreciated that the first sound and the second sounds can be different, or the same.
- methods may include recognizing the first visitor and/or the second visitor by detecting various traits, such as a physical trait of the respective visitor.
- Physical traits can include traits such as a fingerprint, gait, body type, height, silhouette traits, silhouette volume, silhouette dimensions, other physical characteristics, and the like.
- the system 200 may be configured to recognize the first visitor and/or the second visitor by the doorbell 202 detecting a trait of an electronic device in the possession of the first visitor and/or the second visitor.
- the system 200 may be configured to detect a first remote computing device 204d associated with the first visitor and/or a second remote computing device 204e associated with the second visitor.
- the chime 302 may emit a sound associated with the particular visitor.
- the doorbell system 200 may also be electrically and communicatively coupled via any type of wired communication standard (e.g. wires).
- the wires may be the copper wires of the building 300.
- the doorbell system 200 may be coupled to a doorbell power supply 312 of a building 300.
- the doorbell system 200 may include a first wire 304c that may electrically couple the doorbell 202 to the power supply 312 of the building 300.
- the doorbell system 200 may include a second wire 304b that may electrically and/or communicatively couple the chime 302 to the doorbell 202.
- the doorbell system 200 may include a third wire 304a that may electrically couple the chime 302 to the power supply 312 to form a circuit comprising the first wire 304c, the doorbell 202, the second wire 304b, the chime 302, the third wire 304a, and the power supply 312.
- the chime 302 may be configured to receive a first data file from the doorbell 202 via the second wire 304b.
- the doorbell system 200 may include a sound file communication 209 that may be sent from the doorbell 202 to the chime 302 via the second wire 304b.
- the sound file communication 209 may comprise at least one thousand bytes.
- the sound file communication 209 may comprise less than one thousand bytes.
- the second wire 304b may enable two-way communication from the doorbell 202 to the chime 302 and/or from the chime 302 to the doorbell 202.
- the first data file may comprise commands to perform various operations or put the doorbell system 200 into various settings.
- the first data file may comprise a command configured to place the chime 302 into silent mode, such that the chime 302 does not emit a sound.
- the first data file may comprise a command configured to adjust a volume setting of the chime 302.
- the first data file may comprise a command configured to adjust a duration of a notification sound emitted by the chime 302.
- the first data file may command the chime 302 to perform any such operation.
- the data file may comprise data gathered by the doorbell system 200, such as a video recorded by the doorbell 202.
- the data file may include information regarding an event that occurred outside the chime 302, such as the presence of a prowler or an image of an object associated with a motion detected by the system 200.
- the data file may comprise identifying information regarding the person and/or object detected by the chime 302.
- the doorbell 202 and/or chime 302 may detect a person located outside or inside the building 300. The chime may then receive the data file that comprises the identity of the person as detected by the doorbell 202 and/or chime 302.
- the doorbell 202 may wirelessly receive the first data file from the remote computing device 204. In this manner, the
- doorbell 202 may receive various files, such as audio, and an image and/or video as recorded by the chime via the first wire. It should also be appreciated that the chime 302 may receive the various files from the doorbell 202 and/or the remote computing device 204.
- the disclosure also includes a method of electrically coupling a doorbell system 200 to a doorbell power supply 312 of a building 300.
- the method may include coupling a doorbell 202 to a remote chime 302 via a first wire 304c (at step 1600).
- the method may include receiving, by the doorbell 202, a first data file comprising information (at step 1602).
- the method may include sending a second data file comprising the information from the doorbell to the remote chime via the first wire (at step 1604).
- the information may represent a sound that was unknown to the chime 302 prior to receiving the second data file.
- the method may include emitting the sound from the chime 302 at least partially in response to receiving the second data file.
- the method may include the chime using the second data file to emit a sound.
- the second data file may comprise at least one thousand bytes.
- the second data file may comprise less than one thousand bytes.
- the method may include emitting the sound from the chime 302 at least partially in response to the chime 302 receiving a sound emission parameter from the doorbell 202 and/or the remote computing device 204.
- the chime 302 may receive a sound emission parameter to only emit the sound between the hours of 9am and 9pm. Accordingly, if the system 200 detects a presence of a visitor between 9am and 9pm, and in response to the chime 302 having received the data file, the chime 302 may emit a sound in response to the doorbell system 200 having determined that the sound emission parameter has been met.
- the chime 302 can serve as the communication hub that links the doorbell 202 to the remote computing device 204, and vice versa.
- the chime 302 can be configured as the communication hub for a variety of reasons.
- the doorbell system can be configured to detect whether the doorbell 202 comprises inadequate wireless performance to communicate with a remote computing device 204 via at least one of the wireless network and a cellular network. Accordingly, when the doorbell 202 receives inadequate wireless performance, the doorbell 202 can thereby communicate with the chime 302, which in turn communicates with the remote computing device 204 to thereby communicatively couple the doorbell 202 to the remote computing device 204.
- methods of using the doorbell system can include coupling communicatively the chime 302 to a wireless network of the building 300 (at step 1700).
- the chime 302 can thereby be communicatively coupled to the doorbell 202 and to a remote computing device 204 (at step 1700).
- the doorbell system can be used to detect an indication of a presence of a visitor and thereby transmit the indication from the doorbell 202 to the remote computing device 204 via the chime 302.
- the presence of the visitor can be detected via a variety of indications.
- methods can include detecting, by the doorbell 202, a trigger of a button 212 of the doorbell 202 (at step 1702).
- methods can also include sending an alert 232a, such as a visitor alert 232a, from the doorbell 202 to the chime 302 and thereby sending the visitor alert 232a from the chime 302 to the remote computing device 204 (at step 1706).
- the chime 302 can communicatively couple the doorbell 202 to the remote computing device 204.
- the chime 302 can serve as the hub that communicatively couples the doorbell 202 to the remote computing device 204.
- the visitor alert 232a, 232b can be transmitted via the data file 213, first data file 213b, second data file 213a, and/or the data file 211.
- the visitor alert 232a can be sent from the doorbell 202 to the chime 302 and/or the remote computing device 204 by a variety of methods.
- the doorbell 202 can be communicatively coupled to the chime 302 via a wire, a wireless network of the building 300, and/or a cellular network.
- the chime 302 can be communicatively coupled to the remote computing device 204 via the wireless network of the building 300 and/or a cellular network.
- Methods can thereby include sending the visitor alert 232a from the doorbell 202 to the chime 302 via any combination of transmission systems including the wire, wireless network of the building 300, and/or cellular network (at step 1708).
- methods can include sending the visitor alert 232a from the chime 302 to the remote computing device 204 via any combination including the wireless network of the building 300 and/or cellular network (at step 1708).
- the doorbell 202 may receive a wireless signal, but the wireless signal may be inadequate to transmit specific communications from the doorbell 202 to the remote computing device 204.
- the chime 302 may serve as the communication hub between the doorbell 202 and the remote computing device 204. Accordingly, methods may include sending the visitor alert 232a from the chime 302 to the remote computing device 204 in response to the doorbell system detecting that the doorbell 202 comprises inadequate wireless performance to send the visitor alert 232a to the remote computing device 204 via at least one of the wireless network and a cellular network (at step 1710). Described differently, some methods can include sending the visitor alert 232a from the chime 302 to the remote computing device 204 in response to the doorbell system detecting that a wireless signal of the doorbell 202 is below a threshold (at step 1712).
- the doorbell 202, remote computing device 204, and the chime 302 may be located in different locations with respect to each other.
- the doorbell 202 may be located outside of the building 300
- the chime 302 may be located inside the building 300
- the remote computing device 204 can be remotely located with respect to the building 300.
- methods may include sending the visitor alert 232a from the doorbell 202 to the chime 302 while the doorbell 202 is located outside the building 300 and while the chime 302 is located inside the building 300 (at step 1800).
- methods may include sending the visitor alert 232a from the chime 302 to the remote computing device 204 that may be located inside or outside of the building 300.
- the visitor alert 232a can take various forms that alert a user that a visitor is present at the doorbell 202 or that a visitor has left a message for the user via the doorbell 202.
- the visitor alert 232a can comprise a video, an image, a sound, a text message, an email, a phone call, and the like.
- methods can include capturing the video and/or image via a camera assembly 208 of the doorbell 202 (at step 1704).
- methods can include recording the sound with a microphone 484 of the doorbell 202.
- Methods can even include the visitor making a phone call through the doorbell 202 to the remote computing device 204, whereby the chime 302 communicatively couples the doorbell 202 to the remote computing device 204 to enable the phone call.
- the doorbell system can thereby include various communications between the doorbell 202 and the chime 302, and between the chime 302 and the remote computing device 204.
- the doorbell system can include a first communication from the doorbell 202 to the chime 302.
- the first communication can include a video and/or image taken by a camera 208 of the doorbell 202.
- the doorbell system can include a second communication from the chime 302 to the remote computing device 204.
- the second communication can also comprise the video.
- the chime 302 can be communicatively coupled via the wireless network and/or cellular network to other peripheral devices, such as a door lock (e.g. a smart door lock) (at step 1802), a remote sensor (e.g. a fire alarm, a smoke alarm, a carbon monoxide detector, and a burglar alarm) (at step 1804), and the like.
- a door lock e.g. a smart door lock
- a remote sensor e.g. a fire alarm, a smoke alarm, a carbon monoxide detector, and a burglar alarm
- the chime 302 can serve as the communication hub, not only between the doorbell 202 and the remote computing device 204, but also between the doorbell 202, the remote computing device 204, the door lock, the remote sensor, and any other peripheral device.
- the chime 302 may be used to transmit and communicate messages and instructions between devices. For example, a user may enter an instruction on a remote computing device 204 to lock a front door lock. The instruction may then be sent from the remote computing device 204 to the chime 302 whereby the chime 302 sends the instruction to the front door lock to move to a locked position. In response, the front door lock may lock the front door.
- the chime 302 may detect an indication of an adverse event and/or receive the indication of the adverse event from the remote sensor.
- the adverse event can comprise various events, such as a motion, breaking glass, fire, a fire alarm sound, smoke, and the like.
- methods can include directly detecting an adverse event with the chime 302 (at step 1806), such as detecting the sound of glass breaking via a microphone of the chime 302.
- methods can include the chime 302 receiving an indication of the adverse event from the remote sensor that is communicatively coupled to the chime 302, whereby the remote sensor is configured to detect adverse events.
- methods can include sending an alert 232b of the adverse event (e.g. an adverse event alert 232b) to the remote computing device 204 in response to detecting the adverse event (at step 1808).
- the adverse event alert 232b can comprise a notification of the adverse event to thereby put the user on notice of the adverse event.
- the chime 302 can be configured to communicate with other devices, such as the remote computing device 204, remote sensors, and the like, via any wireless personal area network.
- the chime 302 can be configured to communicate via Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy, and the like. In this manner the chime 302 can communicate with Bluetooth low energy tags.
- the chime 302 may include a light configurable to illuminate an area or provide ambient lighting for comfort, such as a nightlight.
- the light may comprise the diagnostic light 216, the power indicator light 220, and/or any other light electrically coupled to the chime 302.
- the light may be activated by various means, such as in response to an audible message from a user (e.g. "Max, turn on the light")- Even still, the light may be configurable to activate in response to external conditions, such as darkness of an adjacent area, much like a nightlight.
- a system can include a remote sensor 418 that is located outside of the doorbell 202, outside of the chime 302, and outside of the remote computing device 204.
- the remote sensor 418 can be located inside or outside of the building 300.
- the remote sensor 418 can include a speaker 488c that can emit sounds 236 (e.g., alarm sounds).
- a microphone 484b (shown in Figure 31) of the chime 302 can detect (e.g., "hear") the sounds 236. Then, the chime 302 can send a notification to the remote computing device 204 in response to detecting the sounds 236 and/or in response to receiving a wireless communication 230 from the remote sensor 418.
- Remote sensors 418 can include a fire alarm, a smoke alarm, a carbon monoxide detector, a motion sensor, a glass-break sensor, and a burglar alarm.
- the chime 302 can listen for a smoke alarm. Then, the chime 302 can send a notification to the remote computing device 204 in response to hearing the alarm sound of the smoke alarm.
- Some embodiments include sending a second alert from the chime 302 to the remote computing device 204 in response to receiving, by the chime 302, a communication from the remote sensor 418.
- Some embodiments include coupling communicatively the chime 302 to a remote sensor 418.
- the remote sensor 418 can comprise at least one of a fire detector, a smoke detector, and a carbon monoxide detector.
- Embodiments can also include sending a second alert from the chime 302 to the remote computing device 204 in response to receiving, by the chime 302, a communication from the remote sensor 418.
- Several embodiments comprise detecting, by a microphone 484b (shown in Figure 31) of the chime 302, an alarm sound emitted by a remote sensor 418, and then sending a second alert from the chime 302 to the remote computing device 204 in response to detecting the alarm sound.
- Some embodiments include detecting, by a microphone 484b of the chime 302, an alarm sound emitted by a remote smoke detector (e-g-, 418), and then sending a second alert from the chime 302 to the remote computing device 204 in response to detecting the alarm sound.
- Burglars often break glass windows and glass doors to enter homes and other buildings. Some embodiments include detecting, by a microphone 484b of the chime 302, glass breaking, and then sending a second alert from the chime 302 to the remote computing device 204 in response to detecting the glass breaking.
- Some systems include a remote sensor 418 having at least one of a fire detector, a smoke detector, a carbon monoxide detector, a motion detector, and a glass-break detector.
- the remote sensor 418 can be communicatively coupled to the chime 302 (e.g., via wireless communication 230).
- Systems can include a third communication from the remote sensor 418 to the chime 302.
- Systems include a chime 302 that has a microphone 484b (shown in Figure 31).
- Systems can also include a remote sensor 418, an alarm sound 236 emitted by the remote sensor 418, and a third communication sent from the chime 302 to the remote computing device 204 in response to the microphone 484b of the chime 302 detecting the alarm sound 236.
- FIG 36 illustrates a doorbell system configured to be coupled to a building 300 having a wireless network 308.
- the doorbell system can include a doorbell 202 having a button 212 configured to be pressed by a visitor to notify occupants of the building 300.
- the doorbell 202 can comprises a first wireless communication system 503 and a second wireless communication system 507 (as shown in Figure 44).
- the first wireless communication system 503 can consume less energy per unit of operating time than the second wireless communication system 507.
- the doorbell system also includes a remote communication device (e.g., the chime 302) coupled to a power outlet 309 (as shown in Figure 33) of the building 300 and located remotely relative to the doorbell 202.
- the remote communication device 302 comprises a speaker 488b configured to emit a sound in response to the visitor pressing the button 212.
- the remote communication device 302 comprises a third wireless communication system 509 and a fourth wireless communication system 511 (as shown in Figure 44).
- the third wireless communication system 509 can consume less energy per unit of operating time than the fourth wireless communication system 511.
- the second 507 and fourth 511 wireless communication systems can be Wi-Fi systems.
- the first 503 and third 509 wireless communication systems can be Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, Thread, ZigBee, and or any other suitable system.
- An advantage of some embodiments is that more power-hungry communication systems are used less often than more energy efficient systems. This can be especially helpful when the doorbell 202 runs on battery power.
- the remote communication system 302 is communicatively coupled with the wireless network 308 via the fourth wireless communication system 511, and is communicatively coupled with the first wireless communication system 503 of the doorbell 202 via the third wireless communication system 509.
- the doorbell 202 is communicatively coupled with the wireless network 308 via the second wireless communication system 507 in response to receiving a communication from the remote communication device 302 via the first wireless communication system 503.
- Figure 45 illustrates how a remote computing device 204 can send a communication to a wireless network 308 of a building, which can then send a wireless communication to the fourth wireless communication system 511.
- the remote communication device 302 can then use its third wireless communication system 509 to send a communication to the first wireless communication system 503 of the doorbell.
- the doorbell 202 can then use its second wireless communication system 507 to send a communication to the wireless network 308 and/or to the remote computing device 204.
- the communication can be a doorbell setting parameter that a user "sets” by selecting an option on an "app" run by the remote computing device 204.
- the doorbell 202 can update a doorbell setting (e.g., power management settings, camera settings, notification preferences, doorbell light settings) in response to receiving the doorbell setting parameter.
- a doorbell setting e.g., power management settings, camera settings, notification preferences, doorbell light settings
- the doorbell 202 "wakes up” in response to receiving a communication from the remote communication device 302.
- the remote communication device 302 can send the doorbell 202 a wake up command in response to receiving a wake up command from the remote computing device 204.
- the doorbell 202 can "wake up” by turning on the camera, starting to record a video, and/or beginning wireless communication with the wireless network 308.
- FIG 46 illustrates a front view of another doorbell 202m.
- This doorbell 202m includes a battery 462.
- the battery 462 can provide electrical power such that the doorbell 202m does not need to be connected to a building's electrical system to receive electricity.
- This doorbell 202m can include any of the items described in the context of other doorbells 202 illustrated herein or incorporated by reference.
- the doorbell systems 200 described herein may be used to gain and/or restrict access to residents and visitors in buildings, such as multi-dwelling unit buildings.
- buildings such as multi-dwelling unit buildings.
- the term "building" can refer to any dwelling such as a home, an apartment building, a hotel, and any other structure that permanently or temporarily provides shelter to people.
- the building 300 may be equipped with a plurality of doorbells 202 and locks 250 mounted adjacent to various access points of the building, such as the main door and individual units within the building.
- a guest wishing to visit a resident of the building may push a button on a doorbell 202 located at or near the front entrance to the building.
- the doorbell system 200 may thereby determine whether the guest is authorized to gain access to the building.
- the system 200 may determine the guest's authorization in a variety of ways.
- the system 200 automatically determines whether the guest is authorized through various identification data, such as facial recognition data, voice recognition data, and the like.
- the system 200 may receive a manual input from a resident, such as the resident determining that the guest is authorized to enter the building and the resident selecting an input on a remote computing device that thereby instructs the system 200 to grant access to the guest.
- systems 200 may further be configured to grant and/or restrict access to visitors in a variety of ways.
- the system 200 may provide a temporary key to a guest's remote computing device 204 that the guest could wave in front of an access point, which could be situated in various locations throughout the building, to allow the guest access to different portions of the building.
- the disclosure includes a doorbell system 200 configured to be coupled to a building 300.
- the system 200 includes a remote computing device 204 and a doorbell 202 coupled to the building 300 and communicatively coupled to the remote computing device 204.
- the doorbell 202 can include a camera 208 configurable to capture images, a microphone 484 configurable to receive audio, and a button 212 configurable to be pressed by a visitor to notify an occupant of the building 300.
- the system 200 can also include a lock 250 coupled to the building 300 and communicatively coupled to at least one of the doorbell 202 and the remote computing device 204.
- the lock 250 can be configurable to be locked and unlocked in response to an input received by the remote computing device 204.
- the building 300 can be a multi-unit building and the lock 250 can be a main lock 250a coupled adjacent to a main entrance 700 of the building 300.
- the system 200 can also include a first lock 250b coupled to a first door 702 of a first apartment unit within the building 300 and communicatively coupled to at least one of the doorbell 202 and a remote computing device 204a.
- the first lock 250b can be configurable to be locked and unlocked in response to a second input received by the first remote computing device 204a.
- the system 200 can be arranged and configured to allow residents to grant/deny access to visitors not only at the main entrance, but also individual apartments/units within the building 300.
- a resident may wish to grant a delivery person access to the main lobby so that the delivery person can leave the resident's package in the lobby.
- the resident may wish to deny the delivery person access to the resident's apartment.
- the resident may wish to grant an authorized visitor, such as a family member, access not only to the main lobby, but also to the resident's individual apartment.
- the system 200 can include a second remote computing device 204b communicatively coupled to the doorbell 202.
- the system 200 can also include a second lock 250c coupled to a second door 704 of a second apartment unit within the building 300 and communicatively coupled to at least one of the doorbell 202 and the second remote computing device 204b.
- the second lock 250c can be configurable to be locked and unlocked in response to a third input received by the second remote computing device 204b.
- the system 200 includes a remote server 206 communicatively coupled to at least one of the remote computing device 204, the doorbell 202, the first lock 250b, and the second lock 250c.
- the server 206 can be configurable to store a plurality of Internet protocol (IP) addresses.
- IP Internet protocol
- the server 206 can thereby use the plurality of IP addresses to determine a location of the doorbell 202 based upon an IP address of the doorbell 202.
- the remote server 206 recognizes the IP address and then identifies the building and the building's location based on the IP address. Once the system 200 identifies the building, the system 200 can then narrow down the list of possible voice/facial recognition data to a smaller list of voice/facial recognition data for just that building. Accordingly, this may result in improved speed and efficiency for the system 200 to identify the visitor from the voice/facial recognition data.
- the doorbell system 200 may be sized and shaped to define different form factors (designs, shapes, sizes, and the like).
- the main lock 250a may define a first form factor 706a while the first lock defines a second form factor 708a.
- the first form factor 706a and the second form factor 708a may be substantially the same, or substantially identical.
- the first form factor 706b and the second form factor 708b may be different.
- the doorbell system 200 may be arranged and configured to capture data, such as facial recognition data and/or voice recognition data, and determine an identity of the visitor based on the data.
- the remote server 206 may also be configured to store data that can be used to determine the identity of visitors. In some embodiments, the server 206 may also store facial recognition data and voice recognition data and thereby determine an identity of the visitor based upon the data.
- the disclosure includes a method of using a doorbell system 200 to enable an occupant to grant a visitor access to a building 300.
- Embodiments may include determining, via the doorbell system 200, an indication of a presence of the visitor (at step 5100).
- Methods may also include determining, via a remote server 206 communicatively coupled to the doorbell system 200, a location of the doorbell system 200 based upon an Internet protocol address of the doorbell system 200 (at step 5102).
- Methods may thereby include unlocking a lock 250 of the doorbell system 200 (at step 5104).
- Methods may also include receiving, via a microphone 484 of the doorbell system 200, an audible message from the visitor (at step 5106). Accordingly, methods may include determining whether the visitor is an authorized visitor (at step 5108). Methods may even include automatically unlocking the lock 250 in response to determining that the visitor is the authorized visitor (at step 5110). Accordingly, embodiments may also include automatically locking the lock in response to determining that the visitor is not the authorized visitor (at step 5112).
- the system 200 may perform various actions in response to determining whether the guest is authorized or unauthorized to access the building 300. For example, methods may include initiating a communication session between the doorbell 202 and a remote computing device 204 in response to determining that the visitor is the authorized visitor (at step 5114). Methods may also include refraining from initiating a communication session between the doorbell 202 and a remote computing device 204 in response to determining that the visitor is not an authorized visitor (at step 5116).
- authorizedize may be understood to mean a guest who has been predetermined to be allowed access to the building.
- determining whether the visitor is the authorized visitor may include determining an identity of the visitor (at step 5200).
- determining the identify of the visitor comprises capturing facial recognition data (at step 5202) and determining the identify of the visitor via the facial recognition data (at step 5204).
- determining the identity of the visitor may comprise capturing voice recognition data (at step 5206) and determining the identity of the visitor via the voice recognition data (at step 5208).
- the system 200 may also be configured to determine the identity of the visitor via any other variety of identification techniques, such as fingerprint recognition, retina detection, and the like.
- the method may include receiving a residence identification in response to a visitor initiating a first communication at a remote building 300 having at least a first residence and a second residence (at step 5300).
- Methods may also include selecting a first remote computing device 204a associated with the first residence based on the residence identification (at step 5302) and sending a push notification to the first remote computing device 204a in response to receiving the residence identification and selecting the remote computing device 204 (at step 5304).
- methods may include receiving the residence identification in response to the visitor pressing a doorbell button 212 to initiate the first communication (at step 5306).
- Methods may also include receiving the first communication having an Internet protocol address associated with the remote building 300 (at step 5308), identifying a first phone number of the first remote computing device 204a in response to analyzing the Internet protocol address (at step 5310), and sending the push notification to the first phone number (at step 5312).
- the method may include receiving permission from the first remote computing device 204a to unlock an entrance, such as a gate, an outer door, a main door, a door that leads to a common area, and the like, to the remote building 300 at least partially in response to sending an audio message from the visitor to the first remote computing device 204a, and unlocking the entrance (at step 5400).
- the method may thereby include unlocking a door of the first residence in response to receiving the permission (at step 5402).
- Methods may even include receiving the residence identification having a physical address of the remote building (at step 5404) and determining that the visitor wants access to the first residence in response to data received directly or indirectly from the visitor (at step 5406). Methods may also include identifying a first phone number associated with the first residence (at step 5408) and sending the push notification to the first phone number (at step 5410).
- Embodiments may also implement voice and facial recognition features.
- receiving the residence identification may comprise analyzing a recording of the visitor speaking to identify that the visitor wants access to the first residence (at step 5504).
- Methods may even include receiving a second phone number of a second remote computing device 204b of the visitor at least partially in response to the visitor pressing a doorbell button 212 to initiate the first communication (at step 5506) and initiating a two- way audio communication between the second remote computing device 204b of the visitor and the first remote computing device 204a associated with the first residence (at step 5508).
- Methods may include receiving authorization from the first remote computing device 204a at least partially in response to the two-way audio communication to send an electronic key data to the second remote computing device 204b via an electronic communication sent via the second phone number (at step 5510).
- Methods may include unlocking a door of the first residence in response to a proximity sensor located at an entrance of the first residence detecting a second remote computing device 204b of the visitor (at step 5604). Even still, in some embodiments, the method includes unlocking a door of the first residence in response to a doorbell located at an entrance of the first residence recognizing at least one of a face of the visitor and a physical characteristic of the first visitor (at step 5606).
- Intercoms can be mounted near an entryway of a building to enable a person who visits the building to communicate with a person inside the building.
- intercoms are mounted near a door.
- a visitor can press a button on the intercom to communicate with someone inside the building.
- the visitor can enter an apartment number or state a person's name.
- the intercom can initiate two-way audio and/or video communication between the visitor and the person (or a person located in the apartment).
- the intercom can include a display screen to enable a visitor to see the person in the apartment.
- intercoms are mounted outside a gate configured to open when a driver of a vehicle uses the intercom to communicate with someone inside the gate and the person inside the gate presses a button to open the gate.
- Figure 57 illustrates a diagrammatic view of a visitor 388 trying to communicate with a person 336a inside the building 300. If the person 336a is inside the building 300, then the system can enable the person 336a to communicate via two-way audio and/or two-way video with the visitor 388.
- the system can include one intercom 519a located near an entryway of the building.
- the system can include a second intercom 519b located inside a dwelling unit (e.g., an apartment, a hotel room, an office, a place for sleeping, a home, an interior room).
- a cable 515e or other suitable communication means can couple the intercoms 519a, 519b to enable the visitor 388 to communicate with the person 336a inside the building 300.
- the person 336b is away from the building 300.
- the person 336b might be at work, on vacation, or on a walk.
- the system fails to enable the visitor 388 to communicate with the person 336b associated with the dwelling unit.
- Figure 58 illustrates a diagrammatic view of a situation that is similar to the situation illustrated in Figure 57 except that a communication device 202 has been communicatively coupled to the system.
- the communication system 202 can be communicatively coupled (e.g., via wireless networks, cellular networks, the Internet, servers, telephone networks, and/or any suitable communicate system) with a remote computing device 204 of the user 336b.
- the communication device 202 can comprise any of the components and features described in the context of the doorbells 202 and security systems 202 described herein and/or incorporated by reference.
- Figure 29 illustrates many features of the communication device 202.
- the system can be configured to send alerts (regarding the visitor 388 wanting to talk with a person associated with the dwelling unit) to both the intercom 519b and the remote computing device 204. If a first person 336a located in the dwelling unit answers the alert (e.g., via the intercom 519b) before a second person 336b located away from the dwelling unit answers the alert (e.g., via the remote computing device 204), then the system can terminate the alert to the remote computing device 204 (to avoid alerting more people or locations than may be needed).
- the system can terminate the alert to the intercom 519b (to avoid alerting more people or locations than may be needed).
- Figure 59 illustrates a diagrammatic view of the system shown in Figure 57.
- the intercoms 519a, 519b can comprise microphones 513, 513b configured to record voices; cameras 505, 505b configured to record images of people; speakers 501, 501b configured to emit recorded voices so a remote person can hear the voices; display screens 242, 242b configured to show videos of people located remotely (e.g., to enable two-way video communication); and controls systems 517, 517b that can include computers, printed circuit boards, wireless communication systems, and any other items necessary to process video, audio, and communications.
- the intercoms 519a, 519b can comprise any components and features of intercoms available for sale. For example, Zenitel located in Norway; Visiplex, Inc. located in Buffalo Grove, Illinois; and BEC Integrated Solutions, LLC located in New York sell many intercoms.
- Figures 60 and 61 illustrate diagrammatic views of the system shown in Figure 58.
- Systems can include many intercoms and remote computing devices (e.g., smartphones) that are communicatively coupled by a first communication device 519a and a third communication device 202.
- remote computing devices e.g., smartphones
- a communication system 207 can be configured to be at least partially coupled to a building 300.
- the communication system 207 can include a first communication device 519a coupled to the building 300 at a first location (e.g., an entryway 310 of the building 300).
- the first communication device 519a can comprise a first speaker 501 and a first microphone 513.
- the communication system 207 can comprise a second communication device 519b coupled to the building 300 at a second location (e.g., inside of room of the building).
- the second communication device 519b can comprise a second speaker 501b and a second microphone 513b.
- the first communication device 519a and the second communication device 519b can be communicatively coupled to enable a visitor 388 located at the first location to talk with a first person 336a at the second location.
- the communication system 207 can comprise a third communication device 202 that has a portion physically coupled to the first speaker 501 and the first microphone 513.
- the portion can be electrically coupled to at least one printed circuit board of the first communication device 519a such that the portion can receive data based on sound from the first microphone 513 and can send data such that the first speaker 501 emits sound based on the data from the portion.
- the portion can be electrically and communicatively coupled with other parts of the third communication device 202.
- the portion of the third communication device 202 is not physically coupled with at least some parts of the third communication device 202 but is wirelessly communicatively coupled with other parts of the third communication device 202.
- the third communication device 202 can be communicatively coupled to a first remote computing device 204 via wireless communication.
- the third communication device 202 is configured to receive (e.g., via a wireless communication 230) a first audio data recorded by the first remote computing device 204.
- the portion of the third communication device 202 can be configured to deliver the first audio data to the first speaker 501 via a first electrical connection 515a such that the first speaker 501 emits a first sound based on the first audio data.
- the first electrical connection can be a cable, a wire, an interconnect, a part of a printed circuit board, and/or any suitable conductive material that couples the portion of the third communication device 202 to the speaker 501. This coupling can be via the control sy stem 517.
- the third communication device 202 is configured to receive a second audio data recorded by the first communication device 519a.
- the portion of the third communication device 202 can be configured to receive the second audio data from the first microphone 513 via a second electrical connection 515d.
- the third communication device 202 can be configured to send the second audio data to the first remote computing device 204 such that the first remote computing device 204 emits a second sound based on the second audio data.
- the second electrical connection can be a cable, a wire, an interconnect, a part of a printed circuit board, and/or any suitable conductive material that couples the portion of the third communication device 202 to the microphone 513. This coupling can be via the control system 517.
- the camera 505 and the display screen 242 of the first communication device 519a can be electrically coupled to the third communication device 202.
- the first communication device 519a comprises a first camera 505
- the third communication device 202 is configured to receive a first video data recorded by the first camera 505
- the portion of the third communication device 202 is configured to receive the first video data via a third electrical connection
- the third communication device 202 is configured to wirelessly send the first video data to the first remote computing device 204 such that the first remote computing device 204 displays a first video based on the first video data.
- a cable 515e can communicatively couple the first communication device 519a (which can be located in an entryway 310) to the second communication device 519b (which can be located in a room of a building).
- a cable 515e is not used to communicatively couple the first communication device 519a to the second communication device 519b.
- the first communication device 519a and the second communication device 519b can be communicatively coupled by a wireless network 308 of the building 300.
- the first communication device 519a and the third communication device 202 are located in an entryway 310 of the building 300.
- the third communication device 202 can be mechanically coupled to the first communication device 519a.
- the entryway 310 can be an area near a door of the building 300 or a gate configured to guard an exterior area of the building 300 (e.g., a front yard or a communal area outside of an apartment complex).
- the second communication device 519b can be located in a dwelling unit inside the building 300.
- the system 207 can be configured to send a first alert regarding the visitor 388 to the second communication device 519b.
- the system 207 can be configured to send a second alert regarding the visitor 388 to the first remote computing device 204. In several embodiments, these alerts are sent simultaneously and/or within thirty seconds of each other.
- the alert signals can be continuous or intermittent.
- the alerts can comprise information regarding the visitor 388 (e.g., an identity of the visitor 388, the purpose of the visit, an identify of a person with whom the visitor 388 wishes to speak, a time of the visit, package information).
- An alert sent to a smartphone can be a push notification.
- the push notification can cause the smartphone to display a message to a user of the smartphone and/or can cause an "app" to open on the smartphone.
- An alert sent to a second communication device 519b can cause a message to display on a display screen 242b of the second communication device 519b and/or can cause the second communication device 519b to emit a notification sound (e.g., a ringing sound configured to get the attention of an occupant of an apartment, hotel room, or other dwelling unit).
- a notification sound e.g., a ringing sound configured to get the attention of an occupant of an apartment, hotel room, or other dwelling unit.
- system 207 is configured to terminate the first alert in response to detecting that a second person 336b responded to the second alert via the first remote computing device 204.
- system 207 is configured to send a first alert regarding the visitor 388 to the second communication device 519b, the system 207 is configured to send a second alert regarding the visitor 388 to the first remote computing device 204, and/or the system 207 is configured to terminate the second alert in response to detecting that the first person responded to the first alert via the second communication device 519b.
- the second communication device 519b is located in a dwelling unit inside the building 300.
- the system 207 can be configured to send an alert regarding the visitor 388 to the first remote computing device 204 in response to detecting that the first remote computing device 204 is not located in dwelling unit.
- the second communication device 519b is located in a dwelling unit inside the building 300.
- the system 207 can be configured to send an alert regarding the visitor 388 to the first remote computing device 204 in response to determining that the first person is not located in dwelling unit.
- the system 207 comprises a fourth communication device 519c coupled to the building 300 at a third location.
- the fourth communication device 519c can comprise a third speaker 501c and a third microphone 513c.
- the first communication device 519a and the fourth communication device 519c can be communicatively coupled to enable the visitor 388 located at the first location to talk with a third person at the third location.
- the fourth communication device 519c can be communicatively coupled to a second remote computing device 204e via the first communication device 519a and the third communication device 202.
- the third communication device 202 is configured to enable two-way audio communication between the second remote computing device 204e and the first communication device 519a in response to at least one of the first communication device 519a and the third communication device 202 detecting and/or determining that the visitor 388 wishes to speak with at least one of a dwelling unit in which the fourth communication device 519c is located and an occupant of the dwelling unit in which the fourth communication device 519c is located.
- the term “substantially” may be understood to mean any of the following phrases: for the most part, essentially, considerably, very much, to a greator significant extent.
- the terms "resident”, “occupant”, “guest”, and “visitor” may be used interchangeably and may be understood to mean any person who enters a building.
- section headings and subheadings provided herein are nonlimiting.
- the section headings and subheadings do not represent or limit the full scope of the embodiments described in the sections to which the headings and subheadings pertain.
- a section titled “Topic 1” may include embodiments that do not pertain to Topic 1 and embodiments described in other sections may apply to and be combined with embodiments described within the "Topic 1" section.
- routines, processes, methods, and algorithms described in the preceding sections may be embodied in, and fully or partially automated by, code modules executed by one or more computers, computer processors, or machines configured to execute computer instructions.
- the code modules may be stored on any type of non-transitory computer- readable storage medium or tangible computer storage device, such as hard drives, solid state memory, flash memory, optical disc, and/or the like.
- the processes and algorithms may be implemented partially or wholly in application-specific circuitry.
- the results of the disclosed processes and process steps may be stored, persistently or otherwise, in any type of non-transitory computer storage such as, e.g., volatile or non-volatile storage.
- A, B, and/or C can be replaced with A, B, and C written in one sentence and A, B, or C written in another sentence.
- A, B, and/or C means that some embodiments can include A and B, some embodiments can include A and C, some embodiments can include B and C, some embodiments can only include A, some embodiments can include only B, some embodiments can include only C, and some embodiments include A, B, and C.
- the term "and/or" is used to avoid unnecessary redundancy.
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Abstract
Description
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Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US201762539472P | 2017-07-31 | 2017-07-31 | |
US201762583311P | 2017-11-08 | 2017-11-08 | |
PCT/US2018/044662 WO2019028058A1 (en) | 2017-07-31 | 2018-07-31 | Doorbell communication systems and methods |
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EP3662652A1 true EP3662652A1 (en) | 2020-06-10 |
EP3662652A4 EP3662652A4 (en) | 2021-06-16 |
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JP (1) | JP2020529771A (en) |
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US11651665B2 (en) | 2013-07-26 | 2023-05-16 | Skybell Technologies Ip, Llc | Doorbell communities |
US11889009B2 (en) | 2013-07-26 | 2024-01-30 | Skybell Technologies Ip, Llc | Doorbell communication and electrical systems |
US20180343141A1 (en) | 2015-09-22 | 2018-11-29 | SkyBell Technologies, Inc. | Doorbell communication systems and methods |
US20170048495A1 (en) | 2015-02-17 | 2017-02-16 | SkyBell Technologies, Inc. | Power outlet cameras |
US10742938B2 (en) | 2015-03-07 | 2020-08-11 | Skybell Technologies Ip, Llc | Garage door communication systems and methods |
JP2023510196A (en) * | 2020-01-03 | 2023-03-13 | スカイベル テクノロジーズ、インコーポレイテッド | Power outlet/camera |
KR102451015B1 (en) * | 2021-09-29 | 2022-10-04 | 정재준 | Wire/wireless door phone system having cctv security function |
CN113645344B (en) * | 2021-10-14 | 2022-01-07 | 北京创米智汇物联科技有限公司 | Message processing method, device and storage medium |
CN114708853A (en) * | 2022-03-18 | 2022-07-05 | 歌尔股份有限公司 | Interactive system |
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JP2003319380A (en) * | 2002-04-19 | 2003-11-07 | Matsushita Electric Works Ltd | Video interphone system |
US8144183B2 (en) | 2002-10-15 | 2012-03-27 | Revolutionary Concepts, Inc. | Two-way audio-video communication method for receiving person at entrance |
JP2007124170A (en) * | 2005-10-27 | 2007-05-17 | Hitachi Ltd | Intercom remote response system |
JP2007208533A (en) * | 2006-01-31 | 2007-08-16 | Aiphone Co Ltd | Interphone system |
US20080297339A1 (en) * | 2008-07-18 | 2008-12-04 | Mathews David K | Apparatus and Method for Converting a Low Voltage AC Wiring Circuit to a High Speed Data Communications Link |
JP2011135219A (en) * | 2009-12-22 | 2011-07-07 | Panasonic Electric Works Co Ltd | Intercom system |
TW201228339A (en) | 2010-12-28 | 2012-07-01 | Hon Hai Prec Ind Co Ltd | Remote entrance guard reply system and method |
US20130057695A1 (en) | 2011-09-07 | 2013-03-07 | Timothy J. Huisking | Method and apparatus for unlocking/locking a door and enabling two-way communications with a door security system via a smart phone |
US9584775B2 (en) | 2013-07-18 | 2017-02-28 | BOT Home Automation, Inc. | Wireless entrance communication device |
US9237318B2 (en) | 2013-07-26 | 2016-01-12 | SkyBell Technologies, Inc. | Doorbell communication systems and methods |
US9172922B1 (en) | 2013-12-06 | 2015-10-27 | SkyBell Technologies, Inc. | Doorbell communication systems and methods |
US9396624B2 (en) | 2013-12-09 | 2016-07-19 | Echostar Technologies L.L.C. | Systems and methods for home automation integration with a doorbell |
JP2015156586A (en) * | 2014-02-20 | 2015-08-27 | パナソニックIpマネジメント株式会社 | Speech device and speech system using the same |
WO2016179570A1 (en) | 2015-05-07 | 2016-11-10 | BOT Home Automation, Inc. | Wireless audio/video recording and communication doorbells with integrated image sensor/button |
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- 2018-07-31 WO PCT/US2018/044662 patent/WO2019028058A1/en unknown
- 2018-07-31 EP EP18840346.3A patent/EP3662652A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2018-07-31 JP JP2020505167A patent/JP2020529771A/en active Pending
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EP3662652A4 (en) | 2021-06-16 |
WO2019028058A1 (en) | 2019-02-07 |
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