Patents by Inventor Michael D. Child

Michael D. Child has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20170116835
    Abstract: In some embodiments, security and/or automation systems, collectively referred to as automation system, may provide deterrents to the illicit acquisition of a device unique to the automation system. The system may enable a device to self-detect when the device is either stolen and/or the potential victim of hacking. The automation system may implement several solutions to help prevent tampering with its devices. The solutions may help prevent the physical acquisition of a device or may aid in the recovery of the device. The solutions may additionally include programming the device to automatically detect when the device is being hacked and/or misappropriated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Michael D. Child, JonPaul Vega, Craig Matsuura, Dean Brederson
  • Publication number: 20170109983
    Abstract: A method for security and/or automation systems is described. In one embodiment, the method may include detecting a first sound event at a home entry point using one or more sensors. The method may further include receiving input to associate at least one home automation system operation with the first sound event, and may further include storing the first sound event. The method may further include initiating the at least one home automation system operation associated with the first sound event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: Jason C. Flint, Craig Matsuura, Michael D. Child, JonPaul Vega, Jefferson Lyman, Matthew J. Eyring, Jeremy B. Warren, James Ellis Nye
  • Publication number: 20170111787
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods relating to operating a security system are described. In one embodiment a method may include receiving at a receiving unit a protected signal sent from a portable transmitter, the receiving unit in communication with a security system panel, assessing at least one characteristic of the protected signal, modifying at least one characteristic of the protected signal based at least in part on the assessing, and comparing the protected signal to a stored signal after the modifying.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: Wayne Call, Craig DeVries, Jeremy B. Warren, Michael D. Child
  • Publication number: 20170109984
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods relating to security system and automation monitoring are described. In one embodiment a method may include receiving motion detection data via an electrical signal, analyzing the motion detection data based at least in part on a first parameter, identifying a movement of an object based at least in part on the analyzing, and adjusting one or more light emitting diodes based at least in part on the identifying.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: Michael D. Child, Jowen Lin
  • Publication number: 20170033943
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for installing a component within a system is described. In one embodiment, component information is identified via a component code on a component. User input is received that includes additional component information. A component associated with the component code is activated in a system based on the component information and the additional component information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Jeremy B. Warren, Jeffrey G. Thomas, Michael D. Child
  • Patent number: 9407452
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for installing a component within a system is described. In one embodiment, component information is identified via a component code on a component. User input is received that includes additional component information. A component associated with the component code is activated in a system based on the component information and the additional component information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy B. Warren, Jeffrey G. Thomas, Michael D. Child
  • Publication number: 20160217638
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for controlling access to a home based on user occupancy. According to at least one embodiment, an apparatus for controlling access to a home based on user occupancy includes a processor, a memory in electronic communication with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory which are executable by a processor to determine a location of a user of a home automation system relative to a barrier of a home being monitored by the home automation system. The instructions are executable to determine whether to permit a change in a locking mechanism of the barrier based in part on the determined location of the user, and maintain a current state of the home automation system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Michael D. Child, Michelle Zundel, Tanner Potter, Scott Moulton
  • Publication number: 20160203370
    Abstract: Systems and methods for visitor detection using security and/or automation systems include detecting an event at a doorway, capturing an image at the doorway associated with the event, capturing a video at the doorway associated with the event, delivering the image with a notice of the event to a recipient for viewing, and automatically uploading the video for viewing upon capturing the video. The video is available for selective viewing by the recipient upon being uploaded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: Michael D. Child, Craig Matsuura, Dean Brederson, JonPaul Vega
  • Publication number: 20160182856
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and techniques for security and/or automation systems are described. In one embodiment, the method including identifying a presence of a first person at a first location, capturing a first video related to the first person at the first location, and initiating an adjustment of a display of the first video based at least in part on identifying the presence of the first person.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Michael D. Child, Michelle Zundel
  • Publication number: 20150304613
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for using a video camera. According to at least one embodiment, a camera assembly for recording video footage includes a lens connector with a lens attached to a first end and a camera body connector on a second end. Further, the lens connector has a length that separates the video lens a distance from a camera body when the lens connector is attached to camera body and also housing at least one cable capable of transmitting a video signal recorded by the lens from the lens to the camera body. Also, the camera body has a power module and a communication module to communicate with a remote control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D. Child
  • Publication number: 20140263612
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for installing a component within a system is described. In one embodiment, component information is identified via a component code on a component. User input is received that includes additional component information. A component associated with the component code is activated in a system based on the component information and the additional component information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy B. Warren, Jeffrey G. Thomas, Michael D. Child
  • Publication number: 20140266593
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described that are directed to status and control of a garage door system via an alarm system controller. A garage door system may include one or more garage doors and at least one sensor configured to sense data indicative of a status of a garage door of the one or more garage doors. The at least one sensor may further be configured to convey the sensed data to an alarm system controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventors: James Ellis Nye, Michael D. Child, Jeffrey G. Thomas, Jeremy B. Warren
  • Publication number: 20140267716
    Abstract: A system is described herein including a control panel configured to communicate with at least one mobile wireless device, including sending image data to the at least one mobile wireless device using electronic messaging protocols. The system also includes at least one automation component wirelessly connected to the control panel through short range wireless communication protocols. The at least one automation component includes at least one sensor configured to detect a presence of a person at an entry to the physical structure, at least one camera inconspicuously integrated within an entry component at the entry, and at least one short range wireless transceiver coupled to the at least one sensor and the at least one camera and configured to communicate image and sensor data to the control panel and to receive control information from the control panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Child, Todd Matthew Santiago, Jeremy B. Warren
  • Patent number: 5115219
    Abstract: A superconducting magnetic energy storage apparatus comprising a cylindrical superconducting coil; a cylindrical coil containment vessel enclosing the coil and adapted to hold a liquid, such as liquefied helium; and a cylindrical vacuum vessel enclosing the coil containment vessel and located in a restraining structure having inner and outer circumferential walls and a floor; the apparatus being provided with horizontal compression members between (1) the coil and the coil containment vessel and (2) between the coil containment vessel and the vacuum vessel, compression bearing members between the vacuum vessel and the restraining structure inner and outer walls, vertical support members (1) between the coil bottom and the coil containment vessel bottom and (2) between the coil containment vessel bottom and the vacuum vessel bottom, and external supports between the vacuum vessel bottom and the restraining structure floor, whereby the loads developed by thermal and magnetic energy changes in the apparatus can
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Assignee: Chicago Bridge and Iron Technical Services
    Inventors: Gregory J. Withers, Stephen W. Meier, Robert J. Walter, Michael D. Child, Douglas W. DeGraaf