Abstract: A monitoring system that is configured to monitor a property is disclosed. The monitoring system includes a sensor that is configured to generate sensor data that reflects an attribute of the property. The monitoring system further includes a hot water circulation system that is configured to selectively circulate hot water between a hot water source and at least one of multiple locations of the property. The monitoring system further includes a monitor control unit that is configured to receive and analyze the sensor data. The monitor control unit is further configured to determine to circulate hot water between the hot water source and a first location of the multiple locations of the property and to bypass circulating hot water between the hot water source and a second location of the multiple locations of the property.

Abstract: A power connection for a smart lock device including a strike plate that is mounted to a door frame, the strike plate having one or more spring contacts in a recessed portion of the strike plate, a back portion of the strike plate that is connected to a power source, wherein the one or more spring contacts in the recessed portion of the strike plate are connected to the power source via an electrical wiring, and a smart lock device that is mounted to a door, the smart lock device including a deadbolt that is configured to extend from a side portion of the door, where the one or more spring contacts in the recessed portion of the strike plate are configured to align with one or more conductive segments of the deadbolt.

Abstract: Controller technology, in which data specifying a user preference relating to an environmental parameter for a property is received. Based on data collected by a monitoring system, a location of one or more users within the property is identified. Environmental condition data for the property is accessed, the environmental condition data including environmental condition data for the location of the users within the property and other unoccupied locations within the property. The environmental condition data for the property is analyzed with respect to the preference relating to the environmental parameter for the property. Based on the analysis of the environmental condition data for the property with respect to the preference relating to the environmental parameter for the property, a setting for at least one component of an HVAC system is determined. The at least one component of the HVAC system is controlled according to the determined setting.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for preserving privacy in surveillance. The methods, systems, and apparatus include actions of determining a state of a monitoring system, determining an exclusion zone that is shown in a video, determining whether to obfuscate at least a portion of the video based on the exclusion zone and the state of the monitoring system, and obfuscating at least the portion of the video.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are described for cataloging objects in a property using a drone. In some implementations, a system monitors a property that includes a drone configured to survey the property. A control unit accesses data identifying items and provides instructions to the drone to locate the items. The control unit receives data identifying a location of a portion of the items, image data associated with each identified items, and data indicating remaining items not located. In response, the data identifying the remaining items and data indicating that the drone did not locate the remaining portion of the items are transmitted to a client device. The control unit receives data indicating a location within the property of a first group of the remaining portion of the items and data indicating that a second group of the remaining portion of the items are not located within the property.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are described for a sensor designed to connect to and monitor devices in an ecosystem. In some implementations, a system monitors a property that includes the sensor configured to generate sensor data reflecting an attribute of the property. The sensor includes a host board that generates the sensor data and a core board connected to the host board. The core board identifies a type of the host board and communicates with a monitor control unit. The monitor control unit receives a request for firmware associated with the type of the host board from the sensor. In response, the monitor control unit accesses the firmware and transmits the firmware to the sensor. The core board of the sensor receives the firmware and stores the firmware. The core board receives the sensor data from the host board and transmits the sensor data to the monitor control unit.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a storage device, are disclosed. A system includes one or more processors and one or more computer storage media storing instructions that are operable, when executed by the one or more processors, to cause the one or more processors to perform operations. The operations include: obtaining an image from a camera coupled to a garage; determining that a garage door has opened; in response to determining that the garage door has opened, determining that a vehicle position satisfies an alert criteria based on the image from the camera; and in response to determining that the vehicle position satisfies the alert criteria based on the image from the camera, providing a visual alert for a driver of the vehicle on a signaling device coupled to the garage.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a storage device, for monitoring a property are disclosed. A monitoring system includes one or more processors and one or more computer storage media storing instructions that are operable, when executed by the one or more processors, to cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising: obtaining sensor data from sensors at a property; determining, for a peril, a risk that the peril will occur at the property based on risk factors determined from the sensor data; selecting a particular risk factor from the risk factors based on the risk that the peril will occur at the property; and providing an indication of the particular risk factor.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer-storage media, for an electronic knife holder. In some implementations, the electronic knife holder includes a microprocessor, a base member that has a first exterior surface containing multiple slots, a lock, and sensors corresponding to the multiple slots. Each of the multiple slots defines an interior space of the base member and is configured to receive a knife blade. When the lock is placed in a locked position, the lock locks one or more knives placed in one of the multiple slots. The sensors are configured to detect if a knife is present in one of the multiple slots.

Abstract: Monitoring system alert technology, in which monitoring system data is accessed from a monitoring system that is located in a property of a user and the monitoring system data is analyzed against one or more rules that define alerts provided for the monitoring system. Based on the analysis, a determination is made that an alert for the monitoring system is needed and conditions for providing the alert are accessed. Location of a mobile device of a user associated with the monitoring system and timing related to providing the alert are monitored. The monitored location of the mobile device and the monitored timing are analyzed with respect to the accessed conditions. Based on the analysis, a determination is made that the accessed conditions for providing the alert are met and the alert is output at the mobile device.

Abstract: Programmable controller technology, in which data is received that identifies a particular type of irrigation system component that is to be controlled by a programmable controller. Based on receiving the data identifying the particular type of irrigation system component, configuration information is accessed for the particular type of irrigation system component. Based on the configuration information, a configuration is determined for one or more interface ports of the programmable controller. The one or more interface ports of the programmable controller are configured according to the determined configuration. A connection between the particular type of irrigation system component and the programmable controller that satisfies the determined configuration is detected.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for integrating one or more light switch panels into a monitoring system. The methods, systems, and apparatus include actions of determining to communicate a non-traditional file to a z-wave capable device, communicate a first data packet to the z-wave capable device, based on communicating the first data packet to the z-wave capable device, alter a schedule command class payload of a second data packet to include a first portion of the non-traditional file, alter a schedule command class payload of a third data packet to include a second portion of the non-traditional file, and alter a schedule command class payload of a fourth data packet to include a third portion of the non-traditional file, and communicate, to the z-wave capable device, the altered second data packet, the altered third data packet, and the altered fourth data packet.

Abstract: Techniques are described for an autonomous asset management system that integrates autonomous devices, such as drone devices and other robotic devices, with a home security system of a property to enable management, monitoring, and/or tracking of various assets located within the property. In some implementations, an indication of an asset associated with a property is obtained by an autonomous device. Sensor data collected by one or more sensors of the property is obtained by the autonomous device based on the indication of the asset. A present status of the asset is determined by the autonomous device based on the sensor data. A determination that the present status of the asset does not correspond to an expected status of the asset is made by the autonomous device. In response, the autonomous device navigates to the particular location of the property.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for tracking objects. Actions include determining a respective field of view for a plurality of cameras within a monitored property, receiving one or more indications related to a detection of a target object by the plurality of cameras, and obtaining the respective field of views of each of the plurality of cameras. Additional actions include determining that a location of the target object is visible within the respective field of view of a first camera from among the plurality of cameras, and the location of the target object is not visible within the respective field of view of a second camera from among the plurality of cameras, obtaining a current field of view of the first camera, and providing the current field of view of the first camera for output.

Abstract: Techniques are described for providing control of a monitoring system (e.g., a home alarm or security system) using one or more mobile devices. In some implementations, a native mobile device application enables use of a mobile device as a security/automation system keypad and controller for a home security system. In these implementations, the mobile device, using the native mobile device application, checks real time status of system and sensors, arms/disarms system, turns lights on/off, looks in on live video of security cameras, reviews history of system events, reviews saved video clips, monitors/changes thermostat settings, and performs other features of a traditional security keypad in a home security system.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on storage devices, for monitoring, security, and surveillance of a property. In one aspect, a system includes multiple robotic devices, multiple sensors, wherein the multiple sensors includes a first sensor, multiple charging stations, and a monitor control unit. The monitor control unit may include a network interface, one or more processors, and one or more storage devices that include instructions to cause the one or more processors to perform operations. The operations may include receiving data from the first sensor that is indicative of an alarm event, accessing information describing the capabilities of the each of the robotic devices, selecting a subset of robotic devices from the multiple robotic devices, and transmitting a command to each robotic device in the subset of robotic devices that instructs each respective robotic device to deploy to the location of the first sensor.

Abstract: A circuit is described for powering a video doorbell in signal communication with a chime that outputs audio. The circuit includes a switch coupled to a set of input power wires that supply power to the circuit from a source. The switch is operable to switch between: i) a first path of the circuit that supplies power to the video doorbell using the input power wires and ii) a second path of the circuit that supplies power to the chime using the input power wires. The circuit includes a controller that controls the switch to iteratively switch between the first path and the second path based on a timing metric. In response to detection of an object by the video doorbell, the iterative switching between the first path and the second path concurrently powers the video doorbell and the chime without relying on battery power at the video doorbell.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are described for using a robotic device to autonomously monitor activity within a property to predict a high likelihood of germ or disease transmission, and in response, perform one or more sterilization operations to regions of a property to reduce the likelihood of germ or disease transmission. In some implementations, sensor data collected by one or more sensors located within a property is processed. One or more activity patterns of a user located within the property based on processing the sensor data is identified. A determination to perform a sterilization operation based on the one or more activity patterns of the user is made. An instruction is provided to a robotic device located in the property to perform the sterilization operation.

Abstract: A monitoring system is configured to monitor a property. The system includes a sensor that is configured to generate sensor data that reflects an attribute of the property. The system further includes an HVAC system that is configured to generate and provide conditioned air to the property and that is configured to generate HVAC system data that reflects an attribute of the HVAC system. The system includes a monitor control unit that is configured to determine that the HVAC system is likely malfunctioning. The control unit is configured to receive the sensor data. The control unit is configured to determine that the HVAC system is likely operating correctly. The control unit is configured to determine a cause of the HVAC system transitioning from likely malfunctioning to likely operating correctly. The control unit is configured to update a model that is configured to identify causes of HVAC system malfunctions.

Abstract: Methods, and systems including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for automated climate control. In one aspect, a monitoring system includes an indoor climate control device that is configured to adjust an indoor climate setting of a property, a sensor that is located at the property and configured to generate sensor data that reflects an attribute of the property, and a monitor control unit. The monitor control unit is configured to receive the sensor data, and receive, from an onboard control unit for a first vehicle associated with the property, data that reflects a status of the first vehicle. Based on the data that reflects the status of the first vehicle and the sensor data, the monitor control unit determines the indoor climate setting for the indoor climate control device, and provides instructions to adjust the indoor climate control device to the indoor climate setting.