Patents Assigned to VIVINT, INC.
  • Patent number: 9972195
    Abstract: Techniques are described for reducing false alarms related to security and automation systems. One method includes receiving a request to activate a security function associated with a automation system, initiating a first security duration after a predetermined time associated with the received request, detecting an occurrence of an event associated with the automation system during the first security duration, initiating a second security duration based on the detecting, and broadcasting a message requesting authentication credentials at a location of the automation system during the second security duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Simon
  • Patent number: 9972181
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for monitoring activity at a location, provides receiving a first data signal and a second data signal, wherein the first and second data signals are related to activities detected at a location, and reproducing the first and second data signals in a chronology that indicates relative timing of receipt of the first and second data signals via a user interface. This may accelerate review and inspection of multiple data signals recorded over time, including data signals of various types. The coincidence of patterns in the data signals may be detected and brought to the user's attention for closer review, such as via transmission of a message or transmission of a segment of recorded data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth Baldwin
  • Patent number: 9973626
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for back-end failure redundancy in security and automation systems. According to at least one embodiment, an apparatus for back-end failure redundancy includes a processor, a memory in electronic communication with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions are executable by a processor to detect an alarm event, and attempt to establish a connection between a control panel and a backend system. If no connection between control panel and backend system is made, the instructions may initiate a two-way cellular call between the control panel and a central station, and deliver a caller ID from the control panel to the central station via the two-way cellular call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventors: Jungtaik Hwang, Matthew J. Eyring, Jeremy Bruce Warren, James Ellis Nye
  • Patent number: 9958180
    Abstract: In some embodiments, security and/or automation systems, collectively referred to as automation systems, may offer a user the comforts of automatically controlling HVAC settings based at least in part on an alarm. The automation system may provide automatically meet desired HVAC conditions at select times and provide a more comfortable living situation. In some embodiments, the increased comfort level may enable or ease household activities. For example, if a person sleeps with a cooler temperature, it may be harder for the person to get out of bed. But an automated HVAC system may adjust the temperature such that when a person desires to wake up, the temperature is comfortable and may ease a transition from day to night.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Mahar, Matthew J. Eyring, Clint H. Gordon-Carroll, Jeremy B. Warren, James E. Nye, Jefferson H. Lyman
  • Patent number: 9958844
    Abstract: A method for energy management is described. In one embodiment, an aspect of a dwelling is monitored. The monitored aspect of the dwelling is compared to an energy policy to determine a deviation of the monitored aspect of the dwelling from a setting of the energy policy. A notification is sent to an occupant, the notification comprising the deviation of the monitored aspect of the dwelling from the setting of the energy policy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy B. Warren, Matthew J. Eyring, James Ellis Nye, Jungtaik Hwang, Tim Lott, Luke Langford, Wade Shearer
  • Patent number: 9953512
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for remote presence security is described. In one embodiment, an event is detected in relation to a premises. Upon detecting the event, a location of an occupant of the premises is determined in relation to the premises. Upon determining the occupant is a predetermined distance away from the premises, a first type of notification is sent. The first type of notification includes a display of real-time video being captured at the premises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventor: Jefferson Lyman
  • Patent number: 9951965
    Abstract: A method for heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems is described. In one embodiment, the method includes measuring a temperature of a first room of a building via a first thermometer placed in the first room and measuring a temperature of a second room of the building via a second thermometer placed in the second room and receiving the temperature of the first room via a first data communication device communicatively coupled to a first HVAC register in the first room and receiving the temperature of the second room via a second data communication device communicatively coupled to a second HVAC register in the second room. In some cases, the first data communication device is configured to communicate data between the first thermometer and a central automation controller and the second data communication device is configured to communicate data between the second thermometer and the central automation controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Call, Nicholas Brown, Jason Carter, Darren Noble, Brandon Hatch, Brandon Bunker
  • Patent number: 9948479
    Abstract: Apparatuses, techniques, and methods for a security and/or automation system are described. In some cases, these may include detecting a presence of a person at a location; determine a first identification datum associated with the person; calculating a first probability of identification based at least in part on the first identification datum; determining an identity of the person based at least in part on the first probability; and initiating an action based at least in part on the determined identity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon Bunker, Aaron Davis, Rongbin Lanny Lin, Shiwei Liu
  • Patent number: 9947190
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason C. Flint, Craig Matsuura, Michael D. Child, JonPaul Vega, Jefferson Lyman, Matthew J. Eyring, Jeremy B. Warren, James Ellis Nye
  • Patent number: 9943047
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates systems and methods for providing remote irrigation system operation. In any embodiment, the method for a home automation system may include coupling an irrigation control bypass module with a legacy irrigation control panel associated with a legacy irrigation automation system. The method may also include setting the legacy irrigation control panel to an inactive state, and operating the legacy irrigation automation system based at least in part on a first set of one or more instructions received from the irrigation control bypass module. In any embodiment, the irrigation control bypass module may be initiated based at least in part on a second set of one or more instructions received from the home automation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Scott Carlson, Thomas Colby Winegar, Brian Brower, Jeremy Bruce Warren, Harrison Taylor Jenkins, Alexander J. Dunn, Michael Scott Moulton
  • Patent number: 9942776
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems relating to narrow beam communications and wireless networking are disclosed. Exemplary methods for wireless networking and communications may include identifying a geographic area, receiving location data relating to the geographic area, receiving network performance data, analyzing the location data and the network performance data, identifying a first access point in the geographic area based at least in part on the analyzing, and adjusting a narrow beam communication device a predetermined amount relating to the first access point based at least in part on the analyzing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Ross, Venkat Kalkunte
  • Patent number: 9942056
    Abstract: A method for home automation system is described. In one embodiment, the method may include receiving input regarding a list of predetermined activities. The method may further include receiving monitored activity data of at least one authorized user. The method may further include comparing the received monitored activity data with the received input regarding the list of predetermined activities, and operating at least one aspect of the home automation system based, at least in part, on the comparing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventors: Rongbin Lanny Lin, Brandon Bunker, Aaron Davis, Shiwei Liu
  • Patent number: 9931042
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for monitoring baby physical characteristics. In some embodiments, the method may include projecting light from a video monitoring system toward a monitored user, and detecting a heart rate of the monitored user at the video monitoring system based at least in part on detecting the projected light. The method may further include comparing the detected heart rate with a predetermined heart rate threshold, and initiating an alert based at least in part on the comparing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Vivint Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Mahar
  • Patent number: 9934669
    Abstract: A method for geo-location services is described. A location of a user is monitored, via a sensor, in relation to a predetermined location. Upon detecting a predetermined condition of the user, a determination is made of which contact on a contact list is nearest to the predetermined location. A notification is sent to the contact determined to be nearest to the predetermined location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventors: Jungtaik Hwang, Matthew J. Eyring, James E. Nye, Jeremy B. Warren
  • Patent number: 9929873
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for controlling an automation and security system. According to at least one embodiment, an apparatus for voice control of an automation and security system includes a processor, a memory in electronic communication with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions are executable by a processor to detect a trigger word spoken by a user at a location remote from a control panel of the automation and security system, detect a command spoken by the user at the remote location which follows the trigger word, deliver at least one audio response to the user at the remote location in response to the command, and perform an action in response to the command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventors: Jungtaik Hwang, Matthew J. Eyring, Jeremy Bruce Warren, James Ellis Nye
  • Patent number: 9930041
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for the prevention of network peripheral takeover activity. Peripheral devices may implement an anti-takeover mechanism limiting the number of available device command classes when certain handshake and verification requirements are not met. Anti-takeover peripheral devices with protection enabled may be relocated within a controller network, or in certain cases, from one controller network to another controller network when certain conditions are met. That same device may be hobbled when removed from a controller network and may remain hobbled when connected to another network that fails to meet certain conditions. Unprotection and unhobbling of a device may occur through an algorithmic mechanism using values stored on the peripheral device and the controller device for one or more of anti-takeover code generation, anti-takeover code comparison, network identification value comparison, and manufacturer identification value comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeremy B. Warren
  • Patent number: 9922549
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a security and/or automation system using a aspects of a vehicle. The method may include receiving confirmation of a user's presence in the vehicle, receiving confirmation of vehicle operation, displaying on a display of the vehicle at least one control option for a security and/or automation system of a property monitored by the security and/or automation system, receiving at least one user input on the display related to the at least one control option, and transmitting instructions to control the security and/or automation system based on the at least one user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeremy B. Warren
  • Patent number: 9903606
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for controlling parameters in a building. According to at least one embodiment, a method for controlling parameters in a building includes using a first sensor type to determine whether the building is occupied and using a second sensor type to determine how reliable the first sensor type determines occupancy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon Bunker, Jungtaik Hwang
  • Patent number: 9906952
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for the prevention of network peripheral takeover activity. In some embodiments, peripheral devices may implement an anti-takeover mechanism encrypting messages and transmitting unencrypted decryption keys for a limited period of time. Anti-takeover peripheral devices may transition from a plain operational mode, to a decryption key transmission mode, to a secure mode based on pre-defined triggering events, commands, or timers. Random decryption key values may be generated by peripheral devices and transmitted to listening devices for later storage and retrieval by the listening device. Decryption keys may be stored in remote data stores for later retrieval by anti-takeover aware controller devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeremy B. Warren
  • Patent number: 9898919
    Abstract: A method for security and/or automation systems is described. In one embodiment, the method may include detecting a proximity of a user at a home automation device. The method may further include projecting an external display of home automation system information from the home automation device onto a surface. In some embodiments, the external display may be projected based, at least in part, on the detected proximity of the user at the home automation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey G. Thomas