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.

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.

Abstract: A method for HVAC workload and cost logic is described. In one embodiment, the method includes detecting a thermostat of an HVAC system being set to a target temperature and upon detecting the thermostat being set to the target temperature, detecting a current indoor condition and a current outdoor condition. In some embodiments, the method includes calculating an estimated runtime of an HVAC heating or cooling cycle for the target temperature. The estimated runtime is based on the target temperature, the current indoor and outdoor conditions, and on a result of querying a correlation database. The correlation database includes data points for a plurality of previous HVAC heating and cooling cycles.

Abstract: An assembly, method, apparatus, and system for supplying power to security, life safety, information technology, and/or automation system components is disclosed. Some embodiments may include a power supply with a projecting terminal and a cable having a first end with an electrical contact surface for contacting a power transmitting surface of the projecting terminal to establish an electrical connection, so that a first end housing portion surrounds the electrical contact surface and at least partially covers the projecting terminal. The electrical contact surface may be adjustable using a spring, which may also assist in maintaining contact with the power transmitting surface located at the projecting terminal distal end. A cable second end may connect with an electronic device, and may be customizable according to the electronic device. Embodiments may also include keying features for ensuring connection with appropriate power supplies.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method to monitor a proximity of an item within the confines of an automation system is described. The method may comprise setting one or more monitoring thresholds for an item. The monitoring threshold factors are communicating by a sensor proximate the item. The method may receive one or more notifications via the sensor that the item has exceeded at least one monitoring threshold and activating a monitoring aspect of the sensors based at least in part on the receiving. The method may monitor the item for one or more alarm thresholds based at least in part on the receiving. One or more alarms may be activated based at least in part on the monitoring.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for channel switching in a mesh network is described. In one embodiment, a beacon is sent. The beacon includes a channel change request in both proprietary and standard formats. The channel change request includes an instruction to change to a particular channel and a geo-timing synchronization function identifying when the change to the particular channel should occur. The geo-timing synchronization function is used to determine that the time has arrived to change to the particular channel. The particular channel is changed to synchronously with all other access points in the mesh network.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for enabling secure delivery of a package to a designated delivery area of a premises is described. In one embodiment, information regarding a delivery of a package to a premises may be received, a delivery person arriving at the premises may be detected, and instructions may be provided to the delivery person regarding how to deliver the package to the designated delivery area within the premises.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for automatic system access using facial recognition. According to at least one embodiment, an apparatus for automatic system access using facial recognition includes a processor, a memory in electronic communication with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory which are executable by a processor to identify faces of a plurality of persons relative to a premises, and determine, based at least in part on the identifying, a first person from the plurality of persons satisfies a frequent occupant threshold. The instructions are executable recognize the first person at the premises after determining the first person from the plurality of persons satisfies the frequent occupant threshold and initiate a change of state of a security and/or automation system based at least in part on the recognizing.

Abstract: A method for security and/or automation systems is described. In one embodiment, the method may include receiving occupancy data, identifying characteristics of the occupancy data, determining an occupant's location relative to the premises at a predetermined time, and generating a notification based at least in part on the determining.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for security and/or automation systems, for adjusting a home environment. Some method embodiments involving a lighting system may include receiving data relating to an occupant of a home from a sensor, analyzing the data, identifying the occupant based at least in part on the analyzing, and initiating an adjustment of the lighting system based at least in part on the identifying. One such embodiment may also include searching a catalog of occupant profiles, and comparing the data with the catalog of occupant profiles. Some other method embodiments may initiate adjustments to an environment based on an occupant's preferences (whether those preferences are already included in a profile, or determined by analysis) such as for example the occupant's lighting preferences (in an embodiment involving a lighting system). One method embodiment may also include correlating data relating to the occupant with the occupant's profile.

Abstract: Techniques are described for enhanced interactions for a security automation system using a doorbell camera. One method includes detecting, by the doorbell camera, that a person is located within a distance threshold to an entry of a structure based on received sensor data; identifying, by the doorbell camera, a suggested security action for the security and automation system to perform based on the detecting; transmitting the suggested action to the security and automation system based on the identifying; and broadcasting, via the doorbell camera, in response to the transmitting a message to the person located within the distance threshold.

Abstract: A method for managing an irrigation schedule is described. Data related to soil at a location may be received from a first sensor by way of a first wireless communication. Data related to weather at the location may be received from a second sensor by way of a second wireless communication. At least one video frame of the location may be received from a camera located within a predetermined distance from the location by way of a third wireless communication. An amount of liquid to discharge at the location may be determined based at least in part on the received data and the received video frame. A discharge of the determined amount of liquid at the location may be activated.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the security and/or automation system, collectively referred to herein as automation system, may include a system for remotely monitoring a residence while respecting the privacy of occupants of the residence and the need for safety and security concerns. When a user is actively monitoring a residence, the system may provide a notification to occupants that remote monitoring is active. The remote monitoring may comprise video feed viewing of the residence, review of still images, audio review, and the like. The remote monitoring may allow review of multiple areas or rooms of a residence, the outside of a residence, and the like. The notifications may alert an occupant when a user is remotely viewing an audio feed, a video feed, images, or the like. However, the user may be disable the notifications if so desired.

Abstract: Techniques are described for enhancing wireless communication using millimeter wave (mmW) communication and mesh network topology. One method includes transmitting data to a first wireless device via a first mmW communication beam from a base station, determining that a performance level of the first mmW communication beam is below a threshold value based on transmitting the data, and communicating with the first wireless device over a transmission route based on a performance level of a second mmW communication beam. In some examples, the transmission route includes a first segment that includes the second mmW communication beam and a second segment that includes a wireless mesh network.

Abstract: The disclosure may relate to a communications protocol between a mobile device and a control panel, or a mobile device and a server associated with the automation system. The communication protocol may reduce a size of data transferred between the mobile device and control panel ensuring the user does not experience latency on their mobile device, a large bill from their wireless broadband provider, and also does not miss important update or the like from the automation system. In some embodiments, a method for a security and/or automation is described. The method may comprise generating a communication to a user, coding the communication using a pre-established user-specific code index, and transmitting the coded communication to a device associated with the user. Coding the communication may further comprise reducing a size of the communication.

Abstract: In some instances, a person may need monitoring. The monitoring may be based on age, or on other factors such as abilities and functionality. The monitoring may enable a supervising person to remotely receive updates regarding the subject person. The supervising person may enter in various biometric parameters to monitor. The supervising person may alternatively and/or additionally set other factors to monitor such as time of day, location, activity level, and the like. The monitoring may provide peace of mind to a supervising person to ensure the subject person is safe. In some embodiments, the supervising person may set various alarm thresholds. The alarm thresholds may trigger an alert to the supervising person. In alternative embodiments, if the subject person is a grown person without a supervising person in the same vicinity, a security and/or automation system may act as the supervising adult.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for communicating action instructions between a home automation system and a mobile robotic device. In some embodiments, methods may comprise receiving, from a first device, information regarding a delivery of a package to a first location, determining that a mobile robotic device and the first device are part of a predetermined group of devices operating in a neighborhood network, transporting, by the mobile robotic device, the package to a drop-off location, and initiating a notification for the first device based at least in part on transporting the package.

Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a security and/or automation system using one or more powered faceplates are disclosed. The methods may include identifying an active communication connection with a first powered faceplate, receiving a first set of automation data, receiving a second set of automation data, analyzing the first set of automation data and the second set of automation data, and initiating an operation relating to at least one of a first powered faceplate, one or more other powered faceplates, an automation sensor, an automation system component, a user device, or a combination thereof based at least in part on the analyzing.

Abstract: According to at least one embodiment, a computer-implemented method to transmit data is described. The data being transmitted over a wired data-connection may be identified. The identified data may be parsed into two or more parts. A first part of the identified data may be transmitted over a primary wired data-connection. A second part of the identified data may be transmitted over an auxiliary wired data-connection. The auxiliary wired data-connection may be connected to the primary wired data-connection via a wireless data-connection.

Abstract: According to at least one embodiment, a computer-implemented method to implement at least one automation rule is described. The at least one automation rule may be generated, wherein the at least one automation rule may control at least one aspect of an automation system. The execution origination point may be selected for the at least one automation rule based at least in part on the one or more implementation parameters. The one or more implementation parameters may comprise at least one of the speed of the automation rule execution, the scalability of the automation rule, the flexibility of the automation rule conditions, or the ease of automation rule modification.