Patents by Inventor Charles Richard Alpert

Charles Richard Alpert 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).

  • Patent number: 11894884
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer-storage media, for modular electrical grid communications platform. In some implementations, a devices includes a housing that forms an interior space, and that includes an exterior surface, one or more pass-through regions that each define a through-hole between the interior space and the exterior surface, and a recess at the exterior surface that is capable of receiving a module. The device includes a printed circuit board disposed within the interior space of the housing. The devices includes a module that has at least one sensor and that is placed in the recess. The device includes electrical connections that each have a first end connected to the printed circuit board, and a second end that directly or indirectly contacts a corresponding component of the module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Alarm.com Incorporated
    Inventors: Charles Richard Alpert, Roy Franklin Perry
  • Patent number: 11755449
    Abstract: Systems and techniques are described for monitoring screen activity of a computing device and performing designated system actions based on the monitored activity. In some implementations, activity data indicating usage of a computing device by a user within a property over a particular time period is obtained. Sensor data collected by a monitoring system that monitors the property over the particular time period is then obtained. An activity monitoring rule that specifies (i) one or more conditions associated with usage of the computing device by the user, and (ii) an action to perform in response to satisfaction of the one or more conditions is identified. A determination that the activity data and the sensor data satisfy the one or more conditions specified by the activity monitoring rule is made. The action specified by the activity monitoring rule is then performed in response to the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Alarm.com Incorporated
    Inventors: Alison Jane Slavin, Charles Richard Alpert, Kevin Maurer, Aaron Lee Roberts, Stephen Scott Trundle
  • Patent number: 11606252
    Abstract: In general, techniques are described for remotely monitoring, controlling, and/or adjusting configuration settings related to network access points located within a rental property. In some implementations, rental data that indicates a property that has been rented for a specified rental period is received. Sensor data collected by one or more sensors of the property during the specified rental period is obtained. A current occupancy of the property during the specified rental period is determined from the sensor data. Network data indicating network activity over a network access point of the property is obtained during the specified rental period. The network access point is configured during the specified rental period based at least on the network activity indicated by the network data and the current occupancy determined for the property from the sensor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Alarm.com Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael Montgomery Brophy, Charles Richard Alpert, Roy Franklin Perry
  • Publication number: 20230075485
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a storage device, for triggering an alarm during a sensor jamming attack. In one aspect, a monitoring system sensor unit is disclosed that includes a sensor, a communication unit configured to communicate with a monitoring system using a range of frequencies, and a jamming detection unit. The jamming detection unit may include a processor and a computer storage media storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations. The operations include detecting a sensor jamming event, selecting a different form of communication other than the range of radio frequencies for the communication unit to communicate with the monitoring system, and providing, to the communication unit, an instruction to communicate with the monitoring system using the form of communication, wherein the communication unit may communicate, to the monitoring system using the form of communication, the sensor data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Stephen Scott Trundle, Alexander Lawrence Reeder, Charles Richard Alpert, Noah Robert Weingart
  • Patent number: 11502773
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a storage device, for triggering an alarm during a sensor jamming attack. In one aspect, a monitoring system sensor unit is disclosed that includes a sensor, a communication unit configured to communicate with a monitoring system using a range of frequencies, and a jamming detection unit. The jamming detection unit may include a processor and a computer storage media storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations. The operations include detecting a sensor jamming event, selecting a different form of communication other than the range of radio frequencies for the communication unit to communicate with the monitoring system, and providing, to the communication unit, an instruction to communicate with the monitoring system using the form of communication, wherein the communication unit may communicate, to the monitoring system using the form of communication, the sensor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Alarm.com Incorporated
    Inventors: Stephen Scott Trundle, Alexander Lawrence Reeder, Charles Richard Alpert, Noah Robert Weingart
  • Patent number: 11143521
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a storage device are disclosed for generating a map for use in safely navigating hazards detected at a property. One method may include actions of receiving a request for a safe path to a property occupant that is located inside the property, obtaining a floor plan of the property, obtaining real-time sensor data generated by one or more sensors installed at the property that includes (i) sensor data indicative of a hazard at the property and (ii) a current location of the property occupant, generating a map of the property based on (i) the obtained real-time sensor data and (ii) the obtained floor plan, determining a safe path between an exit of the property and the current location of the property occupant, and providing, for output on a user device, the map of the property that visually indicates the safe path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Alarm.com Incorporated
    Inventors: Matthew Daniel Correnti, Charles Richard Alpert, Aaron Lee Roberts
  • Patent number: 11134224
    Abstract: Techniques are described for using an integrated lightbulb camera system for monitoring a property. The integrated lightbulb camera system can have a housing that includes one or more cameras, a power-line communication (PLC) chip, and one or more processors. The PLC chip can be configured to enable communications between the lightbulb camera system and one or more external devices. The one or more processors can be configured to control the one or more cameras to capture one or more images and control the PLC chip to transmit at least one of the one or more captured images over a power-line to at least one of the one or more external devices. The integrated lightbulb camera can also have a lightbulb compatible screw base that is configured to mount the housing to a lightbulb socket and accept electrical current that is provided to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Alarm.com Incorporated
    Inventors: Benjamin Asher Berg, Charles Richard Alpert
  • Publication number: 20210258215
    Abstract: In general, techniques are described for remotely monitoring, controlling, and/or adjusting configuration settings related to network access points located within a rental property. In some implementations, rental data that indicates a property that has been rented for a specified rental period is received. Sensor data collected by one or more sensors of the property during the specified rental period is obtained. A current occupancy of the property during the specified rental period is determined from the sensor data. Network data indicating network activity over a network access point of the property is obtained during the specified rental period. The network access point is configured during the specified rental period based at least on the network activity indicated by the network data and the current occupancy determined for the property from the sensor data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Montgomery Brophy, Charles Richard Alpert, Roy Franklin Perry
  • Patent number: 10999138
    Abstract: In general, techniques are described for remotely monitoring, controlling, and/or adjusting configuration settings related to network access points located within a rental property. In some implementations, rental data that indicates a property that has been rented for a specified rental period is received. Sensor data collected by one or more sensors of the property during the specified rental period is obtained. A current occupancy of the property during the specified rental period is determined from the sensor data. Network data indicating network activity over a network access point of the property is obtained during the specified rental period. The network access point is configured during the specified rental period based at least on the network activity indicated by the network data and the current occupancy determined for the property from the sensor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Alarm.com Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael Montgomery Brophy, Charles Richard Alpert, Roy Franklin Perry
  • Publication number: 20210091822
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer-storage media, for modular electrical grid communications platform. In some implementations, a devices includes a housing that forms an interior space, and that includes an exterior surface, one or more pass-through regions that each define a through-hole between the interior space and the exterior surface, and a recess at the exterior surface that is capable of receiving a module. The device includes a printed circuit board disposed within the interior space of the housing. The devices includes a module that has at least one sensor and that is placed in the recess. The device includes electrical connections that each have a first end connected to the printed circuit board, and a second end that directly or indirectly contacts a corresponding component of the module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Charles Richard Alpert, Roy Franklin Perry
  • Patent number: 10896599
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a storage device, for alerting a user immersed in a virtual reality environment to the occurrence of an event. In one aspect, a system includes sensors and a monitoring unit. The monitoring unit includes a network interface, a processor, and a storage device that includes instructions to cause the processor to perform operations. The operations include detecting the occurrence of an event at a property, determining that a user who is located at the property is immersed in a virtual reality environment at a time of occurrence of the event at the property, based on determining that the user who is located at the property is immersed in the virtual reality environment at the time of the occurrence of the event, generating an alert notification that is configured to initiate the user's emergence from the virtual reality environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Alarm.com Incorporated
    Inventors: Aaron Lee Roberts, Charles Richard Alpert, Aaron Eidelman, Alison Jane Slavin
  • Publication number: 20210013989
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a storage device, for triggering an alarm during a sensor jamming attack. In one aspect, a monitoring system sensor unit is disclosed that includes a sensor, a communication unit configured to communicate with a monitoring system using a range of frequencies, and a jamming detection unit. The jamming detection unit may include a processor and a computer storage media storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations. The operations include detecting a sensor jamming event, selecting a different form of communication other than the range of radio frequencies for the communication unit to communicate with the monitoring system, and providing, to the communication unit, an instruction to communicate with the monitoring system using the form of communication, wherein the communication unit may communicate, to the monitoring system using the form of communication, the sensor data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Stephen Scott Trundle, Alexander Lawrence Reeder, Charles Richard Alpert, Noah Robert Weingart
  • Patent number: 10826646
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a storage device, for triggering an alarm during a sensor jamming attack. In one aspect, a monitoring system sensor unit is disclosed that includes a sensor, a communication unit configured to communicate with a monitoring system using a range of frequencies, and a jamming detection unit. The jamming detection unit may include a processor and a computer storage media storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations. The operations include detecting a sensor jamming event, selecting a different form of communication other than the range of radio frequencies for the communication unit to communicate with the monitoring system, and providing, to the communication unit, an instruction to communicate with the monitoring system using the form of communication, wherein the communication unit may communicate, to the monitoring system using the form of communication, the sensor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Alarm.com Incorporated
    Inventors: Stephen Scott Trundle, Alexander Lawrence Reeder, Charles Richard Alpert, Noah Robert Weingart
  • Patent number: 10733822
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for interaction with a connected outdoor gate lock. The methods, systems, and apparatus include actions of detecting, by a control unit, that a gate of a fence that encloses a building has opened, in response to detecting that the gate of the fence that encloses the building has opened, determining, by the control unit, whether (i) a pet is in the building and (ii) a pet door of the building is unlocked, and in response to determining (i) that the pet is in the building and (ii) that the pet door of the building is unlocked, locking, by the control unit, the pet door of the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Alarm.com Incorporated
    Inventors: Aaron Lee Roberts, Charles Richard Alpert
  • Publication number: 20200240802
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a storage device are disclosed for generating a map for use in safely navigating hazards detected at a property. One method may include actions of receiving a request for a safe path to a property occupant that is located inside the property, obtaining a floor plan of the property, obtaining real-time sensor data generated by one or more sensors installed at the property that includes (i) sensor data indicative of a hazard at the property and (ii) a current location of the property occupant, generating a map of the property based on (i) the obtained real-time sensor data and (ii) the obtained floor plan, determining a safe path between an exit of the property and the current location of the property occupant, and providing, for output on a user device, the map of the property that visually indicates the safe path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Matthew Daniel Correnti, Charles Richard Alpert, Aaron Lee Roberts
  • Patent number: 10693982
    Abstract: In some implementations, a system can monitor Internet activity, internet connectivity, and nearby Wi-Fi and local network presence associated with a local network. Internet activity data of a network of a property over a particular period of time is initially obtained. Occupancy data from one or more devices associated with the property is then obtained. The occupancy data indicates a physical presence of people within the property over the particular period of time. An abnormality associated with the network of the property is then identified based on the obtained Internet activity data and the obtained occupancy data. An indication of the abnormality associated with the network of the property is then provided in response to identifying the abnormality associated with the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Alarm.com Incorporated
    Inventors: Charles Richard Alpert, Roy Franklin Perry, Stephen Scott Trundle, Alison Jane Slavin
  • Publication number: 20200195367
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a storage device, for triggering an alarm during a sensor jamming attack. In one aspect, a monitoring system sensor unit is disclosed that includes a sensor, a communication unit configured to communicate with a monitoring system using a range of frequencies, and a jamming detection unit. The jamming detection unit may include a processor and a computer storage media storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations. The operations include detecting a sensor jamming event, selecting a different form of communication other than the range of radio frequencies for the communication unit to communicate with the monitoring system, and providing, to the communication unit, an instruction to communicate with the monitoring system using the form of communication, wherein the communication unit may communicate, to the monitoring system using the form of communication, the sensor data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Stephen Scott Trundle, Alexander Lawrence Reeder, Charles Richard Alpert, Noah Robert Weingart
  • Patent number: 10587846
    Abstract: Techniques are described for using an integrated lightbulb camera system for monitoring a property. The integrated lightbulb camera system can have a housing that includes one or more cameras, a power-line communication (PLC) chip, and one or more processors. The PLC chip can be configured to enable communications between the lightbulb camera system and one or more external devices. The one or more processors can be configured to control the one or more cameras to capture one or more images and control the PLC chip to transmit at least one of the one or more captured images over a power-line to at least one of the one or more external devices. The integrated lightbulb camera can also have a lightbulb compatible screw base that is configured to mount the housing to a lightbulb socket and accept electrical current that is provided to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Alarm.com Incorporated
    Inventors: Benjamin Asher Berg, Charles Richard Alpert
  • Patent number: 10541865
    Abstract: In general, techniques are described for remotely monitoring, controlling, and/or adjusting configuration settings related to network access points located within a rental property. In some implementations, rental data that indicates a property that has been rented for a specified rental period is received. Sensor data collected by one or more sensors of the property during the specified rental period is obtained. A current occupancy of the property during the specified rental period is determined from the sensor data. Network data indicating network activity over a network access point of the property is obtained during the specified rental period. The network access point is configured during the specified rental period based at least on the network activity indicated by the network data and the current occupancy determined for the property from the sensor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Alarm.com Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael Montgomery Brophy, Charles Richard Alpert, Roy Franklin Perry
  • Patent number: 10514264
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a storage device are disclosed for generating a map for use in safely navigating hazards detected at a property. One method may include actions of receiving a request for a safe path to a property occupant that is located inside the property, obtaining a floor plan of the property, obtaining real-time sensor data generated by one or more sensors installed at the property that includes (i) sensor data indicative of a hazard at the property and (ii) a current location of the property occupant, generating a map of the property based on (i) the obtained real-time sensor data and (ii) the obtained floor plan, determining a safe path between an exit of the property and the current location of the property occupant, and providing, for output on a user device, the map of the property that visually indicates the safe path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Alarm.com Incorporated
    Inventors: Matthew Daniel Correnti, Charles Richard Alpert, Aaron Lee Roberts