Abstract: A caulking finger includes a handle and a finger portion. The finger portion may be shaped according to a human finger and is elastic. The various curvatures, shapes, and pliable nature of the finger portion allows the caulking finger to press caulk into a seam or joint to a desired finish.

Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatus, and computer programs, for tracking objects are disclosed. In one aspect, a method is disclosed that includes actions of obtaining an image, determining that a user of a first monitoring system has opted-in for object tracking by a second monitoring system that is remote from the first monitoring system, and based on a determination that the user of the first monitoring system has opted-in for object tracking: determining whether the obtained image satisfies a predetermined level of similarity to a stored tracking object image model stored on a first device of the first monitoring system, and based on a determination that the obtained image satisfies a predetermined level of similarity to the stored tracking object image model, generating a tracking update notification, and transmitting the tracking update notification to the second monitoring system that is remote from the first monitoring system.

Abstract: Techniques are described for enabling a service administrator to respond to a detected doorbell press at a property when an authorized user is unavailable to respond. In some implementations, a determination that a doorbell press has been detected at a property is made. Video data collected by a doorbell device of the property is obtained in response to determining that the doorbell press has been detected at the property. Sensor data collected by one or more sensors of a monitoring system located within the property is obtained in response to determining that the doorbell press has been detected at the property. A present security risk for the property is determined based at least on the obtained sensor data and the obtained video data. A communication session between the doorbell device and a server system associated with the monitoring system of the property is established in response to determining the present security risk for the property.

Abstract: Low sulfur gasoline blend stock is produced by a hydrodesulfurization process including at least two hydrodesulfurization reactors with hydrogen feeds and two finishing reactors arranged where the first polishing reactor converts both thiophenic compounds and mercaptans to hydrogen sulfide and hydrocarbons and the second polishing reactor uses a catalyst that has much less thiophenic conversion activity but is operated at a higher temperature to more substantially reduce the sulfur content of the gasoline present in the form of mercaptans. As the conversion of thiophenes to hydrogen sulfide is correlated to reducing octane number, using a second polishing reactor that has little activity for thiophene conversion also protects the high-octane species in the gasoline thereby minimizing octane loss while reducing total sulfur content to acceptable levels. The sulfur left in the gasoline is biased toward higher thiophene content and away from mercaptan content.

Abstract: Techniques are described for detecting and handling unauthenticated commands in a property monitoring system. In some implementations, a monitoring system may include sensors located throughout a property, a monitoring control unit, and an input device. The monitoring control unit may be configured to receive data collected by the sensors, as well as an input command detected by the input device. For an input command that does not include authentication information, the monitoring control unit may generate property state information based on the sensor data, then analyze the property state data and the input command against one or more rules that relate to authorization of unauthenticated commands. Based on the analysis, the monitoring control unit may determine whether to perform the action corresponding to the input command or whether to perform another action, for example, generating and providing a notification or authorization request to a user.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer-storage media, for navigation using planar landmarks. In some implementations, images depicting an area of a property captured by a camera are obtained. Landmarks in the area are identified based on the images. An expected stability for each of the landmarks are determined. A map for the area is generated based on the expected stability for each of the landmarks. The map is transmitted to one or more electronic devices.

Abstract: A monitoring system is configured to monitor a property. The monitoring system includes a camera, a sensor, and a monitor control unit. The monitor control unit is configured to receive image data and sensor data. The monitor control unit is configured to determine that the image data includes a representation of a person. The monitor control unit is configured to determine an orientation of a representation of a head of the person. The monitor control unit is configured to determine that the representation of the head of the person likely includes a representation of a face of the person. The monitor control unit is configured to determine that the face of the person is likely concealed. The monitor control unit is configured to determine a malicious intent score that reflects a likelihood that the person has a malicious intent. The monitor control unit is configured to perform an action.

Abstract: Techniques are described for providing users with access to computer networks, such as to enable users to create and configure computer networks that are provided by a remote configurable network service for the users' use. Computer networks provided by the configurable network service may be configured to be private computer networks that are accessible only by the users who create them, and may each be created and configured by a client of the configurable network service to be an extension to an existing computer network of the client, such as a private computer network extension to an existing private computer network of the client. In addition, access to remote resource services may be configured and provided from such computer networks in various manners, such as to automatically include access control information to limit access to particular resources to computing nodes at the location of that provided computer network.

Abstract: Techniques are described for replacing a keypad of an existing security system within a property with a communication-enabled keypad device with dual functioning capabilities as a communicator device and a keypad device. In some implementations, data is received from a security panel of a property. A keypad bus protocol of the security panel is determined based on the data received from the security panel. Sensor data is received from one or more sensors located within the property. A monitoring system command that is not specified within a keypad bus of the security panel is determined based on based on the obtained sensor data. The monitoring system command is converted to a panel command using the keypad bus protocol. The panel command is transmitted on the keypad bus of the security panel.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a storage device, for using a drone to pre-surveil a portion of a property. In one aspect, a system may include a monitoring unit. The monitoring unit may include a network interface, a processor, and a storage device that includes instructions to cause the processor to perform operations. The operations may include obtaining data that is indicative of one or more acts of an occupant of the property, applying the obtained data that is indicative of one or more acts of the occupant of the property to a pre-surveillance rule, determining that the pre-surveillance rule is satisfied, determining a drone navigation path that is associated with the pre-surveillance rule, transmitting, to a drone, an instruction to perform pre-surveillance of the portion of the one or more properties using the drone navigation path.

Abstract: Techniques are described for enabling a service administrator to respond to a detected doorbell press at a property when an authorized user is unavailable to respond. In some implementations, a determination that a doorbell press has been detected at a property is made. Video data collected by a doorbell device of the property is obtained in response to determining that the doorbell press has been detected at the property. Sensor data collected by one or more sensors of a monitoring system located within the property is obtained in response to determining that the doorbell press has been detected at the property. A present security risk for the property is determined based at least on the obtained sensor data and the obtained video data. A communication session between the doorbell device and a server system associated with the monitoring system of the property is established in response to determining the present security risk for the property.

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: Techniques are described for replacing a keypad of an existing security system within a property with a communication-enabled keypad device with dual functioning capabilities as a communicator device and a keypad device. In some implementations, data is received from a security panel of a property. A keypad bus protocol of the security panel is determined based on the data received from the security panel. Sensor data is received from one or more sensors located within the property. A monitoring system command that is not specified within a keypad bus of the security panel is determined based on based on the obtained sensor data. The monitoring system command is converted to a panel command using the keypad bus protocol. The panel command is transmitted on the keypad bus of the security panel.

Abstract: A caulking finger includes a handle and a finger portion. The finger portion may be shaped according to a human finger and is elastic. The various curvatures, shapes, and pliable nature of the finger portion allows the caulking finger to press caulk into a seam or joint to a desired finish.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a storage device, for using a drone to pre-surveil a portion of a property. In one aspect, a system may include a monitoring unit. The monitoring unit may include a network interface, a processor, and a storage device that includes instructions to cause the processor to perform operations. The operations may include obtaining data that is indicative of one or more acts of an occupant of the property, applying the obtained data that is indicative of one or more acts of the occupant of the property to a pre-surveillance rule, determining that the pre-surveillance rule is satisfied, determining a drone navigation path that is associated with the pre-surveillance rule, transmitting, to a drone, an instruction to perform pre-surveillance of the portion of the one or more properties using the drone navigation path.

Abstract: Techniques are described for managing communications between multiple computing nodes, such as computing nodes that are separated by one or more physical networks. In some situations, the techniques may be used to provide a virtual network between multiple computing nodes that are separated by one or more intermediate physical networks, such as from the edge of the one or more intermediate physical networks by modifying communications that enter and/or leave the intermediate physical networks. In some situations, the computing nodes may include virtual machine nodes hosted on one or more physical computing machines or systems, such as by or on behalf of one or more users (e.g., users of a program execution service). The managing of the communications may include determining whether communications sent to managed computing nodes are authorized, and providing the communications to the computing nodes only if they are determined to be authorized.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a storage device, for using a robotic device to manipulate a manual control of a device. In one aspect, the system includes a robotic device, a first device that is located at a property and that has a manual control, and a monitoring unit. The monitoring unit may include a network interface, a processor, and a storage device that includes instructions to cause the processor to perform operations. The operations may include determining an operating state of the first device, determining the state of the monitoring system, determining whether one or more of the manual controls associated with the first device should be manipulated to alter the operating state of the first device, and transmitting one or more instruction to the robotic device that instruct the robotic device to manipulate one or more manual controls that are associated the first device.

Abstract: Techniques are described for detecting and handling unauthenticated commands in a property monitoring system. In some implementations, a monitoring system may include sensors located throughout a property, a monitoring control unit, and an input device. The monitoring control unit may be configured to receive data collected by the sensors, as well as an input command detected by the input device. For an input command that does not include authentication information, the monitoring control unit may generate property state information based on the sensor data, then analyze the property state data and the input command against one or more rules that relate to authorization of unauthenticated commands. Based on the analysis, the monitoring control unit may determine whether to perform the action corresponding to the input command or whether to perform another action, for example, generating and providing a notification or authorization request to a user.

Abstract: Techniques are described for enabling a service administrator to respond to a detected doorbell press at a property when an authorized user is unavailable to respond. In some implementations, a determination that a doorbell press has been detected at a property is made. Video data collected by a doorbell device of the property is obtained in response to determining that the doorbell press has been detected at the property. Sensor data collected by one or more sensors of a monitoring system located within the property is obtained in response to determining that the doorbell press has been detected at the property. A present security risk for the property is determined based at least on the obtained sensor data and the obtained video data. A communication session between the doorbell device and a server system associated with the monitoring system of the property is established in response to determining the present security risk for the property.

Abstract: A caulking finger includes a handle and a finger portion. The handle has a finger engagement tab at one end, while the finger portion has a tab engagement recess configured to receive the finger engagement tab of the handle. The finger portion is elastic and curved to provide a curved and pliable surface for pressing caulk into a seam or joint to a desired finish.