Patents by Inventor James E. Nye

James E. Nye 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: 11662704
    Abstract: A control panel is used to control and/or monitor an automation system. The control panel may be removed from a mounted location to repair or replace the control panel. Replacement may be performed by a different provider of automation systems, potentially without prior notice to the current provider of the automation system. To alert the provider of the replacement, the control panel may use an anti-tamper switch to detect removal from the mounted location. A signal may be sent to a remote service system indicating the removal. If the control panel also loses AC power, or if the control panel loses all power, the remote service system may assume that the control panel is being replaced. In response, the remote service center may request that a customer service representative contact the customer to potentially retain the customer, recover equipment, or resolve any concerns about the automation system equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: VIVINT, INC.
    Inventors: James E. Nye, Jungtaik Hwang
  • Patent number: 11328261
    Abstract: A method for security and/or automation systems is described. In one example, the method may include receiving scheduling data associated with a schedule for each of two or more users at a home automation system. The method may further include comparing the received scheduling data for each of the two or more users, and deriving an alert based, at least in part, on the comparing. The method may further include communicating the alert to at least one of the two or more users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: VIVINT, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Eyring, Jeremy B. Warren, James E. Nye
  • Patent number: 10944589
    Abstract: A method for providing wireless access to one or more wireless devices using an automation system control panel is described. In one embodiment, a communication link is established between an automation system control panel and one or more automation components. Settings are applied to configure the automation system control panel for use as a wireless access point providing two-way communication with one or more electronic devices. Applying settings includes receiving input directly at a graphical user interface of the automation system control panel, the graphical user interface further providing access to control the one or more automation components. The automation system control panel is wirelessly connected to one or more electronic devices via a wireless access point interface using the settings applied at the graphical user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex J. Dunn, Christopher Lee Harris, Bruce Ehlers, Todd M. Santiago, James E. Nye
  • Patent number: 10943452
    Abstract: Security and/or automation systems, collectively referred to as automation systems, may allow a parent to leave their child at home and feel comfortable. The automation system may receive a notification that the parents are leaving. The parents may set a child alone state or a babysitter state. The system may use settings determined by the parents to track child parameters. Restricted areas may include a parents liquor cabinet, a parents bedroom, an office, and the like. The automation system may additionally track the comings and goings of a child to determine if the child is out past a curfew, when the child left, when the child arrived at home, and the like. Additionally, the parent away state may implement a lock down on any firearms or other potential hazards in a home.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Eyring, Jeremy B. Warren, James E. Nye
  • Patent number: 10909833
    Abstract: A method for geo-location services is described. In one embodiment, the method includes tracking incidents that occur within a predetermined geographic area in relation to a subscription service, upon receiving a request for a list of incidents in relation to the predetermined geographic area, generating a notification comprising the requested list of incidents, and sending the notification to one or more subscribers within the predetermined geographic area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventors: Jungtaik Hwang, Matthew J. Eyring, James E. Nye, Jeremy B. Warren
  • Patent number: 10804699
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to monitoring or control of power production. A power production monitoring system may include a power production monitoring panel that is also configured to operate a premises control system. The power production monitoring system may include a gateway unit that receives signals from a power production source and sends signals to a power production monitoring panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex J. Dunn, Brendon A. Merkley, Tanguy Serra, James E. Nye, Jeremy B. Warren
  • Patent number: 10657749
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Nye
  • Patent number: 10650656
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy B. Warren, Matthew J. Eyring, James E. Nye
  • Patent number: 10624280
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Eyring, Jeremy B. Warren, James E. Nye
  • Publication number: 20200082702
    Abstract: A method for geo-location services is described. In one embodiment, the method includes tracking incidents that occur within a predetermined geographic area in relation to a subscription service, upon receiving a request for a list of incidents in relation to the predetermined geographic area, generating a notification comprising the requested list of incidents, and sending the notification to one or more subscribers within the predetermined geographic area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Jungtaik Hwang, Matthew J. Eyring, James E. Nye, Jeremy B. Warren
  • Patent number: 10527308
    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: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Mahar, Matthew J. Eyring, Clint H. Gordon-Carroll, Jeremy B. Warren, James E. Nye, Jefferson H. Lyman
  • Patent number: 10522012
    Abstract: A method for detecting occupancy of a building is described. In one embodiment, the method includes using a microphone to monitor for sounds at a building, detecting a sound via the microphone, and determining whether the sound is made by a human or made by an animal. In some cases, the microphone is a glass break sensor microphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Nye, Jeremy B. Warren
  • Patent number: 10504346
    Abstract: A method for security and/or automation systems, comprising determining a presence of a first occupant in a first room at a predefined location, the first room communicatively coupled to a first electronic device capable of receiving input; receiving a request for communication with the first occupant by a remote computer system; sending a response to the request for communication with the first occupant; and establishing a communications link between the first electronic device and the remote computer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Eyring, Jeremy B. Warren, James E. Nye
  • Patent number: 10504042
    Abstract: A control panel is used to control and/or monitor an automation system. The automation system may also be used in connection with one or more enhanced services, such as a remote access service. The remote access service may allow a user to control or monitor some or all aspects of the automation system through a remote computing device. To use the remote access service, or other enhanced services, the user may register to associate the user with the control panel of the automation system. If it is determined that the user has not registered, the service provider may send a message to the control panel. The message may prompt the user to register for the enhanced service. Optionally, contact information may be requested to allow a message to be sent to a personal device of the user to facilitate registration or use of the enhanced service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex J. Dunn, James E. Nye, Jeremy B. Warren
  • Patent number: 10482758
    Abstract: A control panel is used to monitor events within a security system or other automation system. In the event an intruder enters a physical location, the intruder may attempt to damage the control panel to disrupt its operation. One or more sensors of the control panel may detect disruption in the operation of the control panel. Example sensors may detect an impact force, sudden acceleration, removal from a mounted location, or disruption of communication with an input/output element, such as a display device. When an event is detected at the control panel itself, the control panel can send a signal to a remote service provider, and the remote service provider can follow-up with the customer. The control panel and/or remote service provider may also determine when the control panel loses partial or complete power loss to identify the disruption as a potential crash-and-smash entry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Nye, Jungtaik Hwang
  • Patent number: 10469280
    Abstract: A method for security and/or automation systems is described. In some embodiments, the method may include detecting departure data relating to at least one of an occupant and a premises, identifying a likelihood of an absence in relation to the premises based at least in part on the departure data, and sending a confirmation request based at least in part on the identifying for the occupant associated with the premises to confirm the absence. In some cases, the absence may include the premises being unoccupied for at least a portion of a predetermined time period. The predetermined time period may include at least one night.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy B. Warren, Matthew J. Eyring, James E. Nye
  • Patent number: 10467875
    Abstract: Methods and systems for security and/or automation systems are described. In some embodiments, the methods may include identifying an area of a premises associated with an occupant, identifying a wake up time associated with the occupant, identifying a location associated with the occupant, and initiating one or more automated actions based at least in part on the wake up time and the area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy B. Warren, Matthew J. Eyring, James E. Nye
  • Patent number: 10455271
    Abstract: A method for voice control component installation is described. In one embodiment, a speech recognizable input spoken by an installer is identified, the speech recognizable input relating to installation of a system component. The system component is in communication with a control panel. An installation task for the system component is performed according to the speech recognizable input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Nye
  • Publication number: 20190272691
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Inventor: James E. Nye
  • Patent number: 10403115
    Abstract: A method for geo-location services is described. In one embodiment, the method includes tracking incidents that occur within a predetermined geographic area in relation to a subscription service, upon receiving a request for a list of incidents in relation to the predetermined geographic area, generating a notification comprising the requested list of incidents, and sending the notification to one or more subscribers within the predetermined geographic area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventors: Jungtaik Hwang, Matthew J. Eyring, James E. Nye, Jeremy B. Warren