Abstract: System and methods for storing data include detecting presence of one or more computing devices within a defined geographic area, automatically copying media stored on the one or more computing devices, storing the copied media on a backup storage device, and grouping the stored copied media by at least one of time period, location, event and a source of the copied media.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for announcing reminders and alerts is described. In one embodiment, appointments of an electronic calendar are monitored via a processor of a home automation system. A trigger of an upcoming appointment is detected. Information regarding the upcoming appointment is announced via a speaker of the home automation system.

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.

Abstract: In some embodiments, security and/or automation systems, collectively referred to as automation systems, may facilitate communications between a remote user and an occupant of a residence. The automation system may receive one or more communications from a user and deliver the communication to the specified recipient when the recipient occupies the residence. The automation system may determine the recipient is proximate the residence and may notify the recipient of the pending communication. The recipient may use the control panel or another device associated with the security and/or automation system to receive the message.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and techniques for security and/or automation systems are described. In one embodiment, the method may include receiving a call initiation instruction at a video monitoring component of a home automation system. The method may further include analyzing the call initiation instruction, and communicating a call request from the video monitoring component of the home automation system to a first remote user based at least in part on the received call initiation instruction.

Abstract: A method for operating a security and/or automation system is described. A sensor may identify when a first person is in a sleep state. The sensor may detect a disturbance in the sleep state, and alert a second person when the detected disturbance satisfies one or more disturbance parameters.

Abstract: A method for security and/or automation systems is described. In one embodiment, the method may include receiving a plurality of video footage at a home automation system from at least one video monitor. The method may further include reviewing the plurality of video footage recorded over a predetermined period of time. The method may further include automatically identifying at least one distinguishing feature in the video footage over the predetermined period of time, and automatically indexing the video footage based, at least in part, on identifying the at least one distinguishing feature in the video footage.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for monitoring commercial activities is described. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving information related to commercial activities at at least one of a plurality of locations, the information being collected at the at least one of a plurality of locations, and transmitting the collected information for at least one of the plurality of locations to a device located remote from at least one of the plurality of locations.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and techniques for security and/or automation systems are described. In one embodiment, the method may include receiving a call initiation instruction at a video monitoring component of a home automation system. The method may further include analyzing the call initiation instruction, and communicating a call request from the video monitoring component of the home automation system to a first remote user based at least in part on the received call initiation instruction.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for premises security is described. In one embodiment, a person passing through a perimeter of a predefined area is detected via a boundary sensor. Upon detecting the person passing through the perimeter of the predefined area, a camera is activated to capture an image of the person, the camera being positioned in relation to the predefined area. A notification is sent to a user determined to be nearest to the predefined area. The notification may include the image of the person. A proximity of a person in relation to a vehicle is detected via a proximity sensor. Upon determining the proximity of the person satisfies a predetermined threshold, a notification is sent to a user. Upon determining the proximity of the person satisfies the predetermined threshold, a camera positioned in relation to the vehicle is activated.

Abstract: A method for security and/or automation systems is described. In one embodiment, the method may include receiving input regarding at least one home automation system operation profile. The method may further include receiving monitored sleep data of at least one user of a home automation system associated with the at least one home automation system operation profile. The method may further include comparing the received monitored sleep data with the received input regarding the at least one home automation system operation profile, and may include implementing the at least one home automation system operation profile based, at least in part, on the comparing.

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.

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: In some embodiments, security and/or automation systems, collectively referred to as automation systems, may facilitate communications between a remote user and an occupant of a residence. The automation system may receive one or more communications from a user and deliver the communication to the specified recipient when the recipient occupies the residence. The automation system may determine the recipient is proximate the residence and may notify the recipient of the pending communication. The recipient may use the control panel or another device associated with the security and/or automation system to receive the message.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and techniques for security and/or automation systems are described. In one embodiment, the method may include receiving a call initiation instruction at a video monitoring component of a home automation system. The method may further include analyzing the call initiation instruction, and communicating a call request from the video monitoring component of the home automation system to a first remote user based at least in part on the received call initiation instruction.

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.

Abstract: An automation system may include a smart doorman. The system may observe one or more guests to a residence, predict a user profile associated with the guest, and invite an administrator of the automation system to create the suggested profile of the guest. The system may store one or more biometric identifiers with a visitation pattern to determine if the guest requires a profile. In one embodiment, a method for security and/or automation systems may be described. The method may include detecting the presence of one or more guests at an entrance to a residence and comparing the presence of a guest to one or more profile parameters. A guest profile associated with the guest may be predicted based at least in part on the comparing.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and techniques for security and/or automation systems are described. In one embodiment, the method may include receiving a call initiation instruction at a video monitoring component of a home automation system. The method may further include analyzing the call initiation instruction, and communicating a call request from the video monitoring component of the home automation system to a first remote user based at least in part on the received call initiation instruction.

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.

Abstract: In some embodiments, security and/or automation systems, collectively referred to as automation systems, may facilitate communications between a remote user and an occupant of a residence. The automation system may receive one or more communications from a user and deliver the communication to the specified recipient when the recipient occupies the residence. The automation system may determine the recipient is proximate the residence and may notify the recipient of the pending communication. The recipient may use the control panel or another device associated with the security and/or automation system to receive the message.