Abstract: In some aspects, 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 disable the notifications if so desired.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 the processor to receive input from the user to perform at least one function of the automation and security system, receive confirmation that the user has received an authentication message at an electronic device carried by the user, and initiate the at least one function.

Abstract: In some embodiments, systems, methods, and techniques relating to security and/or automation systems, collectively referred to as automation systems, may include determining a presence of a first device proximate at least one entry to a location, obtaining information related to an identification of an entity associated with the at least one device, authenticating the first device, the authenticating based at least in part on obtaining information related to the identification, and taking an action based at least in part on determining the authenticity.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for controlling an automation and security system. According to at least one embodiment, an apparatus for data storage in 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 receive data at a first device, store a copy of the data on the first device, fragment the data into a plurality of data fragments, transmit the plurality of data fragments to a plurality of remote devices, and store some of the plurality of data fragments on each of the plurality of remote devices.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for setting operation rules for use in controlling aspects of a home automation system. According to at least one embodiment, an apparatus for establishing operation rules in a home automation system includes a processor, a memory in electronic communication with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory which are executable by the processor to receive a spoken command having a plurality of rule setting terms, establish at least one operation rule for the home automation system based on the spoken command, and store the at least one operation rule for later use by the home automation system.

Abstract: A method for geo-location services is described. In one embodiment, the method includes monitoring a status of an entrance associated with a dwelling, monitoring an occupancy in relation to the dwelling, and upon detecting an occupant of the dwelling departing from the dwelling and the status of the entrance of the dwelling is in an open state, generating a notification. In some cases, the entrance includes at least one of a doorway, a garage door, a gate, and a window.

Abstract: An automation system may include a control panel monitoring one more automation system components. When an event is detected at an automation system component, the control panel may automatically access a local or remote data source and identify procedures to be implemented in response to the event. The procedures may include follow-up actions and procedures specific to a particular dealer of the automation system. Dealer-specific procedures may then be displayed or otherwise communicated by the control panel to alert the user of what actions to take or to expect.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for determining operation of an openable barrier into a building. A method for determining an open state of a barrier may include identifying a first position for the barrier, the barrier having at least one hinge and a hinge sensor magnetically mounted to the at least one hinge. The method may further include determining, based at least in part on the hinge sensor, when the barrier changes position from the first position to a second position. The method may further include wirelessly transmitting data concerning the change in position of the barrier.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for integration of a set top box and an automation system is described. In one configuration, subscriber program content is provided. An aspect of a premises is monitored via one or more sensors. A monitor channel may be provided to display the monitored aspect of the premises. The monitor channel may be displayed in a channel guide among channels of the subscriber program content.

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, 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.

Abstract: A method for security and/or automation systems is described. In one embodiment, the method may include detecting a first sound event at a home entry point using one or more sensors. The method may further include receiving input to associate at least one home automation system operation with the first sound event, and may further include storing the first sound event. The method may further include initiating the at least one home automation system operation associated with the first sound event.

Abstract: A mobile tracking unit includes a controller having a processor, a memory in electronic communication with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions are executable by the processor to communicate with a control unit of an automation and security system, determine a position of the mobile tracking unit relative to a base station using a low power location module, and communicate the position of the mobile tracking unit to at least one of the base station and a control unit of the automation and security system. When the mobile tracking unit is outside a specified range from the mobile tracking unit, the controller continues tracking the position of the mobile tracking unit with the low power location module. When the mobile tracking unit is inside the specified range, the controller determines the position of the mobile tracking unit using a high power location module.

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: A method for geo-location services is described. A location of a user is monitored, via a sensor, in relation to a predetermined location. Upon detecting a predetermined condition of the user, a determination is made of which contact on a contact list is nearest to the predetermined location. A notification is sent to the contact determined to be nearest to the predetermined location.