Abstract: In some embodiments, security and/or automation systems may offer users automated generation of shared albums among individuals relating to one or more events. The individuals may be known individuals or unknown individuals. For example, the albums may be of intimate settings such as holiday meals or birthdays, or may be from larger gatherings such as concerts, fairs, and the like. The user may have the ability to generate hard copy and/or electronic albums that can then be shared. The users may have the option to customize the album and review the images for printing of only select images.

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.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods relating to operating a security system are described. In one embodiment a method may include receiving at a receiving unit a protected signal sent from a portable transmitter, the receiving unit in communication with a security system panel, assessing at least one characteristic of the protected signal, modifying at least one characteristic of the protected signal based at least in part on the assessing, and comparing the protected signal to a stored signal after the modifying.

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: 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: 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: A method for security and/or automation systems is described. In one embodiment, the method may include receiving occupancy data associated with a home. The method may further include automatically selectively broadcasting an audio stream to at least one of a plurality of speakers in the home based, at least in part, on the received occupancy data.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to approaches for providing real time traffic information to a user using a control panel of a building automation system. The control panel includes a processor, a memory in electronic communication with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory that are executable by the processor to couple the control panel to at least one of a sensor and a controller of the building automation system, receive traffic data for a geographic area associated with the control panel, and generate at least one audible notification to communicate the traffic data to a user through the control panel.

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 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: The present disclosure relates to methods, systems, and apparatuses for dynamically linking a first security system and a second security system. A method may include selectively linking a first security system and a second security system based on one or more link conditions. The method may further include receiving one or more first sensor event messages from the first security system and sending at least a portion of the one or more first sensor event messages to the second security system. The method may also include receiving one or more second sensor event messages from the second security system, and sending at least a portion of the one or more second sensor event messages to the first security system. In one aspect, the method may include selectively de-linking the first security system and the second security system based on one or more de-link conditions.

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: 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.

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: 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: 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: A computer-implemented method for installing a component within a system is described. In one embodiment, component information is identified via a component code on a component. User input is received that includes additional component information. A component associated with the component code is activated in a system based on the component information and the additional component information.

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: The present disclosure relates to approaches for detecting and monitoring for earthquakes using a control unit of a security system. A security system may include a plurality of sensors that detect alarm conditions and send alarm condition messages to a control unit for the security system. The control unit may be communicatively coupled to the sensors and configured to receive the alarm condition messages from the sensors. The security system may also include an earthquake sensor that senses earthquake conditions and sends an earthquake condition message to the control unit if it detects the earthquake condition. The control unit may include an alarm module. The control unit causes the alarm module to generate an alarm in response to receiving the earthquake condition message from the earthquake sensor.

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 includes confirming a first position for the barrier, the barrier having at least one hinge and a hinge sensor mounted to the at least one hinge, determining with the hinge sensor when the barrier changes position from the first position to a second position, and wirelessly transmitting data concerning the change in barrier position.