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, 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: Embodiments described herein enable user interaction with a video segment. A hit-zone file, which includes hit-zone data, is produced and stored for a video segment, wherein the hit-zone data corresponds to spatial regions that define hit-zones for hidden objects included in the video segment. The hit-zone file is provided to a computing system so that when the computing system displays the video segment the hit-zone file adds hit-zones for the hidden objects included in the video segment. The hit-zone file is produced separate from the video segment. Each of the hit-zones is defined by a different portion of the hit-zone data and corresponds to a different one of the hidden objects included in the video segment. The spatial regions that define the hit-zones for hidden objects are not visible to a user of the computing system that views the video segment with the hit-zones added.

Abstract: A system may receive an instruction to execute a test represented by code in a test file. The system may initialize a first process instance associated with executing the test. The system may initialize a second process instance associated with loading the test file and executing the test. The second process instance may be different from the first process instance. The system may load the test file using the second process instance. The system may execute the test using the first process instance, the second process instance, and the test file without loading the test file into the first process instance. The system may update the test file during execution of the test without interrupting execution of the test.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for managing audio output through an intermediary. In some embodiments, an audio controller emulates a direct connection between an audio source device and an audio output device. In other embodiments, audio content local to an audio controller is combined with other audio content passing through the audio controller on its way from an audio source device to an audio output device. In additional embodiments, an audio output device is locked to an audio controller. The lock survives power cycling and soft resets of the audio output device. A special hard reset can be used to release the audio output device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a security and/or automation system using one or more powered faceplates are disclosed. The methods may include identifying an active communication connection with a first powered faceplate, receiving a first set of automation data, receiving a second set of automation data, analyzing the first set of automation data and the second set of automation data, and initiating an operation relating to at least one of a first powered faceplate, one or more other powered faceplates, an automation sensor, an automation system component, a user device, or a combination thereof based at least in part on the analyzing.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for managing audio output through an intermediary. In some embodiments, an audio controller emulates a direct connection between an audio source device and an audio output device. In other embodiments, audio content local to an audio controller is combined with other audio content passing through the audio controller on its way from an audio source device to an audio output device. In additional embodiments, an audio output device is locked to an audio controller. The lock survives power cycling and soft resets of the audio output device. A special hard reset can be used to release the audio output device.

Abstract: In some embodiments, security and/or automation systems, hereinafter referred to as automation systems, may enable a user to deactivate a security portion of an automation system using a mobile device. An automation system may detect the presence of an authorized mobile device which may modify a status of at least one component of the automation system. The automation system may be installed at a user's residence and may identify when the user's mobile device enters a geographical region surrounding the residence. Modifying a status of at least one component may include deactivating a security component of the automation system. This may enable the user to enter the residence without the need to enter a code into a control panel.

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: A system may receive an instruction to execute a test represented by code in a test file. The system may initialize a first process instance associated with executing the test. The system may initialize a second process instance associated with loading the test file and executing the test. The second process instance may be different from the first process instance. The system may load the test file using the second process instance. The system may execute the test using the first process instance, the second process instance, and the test file without loading the test file into the first process instance. The system may update the test file during execution of the test without interrupting execution of the test.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates systems and methods for providing remote irrigation system operation. In any embodiment, the method for a home automation system may include coupling an irrigation control bypass module with a legacy irrigation control panel associated with a legacy irrigation automation system. The method may also include setting the legacy irrigation control panel to an inactive state, and operating the legacy irrigation automation system based at least in part on a first set of one or more instructions received from the irrigation control bypass module. In any embodiment, the irrigation control bypass module may be initiated based at least in part on a second set of one or more instructions received from the home automation system.

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: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for managing audio output through an intermediary. In some embodiments, an audio controller emulates a direct connection between an audio source device and an audio output device. In other embodiments, audio content local to an audio controller is combined with other audio content passing through the audio controller on its way from an audio source device to an audio output device. In additional embodiments, an audio output device is locked to an audio controller. The lock survives power cycling and soft resets of the audio output device. A special hard reset can be used to release the audio output device.

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: The present disclosure relates to a method for security and/or automation systems. In some embodiments, the method may include receiving a reservation request for a reservation at a building from a guest. The method may further include approving the reservation request. The method may further include automatically communicating a temporary guest code to the guest based at least in part on the approving, the temporary guest code granting access to the building and access to operate at least one component of the security and/or automation system.

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: The present disclosure relates systems and methods for providing remote irrigation system operation. In any embodiment, the method for a home automation system may include coupling an irrigation control bypass module with a legacy irrigation control panel associated with a legacy irrigation automation system. The method may also include setting the legacy irrigation control panel to an inactive state, and operating the legacy irrigation automation system based at least in part on a first set of one or more instructions received from the irrigation control bypass module. In any embodiment, the irrigation control bypass module may be initiated based at least in part on a second set of one or more instructions received from the home automation system.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for managing audio output through an intermediary. In some embodiments, an audio controller emulates a direct connection between an audio source device and an audio output device. In other embodiments, audio content local to an audio controller is combined with other audio content passing through the audio controller on its way from an audio source device to an audio output device. In additional embodiments, an audio output device is locked to an audio controller. The lock survives power cycling and soft resets of the audio output device. A special hard reset can be used to release the audio output device.

Abstract: In some embodiments, security and/or automation systems, hereinafter referred to as automation systems, may enable a user to deactivate a security portion of an automation system using a mobile device. An automation system may detect the presence of an authorized mobile device which may modify a status of at least one component of the automation system. The automation system may be installed at a user's residence and may identify when the user's mobile device enters a geographical region surrounding the residence. Modifying a status of at least one component may include deactivating a security component of the automation system. This may enable the user to enter the residence without the need to enter a code into a control panel.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for managing audio output through an intermediary. In some embodiments, an audio controller emulates a direct connection between an audio source device and an audio output device. In other embodiments, audio content local to an audio controller is combined with other audio content passing through the audio controller on its way from an audio source device to an audio output device. In additional embodiments, an audio output device is locked to an audio controller. The lock survives power cycling and soft resets of the audio output device. A special hard reset can be used to release the audio output device.