Abstract: Image surveillance and reporting technology, in which an event that is indicative of potential physical activity within an area corresponding to a location of a camera unit is detected. In response to detection of the event, the camera unit is controlled to capture one or more images of the area corresponding to the location of the camera unit. The one or more images captured by the camera unit are analyzed to determine whether the one or more images include image data that is indicative of relevant physical activity within the area corresponding to the location of the camera unit. The one or more images are handled based on the determination of whether the one or more images include image data that is indicative of relevant physical activity within the area corresponding to the location of the camera unit.

Abstract: Virtual sensor technology, in which a camera is controlled to capture at least one configuration image of an area monitored by a monitoring system and input is received that defines one or more characteristics of the at least one configuration image that enable sensing of an event in the area. Based on the received input, configuration data used in sensing the event is generated and stored. After storage of the configuration data, the camera is controlled to capture one or more images of the area, the one or more images are analyzed based on the configuration data, and occurrence of the event is detected based on the analysis of the one or more images. Based on detecting occurrence of the event, a transmitting device is controlled to send, to a controller of the monitoring system, a signal that indicates the detection of the occurrence of the event.

Abstract: Techniques are described for providing control of a monitoring system (e.g., a home alarm or security system) using one or more mobile devices. In some implementations, a native mobile device application enables use of a mobile device as a security/automation system keypad and controller for a home security system. In these implementations, the mobile device, using the native mobile device application, checks real time status of system and sensors, arms/disarms system, turns lights on/off, looks in on live video of security cameras, reviews history of system events, reviews saved video clips, monitors/changes thermostat settings, and performs other features of a traditional security keypad in a home security system.

Abstract: A rotary mister is described. The rotary mister may include a rotary movement element that is able to rotate about an axis (e.g., a linear member of the rotary mister). The rotary mister may include a fluid supply and/or output element (e.g., conduit or tubing, connectors, nozzles, etc.). The rotary mister may include a fluid dispersion element (e.g., a fan). The rotary mister of some embodiments may utilize a low-pressure supply, such as a standard water supply at standard pressure. An extended coverage area may be provided by a tube fan that rotates about the axis point.

Abstract: Image surveillance and reporting technology, in which an event that is indicative of potential physical activity within an area corresponding to a location of a camera unit is detected. In response to detection of the event, the camera unit is controlled to capture one or more images of the area corresponding to the location of the camera unit. The one or more images captured by the camera unit are analyzed to determine whether the one or more images include image data that is indicative of relevant physical activity within the area corresponding to the location of the camera unit. The one or more images are handled based on the determination of whether the one or more images include image data that is indicative of relevant physical activity within the area corresponding to the location of the camera unit.

Abstract: Video monitoring and alarm verification technology, in which a first connection is established between a first device and a camera located in a monitored property associated with a user of the first device and image data captured by the camera is received over the first connection and at the first device. A determination is made to establish a second connection with a second device that enables sharing of the received image data with the second device and, in response to the determination, the second connection is established between the first device and the second device. The received image data is shared with the second device over the second connection and the second device is restricted from directly accessing image data captured by the camera located in the monitored property.

Abstract: An apparatus for lashing a cable with a lashing wire includes a housing for containing a spool of lashing wire, a handle extending from the housing, a wire guide assembly, and a wire tensioning member. The wire guide assembly is supported above a top side of the housing adjacent to a wire outlet so that when the lashing wire is threaded through the wire guide assembly, the lashing wire is redirected toward a front end of the housing. The wire tensioning member is supported adjacent to the front end of the housing so that the lashing wire extending from the wire guide assembly can be threaded around the wire tensioning member and wrapped around the cable and a support strand.

Abstract: In some implementations, techniques are described for detecting abnormal installations in a property monitored by a monitoring (e.g., security) system. For instance, an aberration engine may be used to detect an abnormal sensor or system installation within a property based on comparing detected installation data against local installation patterns of local providers within a certain proximity to the property. In some examples, the attributes (e.g., installation time, components used, number of tests performed, etc.) of a monitoring system installation, including installation of components of the monitoring system, may be compared to average installation times of other nearby installations to detect abnormalities in the installation.

Abstract: A monitoring system is disclosed. The monitoring system includes a monitoring server that is configured to receive a personally identifying code from a visitor to a property monitored by the monitoring system. The monitoring system includes one or more sensors that transmit sensor data to the monitoring server and that are configured to capture a biometric identifier from the visitor to the property monitored by the monitoring system. The monitoring system is configured to compare the received personally identifying code to a stored personally identifying code. The monitoring system is configured to compare the received biometric identifier to a stored biometric identifier. The monitoring system is configured to determine a likelihood that the visitor is the known person. The monitoring system is configured to determine that the likelihood that the visitor is the known person does not satisfy a threshold. The monitoring system is configured to generate an alarm condition.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a storage device, for using a drone to pre-surveil a portion of a property. In one aspect, a system may include a monitoring unit. The monitoring unit may include a network interface, a processor, and a storage device that includes instructions to cause the processor to perform operations. The operations may include obtaining data that is indicative of one or more acts of an occupant of the property, applying the obtained data that is indicative of one or more acts of the occupant of the property to a pre-surveillance rule, determining that the pre-surveillance rule is satisfied, determining a drone navigation path that is associated with the pre-surveillance rule, transmitting, to a drone, an instruction to perform pre-surveillance of the portion of the one or more properties using the drone navigation path.

Abstract: A battery includes a stacked arrangement of electrochemical cells. Each electrochemical cell is free of a cell housing and includes a bipolar plate having a substrate, a first active material layer formed on a first surface of the substrate, and a second active material layer formed on a second surface of the substrate. Each cell includes a solid electrolyte layer that encapsulates at least one of the active material layers, and an edge insulating device that is disposed between the peripheral edges of the substrates of each pair of adjacent cells. The edge insulating device physically contacts and is directly secured to one of the first surface of one cell and the solid electrolyte layer of an adjacent cell, and is movable relative to, the other of the first surface of the one cell and the solid electrolyte layer of the adjacent cell.

Abstract: Video monitoring and alarm verification technology, in which a first connection is established between a first device and a camera located in a monitored property associated with a user of the first device and image data captured by the camera is received over the first connection and at the first device. A determination is made to establish a second connection with a second device that enables sharing of the received image data with the second device and, in response to the determination, the second connection is established between the first device and the second device. The received image data is shared with the second device over the second connection and the second device is restricted from directly accessing image data captured by the camera located in the monitored property.

Abstract: In general, techniques are described for performing proximity-based output selection. A computing device comprising one or more network interfaces and processing circuitry may be configured to perform the techniques. The one or more network interfaces may communicate with one or more available outputs for playing content. The processing circuitry may determine a proximity to the computing device for each of the one or more available outputs, and determine, based on the proximity determined for each of the one or more available outputs relative to every other one of the one or more available outputs, a ranked list of available outputs. The processing circuitry may next interface, with a display, a graphical user interface that includes at least a portion of the ranked list of available outputs.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for preserving privacy in surveillance. The methods, systems, and apparatus include actions of determining a state of a monitoring system, determining an exclusion zone that is shown in a video, determining whether to obfuscate at least a portion of the video based on the exclusion zone and the state of the monitoring system, and obfuscating at least the portion of the video.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided for using a sweep gas to collect and recover leaked gas. In some embodiments, Helium or Hydrogen is stored in an inner conduit. As light Helium or Hydrogen leaks through the inner conduit, a sweep gas flows through an annular space between the inner conduit and an outer conduit to collect the Helium or Hydrogen. Then, the Helium or Hydrogen is separated from the rest of the sweep gas where the Helium or Hydrogen can be stored again or distributed and sold. In other embodiments, the annular space is between a liner and a steel pipe, and a sweep gas through the annular space protects the steel pipe from Hydrogen that leaks from the liner into the annular space. The embodiments described herein greatly lower the cost for storing or transporting gas such as Helium or Hydrogen at a much higher volume scale.

Abstract: The invention involves a method for identifying a target protein. The invention involves receiving a request to identify a target protein based on a ligand; identifying, using the ligand, a first protein, where the ligand binds with the first protein to fonn a ligand-protein complex; generating, a first binding site profile for the first protein, where the first binding site profile describes molecular properties of the first protein; obtaining, from a controlled server, structure data describing molecular properties of surfaces for a multitude of proteins, where the multitude of proteins comprises the target protein; identifying, using the first binding site profile and the structure data, the target protein; and presenting the target protein to a user.

Abstract: A method for predicting a property of a sample molecule involves, for each of a multitude of reference molecules, obtaining a multitude of fingerprints and at least one property, and obtaining the multitude of fingerprints of the sample molecule. The method further involves for each of the multitude of reference molecules, using each of the multitude of fingerprints, calculating distances to the sample molecule, and for each of the multitude of reference molecules, determining a relative predictive dominance, based on the distances to the sample molecule. The method also involves, for each of the multitude of reference molecules, determining a fitness value based on the relative predictive dominance, and predicting the at least one property of the sample molecule based on the at least one property of the multitude of reference molecules and the fitness values obtained for the reference molecules.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a storage device, for triggering an alarm during a sensor jamming attack. In one aspect, a monitoring system sensor unit is disclosed that includes a sensor, a communication unit configured to communicate with a monitoring system using a range of frequencies, and a jamming detection unit. The jamming detection unit may include a processor and a computer storage media storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations. The operations include detecting a sensor jamming event, selecting a different form of communication other than the range of radio frequencies for the communication unit to communicate with the monitoring system, and providing, to the communication unit, an instruction to communicate with the monitoring system using the form of communication, wherein the communication unit may communicate, to the monitoring system using the form of communication, the sensor data.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a storage device, for using a drone to pre-surveil a portion of a property. In one aspect, a system may include a monitoring unit. The monitoring unit may include a network interface, a processor, and a storage device that includes instructions to cause the processor to perform operations. The operations may include obtaining data that is indicative of one or more acts of an occupant of the property, applying the obtained data that is indicative of one or more acts of the occupant of the property to a pre-surveillance rule, determining that the pre-surveillance rule is satisfied, determining a drone navigation path that is associated with the pre-surveillance rule, transmitting, to a drone, an instruction to perform pre-surveillance of the portion of the one or more properties using the drone navigation path.