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: In some implementations, a system can be used to selectively transmit bandwidth-intensive data over a cellular network based on dynamically determining resource availability over the cellular network. Monitoring system data to be transmitted to a remote server can initially be obtained by a component of a monitoring system. One or more network performance tests may be performed on a carrier network associated with the monitoring system. One or more network performance parameters can be computed based on results of the one or more network performance tests. The one or more network performance parameters can then be evaluated in relation to transmission requirements associated with the monitoring system data. A particular transmission strategy to use in transmitting the monitoring system data to the remote server can then be selected from among multiple transmission strategies. The monitoring system data is then transmitted to the server in accordance with the particular transmission strategy.

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: 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: 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: A computer implemented method including receiving, by a monitoring system that is configured to monitor a property, and from a camera, first image data, based on the first image data, determining, by the monitoring system that an animal is located at the property, and that a human is within a threshold distance of the animal, based on determining that the animal is located at the property and that a human is within the threshold distance of the animal, determining, by the monitoring system, that the animal likely discharged feces on the property and that the human did not remove the feces from the property, and based on determining that the animal likely discharged feces on the property and that the human did not remove the feces from the property, performing a monitoring system action.

Abstract: Techniques are described for handling an event where a control panel or an alarm signaling device is tampered with or destroyed by a disablement tactic, e.g., a “crash and smash intrusion.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a storage device, for monitoring a property are disclosed. A monitoring system includes one or more processors and one or more computer storage media storing instructions that are operable, when executed by the one or more processors, to cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising: obtaining sensor data from sensors at a property; determining, for a peril, a risk that the peril will occur at the property based on risk factors determined from the sensor data; selecting a particular risk factor from the risk factors based on the risk that the peril will occur at the property; and providing an indication of the particular risk factor.

Abstract: Techniques are described for providing remote device (e.g., thermostat, lighting, appliance, etc.) control and/or energy monitoring. A system monitors sensor data captured by one or more sensors that sense attributes relevant to user presence at one or more monitored properties and status of one or more energy consuming devices associated with the one or more monitored properties. The system analyzes the monitored sensor data and the monitored device status with respect to a set of one or more rules and performs an operation related to controlling the one or more energy consuming devices based on the analysis of the monitored sensor data and the monitored device status with respect to the set of one or more rules.

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: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a storage device, for monitoring a property using drone beacons. In one aspect, a monitoring system is disclosed that includes a drone, a drone beacon, a component, a processor, and a computer storage media storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations. The operations may include obtaining drone beacon data generated by the drone beacon, determining a location of the drone beacon based on the drone beacon data, after determining the location of the drone beacon, transmitting, to the drone, a first instruction to navigate towards the location of the drone beacon, after deploying the drone, obtaining component data generated by the component, and after obtaining the component data, transmitting, to the drone, a second instruction to navigate towards a different location than the location of the drone beacon based on the component data.

Abstract: Techniques are described for providing control of a security system. A user is authorized in the security system and user identification inputs, provided through an input unit of a personal mobile device of the authorized user of the security system, are accessed. One or more signatures of the authorized user are defined and stored in a signature map. Subsequently, user identification input is received from an unauthenticated user using the personal mobile device. The user identification input received from the unauthenticated user is compared to one or more defined signatures in the signature map. The unauthenticated user is determined to be the authorized user if the received user identification input matches one of the defined signatures. The unauthenticated user is allowed to control the security system based on the determination that the unauthenticated user is the authorized user.

Abstract: In some implementations, a system performs proactive performance tests for an appliance before a time for an operational change in usage of the appliance. Usage data for an appliance associated with a property may be obtained. The obtained usage data indicates past activity of the appliance and present operational status of the appliance. Weather forecast data associated with a location of the property can be obtained. A time for an operational change in usage of the appliance can be predicted based at least on the obtained usage data for the appliance and the obtained weather forecast data. An operation directed to conducting one or more performance tests on the appliance can be performed before the predicted time for the operational change in usage of the appliance. One or more communications related to the one or more performance tests of the appliance can be provided to a client device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for a distracted driver detection and alert system. In one aspect, a system includes a sensor that is located at the property and that is configured to generate sensor data that reflects an attribute of the property, and a monitor control unit that is configured to receive, from a traffic monitoring device, traffic monitoring data that reflects movement of a vehicle, classify, a driver of a vehicle as a distracted driver, determine that the vehicle is associated with the property and in response, determine, based on the sensor data and the traffic monitoring data, a likely identity of the driver, based on determining the likely identity of the driver, determine a classification of the driver, based on the classification of the driver, generate an alert, and provide, for output, the alert.

Abstract: In some implementations, a system can be used to selectively transmit bandwidth-intensive data over a cellular network based on dynamically determining resource availability over the cellular network. Monitoring system data to be transmitted to a remote server can initially be obtained by a component of a monitoring system. One or more network performance tests may be performed on a carrier network associated with the monitoring system. One or more network performance parameters can be computed based on results of the one or more network performance tests. The one or more network performance parameters can then be evaluated in relation to transmission requirements associated with the monitoring system data. A particular transmission strategy to use in transmitting the monitoring system data to the remote server can then be selected from among multiple transmission strategies. The monitoring system data is then transmitted to the server in accordance with the particular transmission strategy.

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 accommodating unattended services at a property. In one aspect, a monitoring system is disclosed that includes a processor and a storage device storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations. The operations can include receiving a request to enter the property to perform the unattended service, configuring the monitoring system to allow access to a first portion of the property associated with the unattended service without triggering an alarm event, obtaining image data of the property after the monitoring system is configured to allow access to the first portion of the property, determining, based on the obtained image data, that an unattended service provider has entered into a second, different portion of the property, and triggering an alarm event.

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: 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: Techniques are described for using sensor data derived from a monitoring system to drive personalized content. Sensor data captured by a monitoring system may be used to determine attributes of users of the monitoring system and/or attributes of a property monitored by the monitoring system. The determined attributes may be used to select content to present to users of the monitoring system. Content presentation may be made through the monitoring system and may be triggered based on events detected by the monitoring system.