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: Methods and systems are described for determining occupancy with user provided information. According to at least one embodiment, a method for determining occupancy with user provided information includes using at least one sensor to detect occupancy in a building over time, determining a predictive schedule based on the occupancy detected with the at least one sensor, and requesting information relevant to the predictive schedule from a user.

Abstract: A method for HVAC workload and cost logic is described. In one embodiment, the method includes detecting a thermostat of an HVAC system being set to a target temperature and upon detecting the thermostat being set to the target temperature, detecting a current indoor condition and a current outdoor condition. In some embodiments, the method includes calculating an estimated runtime of an HVAC heating or cooling cycle for the target temperature. The estimated runtime is based on the target temperature, the current indoor and outdoor conditions, and on a result of querying a correlation database. The correlation database includes data points for a plurality of previous HVAC heating and cooling cycles.

Abstract: The present systems and methods relate to approaches for distributing software (such as firmware updates) in a security system that includes a control unit. The control unit may be configured to communicatively connect to a plurality of electronic devices, including sensors for the security system. The control unit may also communicatively connect to a remote server. The control unit receives firmware for target electronic devices from the remote server, determines which electronic devices are target electronic devices for which the firmware is intended, and sends the firmware to the target electronic devices.

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: 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, apparatus, and system for security and/or automation systems, for adjusting a home environment. Some method embodiments involving a lighting system may include receiving data relating to an occupant of a home from a sensor, analyzing the data, identifying the occupant based at least in part on the analyzing, and initiating an adjustment of the lighting system based at least in part on the identifying. One such embodiment may also include searching a catalog of occupant profiles, and comparing the data with the catalog of occupant profiles. Some other method embodiments may initiate adjustments to an environment based on an occupant's preferences (whether those preferences are already included in a profile, or determined by analysis) such as for example the occupant's lighting preferences (in an embodiment involving a lighting system). One method embodiment may also include correlating data relating to the occupant with the occupant's profile.

Abstract: A control panel is used to control and/or monitor an automation system. The automation system may also be used in connection with one or more enhanced services, such as a remote access service. The remote access service may allow a user to control or monitor some or all aspects of the automation system through a remote computing device. To use the remote access service, or other enhanced services, the user may register to associate the user with the control panel of the automation system. If it is determined that the user has not registered, the service provider may send a message to the control panel. The message may prompt the user to register for the enhanced service. Optionally, contact information may be requested to allow a message to be sent to a personal device of the user to facilitate registration or use of the enhanced service.

Abstract: A method for relative temperature preference learning is described. In one embodiment, the method includes identifying one or more current settings of a thermostat located at a premises, identifying one or more current indoor and outdoor conditions, calculating a current indoor differential between the current indoor temperature and the current target temperature, calculating a current outdoor differential between the current outdoor temperature and the current target temperature, and learning temperature preferences based on an analysis of the one or more current indoor conditions and the one or more current outdoor conditions. The one or more current settings of the thermostat include at least one of a current target temperature, current runtime settings, and current airflow settings.