System and method for managing events associated with the detection of wireless devices

1. A method for performing a user-specified event comprising:

storing a data table for managing events associated with a wireless detection program that performs user-specified events in response to detection and absence of one or more wireless devices using a residential wireless access point;

receiving a user-specified detection event associated with detection of a first wireless device;

storing the user-specified detection event associated with detection of the first wireless device in the data table;

receiving data from a residential wireless access point;

determining from the data, using a processor, whether the first wireless device is detected; and

responsive to a determination that the first wireless device is detected, performing the user-specified detection event associated with the first wireless device;

determining whether the first wireless device has departed from the signal range of the residential wireless access point by monitoring the strength of a signal associated with the first wireless device;

wherein if the monitored signal strength gradually decreases, it is determined that the first wireless device has departed from the signal range of the residential access point;

wherein if the monitored signal strength is constant for a period of time and abruptly ends, it is determined that the first wireless device has not departed from the signal range of the residential wireless access point;

receiving a user-specified departure event associated with identifying the departure of the first wireless device from the signal range of the residential access point;

storing the user-specified departure event associated with identifying the departure of the first wireless device from the signal range of the residential access point in the data table;

performing the user-specified departure event in response to identifying the departure of the first wireless device from the signal range of the residential access point;

receiving a user-specified unknown event associated with detecting the presence of an unknown wireless device;

storing the user-specified unknown event associated with detecting the presence of the unknown wireless device in the data table; and

performing the user-specified unknown event in response to detecting the presence of the unknown wireless device.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

determining from the data whether an unknown wireless device is detected;

in response to determination that an unknown wireless device is detected, retrieving subscriber data from a subscriber database for identifying a person associated with the unknown wireless device; and

providing the subscriber data to a user associated with the residential wireless access point.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

storing a condition state associated with the first wireless device being detected by the residential wireless access point.

4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:

receiving subsequent data from the residential wireless access point;

determining if the condition state associated with the first wireless device being detected by the residential wireless access point has changed; and

responsive to the condition state having been changed, performing a second user-specified event associated with a change in condition state.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the user-specified absence event includes transmitting an email message to a user associated with the residential wireless access point.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising configuring a signal detection range of the residential wireless access point.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising logging the amount of time a signal of the first wireless device is detected.

8. An apparatus comprising:

a data bus system;

memory coupled to the data bus system, wherein the memory includes computer usable program code;

a network communication device coupled to the data bus for receiving data from a residential wireless access point over a network connection;

a processing unit coupled to the data bus system, wherein the processing unit executes the computer usable program code to:

store a data table for managing events associated with a wireless detection program that performs user-specified events in response to detection and departure of one or more wireless devices using a residential wireless access point;

receive a user-specified detection event associated with detection of a first wireless device;

store the user-specified detection event associated with detection of the first wireless device in the data table;

receive data from a residential wireless access point;

determine from the data whether the first wireless device is detected;

responsive to a determination that the first wireless device is detected performing the user-specified detected event associated with the first wireless device;

determine whether the first wireless device has departed from the signal range of the residential wireless access point by monitoring the strength of a signal associated with the first wireless device;

wherein if the monitored signal strength gradually decreases, it is determined that the first wireless device has departed from the signal range of the residential access point:

wherein if the monitored signal strength is constant for a period of time and abruptly ends, it is determined that the first wireless device has not departed from the signal range of the residential wireless access point;

receive a user-specified departure event associated with identifying the departure of the first wireless device from the signal range of the residential access point;

store the user-specified departure event associated with identifying the departure of the first wireless device from the signal range of the residential access point in the data table;

perform the user-specified departure event in response to identifying the departure of the first wireless device from the signal range of the residential access point;

receive a user-specified unknown event associated with detecting the presence of an unknown wireless device;

store the user-specified unknown event associated with detecting the presence of the unknown wireless device in the data table;

perform the user-specified unknown event in response to detecting the presence of the unknown wireless device.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the processing unit further executes the computer usable program code to:

determine an estimated distance of the unknown wireless device from the residential wireless access point; and

provide the estimated distance of the unknown wireless device from the residential wireless access point to a user associated with the residential wireless access point.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the user-specified unknown event transmitting a text message to the user associated with the residential wireless access point.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the residential wireless access point is a femto cell.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the residential wireless access point detects cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth signals.

13. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the processing unit further executes the computer usable program code to:

retrieve subscriber data from a subscriber database provided by a service provider for identifying a person associated with the unknown wireless device; and

provide the subscriber data to a user associated with the residential wireless access point.

14. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the processing unit further executes the computer usable program code to:

log the amount of time a signal of the first wireless device is detected.

15. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

determining an estimated distance of the unknown wireless device from the residential wireless access point; and

providing the estimated distance of the unknown wireless device from the residential wireless access point to a user associated with the residential wireless access point.

16. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the user-specified detection event is time dependent.

17. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the user-specified absence event is time dependent.