Doorbell communication systems and methods
View Patent ↗Methods can include using a doorbell to wirelessly communicate with a remotely located computing device. Doorbells can include a speaker, a microphone, a camera, and a button to sound a chime. Some embodiments include using a doorbell to close an electrical circuit that has a sound output device in a way that precludes the sound output device from inappropriately emitting a notification sound.
1. A method for using a doorbell system, wherein the doorbell system comprises a sound output device, a microphone, and a camera, the method comprising:
emitting a sound with the sound output device, while concurrently receiving a communication session with a remote computing device; and
not emitting the sound with the sound output device, while concurrently continuing to receive the communication session with the remote computing device.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sound output device is located inside a home of a homeowner, and wherein the remote computing device is operated by the homeowner.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving an indication that a doorbell button has been pressed, wherein the doorbell button is attached to a home of a homeowner.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising detecting a movement, by a motion sensor, wherein the movement indicates that a visitor is present.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein not emitting the sound with the sound output device comprises supplying the sound output device with a first electricity, and wherein emitting the sound with the sound output device comprises supplying the sound output device with a second electricity.
6. A method for using a doorbell system that supplies a first electricity and a second electricity, wherein a sound output device does not emit a sound in response to the first electricity and a sound output device emits the sound in response to the second electricity, comprising:
supplying the second electricity to the sound output device, while concurrently enabling a communication session with a remote computing device; and
supplying the first electricity to the sound output device, while concurrently continuing to enable the communication session with the remote computing device.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein supplying the first electricity to the sound output device comprises closing an electrical circuit that comprises the sound output device such that a first current flows through the sound output device and the first current provides the first electricity that is less than a triggering threshold of the sound output device.
8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising detecting a presence of a visitor while closing the electrical circuit such that the first current provides the first electricity that is less than the triggering threshold,
then in response to detecting a presence of a visitor, closing the electrical circuit to supply a second electricity to the sound output device, wherein the second electricity is greater than the triggering threshold of the sound output device, and receiving the communication session with the remote computing device regarding the presence of the visitor.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the electrical circuit comprises the doorbell, the sound output device, and a transformer, wherein the transformer electrically couples the electrical circuit to a power supply of the building such that the transformer is configured to provide electrical power from the power supply to the electrical circuit, and the transformer comprises an electrical output having a direct current, wherein receiving the first current into the doorbell from the power supply of the building comprises receiving the direct current from the transformer.
10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the electrical circuit comprises the doorbell, the sound output device, and a transformer, wherein the transformer electrically couples the electrical circuit to a power supply of the building such that the transformer is configured to provide electrical power from the power supply to the electrical circuit, and the transformer comprises an electrical output having an alternating current, wherein receiving the first current into the doorbell from the power supply of the building comprises receiving the alternating current from the transformer, the method further comprising converting at least a second portion of the alternating current into a direct current, wherein the converting occurs within an outer housing of the doorbell.
11. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
while supplying the second electricity to the sound output device, receiving the communication session with the remote computing device regarding the presence of the visitor, and
then after receiving the communication session with the remote computing device, terminating the supply of the second electricity to the sound output device and closing the electrical circuit to provide a third electricity to the sound output device, wherein the third electricity is less than the triggering threshold of the sound output device such that the sound output device does not emit the sound in response to the third electricity.
12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising supplying the third electricity to the sound output device while continuing to receive the communication session with the remote computing device.
13. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
terminating the supply of the second electricity to the sound output device and closing the electrical circuit to provide a third electricity to the sound output device, wherein the third electricity is less than the triggering threshold of the sound output device such that the sound output device does not emit the sound in response to the third electricity; and
receiving the communication session with the remote computing device after terminating the supply of the second electricity to the sound output device.
14. The method of claim 8 , wherein detecting the presence of the visitor while closing the electrical circuit comprises detecting, by a proximity sensor, the presence of the visitor, wherein the method further comprises providing at least a second portion of a first electrical energy to the proximity sensor, wherein the second portion of the first electrical energy is greater than an operational threshold of the proximity sensor such that the second portion of first electrical energy is capable of providing sufficient electrical power for the doorbell to operate the proximity sensor while the first current provides the first electricity that is less than the triggering threshold of the sound output device.
15. The method of claim 8 , wherein detecting the presence of the visitor while closing the electrical circuit comprises detecting, by image analysis, the presence of the visitor, wherein the method further comprises providing at least a second portion of a first electrical energy to an image analysis system, wherein the second portion of the first electrical energy is greater than an operational threshold of the image analysis system such that the second portion of first electrical energy is capable of providing sufficient electrical power for the doorbell to operate the image analysis system while the first current provides the first electricity that is less than the triggering threshold of the sound output device.
16. The method of claim 8 , wherein the doorbell system comprises a camera, and wherein the first current is configured such that a first portion of a first electrical energy is greater than an operational threshold of the camera while the first current is configured such that the first current provides the first electricity that is less than the triggering threshold of the sound output device.
17. A doorbell system, comprising:
a housing;
a visitor detection system coupled to the housing, wherein the visitor detection system comprises a microphone and a camera; and
a sound output device coupled to the housing, wherein the sound output device is configured to emit a sound in response to the doorbell system receiving an indication of a visitor's presence, and wherein the doorbell system is configured to enable a communication session with a remote computing device while the sound output device is making the sound and the doorbell system is configured to continue enabling the communication session with the remote computing device while the sound output device is not making the sound.
18. The doorbell system of claim 17 , wherein the visitor detection system comprises at least one of a motion sensor and a doorbell button, wherein the motion sensor is configured to detect a movement of a visitor, and wherein the doorbell button is configured to be pressed by a visitor.
19. The doorbell system of claim 17 , further comprising the remote computing device.
20. The doorbell system of claim 17 , wherein the housing is coupled to a home.