Wireless entrance communication device

1. A device for communicating, and configured to be mounted externally of a structure near a door, the device comprising:

a housing including a camera, a microphone, a speaker, a button, a battery, a sensor comprising one or more proximity sensors, non-volatile memory, a processor, and a wireless communications module, wherein the non-volatile memory stores code operable by the processor for:

switching the processor from low-power mode to active mode in response to an activation trigger;

receiving a proximity signal from the one or more proximity sensors;

identifying at least one of a plurality of zones corresponding to bounded physical spaces based on the proximity signals from adjacent ones of the proximity sensors, wherein a first one of the zones corresponds to a bounded physical space for a first one of the proximity sensors and a second one of the zones adjacent to the first zone corresponds to a bounded physical space that is overlapping for the first proximity sensor and a second one of the proximity sensors adjacent to the first proximity sensor, and wherein a total number of the plurality of zones equals one less than twice the number of proximity sensors;

receiving from a network a zone ignore list identifying one or more of the zones to ignore;

receiving, from at least one of the microphone and the camera, respectively, outbound audio and/or video signals, then sending a signal to the network via the wireless communications module during active mode when at least one of the identified zones is not on the zone ignore list, the signal comprising one or more of an alert signal, zone identification information, a signal based on the outbound audio signal, and a signal based on the outbound video signal;

receiving from the network a response to the signal;

sending to the network one or more of the outbound audio signal and the outbound video signal of a predetermined time duration when the response indicates the alert signal was denied or ignored at a remote communication device;

receiving from the network an inbound audio signal and outputting a signal based on the inbound audio signal via the speaker when the response indicates the alert signal was accepted at the remote communication device;

switching the processor from active mode to low-power mode in response to a deactivation trigger, wherein the deactivation trigger comprises one or more of a button signal, a sensor signal, and a signal from the remote communication device.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the deactivation trigger comprises one or more of a termination signal sent by the network and expiration of a predetermined time period where the device does not receive an activation trigger.

3. A device for communicating, and configured to be mounted externally of a structure near a door, the device comprising:

a housing including a camera, a microphone, a speaker, a button, a sensor comprising one or more proximity sensors, non-volatile memory, a processor, and a wireless communications module, wherein the non-volatile memory stores code operable by the processor for:

receiving a proximity signal from the one or more proximity sensors;

identifying at least one of a plurality of zones corresponding to bounded physical spaces based on the proximity signals from adjacent ones of the proximity sensors, wherein a first one of the zones corresponds to a bounded physical space for a first one of the proximity sensors and a second one of the zones adjacent to the first zone corresponds to a bounded physical space that is overlapping for the first proximity sensor and a second one of the proximity sensors adjacent to the first proximity sensor, and wherein a total number of the plurality of zones equals one less than twice the number of proximity sensors;

receiving from a network a zone ignore list identifying one or more zones to ignore;

receiving, from at least one of the microphone and the camera, respectively, outbound audio and/or video signals;

sending a signal to the network via the wireless communications module when at least one of the identified zones is not on the zone ignore list, the signal comprising one or more of an alert signal, zone identification information, a signal based on the outbound audio signal, and a signal based on the outbound video signal; and

receiving from the network an inbound audio signal and outputting a signal based on the inbound audio signal via the speaker.

4. The device of claim 3 , wherein the code stored in the non-volatile memory is further operable by the processor for:

detecting movement within a field of view of the one or more proximity sensors based on identifying two or more of the plurality of zones within a predetermined sequence; and

including information relating to the detected movement in the alert signal.

5. A device for communicating, and configured to be mounted externally of a structure near a door, the device comprising:

a camera, a microphone, a speaker, a button, one or more proximity sensors, a memory, a processor, and a wireless communications module, wherein the memory stores code operable by the processor for

identifying a plurality of zones corresponding to bounded physical spaces based on proximity signals received from adjacent ones of the proximity sensors, wherein a first one of the zones corresponds to a bounded physical space for a first one of the proximity sensors and a second one of the zones adjacent to the first zone corresponds to a bounded physical space that is overlapping for the first proximity sensor and a second one of the proximity sensors adjacent to the first proximity sensor, wherein a total number of the plurality of zones equals one less than twice the number of proximity sensors;

receiving a zone ignore list identifying one or more of the plurality of zones to ignore;

receiving, from one of the microphone and the camera, outbound audio and video signals;

sending a signal to a remote communication device via the wireless communications module and via a network when at least one of the identified zones is not on the zone ignore list, the signal comprising one or more of an alert signal, zone identification information, a signal based on the outbound audio signal, and a signal based on the outbound video signal; and

receiving from the remote communication device, via the network and via the wireless communications module, an inbound audio signal and outputting a signal based on the inbound audio signal via the speaker.

6. The device of claim 5 , wherein the code stored in the memory is further operable by the processor for:

detecting movement within a field of view of the one or more proximity sensors based on identifying two or more of the plurality of zones within a predetermined sequence; and

including information relating to the detected movement in the alert signal.

7. The device of claim 1 , further comprising at least one component capable of radiating infrared light.

8. The device of claim 7 , wherein the at least one component capable of radiating infrared light comprises at least one infrared light emitting diode (LED).

9. The device of claim 1 , wherein the number of proximity sensors is three.

10. The device of claim 9 , wherein each of the proximity sensors positioned to either side of a center one of the proximity sensors is offset by 55° from the center one of the proximity sensors.

11. The device of claim 3 , further comprising at least one component capable of radiating infrared light.

12. The device of claim 11 , wherein the at least one component capable of radiating infrared light comprises at least one infrared light emitting diode (LED).

13. The device of claim 3 , wherein the number of proximity sensors is three.

14. The device of claim 13 , wherein each of the proximity sensors positioned to either side of a center one of the proximity sensors is offset by 55° from the center one of the proximity sensors.

15. The device of claim 5 , further comprising at least one component capable of radiating infrared light.

16. The device of claim 15 , wherein the at least one component capable of radiating infrared light comprises at least one infrared light emitting diode (LED).

17. The device of claim 5 , wherein the number of proximity sensors is three.

18. The device of claim 17 , wherein each of the proximity sensors positioned to either side of a center one of the proximity sensors is offset by 55° from the center one of the proximity sensors.