IP Library Granted Patent US 11,308,333
Granted Patent B1
US 11,308,333 · App. 15/824,844 · Granted Apr 19, 2022

Outdoor camera and neighborhood watch techniques

Inventors: Landon Mark Langford (Saratoga Springs, UT); Michael D. Child (Draper, UT); Michelle Bea Zundel (Draper, UT)
Assignee: VIVINT, INC.
G06K9/00771G08B13/196H04L12/2823H04N7/18H04N21/42204H04N21/43615H04L12/2854
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,308,333
App. No.
15/824,844
Granted
Apr 19, 2022
Kind
B1
Abstract

Techniques are described for security and automation system. One method includes receiving, from an exterior camera located outside a structure, data associated with an occurrence of a security event associated with the structure, activating a light of the camera based at least in part on determining the received data is associated with the security event, and initiating an action at the first location based at least in part on determining that the received data is associated with the security event.

Claims (68)

1. A method for security or automation systems, comprising:

receiving, from a camera located outside a first structure, data associated with an occurrence of a security event associated with the first structure;

determining that the received data is associated with the security event based at least in part on one or more computer learning techniques;

assigning a threat level to the security event based at least in part on data from the camera and a type of the security event, the type of the security event determined based at least in part on the one or more computer learning techniques;

determining, using the one or more computer learning techniques, whether the security event is authorized based at least in part on detecting a plurality of security events having the type of the security event within a period of time, the plurality of security events comprising the security event;

determining, using the one or more computer learning techniques, that the plurality of security events occurs in a threshold field of view;

sending a notification to adjust a field of view of the camera based at least in part on determining that the plurality of security events occurs in the threshold field of view;

updating the threat level of the security event using the one or more computer learning techniques based at least in part on processing a user input received in response to the security event and determining whether the security event is authorized;

activating a light of the camera based at least in part on determining the received data is associated with the security event and the updated threat level, wherein a characteristic of the light is associated with the updated threat level; and

initiating an action at a first location based at least in part on the one or more computer learning techniques, determining that the received data is associated with the security event, and the updated threat level.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein activating the light further comprises activating a geometric light shape disposed around a face of a lens of the camera.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein activating the light further comprises:

illuminating the light with a selected color based at least in part on an association between the selected color and receiving data associated with the occurrence of the security event.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein activating the light further comprises:

illuminating the light with a selected flashing pattern based at least in part on an association between the selected flashing pattern and receiving data associated with the occurrence of the security event.

5. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:

determining an occurrence of a second security event associated with the first structure occurring after the security event; and

selecting a second color to light a geometric light shape based at least in part on determining the occurrence of the second security event.

6. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:

selecting a second color to light a geometric light shape based at least in part on a passage of time after the occurrence of the security event.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving data associated with the occurrence of the security event further comprises receiving data associated with the security event occurring within a predetermined distance of the first structure.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving data associated with the occurrence of the security event further comprises receiving data associated with the occurrence of a third security event at a second structure in wireless communication with the first structure.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

activating a light of a second camera located outside of the second structure based at least in part on determining the received data is associated with the third security event at the second structure; and

illuminating the light with a second selected color based at least in part on an association between the second selected color and determining the third security event at the second structure.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:

sending an instruction to a third structure to activate a light of a third camera located outside the third structure based at least in part on determining that the received data is associated with a fourth security event at the third structure and the third security event at the second structure.

11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:

coordinating at least one of a color and a flashing pattern of the light of the camera, the second camera, and the third camera based at least in part on determining the security events at the first structure, the second structure, and the third structure are related.

12. The method of claim 8 , wherein receiving data associated with the occurrence of the third security event at the second structure further comprises receiving data associated with a neighboring security event at a neighboring house.

13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

determining that the occurrence of the security event is an approved event; and

deactivating the light based at least in part on the determining.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein determining that the occurrence of the security event is an approved event further comprises:

determining the security event is approved based at least in part on determining historic event data occurring over a predetermined period of time.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein initiating the action further comprises at least one of:

activating an alarm, closing a door, locking the door, locking a window, activating sprinklers, activating a video mode on the camera, sending a first notification to an occupant of the first location, sending the first notification or a second notification to a third party, closing a garage door, locking a motor vehicle door, or a combination thereof.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein activating the alarm further comprises:

activating one of a plurality of alarms based at least in part on determining the occurrence of the security event.

17. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

sending a suggested action to an occupant of the first structure based at least in part on receiving data associated with the security event.

18. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving data associated with the occurrence of the security event associated with the first structure further comprises:

receiving, from the camera, an indication of a presence of a person located within a predetermined distance of the first location;

determining that the person is not approved to be within the predetermined distance of the first location; and

wherein activating the light further comprises illuminating the light with a predetermined color based at least in part on determining that the person is not approved.

19. An apparatus for security or automation systems, comprising:

a processor;

memory in electronic communication with the processor; and

instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable by the processor to:

receive, from a camera located outside a structure, data associated with an occurrence of a security event associated with the structure;

determine that the received data is associated with the security event based at least in part on one or more computer learning techniques;

assign a threat level to the security event based at least in part on data from the camera and a type of the security event, the type of the security event determined based at least in part on the one or more computer learning techniques;

determine, using the one or more computer learning techniques, whether the security event is authorized based at least in part on detecting a plurality of security events having the type of the security event within a period of time, the plurality of security events comprising the security event;

determine, using the one or more computer learning techniques, that the plurality of security events occurs in a threshold field of view;

send a notification to adjust a field of view of the camera based at least in part on determining that the plurality of security events occurs in the threshold field of view;

update the threat level of the security event using the one or more computer learning techniques based at least in part on processing a user input received in response to the security event and determining whether the security event is authorized;

activate a light of the camera based at least in part on determining the received data is associated with the security event and the updated threat level, wherein a characteristic of the light is associated with the updated threat level; and

initiate an action at a first location based at least in part on the one or more computer learning techniques, determining that the received data is associated with the security event, and the updated threat level.

20. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable code, the code executable by a processor to:

receive, from a camera located outside a structure, data associated with an occurrence of a security event associated with the structure;

determine that the received data is associated with the security event based at least in part on one or more computer learning techniques;

assign a threat level to the security event based at least in part on data from the camera and a type of the security event, the type of the security event determined based at least in part on the one or more computer learning techniques;

determine, using the one or more computer learning techniques, whether the security event is authorized based at least in part on detecting a plurality of security events having the type of the security event within a period of time, the plurality of security events comprising the security event;

determine, using the one or more computer learning techniques, that the plurality of security events occurs in a threshold field of view;

send a notification to adjust a field of view of the camera based at least in part on determining that the plurality of security events occurs in the threshold field of view;

update the threat level of the security event using the one or more computer learning techniques based at least in part on processing a user input received in response to the security event and determining whether the security event is authorized;

activate a light of the camera based at least in part on determining the received data is associated with the security event and the updated threat level, wherein a characteristic of the light is associated with the updated threat level; and

initiate an action at a first location based at least in part on the one or more computer learning techniques, determining that the received data is associated with the security event, and the updated threat level.

Assignments (10)
AFTER-ACQUIRED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 27, 2025
From: VIVINT LLC; SMART HOME PROS, INC.; VIVINT AMIGO, INC.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS PRIORITY COLLATERAL TRUSTEE
Reel/Frame 070349/0816 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS RECORDED AT REEL 049283, FRAME 0566 Recorded Nov 11, 2024
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: VIVINT, INC.
Reel/Frame 069334/0137 →
RELEASE (REEL 047029/ FRAME 0304) Recorded Nov 1, 2024
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: VIVINT LLC (F/K/A VIVINT, INC.)
Reel/Frame 069289/0468 →
RELEASE (REEL 057434 / FRAME 0591) Recorded Nov 1, 2024
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: VIVINT LLC (F/K/A VIVINT, INC.)
Reel/Frame 069289/0529 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT NO. 2 Recorded Jul 12, 2021
From: VIVINT, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 057434/0591 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 12, 2021
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: VIVINT, INC.
Reel/Frame 056832/0824 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 23, 2019
From: VIVINT, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 049283/0566 →
SUPPL. NO. 2 SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 6, 2018
From: VIVINT, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA N.A.
Reel/Frame 047024/0048 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 6, 2018
From: VIVINT, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 047029/0304 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 28, 2017
From: LANGFORD, LANDON MARK; CHILD, MICHAEL D.; ZUNDEL, MICHELLE BEA
To: VIVINT, INC.
Reel/Frame 044240/0920 →