IP Library Granted Patent US 11,539,884
Granted Patent B2
US 11,539,884 · App. 16/370,113 · Granted Dec 27, 2022

Induction-powered camera

Inventors: Jared Robinson (Lehi, UT); Jason Flint (Provo, UT)
Assignee: VIVINT, INC.
H04N5/23241H02J7/00045H02J50/00H04N5/23206H04N7/183
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,539,884
App. No.
16/370,113
Granted
Dec 27, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

An induction-powered camera may be capable of being installed external to a building without any building alterations. The induction-powered camera may include a continuous power source. The induction-powered camera may transmit one or more images to a control panel associated with security and/or automation systems. The induction-powered camera may be movable and/or removable with undue burden. In one example, an apparatus for a security and/or automation system is described. The apparatus may include a first half of the apparatus and an electricity transmission unit positioned within the first half. An electricity receiving unit may be positioned a predetermined distance away from the electricity transmission unit. The electricity receiving unit proximate a second half of the apparatus and a camera may be proximate the second half of the apparatus, the camera powered by the electricity receiving unit.

Claims (49)

1. A method for a security and/or automation system, comprising:

generating a command to activate a mobile camera unit based at least in part on one or more emergency alerts and one or more security parameters, wherein the mobile camera unit is powered by induction power;

transmitting the command to the mobile camera unit;

receiving data from the mobile camera unit;

analyzing the data from the mobile camera unit, including analyzing the data to isolate identifiable sound characteristics and image requirements;

identifying, based at least in part on analyzing the data, one or more images to identify motion proximate the mobile camera unit;

determining, based at least in part on identifying motion in the image and based at least in part on the identifiable sound characteristics, an identity of a person in the data received from the mobile camera unit; and

determining, based at least in part on pre-loaded facial imagery, whether the identified person is a user of the security and/or automation system; and

transmitting, in response to determining that the identified person is not a user of the security and/or automation system and in response to contacting one or more emergency personnel, the data received from the mobile camera unit to one or more emergency personnel.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

analyzing the data based on one or more emergency alerts, wherein identifying the one or more images to identify motion proximate the mobile camera unit is based at least in part on analyzing the data based on the one or more emergency alerts.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mobile camera unit comprises a first half comprising an internal half of the mobile camera unit configured to be located inside of a building, and a second half of the mobile camera unit positioned on a divider configured to separate the inside of the building from the outside of the building, the second half of the mobile camera unit comprising an external half of the mobile camera unit configured to be located outside of the building.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the mobile camera unit comprises a first rechargeable battery included in the first half of the apparatus, wherein the first rechargeable battery charges using a continuous power supply located inside the building.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the mobile camera unit comprises a second rechargeable battery included in the second half of the apparatus, wherein the second rechargeable battery stores a remaining portion of the power received by the electricity receiving unit.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the command directs one or more settings of the mobile camera unit.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the command comprises instructions to capture one or more images in response to activation of one or more sensors proximate the mobile camera unit.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the command comprises instructions to:

continuously capture images; and

stream the images to a control panel of the security and/or automation system.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

storing the data received from the mobile camera unit; and

providing the stored data for subsequent review by a user.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving a user input, wherein generating the command to activate a mobile camera unit is based at least in part on the received user input.

11. An apparatus for security and/or automation systems, comprising:

a processor;

a memory in electronic communication with the processor; and instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable by the processor to:

generate a command to activate a mobile camera unit based at least in part on one or more emergency alerts and one or more security parameters, wherein the mobile camera unit is powered by induction power;

transmit the command to the mobile camera unit;

receive data from the mobile camera unit;

analyze the data from the mobile camera unit, including analyzing the data to isolate identifiable sound characteristics and image requirements;

identify, based at least in part on analyzing the data, one or more images to identify motion proximate the mobile camera unit;

determine, based at least in part on identifying motion in the image and based at least in part on the identifiable sound characteristics, an identity of a person in the data received from the mobile camera unit;

determine, based at least in part on pre-loaded facial imagery, whether the identified person is a user of the security and/or automation system; and

transmit, in response to determining that the identified person is not a user of the security and/or automation system and in response to contacting one or more emergency personnel, the data received from the mobile camera unit to one or more emergency personnel.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the instructions are further executable to:

analyze the data based on one or more emergency alerts, wherein analyzing the data comprises analyzing one or more images to identify motion proximate the mobile camera unit.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the mobile camera unit comprises a first half comprising an internal half of the mobile camera unit configured to be located inside of a building, and a second half of the mobile camera unit positioned on a divider configured to separate the inside of the building from the outside of the building, the second half of the mobile camera unit comprising an external half of the mobile camera unit configured to be located outside of the building.

14. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the mobile camera unit comprises a first rechargeable battery included in the first half of the apparatus, wherein the first rechargeable battery charges using a continuous power supply located inside the building.

15. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the mobile camera unit comprises a second rechargeable battery included in the second half of the apparatus, wherein the second rechargeable battery stores a remaining portion of the power received by the electricity receiving unit.

16. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by a processor to:

generate a command to activate a mobile camera unit based at least in part on one or more emergency alerts and one or more security parameters, wherein the mobile camera unit is powered by induction power;

transmit the command to the mobile camera unit;

receive data from the mobile camera unit;

analyze the data from the mobile camera unit, including analyzing the data to isolate identifiable sound characteristics and image requirements;

identify, based at least in part on analyzing the data, one or more images to identify motion proximate the mobile camera unit;

determine, based at least in part on identifying motion in the image and based at least in part on the identifiable sound characteristics, an identity of a person in the data received from the mobile camera unit;

determine, based at least in part on pre-loaded facial imagery, whether the identified person is a user of the security and/or automation system, and

transmit, in response to determining that the identified person is not a user of the security and/or automation system and in response to contacting one or more emergency personnel, the data received from the mobile camera unit to one or more emergency personnel.

Assignments (8)
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 051935, FRAME 0695 Recorded Nov 11, 2024
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: VIVINT, INC.
Reel/Frame 069334/0131 →
RELEASE (REEL 051934 / FRAME 0839) Recorded Nov 1, 2024
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: VIVINT LLC (F/K/A VIVINT, INC.)
Reel/Frame 069289/0510 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 12, 2021
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: VIVINT, INC.
Reel/Frame 056823/0020 →
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 14, 2020
From: VIVINT, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 051934/0839 →
SUPPL. NO. 3 TO SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 14, 2020
From: VIVINT, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 051935/0273 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 14, 2020
From: VIVINT, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 051935/0659 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 29, 2019
From: ROBINSON, JARED; FLINT, JASON
To: VIVINT, INC.
Reel/Frame 048743/0781 →