Smart Doorbell System and Method with Chime Listener
A smart doorbell system including a chime listener that is configured to detect operation of a chime of a doorbell system in response to activation of a doorbell of the doorbell system. In response to this detection, the system sends a notification signal to a user device such as a smart phone. The chime listener may be configured to send an activation signal to an imaging device, typically having a camera, in response to the detection of chime operation. The imaging device is activated in response to receiving the activation signal and transmits images and/or other media which can viewed on a user device such as a smart phone.
1 . A smart doorbell system comprising:
a chime listener configured to detect operation of a chime in response to activation of a doorbell and to generate a notification signal in response to detection of chime operation; and
a controller that is in communication with the chime listener and that, using a program stored in a non-transitory memory, is configured to cause a notification to be transmitted to a user device that the chime has been activated.
2 . The smart doorbell system of claim 1 , further comprising an imaging device in communication with the chime listener and configured to monitor an area of interest, and wherein the notification includes an image captured by the imaging device.
3 . The smart doorbell system of claim 2 , wherein
the system is configured to send an activation signal to the imaging device in response to the detection of chime operation by the chime listener; and wherein
the imaging device is configured to transition from a standby state to an active state in response to receiving the activation signal.
4 . The smart doorbell system of claim 2 , further comprising a base station in wireless communication with the imaging device.
5 . The smart doorbell system of claim 4 , wherein the chime listener is configured to communicate wirelessly with the base station and/or the imaging device.
6 . The smart doorbell system of claim 4 , wherein the base station hosts a wireless local area network (WLAN); and wherein
the chime listener, the imaging device, and base station communicate with each other via the WLAN.
7 . The smart doorbell system of claim 4 , wherein the base station is configured to communicate with an external server that is in communication with the user device.
8 . The smart doorbell system of claim 2 , wherein the imaging device includes a camera, an audio element, a controller configured to transition the camera and audio element between the standby state and the active state, and a communication device that is configured to receive an activation signal and to transmit media from at least one of the camera and the audio element.
9 . The smart doorbell system of claim 2 , wherein the chime listener includes a signal receiver configured to receive the signal from the chime, a controller configured to generate the activation signal, and a communication device.
10 . The smart doorbell system of claim 1 , wherein the chime listener includes a microphone.
11 . A smart doorbell system comprising:
an imaging device configured to monitor an area of interest, the imaging device including a camera;
a base station that hosts a wireless local area network (WLAN) and that is in wireless communication with the imaging device;
a chime listener that is configured to detect operation of a chime in response to activation of a doorbell and generate a notification signal in response to detection of chime operation; the chime listener including a microphone and being in wireless communication with the imaging device and/or the base station via the WLAN; and
a controller that is in communication with the imaging device and that, using a program stored in a non-transitory memory, is configured to
cause a notification to be transmitted to a user device that the chime has been activated, the notification being transmitted over a wide area network (WAN); and
cause the imaging device to capture media for transmission to a user device.
12 . The smart doorbell system of claim 11 , wherein the controller is located in at least one of the base station, the imaging device, and an external server.
13 . The smart doorbell system of claim 11 , wherein each of the chime listener and the imaging device has a wireless communication device communicating over the WLAN, and wherein the base station has a first, wireless communication device in communication with the communication device of the imaging device and/or the communication device of the chime listener over the WLAN, and a second communication device in contact with a WAN.
14 . A method of operating a smart doorbell system having a chime listener, the method comprising:
using the chime listener to detect operation of a doorbell chime; and
in response to the detection, sending a notification to a user device indicative of chime operation.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein detecting chime operation comprises using a microphone to detect sound generated by the chime.
16 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising generating an activation signal in response to the detection; communicating the activation signal to an imaging device of the smart doorbell system and; in response to receipt of the activation signal at the imaging device, transitioning the imaging device from a standby state to an active state.
17 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising establishing a wireless local area network (WLAN) between the chime listener, the imaging device, and a base station.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the notification is transmitted by an external server in communication with the base station via a wide area network (WAN).
19 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the user device comprises one of a smart phone and a tablet computer.
20 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the notification comprises at least one of a visual push notification and an audio alert.