IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,542,856
Granted Patent B2
US 12,542,856 · App. 18/585,338 · Granted Feb 3, 2026

Device control based on signature

Inventor: Mark Hashimoto (Sunnyvale, CA)
Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
H04M11/045G06F16/65G08B25/009G10L15/063H04W4/90G10L2015/0631
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,542,856
App. No.
18/585,338
Granted
Feb 3, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for identifying a recurring event associated with a premises, and automatically performing actions associated with the recurring event. A computing device may generate a signature for the recurring event to indicate a series of actions associated with the recurring event, may detect occurrence of the recurring event, and may perform one or more of the series of actions indicated by the signature.

Claims (46)

1 . A method comprising:

receiving, by a computing device, audio data indicating non-verbal sounds occurring during an entry into a premises;

comparing, by the computing device, the sounds to a plurality of activity signatures, wherein each activity signature indicates a sequence of actions performed by a user, of a plurality of users associated with the premises, during prior entries into the premises;

identifying, by the computing device and based on the comparing, a specific user of the plurality of users that is entering the premises; and

causing, by the computing device and based on the identifying, a device associated with the premises to perform an action.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the comparing comprises comparing a first series of sound types associated with the sounds to a second series of sound types associated with a corresponding activity signature.

3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

updating, based on the received audio data, one of the plurality of activity signatures.

4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

determining, based on the comparing resulting in a match between the sounds and one of the plurality of activity signatures, the action.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the causing the device to perform the action comprises at least one of:

disarming a security system associated with the premises; or

causing a device associated with the premises to output content.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the comparing comprises comparing sound types of the sounds to sound types of each of the plurality of activity signatures, and wherein the sound types of each of the plurality of activity signatures comprise at least one of: a human voice sound type, a non-human animal sound type, a mechanical sound type, or an alert sound type.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the comparing comprises determining whether a score for each of the plurality of activity signatures satisfies a threshold, and wherein the score for a corresponding activity signature is based on a quantity of sound types, of the sounds occurring during the entry, that match sound types of the corresponding activity signature.

8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the score for each of the plurality of activity signatures is further based on positions, in a sequence of the sounds and in a sequence of the corresponding activity signature, of the matching sound types.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the prior entries into the premises are each authorized.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the sequence of actions comprises at least one of: unlocking or opening a door, disarming a security system, opening or closing a window, interacting with a household appliance, or arriving at the premises within a predictable time window on multiple occasions.

11 . An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:

receive audio data indicating non-verbal sounds occurring during an entry into a premises;

compare the sounds to a plurality of activity signatures, wherein each activity signature indicates a sequence of actions performed by a user, of a plurality of users associated with the premises, during prior entries into the premises;

identify, based on the comparing, a specific user of the plurality of users that is entering the premises; and

cause, based on the identifying, a device associated with the premises to perform an action.

12 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to compare the sounds by comparing a first series of sound types associated with the sounds to a second series of sound types associated with a corresponding activity signature.

13 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to update, based on the received audio data, one of the plurality of activity signatures.

14 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to determine, based on the compare resulting in a match between the sounds and one of the plurality of activity signatures, the action.

15 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to cause the device to perform the action by at least one of:

disarming a security system associated with the premises; or

causing a device associated with the premises to output content.

16 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to compare the sounds by comparing sound types of the sounds to sound types of each of the plurality of activity signatures, and wherein the sound types of each of the plurality of activity signatures comprise at least one of: a human voice sound type, a non-human animal sound type, a mechanical sound type, or an alert sound type.

17 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed, cause:

receiving, by a computing device, audio data indicating non-verbal sounds occurring during an entry into a premises;

comparing the sounds to a plurality of activity signatures, wherein each activity signature indicates a sequence of actions performed by a user, of a plurality of users associated with the premises, during prior entries into the premises;

identifying, based on the comparing, a specific user of the plurality of users that is entering the premises; and

causing, based on the identifying, a device associated with the premises to perform an action.

18 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the comparing the sounds by comparing a first series of sound types associated with the sounds to a second series of sound types associated with a corresponding activity signature.

19 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause:

updating, based on the received audio data, one of the plurality of activity signatures.

20 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause:

determining, based on the comparing resulting in a match between the sounds and one of the plurality of activity signatures, the action.

21 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the causing the device to perform the action by at least one of:

disarming a security system associated with the premises; or

causing a device associated with the premises to output content.

22 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the comparing by comparing sound types of the sounds to sound types of each of the plurality of activity signatures, and wherein the sound types of each of the plurality of activity signatures comprise at least one of: a human voice sound type, a non-human animal sound type, a mechanical sound type, or an alert sound type.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 2, 2024
From: HASHIMOTO, MARK
To: COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
Reel/Frame 068761/0799 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 16229087 · Dec 21, 2018
Related Publication 20240323283A1 · Sep 26, 2024
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