DOORBELL COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS

• US 20150054949A1
• Filed: 10/31/2014
• Published: 02/26/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SkyBell Technologies Ip, LLC
• Original Assignee: Skybell Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Scalisi, Joseph Frank
• Granted Patent: US 9,013,575 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/143
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/0214 Constructional arrangements for removing stray light
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/52 Surveillance or monitoring of activities, e.g. for recognising suspicious objects recognising microscopic objects G06V20/69
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/10 using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/025 Door telephones adapted for television H04N7/186
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/45 for generating image signals from two or more image sensors being of different type or operating in different modes, e.g. with a CMOS sensor for moving images in combination with a charge-coupled device [CCD] for still images
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/56 provided with illuminating means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/631 Graphical user interfaces [GUI] specially adapted for controlling image capture or setting capture parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/186 Video door telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/188 Capturing isolated or intermittent images triggered by the occurrence of a predetermined event, e.g. an object reaching a predetermined position signal generation from motion picture films H04N5/253

Abstract

Doorbells can be used to detect visitors. Doorbells can have a field of view that includes a first portion and a second portion. Some embodiments include using a doorbell to detect a first object within the first portion of the field of view, and then determining if a doorbell button is pressed. If the doorbell button is not pressed, the doorbell may become less sensitive to objects detected in the first portion of the field of view. If the doorbell button is pressed, the doorbell may become more sensitive to objects detected in the first portion of the field of view. Multiple portions of the field of view may be independently adjusted based on doorbell button data.

Claims

1. A method for using a doorbell system to detect a first visitor, wherein the doorbell system comprises a doorbell and a remote computing device, the method comprising:

obtaining the doorbell system that comprises a visitor detection system, wherein the visitor detection system comprises at least one of a camera, a motion detector, and an infrared detector, wherein the visitor detection system is configured to detect a first indication suggestive of the first visitor, wherein the doorbell comprises a button that is configurable to enable the first visitor to sound a chime;

configuring the doorbell system such that the visitor detection system comprises a field of view;

using the visitor detection system to detect the first indication suggestive of the first visitor within a first portion of the field of view; and

determining that the first indication detected within the first portion of the field of view is not associated with a triggering of the button.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

using the visitor detection system to detect a second indication suggestive of a second visitor within the first portion of the field of view;

excluding the first portion of the field of view from causing an alert configured to notify the remote computing device regarding a presence of the second visitor, wherein the excluding is at least partially in response to determining that the first indication detected within the first portion of the field of view is not associated with the triggering of the button, wherein the excluding prevents the second indication from causing the alert;

using the visitor detection system to detect a third indication suggestive of the second visitor within a second portion of the field of view; and

sending the alert in response to detecting the third indication within the second portion.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first indication is a first motion indication, the second indication is a second motion indication, and the third indication is a third motion indication.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the doorbell system determines that the first indication detected within the first portion of the field of view is not associated with the triggering of the button by determining that the button was not triggered within 60 seconds after detecting the first indication.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the visitor detection system comprises the camera, wherein using the visitor detection system to detect the first indication within the first portion of the field of view comprises using the camera to take a first image and then the doorbell system analyzing the first image to detect the first indication, the method further comprising reducing a first sensitivity of the visitor detection system within the first portion in response to determining that the button was not triggered within a predetermined time after taking the first image.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein reducing the first sensitivity reduces a first probability of causing a first alert configured to notify the remote computing device regarding a presence of a second visitor in response to detecting a second indication suggestive of the second visitor within the first portion of the field of view.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising using the camera to take a second image, and then the doorbell system analyzing the second image to detect a third indication suggestive of a third visitor within a second portion of the field of view;

and

increasing a second sensitivity of the visitor detection system within the second portion in response to determining that the button was triggered within 60 seconds after detecting the third indication by analyzing the second image,

wherein increasing the second sensitivity increases a second probability of causing a second alert configured to notify the remote computing device regarding the presence of the third visitor in response to detecting the third indication within the second portion of the field of view.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the visitor detection system comprises the motion detector, wherein using the visitor detection system to detect the first indication within the first portion of the field of view comprises detecting a first motion within the first portion, the method further comprising reducing a first sensitivity of the visitor detection system within the first portion in response to determining that the button was not triggered within a predetermined time after detecting the first indication.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein reducing the first sensitivity reduces a first probability of causing an alert configured to notify the remote computing device regarding a presence of a second visitor in response to detecting a second indication suggestive of the second visitor within the first portion of the field of view.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising using the visitor detection system to detect a second motion within a second portion of the field of view;

and

increasing a second sensitivity of the visitor detection system within the second portion in response to determining that the button was triggered within 60 seconds after detecting the second motion,

wherein increasing the second sensitivity increases a second probability of causing the alert configured to notify the remote computing device regarding the presence of the second visitor in response to detecting the second motion within the second portion of the field of view.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising dividing the field of view into the first portion and the second portion such that the doorbell system is configured to distinguish between the first motion detected in the first portion and the second motion detected in the second portion.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the visitor detection system comprises the infrared detector, wherein using the visitor detection system to detect the first indication within the first portion of the field of view comprises detecting a first infrared signature within the first portion,

the method further comprising reducing a first sensitivity of the visitor detection system within the first portion in response to determining that the button was not triggered within 60 seconds after detecting the first indication,

wherein reducing the first sensitivity reduces a first probability of causing a first alert configured to notify the remote computing device regarding a presence of a second visitor in response to detecting a second indication suggestive of the second visitor within the first portion of the field of view.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the infrared detector comprises a first infrared sensor and a second infrared sensor, wherein the doorbell comprises a wall that separates the first infrared sensor from the second infrared sensor such that the first infrared sensor is configured to detect the first infrared signature within the first portion and the second infrared sensor is configured to detect a second infrared signature within a second portion of the field of view.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising using the infrared detector to detect a third indication suggestive of a third visitor within a second portion of the field of view;

and

increasing a second sensitivity of the visitor detection system within the second portion in response to determining that the button was triggered within 60 seconds after detecting the third indication,

wherein increasing the second sensitivity increases a second probability of causing a second alert configured to notify the remote computing device regarding the presence of the third visitor in response to detecting the third indication within the second portion of the field of view.

15. A method for using a doorbell system to detect a first visitor, wherein the doorbell system comprises a doorbell and a remote computing device, the method comprising:

obtaining the doorbell that comprises a camera and a button, wherein the button is configurable to enable the first visitor to sound a chime;

configuring the doorbell system such that the camera comprises a field of view;

using the camera of the doorbell to take a baseline image to calibrate the doorbell system by establishing a baseline of at least a part of the field of view;

using the camera of the doorbell to take a second image of at least the part of the field of view;

determining that a first object is present in the second image, but not in the baseline image;

associating the first object with a first portion of the field of view; and

excluding the first portion of the field of view from causing an alert configured to notify the remote computing device regarding a presence of the first visitor, wherein the excluding is at least partially in response to

determining that the first object is present in the second image, but not in the baseline image, and

determining that the button was not triggered within 60 seconds after taking the second image.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

using the camera of the doorbell to take a third image of at least the part of the field of view;

determining that a second object is present in the third image, but not in at least one of the baseline image and the second image;

associating the second object with a second portion of the field of view;

determining that the button was triggered within 60 seconds after taking the third image; and

configuring the doorbell system to automatically send the alert regarding a third object detected in the second portion of the field of view at least partially in response to

determining that the second object is present in the third image, but not in at least one of the baseline image and the second image, and

determining that the button was triggered within 60 seconds after taking the third image.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

using the camera of the doorbell to take a fourth image of at least the part of the field of view;

determining that the third object is present in the fourth image, but not in the baseline image;

associating the third object with the second portion of the field of view; and

automatically sending the alert to the remote computing device regarding the presence of the first visitor.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising automatically initiating the sending of the alert to the remote computing device regarding the presence of the first visitor prior to the first visitor pressing the button.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the baseline image comprises several images.

20. A method for using a doorbell system to detect a first visitor, wherein the doorbell system comprises a doorbell and a remote computing device, the method comprising:

obtaining the doorbell system that comprises a motion detector and a button, wherein the button is configurable to enable the first visitor to sound a chime;

configuring the doorbell system such that the motion detector comprises a field of view;

detecting a first motion within a first portion of the field of view;

determining that the button was not triggered within 60 seconds after detecting the first motion within the first portion of the field of view; and

excluding the first portion of the field of view from causing an alert configured to notify the remote computing device regarding a presence of the first visitor, wherein the excluding is at least partially in response to determining that the button was not triggered within 60 seconds after detecting the first motion within the first portion of the field of view.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

detecting a second motion within a second portion of the field of view;

determining that the button was triggered within 60 seconds after detecting the second motion within the second portion of the field of view; and

configuring the doorbell system to automatically send the alert regarding a third motion detected in the second portion of the field of view at least partially in response to determining that the button was triggered within 60 seconds after detecting the second motion within the second portion of the field of view.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

detecting the third motion within the second portion of the field of view; and

automatically sending the alert to the remote computing device regarding the presence of the first visitor in response to detecting the third motion within the second portion of the field of view.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising automatically initiating the sending of the alert to the remote computing device regarding the presence of the first visitor prior to the first visitor pressing the button.

24. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

detecting a speed of the first motion; and

excluding the first motion from causing the alert configured to notify the remote computing device regarding the presence of the first visitor, wherein the excluding is at least partially in response to the speed being greater than a predetermined threshold.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the predetermined threshold is at least 5 miles per hour and is less than 35 miles per hour.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the predetermined threshold is at least 15 miles per hour.

27. A method for using a doorbell system to detect a first visitor, wherein the doorbell system comprises a doorbell and a remote computing device, the method comprising:

obtaining the doorbell, wherein the doorbell comprises a field of view having at least a first portion and a second portion, wherein the doorbell comprises a button that is configurable to enable the first visitor to sound a chime;

using doorbell to detect a first object within the first portion of the field of view; and

determining that the button was not pressed within a predetermined time after the doorbell detects the first object within the first portion of the field of view.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising excluding the first portion of the field of view from causing an alert configured to notify the remote computing device regarding a presence of the first visitor, wherein the excluding is at least partially in response to determining that the button was not triggered within 60 seconds after the doorbell detects the first object within the first portion of the field of view.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

using the doorbell to detect a second object within the second portion of the field of view; and

sending the alert to the remote computing device in response to the doorbell detecting the second object within the second portion of the field of view.