Anti-Theft Doorbell Camera

• US 20170116835A1
• Filed: 10/27/2015
• Published: 04/27/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vivint Incorporated (NRG Energy, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Vivint Incorporated (NRG Energy, Inc.)
• Inventors: Child, Michael D., Vega, JonPaul, Matsuura, Craig, Brederson, Dean
• Granted Patent: US 10,687,025 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/00 Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1409 for removal detection of electrical appliances by detecting their physical disconnection from an electrical system, e.g. using a switch incorporated in the plug connector
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1418 Removal detected by failure in electrical connection between the appliance and a control centre, home control panel or a power supply
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1427 with transmitter-receiver for distance detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0261 System arrangements wherein the object is to detect trespassing over a fixed physical boundary, e.g. the end of a garden
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0272 System arrangements wherein the object is to detect exact location of child or item using triangulation other than GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/046 prevention of tampering with detection circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/10 using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/186 Video door telephones

Abstract

In some embodiments, security and/or automation systems, collectively referred to as automation system, may provide deterrents to the illicit acquisition of a device unique to the automation system. The system may enable a device to self-detect when the device is either stolen and/or the potential victim of hacking. The automation system may implement several solutions to help prevent tampering with its devices. The solutions may help prevent the physical acquisition of a device or may aid in the recovery of the device. The solutions may additionally include programming the device to automatically detect when the device is being hacked and/or misappropriated.

Claims

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

identifying a discrepancy at a doorbell camera associated with an automation system;

comparing the identified discrepancy with an alteration parameter of the doorbell camera; and

automatically activating one or more security features based at least in part on the comparing.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

comparing a current location of the doorbell camera with a location threshold for the doorbell camera.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

collecting data associated with the current location based at least in part on the comparing; and

identifying the current location of the doorbell camera based at least in part on the collected data.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein comparing the identified discrepancy with the alteration parameter of the doorbell camera further comprises:

detecting that the doorbell camera is connected to an alternative Wi-Fi network.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein comparing the identified discrepancy with the alteration parameter of the doorbell camera further comprises:

determining whether the doorbell camera is disconnected from the automation system.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein comparing the identified discrepancy with the alteration parameter of the doorbell camera further comprises:

determining whether software used to control the doorbell camera is altered.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically activating one or more security features based at least in part on the determining further comprises:

disabling one or more features of the doorbell camera.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

detecting an outside source attempting to access the one or more disabled features.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically activating one or more security features based at least in part on the determining further comprises:

erasing at least a portion of software used to control the doorbell camera.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically activating one or more security features based at least in part on the determining further comprises:

automatically destroying one or more physical features of the doorbell camera after a predetermined time period.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically activating one or more security features based at least in part on the determining further comprises:

recording audio and video data captured by the doorbell camera; and

sending the audio and video data to a control panel associated with the automation system.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving recorded audio and video data from the doorbell camera based at least in part on the activating.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

sending an alert indicating the identified discrepancy; and

requesting a confirmation message in response to the sent alert.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the identified discrepancy comprises at least one of a change in a power supply level, or a change in a connected Wi-Fi network, or activation of an anti-tamper switch proximate the doorbell camera, or a duplicate signal, or a lack of power, or a combination thereof.

15. An apparatus for security and/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;

identify a discrepancy at a doorbell camera associated with an automation system;

compare the identified discrepancy with an alteration parameter of the doorbell camera; and

automatically activate one or more security features based at least in part on the comparing.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to:

compare a current location of the doorbell camera with a location threshold for the doorbell camera.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to:

collect data associated with the current location based at least in part on the comparing; and

identifying the current location of the doorbell camera based at least in part on the collected data.

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

identify a discrepancy at a doorbell camera associated with an automation system;

compare the identified discrepancy with an alteration parameter of the doorbell camera; and

automatically activate one or more security features based at least in part on the comparing.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the code is further executable by the processor to:

compare a current location of the doorbell camera with a location threshold for the doorbell camera.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the code is further executable by the processor to:

collect data associated with the current location based at least in part on the comparing; and

identifying the current location of the doorbell camera based at least in part on the collected data.