Parcel Theft Deterrence for Audio/Video Recording and Communication Devices

• US 20180047268A1
• Filed: 08/04/2017
• Published: 02/15/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: A9.com Incorporated (Amazon.com, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bot Home Automation Inc. (Amazon.com, Inc.)
• Inventors: Lemberger, Elliott
• Granted Patent: US 10,726,690 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10016 Video; Image sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30204 Marker
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30232 Surveillance
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/246 using feature-based methods, e.g. the tracking of corners or segments
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19602 Image analysis to detect motion of the intruder, e.g. by frame subtraction
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19604 involving reference image or background adaptation with time to compensate for changing conditions, e.g. reference image update on detection of light level change
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19608 Tracking movement of a target, e.g. by detecting an object predefined as a target, using target direction and or velocity to predict its new position
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19656 Network used to communicate with a camera, e.g. WAN, LAN, Internet
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1966 Wireless systems, other than telephone systems, used to communicate with a camera
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19684 Portable terminal, e.g. mobile phone, used for viewing video remotely
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19693 using multiple video sources viewed on a single or compound screen
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19695 Arrangements wherein non-video detectors start video recording or forwarding but do not generate an alarm themselves
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/025 Door telephones adapted for television H04N7/186
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/77 between a recording apparatus and a television camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0209 in terminal devices terminal devices per se H04W88/02
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Some aspects of the present embodiments provide a method for setting an audio/video (A/V) recording and communication device in a parcel protection mode. The method receives, form the A/V recording and communication device, a notification about a parcel being placed within an area about the A/V recording and communication device. The method receives a request for activating the parcel protection mode. Upon receiving the request, the method sends an activation signal to the A/V recording and communication device to set the A/V recording and communication device in the parcel protection mode.

Claims

1. A method for an application executing on a client device, the method for setting an audio/video (A/V) recording and communication device in a parcel protection mode, the method comprising:

receiving, from the A/V recording and communication device, a notification about a parcel being placed within an area about the A/V recording and communication device;

receiving a request for activating the parcel protection mode; and

sending an activation signal to the A/V recording and communication device to set the A/V recording and communication device in the parcel protection mode.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving, from the A/V recording and communication device, a parcel theft alert when the A/V recording and communication device is in the parcel protection mode.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the parcel theft alert is received upon an unauthorized removal of the parcel from the area about the A/V recording and communication device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the notification is received when video footage recorded by a camera of the A/V recording and communication device indicates that the parcel is placed within the area about the A/V recording and communication device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the notification is received when a parcel delivery carrier activates the A/V recording and communication device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein setting the A/V recording and communication device in the parcel protection mode comprises enabling the A/V recording and communication device to emit an audible alarm upon an unauthorized removal of the parcel.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the audible alarm comprises at least one of a siren and an announcement that the area is being recorded.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing a control button in a graphical user interface (GUI) of the application for enabling the parcel activation mode.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein receiving the request comprises receiving a selection of the control button in the GUI.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the notification further comprises a control button for enabling the parcel protection mode.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein receiving the request comprises receiving a selection of the control button in the notification.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving a request for deactivating the parcel protection mode; and

sending a deactivation signal to the A/V recording and communication device to deactivate the parcel protection mode on the A/V recording and communication device.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the parcel protection mode is further deactivated when the A/V recording and communication device determines that the parcel is removed by an authorized person.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the A/V recording and communication device determines that the parcel is removed by the authorized person when video footage captured by a camera of the A/V recording and communication device indicates that the parcel moves from outside of a property at which the A/V recording and communication device is installed, toward inside of the property.

15. A non-transitory machine-readable medium of an electronic device storing a program for setting an audio/video (A/V) recording and communication device in a parcel protection mode, the program executable by a processing unit of the electronic device, the program comprising sets of instructions for:

receiving, from the A/V recording and communication device, a notification about a parcel being placed within an area about the A/V recording and communication device;

receiving a request for activating the parcel protection mode; and

sending an activation signal to the A/V recording and communication device to set the A/V recording and communication device in the parcel protection mode.

16. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the program further comprises a set of instructions for receiving, from the A/V recording and communication device, a parcel theft alert when the A/V recording and communication device is in the parcel protection mode.

17. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the set of instructions for receiving the parcel theft alert comprises a set of instructions for receiving the parcel theft alert when the parcel is removed from the area about the A/V recording and communication device without authorization.

18. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the set of instructions for receiving the notification comprises a set of instructions for receiving the notification when video footage recorded by a camera of the A/V recording and communication device indicates that the parcel is placed within the area about the A/V recording and communication device.

19. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the set of instructions for receiving the notification comprises a set of instructions for receiving the notification when a parcel delivery carrier activates the A/V recording and communication device.

20. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the set of instructions for setting the A/V recording and communication device in the parcel protection mode comprises a set of instructions for enabling the A/V recording and communication device to emit an audible alarm upon an unauthorized removal of the parcel.

21. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 20, wherein the audible alarm comprises at least one of a siren and an announcement that the area is being recorded.