Doorbell communication systems and methods

• US 8,823,795 B1
• Filed: 12/06/2013
• Issued: 09/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SkyBell Technologies Ip, LLC
• Original Assignee: Skybell Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Scalisi, Joseph Frank, Thomas, Andrew Paul, Harrison, Gregory Saul, Mejia, Desiree
• Primary Examiner(s): Rao, Andy
• Assistant Examiner(s): WALKER, JARED T
• Application Number:
  US14/099,888
• Time in Patent Office: 270 Days
• Field of Search: 348/143, 348/152
• US Class Current: 348/143
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19684 Portable terminal, e.g. mobile phone, used for viewing video remotely
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0291 Door telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72418 for supporting emergency services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/025 Door telephones adapted for television H04N7/186
• 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

Communication systems configured to monitor an entryway to a building can include a security system configured to wirelessly communicate with a remote computing device. The security system can include a doorbell that comprises a camera, a speaker, and a microphone.

Claims

1. A method for using a doorbell system capable of allowing and blocking a doorbell communication request, the method comprising:

obtaining a doorbell that comprises a speaker, a microphone, and a camera, wherein the doorbell is configurable for mounting near an entryway;

assigning a first priority to a first remote computing device and assigning a second priority to a second remote computing device, wherein the first priority is superior to the second priority;

using the doorbell to detect a visitor;

generating the doorbell communication request regarding the visitor;

sending the doorbell communication request to the first remote computing device due to the first priority;

detecting a location of the second remote computing device; and

blocking the second remote computing device from displaying the doorbell communication request, wherein the doorbell system blocks displaying the doorbell communication request in response to the location of the second remote computing device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising entering an autonomous answering mode.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the autonomous answering mode comprises emitting a pre-recorded voice message from the speaker of the doorbell.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising replacing automatically the pre-recorded voice message with a non-word sound at least one hour after entering the autonomous answering mode such that the autonomous answering mode comprises emitting the non-word sound rather than the pre-recorded voice message.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising emitting the doorbell communication request from the first remote computing device for at least seven seconds before emitting the doorbell communication request from a third remote computing device, and then simultaneously emitting the doorbell communication request from both the first remote computing device and the third remote computing device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein assigning the first priority comprises assigning administrative rights.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising simultaneously sending the doorbell communication request to the first remote computing device and to a third remote computing device, and further comprising providing control of the doorbell communication request to the first remote computing device such that the first remote computing device can terminate communication with the third remote computing device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein both the doorbell and the second remote computing device are connected to a first wireless network, the method further comprising blocking the second remote computing device from displaying the doorbell communication request in response to detecting that both the doorbell and the second remote computing device are connected to the first wireless network.

9. A method for using a doorbell system, the method comprising:

obtaining a doorbell that comprises a speaker, a microphone, and a camera, wherein the doorbell is configurable for mounting near an entryway;

assigning a first priority to a first remote computing device and assigning a second priority to a second remote computing device, wherein the first priority is superior to the second priority;

using the doorbell to detect a visitor;

generating a doorbell communication request regarding the visitor;

sending the doorbell communication request to the first remote computing device due to the first priority;

blocking the doorbell communication request from being accepted by the second remote computing device due to a profile associated with the second remote computing device, wherein the profile comprises restrictions that prohibit the second remote computing device from accepting the doorbell communication request;

detecting a location of the second remote computing device; and

blocking the second remote computing device from displaying the doorbell communication request, wherein the doorbell system blocks displaying the doorbell communication request in response to the location of the second remote computing device.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the profile comprises restrictions regarding a time of day, and wherein the method further comprises blocking the doorbell communication request from being displayed by the second remote computing device due to the time of day.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the profile comprises restrictions regarding an identity of the visitor, and wherein the method further comprises blocking the doorbell communication request from being displayed by the second remote computing device due to the identity of the visitor.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein both the doorbell and the second remote computing device are connected to a first wireless network, the method further comprising blocking the second remote computing device from displaying the doorbell communication request in response to detecting that both the doorbell and the second remote computing device are connected to the first wireless network.

13. A method for using a doorbell system configured to block or allow a doorbell communication request, the method comprising:

obtaining a doorbell that comprises a speaker, a microphone, and a camera, wherein the doorbell is configurable for mounting near an entryway;

using the doorbell to detect a visitor;

generating the doorbell communication request regarding the visitor;

detecting a location of the first remote computing device; and

blocking the first remote computing device from displaying the doorbell communication request, wherein the doorbell system blocks displaying the doorbell communication request in response to the location of the first remote computing device.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising sending the doorbell communication request to the first remote computing device such that the first remote computing device receives the doorbell communication request prior to the doorbell system blocking the first remote computing device from displaying the doorbell communication request in response to the location of the first remote computing device.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising using a second remote computing device to display an image of the visitor and then using the second remote computing device to instruct the doorbell to emit a pre-recorded voice message from the speaker, and then initiating two-way audio communication between the second remote computing device and the doorbell after the visitor has responded to the pre-recorded voice message.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising initiating two-way audio communication between a second remote computing device and a third remote computing device in response to the doorbell communication request and before initiating two-way audio communication between the doorbell and at least one of the second remote computing device and the third remote computing device.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising emitting a notification sound from a sound output device located inside of a building in response to the doorbell detecting the visitor, and then enabling the visitor to choose whether to send the doorbell communication request to the first remote computing device, and then sending the doorbell communication request to the first remote computing device in response to the visitor choosing to send the doorbell communication request to the first remote computing device.

18. The method of claim 13, further comprising determining whether the visitor is still present after sending the doorbell communication request to a second remote computing device and a third remote computing device, and then terminating the doorbell communication request in response to determining the visitor is not present prior to at least one of the second remote computing device and the third remote computing device accepting the doorbell communication request.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein both the doorbell and the first remote computing device are connected to a first wireless network, the method further comprising blocking the first remote computing device from displaying the doorbell communication request, wherein the blocking is in response to detecting that both the doorbell and the first remote computing device are connected to the first wireless network.

20. The method of claim 13, further comprising creating a profile of user preferences related to doorbell notifications, wherein the profile comprises a first time when the first remote computing device will not notify a user regarding the doorbell communication request, wherein the profile comprises a second time when a chime located inside of a building will not emit a sound, and wherein the profile comprises a list of computing devices capable of receiving the doorbell communication request.