Smart vacation

• US 9,660,828 B2
• Filed: 04/02/2015
• Issued: 05/23/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vivint Incorporated (NRG Energy, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Vivint Incorporated (NRG Energy, Inc.)
• Inventors: Warren, Jeremy B., Eyring, Matthew J., Nye, James E.
• Primary Examiner(s): SHAH, TANMAY K
• Application Number:
  US14/677,777
• Publication Number:
  US 20160292995A1
• Time in Patent Office: 782 Days
• Field of Search: 3405734
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/20 responsive to moisture
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/22 responsive to presence or absence of persons
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/008 Alarm setting and unsetting, i.e. arming or disarming of the security system
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/6418 Hybrid transport

Abstract

A method for security and/or automation systems is described. In some embodiments, the method may include detecting departure data relating to at least one of an occupant and a premises, identifying a likelihood of an absence in relation to the premises based at least in part on the departure data, and sending a confirmation request based at least in part on the identifying for the occupant associated with the premises to confirm the absence. In some cases, the absence may include the premises being unoccupied for at least a portion of a predetermined time period. The predetermined time period may include at least one night.

Claims

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

detecting departure data relating to at least one of an occupant and a premises;

identifying a likelihood of an absence in relation to the premises based at least in part on the departure data, the absence comprising the premises being unoccupied for at least a portion of a predetermined time period, the likelihood of the absence being based at least in part on a current travel pattern of the occupant outside of the premises;

determining whether the current travel pattern matches one or more previous travel patterns associated with a previous absence;

modifying the likelihood of the absence based at least in part on the determining; and

sending a confirmation request based at least in part on the identifying for the occupant associated with the premises to confirm the identified likelihood of the absence.

2. The method of claim 1, the current travel pattern including at least one of a location outside the premises, or a route away from the premises, or a direction of travel away from the premises, or a distance from the premises, or an elapsed time since departure, or a combination thereof.

3. The method of claim 2, comprising:

determining whether a location of one or more other occupants of the premises relates to the current travel pattern; and

modifying the likelihood of the absence based at least in part on the determining.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the confirmation request comprises:

a request for an indicator related to a length that the premises is expected be unoccupied.

5. The method of claim 4, comprising:

initiating an adjustment of at least one aspect of a lighting system, or a climate control system, or a security system, or an appliance control system, or a combination thereof, based at least in part on the indicator.

6. The method of claim 1, comprising:

requesting a confirmation to schedule one or more system status updates, wherein the one or more system status updates permit generating a virtual key to enable entry of the premises during the absence.

7. The method of claim 1, comprising:

automatically scheduling one or more system status updates.

8. The method of claim 1, comprising:

sending a reminder to a designated user,

wherein the reminder relates to at least one of mail pickup, or garbage collection, or lawn care, or premises inspection, or a virtual key, or a combination thereof.

9. The method of claim 1, comprising:

checking for security irregularities relating to the premises; and

providing a notification based at least in part on the checking,

wherein the notification is provided to at least one of the occupant and a designated user.

10. The method of claim 1, comprising:

varying a schedule for powering at least one of a light, or an appliance, or a media device, or a combination thereof.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined time period comprises:

at least a night.

12. An apparatus for an automation system, comprising:

a processor;

memory in electronic communication with the processor; and

instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable by the processor to;

detect departure data relating to at least one of an occupant and a premises;

identify a likelihood of an absence in relation to the premises based at least in part on the departure data, the absence comprising the premises being unoccupied for at least a portion of a predetermined time period, the likelihood of the absence being based at least in part on a current travel pattern of the occupant outside of the premises;

determine whether the current travel pattern matches one or more previous travel patterns associated with a previous absence;

modify the likelihood of the absence based at least in part on the determining; and

send a confirmation request based at least in part on the identifying for the occupant associated with the premises to confirm the identified likelihood of the absence.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, the current travel pattern including at least one of a location outside the premises, or a route away from the premises, or a direction of travel away from the premises, or a distance from the premises, or an elapsed time since departure, or a combination thereof.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, the instructions being executable by the processor to:

determine whether a location of one or more other occupants of the premises relates to the current travel pattern; and

modify the likelihood of the absence based at least in part on the determining.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the confirmation request comprises a request for an indicator related to a length that the premises is expected be unoccupied.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, the instructions being executable by the processor to:

initiating an adjustment of at least one aspect of a lighting system, or a climate control system, or a security system, or an appliance control system, or a combination thereof, based at least in part on the indicator.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, the instructions being executable by the processor to:

request a confirmation to schedule one or more system status updates, wherein the one or more system status updates permit generating a virtual key to enable entry of the premises during the absence.

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

detect departure data relating to at least one of an occupant and a premises;

identify a likelihood of an absence in relation to the premises based at least in part on the departure data, the absence comprising the premises being unoccupied for at least a portion of a predetermined time period, the likelihood of the absence being based at least in part on a current travel pattern of the occupant outside of the premises;

determine whether the current travel pattern matches one or more previous travel patterns associated with a previous absence;

modify the likelihood of the absence based at least in part on the determining; and

send a confirmation request based at least in part on the identifying for the occupant associated with the premises to confirm the identified likelihood of the absence.