Doorbell-Triggered Drone Monitoring for Limited Property Coverage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Doorbell cameras have a limited field of view, limiting their effectiveness in detecting and responding to events or conditions at a property.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses images from a doorbell camera to determine events or conditions, and instructs a drone to perform actions based on these determinations, considering factors like scheduled events, time, and occupant locations, allowing dynamic interaction with individuals approaching the property.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a fixed doorbell camera is used to monitor property, then the device is simple and easy to install, but the field of view is limited and cannot detect events beyond its fixed location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a drone that operates in three-dimensional space to expand the monitoring coverage beyond the two-dimensional fixed field of view of the doorbell camera. The drone can move vertically and horizontally to capture events from multiple angles and locations, effectively adding spatial dimensions to the monitoring system.
Solution Approach 2:
The doorbell camera serves as an intermediary trigger that detects events within its limited field of view and activates the drone. This intermediary mechanism allows the simple camera to initiate complex drone responses without requiring the camera itself to have a wide field of view.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a drone is deployed to expand monitoring coverage, then the field of view and detection capability are improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically activates the drone based on events detected by the doorbell camera. Instead of having the drone continuously operating, it is deployed only when needed, adapting the system complexity to the actual monitoring requirements and reducing unnecessary resource consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The drone is designed to perform multiple functions including capturing images, tracking suspects, communicating with occupants, and guiding visitors. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple separate devices, thereby managing system complexity while enhancing versatility.
3Reliability
If the drone continuously monitors the property, then the security coverage is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drone operates periodically based on triggered events rather than continuously. The doorbell camera detects specific events (such as unrecognized faces or suspicious activities) and activates the drone for targeted monitoring, creating a periodic operation pattern that reduces energy consumption while maintaining security reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the doorbell camera's existing detection capabilities to automatically trigger drone deployment without requiring continuous human supervision. The system serves itself by using the simple camera to manage the complex drone's operation, reducing energy waste from unnecessary drone flight.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer-storage media, for property management and monitoring using a drone. In some implementations, images of an outside area corresponding to a property are obtained. From the images, it is determined that a person is approaching the property. A state of the property is identified. An action to perform by a drone is determined based on the images and a state of the property. The drone is instructed to navigate to the person and perform the action.