Video On Demand for Audio/Video Recording and Communication Devices

Abstract

In an A/V recording and communication device, the power configuration of the device is considered when determining a setting for a keep-alive interval of the device. If the device is connected to a reliable and continuous source of power, such as AC mains, then the keep-alive interval may be set to a very short duration, thereby reducing or eliminating any latency that the user might experience when attempting to remotely access the camera of the device. By contrast, if the device relies solely on a rechargeable battery for power, then the keep-alive interval may be set to a longer duration, thereby reducing the rate at which the rechargeable battery will be discharged. And, if the device is connected to an intermittent source of power, such as a solar panel, then the keep-alive interval may be set to a moderate duration to balance the competing interests of reducing latency and conserving battery life.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A non-transitory machine-readable medium of an audio/video recording and communication device (A/V device) storing a program for providing remote access to a camera of the A/V device, the program executable by a processor of the A/V device, the program comprising instructions for:
 periodically transitioning the processor from a low-power state to an active state;   transmitting a data request to a network device to determine whether a user has requested remote access to the camera of the A/V device;   receiving a return signal from the network device comprising at least one of a positive response and a negative response; and   transitioning the processor from the active state to the low-power state when the return signal from the network device is the negative response; or   capturing image data using the camera when the return signal from the network device is the positive response.   
     
     
         2 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 1 , wherein the program comprises further instructions for periodically transitioning the processor from the low-power state to the active state according to a preset interval. 
     
     
         3 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 2 , wherein the preset interval is set to an initial value. 
     
     
         4 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 3 , wherein the initial value is 10 seconds. 
     
     
         5 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 3 , wherein the preset interval is adjusted based on a battery charge level of the A/V device. 
     
     
         6 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 5 , wherein the preset interval is increased as the battery charge level of the A/V device decreases. 
     
     
         7 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 5 , wherein the preset interval is decreased as the battery charge level of the A/V device increases. 
     
     
         8 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 3 , wherein the program comprises further instructions for receiving, from the network device, a command to set the preset interval to the initial value. 
     
     
         9 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 3 , wherein the program comprises further instructions for receiving, from the network device, a command to set the preset interval to the initial value plus a first increment. 
     
     
         10 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 9 , wherein the program comprises further instructions for receiving, from the network device, a command to set the preset interval to the initial value plus a second increment, wherein the second increment is greater than the first increment. 
     
     
         11 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 1 , wherein the program comprises further instructions for receiving a command to stop providing remote access to the camera of the A/V device. 
     
     
         12 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 1 , wherein the program comprises further instructions for transmitting the image data, via the network device, to a client device associated with the A/V device. 
     
     
         13 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 1 , wherein the program comprises further instructions for transmitting a battery charge level to the network device. 
     
     
         14 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 13 , wherein the battery charge level is transmitted with the data request to the network device. 
     
     
         15 . An audio/video recording and communication device (A/V device), comprising:
 a camera;   a communication module;   a processor operatively connected to the camera and to the communication module; and   memory storing a program that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to:
 maintain the camera, the communication module, and the processor in a low-power state when there is no activity in a vicinity of the A/V device; 
 periodically transition the processor and the communication module from the low-power state to an active state; 
 transmit a data request to a network device to determine whether a user has requested remote access to the camera of the A/V device; 
 receive a return signal from the network device comprising at least one of a positive response and a negative response; and 
 transition the processor and the communication module from the active state to the low-power state when the return signal from the network device is the negative response; or 
 transition the camera from the low-power state to the active state and capture image data using the camera when the return signal from the network device is the positive response. 
   
     
     
         16 . The A/V device of  claim 15 , wherein the program comprises further instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to periodically transition the processor and the communication module from the low-power state to the active state according to a preset interval. 
     
     
         17 . The A/V device of  claim 16 , wherein the preset interval is set to an initial value. 
     
     
         18 . The A/V device of  claim 16 , wherein the preset interval is adjusted based on a battery charge level of the A/V device. 
     
     
         19 . The A/V device of  claim 18 , wherein the preset interval is increased as the battery charge level of the A/V device decreases. 
     
     
         20 . The A/V device of  claim 18 , wherein the preset interval is decreased as the battery charge level of the A/V device increases. 
     
     
         21 . The A/V device of  claim 17 , wherein the program comprises further instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive, from the network device, a command to set the preset interval to the initial value. 
     
     
         22 . The A/V device of  claim 17 , wherein the program comprises further instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive, from the network device, a command to set the preset interval to the initial value plus a first increment. 
     
     
         23 . The A/V device of  claim 22 , wherein the program comprises further instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive, from the network device, a command to set the preset interval to the initial value plus a second increment, wherein the second increment is greater than the first increment.