Doorbell communication systems and methods

Abstract

A method of operating a doorbell system can include receiving, by a remote computing device, a notification of an emergency event and in response to the receiving, illuminating at least one light of a doorbell to indicate an occurrence of the emergency event. The method can further include, in response to receiving the notification, initiating a communication with an emergency dispatcher and/or an emergency contact. The at least one light can illuminate in a variety of colors and illumination patterns corresponding to the type of emergency event.

The following is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method of operating a doorbell system comprising a remote computing device and a doorbell comprising a camera and at least one light, the method comprising:
 receiving, by the remote computing device, a notification of an emergency event; and   in response to the receiving, illuminating the at least one light to indicate an occurrence of the emergency event.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving, by the remote computing device, information regarding the emergency event, wherein the information comprises at least one of:
 an indication of a type of the emergency event,   an indication of a location of the emergency event, and   an indication of an identity of a person associated with the emergency event.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the doorbell comprises at least one speaker, the method further comprising in response to at least one of receiving the notification of the emergency event and receiving the information regarding the emergency event, emitting a sound from the at least one speaker, wherein the sound comprises an audible indication of the information regarding the emergency event. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the type of the emergency event defines a medical emergency, and wherein the illuminating comprises at least one of:
 illuminating the at least one light a first color in response to the emergency event defining the medical emergency; and   illuminating the at least one light in a first illumination pattern in response to the emergency event defining the medical emergency.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the type of the emergency event defines a fire emergency, and wherein the illuminating comprises at least one of:
 illuminating the at least one light a second color in response to the emergency event defining the fire emergency; and   illuminating the at least one light in a second illumination pattern in response to the emergency event defining the fire emergency.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the type of the emergency event defines an intruder emergency, and wherein the illuminating comprises at least one of:
 illuminating the at least one light a third color in response to the emergency event defining the intruder emergency; and   illuminating the at least one light in a third illumination pattern in response to the emergency event defining the intruder emergency.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the doorbell system is coupled to a building and the doorbell system comprises a wireless communication system, the method further comprising determining, by the wireless communication system, that the remote computing device is located within a predetermined distance of the building. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising in response to at least one of receiving the notification of the emergency event and receiving the information regarding the emergency event, initiating a communication with an emergency dispatcher, wherein the communication comprises the information regarding the emergency event. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising in response to at least one of receiving the notification of the emergency event and receiving the information regarding the emergency event, initiating a communication with an emergency contact of the person, wherein the communication comprises the information regarding the emergency event. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the doorbell system comprises a wireless communication system, the method further comprising determining a location of the remote computing device via GPS. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising in response to the receiving, initiating a communication with an emergency dispatcher, wherein the communication comprises the location of the remote computing device. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising in response to the receiving, initiating a communication with an emergency contact associated with a person associated with the remote computing device, wherein the communication comprises the location of the remote computing device. 
     
     
         13 . A method of operating a doorbell system comprising a remote computing device and a doorbell comprising a camera and at least one light, the method comprising:
 receiving, by the remote computing device, a notification of a non-emergency event; and   in response to the receiving, illuminating the at least one light to indicate an occurrence of the non-emergency event.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the non-emergency event comprises at least one of a food delivery order, a parcel delivery order, and a presence of a recognized visitor. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising receiving, by the remote computing device, information regarding the non-emergency event, wherein the information comprises:
 an indication of a restaurant, and   an indication of a food type.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising in response to at least one of receiving the notification of the non-emergency event and receiving the information regarding the non-emergency event, initiating a communication with the restaurant, wherein the communication comprises the indication of the food type. 
     
     
         17 . A doorbell system, comprising:
 a doorbell comprising a camera and a button;   a remote computing device communicatively coupled to the doorbell; and   an alert system coupled to the doorbell, the alert system comprising at least one light that illuminates in response to the remote computing device receiving a notification of an emergency event.   
     
     
         18 . The doorbell system of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one light comprises a first light located along a first portion of the doorbell and a second light located along a second portion of the doorbell, the second portion located opposite the first portion. 
     
     
         19 . The doorbell system of  claim 18 , wherein the camera is located between the first portion and the second portion, and when the doorbell is attached to a building the first portion is a first side portion of the doorbell and the second portion is a second side portion of the doorbell. 
     
     
         20 . The doorbell system of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one light comprises a first light located along a first portion of the doorbell, wherein when the doorbell is attached to a building the first portion is an upper portion of the doorbell.