Google Seeks Home ‘Security Score’ Patent
Google has now filed a patent entitled Security Scoring in a Smart-Sensored Home.
Google apparently has bold plans for home automation and home security that go well beyond the integration of DropCam Nest and Nest Protect smoke detectors.
Following the recent revelation that the company is seeking management to run a new Nest Audio division, Google has now filed a patent entitled “Security Scoring in a Smart-Sensored Home.”
The lengthy patent, which includes diagrams of home networks, smart door knobs and smart outlets, focus on how devices in the home are linked together and the creation of “security scores” that alert homeowners in regards to the use of the intrusion system. Also, the patent also proposes “monthly, yearly or lifelong service” for alerting people to intrusions and notifying emergency management agencies.
RELATED: Google Eyes Home Security, While Apple Ponders Smart Home Market
Specifically it claims to patent:
This patent specification relates to apparatus, systems, methods, and related computer program products for providing home security objectives. More particularly, this patent specification relates to a plurality of devices, including intelligent, multi-sensing, network-connected devices, that communicate with each other and/or with a central server or a cloud-computing system to provide any of a variety of useful home security objectives.
Likely using some of the same learning algorithms pioneered by Nest thermostats, the patent refers to a “smart alarm clock” device that learns how long it typically takes someone to get ready for work and subsequently activates in the appropriate time period, according to Venture Beat. We are assuming that “learning” mechanism is based on the same motion sensor-based technology for Nest thermostats. Venture Beat also reports that Google plans to tie multiple smart homes into “neighborhood security networks” that will inform homeowners in “a specific geographical area about nearby events like fires or break-ins,” says the article.
The patent application, which was filed on September 17, 2014 but made public this month, contains schematics and descriptions of hardware devices, including a smart doorknob (with a remote controlled lock) and a smart doorbell, that recognizes a person as he or she approaches the door and communicates voice and visual information to the homeowner, says Venture Beat. Then, using a “registered mobile device,” the homeowner unlocks the door.
Google is known for exploring many different opportunities, many of which fail like Google Plus and Google Glass, so it will be interesting to watch this development
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About the Author
Jason Knott
Jason Knott is Chief Content Officer for Emerald Expositions Connected Brands. Jason has covered low-voltage electronics as an editor since 1990, serving as editor and publisher of Security Sales & Integration. He joined CE Pro in 2000 and serves as Editor-in-Chief of that brand. He served as chairman of the Security Industry Association’s Education Committee from 2000-2004 and sat on the board of that association from 1998-2002. He is also a former board member of the Alarm Industry Research and Educational Foundation. He has been a member of the CEDIA Business Working Group since 2010. Jason graduated from the University of Southern California. Have a suggestion or a topic you want to read more about? Email Jason at [email protected]
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