Patent Publication Number: US-2018046979-A1

Title: Self-Addressed Parcel Tracking Devices and Methods

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to provisional application Ser. No. 62/450,767, filed on Jan. 26, 2017, and provisional application Ser. No. 62/374,505, filed on Aug. 12, 2016. The entire contents of the priority applications are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present embodiments relate to protecting parcels from theft. In particular, the present embodiments solve several problems, including the propensity for parcels left in plain view to be stolen, and the prohibitive cost associated with placing a tracking device in every parcel. Some of the present embodiments leverage the capabilities of audio/video (A/V) recording and communication devices, including A/V recording and communication doorbells, to protect parcels from theft. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Home safety is a concern for many homeowners and renters. Those seeking to protect or monitor their homes often wish to have video and audio communications with visitors, for example, those visiting an external door or entryway. Audio/Video (A/V) recording and communication doorbell systems provide this functionality, and can also aid in crime detection and prevention. For example, audio and/or video captured by an A/V recording and communication doorbell can be uploaded to the cloud and recorded on a remote server. Subsequent review of the A/V footage can aid law enforcement in capturing perpetrators of home burglaries and other crimes. Further, the presence of an A/V recording and communication doorbell at the entrance to a home acts as a powerful deterrent against would-be burglars. 
     SUMMARY 
     The various embodiments of the present self-addressed parcel tracking devices and methods have several features, no single one of which is solely responsible for their desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of the present embodiments as expressed by the claims that follow, their more prominent features now will be discussed briefly. After considering this discussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled “Detailed Description,” one will understand how the features of the present embodiments provide the advantages described herein. 
     One aspect of the present embodiments includes the realization that parcel theft is a serious problem. Parcel carriers frequently leave parcels near the front door of a home when no one answers the door at the time of delivery. These parcels are vulnerable to theft, as they are often clearly visible from the street. This problem has only gotten worse with the proliferation of online commerce, and is particularly common around major holidays when many consumers do their holiday shopping online. It would be advantageous, therefore, if parcels could be configured in a way that would discourage people from attempting to steal them. 
     One way to discourage people from attempting to steal parcels would be to place a tracking device in every parcel. A tracking device is a device that enables the location of the device to be determined and tracked from a location remote from the tracking device. If every parcel contained a tracking device, then it would be possible to locate, track, and recover stolen parcels, making parcels much less attractive to thieves. Placing a tracking device in every parcel, however, could be cost prohibitive, because of the added cost of the tracking device itself. When a parcel recipient receives a parcel, he or she typically removes the contents from the parcel container and then discards the container and any packing materials that may have been included to keep the parcel contents safe during transit. If the parcel contained a tracking device, it too would likely be discarded, leaving the shipping entity to bear the cost of the discarded tracking device. The cost associated with discarded tracking devices might be passed on to the consumer, but, regardless of which party (sender or recipient) bears the cost for discarded tracking devices, this scenario would substantially increase the cost for shipping goods, and is therefore likely not feasible. 
     The present embodiments solve this problem by providing parcel tracking devices that are self-addressed. The parcel tracking device bears an address, such as the address of the originating entity, and may in some embodiments also include postage or an indicator that postage for the return of the tracking device will be paid by the addressee. The recipient of the parcel thus needs only to place the self-addressed tracking device in any mailbox, and the tracking device will be returned to the originating entity. The originating entity can then reuse the self-addressed tracking device, thereby significantly lowering the cost of placing tracking devices in parcels. In some embodiments, the present self-addressed tracking devices may be included in every parcel. In other embodiments, the present self-addressed tracking devices may be included in only select parcels, such as a subset of a larger group of parcels. The subset of parcels may comprise, for example, only parcels associated with recipients who have requested that a self-addressed tracking device be included with their parcel. In another example, the parcel originator may include a self-addressed tracking device in every other parcel, or every third parcel, or every fourth parcel, or every fifth parcel, or at any other regular interval. In another example, the parcel originator may add self-addressed tracking devices to parcels according to a random process. 
     Some of the present embodiments also leverage the functionality of A/V recording and communication devices to deter parcel theft and/or to identify and apprehend parcel thieves. For example, in some embodiments an A/V recording and communication device may receive a first wireless transmission from a tracking device of a parcel. The A/V recording and communication device may then determine, based on the receipt of the first wireless transmission, that the parcel has been left near the location of the A/V recording and communication device. The A/V recording and communication device may subsequently receive a second wireless transmission from the tracking device of the parcel. The A/V recording and communication device may then determine, based on the receipt of the second wireless transmission, that the parcel has been removed from near the location of the A/V recording and communication device. The A/V recording and communication device may then determine whether the removal of the parcel was authorized and, if the removal was unauthorized, the A/V recording and communication device may generate an alert, such as an alert to a user&#39;s smartphone (or other type of client device). 
     In a first aspect, a parcel assembly is provided, the parcel assembly comprising: a container; parcel contents within the container; and a self-addressed tracking device within the container, wherein the self-addressed tracking device includes a housing; a wireless communication module located at least partially within the housing; a processing module located at least partially within the housing and communicatively coupled to the wireless communication module; a power source located at least partially within the housing and electrically coupled to the wireless communication module and the processing module; and a mailing address of an originator of the parcel assembly, the mailing address being on an exterior surface of the housing, and being configured to enable a recipient of the parcel assembly to return the self-addressed tracking device to the originator of the parcel assembly. 
     In an embodiment of the first aspect, the self-addressed tracking device further comprises an indicator on the exterior surface of the housing that postage for returning the self-addressed tracking device to the originator will be paid by the addressee. 
     In another embodiment of the first aspect, the addressee is the originator of the parcel assembly. 
     In another embodiment of the first aspect, the self-addressed tracking device further comprises postage on the exterior surface of the housing. 
     In another embodiment of the first aspect, the self-addressed tracking device further comprises an indicator on the exterior surface of the housing to return the self-addressed tracking device by depositing it in any mailbox. 
     In another embodiment of the first aspect, the container comprises a box, a carton, a crate, an envelope, or a pouch. 
     In another embodiment of the first aspect, the self-addressed tracking device comprises a satellite navigation system tracking unit. 
     In another embodiment of the first aspect, the satellite navigation system tracking unit comprises a GPS (Global Positioning System) tracking unit or a GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System) tracking unit. 
     Another embodiment of the first aspect further comprises a notice on an outer surface of the container, wherein the notice indicates that the parcel assembly contains an anti-theft device. 
     In a second aspect, a self-addressed parcel tracking device is provided, the self-addressed parcel tracking device comprising: a housing; a wireless communication module located at least partially within the housing; a processing module located at least partially within the housing and communicatively coupled to the wireless communication module; a power source located at least partially within the housing and electrically coupled to the wireless communication module and the processing module; and a mailing address of an originator of a parcel, the mailing address being on an exterior surface of the housing, and being configured to enable a recipient of the parcel to return the self-addressed tracking device to the originator of the parcel. 
     In an embodiment of the second aspect, the self-addressed tracking device further comprises an indicator on the exterior surface of the housing that postage for returning the self-addressed tracking device to the originator will be paid by the addressee. 
     In another embodiment of the second aspect, the addressee is the originator of the parcel assembly. 
     In another embodiment of the second aspect, the self-addressed tracking device further comprises postage on the exterior surface of the housing. 
     In another embodiment of the second aspect, the self-addressed tracking device further comprises an indicator on the exterior surface of the housing to return the self-addressed tracking device by depositing it in any mailbox. 
     In another embodiment of the second aspect, the self-addressed tracking device comprises a satellite navigation system tracking unit. 
     In another embodiment of the second aspect, the satellite navigation system tracking unit comprises a GPS (Global Positioning System) tracking unit or a GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System) tracking unit. 
     In a third aspect, a method for protecting a parcel assembly from theft is provided, the method comprising: assembling the parcel assembly by placing parcel contents within a container; and placing a self-addressed tracking device within the container; wherein the self-addressed tracking device includes a housing; a wireless communication module located at least partially within the housing; a processing module located at least partially within the housing and communicatively coupled to the wireless communication module; a power source located at least partially within the housing and electrically coupled to the wireless communication module and the processing module; and a mailing address of an originator of the parcel assembly, the mailing address being on an exterior surface of the housing, and being configured to enable a recipient of the parcel assembly to return the self-addressed tracking device to the originator of the parcel assembly. 
     In an embodiment of the third aspect, the self-addressed tracking device further comprises an indicator on the exterior surface of the housing that postage for returning the self-addressed tracking device to the originator will be paid by the addressee. 
     In another embodiment of the third aspect, the addressee is the originator of the parcel assembly. 
     In another embodiment of the third aspect, the self-addressed tracking device further comprises postage on the exterior surface of the housing. 
     In another embodiment of the third aspect, the self-addressed tracking device further comprises an indicator on the exterior surface of the housing to return the self-addressed tracking device by depositing it in any mailbox. 
     In another embodiment of the third aspect, the container comprises a box, a carton, a crate, an envelope, or a pouch. 
     In another embodiment of the third aspect, the self-addressed tracking device comprises a satellite navigation system tracking unit. 
     In another embodiment of the third aspect, the satellite navigation system tracking unit comprises a GPS (Global Positioning System) tracking unit or a GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System) tracking unit. 
     Another embodiment of the third aspect further comprises providing a notice on an outer surface of the container, wherein the notice indicates that the parcel assembly contains an anti-theft device. 
     Another embodiment of the third aspect further comprises receiving, prior to assembling the parcel assembly, a request from the recipient of the parcel assembly to include the self-addressed tracking device within the parcel assembly. 
     Another embodiment of the third aspect further comprises, in response to receiving the request from the recipient of the parcel assembly to include the self-addressed tracking device within the parcel assembly, receiving a deposit payment from the recipient of the parcel assembly, the deposit payment being refundable when the recipient of the parcel assembly returns the self-addressed tracking device to the originator of the parcel assembly. 
     In a fourth aspect, a parcel assembly is provided, the parcel assembly comprising: a container; parcel contents within the container; and a tracking device within the container, wherein the tracking device includes a housing; a wireless communication module located at least partially within the housing; a processing module located at least partially within the housing and communicatively coupled to the wireless communication module; and a power source located at least partially within the housing and electrically coupled to the wireless communication module and the processing module; wherein the tracking device is concealed within the container such that the tracking device is not visible when the container is sealed nor when the container is open. 
     In an embodiment of the fourth aspect, the container comprises a box, a carton, a crate, an envelope, or a pouch. 
     In another embodiment of the fourth aspect, the self-addressed tracking device comprises a satellite navigation system tracking unit. 
     In another embodiment of the fourth aspect, the satellite navigation system tracking unit comprises a GPS (Global Positioning System) tracking unit or a GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System) tracking unit. 
     Another embodiment of the fourth aspect further comprises a notice on an outer surface of the container, wherein the notice indicates that the parcel assembly contains an anti-theft device. 
     Another embodiment of the fourth aspect further comprises at least a second tracking device within the container, wherein the second tracking device is concealed within the container such that the second tracking device is not visible when the container is sealed nor when the container is open. 
     In a fifth aspect, a method for protecting a parcel assembly from theft is provided, the parcel assembly including a container and a tracking device within the container, the method comprising: receiving, by an audio/video (A/V) recording and communication device, a first wireless transmission from the tracking device of the parcel assembly; determining, by the A/V recording and communication device, based on the receipt of the first wireless transmission, that the parcel assembly has been left within an area about the A/V recording and communication device; receiving, by the A/V recording and communication device, a second wireless transmission from the tracking device of the parcel assembly; determining, by the A/V recording and communication device, based on the receipt of the second wireless transmission, that the parcel assembly has been removed from the area about the A/V recording and communication device; determining, by the A/V recording and communication device, whether removal of the parcel assembly from the area about the A/V recording and communication device was authorized; and when the removal of the parcel assembly from the area about the A/V recording and communication device is determined to have been unauthorized, generating, by the A/V recording and communication device, an alert. 
     In an embodiment of the fifth aspect, determining whether removal of the parcel assembly from the area about the A/V recording and communication device was authorized comprises determining a direction of movement of the parcel assembly. 
     In another embodiment of the fifth aspect, the alert comprises a push notification sent to a client device associated with the A/V recording and communication device. 
     Another embodiment of the fifth aspect further comprises transmitting, by the A/V recording and communication device, the push notification to the client device associated with the A/V recording and communication device. 
     In another embodiment of the fifth aspect, the alert comprises a notification sent to a device associated with a law enforcement agency. 
     In another embodiment of the fifth aspect, the A/V recording and communication device is an A/V recording and communication doorbell. 
     In a sixth aspect, a method for protecting parcel assemblies from theft is provided, the method comprising: assembling a plurality of parcel assemblies by placing parcel contents within each one of a plurality of containers; and placing a self-addressed tracking device within a subset of the plurality of containers, wherein the subset of the plurality of containers includes some, but not all, of the plurality of containers; wherein each of the self-addressed tracking devices includes a housing; a wireless communication module located at least partially within the housing; a processing module located at least partially within the housing and communicatively coupled to the wireless communication module; a power source located at least partially within the housing and electrically coupled to the wireless communication module and the processing module; and a mailing address of an originator of the parcel assembly, the mailing address being on an exterior surface of the housing, and being configured to enable recipients of the parcel assemblies to return the self-addressed tracking devices to the originator of the parcel assemblies. 
     In an embodiment of the sixth aspect, the subset of the plurality of containers is generated by selecting containers at regular intervals as the plurality of containers pass a fixed point in an assembly process. 
     In another embodiment of the sixth aspect, the subset of the plurality of containers is generated by randomly selecting containers from among the plurality of containers. 
     In another embodiment of the sixth aspect, each of the self-addressed tracking devices further comprises an indicator on the exterior surface of the housing that postage for returning the self-addressed tracking device to an originator of the plurality of parcel assemblies will be paid by the addressee. 
     In another embodiment of the sixth aspect, the addressee is the originator of the plurality of parcel assemblies. 
     In another embodiment of the sixth aspect, the self-addressed tracking device further comprises postage on the exterior surface of the housing. 
     In another embodiment of the sixth aspect, the self-addressed tracking device further comprises an indicator on the exterior surface of the housing to return the self-addressed tracking device by depositing it in any mailbox. 
     In another embodiment of the sixth aspect, each of the containers comprises a box, a carton, a crate, an envelope, or a pouch. 
     In another embodiment of the sixth aspect, the self-addressed tracking device comprises a satellite navigation system tracking unit. 
     In another embodiment of the sixth aspect, the satellite navigation system tracking unit comprises a GPS (Global Positioning System) tracking unit or a GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System) tracking unit. 
     Another embodiment of the sixth aspect further comprises providing a notice on an outer surface of each of the containers in the subset of the plurality of containers, wherein the notice indicates that the parcel assembly contains an anti-theft device. 
     Another embodiment of the sixth aspect further comprises providing a notice on an outer surface of each of the plurality of containers, including the containers in the subset of the plurality of containers and the containers not in the subset of the plurality of containers, wherein the notice indicates that the parcel assembly contains an anti-theft device. 
     Another embodiment of the sixth aspect further comprises receiving a plurality of requests to include the self-addressed tracking devices within the parcel assemblies corresponding to the subset of the plurality of containers. 
     Another embodiment of the sixth aspect further comprises, in response to receiving the plurality of requests to include the self-addressed tracking devices within the parcel assemblies corresponding to the subset of the plurality of containers, receiving deposit payments for the self-addressed tracking devices, the deposit payments being refundable when the recipients of the parcel assemblies corresponding to the subset of the plurality of containers return the self-addressed tracking devices to the originator of the parcel assemblies corresponding to the subset of the plurality of containers. 
     In another embodiment of the sixth aspect, the subset of the plurality of containers is generated according to the plurality of requests to include the self-addressed tracking devices within the parcel assemblies corresponding to the subset of the plurality of containers. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The various embodiments of the present self-addressed parcel tracking devices and methods now will be discussed in detail with an emphasis on highlighting the advantageous features. These embodiments depict the novel and non-obvious self-addressed parcel tracking devices and methods shown in the accompanying drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only. These drawings include the following figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts: 
         FIG. 1  is a functional block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a system including an A/V recording and communication device according to various aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a process for streaming and storing A/V content from an A/V recording and communication doorbell system according to various aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a functional block diagram illustrating an embodiment of an A/V recording and communication doorbell system according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of an embodiment of an A/V recording and communication doorbell according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of the A/V recording and communication doorbell of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a partially exploded front perspective view of the A/V recording and communication doorbell of  FIG. 4  showing the cover removed; 
         FIGS. 7, 8, and 9  are front perspective views of various internal components of the A/V recording and communication doorbell of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a right-side cross-sectional view of the A/V recording and communication doorbell of  FIG. 4  taken through the line  10 - 10  in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIGS. 11-13  are rear perspective views of various internal components of the A/V recording and communication doorbell of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a front view of an A/V recording and communication device according to various aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 15  is a rear view of the A/V recording and communication device of  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 16  is cross-sectional right side view of the A/V recording and communication device of  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 17  is an exploded view of the A/V recording and communication device of  FIG. 14  and a mounting bracket; 
         FIG. 18  is a top view of a passive infrared sensor assembly according to various aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 19  is a front view of the passive infrared sensor assembly of  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a top view of the passive infrared sensor assembly of  FIG. 18 , illustrating the fields of view of the passive infrared sensors according to various aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 21  is a functional block diagram of the components of the A/V recording and communication device of  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 22  is a functional block diagram of one embodiment of a self-addressed parcel tracking device according to various aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 23  is a functional block diagram of one embodiment of a parcel assembly including a self-addressed parcel tracking device according to various aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 24  is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a process for including a self-addressed parcel tracking device in a parcel according to various aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 25  is a side perspective view of one embodiment of a parcel including a warning on an outer surface that the parcel contains a tracking device according to various aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 26  is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a process for protecting a parcel from theft using a tracking device and an A/V recording and communication device according to various aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 27  is a sequence diagram illustrating one embodiment of a process for protecting a parcel from theft using a tracking device and an A/V recording and communication device according to various aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 28  is a functional block diagram of a client device on which the present embodiments may be implemented according to various aspects of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 29  is a functional block diagram of a general-purpose computing system on which the present embodiments may be implemented according to various aspects of present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description describes the present embodiments with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, reference numbers label elements of the present embodiments. These reference numbers are reproduced below in connection with the discussion of the corresponding drawing features. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , the present embodiments may include an audio/video (A/V) recording and communication device  100 . The A/V recording and communication device  100  may in some embodiments comprise a doorbell, and may be located near the entrance to a structure (not shown), such as a dwelling, a business, a storage facility, etc. The A/V recording and communication device  100  includes a camera  102 , a microphone  104 , and a speaker  106 . The camera  102  may comprise, for example, a high definition (HD) video camera, such as one capable of capturing video images at an image display resolution of  720   p,  or 1080p, or better. While not shown, the A/V recording and communication device  100  may also include other hardware and/or components, such as a housing, one or more motion sensors (and/or other types of sensors), a button, etc. The A/V recording and communication device  100  may further include similar componentry and/or functionality as the wireless communication doorbells described in US Patent Application Publication Nos. 2015/0022620 (application Ser. No. 14/499,828) and 2015/0022618 (application Ser. No. 14/334,922), both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties as if fully set forth. 
     With further reference to  FIG. 1 , the A/V recording and communication device  100  communicates with a user&#39;s network  110 , which may be for example a wired and/or wireless network. If the user&#39;s network  110  is wireless, or includes a wireless component, the network  110  may be a Wi-Fi network compatible with the IEEE 802.11 standard and/or other wireless communication standard(s). The user&#39;s network  110  is connected to another network  112 , which may comprise, for example, the Internet and/or a public switched telephone network (PSTN). As described below, the A/V recording and communication device  100  may communicate with a user&#39;s client device  114  via the user&#39;s network  110  and the network  112  (Internet/PSTN). The user&#39;s client device  114  may comprise, for example, a mobile telephone (may also be referred to as a cellular telephone), such as a smartphone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or another communication device. The user&#39;s client device  114  comprises a display (not shown) and related components capable of displaying streaming and/or recorded video images. The user&#39;s client device  114  may also comprise a speaker and related components capable of broadcasting streaming and/or recorded audio, and may also comprise a microphone. The A/V recording and communication device  100  may also communicate with one or more remote storage device(s)  116  (may be referred to interchangeably as “cloud storage device(s)”), one or more servers  118 , and/or a backend API (application programming interface)  120  via the user&#39;s network  110  and the network  112  (Internet/PSTN). While  FIG. 1  illustrates the storage device  116 , the server  118 , and the backend API  120  as components separate from the network  112 , it is to be understood that the storage device  116 , the server  118 , and/or the backend API  120  may be considered to be components of the network  112 . 
     The network  112  may be any wireless network or any wired network, or a combination thereof, configured to operatively couple the above mentioned modules, devices, and systems as shown in  FIG. 1 . For example, the network  112  may include one or more of the following: a PSTN (public switched telephone network), the Internet, a local intranet, a PAN (Personal Area Network), a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), a MAN (Metropolitan Area Network), a virtual private network (VPN), a storage area network (SAN), a frame relay connection, an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) connection, a synchronous optical network (SONET) connection, a digital T1, T3, E1 or E3 line, a Digital Data Service (DDS) connection, a DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) connection, an Ethernet connection, an ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) line, a dial-up port such as a V.90, V.34, or V.34bis analog modem connection, a cable modem, an ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) connection, or an FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface) or CDDI (Copper Distributed Data Interface) connection. Furthermore, communications may also include links to any of a variety of wireless networks, including WAP (Wireless Application Protocol), GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication), LTE, VoLTE, LoRaWAN, LPWAN, RPMA, LTE Cat-“X” (e.g. LTE Cat 1, LTE Cat 0, LTE CatM1, LTE Cat NB1), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access), FDMA (Frequency Division Multiple Access), and/or OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) cellular phone networks, GPS, CDPD (cellular digital packet data), RIM (Research in Motion, Limited) duplex paging network, Bluetooth radio, or an IEEE 802.11-based radio frequency network. The network can further include or interface with any one or more of the following: RS-232 serial connection, IEEE-1394 (Firewire) connection, Fibre Channel connection, IrDA (infrared) port, SCSI (Small Computer Systems Interface) connection, USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection, or other wired or wireless, digital or analog, interface or connection, mesh or Digi® networking. 
     According to one or more aspects of the present embodiments, when a person (may be referred to interchangeably as “visitor”) arrives at the A/V recording and communication device  100 , the A/V recording and communication device  100  detects the visitor&#39;s presence and begins capturing video images within a field of view of the camera  102 . The A/V recording and communication device  100  may also capture audio through the microphone  104 . The A/V recording and communication device  100  may detect the visitor&#39;s presence by detecting motion using the camera  102  and/or a motion sensor, and/or by detecting that the visitor has depressed the front button on the A/V recording and communication device  100  (in embodiments in which the A/V recording and communication device  100  comprises a doorbell). 
     In response to the detection of the visitor, the A/V recording and communication device  100  sends an alert to the user&#39;s client device  114  ( FIG. 1 ) via the user&#39;s network  110  and the network  112 . The A/V recording and communication device  100  also sends streaming video, and may also send streaming audio, to the user&#39;s client device  114 . If the user answers the alert, two-way audio communication may then occur between the visitor and the user through the A/V recording and communication device  100  and the user&#39;s client device  114 . The user may view the visitor throughout the duration of the call, but the visitor cannot see the user (unless the A/V recording and communication device  100  includes a display, which it may in some embodiments). 
     The video images captured by the camera  102  of the A/V recording and communication device  100  (and the audio captured by the microphone  104 ) may be uploaded to the cloud and recorded on the remote storage device  116  ( FIG. 1 ). In some embodiments, the video and/or audio may be recorded on the remote storage device  116  even if the user chooses to ignore the alert sent to his or her client device  114 . 
     With further reference to  FIG. 1 , the system may further comprise a backend API  120  including one or more components. A backend API (application programming interface) may comprise, for example, a server (e.g. a real server, or a virtual machine, or a machine running in a cloud infrastructure as a service), or multiple servers networked together, exposing at least one API to client(s) accessing it. These servers may include components such as application servers (e.g. software servers), depending upon what other components are included, such as a caching layer, or database layers, or other components. A backend API may, for example, comprise many such applications, each of which communicate with one another using their public APIs. In some embodiments, the API backend may hold the bulk of the user data and offer the user management capabilities, leaving the clients to have very limited state. 
     The backend API  120  illustrated  FIG. 1  may include one or more APIs. An API is a set of routines, protocols, and tools for building software and applications. An API expresses a software component in terms of its operations, inputs, outputs, and underlying types, defining functionalities that are independent of their respective implementations, which allows definitions and implementations to vary without compromising the interface. Advantageously, an API may provide a programmer with access to an application&#39;s functionality without the programmer needing to modify the application itself, or even understand how the application works. An API may be for a web-based system, an operating system, or a database system, and it provides facilities to develop applications for that system using a given programming language. In addition to accessing databases or computer hardware like hard disk drives or video cards, an API can ease the work of programming GUI components. For example, an API can facilitate integration of new features into existing applications (a so-called “plug-in API”). An API can also assist otherwise distinct applications with sharing data, which can help to integrate and enhance the functionalities of the applications. 
     The backend API  120  illustrated in  FIG. 1  may further include one or more services (also referred to as network services). A network service is an application that provides data storage, manipulation, presentation, communication, and/or other capability. Network services are often implemented using a client-server architecture based on application-layer network protocols. Each service may be provided by a server component running on one or more computers (such as a dedicated server computer offering multiple services) and accessed via a network by client components running on other devices. However, the client and server components can both be run on the same machine. Clients and servers may have a user interface, and sometimes other hardware associated with them. 
       FIG. 2  is a flowchart illustrating a process for streaming and storing A/V content from an A/V recording and communication doorbell system according to various aspects of the present disclosure. At block B 200 , the A/V recording and communication device  100  detects the visitor&#39;s presence and begins capturing video images within a field of view of the camera  102 . The A/V recording and communication device  100  may also capture audio through the microphone  104 . As described above, the A/V recording and communication device  100  may detect the visitor&#39;s presence by detecting motion using the camera  102  and/or a motion sensor, and/or by detecting that the visitor has depressed the front button on the A/V recording and communication device  100  (in embodiments in which the A/V recording and communication device  100  comprises a doorbell). 
     At block B 202 , a communication module of the A/V recording and communication device  100  sends a connection request, via the user&#39;s network  110  and the network  112 , to a device in the network  112 . For example, the network device to which the request is sent may be a server such as the server  118 . The server  118  may comprise a computer program and/or a machine that waits for requests from other machines or software (clients) and responds to them. A server typically processes data. One purpose of a server is to share data and/or hardware and/or software resources among clients. This architecture is called the client-server model. The clients may run on the same computer or may connect to the server over a network. Examples of computing servers include database servers, file servers, mail servers, print servers, web servers, game servers, and application servers. The term server may be construed broadly to include any computerized process that shares a resource to one or more client processes. 
     In response to the request, at block B 204  the network device may connect the A/V recording and communication device  100  to the user&#39;s client device  114  through the user&#39;s network  110  and the network  112 . At block B 206 , the A/V recording and communication device  100  may record available audio and/or video data using the camera  102 , the microphone  104 , and/or any other sensor available. At block B 208 , the audio and/or video data is transmitted (streamed) from the A/V recording and communication device  100  to the user&#39;s client device  114  via the user&#39;s network  110  and the network  112 . At block B 210 , the user may receive a notification on his or her client device  114  with a prompt to either accept or deny the call. 
     At block B 212 , the process determines whether the user has accepted or denied the call. If the user denies the notification, then the process advances to block B 214 , where the audio and/or video data is recorded and stored at a cloud server. The session then ends at block B 216  and the connection between the A/V recording and communication device  100  and the user&#39;s client device  114  is terminated. If, however, the user accepts the notification, then at block B 218  the user communicates with the visitor through the user&#39;s client device  114  while audio and/or video data captured by the camera  102 , the microphone  104 , and/or other sensors is streamed to the user&#39;s client device  114 . At the end of the call, the user may terminate the connection between the user&#39;s client device  114  and the A/V recording and communication device  100  and the session ends at block B 216 . In some embodiments, the audio and/or video data may be recorded and stored at a cloud server (block B 214 ) even if the user accepts the notification and communicates with the visitor through the user&#39;s client device  114 . 
     Many of today&#39;s homes include a wired doorbell system that does not have A/V communication capabilities. Instead, standard wired doorbell systems include a button outside the home next to the front door. The button activates a signaling device (such as a bell or a buzzer) inside the building. Pressing the doorbell button momentarily closes the doorbell circuit, which may be, for example, a single-pole, single-throw (SPST) push button switch. One terminal of the button is wired to a terminal on a transformer. The transformer steps down the 120-volt or 240-volt household AC electrical power to a lower voltage, typically 16 to 24 volts. Another terminal on the transformer is wired to a terminal on the signaling device. Another terminal on the signaling device is wired to the other terminal on the button. A common signaling device includes two flat metal bar resonators, which are struck by plungers operated by two solenoids. The flat bars are tuned to different notes. When the doorbell button is pressed, the first solenoid&#39;s plunger strikes one of the bars, and when the button is released, a spring on the plunger pushes the plunger up, causing it to strike the other bar, creating a two-tone sound (“ding-dong”). 
     Many current A/V recording and communication doorbell systems (other than the present embodiments) are incompatible with existing wired doorbell systems of the type described in the preceding paragraph. One reason for this incompatibility is that the A/V recording and communication doorbell draws an amount of power from the household AC electrical power supply that is above the threshold necessary for causing the signaling device to sound. The A/V recording and communication doorbell thus causes frequent inadvertent sounding of the signaling device, which is not only bothersome to the home&#39;s occupant(s), but also undermines the usefulness of the doorbell. The present embodiments solve this problem by limiting the power consumption of the A/V recording and communication doorbell to an amount that is below the threshold necessary for causing the signaling device to sound. Embodiments of the present A/V recording and communication doorbell can thus be connected to the existing household AC power supply and the existing signaling device without causing inadvertent sounding of the signaling device. 
     Several advantages flow from the ability of the present embodiments to be connected to the existing household AC power supply. For example, the camera of the present A/V recording and communication doorbell can be powered on continuously. In a typical battery-powered A/V recording and communication doorbell, the camera is powered on only part of the time so that the battery does not drain too rapidly. The present embodiments, by contrast, do not rely on a battery as a primary (or sole) power supply, and are thus able to keep the camera powered on continuously. Because the camera is able to be powered on continuously, it can always be recording, and recorded footage can be continuously stored in a rolling buffer or sliding window. In some embodiments, about 10-15 seconds of recorded footage can be continuously stored in the rolling buffer or sliding window. Also because the camera is able to be powered on continuously, it can be used for motion detection, thus eliminating any need for a separate motion detection device, such as a passive infrared sensor (PIR). Eliminating the PIR simplifies the design of the A/V recording and communication doorbell and enables the doorbell to be made more compact. Also because the camera is able to be powered on continuously, it can be used as a light detector for use in controlling the current state of the IR cut filter and turning the IR LED on and off. Using the camera as a light detector eliminates any need for a separate light detector, thereby further simplifying the design of the A/V recording and communication doorbell and enabling the doorbell to be made even more compact. 
       FIGS. 3-13  illustrate one embodiment of a low-power-consumption A/V recording and communication doorbell  130  according to various aspects of the present disclosure.  FIG. 3  is a functional block diagram illustrating various components of the A/V recording and communication doorbell  130  and their relationships to one another. For example, the A/V recording and communication doorbell  130  includes a pair of terminals  131 ,  132  configured to be connected to a source of external AC (alternating-current) power, such as a household AC power supply  134  (may also be referred to as AC mains). The AC power  134  may have a voltage in the range of 16-24 VAC, for example. The incoming AC power  134  may be converted to DC (direct-current) by an AC/DC rectifier  136 . An output of the AC/DC rectifier  136  may be connected to an input of a DC/DC converter  138 , which may step down the voltage from the output of the AC/DC rectifier  136  from 16-24 VDC to a lower voltage of about 5 VDC, for example. In various embodiments, the output of the DC/DC converter  138  may be in a range of from about 2.5 V to about 7.5 V, for example. 
     With further reference to  FIG. 3 , the output of the DC/DC converter  138  is connected to a power manager  140 , which may comprise an integrated circuit including a processor core, memory, and/or programmable input/output peripherals. In one non-limiting example, the power manager  140  may be an off-the-shelf component, such as the BQ24773 chip manufactured by Texas Instruments. As described in detail below, the power manager  140  controls, among other things, an amount of power drawn from the external power supply  134 , as well as an amount of supplemental power drawn from a battery  142 , to power the A/V recording and communication doorbell  130 . The power manager  140  may, for example, limit the amount of power drawn from the external power supply  134  so that a threshold power draw is not exceeded. In one non-limiting example, the threshold power, as measured at the output of the DC/DC converter  138 , may be equal to  1 . 4  A. The power manager  140  may also control an amount of power drawn from the external power supply  134  and directed to the battery  142  for recharging of the battery  142 . An output of the power manager  140  is connected to a power sequencer  144 , which controls a sequence of power delivery to other components of the A/V recording and communication doorbell  130 , including a communication module  146 , a front button  148 , a microphone  150 , a speaker driver  151 , a speaker  152 , an audio CODEC (Coder-DECoder)  153 , a camera  154 , an infrared (IR) light source  156 , an IR cut filter  158 , a processor  160  (may also be referred to as a controller  160 ), a plurality of light indicators  162 , and a controller  164  for the light indicators  162 . Each of these components is described in detail below. The power sequencer  144  may comprise an integrated circuit including a processor core, memory, and/or programmable input/output peripherals. In one non-limiting example, the power sequencer  144  may be an off-the-shelf component, such as the RT5024 chip manufactured by Richtek. 
     With further reference to  FIG. 3 , the A/V recording and communication doorbell  130  further comprises an electronic switch  166  that closes when the front button  148  is depressed. When the electronic switch  166  closes, power from the AC power source  134  is diverted through a signaling device  168  that is external to the A/V recording and communication doorbell  130  to cause the signaling device  168  to emit a sound, as further described below. In one non-limiting example, the electronic switch  166  may be a triac device. The A/V recording and communication doorbell  130  further comprises a reset button  170  configured to initiate a hard reset of the processor  160 , as further described below. 
     With further reference to  FIG. 3 , the processor  160  may perform data processing and various other functions, as described below. The processor  160  may comprise an integrated circuit including a processor core, memory  172 , non-volatile memory  174 , and/or programmable input/output peripherals (not shown). The memory  172  may comprise, for example, DDR3 (double data rate type three synchronous dynamic random-access memory). The non-volatile memory  174  may comprise, for example, NAND flash memory. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the memory  172  and the non-volatile memory  174  are illustrated within the box representing the processor  160 . It is to be understood that the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3  is merely an example, and in some embodiments the memory  172  and/or the non-volatile memory  174  are not necessarily physically incorporated with the processor  160 . The memory  172  and/or the non-volatile memory  174 , regardless of their physical location, may be shared by one or more other components (in addition to the processor  160 ) of the present A/V recording and communication doorbell  130 . 
     The transfer of digital audio between the user and a visitor may be compressed and decompressed using the audio CODEC  153 , which is operatively coupled to the processor  160 . When the visitor speaks, audio from the visitor is compressed by the audio CODEC  153 , digital audio data is sent through the communication module  146  to the network  112  via the user&#39;s network  110 , routed by the server  118  and delivered to the user&#39;s client device  114 . When the user speaks, after being transferred through the network  112 , the user&#39;s network  110 , and the communication module  146 , the digital audio data is decompressed by the audio CODEC  153  and emitted to the visitor through the speaker  152 , which is driven by the speaker driver  151 . 
     With further reference to  FIG. 3 , some of the present embodiments may include a shunt  176  connected in parallel with the signaling device  168 . The shunt  176  facilitates the ability of the A/V recording and communication doorbell  130  to draw power from the AC power source  134  without inadvertently triggering the signaling device  168 . The shunt  176 , during normal standby operation, presents a relatively low electrical impedance, such as a few ohms, across the terminals of the signaling device  168 . Most of the current drawn by the A/V recording and communication doorbell  130 , therefore, flows through the shunt  176 , and not through the signaling device  168 . The shunt  176 , however, contains electronic circuitry (described below) that switches the shunt  176  between a state of low impedance, such as a few ohms, for example, and a state of high impedance, such as &gt;1K ohms, for example. When the front button  148  of the A/V recording and communication doorbell  130  is pressed, the electronic switch  166  closes, causing the voltage from the AC power source  134  to be impressed mostly across the shunt  176  and the signaling device  168  in parallel, while a small amount of voltage, such as about 1V, is impressed across the electronic switch  166 . The circuitry in the shunt  176  senses this voltage, and switches the shunt  176  to the high impedance state, so that power from the AC power source  134  is diverted through the signaling device  168 . The diverted AC power  134  is above the threshold necessary to cause the signaling device  168  to emit a sound. Pressing the front button  148  of the doorbell  130  therefore causes the signaling device  168  to “ring,” alerting any person(s) within the structure to which the doorbell  130  is mounted that there is a visitor at the front door (or at another location corresponding to the location of the doorbell  130 ). In one non-limiting example, the electronic switch  166  may be a triac device. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 4-6 , the A/V recording and communication doorbell  130  further comprises a housing  178  having an enclosure  180  ( FIG. 6 ), a back plate  182  secured to the rear of the enclosure  180 , and a shell  184  overlying the enclosure  180 . With reference to  FIG. 6 , the shell  184  includes a recess  186  that is sized and shaped to receive the enclosure  180  in a close fitting engagement, such that outer surfaces of the enclosure  180  abut conforming inner surfaces of the shell  184 . Exterior dimensions of the enclosure  180  may be closely matched with interior dimensions of the shell  184  such that friction maintains the shell  184  about the enclosure  180 . Alternatively, or in addition, the enclosure  180  and/or the shell  184  may include mating features  188 , such as one or more tabs, grooves, slots, posts, etc. to assist in maintaining the shell  184  about the enclosure  180 . The back plate  182  is sized and shaped such that the edges of the back plate  182  extend outward from the edges of the enclosure  180 , thereby creating a lip  190  against which the shell  184  abuts when the shell  184  is mated with the enclosure  180 , as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . In some embodiments, multiple shells  184  in different colors may be provided so that the end user may customize the appearance of his or her A/V recording and communication doorbell  130 . For example, the A/V recording and communication doorbell  130  may be packaged and sold with multiple shells  184  in different colors in the same package. 
     With reference to  FIG. 4 , a front surface of the A/V recording and communication doorbell  130  includes the button  148  (may also be referred to as front button  148 ,  FIG. 3 ), which is operatively connected to the processor  160 . In a process similar to that described above with reference to  FIG. 2 , when a visitor presses the front button  148 , an alert may be sent to the user&#39;s client device to notify the user that someone is at his or her front door (or at another location corresponding to the location of the A/V recording and communication doorbell  130 ). With further reference to  FIG. 4 , the A/V recording and communication doorbell  130  further includes the camera  154 , which is operatively connected to the processor  160 , and which is located behind a shield  192 . As described in detail below, the camera  154  is configured to capture video images from within its field of view. Those video images can be streamed to the user&#39;s client device and/or uploaded to a remote network device for later viewing according to a process similar to that described above with reference to  FIG. 2 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 5 , a pair of terminal screws  194  extends through the back plate  182 . The terminal screws  194  are connected at their inner ends to the terminals  131 ,  132  ( FIG. 3 ) within the A/V recording and communication doorbell  130 . The terminal screws  194  are configured to receive electrical wires to connect to the A/V recording and communication doorbell  130 , through the terminals  131 ,  132 , to the household AC power supply  134  of the structure on which the A/V recording and communication doorbell  130  is mounted. In the illustrated embodiment, the terminal screws  194  are located within a recessed portion  196  of the rear surface  198  of the back plate  182  so that the terminal screws  194  do not protrude from the outer envelope of the A/V recording and communication doorbell  130 . The A/V recording and communication doorbell  130  can thus be mounted to a mounting surface with the rear surface  198  of the back plate  182  abutting the mounting surface. The back plate  182  includes apertures  200  adjacent its upper and lower edges to accommodate mounting hardware, such as screws (not shown), for securing the back plate  182  (and thus the A/V recording and communication doorbell  130 ) to the mounting surface. With reference to  FIG. 6 , the enclosure  180  includes corresponding apertures  202  adjacent its upper and lower edges that align with the apertures  200  in the back plate  182  to accommodate the mounting hardware. In certain embodiments, the A/V recording and communication doorbell  130  may include a mounting plate or bracket (not shown) to facilitate securing the A/V recording and communication doorbell  130  to the mounting surface. 
     With further reference to  FIG. 6 , the shell  184  includes a central opening  204  in a front surface. The central opening  204  is sized and shaped to accommodate the shield  192 . In the illustrated embodiment, the shield  192  is substantially rectangular, and includes a central opening  206  through which the front button  148  protrudes. The shield  192  defines a plane parallel to and in front of a front surface  208  of the enclosure  180 . When the shell  184  is mated with the enclosure  180 , as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 10 , the shield  192  resides within the central opening  204  of the shell  184  such that a front surface  210  of the shield  192  is substantially flush with a front surface  212  of the shell  184  and there is little or no gap ( FIG. 4 ) between the outer edges of the shield  192  and the inner edges of the central opening  204  in the shell  184 . 
     With further reference to  FIG. 6 , the shield  192  includes an upper portion  214  (located above and to the sides of the front button  148 ) and a lower portion  216  (located below and to the sides of the front button  148 ). The upper and lower portions  214 ,  216  of the shield  192  may be separate pieces, and may comprise different materials. The upper portion  214  of the shield  192  may be transparent or translucent so that it does not interfere with the field of view of the camera  154 . For example, in certain embodiments the upper portion  214  of the shield  192  may comprise glass or plastic. As described in detail below, the microphone  150 , which is operatively connected to the processor  160 , is located behind the upper portion  214  of the shield  192 . The upper portion  214 , therefore, may include an opening  218  that facilitates the passage of sound through the shield  192  so that the microphone  150  is better able to pick up sounds from the area around the A/V recording and communication doorbell  130 . 
     The lower portion  216  of the shield  192  may comprise a material that is substantially transparent to infrared (IR) light, but partially or mostly opaque with respect to light in the visible spectrum. For example, in certain embodiments the lower portion  216  of the shield  192  may comprise a plastic, such as polycarbonate. The lower portion  216  of the shield  192 , therefore, does not interfere with transmission of IR light from the IR light source  156 , which is located behind the lower portion  216 . As described in detail below, the IR light source  156  and the IR cut filter  158 , which are both operatively connected to the processor  160 , facilitate “night vision” functionality of the camera  154 . 
     The upper portion  214  and/or the lower portion  216  of the shield  192  may abut an underlying cover  220  ( FIG. 10 ), which may be integral with the enclosure  180  or may be a separate piece. The cover  220 , which may be opaque, may include a first opening  222  corresponding to the location of the camera  154 , a second opening (not shown) corresponding to the location of the microphone  150  and the opening  218  in the upper portion  214  of the shield  192 , and a third opening (not shown) corresponding to the location of the IR light source  156 . 
       FIGS. 7-10  illustrate various internal components of the A/V recording and communication doorbell  130 .  FIGS. 7-9  are front perspective views of the doorbell  130  with the shell  184  and the enclosure  180  removed, while  FIG. 10  is a right-side cross-sectional view of the doorbell  130  taken through the line  10 - 10  in  FIG. 4 . With reference to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the A/V recording and communication doorbell  130  further comprises a main printed circuit board (PCB)  224  and a front PCB  226 . With reference to  FIG. 8 , the front PCB  226  comprises a button actuator  228 . With reference to  FIGS. 7, 8, and 10 , the front button  148  is located in front of the button actuator  228 . The front button  148  includes a stem  230  ( FIG. 10 ) that extends into the housing  178  to contact the button actuator  228 . When the front button  148  is pressed, the stem  230  depresses the button actuator  228 , thereby closing the electronic switch  166  ( FIG. 8 ), as described below. 
     With reference to  FIG. 8 , the front PCB  226  further comprises the light indicators  162 , which may illuminate when the front button  148  of the doorbell  130  is pressed. In the illustrated embodiment, the light indicators  162  comprise light-emitting diodes (LEDs  162 ) that are surface mounted to the front surface of the front PCB  226  and are arranged in a circle around the button actuator  228 . The present embodiments are not limited to the light indicators  162  being LEDs, and in alternative embodiments the light indicators  162  may comprise any other type of light-emitting device. The present embodiments are also not limited by the number of light indicators  162  shown in  FIG. 8 , nor by the pattern in which they are arranged. 
     With reference to  FIG. 7 , the doorbell  130  further comprises a light pipe  232 . The light pipe  232  is a transparent or translucent ring that encircles the front button  148 . With reference to  FIG. 4 , the light pipe  232  resides in an annular space between the front button  148  and the central opening  206  in the shield  192 , with a front surface  234  of the light pipe  232  being substantially flush with the front surface  210  of the shield  192 . With reference to  FIGS. 7 and 10 , a rear portion of light pipe  232  includes a plurality of posts  236  whose positions correspond to the positions of the LEDs  162 . When the LEDs  162  are illuminated, light is transmitted through the posts  236  and the body of the light pipe  232  so that the light is visible at the front surface  234  of the light pipe  232 . The LEDs  162  and the light pipe  232  thus provide a ring of illumination around the front button  148 . The light pipe  232  may comprise a plastic, for example, or any other suitable material capable of transmitting light. 
     The LEDs  162  and the light pipe  232  may function as visual indicators for a visitor and/or a user. For example, the LEDs  162  may illuminate upon activation or stay illuminated continuously. In one aspect, the LEDs  162  may change color to indicate that the front button  148  has been pressed. The LEDs  162  may also indicate that the battery  142  needs recharging, or that the battery  142  is currently being charged, or that charging of the battery  142  has been completed. The LEDs  162  may indicate that a connection to the user&#39;s wireless (and/or wired) network is good, limited, poor, or not connected. The LEDs  162  may be used to guide the user through setup or installation steps using visual cues, potentially coupled with audio cues emitted from the speaker  152 . 
     With further reference to  FIG. 7 , the A/V recording and communication doorbell  130  further comprises a rechargeable battery  142 . As described in further detail below, the A/V recording and communication doorbell  130  is connected to an external power source  134  ( FIG. 3 ), such as AC mains. The A/V recording and communication doorbell  130  is primarily powered by the external power source  134 , but may also draw power from the rechargeable battery  142  so as not to exceed a threshold amount of power from the external power source  134 , to thereby avoid inadvertently sounding the signaling device  168 . With reference to  FIG. 3 , the battery  142  is operatively connected to the power manager  140 . As described below, the power manager  140  controls an amount of power drawn from the battery  142  to supplement the power drawn from the external AC power source  134  to power the A/V recording and communication doorbell  130  when supplemental power is needed. The power manager  140  also controls recharging of the battery  142  using power drawn from the external power source  134 . The battery  142  may comprise, for example, a lithium-ion battery, or any other type of rechargeable battery. 
     With further reference to  FIG. 7 , the A/V recording and communication doorbell  130  further comprises the camera  154 . The camera  154  is coupled to a front surface of the front PCB  226 , and includes a lens  238  and an imaging processor  240  ( FIG. 9 ). The camera lens  238  may be a lens capable of focusing light into the camera  154  so that clear images may be captured. The camera  154  may comprise, for example, a high definition (HD) video camera, such as one capable of capturing video images at an image display resolution of 720p or better. In certain of the present embodiments, the camera  154  may be used to detect motion within its field of view, as described below. 
     With further reference to  FIG. 7 , the A/V recording and communication doorbell  130  further comprises an infrared (IR) light source  242 . In the illustrated embodiment, the IR light source  242  comprises an IR light-emitting diode (LED)  242  coupled to an IR LED printed circuit board (PCB)  244 . In alternative embodiments, the IR LED  242  may not comprise a separate PCB  244 , and may, for example, be coupled to the front PCB  226 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 7 and 10 , the IR LED PCB  244  is located below the front button  148  ( FIG. 7 ) and behind the lower portion  216  of the shield  192  ( FIG. 10 ). As described above, the lower portion  216  of the shield  192  is transparent to IR light, but may be opaque with respect to light in the visible spectrum. 
     The IR LED  242  may be triggered to activate when a low level of ambient light is detected. When activated, IR light emitted from the IR LED  242  illuminates the camera  154 ′s field of view. The camera  154 , which may be configured to detect IR light, may then capture the IR light emitted by the IR LED  242  as it reflects off objects within the camera  154 ′s field of view, so that the A/V recording and communication doorbell  130  can clearly capture images at night (may be referred to as “night vision”). 
     With reference to  FIG. 9 , the A/V recording and communication doorbell  130  further comprises an IR cut filter  158 . The IR cut filter  158  is a mechanical shutter that can be selectively positioned between the lens  238  and the image sensor of the camera  154 . During daylight hours, or whenever there is a sufficient amount of ambient light, the IR cut filter  158  is positioned between the lens  238  and the image sensor to filter out IR light so that it does not distort the colors of images as the human eye sees them. During nighttime hours, or whenever there is little to no ambient light, the IR cut filter  158  is withdrawn from the space between the lens  238  and the image sensor, so that the camera  154  is sensitive to IR light (“night vision”). In some embodiments, the camera  154  acts as a light detector for use in controlling the current state of the IR cut filter  158  and turning the IR LED  242  on and off. Using the camera  154  as a light detector is facilitated in some embodiments by the fact that the A/V recording and communication doorbell  130  is powered by a connection to AC mains, and the camera  154 , therefore, is always powered on. In other embodiments, however, the A/V recording and communication doorbell  130  may include a light sensor separate from the camera  154  for use in controlling the IR cut filter  158  and the IR LED  242 . 
     With reference back to  FIG. 6 , the A/V recording and communication doorbell  130  further comprises a reset button  170 . The reset button  170  contacts a reset button actuator  246  ( FIG. 8 ) coupled to the front PCB  226 . When the reset button  170  is pressed, it may contact the reset button actuator  246 , which may trigger the erasing of any data stored at the non-volatile memory  174  and/or at the memory  172  ( FIG. 3 ), and/or may trigger a reboot of the processor  160 . 
       FIGS. 11-13  further illustrate internal components of the A/V recording and communication doorbell  130 .  FIGS. 11-13  are rear perspective views of the doorbell  130  with the back plate  182  and additional components removed. For example, in  FIG. 11  the back plate  182  is removed, while in  FIG. 12  the back plate  182  and the main PCB  224  are removed, and in  FIG. 13  the back plate  182 , the main PCB  224 , and the front PCB  226  are removed. With reference to  FIG. 11 , several components are coupled to the rear surface of the main PCB  224 , including the communication module  146 , the processor  160 , memory  172 , and non-volatile memory  174 . The functions of each of these components are described below. With reference to  FIG. 12 , several components are coupled to the rear surface of the front PCB  226 , including the power manager  140 , the power sequencer  144 , the AC/DC rectifier  136 , the DC/DC converter  138 , and the controller  164  for the light indicators  162 . The functions of each of these components are also described below. With reference to  FIG. 13 , several components are visible within the enclosure  180 , including the microphone  150 , a speaker chamber  248  (in which the speaker  152  is located), and an antenna  250  for the communication module  146 . The functions of each of these components are also described below. 
     With reference to  FIG. 7 , the antenna  250  is coupled to the front surface of the main PCB  224  and operatively connected to the communication module  146 , which is coupled to the rear surface of the main PCB  224  ( FIG. 11 ). The microphone  150 , which may also be coupled to the front surface of the main PCB  224 , is located near the opening  218  ( FIG. 4 ) in the upper portion  214  of the shield  192  so that sounds emanating from the area around the A/V recording and communication doorbell  130  can pass through the opening  218  and be detected by the microphone  150 . With reference to  FIG. 13 , the speaker chamber  248  is located near the bottom of the enclosure  180 . The speaker chamber  248  comprises a hollow enclosure in which the speaker  152  is located. The hollow speaker chamber  248  amplifies the sounds made by the speaker  152  so that they can be better heard by a visitor in the area near the A/V recording and communication doorbell  130 . With reference to  FIGS. 5 and 13 , the lower surface  252  of the shell  184  and the lower surface (not shown) of the enclosure  180  may include an acoustical opening  254  through which the sounds made by the speaker  152  can pass so that they can be better heard by a visitor in the area near the A/V recording and communication doorbell  130 . In the illustrated embodiment, the acoustical opening  254  is shaped generally as a rectangle having a length extending substantially across the lower surface  252  of the shell  184  (and also the enclosure  180 ). The illustrated shape is, however, just one example. With reference to  FIG. 5 , the lower surface  252  of the shell  184  may further include an opening  256  for receiving a security screw (not shown). The security screw may extend through the opening  256  and into a similarly located opening in the enclosure  180  to secure the shell  184  to the enclosure  180 . If the doorbell  130  is mounted to a mounting bracket (not shown), the security screw may also maintain the doorbell  130  on the mounting bracket. 
     With reference to  FIG. 13 , the A/V recording and communication doorbell  130  may further include a battery heater  258 . The present A/V recording and communication doorbell  130  is configured for outdoor use, including in cold climates. Cold temperatures, however, can cause negative performance issues for rechargeable batteries, such as reduced energy capacity, increased internal resistance, reduced ability to charge without damage, and reduced ability to supply load current. The battery heater  258  helps to keep the rechargeable battery  142  warm in order to reduce or eliminate the foregoing negative performance issues. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery heater  258  comprises a substantially flat, thin sheet abutting a side surface of the rechargeable battery  142 . The battery heater  258  may comprise, for example, an electrically resistive heating element that produces heat when electrical current is passed through it. The battery heater  258  may thus be operatively coupled to the power manager  140  and/or the power sequencer  144  ( FIG. 12 ). In some embodiments, the rechargeable battery  142  may include a thermally sensitive resistor (“thermistor,” not shown) operatively connected to the processor  160  so that the battery  142 &#39;s temperature can be monitored and the amount of power supplied to the battery heater  258  can be adaptively controlled to keep the rechargeable battery  142  within a desired temperature range. 
     As described above, the present embodiments advantageously limit the power consumption of the A/V recording and communication doorbell to an amount that is below the threshold necessary for causing the signaling device to sound (except when the front button of the doorbell is pressed). The present A/V recording and communication doorbell can thus be connected to the existing household AC power supply and the existing signaling device without causing inadvertent sounding of the signaling device. 
     Several advantages flow from the ability of the present embodiments to be connected to the existing household AC power supply. For example, the camera of the present A/V recording and communication doorbell can be powered on continuously. In a typical battery-powered A/V recording and communication doorbell, the camera is powered on only part of the time so that the battery does not drain too rapidly. The present embodiments, by contrast, do not rely on a battery as a primary (or sole) power supply, and are thus able to keep the camera powered on continuously. Because the camera is able to be powered on continuously, it can always be recording, and recorded footage can be continuously stored in a rolling buffer or sliding window. In some embodiments, about  10 - 15  seconds of recorded footage can be continuously stored in the rolling buffer or sliding window. Also because the camera is able to be powered on continuously, it can be used for motion detection, thus eliminating any need for a separate motion detection device, such as a passive infrared sensor (PIR). Eliminating the PIR simplifies the design of the A/V recording and communication doorbell and enables the doorbell to be made more compact, although in some alternative embodiments the doorbell may include one or more PIRs and/or other motion detectors, heat source detectors, etc. Also because the camera is able to be powered on continuously, it can be used as a light detector for use in controlling the current state of the IR cut filter and turning the IR LED on and off. Using the camera as a light detector eliminates any need for a separate light detector, thereby further simplifying the design of the A/V recording and communication doorbell and enabling the doorbell to be made even more compact, although in some alternative embodiments the doorbell may include a separate light detector. 
       FIGS. 14-18  illustrate another embodiment of a wireless audio/video (A/V) communication doorbell  330  according to an aspect of present embodiments.  FIG. 14  is a front view,  FIG. 15  is a rear view,  FIG. 16  is a right-side cross-sectional view, and  FIG. 17  is an exploded view of the doorbell  330  and a mounting bracket  337 . As described below, the doorbell  330  is configured to be connected to an external power source, such as household wiring, but is also configured to be powered by an on-board rechargeable battery instead of, or in addition to, the external power source. 
     The doorbell  330  includes a faceplate  335  mounted to a back plate  339  ( FIG. 15 ). With reference to  FIG. 16 , the faceplate  335  has a substantially flat profile. The faceplate  335  may comprise any suitable material, including, without limitation, metals, such as brushed aluminum or stainless steel, metal alloys, or plastics. The faceplate  335  protects the internal contents of the doorbell  330  and serves as an exterior front surface of the doorbell  330 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 14 , the faceplate  335  includes a button  333  and a light pipe  336 . The button  333  and the light pipe  336  may have various profiles that may or may not match the profile of the faceplate  335 . The light pipe  336  may comprise any suitable material, including, without limitation, transparent plastic, that is capable of allowing light produced within the doorbell  330  to pass through. The light may be produced by one or more light-emitting components, such as light-emitting diodes (LED&#39;s), contained within the doorbell  330 , as further described below. The button  333  may make contact with a button actuator (not shown) located within the doorbell  330  when the button  333  is pressed by a visitor. When pressed, the button  333  may trigger one or more functions of the doorbell  330 , as further described below. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the doorbell  330  further includes an enclosure  331  that engages the faceplate  335 . In the illustrated embodiment, the enclosure  331  abuts an upper edge  335 T ( FIG. 14 ) of the faceplate  335 , but in alternative embodiments one or more gaps between the enclosure  331  and the faceplate  335  may facilitate the passage of sound and/or light through the doorbell  330 . The enclosure  331  may comprise any suitable material, but in some embodiments the material of the enclosure  331  preferably permits infrared light to pass through from inside the doorbell  330  to the environment and vice versa. The doorbell  330  further includes a lens  332 . In some embodiments, the lens may comprise a Fresnel lens, which may be patterned to deflect incoming light into one or more infrared sensors located within the doorbell  330 . The doorbell  330  further includes a camera  334 , which captures video data when activated, as described below. 
       FIG. 15  is a rear view of the doorbell  330 , according to an aspect of the present embodiments. As illustrated, the enclosure  331  may extend from the front of the doorbell  330  around to the back thereof and may fit snugly around a lip of the back plate  339 . The back plate  339  may comprise any suitable material, including, without limitation, metals, such as brushed aluminum or stainless steel, metal alloys, or plastics. The back plate  339  protects the internal contents of the doorbell  330  and serves as an exterior rear surface of the doorbell  330 . The faceplate  335  may extend from the front of the doorbell  330  and at least partially wrap around the back plate  339 , thereby allowing a coupled connection between the faceplate  335  and the back plate  339 . The back plate  339  may have indentations in its structure to facilitate the coupling. 
     With further reference to  FIG. 15 , spring contacts  340  may provide power to the doorbell  330  when mated with other conductive contacts connected to a power source. The spring contacts  340  may comprise any suitable conductive material, including, without limitation, copper, and may be capable of deflecting when contacted by an inward force, for example the insertion of a mating element. The doorbell  330  further comprises a connector  360 , such as a micro-USB or other connector, whereby power and/or data may be supplied to and from the components within the doorbell  330 . A reset button  359  may be located on the back plate  339 , and may make contact with a button actuator (not shown) located within the doorbell  330  when the reset button  359  is pressed. When the reset button  359  is pressed, it may trigger one or more functions, as described below. 
       FIG. 16  is a right side cross-sectional view of the doorbell  330  without the mounting bracket  337 . In the illustrated embodiment, the lens  332  is substantially coplanar with the front surface  331 F of the enclosure  331 . In alternative embodiments, the lens  332  may be recessed within the enclosure  331  or may protrude outward from the enclosure  331 . The camera  334  is coupled to a camera printed circuit board (PCB)  347 , and a lens  334   a  of the camera  334  protrudes through an opening in the enclosure  331 . The camera lens  334   a  may be a lens capable of focusing light into the camera  334  so that clear images may be taken. 
     The camera PCB  347  may be secured within the doorbell with any suitable fasteners, such as screws, or interference connections, adhesives, etc. The camera PCB  347  comprises various components that enable the functionality of the camera  334  of the doorbell  330 , as described below. Infrared light-emitting components, such as infrared LED&#39;s  368 , are coupled to the camera PCB  347  and may be triggered to activate when a light sensor detects a low level of ambient light. When activated, the infrared LED&#39;s  368  may emit infrared light through the enclosure  331  and/or the camera  334  out into the ambient environment. The camera  334 , which may be configured to detect infrared light, may then capture the light emitted by the infrared LED&#39;s  368  as it reflects off objects within the camera&#39;s  334  field of view, so that the doorbell  330  can clearly capture images at night (may be referred to as “night vision”). 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 16 , the doorbell  330  further comprises a front PCB  346 , which in the illustrated embodiment resides in a lower portion of the doorbell  330  adjacent a battery  366 . The front PCB  346  may be secured within the doorbell  330  with any suitable fasteners, such as screws, or interference connections, adhesives, etc. The front PCB  346  comprises various components that enable the functionality of the audio and light components, as further described below. The battery  366  may provide power to the doorbell  330  components while receiving power from the spring contacts  340 , thereby engaging in a trickle-charge method of power consumption and supply. Alternatively, the doorbell  330  may draw power directly from the spring contacts  340  while relying on the battery  366  only when the spring contacts  340  are not providing the power necessary for all functions. Still further, the battery  366  may comprise the sole source of power for the doorbell  330 . In such embodiments, the spring contacts  340  may not be connected to a source of power. When the battery  366  is depleted of its charge, it may be recharged, such as by connecting a power source to the connector  360 . 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 16 , the doorbell  330  further comprises a power PCB  348 , which in the illustrated embodiment resides behind the camera PCB  347 . The power PCB  348  may be secured within the doorbell  330  with any suitable fasteners, such as screws, or interference connections, adhesives, etc. The power PCB  348  comprises various components that enable the functionality of the power and device-control components, as further described below. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 16 , the doorbell  330  further comprises a communication module  364  coupled to the power PCB  348 . The communication module  364  facilitates communication with client devices in one or more remote locations, as further described below. The connector  360  may protrude outward from the power PCB  348  and extend through a hole in the back plate  339 . The doorbell  330  further comprises passive infrared (PIR) sensors  344 , which are secured on or within a PIR sensor holder  343 , and the assembly resides behind the lens  332 . In some embodiments, the doorbell  330  may comprise three PIR sensors  344 , as further described below, but in other embodiments any number of PIR sensors  344  may be provided. The PIR sensor holder  343  may be secured to the doorbell  330  with any suitable fasteners, such as screws, or interference connections, adhesives, etc. The PIR sensors  344  may be any type of sensor capable of detecting and communicating the presence of a heat source within their field of view. Further, alternative embodiments may comprise one or more motion sensors either in place of or in addition to the PIR sensors  344 . The motion sensors may be configured to detect motion using any methodology, such as a methodology that does not rely on detecting the presence of a heat source within a field of view. 
       FIG. 17  is an exploded view of the doorbell  330  and the mounting bracket  337  according to an aspect of the present embodiments. The mounting bracket  337  is configured to be mounted to a mounting surface (not shown) of a structure, such as a home or an office.  FIG. 17  shows the front side  337 F of the mounting bracket  337 . The mounting bracket  337  is configured to be mounted to the mounting surface such that the back side  337 B thereof faces the mounting surface. In certain embodiments, the mounting bracket  337  may be mounted to surfaces of various composition, including, without limitation, wood, concrete, stucco, brick, vinyl siding, aluminum siding, etc., with any suitable fasteners, such as screws, or interference connections, adhesives, etc. The doorbell  330  may be coupled to the mounting bracket  337  with any suitable fasteners, such as screws, or interference connections, adhesives, etc. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 17 , the illustrated embodiment of the mounting bracket  337  includes the terminal screws  338 . The terminal screws  338  are configured to receive electrical wires adjacent the mounting surface of the structure upon which the mounting bracket  337  is mounted, so that the doorbell  330  may receive electrical power from the structure&#39;s electrical system. The terminal screws  338  are electrically connected to electrical contacts  377  of the mounting bracket. If power is supplied to the terminal screws  338 , then the electrical contacts  377  also receive power through the terminal screws  338 . The electrical contacts  377  may comprise any suitable conductive material, including, without limitation, copper, and may protrude slightly from the face of the mounting bracket  337  so that they may mate with the spring contacts  340  located on the back plate  339 . 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 17 , the mounting bracket  337  further comprises a bracket PCB  349 . The bracket PCB  349  is situated outside the doorbell  330 , and is therefore configured for various sensors that measure ambient conditions, such as an accelerometer  350 , a barometer  351 , a humidity sensor  352 , and a temperature sensor  353  ( FIG. 18 ). The functions of these components are discussed in more detail below. The bracket PCB  349  may be secured to the mounting bracket  337  with any suitable fasteners, such as screws, or interference connections, adhesives, etc. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 17 , the faceplate  335  may extend from the bottom of the doorbell  330  up to just below the camera  334 , and connect to the back plate  339  as described above. The lens  332  may extend and curl partially around the side of the doorbell  330 . The enclosure  331  may extend and curl around the side and top of the doorbell  330 , and may be coupled to the back plate  339  as described above. The camera  334  may protrude slightly through the enclosure  331 , thereby giving it a wider field of view. The mounting bracket  337  may couple with the back plate  339  such that they contact each other at various points in a common plane of contact, thereby creating an assembly including the doorbell  330  and the mounting bracket  337 . The couplings described in this paragraph, and elsewhere, may be secured by, for example and without limitation, screws, interference fittings, adhesives, or other fasteners. Interference fittings may refer to a type of connection where a material relies on pressure and/or gravity coupled with the material&#39;s physical strength to support a connection to a different element. 
       FIG. 18  is a top view and  FIG. 19  is a front view of a passive infrared sensor assembly  179  including the lens  132 , the passive infrared sensor holder  143 , the passive infrared sensors  144 , and a flexible power circuit  145 . The passive infrared sensor holder  143  is configured to mount the passive infrared sensors  144  facing out through the lens  132  at varying angles, thereby allowing the passive infrared sensor  144  field of view to be expanded to 180° or more and also broken up into various zones, as further described below. The passive infrared sensor holder  143  may include one or more faces  178 , including a center face  178 C and two side faces  178 S to either side of the center face  178 C. With reference to  FIG. 19 , each of the faces  178  defines an opening  181  within or on which the passive infrared sensors  144  may be mounted. In alternative embodiments, the faces  178  may not include openings  181 , but may instead comprise solid flat faces upon which the passive infrared sensors  144  may be mounted. Generally, the faces  178  may be any physical structure capable of housing and/or securing the passive infrared sensors  144  in place. 
     With reference to  FIG. 18 , the passive infrared sensor holder  143  may be secured to the rear face of the lens  132 . The flexible power circuit  145  may be any material or component capable of delivering power and/or data to and from the passive infrared sensors  144 , and may be contoured to conform to the non-linear shape of the passive infrared sensor holder  143 . The flexible power circuit  145  may connect to, draw power from, and/or transmit data to and from, the power printed circuit board  148 . 
       FIG. 20  is a top view of the passive infrared sensor assembly  179  illustrating the fields of view of the passive infrared sensors  144 . In the illustrated embodiment, the side faces  178 S of the passive infrared sensor holder  143  are angled at 55° facing outward from the center face  178 C, and each passive infrared sensor  144  has a field of view of 110°. However, these angles may be increased or decreased as desired. Zone  1  is the area that is visible only to a first one of the passive infrared sensors  144 - 1 . Zone  2  is the area that is visible only to the first passive infrared sensor  144 - 1  and a second one of the passive infrared sensors  144 - 2 . Zone  3  is the area that is visible only to the second passive infrared sensor  144 - 2 . Zone  4  is the area that is visible only to the second passive infrared sensor  144 - 2  and a third one of the passive infrared sensors  144 - 3 . Zone  5  is the area that is visible only to the third passive infrared sensor  144 - 3 . In some embodiments, the doorbell  130  may be capable of determining the direction that an object is moving based upon which zones are triggered in a time sequence. 
       FIG. 21  is a functional block diagram of the components within or in communication with the doorbell  330 , according to an aspect of the present embodiments. As described above, the bracket PCB  349  may comprise an accelerometer  350 , a barometer  351 , a humidity sensor  352 , and a temperature sensor  353 . The accelerometer  350  may be one or more sensors capable of sensing motion and/or acceleration. The barometer  351  may be one or more sensors capable of determining the atmospheric pressure of the surrounding environment in which the bracket PCB  349  may be located. The humidity sensor  352  may be one or more sensors capable of determining the amount of moisture present in the atmospheric environment in which the bracket PCB  349  may be located. The temperature sensor  353  may be one or more sensors capable of determining the temperature of the ambient environment in which the bracket PCB  349  may be located. As described above, the bracket PCB  349  may be located outside the housing of the doorbell  330  so as to reduce interference from heat, pressure, moisture, and/or other stimuli generated by the internal components of the doorbell  330 . 
     With further reference to  FIG. 21 , the bracket PCB  349  may further comprise terminal screw inserts  354 , which may be configured to receive the terminal screws  338  and transmit power to the electrical contacts  377  on the mounting bracket  337  ( FIG. 17 ). The bracket PCB  349  may be electrically and/or mechanically coupled to the power PCB  348  through the terminal screws  338 , the terminal screw inserts  354 , the spring contacts  340 , and the electrical contacts  377 . The terminal screws  338  may receive electrical wires located at the surface to which the doorbell  330  is mounted, such as the wall of a building, so that the doorbell can receive electrical power from the building&#39;s electrical system. Upon the terminal screws  338  being secured within the terminal screw inserts  354 , power may be transferred to the bracket PCB  349 , and to all of the components associated therewith, including the electrical contacts  377 . The electrical contacts  377  may transfer electrical power to the power PCB  348  by mating with the spring contacts  340 . 
     With further reference to  FIG. 21 , the front PCB  346  may comprise a light sensor  355 , one or more light-emitting components, such as LED&#39;s  356 , one or more speakers  357 , and a microphone  358 . The light sensor  355  may be one or more sensors capable of detecting the level of ambient light of the surrounding environment in which the doorbell  330  may be located. LED&#39;s  356  may be one or more light-emitting diodes capable of producing visible light when supplied with power. The speakers  357  may be any electromechanical device capable of producing sound in response to an electrical signal input. The microphone  358  may be an acoustic-to-electric transducer or sensor capable of converting sound waves into an electrical signal. When activated, the LED&#39;s  356  may illuminate the light pipe  336  ( FIG. 14 ). The front PCB  346  and all components thereof may be electrically coupled to the power PCB  348 , thereby allowing data and/or power to be transferred to and from the power PCB  348  and the front PCB  346 . 
     The speakers  357  and the microphone  358  may be coupled to the camera processor  370  through an audio CODEC  361 . For example, the transfer of digital audio from the user&#39;s client device  114  and the speakers  357  and the microphone  358  may be compressed and decompressed using the audio CODEC  361 , coupled to the camera processor  370 . Once compressed by audio CODEC  361 , digital audio data may be sent through the communication module  364  to the network  112 , routed by one or more servers  118 , and delivered to the user&#39;s client device  114 . When the user speaks, after being transferred through the network  112 , digital audio data is decompressed by audio CODEC  361  and emitted to the visitor via the speakers  357 . 
     With further reference to  FIG. 21 , the power PCB  348  may comprise a power management module  362 , a microcontroller  363  (may also be referred to as “processor,” “CPU,” or “controller”), the communication module  364 , and power PCB non-volatile memory  365 . In certain embodiments, the power management module  362  may comprise an integrated circuit capable of arbitrating between multiple voltage rails, thereby selecting the source of power for the doorbell  330 . The battery  366 , the spring contacts  340 , and/or the connector  360  may each provide power to the power management module  362 . The power management module  362  may have separate power rails dedicated to the battery  366 , the spring contacts  340 , and the connector  360 . In one aspect of the present disclosure, the power management module  362  may continuously draw power from the battery  366  to power the doorbell  330 , while at the same time routing power from the spring contacts  340  and/or the connector  360  to the battery  366 , thereby allowing the battery  366  to maintain a substantially constant level of charge. Alternatively, the power management module  362  may continuously draw power from the spring contacts  340  and/or the connector  360  to power the doorbell  330 , while only drawing from the battery  366  when the power from the spring contacts  340  and/or the connector  360  is low or insufficient. Still further, the battery  366  may comprise the sole source of power for the doorbell  330 . In such embodiments, the spring contacts  340  may not be connected to a source of power. When the battery  366  is depleted of its charge, it may be recharged, such as by connecting a power source to the connector  360 . The power management module  362  may also serve as a conduit for data between the connector  360  and the microcontroller  363 . 
     With further reference to  FIG. 21 , in certain embodiments the microcontroller  363  may comprise an integrated circuit including a processor core, memory, and programmable input/output peripherals. The microcontroller  363  may receive input signals, such as data and/or power, from the PIR sensors  344 , the bracket PCB  349 , the power management module  362 , the light sensor  355 , the microphone  358 , and/or the communication module  364 , and may perform various functions as further described below. When the microcontroller  363  is triggered by the PIR sensors  344 , the microcontroller  363  may be triggered to perform one or more functions. When the light sensor  355  detects a low level of ambient light, the light sensor  355  may trigger the microcontroller  363  to enable “night vision,” as further described below. The microcontroller  363  may also act as a conduit for data communicated between various components and the communication module  364 . 
     With further reference to  FIG. 21 , the communication module  364  may comprise an integrated circuit including a processor core, memory, and programmable input/output peripherals. The communication module  364  may also be configured to transmit data wirelessly to a remote network device, and may include one or more transceivers (not shown). The wireless communication may comprise one or more wireless networks, such as, without limitation, Wi-Fi, cellular, Bluetooth, and/or satellite networks. The communication module  364  may receive inputs, such as power and/or data, from the camera PCB  347 , the microcontroller  363 , the button  333 , the reset button  359 , and/or the power PCB non-volatile memory  365 . When the button  333  is pressed, the communication module  364  may be triggered to perform one or more functions. When the reset button  359  is pressed, the communication module  364  may be triggered to erase any data stored at the power PCB non-volatile memory  365  and/or at the camera PCB memory  369 . The communication module  364  may also act as a conduit for data communicated between various components and the microcontroller  363 . The power PCB non-volatile memory  365  may comprise flash memory configured to store and/or transmit data. For example, in certain embodiments the power PCB non-volatile memory  365  may comprise serial peripheral interface (SPI) flash memory. 
     With further reference to  FIG. 21 , the camera PCB  347  may comprise components that facilitate the operation of the camera  334 . For example, an imager  371  may comprise a video recording sensor and/or a camera chip. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the imager  371  may comprise a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) array, and may be capable of recording high definition (e.g., 1080p or better) video files. A camera processor  370  may comprise an encoding and compression chip. In some embodiments, the camera processor  370  may comprise a bridge processor. The camera processor  370  may process video recorded by the imager  371  and audio recorded by the microphone  358 , and may transform this data into a form suitable for wireless transfer by the communication module  364  to a network. The camera PCB memory  369  may comprise volatile memory that may be used when data is being buffered or encoded by the camera processor  370 . For example, in certain embodiments the camera PCB memory  369  may comprise synchronous dynamic random access memory (SD RAM). IR LED&#39;s  368  may comprise light-emitting diodes capable of radiating infrared light. IR cut filter  367  may comprise a system that, when triggered, configures the imager  371  to see primarily infrared light as opposed to visible light. When the light sensor  355  detects a low level of ambient light (which may comprise a level that impedes the performance of the imager  371  in the visible spectrum), the IR LED&#39;s  368  may shine infrared light through the doorbell  330  enclosure out to the environment, and the IR cut filter  367  may enable the imager  371  to see this infrared light as it is reflected or refracted off of objects within the field of view of the doorbell. This process may provide the doorbell  330  with the “night vision” function mentioned above. 
     As discussed above, one aspect of the present embodiments includes the realization that parcel theft is a serious problem. Parcel carriers frequently leave parcels near the front door of a home when no one answers the door at the time of delivery. These parcels are vulnerable to theft, as they are often clearly visible from the street. This problem has only gotten worse with the proliferation of online commerce, and is particularly common around major holidays when many consumers do their holiday shopping online. It would be advantageous, therefore, if parcels could be configured in a way that would discourage people from attempting to steal them. 
     One way to discourage people from attempting to steal parcels would be to place a tracking device in every parcel. A tracking device is a device that enables the location of the device to be determined and tracked from a location remote from the tracking device. If every parcel contained a tracking device, then it would be possible to locate, track, and recover stolen parcels, making parcels much less attractive to thieves. Placing a tracking device in every parcel, however, could be cost prohibitive, because of the added cost of the tracking device itself. When a parcel recipient receives a parcel, he or she typically removes the contents from the parcel container and then discards the container and any packing materials that may have been included to keep the parcel contents safe during transit. If the parcel contained a tracking device, it too would likely be discarded, leaving the shipping entity to bear the cost of the discarded tracking device. The cost associated with discarded tracking devices might be passed on to the consumer, but, regardless of which party (sender or recipient) bears the cost for discarded tracking devices, this scenario would substantially increase the cost for shipping goods, and is therefore likely not feasible. 
     The present embodiments solve this problem by providing parcel tracking devices that are self-addressed. The parcel tracking device bears an address, such as the address of the originating entity, and may in some embodiments also include postage or an indicator that postage for the return of the tracking device will be paid by the addressee. The recipient of the parcel thus needs only to place the self-addressed tracking device in any mailbox, and the tracking device will be returned to the originating entity. The originating entity can then reuse the self-addressed tracking device, thereby significantly lowering the cost of placing tracking devices in parcels. In some embodiments, the present self-addressed tracking devices may be included in every parcel. In other embodiments, the present self-addressed tracking devices may be included in only select parcels, such as a subset of a larger group of parcels. The subset of parcels may comprise, for example, only parcels associated with recipients who have requested that a self-addressed tracking device be included with their parcel. In another example, the parcel originator may include a self-addressed tracking device in every other parcel, or every third parcel, or every fourth parcel, or every fifth parcel, or at any other regular interval. In another example, the parcel originator may add self-addressed tracking devices to parcels according to a random process. 
     Some of the present embodiments also leverage the functionality of A/V recording and communication devices to deter parcel theft and/or to identify and apprehend parcel thieves. For example, in some embodiments an A/V recording and communication device may receive a first wireless transmission from a tracking device of a parcel. The A/V recording and communication device may then determine, based on the receipt of the first wireless transmission, that the parcel has been left near the location of the A/V recording and communication device. The A/V recording and communication device may subsequently receive a second wireless transmission from the tracking device of the parcel. The A/V recording and communication device may then determine, based on the receipt of the second wireless transmission, that the parcel has been removed from near the location of the A/V recording and communication device. The A/V recording and communication device may then determine whether the removal of the parcel was authorized and, if the removal was unauthorized, the A/V recording and communication device may generate an alert, such as an alert to a user&#39;s smartphone (or other type of client device). 
       FIG. 22  is a functional block diagram of one embodiment of a self-addressed parcel tracking device  400  according to various aspects of the present disclosure. The illustrated tracking device  400  comprises at least a wireless communication module  402 , a processing module  404 , a power source  406 , and a housing  408  for containing and/or protecting the components of the tracking device  400 . In some embodiments, the wireless communication module  402 , the processing module  404 , and/or the power source  406  may be located at least partially within the housing  408 . The processing module  404  is communicatively coupled to the wireless communication module  402 , and the power source  406  is electrically coupled to the wireless communication module  402  and the processing module  404 . In some embodiments, the tracking device  400  may further include an accelerometer (not shown) for movement detection. 
     The tracking device  400  may be a specially designed and built device, or may be an off-the-shelf type of device. The tracking device  400  may embody any currently known and/or later developed technology for locating an object. One non-limiting example of technology that may be used in the present embodiments is satellite navigation, such as GPS (Global Positioning System), GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System), or any other satellite navigation system. A satellite navigation system is a system that uses satellites to provide autonomous geo-spatial positioning. It allows small electronic receivers to determine their location, including longitude, latitude, and/or altitude/elevation, with high precision, such as within a few meters, using time signals transmitted along a line of sight by radio from satellites. The system can be used for navigation as well as for tracking the position of an object fitted with a receiver (satellite tracking). 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 22 , the wireless communication module  402  of the self-addressed parcel tracking device  400  may include one or more components for communicating wirelessly with one or more other devices, and/or may include one or more components for determining a location of the self-addressed parcel tracking device  400 . For example, the wireless communication module  402  may include any or all of the following components (or any other components not listed): A subscriber identity module (SIM, also referred to as a subscriber identification module), a GPS (and/or GLONASS, and/or any other satellite navigation system) tracking unit, a GPS (and/or GLONASS, and/or any other satellite navigation system) beacon (for “data pusher” type devices), a GPS (and/or GLONASS, and/or any other satellite navigation system) transponder (for “data puller” type devices), a Bluetooth (or other short-range wireless communication protocol) transceiver, a cellular transceiver (compatible with any cellular communication technology, such as, but not limited to, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), cdmaOne, CDMA2000, Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO), Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT), Digital AMPS (IS-136/TDMA), Integrated Digital Enhanced Network (iDEN), etc.), and/or a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. 
     A SIM is an integrated circuit that is intended to securely store the international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) number and its related key, which are used to identify and authenticate subscribers on mobile telephony devices (such as mobile phones and computers). 
     A GPS tracking unit is a device, normally carried by a moving vehicle or person, that uses the Global Positioning System to determine and track its precise location, and hence that of its carrier, at intervals. The recorded location data can be stored within the tracking unit, or it may be transmitted to a central location database, or Internet-connected computer, using a cellular, radio, or satellite modem embedded in the unit. This allows the asset&#39;s location to be displayed against a map backdrop either in real time or when analyzing the track later, using GPS tracking software. 
     Data pushers are one type of GPS tracking unit, and are typically used for asset tracking. Also known as a GPS beacon, this kind of device pushes (e.g., sends) the position of the device, and may also send other information, such as speed or altitude, at regular intervals, to a server, which can store and analyze the data. In some data pushers, a GPS navigation device and a mobile phone sit side-by-side in the same box, powered by the same battery. At regular intervals, the phone sends a message, such as via SMS (Short Message Service) or GPRS, containing the data from the GPS receiver. 
     Data pullers are another type of GPS tracking unit, and are also known as GPS transponders. Unlike data pushers that send the position of the devices at regular intervals (push technology), data pullers are always on, and can be queried as often as required (pull technology). For example, a data puller may be sent a message, such as via SMS or GPRS, and may then reply to the message with its location. Data pullers are useful for cases where the location of the tracker will only need to be known occasionally. For example, data puller-type GPS tracking units can be placed in or on property that may be stolen, such as parcels. 
     GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System) is a space-based satellite navigation system operating in the radionavigation-satellite service and used by the Russian Aerospace Defence Forces. It provides an alternative to GPS, but may also be used in conjunction with GPS to leverage more satellites, meaning positions can be fixed more quickly and accurately, especially in built-up areas where the view to some GPS satellites may be obscured by buildings. 
     With reference to  FIG. 22 , the processing module  404  of the self-addressed parcel tracking device  400  may comprise a processor (not shown) for the execution of a program of instructions. The processor may be, for example, a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor, and may be supplemented by, or incorporated in, one or more ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits). The power source  406  of the self-addressed parcel tracking device  400  may comprise, for example, a battery (not shown), such as a rechargeable battery. The rechargeable battery is preferably configured to provide adequate power for the tracking device  400  for at least as long as the device  400  is expected to be in transit, such as up to a few days, or a week, or several weeks, or a month or more. The tracking device  400  may further comprise one or more components for facilitating recharging of the rechargeable battery, such as spring contacts (not shown), a charging port (such as a micro-USB port, not shown), and/or an induction coil (not shown) configured to enable inductive charging (also known as wireless charging) of the self- addressed parcel tracking device  400 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 22 , the self-addressed parcel tracking device  400  further comprises a return mailing address  410  on an outer surface  412  of the housing  408 . The return mailing address  410  may comprise a mailing address of an originator of a parcel, such that a recipient of the parcel may easily return the self-addressed tracking device  400  to the originator of the parcel by placing the self-addressed parcel tracking device  400  in a mailbox. The return mailing address  410  may be applied or affixed to the outer surface  412  of the housing  408  in any suitable fashion, such as by painting, printing, or stenciling, or with an adhesive label, for example. 
     To further facilitate return of the self-addressed tracking device  400  to the originator of the parcel, the self-addressed parcel tracking device  400  may further comprise postage  414 , and/or an indicator  416  on the outer surface  412  of the housing  408  that postage for returning the self-addressed tracking device  400  to the originator will be paid by the addressee. In some embodiments, the addressee may be the originator of the parcel assembly, although in alternative embodiments the addressee may be a party or entity different from the originator of the parcel assembly, such as a third-party intermediary. To further facilitate return of the self-addressed tracking device  400  to the originator of the parcel, the self-addressed parcel tracking device  400  may further comprise an indicator  418  or instructions on the outer surface  412  of the housing  408  to return the self-addressed tracking device  400  by depositing it in any mailbox. 
       FIG. 23  is a functional block diagram of one embodiment of a parcel assembly  420  including a self-addressed parcel tracking device  400  according to various aspects of the present disclosure. The parcel assembly  420  includes a container  422  for containing and protecting parcel contents  424  during transit of the parcel assembly  420 , and at least one self-addressed parcel tracking device  400 . The container  422  may comprise any structure, such as a box, a carton, a crate, an envelope, or a pouch, suitable for shipping at least one item (the “parcel contents  424 ”) from an originator to a recipient. For example, the parcel assembly  420  may originate with a retailer, who may receive an order from a customer for a retail item. The retailer may then retrieve the ordered item from stock, place the item in the container  422  together with at least one self-addressed parcel tracking device  400 , seal the container  422 , and ship the parcel  420  to the customer (or transfer the parcel  420  to a third-party shipper, who may ship the parcel  420  to the customer). 
       FIG. 24  is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a process for including a self-addressed parcel tracking device  400  in a parcel  420  according to various aspects of the present disclosure. At block B 430 , the originator of the parcel  420  may place the parcel contents  424  in the container  422 . As described above, the parcel contents  424  may comprise one or more retail items, but in other embodiments the parcel contents  424  may comprise anything capable of being placed into a container  422  and sent from an originator to a recipient. At block B 432 , the originator of the parcel  420  may place at least one self-addressed parcel tracking device  400  in the container  422 . At block B 434 , the originator of the parcel  420  may ship the parcel  420  to the recipient, which may in some embodiments comprise transferring the parcel  420  to a third-party shipper, who may ship the parcel  420  to the recipient. 
     In some embodiments, the originator of the parcel  420  may conceal the self-addressed parcel tracking device  400  within the container  422 , as shown at block B 436 . For example, the tracking device  400  may be hidden among packing materials within the container  422 . Concealing the tracking device  400  within the container  422  may increase the chances of apprehending a parcel thief, who may be unaware that the parcel  420  he or she has stolen contains a tracking device  400 . If the parcel thief does not know that the parcel  420  he or she has stolen contains a tracking device  400 , he or she may delay in separating the parcel contents  424  from the parcel  420 , which may provide additional time for tracking and locating the parcel  420  and the parcel thief. To further enhance the likelihood of apprehending a parcel thief, the originator of the parcel  420  may, in some embodiments, place at least a second self-addressed parcel tracking device  400  in the container  422  (block B 438 ) and conceal the second self-addressed parcel tracking device  400  within the container  422 , as shown at block B 440 . The second tracking device  400  may further enhance the likelihood of apprehending a parcel thief by creating a false sense of security for the parcel thief once the parcel thief has removed one, but not the other, of the two tracking devices  400  from the container  422 . While the process of  FIG. 24  includes one or more self-addressed parcel tracking devices  400 , in alternative embodiments in which the tracking device(s)  400  is/are hidden within the container  422 , the tracking device(s)  400  may not be self-addressed. 
     In some embodiments, the parcel assembly  420  may further comprise a notice  450  on an outer surface  452  of the container  422 , wherein the notice  450  indicates that the parcel assembly  420  contains an anti-theft device, such as a tracking device  400 . For example,  FIG. 25  is a side perspective view of one embodiment of a parcel  460  including a warning  462  on an outer surface  464  that the parcel  460  contains a tracking device  400 . In the illustrated embodiment, the parcel  460  includes an outer paper wrapper  466 , and the warning  462  is provided on the outer paper wrapper  466 . The illustrated embodiment, however, is not intended to be limiting, and in alternative embodiments the warning  462  may be provided directly on the exterior surface  452  of the container  422 . The warning  462  advantageously puts would-be parcel thieves on notice that the parcel  420 ,  460  contains a device that makes it more likely that the thief would be apprehended if he or she attempted to steal the parcel  420 ,  460  thereby deterring theft of the parcel  420 ,  460 . 
     Some of the present embodiments may include leveraging the capabilities of an A/V recording and communication device, such as an A/V recording and communication doorbell, to deter parcel theft and/or to facilitate tracking of stolen parcels and/or apprehension of parcel thieves. For example,  FIG. 26  is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a process for protecting a parcel  420  from theft using a tracking device  400  and an A/V recording and communication device, and  FIG. 27  is a sequence diagram illustrating the same process. In one non-limiting example, the A/V recording and communication device may comprise an A/V recording and communication doorbell, such as any of the doorbells  130 ,  330  described herein. The parcel  420  may include a container  422  and a tracking device  400  within the container  422 , and the process may commence when the parcel  420  is left in a vicinity of the A/V recording and communication device. In one non-limiting example, the parcel  420  may be delivered by a parcel  420  carrier and left near the front door of a home. 
     With reference to  FIG. 26 , the process may comprise, at block B 470 , receiving a first wireless transmission from the tracking device  400  of the parcel assembly  420 . For example, the first wireless transmission  471  may be received by the A/V recording and communication device  130 ,  330  using a wireless communication module of the A/V recording and communication device  130 ,  330 , as indicated in  FIG. 27 . At block B 472 , the process may further comprise determining, by the A/V recording and communication device  130 ,  330 , based on the receipt of the first wireless transmission  471 , that the parcel assembly  420  has been left within an area about the A/V recording and communication device  130 ,  330 . For example, when the parcel assembly  420  is left within the area about the A/V recording and communication device  130 ,  330 , the communication module of the A/V recording and communication device  130 ,  330  may detect a signal from the tracking device  400 . Based on the receipt of the signal, the A/V recording and communication device  130 ,  330  may determine that the parcel assembly  420  is present (e.g., within a communication range of the A/V recording and communication device  130 ,  330 ). 
     In some embodiments, the first wireless transmission  471  from the tracking device  400  may comprise a signal from a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag of the tracking device  400 . RFID uses electromagnetic fields to automatically identify and track tags attached to objects. The tags contain electronically stored information, and may be passive or active. Passive tags collect energy from a nearby RFID reader&#39;s interrogating radio waves. Active tags have a local power source, such as a battery, and may operate at hundreds of meters from the RFID reader. The A/V recording and communication device  130 ,  330  may include an RFID reader (not shown), which may receive a signal from the RFID tag of the tracking device  400 . In some embodiments, the signal from the RFID tag of the tracking device  400  may be sent in response to an interrogating signal from the A/V recording and communication device  130 ,  330 . In other embodiments, the signal from the RFID tag of the tracking device  400  may be sent at regular intervals, with or without first receiving an interrogating signal from the A/V recording and communication device  130 ,  330 . The A/V recording and communication device  130 ,  330  may capture information embedded in the RFID tag, and may take one or more actions in response to determining that the parcel assembly  420  has been left within the area about the A/V recording and communication device  130 ,  330 . For example, the A/V recording and communication device  130 ,  330  may transmit a notification, such as a push notification, to a client device  114  to inform a user that his or her parcel  420  has arrived. The push notification may be sent via one or more backend devices, such as servers  118 , API&#39;s  120 , and the like ( FIG. 1 ). 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 26 , the process may further comprise, at block B 474 , receiving a second wireless transmission from the tracking device  400  of the parcel assembly  420 . For example, the second wireless transmission  473  may be received by the A/V recording and communication device  130 ,  330  using a wireless communication module of the A/V recording and communication device  130 ,  330 , as indicated in  FIG. 27 . For example, as described above, the RFID tag of the tracking device  400  may be configured to send signals at regular intervals, and the A/V recording and communication device  130 ,  330  may receive these signals. In another example, the A/V recording and communication device  130 ,  330  may send one or more interrogating signals, and may receive response signals from the RFID tag of the tracking device  400 . The process may then further comprise, at block B 476 , determining, by the A/V recording and communication device  130 ,  330 , based on the receipt of the second wireless transmission  473 , that the parcel assembly  420  has been removed from the area about the A/V recording and communication device  130 ,  330 . For example, the A/V recording and communication device  130 ,  330  may determine from the second wireless transmission  473  that the parcel assembly  420  is now farther away from the A/V recording and communication device  130 ,  330  than it was when the first wireless transmission  471  was received. The distance between the parcel assembly  420  and the A/V recording and communication device  130 ,  330  may be determined based on the strength of the signal from the tracking device  400 , for example, or by any other method. 
     In another example, the A/V recording and communication device  130 ,  330  may determine that the parcel assembly  420  has been removed from the area about the A/V recording and communication device  130 ,  330  because an RFID reader of the A/V recording and communication device  130 ,  330  may detect that the regularly repeating signals from the RFID tag of the tracking device  400  have stopped, or that the RFID tag no longer responds to interrogation signals sent by the A/V recording and communication device  130 ,  330 . In some embodiments, if the RFID reader sends a threshold number of interrogation signals and receives no response from the RFID tag of the parcel assembly  420 , the process may determine that the parcel assembly  420  has been removed from the area about the A/V recording and communication device  130 ,  330 . In some embodiments, the threshold number of interrogation signals with no response may be one interrogation signal, or two interrogation signals, or three interrogation signals, or any other number of interrogation signals. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 26 , the process may further comprise, at block B 478 , determining, by the A/V recording and communication device  130 ,  330 , whether removal of the parcel assembly  420  from the area about the A/V recording and communication device  130 ,  330  was authorized. In some embodiments, determining whether removal of the parcel assembly  420  from the area about the A/V recording and communication device  130 ,  330  was authorized may comprise determining a direction of movement of the parcel assembly  420 . For example, if the parcel assembly  420  is moved into the structure (e.g., a house) at which the A/V recording and communication device  130 ,  330  is located, then it may be likely that removal of the parcel assembly  420  was authorized, but if the parcel assembly  420  is moved away from the structure at which the A/V recording and communication device  130 ,  330  is located, then it may be likely that removal of the parcel assembly  420  was not authorized. In another example embodiment, geo-fencing may be set up so that the parcel assembly  420  may be determined to have been stolen (removal unauthorized) if the parcel assembly  420  exits a defined boundary. In another example embodiment, an accelerometer (or other motion detection device) of the tracking device  400  may determine that the parcel  420  is in motion, and the tracking device  400  may then send a signal to the A/V recording and communication device  130 ,  330  indicating that the parcel  420  is in motion. The A/V recording and communication device  130 ,  330  may then determine whether removal of the parcel assembly  420  from the area about the A/V recording and communication device  130 ,  330  was authorized. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 26 , the process may further comprise, at block B 480 , generating, by the A/V recording and communication device  130 ,  330 , an alert when the removal of the parcel assembly  420  from the area about the A/V recording and communication device  130 ,  330  is determined to have been unauthorized. The alert may comprise, for example, a push notification transmitted to a client device  114  associated with the A/V recording and communication device  130 ,  330 . The push notification may be sent in an alert signal  475  via one or more backend network devices, such as servers  118 , API&#39;s  120 , and the like, as indicated in  FIG. 27 . In another example, the alert may comprise a notification sent to a network device  477  associated with a law enforcement agency. The notification may be sent in an alert signal  475  via one or more backend devices, such as servers  118 , API&#39;s  120 , and the like, as indicated in  FIG. 27 . Once a parcel assembly  420  is determined to have been stolen, its location may be viewed on a map displayed on a client device, such as a smartphone, and the owner of the parcel  420  and/or law enforcement may attempt to recover the stolen parcel  420 . 
     The present embodiments further include one or more methods of placing self-addressed tracking devices  400  in selected parcels  420 . For example, a parcel originator may assemble a plurality of parcel assemblies  420  by placing parcel contents  424  within each one of a plurality of containers  422 . Each of the containers  422  may comprise, for example, a box, a carton, a crate, an envelope, a pouch, or any other type of container. The parcel originator may be, for example, a retailer, and the process of assembling multiple parcel assemblies  420  may occur, for example, in connection with fulfilling orders for retail products from multiple customers. Assembling the parcel assemblies  420  may further comprise placing a self-addressed parcel tracking device within a subset of the plurality of containers  422 , wherein the subset of the plurality of containers  422  includes some, but not all, of the plurality of containers  422 . The self-addressed parcel tracking devices may comprise any of the self-addressed parcel tracking devices described herein, such as the self-addressed parcel tracking device  400  shown in  FIG. 22 , for example. 
     The present embodiments contemplate numerous methods and/or criteria for determining in which containers  422  out of the plurality of containers  422  to place a self-addressed parcel tracking device  400 . For example, in one implementation the containers  422  that receive a self-addressed parcel tracking device  400  may be selected randomly. In another example implementation, self-addressed parcel tracking devices  400  may be placed in the containers  422  at regular intervals, such as every other container  422 , or every third container  422 , or every fourth container  422 , or every fifth container  422 , or at any other regular interval. In this example implementation, the determination of which containers  422  comprise every other container  422 , or every third container  422 , etc., may be made at a fixed point in a parcel assembly line, such that as each container  422  passes the fixed point the process counts the passing containers  422  and places a self-addressed parcel tracking device  400  in selected containers  422  according to the set interval. 
     In another example implementation, a self-addressed parcel tracking device  400  may be placed in only the containers  422  that are destined for customers who have requested that their order include a tracking device. For example, as discussed above, the parcel originator may be a retailer, and the process of assembling multiple parcel assemblies  420  may occur, for example, in connection with fulfilling orders for retail products from multiple customers. Some of these customers may request that their order include a tracking device for added security against theft. Self-addressed parcel tracking devices  400  may then be placed in only the containers  422  destined for customers who have made a request for a tracking device. In some embodiments, when a customer requests a tracking device, the parcel originator (e.g., a retailer) may request that the customer pay a deposit for the requested tracking device. The deposit may help defray the cost of the tracking device in the event the customer fails to return it to the parcel originator. When a tracking device deposit payment is requested, the present embodiments may further include receiving the requested deposit payment from the customer, and may further include refunding the received deposit payment to the customer after the tracking device  400  is returned to the parcel originator. 
     As discussed above in connection with  FIG. 25 , some of the present embodiments may comprise a notice  450  (e.g., a warning  462 ) on an outer surface  452 ,  464  of a parcel assembly  420 ,  460  wherein the notice  450  indicates that the parcel assembly  420 ,  460  contains an anti-theft device (e.g., a tracking device  400 ). Thus, some of the present embodiments may comprise applying such a notice  450 ,  462  on an outer surface  452 ,  464  of at least some parcel assemblies  420 ,  460 . For example, in some embodiments the notice  450 ,  462  may be provided only on those parcel assemblies  420 ,  460  that actually contain a tracking device  400 . Thus, some of the present embodiments may comprise applying the notice  450 ,  462  to only selected parcel assemblies  420 ,  460 , wherein the selected parcel assemblies  420 ,  460  are those in which a tracking device  400  is also placed. In other example embodiments, the notice  450 ,  462  may be provided on every parcel assembly generated by the parcel assembly originator, regardless of whether every parcel assembly actually contains a tracking device. And, in some example embodiments, the notice  450 ,  462  may be provided on every parcel assembly  420 ,  460  generated by the parcel assembly originator, even when none of the parcel assemblies  420 ,  460  actually contains a tracking device  400 . The notices  450 ,  462  on the outer surfaces  452 ,  464  of a parcel assemblies  420 ,  460  advantageously provide deterrence against parcel theft, even with respect to parcel assemblies  420 ,  460  that don&#39;t actually contain a tracking device, because parcel thieves cannot know whether a given parcel actually contains a tracking device without opening the parcel. 
     As discussed above, the present disclosure provides numerous examples of methods and systems including A/V recording and communication doorbells, but the present embodiments are equally applicable for A/V recording and communication devices other than doorbells. For example, the present embodiments may include one or more A/V recording and communication security cameras instead of, or in addition to, one or more A/V recording and communication doorbells. An example A/V recording and communication security camera may include substantially all of the structure and functionality of the doorbell  130 , but without the front button  148 , the button actuator  228 , and/or the light pipe  232 . 
       FIG. 28  is a functional block diagram of a client device  800  on which the present embodiments may be implemented according to various aspects of the present disclosure. The user&#39;s client device  114  described with reference to  FIG. 1  may include some or all of the components and/or functionality of the client device  800 . The client device  800  may comprise, for example, a smartphone. 
     With reference to  FIG. 28 , the client device  800  includes a processor  802 , a memory  804 , a user interface  806 , a communication module  808 , and a dataport  810 . These components are communicatively coupled together by an interconnect bus  812 . The processor  802  may include any processor used in smartphones and/or portable computing devices, such as an ARM processor (a processor based on the RISC (reduced instruction set computer) architecture developed by Advanced RISC Machines (ARM).). In some embodiments, the processor  802  may include one or more other processors, such as one or more conventional microprocessors, and/or one or more supplementary co-processors, such as math co-processors. 
     The memory  804  may include both operating memory, such as random access memory (RAM), as well as data storage, such as read-only memory (ROM), hard drives, flash memory, or any other suitable memory/storage element. The memory  804  may include removable memory elements, such as a CompactFlash card, a MultiMediaCard (MMC), and/or a Secure Digital (SD) card. In some embodiments, the memory  804  may comprise a combination of magnetic, optical, and/or semiconductor memory, and may include, for example, RAM, ROM, flash drive, and/or a hard disk or drive. The processor  802  and the memory  804  each may be, for example, located entirely within a single device, or may be connected to each other by a communication medium, such as a USB port, a serial port cable, a coaxial cable, an Ethernet-type cable, a telephone line, a radio frequency transceiver, or other similar wireless or wired medium or combination of the foregoing. For example, the processor  802  may be connected to the memory  804  via the dataport  810 . 
     The user interface  806  may include any user interface or presentation elements suitable for a smartphone and/or a portable computing device, such as a keypad, a display screen, a touchscreen, a microphone, and a speaker. The communication module  808  is configured to handle communication links between the client device  800  and other, external devices or receivers, and to route incoming/outgoing data appropriately. For example, inbound data from the dataport  810  may be routed through the communication module  808  before being directed to the processor  802 , and outbound data from the processor  802  may be routed through the communication module  808  before being directed to the dataport  810 . The communication module  808  may include one or more transceiver modules capable of transmitting and receiving data, and using, for example, one or more protocols and/or technologies, such as GSM, UMTS (3GSM), IS-95 (CDMA one), IS-2000 (CDMA 2000), LTE, FDMA, TDMA, W-CDMA, CDMA, OFDMA, Wi-Fi, WiMAX, or any other protocol and/or technology. 
     The dataport  810  may be any type of connector used for physically interfacing with a smartphone and/or a portable computing device, such as a mini-USB port or an IPHONE®/IPOD® 30-pin connector or LIGHTNING® connector. In other embodiments, the dataport  810  may include multiple communication channels for simultaneous communication with, for example, other processors, servers, and/or client terminals. 
     The memory  804  may store instructions for communicating with other systems, such as a computer. The memory  804  may store, for example, a program (e.g., computer program code) adapted to direct the processor  802  in accordance with the present embodiments. The instructions also may include program elements, such as an operating system. While execution of sequences of instructions in the program causes the processor  802  to perform the process steps described herein, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of, or in combination with, software/firmware instructions for implementation of the processes of the present embodiments. Thus, the present embodiments are not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software. 
       FIG. 29  is a functional block diagram of a general-purpose computing system on which the present embodiments may be implemented according to various aspects of present disclosure. The computer system  900  may execute at least some of the operations described above. The computer system  900  may be embodied in at least one of a personal computer (also referred to as a desktop computer)  900 A, a portable computer (also referred to as a laptop or notebook computer)  900 B, and/or a server  900 C. A server is a computer program and/or a machine that waits for requests from other machines or software (clients) and responds to them. A server typically processes data. The purpose of a server is to share data and/or hardware and/or software resources among clients. This architecture is called the client-server model. The clients may run on the same computer or may connect to the server over a network. Examples of computing servers include database servers, file servers, mail servers, print servers, web servers, game servers, and application servers. The term server may be construed broadly to include any computerized process that shares a resource to one or more client processes. 
     The computer system  900  may include at least one processor  910 , memory  920 , at least one storage device  930 , and input/output (I/O) devices  940 . Some or all of the components  910 ,  920 ,  930 ,  940  may be interconnected via a system bus  950 . The processor  910  may be single- or multi-threaded and may have one or more cores. The processor  910  may execute instructions, such as those stored in the memory  920  and/or in the storage device  930 . Information may be received and output using one or more I/O devices  940 . 
     The memory  920  may store information, and may be a computer-readable medium, such as volatile or non-volatile memory. The storage device(s)  930  may provide storage for the system  900 , and may be a computer-readable medium. In various aspects, the storage device(s)  930  may be a flash memory device, a hard disk device, an optical disk device, a tape device, or any other type of storage device. 
     The I/O devices  940  may provide input/output operations for the system  900 . The I/O devices  940  may include a keyboard, a pointing device, and/or a microphone. The I/O devices  940  may further include a display unit for displaying graphical user interfaces, a speaker, and/or a printer. External data may be stored in one or more accessible external databases  960 . 
     The features of the present embodiments described herein may be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, and/or in computer hardware, firmware, software, and/or in combinations thereof. Features of the present embodiments may be implemented in a computer program product tangibly embodied in an information carrier, such as a machine-readable storage device, and/or in a propagated signal, for execution by a programmable processor. Embodiments of the present method steps may be performed by a programmable processor executing a program of instructions to perform functions of the described implementations by operating on input data and generating output. 
     The features of the present embodiments described herein may be implemented in one or more computer programs that are executable on a programmable system including at least one programmable processor coupled to receive data and/or instructions from, and to transmit data and/or instructions to, a data storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device. A computer program may include a set of instructions that may be used, directly or indirectly, in a computer to perform a certain activity or bring about a certain result. A computer program may be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, and it may be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. 
     Suitable processors for the execution of a program of instructions may include, for example, both general and special purpose processors, and/or the sole processor or one of multiple processors of any kind of computer. Generally, a processor may receive instructions and/or data from a read only memory (ROM), or a random access memory (RAM), or both. Such a computer may include a processor for executing instructions and one or more memories for storing instructions and/or data. 
     Generally, a computer may also include, or be operatively coupled to communicate with, one or more mass storage devices for storing data files. Such devices include magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks and/or removable disks, magneto-optical disks, and/or optical disks. Storage devices suitable for tangibly embodying computer program instructions and/or data may include all forms of non-volatile memory, including for example semiconductor memory devices, such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices, magnetic disks such as internal hard disks and removable disks, magneto-optical disks, and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and the memory may be supplemented by, or incorporated in, one or more ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits). 
     To provide for interaction with a user, the features of the present embodiments may be implemented on a computer having a display device, such as an LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor, for displaying information to the user. The computer may further include a keyboard, a pointing device, such as a mouse or a trackball, and/or a touchscreen by which the user may provide input to the computer. 
     The features of the present embodiments may be implemented in a computer system that includes a back-end component, such as a data server, and/or that includes a middleware component, such as an application server or an Internet server, and/or that includes a front-end component, such as a client computer having a graphical user interface (GUI) and/or an Internet browser, or any combination of these. The components of the system may be connected by any form or medium of digital data communication, such as a communication network. Examples of communication networks may include, for example, a LAN (local area network), a WAN (wide area network), and/or the computers and networks forming the Internet. 
     The computer system may include clients and servers. A client and server may be remote from each other and interact through a network, such as those described herein. The relationship of client and server may arise by virtue of computer programs running on the respective computers and having a client-server relationship to each other. 
     The above description presents the best mode contemplated for carrying out the present embodiments, and of the manner and process of practicing them, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which they pertain to practice these embodiments. The present embodiments are, however, susceptible to modifications and alternate constructions from those discussed above that are fully equivalent. Consequently, the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. On the contrary, the present invention covers all modifications and alternate constructions coming within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. For example, the steps in the processes described herein need not be performed in the same order as they have been presented, and may be performed in any order(s). Further, steps that have been presented as being performed separately may in alternative embodiments be performed concurrently. Likewise, steps that have been presented as being performed concurrently may in alternative embodiments be performed separately.