Patent Publication Number: US-10769926-B1

Title: Stair lift monitoring

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application No. 62/642,333, filed Mar. 13, 2018, which is incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure generally related to monitoring systems. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Homes and other facilities are sometimes equipped with stair lifts to assist the elderly, or other people with reduced mobility, to move from one floor to another floor. 
     SUMMARY 
     As people age, they often lose mobility, making it more difficult for them to move freely about their homes. Using stairs to move between different floors of a home can be particularly difficult for the elderly and others with reduced mobility. To assist in moving between floors, many people equip their homes with one or more stair lifts, which can transport a person up or down a set of stairs while the person remains seated. 
     Many homes are also equipped with a home monitoring system to enhance the home&#39;s security and safety. For example, a home monitoring system can include sensors that detect a condition of the home (e.g., vacant, occupied) and controls that enable automation of various home functions (e.g., turning lights on or off, locking doors). Some home monitoring systems enable detection of one or more events (e.g., door left open, unauthorized entry) and can notify a resident, or other individual or entity (e.g., a security guard, an alarm server, or emergency services), when an event is detected. 
     The described systems and techniques include a home monitoring system that communicates with one or more sensors and controls of a stair lift located in the home. By communicating with the stair lift sensors and controls, the home monitoring system can enhance the comfort, convenience, and safety of a stair lift user. 
     Certain implementations have particular advantages. In some implementations, the systems and techniques enable automation of various home actions related to a stair lift according to one or more rules set by a user. For example, a user can set a rule indicating that, if the stair lift moves from a lower floor to an upper floor between 10 PM and midnight, the home monitoring system should turn off the lights of the lower floor and adjust a thermostat setting. In this way, the home monitoring system can automatically adjust the lower floor lights and thermostat when the stair lift user goes to bed at night. 
     In some implementations, the system and techniques provide enhanced convenience for the stair lift user. For example, based on data from a motion detector and the stair lift, the home monitoring system may determine that the user is on an upper floor of the home, while the stair lift seat is located at the lower floor of the home. The home monitoring system can command the stair lift control to move the stair lift seat from the lower floor to the upper floor so that it is available to the user. 
     In some implementations, the system and techniques enhance the safety of the stair lift user. For example, based on data from a sensor of the stair lift, the home monitoring system may detect that a user has potentially experienced a hazardous event (e.g., the stair lift has stopped moving unexpectedly or the user has fallen from the stair lift seat). In such situations, the home monitoring system can stop the stair lift if it is in motion and alert a caregiver, for example, by sending a notification to the caregiver&#39;s mobile device. In some examples, the home monitoring system can activate an electronic home assistant or smart speaker to ask the user if he requires aid or notify emergency services personnel. 
     According to an innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this application, a monitoring system is configured to monitor a property. The monitoring system includes a sensor that is configured to generate sensor data that reflects an attribute of the property; a stair lift that is configured to transport a person up and down stairs at the property and that is configured to generate stair lift data that reflects a status of the stair lift; and a monitor control unit that is configured to receive the sensor data and the stair lift data; analyze the sensor data and the stair lift data; based on analyzing the sensor data and the stair lift data, determine that an event occurred at the property; and, based on determining that the event occurred at the property, perform a monitoring system action. 
     These and other implementations can each optionally include one or more of the following features. The monitor control unit is configured to determine that an event occurred at the property by determining that the property is likely occupied by a resident; determining that a seat of the stair lift seat is occupied; determining that the stair lift is not moving and is located between an upper floor and a lower floor; and, based on (i) determining that the property is likely occupied by the resident, (ii) determining that the seat of the stair lift seat is occupied, and (iii) determining that the stair lift is not moving and is located between the upper floor and the lower floor, determining that the resident is likely located on the stair lift that is not moving and that is located between the upper floor and the lower floor; and perform the monitoring system action by outputting a notification indicating that the resident is likely located on the stair lift that is not moving and that is located between the upper floor and the lower floor. 
     The monitor control unit is configured to determine that an event occurred at the property by determining that the property is likely occupied by a resident; determining that a seat of the stair lift seat is occupied; determining that the stair lift is not moving and is located between an upper floor and a lower floor; and, based on (i) determining that the property is likely occupied by the resident, (ii) determining that the seat of the stair lift seat is occupied, and (iii) determining that the stair lift is not moving and is located between the upper floor and the lower floor, determining that the resident is likely located on the stair lift that is not moving and that is located between the upper floor and the lower floor; and perform the monitoring system action by activating a camera that is trained on the stair lift; and outputting image data received from the camera that is trained on the stair lift. 
     The monitor control unit is configured to determine that an event occurred at the property by determining that an upper floor of the property is likely occupied by a resident; determining that the resident is likely moving to a lower floor of the property; and determining that a seat of the stair lift is located at the lower floor; and perform the monitoring system action by generating an instruction for the stair lift to move to the upper floor of the property based on (i) determining that the upper floor of the property is likely occupied by a resident, (ii) determining that the resident is likely moving to the lower floor of the property, and (iii) determining that a seat of the stair lift is located at the lower floor. 
     The monitor control unit is configured to perform a monitoring system action by generating an instruction to activate lights on the lower floor based on (i) determining that the upper floor of the property is likely occupied by a resident, (ii) determining that the resident is likely moving to the lower floor of the property, and (iii) determining that a seat of the stair lift is located at the lower floor. The monitor control unit is configured to determine that an event occurred at the property by determining that a lower floor of the property is likely occupied by a resident; determining that the resident is likely moving to an upper floor of the property; and determining that a seat of the stair lift is located at the upper floor; and perform the monitoring system action by generating an instruction for the stair lift to move to the lower floor of the property based on (i) determining that the lower floor of the property is likely occupied by a resident, (ii) determining that the resident is likely moving to the upper floor of the property, and (iii) determining that a seat of the stair lift is located at the upper floor. 
     The monitor control unit is configured to perform a monitoring system action by generating an instruction to set the monitoring system to armed stay mode based on (i) determining that the lower floor of the property is likely occupied by a resident, (ii) determining that the resident is likely moving to the upper floor of the property, and (iii) determining that a seat of the stair lift is located at the upper floor. The monitor control unit is configured to determine that an event occurred at the property by determining that the property is likely occupied by a resident; determining that a seat of the stair lift seat is unoccupied; determining that the stair lift is moving; and based on (i) determining that the property is likely occupied by the resident, (ii) determining that the seat of the stair lift seat is unoccupied, and (iii) determining that the stair lift is moving, determining that the resident likely fell off the stair lift; and perform the monitoring system action by outputting a notification indicating that the resident likely fell off the stair lift. 
     The monitor control unit is configured to determine that an event occurred at the property by determining that the stair lift is being misused; and perform the monitoring system action by outputting a notification indicating that the stair lift is being misused. The stair lift includes a stair lift module that is integrated with the stair lift and that is configured to generate the stair lift data. The stair lift include a stair lift module that is detachable from the stair lift and that is configured to generate the stair lift data. 
     Other implementations of this aspect include corresponding systems, apparatus, and computer programs recorded on computer storage devices, each configured to perform the operations of the methods. 
     The details of one or more implementations of the subject matter described in this specification are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating an example of a system for stair lift monitoring. 
         FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C  are diagrams illustrating examples of scenarios using stair lift monitoring. 
         FIG. 3  is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method for stair lift monitoring. 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating an example of a home monitoring system. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating an example of a system  100  for stair lift monitoring. System  100  includes a home  102  monitored by a home monitoring system and a stair lift  155  that transports a user  104  up and/or down a set of stairs of the home  102 . The home monitoring system includes a monitoring server  160 , which receives data related to the stair lift  155 , as well as other monitoring system data. Based on analyzing the received data, the monitoring server determines and performs one or more monitoring system actions.  FIG. 1  includes stages (A) through (D), which represent a flow of data. 
     System  100  includes a home, a place of business, or another facility  102  monitored by a home monitoring system. The home monitoring system includes one or more sensors  120  located in the home  102  that collect sensor data related to the home  102 . For example, the sensors  120  can include motion detectors that sense movement in an area of the home  120 . The sensors  120  can also include appliance sensors, door or window lock sensors, utility or resource usage sensors, microphones, temperature or humidity sensors, light detectors, or other sensors. Other possible sensors are described below in  FIG. 4 . 
     In some implementations, the sensors  120  include one or more cameras  130  located in the home  102  that record static or video images of a region of the home  102 . In  FIG. 1 , the home monitoring system includes a camera  130  located near a set of stairs of the home  102 , such that it records images of activity on the stairs. 
     The sensors  120  can also include one or more health monitoring sensors. In some examples, the health monitoring sensors  120  are worn by the user  104  and collect data related to the user&#39;s health and fitness. The health monitoring sensors  120  can provide information including respiration rate, pulse rate, and activity status (e.g. whether an individual is still or in motion). In some examples, the sensors  120  also include one or more chair sensors and/or bed sensors. The chair sensors and/or bed sensors can, for example, be in the form of a pressure-sensing pad or mat that indicates when a chair or bed is occupied. 
     The sensors  120  communicate with a control unit  110  that is located at the home  102 . The control unit  110  can be, for example, a computer system or other electronic device configured to communicate with the sensors  120  and perform various functions for the home monitoring system. In some implementations, the user  104  or another person can communicate with the control unit  110  through a physical connection (e.g., touch screen, keypad, etc.) and/or a network connection. 
     The sensors  120  may communicate with the control unit  110  through a network  105 . The network  105  can be any communication infrastructure that supports the electronic exchange of data between the control unit  110  and the one or more sensors  120 . For example, the network  105  may include a local area network (LAN). The network  105  may be any one or combination of wireless or wired networks and may include any one or more of Ethernet, Bluetooth, Bluetooth LE, Z-wave, Zigbee, Wi-Fi, or cellular telephony (e.g., LTE, GSM or GPRS, CDMA, EDGE or other cellular data transfer protocol) technologies. In some examples, the network  105  may include a wireless mesh network or other distributed communication infrastructure. 
     The sensors  120  send various sensor data to the control unit  110 . For example, the sensors  120  can send motion sensing data from one or more motion detectors, status data from one or more door or lock sensors (e.g., door open, lock secured), or light level data from one or more light detectors. Similarly, one or more cameras  130  can send image or video data to the control unit  110 . 
     The control unit  110  also communicates with one or more home automation controls  122 , possibly through the network  105 . The home automation controls  122  connect to one or more devices of the home  102  and enable control of various home actions. For example, the home automation controls  122  can adjust a setting on a thermostat, turn on or off one or more lights, adjust a setting on an appliance, secure a door lock, open a garage door, or control other devices of the home  102 . 
     The home  102  also includes a stair lift  155  for moving the user  104  between floors of the home  102 . The stair lift  155  may be installed alongside a set of stairs and can be of any of various designs. For example, a stair lift  155  can include a set of parallel rails mounted on a wall adjacent to the stairs, where the rails extend from the base of the stairs to the top of the stairs. The stair lift  155  can also include an electromechanical seat  156  attached to the rails. The stair lift  156  can include a motor, which moves the seat  156  along the rails between a location at the base of the stairs and a location at the top of the stairs under electronic control. The user  104  can sit in the seat  156  while it moves, and so travel up or down between floors of the home  102  without manually climbing the stairs. 
     Connected to the stair lift  155  is a stair lift module  157  that communicates with the control unit  110 . For example, the stair lift module  157  can communicate wirelessly with the control unit  110  through the network  105 . In some examples, the stair lift module  157  attaches to the stair lift seat  156  (e.g., underneath the seat). In some examples, the stair lift module  157  attaches to a stationary part of the stair lift  155 . 
     In some implementations, the electric power to the stair lift  155  can be routed through a switch in the stair lift module  157 . For example, the stair lift module  157  can include both an electric plug and a receptacle. The stair lift  155  power plug can be inserted into the stair lift module  157  receptacle, while the stair lift module  157  plug is inserted into a wall outlet, with the power signal routed between a controllable switch. In this way, the stair lift module  157  can disconnect the electric power to the stair lift  155  by opening the switch. 
     The stair lift module  157  communicates with one or more sensors of the stair lift  155 . For example, the stair lift  155  may include a seat sensor that detects whether the user  104  is sitting on the seat  156  of the stair lift  155 . The seat sensor can be, for instance, a force or pressure sensor that detects when a certain weight is present on the seat  156 . 
     In some implementations, the stair lift  155  includes sensors that detect the location of the seat  156 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the stair lift  155  can have a base sensor  158  and a top sensor  159 , positioned near the ends of the stair lift  155 , at the base and the top of the stairs, respectively. In some examples, the base sensor  158  and top sensor  159  detect physical contact with the seat  156 . When the base sensor  158  detects contact, the seat  156  is presumed to be at the base of the stairs (e.g., at the lower floor), when the top sensor  159  detects contact, the seat  156  is presumed to be at the top of the stairs (e.g., at the upper floor). When neither the base sensor  158  nor the top sensor  159  detects contact, the seat  156  is presumed to be somewhere along the rails on the stairs (e.g., between the lower and upper floors). 
     The stair lift  155  can also include sensors that detect motion of the stair lift seat  156 , sensors that detect the location of the seat  156  along the rails (e.g., two feet from the base of the rails, halfway between the base and the top of the rails, etc.), or other sensors. In some examples, the stair lift  155  includes a tilt sensor that detects when the stair lift seat  156  has separated from the wall. The tilt sensor can be a micro-switch, a snap-action switch, or another persistent or momentary contact sensor that provides an indication of the stair lift seat&#39;s  156  contact with the wall. In some examples, the tilt sensor can be an accelerometer, a gyroscope or another sensor that provides an indication of the position and/or orientation of the stair lift seat  156 . 
     In some implementations, the stair lift module  157  and/or one or more of the stair lift sensors can be integrated into the stair lift  155  by the stair lift manufacturer. In some implementations, the stair lift module  157  and/or one or more of the sensors can be separate units attached by a third party (e.g., the user  104 , a contractor, a vendor). 
     In stage (A), the stair lift module  157  sends stair lift data  153  to the control unit  110 . The stair lift data  153  can include, for example, data from the one or more stair lift sensors (e.g., data from the base sensor  158 , the top sensor  159 , the seat sensor). The stair lift data  153  can provide information related to the position and/or motion of the seat  156  on the stair lift  155 , the occupancy of the seat  156  (e.g., whether a person is sitting in the seat  156 ), a change in occupancy of the seat  156  (e.g., a person was in the seat but is not now), a status of the stair lift  155  (e.g., powered off, in use, idle), or other information related to the stair lift  155 . 
     In the example of  FIG. 1 , the seat  156  of the stair lift  155 , occupied by the user  104 , has stopped midway between the lower and upper floors. As a result, the stair lift module  157  sends stair lift data  153  to the control unit  110  indicating that (i) the seat  156  is not in contact with the base sensor  158 , (ii) the seat  156  is not in contact with the top sensor  159 , (iii) the seat sensor indicates that the seat  156  is occupied, and (iv) the seat  156  is not in motion. 
     In stage (B), the control unit  110  sends stair lift data  153  and monitoring system data to the remote monitoring server  160 . The monitoring server  160  may be, for example, one or more computer systems, server systems, or other computing devices located away from the home  102 . In some implementations, the monitoring server  160  is a cloud computing platform. 
     The control unit  110  communicates with the monitoring server  160  via a long-range data link. The long-range data link can include any combination of wired and wireless data networks. For example, the control unit  110  can exchange information with the monitoring server  160  through a wide-area-network (WAN), a cellular telephony network, a wireless data network, a cable connection, a digital subscriber line (DSL), a satellite connection, or other electronic means for data transmission. The control unit  110  and the monitoring server  160  may exchange information using any one or more of various communication synchronous or asynchronous protocols, including the 802.11 family of protocols, GSM, 3G, 4G, 5G, LTE, CDMA-based data exchange or other techniques. 
     The control unit  110  can send some or all of the stair lift data  153  received from the stair lift module  157  to the monitoring server  160 . In some implementations, the control unit  110  processes (e.g., filters, transforms, modifies) the stair lift data  153  before sending it to the stair lift module  157 . 
     The control unit  110  also sends monitoring system data to the monitoring server  160 . The monitoring system data can include sensor data collected by one or more sensors  120 , for example, motion sensing data collected by a motion detector or door lock data collected by a door lock sensor. The monitoring system data can also include image data from one or more cameras  130 . In some examples, the monitoring system data includes a monitoring system status or condition (e.g., “away,” “home,” “unarmed,” etc.), time data, and/or date information. The monitoring system data can also include information related to other devices connected to the monitoring system. For example, the monitoring system data can include a device status (e.g., whether particular lights are powered on, whether particular doors are locked, etc.) or a device setting (e.g., a thermostat setting, an appliance setting). 
     In stage (C), the monitoring server  160  analyzes the stair lift data  153  and monitoring system data received from the control unit  110 . For example, the monitoring server  160  can include an analysis engine that analyzes and processes the data. In some examples, the analysis engine includes one or more machine learning models that are trained on various data. For example, the analysis engine can include a neural network, a maximum entropy model, a decision tree, a support vector machine, a regression model, or another model. 
     In some implementations, the monitoring server  160  analyzes the received stair lift data  153  and the monitoring system data to determine that an event has potentially occurred. For example, based on receiving data indicating that an occupied stair lift seat  156  moved from a lower floor to an upper floor, the monitoring server  160  may determine that the user  104  is potentially on an upper floor. Similarly, based on receiving data indicating that an unoccupied stair lift seat  156  moved from a lower floor to an upper floor, the monitoring server  160  may determine that the user  104  is potentially preparing to descend to the lower floor. 
     In some examples, the monitoring server  160  may determine that a hazardous event has potentially occurred. For example, the server  160  can analyze data to determine that the stair lift seat  156  unexpectedly stopped when moving between floors, which could indicate that the user  104  experienced a medical emergency or that the stair lift  155  malfunctioned. 
     The server  160  can use various stair lift data  153  and/or monitoring system data to discriminate between potentially hazardous events. For example, the server  160  may receive monitoring system data indicating a power failure that may have caused the stair lift seat  156  to stop or stair lift control data  153  indicating a temporary malfunction. The server  160  may also receive data from a health monitoring sensor  120  worn by the user  104 , which can inform a determination of a medical emergency, or data from a seat sensor indicating that the user  104  has potentially fallen from the seat  156 . 
     In some implementations, the monitoring server  160  analyzes data from more than one time to determine that one or more events have potentially occurred. For example, the server  160  may analyze stair lift data  153  from a seat sensor to determine that the occupancy of the seat  156  has changed in a given time period (e.g., the user  104  has fallen from the seat  156 ), or motion data to determine that the seat  156  has not moved in two minutes. 
     In some cases, the monitoring server  160  analyzes stair lift data  153  and other monitoring system data to detect an activity pattern of the user  104 . Based on the detected activity pattern, the server  160  may determine one or more potential events. For example, the server  160  may receive monitoring system data that includes image data from a camera  130  showing the user  104  walking on an upper floor, as well as stair lift data  153  indicating that the stair lift seat  156  is occupied and in motion. If the user  104  is the only authorized stair lift user in the home, the server  160  may determine that the stair lift  155  is being used by an unauthorized person. 
     In some examples, the server  160  can detect an activity pattern that corresponds to a predetermined or learned activity pattern of the user  104 . For example, the server  160  may receive monitoring system data indicating that it is 11 PM and that the television on the lower level was recently powered off, as well as stair lift data  153  indicating that the stair lift seat  156  is occupied and is moving from the lower floor to the upper floor. Based on the activity pattern, the server  160  may determine that the user  104  is going to bed for the night. 
     In the example of  FIG. 1 , the monitoring server  160  receives stair lift data  153  indicating that the seat  156  is located in between the base and the top of the stairs, that the seat  156  is occupied, and that the seat  156  is not moving. Furthermore, the server  160  receives monitoring system data from a health sensor  120  worn by the user  104  indicating a lower-than-normal respiratory rate. Based on the received data, the monitoring server  160  determines that the user  104  has potentially experienced a medical emergency. 
     In stage (D), based on analyzing the stair lift data  153  and the monitoring system data, the monitoring server  160  determines and performs one or more monitoring system actions  178 . In some examples, the monitoring server  160  determines the actions  178  based on detecting a potential event. The monitoring system actions  178  can be any of various operations or actions that can be performed by the monitoring server  160  or by another device of the monitoring system. For example, the monitoring system actions  178  can include setting a status of the monitoring system (e.g., “armed,” “home,” “away”), activating a monitoring system sensor  120 , or triggering recording of a monitoring system camera  130 . 
     The actions  178  can include providing a command to one or more home automation controls  122  to control a device connected to the monitoring system. For example, the actions  178  can cause the automation controls  122  to adjust a thermostat setting, to turn on or off one or more lights in the home, to secure or unlock a door or window lock, to start or stop an appliance, or to control another device connected to the monitoring system. In some implementations, the action  178  provides a command to an electronic home assistant or smart speaker (e.g., commanding the smart speaker to broadcast a message to the user  104  or to wait for a response from the user  104 ). 
     In some implementations, the actions  178  include providing a command to the stair lift  155  through the stair lift module  157 . For example, the monitoring server  160  can send a command to the stair lift module  157  to cause the stair lift seat  156  to begin moving, to stop moving, or to move from one position to another position. The server  160  can also send a command to disconnect power to the stair lift  155 . 
     In some implementations, the actions  178  include sending a notification or alert to an authorized device  140 . For example, the server  160  can send a notification indicating a potential hazardous event has occurred. 
     The authorized device  140  can be, for example, a mobile phone, a tablet, a smart phone, or another mobile computing device that electronically communicates with the monitoring server  160  and/or the control unit  110 . In some examples, the authorized device  140  is associated with the user  104 , with a caregiver  108 , or with another individual. The monitoring server  160  and/or the control unit  110  can communicate with the authorized device  140  through a wireless network, for example, a cellular telephony network, data network, WiFi, Bluetooth, or other wireless communication network. 
     In some examples, the authorized device  140  communicates with the monitoring server  160  and/or the control unit  110  through an application running on the device  140 . The application can be any combination of software, hardware, or firmware, and enables the authorized device  140  to electronically communicate with the monitoring system. For example, through the application, the authorized device  140  may be able to view and/or adjust a status of the monitoring system (e.g., “armed,” “away,” “home”), view and/or initiate recording of data from a monitoring system sensor  120  or camera  130 , and view and/or adjust a setting of a device connected to the monitoring system (e.g., change a thermostat setting, turn on a light, move the stair lift seat  156 ). The authorized device  140  can be configured to receive notifications, alerts, and/or messages from the monitoring server  160  and/or the control unit  110 . 
     In some implementations, the server  160  determines and performs actions  178  that include sending a notification or alert to another authorized party, for example, to a central alarm server, a security guard, emergency services personnel, or another authorized individual. In some examples, a party can be authorized by the user  104  or by the caregiver  108 , for example, through an application running on the authorized device  140 . 
     In some implementations, the monitoring server  160  determines one or more monitoring system actions  178  based on applying one or more rules. The rules can be predetermined (e.g., default rules) or can be set by the user  104  or another individual (e.g., customized rules). The rules can indicate the actions  178  that the monitoring server  160  should perform given a particular analysis of the stair lift data  153  and the monitoring system data (e.g., detection of a particular potential event). For example, the rules can indicate that, if the monitoring server  160  determines that the user  104  potentially experienced a hazardous event while using the stair lift  155 , the server  160  should activate a camera  130  located near the stair lift  155  and send a command to a smart speaker to ask the user  104  if he needs assistance. 
     In  FIG. 1 , based on determining that the user  104  potentially experienced a hazardous event, the monitoring server  160  performs actions  178 , which include activating the camera  130 , which is located near the stair lift  155 , sending a notification to the authorized device  140 , and providing image data from the camera  130  to the authorized device  140 . 
     In some examples, the server  160  can send notifications to more than one authorized device  140 . The server  160  may send different notifications to different authorized devices  140  based on the potential event detected. For example, the server  160  may send a notification to an authorized device  140  associated with a caregiver if it determines that the user  104  has potentially experienced a medical emergency. However, the server  160  may send a notification to an authorized device  140  associated with the user  104  if it determines that the stair lift  155  was potentially used by an unauthorized person. 
     The monitoring server  160  may also perform various other actions  178 . For example, the monitoring server  160  may command a robotic device (e.g., a drone) to go near to or attend to the user  104 . The monitoring server  160  may contact emergency services personnel or sound an audible alarm at the home  102 . 
     In some implementations, the monitoring server  160  may disconnect the power to the stair lift  155 . For example, based on the received data, the monitoring server  160  may determine that the user  104  has potentially fallen from the stair lift seat  156 , but that the seat  156  is still in motion. The monitoring server  160  may send a command to the stair lift module  157  to disconnect the input power to the stair lift  155  to stop the seat  156  from moving. 
     In some implementations, the monitoring server  160  may analyze the stair lift data  153  to monitor the stair lift  155  for recommended maintenance. For example, based on data  153  indicating the status of the stair lift  155  (e.g., powered off, in use, idle), the server  160  can track the number of hours that the stair lift  155  has been used since its last servicing. The monitoring server  160  can then send a notification to an authorized device  140  to advise the user  104  or the caregiver when the stair lift  155  is due for preventive maintenance or other service. 
     In some implementations, the stair lift  155  may include a camera that is mounted to the stair lift chair. The camera may be located above the seat  156  have a field of view that includes the seat  156 . The monitoring server  160  may receive and perform analytics on the image data from the camera. The monitoring server  160  may determine whether the user  104  has fallen from the seat  156  based on performing analytics. During performance of the analytics, the monitoring server  160  may determine whether the user  104  has crossed a predetermined line. If the user  104  has crossed the predetermined line, then the monitoring server  160  may determine that the user  104  has fallen from the seat  156 . Additionally or alternatively, the monitoring server  160  may apply a model trained using machine learning to determine whether the user  104  has fallen from the seat  156 . The model may be trained on labeled images of persons on the seat  156  and labeled images of persons who have fallen from the seat  156 . The camera may be activated in response to a determination by the system such as usage of the stair lift or may always be on. 
     In some implementations, the stair lift  155  may include a microphone. The microphone may be always be active or may be activated in response to a determination by the monitoring server  160  or the stair lift  155 . For example, the monitoring server  160  or the stair lift  155  may determine that the user  104  has fallen from the seat  156  and activate the microphone in response. The microphone may connect to a central station so that an operator at the central station can communication with the user  104 . 
     In some implementations, the seat  156  of the stair lift  155  may include a scale. The monitoring server  160  may receive a weight reading from the scale. The stair lift  155  or the monitoring server  160  may be able to determine who is likely using the stair lift  155  based on the weight reading. The user  104  and any other users of the stair lift in the home may initialize the scale by providing an indication to the stair lift  155  that a new user is sitting on the seat  156 . The stair lift  155  may respond normally when the stair lift detects a recognized weight. Upon detection of a weight that does not match a recognized weight, the stair lift  155  may provide an indication to the monitoring server  160 . The monitoring server  160  may respond differently depending on the armed status of the monitoring system and/or the data received from other sensors. For example, if the weight does not match a recognized weight, the monitoring system is armed stay or away, and the data from the other sensors indicates that the property is likely unoccupied, then the monitoring server  160  may generate an alarm. As another example, if the weight does not match a recognized weight, the monitoring system is unarmed, and the data from the other sensors indicates that the property is likely occupied, then the monitoring server  160  may generate a notification and provide the notification to a resident of the property. 
     In some implementations, the monitoring server  160  may determine that an emergency event is occurring at the property. For example, the monitoring server  160  may determine that there is a fire at the property. In response to the emergency event, the monitoring server  160  may analyze the sensor data to determine that a resident of the property is likely on a level of the property that does not include a door to the outside. The monitor server  160  may provide an instruction to the stair lift  155  to move to the floor where the resident is located. Upon detection of the resident sitting down on the seat  156 , the stair lift  155  may automatically move to the floor with the door to the outside. 
       FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C  are diagrams illustrating examples of scenarios  200 ,  220 , and  240 , respectively using stair lift monitoring. In the example scenarios, the monitoring server performs various actions in response to detecting that the user has awoken in the morning ( 200 ), that the user is going to bed for the night ( 220 ), and that stair lift seat is located at a different floor than the one the user is on ( 240 ). 
     In scenario  200  of  FIG. 2A , based on stair lift data and monitoring system data received from the control unit, the monitoring server determined that the user has awoken in the morning on the upper floor of the home. For example, the monitoring server may have received motion sensing data indicating that motion was detected on the upper floor of the home and that the time is 7:00 AM. In some examples, the user may notify the monitoring server that he has awoken by pressing a button on a device connected to the monitoring system or by sending a message to the monitoring server using an application on his authorized mobile device. The monitoring server can also receive data related to the stair lift. In scenario  200 , the server received data indicating that the stair lift seat was at the base of the stairs, near the lower floor. The user and the seat may be located on different floors for any of various reasons. For instance, the user may have walked up the stairs to arrive at the second floor, or the stair lift seat may have been returned to the base of the stairs for stowage overnight. 
     Based on determining that the user has awoken in the morning, the monitoring server performs monitoring system actions to enhance the user&#39;s convenience, safety, and comfort. In scenario  200 , because the stair lift seat is at the base of the stairs, the monitoring server commands the stair lift module to move the seat to the top of the stairs so that the seat is available for the user, who is on the upper floor. 
     The monitoring server can also command the automation controls to adjust various settings of devices connected to the monitoring system. In scenario  200 , the monitoring server commands the controls to turn on the lights on the lower floor and adjust the thermostat to a daytime setting, in preparation for the user  104  descending the stairs. 
     In scenario  220  of  FIG. 2B , based on stair lift data and monitoring system data received from the control unit, the monitoring server determined that the user is going to bed for the night. For example, the monitoring server may have received stair lift data indicating that the stair lift seat is moving from the lower floor to the upper floor and that the time is 11:00 PM. In some examples, the user may notify the monitoring server that he is going to bed (e.g., by pressing a button on a monitoring system device or sending a message using an application on his mobile device). 
     Based on determining that the user is going to bed, the monitoring server performs monitoring system actions that include turning off one or more lights on the lower floor, adjusting the thermostat to a nighttime setting, and setting the monitoring system status to “armed.” 
     In scenario  240  of  FIG. 2C , based on stair lift data and monitoring system data received from the control unit, the monitoring server determined that the user is on the upper floor while the stair lift seat is at the base of the stairs, near the lower floor. For example, the monitoring server may have received motion sensing data detecting movement on the upper level, as well as stair lift data indicating that the stair lift seat is in contact with a sensor at the base of the stairs. In some examples, the monitoring server may have received image data from a camera in the home showing the user on the upper floor of the home. 
     Based on determining that the user is on the upper floor while the stair lift seat is at the base of the stairs, the monitoring server commands the stair lift module to move the stair lift seat to the top of the stairs so that the seat is available for the user. 
     In some implementations, the monitoring server analyzes stair lift data and monitoring system data to determine an activity pattern of the user. In some cases, the monitoring server associates an activity pattern with a potential event. For example, in scenarios  200  and  220  above, the monitoring server analyzed the received data to determine activity patterns associated with the user waking-up and going to bed, respectively. 
     The monitoring server can also analyze data to determine activity patterns that include stair lift usage (e.g., the stair lift seat was moved between the upper and lower floor three times in a given day). The activity patterns can be stored by the monitoring server, for example, in a memory system of the monitoring server. In some examples, the monitoring server provides the stored activity data (or one or more summaries of the activity data) to the user and/or to the caregiver, enabling them to monitor the user&#39;s mobility and activity. 
     In some implementations, the monitoring server may use stored activity data to train and/or update a machine learning model. For example, the monitoring server may use stored activity data to train and update a machine learning model used to detect potential events (e.g., the user has experienced a hazardous event, the user has awoken for the day, the user is going to bed at night, etc.). 
       FIG. 3  is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method  300  for stair lift monitoring. The method  300  can be implemented by one or more computer systems, for example, the monitoring server  160  of the system  100 . Briefly, the method  300  includes receiving, from one or more sensors, sensor data related to a stair lift ( 302 ); receiving, from a monitoring system, monitoring system data ( 304 ); analyzing sensor data and monitoring system data to determine that a particular event has potentially occurred ( 306 ); based on determining that a particular event has potentially occurred, determining one or more monitoring system actions by applying one or more rules ( 308 ); and performing the one or more monitoring system actions ( 310 ). 
     In more detail, the monitoring server receives, from one or more sensors, sensor data related to a stair lift ( 302 ). The sensor data can include, for example, data from one or more sensors along the stair lift (e.g., a base sensor and a top sensor) or data from a sensor of the stair lift seat. The sensor data can indicate a location of the stair lift seat (e.g., at the bottom of the lift, at the top of the lift, at a location along the stairs between the bottom and top of the lift), or an occupancy of the stair lift seat (e.g., seat is occupied, seat is unoccupied). The sensor data can indicate whether the stair lift seat is in motion and/or the seat&#39;s speed. 
     In some implementations, the monitoring server receives the sensor data related to a stair lift over a data link from a monitoring system control unit. The control unit may receive the sensor data from a stair lift module connected to the stair lift, where the stair lift module collects data from one or more stair lift sensors. 
     The monitoring server also receives, from a monitoring system, monitoring system data ( 304 ). For example, the monitoring server can receive monitoring system data from the control unit over the data link. The monitoring system data can include data from one or more sensors of the monitoring system (e.g., motion detectors, door or window lock sensors, appliance sensors, resource usage sensors). The monitoring system data can also include image data from one or more cameras of the monitoring system, status data of the system (e.g, “armed,” “home,” “away”), and data provided by a user of the monitoring system (e.g., data input through a button press, a control panel, or an application running on a mobile device or other computing device). The monitoring system data can include information related to one or more devices connected to the monitoring system, for example, a status or a setting of a device (e.g., a status of one or more lights in the home, a setting of a thermostat or HVAC system, a setting of an appliance). The monitoring system data can include time and/or date information, or other context information. 
     In method  300 , the monitoring server analyzes the sensor data and monitoring system data to determine that a particular event has potentially occurred ( 306 ). For example, the monitoring server can analyze sensor data and monitoring system data to determine that a user has potentially fallen from the stair lift seat, that the user has potentially experienced a hazardous event, or that the stair lift has potentially malfunctioned. In some examples, the monitoring system analyzes the data to determine an activity pattern that is associated with a potential event, for example, that the user has awoken for the day or is going to bed for the night. In some examples, the monitoring system may determine that the user is on a particular floor of the home while the stair lift seat is near another floor of the home (e.g., at the opposite end of the stairs). 
     In some implementations, the monitoring server analyzes the sensor data and monitoring system data using a machine learning model. In some examples, the machine learning model is trained on received or processed sensor data and monitoring system data stored by the monitoring server. In some examples, the machine learning model is updated over time (e.g., learns) using data related to a particular home and/or user. 
     Based on determining that a particular event has potentially occurred, the monitoring server determines one or more monitoring system actions by applying one or more rules ( 308 ). The one or more rules can be predetermined (e.g., default rules). The rules can also be set by the user, the caregiver, or another authorized individual (e.g., through a control panel, through an application running on an authorized device or other computing device). 
     The monitoring system actions determined by the monitoring server can include, for example, sending a command to a monitoring system sensor or camera (e.g., to initiate recording of data). The actions can also include sending a command to automation controls of the monitoring system to adjust a setting of a device connected to the monitoring system. For example, the monitoring server can send a command to turn on or off a light, to adjust a thermostat setting, or to adjust an appliance setting. In some cases, the monitoring server may sound an audible alarm in the home. 
     In some implementations, the actions can include sending a command to the stair lift. For example, the server can command the stair lift module to disconnect power to the stair lift, to stop motion of the stair lift seat, or to move the stair lift seat from one location to another location. 
     In some examples, the actions can include commanding a smart speaker or electronic home assistant to speak to the user in the home or wait for a response from the user. 
     The actions can include deploying a robotic device (e.g., a drone) to a location near the stair lift. For example, the server can deploy a drone equipped with a camera and/or microphone to go near to the stair lift to obtain video and/or audio data to determine whether the user has experienced a medical emergency or other hazardous event. In some examples, the drone can interact with the user, for example, by landing near the stair lift such that the user can press an emergency button located on the drone. In some examples, the drone includes a speaker and microphone that facilitate communication between the user and emergency personnel (e.g., by calling  911  or a central alarm station). 
     In some implementations, the actions can include sending a notification or an alert to an authorized mobile device (e.g., a mobile device associated with the user or with the caregiver). In some cases, the monitoring server may provide image data or other sensor data to the mobile device, for example, image data from a camera located near the stair lift. 
     In some implementations, the actions can include contacting another party, for example, notifying a central alarm server, a security guard, or emergency services personnel (e.g., if the server determined that a medical emergency or other hazardous event potentially occurred). 
     The method  300  further includes performing the one or more determined monitoring system actions ( 310 ). The actions can be performed by the monitoring server or by another device connected to the monitoring system (e.g., the control unit). 
       FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating an example of a home monitoring system  400 . The electronic system  400  includes a network  405 , a control unit  410 , one or more user devices  440  and  450 , a monitoring server  460 , and a central alarm station server  470 . In some examples, the network  405  facilitates communications between the control unit  410 , the one or more user devices  440  and  450 , the monitoring server  460 , and the central alarm station server  470 . 
     The network  405  is configured to enable exchange of electronic communications between devices connected to the network  405 . For example, the network  405  may be configured to enable exchange of electronic communications between the control unit  410 , the one or more user devices  440  and  450 , the monitoring server  460 , and the central alarm station server  470 . The network  405  may include, for example, one or more of the Internet, Wide Area Networks (WANs), Local Area Networks (LANs), analog or digital wired and wireless telephone networks (e.g., a public switched telephone network (PSTN), Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), a cellular network, and Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)), radio, television, cable, satellite, or any other delivery or tunneling mechanism for carrying data. Network  405  may include multiple networks or subnetworks, each of which may include, for example, a wired or wireless data pathway. The network  405  may include a circuit-switched network, a packet-switched data network, or any other network able to carry electronic communications (e.g., data or voice communications). For example, the network  405  may include networks based on the Internet protocol (IP), asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), the PSTN, packet-switched networks based on IP, X.25, or Frame Relay, or other comparable technologies and may support voice using, for example, VoIP, or other comparable protocols used for voice communications. The network  405  may include one or more networks that include wireless data channels and wireless voice channels. The network  405  may be a wireless network, a broadband network, or a combination of networks including a wireless network and a broadband network. 
     The control unit  410  includes a controller  412  and a network module  414 . The controller  412  is configured to control a control unit monitoring system (e.g., a control unit system) that includes the control unit  410 . In some examples, the controller  412  may include a processor or other control circuitry configured to execute instructions of a program that controls operation of a control unit system. In these examples, the controller  412  may be configured to receive input from sensors, flow meters, or other devices included in the control unit system and control operations of devices included in the household (e.g., speakers, lights, doors, etc.). For example, the controller  412  may be configured to control operation of the network module  414  included in the control unit  410 . 
     The network module  414  is a communication device configured to exchange communications over the network  405 . The network module  414  may be a wireless communication module configured to exchange wireless communications over the network  405 . For example, the network module  414  may be a wireless communication device configured to exchange communications over a wireless data channel and a wireless voice channel. In this example, the network module  414  may transmit alarm data over a wireless data channel and establish a two-way voice communication session over a wireless voice channel. The wireless communication device may include one or more of a LTE module, a GSM module, a radio modem, cellular transmission module, or any type of module configured to exchange communications in one of the following formats: LTE, GSM or GPRS, CDMA, EDGE or EGPRS, EV-DO or EVDO, UMTS, or IP. 
     The network module  414  also may be a wired communication module configured to exchange communications over the network  405  using a wired connection. For instance, the network module  414  may be a modem, a network interface card, or another type of network interface device. The network module  414  may be an Ethernet network card configured to enable the control unit  410  to communicate over a local area network and/or the Internet. The network module  414  also may be a voice band modem configured to enable the alarm panel to communicate over the telephone lines of Plain Old Telephone Systems (POTS). 
     The control unit system that includes the control unit  410  includes one or more sensors. For example, the monitoring system may include multiple sensors  420 . The sensors  420  may include a lock sensor, a contact sensor, a motion sensor, or any other type of sensor included in a control unit system. The sensors  420  also may include an environmental sensor, such as a temperature sensor, a water sensor, a rain sensor, a wind sensor, a light sensor, a smoke detector, a carbon monoxide detector, an air quality sensor, etc. The sensors  420  further may include a health monitoring sensor, such as a prescription bottle sensor that monitors taking of prescriptions, a blood pressure sensor, a blood sugar sensor, a bed mat configured to sense presence of liquid (e.g., bodily fluids) on the bed mat, etc. In some examples, the health monitoring sensor can be a wearable sensor that attaches to a user in the home. The health monitoring sensor can collect various health data, including pulse, heart-rate, respiration rate, sugar or glucose level, bodily temperature, or motion data. 
     The sensors  420  can also include a radio-frequency identification (RFID) sensor that identifies a particular article that includes a pre-assigned RFID tag. 
     The control unit  410  communicates with the home automation controls  422  and a camera  430  to perform monitoring. The home automation controls  422  are connected to one or more devices that enable automation of actions in the home. For instance, the home automation controls  422  may be connected to one or more lighting systems and may be configured to control operation of the one or more lighting systems. Also, the home automation controls  422  may be connected to one or more electronic locks at the home and may be configured to control operation of the one or more electronic locks (e.g., control Z-Wave locks using wireless communications in the Z-Wave protocol). Further, the home automation controls  422  may be connected to one or more appliances at the home and may be configured to control operation of the one or more appliances. The home automation controls  422  may include multiple modules that are each specific to the type of device being controlled in an automated manner. The home automation controls  422  may control the one or more devices based on commands received from the control unit  410 . For instance, the home automation controls  422  may cause a lighting system to illuminate an area to provide a better image of the area when captured by a camera  430 . 
     The camera  430  may be a video/photographic camera or other type of optical sensing device configured to capture images. For instance, the camera  430  may be configured to capture images of an area within a building or home monitored by the control unit  410 . The camera  430  may be configured to capture single, static images of the area and also video images of the area in which multiple images of the area are captured at a relatively high frequency (e.g., thirty images per second). The camera  430  may be controlled based on commands received from the control unit  410 . 
     The camera  430  may be triggered by several different types of techniques. For instance, a Passive Infra-Red (PIR) motion sensor may be built into the camera  430  and used to trigger the camera  430  to capture one or more images when motion is detected. The camera  430  also may include a microwave motion sensor built into the camera and used to trigger the camera  430  to capture one or more images when motion is detected. The camera  430  may have a “normally open” or “normally closed” digital input that can trigger capture of one or more images when external sensors (e.g., the sensors  420 , PIR, door/window, etc.) detect motion or other events. In some implementations, the camera  430  receives a command to capture an image when external devices detect motion or another potential alarm event. The camera  430  may receive the command from the controller  412  or directly from one of the sensors  420 . 
     In some examples, the camera  430  triggers integrated or external illuminators (e.g., Infra-Red, Z-wave controlled “white” lights, lights controlled by the home automation controls  422 , etc.) to improve image quality when the scene is dark. An integrated or separate light sensor may be used to determine if illumination is desired and may result in increased image quality. 
     The camera  430  may be programmed with any combination of time/day schedules, system “arming state”, or other variables to determine whether images should be captured or not when triggers occur. The camera  430  may enter a low-power mode when not capturing images. In this case, the camera  430  may wake periodically to check for inbound messages from the controller  412 . The camera  430  may be powered by internal, replaceable batteries if located remotely from the control unit  410 . The camera  430  may employ a small solar cell to recharge the battery when light is available. Alternatively, the camera  430  may be powered by the controller&#39;s  412  power supply if the camera  430  is co-located with the controller  412 . 
     In some implementations, the camera  430  communicates directly with the monitoring server  460  over the Internet. In these implementations, image data captured by the camera  430  does not pass through the control unit  410  and the camera  430  receives commands related to operation from the monitoring server  460 . 
     The system  400  also includes thermostat  434  to perform dynamic environmental control at the home. The thermostat  434  is configured to monitor temperature and/or energy consumption of an HVAC system associated with the thermostat  434 , and is further configured to provide control of environmental (e.g., temperature) settings. In some implementations, the thermostat  434  can additionally or alternatively receive data relating to activity at a home and/or environmental data at a home, e.g., at various locations indoors and outdoors at the home. The thermostat  434  can directly measure energy consumption of the HVAC system associated with the thermostat, or can estimate energy consumption of the HVAC system associated with the thermostat  434 , for example, based on detected usage of one or more components of the HVAC system associated with the thermostat  434 . The thermostat  434  can communicate temperature and/or energy monitoring information to or from the control unit  410  and can control the environmental (e.g., temperature) settings based on commands received from the control unit  410 . 
     In some implementations, the thermostat  434  is a dynamically programmable thermostat and can be integrated with the control unit  410 . For example, the dynamically programmable thermostat  434  can include the control unit  410 , e.g., as an internal component to the dynamically programmable thermostat  434 . In addition, the control unit  410  can be a gateway device that communicates with the dynamically programmable thermostat  434 . In some implementations, the thermostat  434  is controlled via one or more home automation controls  422 . 
     A module  437  is connected to one or more components of an HVAC system associated with a home, and is configured to control operation of the one or more components of the HVAC system. In some implementations, the module  437  is also configured to monitor energy consumption of the HVAC system components, for example, by directly measuring the energy consumption of the HVAC system components or by estimating the energy usage of the one or more HVAC system components based on detecting usage of components of the HVAC system. The module  437  can communicate energy monitoring information and the state of the HVAC system components to the thermostat  434  and can control the one or more components of the HVAC system based on commands received from the thermostat  434 . 
     The system  400  includes one or more stair lift modules  457 . Each of the one or more stair lift module  457  connects to a stair lift of the home. The stair lift modules  457  can be computing devices (e.g., a computer, microcontroller, FPGA, ASIC, or other device capable of electronic computation) capable of receiving data related to the stair lift and communicating electronically with the monitoring system control unit  410 . The stair lift module  457  can be integrated into the stair lift by the stair lift manufacturer, or can be connected by a third party. The stair lift module  457  can be located on a stationary or movable component of the stair lift, for example, it can be attached to the stair lift seat. 
     In some implementations, electric power to the stair lift is routed through the stair lift module  457  such that the stair lift module  457  can connect or disconnect power to the stair lift, e.g., by setting a switch. 
     The stair lift module  457  receives data from one or more stair lift sensors. The stair lift sensors can include, for example, sensors that detect a location of the stair lift seat (e.g., at the base of the stairs, partway up the stairs, at the top of the stairs). The stair lift sensors can also include force, pressure, or other sensors on the stair lift seat that detect occupancy of the seat. For example, the stair lift sensor can include a pressure-sensitive mat placed on or in the seat that detects the weight of a person sitting in the seat. In some examples, the stair lift sensors can indicate motion of the seat (whether it is in motion, its speed, and other motion parameters). 
     The stair lift module  457  can receive data from the one or more stair lift sensors through any combination of wired and/or wireless data links. For example, the stair lift module  457  can receive sensor data via a Bluetooth, Bluetooth LE, Z-wave, or Zigbee data link. 
     The stair lift module  457  communicates electronically with the control unit  410 . For example, the stair lift module  457  can send data related to the stair lift to the control unit  410  and receive commands related to stair lift operation. In some examples, the stair lift module  457  processes or generates stair lift data prior to sending it to the control unit  410 . 
     In some examples, the system  400  further includes one or more robotic devices  490 . The robotic devices  490  may be any type of robots that are capable of moving and taking actions that assist in home monitoring. For example, the robotic devices  490  may include drones that are capable of moving throughout a home based on automated control technology and/or user input control provided by a user. In this example, the drones may be able to fly, roll, walk, or otherwise move about the home. The drones may include helicopter type devices (e.g., quad copters), rolling helicopter type devices (e.g., roller copter devices that can fly and also roll along the ground, walls, or ceiling) and land vehicle type devices (e.g., automated cars that drive around a home). In some cases, the robotic devices  490  may be robotic devices  490  that are intended for other purposes and merely associated with the system  400  for use in appropriate circumstances. For instance, a robotic vacuum cleaner device may be associated with the monitoring system  400  as one of the robotic devices  490  and may be controlled to take action responsive to monitoring system events. 
     In some examples, the robotic devices  490  automatically navigate within a home. In these examples, the robotic devices  490  include sensors and control processors that guide movement of the robotic devices  490  within the home. For instance, the robotic devices  490  may navigate within the home using one or more cameras, one or more proximity sensors, one or more gyroscopes, one or more accelerometers, one or more magnetometers, a global positioning system (GPS) unit, an altimeter, one or more sonar or laser sensors, and/or any other types of sensors that aid in navigation about a space. The robotic devices  490  may include control processors that process output from the various sensors and control the robotic devices  490  to move along a path that reaches the desired destination and avoids obstacles. In this regard, the control processors detect walls or other obstacles in the home and guide movement of the robotic devices  490  in a manner that avoids the walls and other obstacles. 
     In addition, the robotic devices  490  may store data that describes attributes of the home. For instance, the robotic devices  490  may store a floorplan and/or a three-dimensional model of the home that enables the robotic devices  490  to navigate the home. During initial configuration, the robotic devices  490  may receive the data describing attributes of the home, determine a frame of reference to the data (e.g., a home or reference location in the home), and navigate the home based on the frame of reference and the data describing attributes of the home. Further, initial configuration of the robotic devices  490  also may include learning of one or more navigation patterns in which a user provides input to control the robotic devices  490  to perform a specific navigation action (e.g., fly to an upstairs bedroom and spin around while capturing video and then return to a home charging base). In this regard, the robotic devices  490  may learn and store the navigation patterns such that the robotic devices  490  may automatically repeat the specific navigation actions upon a later request. 
     In some examples, the robotic devices  490  may include data capture and recording devices. In these examples, the robotic devices  490  may include one or more cameras, one or more motion sensors, one or more microphones, one or more biometric data collection tools, one or more temperature sensors, one or more humidity sensors, one or more air flow sensors, and/or any other types of sensors that may be useful in capturing monitoring data related to the home and users in the home. The one or more biometric data collection tools may be configured to collect biometric samples of a person in the home with or without contact of the person. For instance, the biometric data collection tools may include a fingerprint scanner, a hair sample collection tool, a skin cell collection tool, and/or any other tool that allows the robotic devices  490  to take and store a biometric sample that can be used to identify the person (e.g., a biometric sample with DNA that can be used for DNA testing). 
     In some implementations, the robotic devices  490  may include output devices. In these implementations, the robotic devices  490  may include one or more displays, one or more speakers, and/or any type of output devices that allow the robotic devices  490  to communicate information to a nearby user. 
     The robotic devices  490  also may include a communication module that enables the robotic devices  490  to communicate with the control unit  410 , each other, and/or other devices. The communication module may be a wireless communication module that allows the robotic devices  490  to communicate wirelessly. For instance, the communication module may be a Wi-Fi module that enables the robotic devices  490  to communicate over a local wireless network at the home. The communication module further may be a 900 MHz wireless communication module that enables the robotic devices  490  to communicate directly with the control unit  410 . Other types of short-range wireless communication protocols, such as Bluetooth, Bluetooth LE, Z-wave, Zigbee, etc., may be used to allow the robotic devices  490  to communicate with other devices in the home. In some implementations, the robotic devices  490  may communicate with each other or with other devices of the system  400  through the network  405 . 
     The robotic devices  490  further may include processor and storage capabilities. The robotic devices  490  may include any suitable processing devices that enable the robotic devices  490  to operate applications and perform the actions described throughout this disclosure. In addition, the robotic devices  490  may include solid state electronic storage that enables the robotic devices  490  to store applications, configuration data, collected sensor data, and/or any other type of information available to the robotic devices  490 . 
     The robotic devices  490  are associated with one or more charging stations. The charging stations may be located at predefined home base or reference locations in the home. The robotic devices  490  may be configured to navigate to the charging stations after completion of tasks needed to be performed for the monitoring system  400 . For instance, after completion of a monitoring operation or upon instruction by the control unit  410 , the robotic devices  490  may be configured to automatically fly to and land on one of the charging stations. In this regard, the robotic devices  490  may automatically maintain a fully charged battery in a state in which the robotic devices  490  are ready for use by the monitoring system  400 . 
     The charging stations may be contact based charging stations and/or wireless charging stations. For contact based charging stations, the robotic devices  490  may have readily accessible points of contact that the robotic devices  490  are capable of positioning and mating with a corresponding contact on the charging station. For instance, a helicopter type robotic device may have an electronic contact on a portion of its landing gear that rests on and mates with an electronic pad of a charging station when the helicopter type robotic device lands on the charging station. The electronic contact on the robotic device may include a cover that opens to expose the electronic contact when the robotic device is charging and closes to cover and insulate the electronic contact when the robotic device is in operation. 
     For wireless charging stations, the robotic devices  490  may charge through a wireless exchange of power. In these cases, the robotic devices  490  need only locate themselves closely enough to the wireless charging stations for the wireless exchange of power to occur. In this regard, the positioning needed to land at a predefined home base or reference location in the home may be less precise than with a contact based charging station. Based on the robotic devices  490  landing at a wireless charging station, the wireless charging station outputs a wireless signal that the robotic devices  490  receive and convert to a power signal that charges a battery maintained on the robotic devices  490 . 
     In some implementations, each of the robotic devices  490  has a corresponding and assigned charging station such that the number of robotic devices  490  equals the number of charging stations. In these implementations, the robotic devices  490  always navigate to the specific charging station assigned to that robotic device. For instance, a first robotic device may always use a first charging station and a second robotic device may always use a second charging station. 
     In some examples, the robotic devices  490  may share charging stations. For instance, the robotic devices  490  may use one or more community charging stations that are capable of charging multiple robotic devices  490 . The community charging station may be configured to charge multiple robotic devices  490  in parallel. The community charging station may be configured to charge multiple robotic devices  490  in serial such that the multiple robotic devices  490  take turns charging and, when fully charged, return to a predefined home base or reference location in the home that is not associated with a charger. The number of community charging stations may be less than the number of robotic devices  490 . 
     Also, the charging stations may not be assigned to specific robotic devices  490  and may be capable of charging any of the robotic devices  490 . In this regard, the robotic devices  490  may use any suitable, unoccupied charging station when not in use. For instance, when one of the robotic devices  490  has completed an operation or is in need of battery charge, the control unit  410  references a stored table of the occupancy status of each charging station and instructs the robotic device to navigate to the nearest charging station that is unoccupied. 
     The system  400  further includes one or more integrated security devices  480 . The one or more integrated security devices may include any type of device used to provide alerts based on received sensor data. For instance, the one or more control units  410  may provide one or more alerts to the one or more integrated security input/output devices  480 . Additionally, the one or more control units  410  may receive one or more sensor data from the sensors  420  and determine whether to provide an alert to the one or more integrated security input/output devices  480 . 
     The sensors  420 , the home automation controls  422 , the camera  430 , the thermostat  434 , and the integrated security devices  480  may communicate with the controller  412  over communication links  424 ,  426 ,  428 ,  432 ,  438 , and  484 . The communication links  424 ,  426 ,  428 ,  432 ,  438 , and  484  may be a wired or wireless data pathway configured to transmit signals from the sensors  420 , the home automation controls  422 , the camera  430 , the thermostat  434 , and the integrated security devices  480  to the controller  412 . The sensors  420 , the home automation controls  422 , the camera  430 , the thermostat  434 , and the integrated security devices  480  may continuously transmit sensed values to the controller  412 , periodically transmit sensed values to the controller  412 , or transmit sensed values to the controller  412  in response to a change in a sensed value. 
     The communication links  424 ,  426 ,  428 ,  432 ,  438 , and  484  may include a local network. The sensors  420 , the home automation controls  422 , the camera  430 , the thermostat  434 , and the integrated security devices  480 , and the controller  412  may exchange data and commands over the local network. The local network may include 802.11 “Wi-Fi” wireless Ethernet (e.g., using low-power Wi-Fi chipsets), Z-Wave, Zigbee, Bluetooth, “Homeplug” or other “Powerline” networks that operate over AC wiring, and a Category 5 (CATS) or Category 6 (CAT6) wired Ethernet network. The local network may be a mesh network constructed based on the devices connected to the mesh network. 
     The monitoring server  460  is an electronic device configured to provide monitoring services by exchanging electronic communications with the control unit  410 , the one or more user devices  440  and  450 , and the central alarm station server  470  over the network  405 . For example, the monitoring server  460  may be configured to monitor events (e.g., alarm events) generated by the control unit  410 . In this example, the monitoring server  460  may exchange electronic communications with the network module  414  included in the control unit  410  to receive information regarding events (e.g., alerts) detected by the control unit  410 . The monitoring server  460  also may receive information regarding events (e.g., alerts) from the one or more user devices  440  and  450 . 
     In some examples, the monitoring server  460  may route alert data received from the network module  414  or the one or more user devices  440  and  450  to the central alarm station server  470 . For example, the monitoring server  460  may transmit the alert data to the central alarm station server  470  over the network  405 . 
     The monitoring server  460  may store sensor and image data received from the monitoring system and perform analysis of sensor and image data received from the monitoring system. Based on the analysis, the monitoring server  460  may communicate with and control aspects of the control unit  410  or the one or more user devices  440  and  450 . 
     The monitoring server  460  may provide various monitoring services to the system  400 . For example, the monitoring server  460  may analyze the sensor, image, and other data to determine an activity pattern of a resident of the home monitored by the system  400 . In some implementations, the monitoring server  460  may analyze the data for alarm conditions or may determine and perform actions at the home by issuing commands to one or more of the controls  422 , possibly through the control unit  410 . 
     The central alarm station server  470  is an electronic device configured to provide alarm monitoring service by exchanging communications with the control unit  410 , the one or more mobile devices  440  and  450 , and the monitoring server  460  over the network  405 . For example, the central alarm station server  470  may be configured to monitor alerting events generated by the control unit  410 . In this example, the central alarm station server  470  may exchange communications with the network module  414  included in the control unit  410  to receive information regarding alerting events detected by the control unit  410 . The central alarm station server  470  also may receive information regarding alerting events from the one or more mobile devices  440  and  450  and/or the monitoring server  460 . 
     The central alarm station server  470  is connected to multiple terminals  472  and  474 . The terminals  472  and  474  may be used by operators to process alerting events. For example, the central alarm station server  470  may route alerting data to the terminals  472  and  474  to enable an operator to process the alerting data. The terminals  472  and  474  may include general-purpose computers (e.g., desktop personal computers, workstations, or laptop computers) that are configured to receive alerting data from a server in the central alarm station server  470  and render a display of information based on the alerting data. For instance, the controller  412  may control the network module  414  to transmit, to the central alarm station server  470 , alerting data indicating that a sensor  420  detected motion from a motion sensor via the sensors  420 . The central alarm station server  470  may receive the alerting data and route the alerting data to the terminal  472  for processing by an operator associated with the terminal  472 . The terminal  472  may render a display to the operator that includes information associated with the alerting event (e.g., the lock sensor data, the motion sensor data, the contact sensor data, etc.) and the operator may handle the alerting event based on the displayed information. 
     In some implementations, the terminals  472  and  474  may be mobile devices or devices designed for a specific function. Although  FIG. 4  illustrates two terminals for brevity, actual implementations may include more (and, perhaps, many more) terminals. 
     The one or more authorized user devices  440  and  450  are devices that host and display user interfaces. For instance, the user device  440  is a mobile device that hosts or runs one or more native applications (e.g., the smart home application  442 ). The user device  440  may be a cellular phone or a non-cellular locally networked device with a display. The user device  440  may include a cell phone, a smart phone, a tablet PC, a personal digital assistant (“PDA”), or any other portable device configured to communicate over a network and display information. For example, implementations may also include Blackberry-type devices (e.g., as provided by Research in Motion), electronic organizers, iPhone-type devices (e.g., as provided by Apple), iPod devices (e.g., as provided by Apple) or other portable music players, other communication devices, and handheld or portable electronic devices for gaming, communications, and/or data organization. The user device  440  may perform functions unrelated to the monitoring system, such as placing personal telephone calls, playing music, playing video, displaying pictures, browsing the Internet, maintaining an electronic calendar, etc. 
     The user device  440  includes a smart home application  442 . The smart home application  442  refers to a software/firmware program running on the corresponding mobile device that enables the user interface and features described throughout. The user device  440  may load or install the smart home application  442  based on data received over a network or data received from local media. The smart home application  442  runs on mobile devices platforms, such as iPhone, iPod touch, Blackberry, Google Android, Windows Mobile, etc. The smart home application  442  enables the user device  440  to receive and process image and sensor data from the monitoring system. 
     The user device  450  may be a general-purpose computer (e.g., a desktop personal computer, a workstation, or a laptop computer) that is configured to communicate with the monitoring server  460  and/or the control unit  410  over the network  405 . The user device  450  may be configured to display a smart home user interface  452  that is generated by the user device  450  or generated by the monitoring server  460 . For example, the user device  450  may be configured to display a user interface (e.g., a web page) provided by the monitoring server  460  that enables a user to perceive images captured by the camera  430  and/or reports related to the monitoring system. Although  FIG. 4  illustrates two user devices for brevity, actual implementations may include more (and, perhaps, many more) or fewer user devices. 
     In some implementations, the one or more user devices  440  and  450  communicate with and receive monitoring system data from the control unit  410  using the communication link  438 . For instance, the one or more user devices  440  and  450  may communicate with the control unit  410  using various local wireless protocols such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Z-wave, Zigbee, HomePlug (ethernet over power line), or wired protocols such as Ethernet and USB, to connect the one or more user devices  440  and  450  to local security and automation equipment. The one or more user devices  440  and  450  may connect locally to the monitoring system and its sensors and other devices. The local connection may improve the speed of status and control communications because communicating through the network  405  with a remote server (e.g., the monitoring server  460 ) may be significantly slower. 
     Although the one or more user devices  440  and  450  are shown as communicating with the control unit  410 , the one or more user devices  440  and  450  may communicate directly with the sensors and other devices controlled by the control unit  410 . In some implementations, the one or more user devices  440  and  450  replace the control unit  410  and perform the functions of the control unit  410  for local monitoring and long range/offsite communication. 
     In other implementations, the one or more user devices  440  and  450  receive monitoring system data captured by the control unit  410  through the network  405 . The one or more user devices  440 ,  450  may receive the data from the control unit  410  through the network  405  or the monitoring server  460  may relay data received from the control unit  410  to the one or more user devices  440  and  450  through the network  405 . In this regard, the monitoring server  460  may facilitate communication between the one or more user devices  440  and  450  and the monitoring system. 
     In some implementations, the one or more user devices  440  and  450  may be configured to switch whether the one or more user devices  440  and  450  communicate with the control unit  410  directly (e.g., through link  438 ) or through the monitoring server  460  (e.g., through network  405 ) based on a location of the one or more user devices  440  and  450 . For instance, when the one or more user devices  440  and  450  are located close to the control unit  410  and in range to communicate directly with the control unit  410 , the one or more user devices  440  and  450  use direct communication. When the one or more user devices  440  and  450  are located far from the control unit  410  and not in range to communicate directly with the control unit  410 , the one or more user devices  440  and  450  use communication through the monitoring server  460 . 
     Although the one or more user devices  440  and  450  are shown as being connected to the network  405 , in some implementations, the one or more user devices  440  and  450  are not connected to the network  405 . In these implementations, the one or more user devices  440  and  450  communicate directly with one or more of the monitoring system components and no network (e.g., Internet) connection or reliance on remote servers is needed. 
     In some implementations, the one or more user devices  440  and  450  are used in conjunction with only local sensors and/or local devices in a house. In these implementations, the system  400  includes the one or more user devices  440  and  450 , the sensors  420 , the home automation controls  422 , the camera  430 , the robotic devices  490 , and the stair lift module  457 . The one or more user devices  440  and  450  receive data directly from the sensors  420 , the home automation controls  422 , the camera  430 , the robotic devices  490 , and the stair lift module  457  and sends data directly to the sensors  420 , the home automation controls  422 , the camera  430 , the robotic devices  490 , and the stair lift module  457 . The one or more user devices  440 ,  450  provide the appropriate interfaces/processing to provide visual surveillance and reporting. 
     In other implementations, the system  400  further includes network  405  and the sensors  420 , the home automation controls  422 , the camera  430 , the thermostat  434 , the robotic devices  490 , and the stair lift module  457  are configured to communicate sensor and image data to the one or more user devices  440  and  450  over network  405  (e.g., the Internet, cellular network, etc.). In yet another implementation, the sensors  420 , the home automation controls  422 , the camera  430 , the thermostat  434 , the robotic devices  490 , and the stair lift module  457  (or a component, such as a bridge/router) are intelligent enough to change the communication pathway from a direct local pathway when the one or more user devices  440  and  450  are in close physical proximity to the sensors  420 , the home automation controls  422 , the camera  430 , the thermostat  434 , the robotic devices  490 , and the stair lift module  457  to a pathway over network  405  when the one or more user devices  440  and  450  are farther from the sensors  420 , the home automation controls  422 , the camera  430 , the thermostat  434 , the robotic devices  490 , and the stair lift module. In some examples, the system leverages GPS information from the one or more user devices  440  and  450  to determine whether the one or more user devices  440  and  450  are close enough to the sensors  420 , the home automation controls  422 , the camera  430 , the thermostat  434 , the robotic devices  490 , and the stair lift module  457  to use the direct local pathway or whether the one or more user devices  440  and  450  are far enough from the sensors  420 , the home automation controls  422 , the camera  430 , the thermostat  434 , the robotic devices  490 , and the stair lift module  457  that the pathway over network  405  is required. In other examples, the system leverages status communications (e.g., pinging) between the one or more user devices  440  and  450  and the sensors  420 , the home automation controls  422 , the camera  430 , the thermostat  434 , the robotic devices  490 , and the stair lift module  457  to determine whether communication using the direct local pathway is possible. If communication using the direct local pathway is possible, the one or more user devices  440  and  450  communicate with the sensors  420 , the home automation controls  422 , the camera  430 , the thermostat  434 , the robotic devices  490 , and the stair lift module  457  using the direct local pathway. If communication using the direct local pathway is not possible, the one or more user devices  440  and  450  communicate with the sensors  420 , the home automation controls  422 , the camera  430 , the thermostat  434 , the robotic devices  490 , and the stair lift module  457  using the pathway over network  405 . 
     In some implementations, the system  400  provides end users with access to images captured by the camera  430  to aid in decision making. The system  400  may transmit the images captured by the camera  430  over a wireless WAN network to the user devices  440  and  450 . Because transmission over a wireless WAN network may be relatively expensive, the system  400  can use several techniques to reduce costs while providing access to significant levels of useful visual information (e.g., compressing data, down-sampling data, sending data only over inexpensive LAN connections, or other techniques). 
     In some implementations, a state of the monitoring system and other events sensed by the monitoring system may be used to enable/disable video/image recording devices (e.g., the camera  430 ). In these implementations, the camera  430  may be set to capture images on a periodic basis when the alarm system is armed in an “away” state, but set not to capture images when the alarm system is armed in a “home” state or disarmed. In addition, the camera  430  may be triggered to begin capturing images when the alarm system detects an event, such as an alarm event, a door-opening event for a door that leads to an area within a field of view of the camera  430 , or motion in the area within the field of view of the camera  430 . In other implementations, the camera  430  may capture images continuously, but the captured images may be stored or transmitted over a network when needed. 
     In some implementations, any actions or processes performed by any of the control unit  410 , the stair lift module  457 , the robotic device  490 , the monitoring application server  460 , and/or the central alarm station server  470  may be performed by any of the control unit  410 , the stair lift module  457 , the robotic device  490 , the monitoring application server  460 , and/or the central alarm station server  470 . 
     The described systems, methods, and techniques may be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, computer hardware, firmware, software, or in combinations of these elements. Apparatus implementing these techniques may include appropriate input and output devices, a computer processor, and a computer program product tangibly embodied in a machine-readable storage device for execution by a programmable processor. A process implementing these techniques may be performed by a programmable processor executing a program of instructions to perform desired functions by operating on input data and generating appropriate output. The techniques 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 instructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a data storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device. Each computer program may be implemented in a high-level procedural or object-oriented programming language, or in assembly or machine language if desired; and in any case, the language may be a compiled or interpreted language. Suitable processors include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory and/or a random access memory. Storage devices suitable for tangibly embodying computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, such as Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), and flash memory devices; magnetic disks such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM). Any of the foregoing may be supplemented by, or incorporated in, specially designed AS ICs (application-specific integrated circuits). 
     It will be understood that various modifications may be made. For example, other useful implementations could be achieved if steps of the disclosed techniques were performed in a different order and/or if components in the disclosed systems were combined in a different manner and/or replaced or supplemented by other components. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the disclosure.