Patent Description:
Many people equip homes and businesses with monitoring systems to provide increased security for their homes and businesses.

<CIT> describes a method and a system for checking access authorization and authorizing a vehicle to enter a secure gated location.

The invention for which protection is sought is defined by the appended independent claims. Advantageous aspects are provided by the appended dependent claims. Aspects of the disclosure not falling within the scope of the appended claims do not form part of the claimed invention but are provided for information purposes.

Techniques are described for monitoring technology. For example, techniques are described for integrating a monitoring system with one or more cameras and one or more sensors configured to detect a vehicle at the garage door of a monitored property. The monitoring system automatically opens the garage door based on authenticating the vehicle based the vehicle and the actions of the vehicle. The automated process of detecting the presence of a vehicle and authenticating the vehicle at the garage door of the property eliminates the need for the driver of the vehicle to search for a remote control to open the garage door.

According to an aspect of the subject matter described in this application, a monitoring system that is configured to monitor a property, the monitoring system includes a sensor that is located at the property and that is configured to generate sensor data, a camera that is configured to capture video data, and a monitoring control unit that is configured to receive, from the sensor, the sensor data, receive, from the camera, the video data, based on the sensor data and the video data, determine that a vehicle is in a vicinity of the property, compare frames of the video data to an image of a known vehicle, based on comparing the frames of the video data to the image of the known vehicle, determine a confidence score that reflects a likelihood that the vehicle in the vicinity of the property matches the known vehicle, based on determining that the confidence score that reflects the likelihood that the vehicle in the vicinity of the property matches the known vehicle satisfies a confidence score threshold, identify an action that is performed by the vehicle, identify a monitoring system action that corresponds to the action performed by the vehicle, and perform the monitoring system action.

These and other implementations each optionally include one or more of the following optional features. The monitoring control unit is configured to perform a monitoring system action by opening the garage door. The monitoring control unit is configured to determine an armed status of the monitoring system, based on determining that the monitoring system is armed, increase the confidence score threshold, compare the confidence score that reflects a likelihood that the vehicle in the vicinity of the property matches the known vehicle to the increased confidence score threshold, based on determining that the confidence score that reflects a likelihood that the vehicle in the vicinity of the property matches the known vehicle exceeds the increased confidence score threshold, identify the action that is performed by the vehicle, identify the monitoring system action that corresponds to the action performed by the vehicle by identifying the monitoring system actions of disarming the monitoring system and opening a garage door of the property, and perform the monitoring system action by disarming the monitoring system and opening the garage door.

The monitoring control unit is configured to determine an armed status of the monitoring system, and based on determining that the monitoring system is unarmed, decrease the confidence score threshold, compare the confidence score that reflects a likelihood that the vehicle in the vicinity of the property matches the known vehicle to the decreased confidence score threshold, based on determining that the confidence score that reflects a likelihood that the vehicle in the vicinity of the property matches the known vehicle exceeds the decreased confidence threshold, identify the monitoring system action that corresponds to the action performed by the vehicle, identifying the monitoring system action that corresponds to the action performed by the vehicle by identifying the monitoring system actions of disarming the monitoring system and opening a garage door of the property, and perform the monitoring system action by opening the garage door and switching a light at the property. The monitoring control unit is configured to determine that a door between the garage and an interior of the property is opened, and close the garage door a predetermined period of time after determining that a door from the garage into the property is opened.

The monitoring control unit is configured to perform the monitoring system action by opening a garage door of the property and closing the garage door a predetermined period of time after determining that a light in the property in switched on. The sensor that is located at the property and that is configured to generate sensor data is an inductive proximity sensor that is configured to detect a change in the electromagnetic field of the sensor based on the vehicle being within a threshold distance of the sensor. The sensor that is located at the property and that is configured to generate sensor data is a motion sensor. The monitoring control unit is configured to determine a confidence score that reflects the likelihood that the vehicle in the vicinity of the property matches the known vehicle by determining a first confidence score that reflects a likelihood that a license plate number of the vehicle in the vicinity of the property matches a license plate number of the known vehicle, determining a second confidence score that reflects a likelihood that a model of the vehicle in the vicinity of the property matches a model of the known vehicle, determining a third confidence score that reflects a likelihood that a color of the vehicle in the vicinity of the property matches a color of the known vehicle, and determining the confidence score based on the first confidence score, the second confidence score, and the third confidence score.

The monitoring control unit is configured to receive the image of the known vehicle and an additional image of an additional known vehicle, receive a license plate number for the known vehicle and an additional license plate number for the additional known vehicle, receive model data for the known vehicle and additional model data for the additional known vehicle, receive color data for the known vehicle and additional model data for the additional known vehicle, receive data identifying the action to be performed by the known vehicle to allow, and an additional action to be performed by the additional known vehicle, receive data identifying the monitoring system action that corresponds to the action and an additional monitoring system action that corresponds to the second action, and store the image of the known vehicle and the image of the additional known vehicle, the license plate number for the known vehicle and the license plate number for the additional known vehicle, the model data for the known vehicle and the model data for the additional known vehicle, the color data for the known vehicle and the color data for the additional known vehicle, and the data identifying an action to be performed by known vehicle, and an action to be performed by the additional known vehicle.

The monitor control unit is configured to compare the frames of the video data to the image of the known vehicle by comparing the frames of the video data to both the image of the known vehicle and the additional image of the additional known vehicle, based on comparing the frames of the video data to the image of the known vehicle, determine a first confidence score that reflects a likelihood that the vehicle in the vicinity of the property matches the known vehicle and determine a second confidence score that reflects a likelihood that the vehicle in the vicinity of the property matches the additional known vehicle, compare the first confidence score that reflects a likelihood that the vehicle in the vicinity of the property matches the known vehicle and the second confidence score that reflects a likelihood that the vehicle in the vicinity of the property matches the additional known vehicle to a confidence score threshold, based on comparing the first confidence score and the second confidence score, determine that the first confidence score does not satisfy the threshold and the second confidence score satisfies the confidence score threshold; based on determining that the first confidence score does not satisfy the threshold and the second confidence score satisfies the confidence score threshold, identify an action that is performed by the vehicle, determine whether the action performed by the vehicle matches the action to be performed by the additional vehicle, based on determining that the action performed by the vehicle matches the action to be performed by the additional known vehicle, identifying a monitoring system action that corresponds to the action performed by the vehicle by identifying the monitoring system action of opening a garage door of the property, and perform the monitoring system action by opening the garage door.

The monitoring control unit is configured to receive, from the sensor, additional sensor data, receive, from the camera, additional video data, based on the additional sensor data and the additional video data, determine that a vehicle is in a vicinity of the property, compare frames of the additional video data to an image of a known vehicle, based on comparing the frames of the additional video data to the image of the known vehicle, determine a confidence score that reflects a likelihood that the vehicle in the vicinity of the property matches the known vehicle, based on determining that the confidence score that reflects the likelihood that the vehicle in the vicinity of the property matches the known vehicle does not satisfy a confidence score threshold, perform a monitoring system action by arming the monitoring system and maintaining a garage door in a closed state. The monitoring control unit is configured to perform a monitoring system action by generating an audible alarm at the property. The monitoring control unit is further configured to communicate a notification to a user device of a resident of the property, the notification indicating that a vehicle is in the vicinity of the property, and including one or more images of the unknown vehicle, receive, from the user device of a resident of the property, data indicating that the vehicle in the vicinity of the property should be granted access to the property, based on receiving data indicating that the vehicle in the vicinity of the property should be granted access to the property, disarming the monitoring system and opening the garage door, storing the one or more images of the vehicle, and updating a list of known vehicles to include the vehicle.

The monitoring control unit is configured to receive data indicating that the action to be performed by the vehicle is a distress signal, identify the action that is performed by the vehicle by identifying the distress signal, identify a monitoring system action that corresponds to the action performed by the vehicle by identifying the monitoring system action of contacting authorities based on the distress signal known distress signal, and perform the monitoring system action by contacting the authorities. The monitoring control unit is configured to based on determining that the confidence score that reflects the likelihood that the vehicle in the vicinity of the property matches the known vehicle satisfies a confidence score threshold, identify an action that is performed by the vehicle by identifying a series of high beam and low beam headlight emissions from the vehicle. The monitoring control unit is configured to based on determining that the confidence score that reflects the likelihood that the vehicle in the vicinity of the property matches the known vehicle satisfies a confidence score threshold, identify an action that is performed by the vehicle by identifying a left hand side indicator switching on for a first period of time followed by a right hand side indicator switching on for a second period of time.

According to another aspect of the subject matter described in this application, a computer-implemented method includes receiving, by a monitoring system that is configured to monitor a property and from a sensor of the monitoring system, sensor data, receiving, by the monitoring system and from a camera, video data, determining, by the monitoring system, that a vehicle is in a vicinity of the property based on the sensor data and the video data, comparing, by the monitoring system, frames of the video data to an image of a known vehicle, based on comparing the frames of the video data to the image of the known vehicle, determining, by the monitoring system, a confidence score that reflects a likelihood that the vehicle in the vicinity of the property matches the known vehicle, based on determining that the confidence score that reflects the likelihood that the vehicle in the vicinity of the property matches the known vehicle satisfies a confidence score threshold, identifying, by the monitoring system, an action that is performed by the vehicle, identifying a monitoring system action that corresponds to the action performed by the vehicle, and performing the monitoring system action.

Implementations of the described techniques may include hardware, a method or process implemented at least partially in hardware, or a computer-readable storage medium encoded with executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, perform operations.

Techniques are described for integrating a monitoring system with one or more cameras and one or more sensors configured to detect a vehicle at the garage door of a monitored property. When the vehicle at the garage door is authenticated, the garage door is automatically opened eliminating the need for the driver of the vehicle to search for a remote control to open the garage door. For example, each of the one or more cameras may be positioned on a lower portion of the exterior wall of the monitored property to capture the license plate of the vehicle. The entire driveway of the monitored property may be monitored by the one or more cameras so that the field of view of at least one of the one or more cameras covers each square inch of the driveway.

The video data captured by the one or more cameras is communicated to a control unit of the monitoring system. The control unit compares the license plate of the vehicle in the drive way to a known license plate to determine whether there is a license plate match. The control unit then performs a variety of video analytic techniques to analyze the received video to detect cues within the actions of the vehicle as it approaches the garage door. For example, the video analytics may be used to detect when the vehicle approaches the driveway, drives half way up the driveway, pauses for five seconds, and then continues up the driveway. Based on the control unit determining the license plate on the vehicle matches a known license plate, the vehicle matches a known vehicle, and the actions of the vehicles match a sequence of known actions, the control unit authenticates the vehicle. The control unit commands the garage door to open based on authenticating the vehicle in the driveway.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a monitoring system <NUM> integrated with one or more cameras <NUM> and one or more sensors <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, a property <NUM> (e.g. a home) of a user <NUM> is monitored by an in-home monitoring system (e.g. in-home security system) that includes components that are fixed within the property <NUM>. The in-home monitoring system may include a control unit <NUM>, one or more cameras <NUM>, one or more sensors <NUM>, one or more lights <NUM>, and a garage door <NUM>. The user <NUM> may integrate the one or more cameras <NUM> and one or more sensors <NUM> with a garage door opener into the in-home monitoring system to eliminate the need for the driver of the vehicle to search for a remote control to open the garage door to the monitored property <NUM>.

In the example shown in <FIG>, a vehicle <NUM> may approach the driveway of the monitored property <NUM>. When the vehicle is within the field of view (FOV) <NUM> of at least one of the one or more cameras <NUM>, the at least one camera may capture video data of the vehicle and the license plate on the vehicle <NUM>. In some examples, the monitoring property <NUM> may be equipped with one or more proximity sensors. Each of the one or more proximity sensors may be configured to detect changes in the electromagnetic field of the sensor to sense when a vehicle is in close proximity to the sensor. The proximity sensor may be mounted to an external wall near the garage door <NUM>, and when the sensor detects the vehicle <NUM>, the one or more cameras <NUM> may be promoted to capture video data.

The video data captured by the one or more cameras <NUM> are communicated to the control unit <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> may store in memory data associated with the one or more vehicles of the residents of the monitored property. For example, the control unit <NUM> may store one or more images of the vehicles of the residents, one or more images of the one or more license plates of the residents, and may store each license plate number and the associated licensing state data. The control unit <NUM> may compare the received license plate image data to the stored license plate data to confirm whether the detected vehicle <NUM> is a known vehicle. The control unit <NUM> is configured to automatically open the garage door when the action of a known vehicle is authenticated.

In some implementations, the control unit <NUM> may authenticate the vehicle <NUM> based on a three step authentication process. The authentication process may involve identifying a vehicle match, identifying a license plate match, and identifying an action sequence match. In these implementations, the vehicle is only authenticated when the control unit <NUM> can identify a match for the vehicle, the license plate, and the action sequence of the vehicle. In other implementations, the control unit <NUM> may authenticate the vehicle when a vehicle match is identified, the action sequence of the vehicle is identified, and a partial match of the license plate is identified. For example, when the control unit receives partial images of the license plate of the vehicle, and confirms a match of the first three characters of the license plate. The control unit <NUM> may identify that the vehicle matches the vehicle type (color, model, etc.) of the known vehicle of a resident, and may identify that the vehicle turns the windshield wipers on and off two times to confirm a match of the action sequence performed by the vehicle. In some implementations, the control unit <NUM> may be configured to identify unique characteristics of known vehicles to authenticate the vehicle. For example, the control unit may analyze the received video data of the vehicle to identify fixtures, trimmings, scratches, and other unique physical characteristics of the vehicle. Identifying these characteristics may help to strengthen the vehicle match determination. In other implementations, the control unit <NUM> may authenticate the vehicle when the control unit identifies a license plate match and a vehicle match. When the vehicle is authenticated, the control unit <NUM> waits to receive video data of the vehicle's actions to determine whether to command the garage door <NUM> to be opened.

In some implementations, the authentication process may change based on the armed status of the in-home monitoring system. When the in-home monitoring system is armed away, the system may require that the vehicle, the license plate, and the vehicle authentication action match a known vehicle, license plate, and vehicle authentication action. In some examples, the system may require the control unit <NUM> to identify a match between the driver of the vehicle and known drivers associated with the monitored property. For example, when the system is armed away, the system must identify that Joe is driving a known vehicle with a known license plate, that has performed the vehicle authentication action for the garage door to automatically open. In these examples, the in-home monitoring system may automatically disarm when the garage door <NUM> is opened. When the in-home monitoring system is armed stay, the system may require that a subset of the vehicle, license plate, and vehicle authentication action are matched. For example, when the system is armed stay, the system may require that the vehicle and the vehicle authentication action match the known vehicle and the known vehicle authentication action. When the in-home monitoring system is unarmed, the system may that a subset of the vehicle, license plate, and vehicle authentication action are matched.

In some implementations, the control unit <NUM> may process the video data to calculate a confidence score that reflects the confidence of the system identifying a vehicle match, a license plate match, and a vehicle authentication action match. The control unit <NUM> compares the calculated confidence score to a threshold value to determine whether or not to open the garage door. When the in-home monitoring system is armed away, the system may set the threshold value to be higher than the threshold value when the system is disarmed. In other words, when the system is armed away, the threshold for automatically opening the garage door is higher than when the system is disarmed.

The control unit <NUM> may implement the use of one or more algorithms and neural networking to make determinations of the actions from the collected video data. The control unit <NUM> may utilize training sets of data to improve the algorithms used to detect actions from the video data received from the one or more cameras <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> may be trained by the user <NUM> to detect the vehicle authentication actions identified by the user <NUM>. The user <NUM> may set the system to a training mode and provide confirmation of an action. For example, while the system is in training mode the user may provide true or false responses based on reviewing video data of different actions in the video data. The user <NUM> may review the video data and the determination made by the control unit <NUM> to respond whether the determination was true or false. Receiving user feedback while in training mode helps the control unit to improve the algorithms used to make the determinations. In some implementations, the control unit <NUM> communicates the captured video data to the monitoring server <NUM>. In these implementations, the monitoring server, which is located remotely from the monitored property <NUM>, may perform the video analytics on the video data and communicate the determinations to the control unit <NUM>. In some implementations, the training data may be captured by the control unit <NUM> automatically when the user <NUM> opens the garage door <NUM> with a remote.

In the examples where the video data is communicated from the control unit <NUM> to the monitoring server <NUM> for analyzing, the monitoring server <NUM> may receive one or more trained data sets from one or more other homes. The monitoring server <NUM> may be in communication with several other control units at other homes. The one or more users from each of the one or more other homes may configure their monitoring system for garage door automation based on authenticating a vehicle and detecting the vehicle actions. Each of the users may set their systems in a training mode and may provide true or false responses based on reviewing video data of different vehicle actions in the captured video data. The trained data sets may be used to improve the algorithms to increase the accuracy of the determinations. Receiving user feedback from the one or more users from one or more other homes while in the training mode allows the monitoring server to continuously strengthen the determinations made. In other implementations, the one or more cameras <NUM> may perform the video analytics.

The user <NUM> may log into a monitoring application that runs on the user device <NUM> to set the one or more vehicle authentications actions. For example, the user may set pulling halfway up the driveway, flashing the headlights on and off two times, then continuing up the driveway as an authentication action. For another example, the user may set pausing for five seconds at the beginning of the driveway, followed by accelerating to the midpoint of the drive way as an authentication action. The user <NUM> may set a vehicle authentication action for each of the one or more vehicles of the one or more residents of the monitored property. For example, Jane may drive vehicle A and may set a particular sequence of events as her authentication action, Joe may drive vehicle B and may set a different sequence of events as his authentication action. In some implementations, the user <NUM> may set one sequence of events for the authentication action for each of the one or more vehicles of the residents of the property <NUM>.

The user <NUM> may also log into the monitoring application to set up vehicle authentication actions for one or more visitors to the monitored property. For example, the user <NUM> may set up a vehicle authentication action for the family nanny. The user <NUM> may enter details such as the nanny's vehicle make and type, the nanny's vehicle license plate number, and set an action of flashing the vehicle headlights on and off five times into the monitoring application. In some examples, the user <NUM> may provide one or more images of the visitors' vehicles and the associated license plate numbers. The user <NUM> may also set a time limitation for allowing a visitor to utilize the garage door automation feature. For example, the user may set the nanny's garage automation for 9AM to 5PM on week days only. In some implementations, the user may set a different vehicle action for each visitor, in other implementations, the user may set the vehicle action for each visitor to be the same.

When the control unit <NUM> confirms the authentication of the vehicle <NUM>, the control unit <NUM> sends a command to the garage door <NUM> to open. The garage door <NUM> automatically opens to allow the vehicle <NUM> access to the garage. The garage door <NUM> may remain open for a set period of time and then may close automatically. In some examples, the garage door <NUM> remains open until the user <NUM> closes it. In some implementations, the user <NUM> may set an action that authenticates the vehicle to open the garage door and simultaneously disarms the in-home security system. For example, when the control unit authenticates the vehicle, license plate, and vehicle actions, the garage door is automatically opened, and the security system is simultaneously disarmed. In some examples, when the vehicle and the vehicle actions are authenticated, and the in-home security system is disarmed, the control unit may automatically unlock and open one or more interior doors of the monitored property. In these examples, the interior doors of the monitored property may be configured with smart door knobs that allow the control unit to automatically lock/unlock and open and close the interior doors. When the control unit <NUM> authenticates a vehicle and the vehicle actions, the control unit <NUM> may command the garage door to open, and may command the interior door that leads to the garage, and the door to the master bedroom to unlock and open. The user may set up a door open/close and lock/unlock pattern through the monitoring application. Based on the user set pattern, the control unit <NUM> determines which of the one or more interior doors to open and unlock. In some implementations, the control unit <NUM> may be configured to identify the driver of the vehicle from the captured video data. The system may configure the one or more devices within the property based on the preferences of the identified driver. For example, the thermostat may be set to <NUM> degrees Fahrenheit, and one or more lights are switched on when John is identified as the driver of the vehicle.

The armed status of the in-home security system may affect the actions taken by the control unit <NUM> when the control unit authenticates the vehicle <NUM> in the driveway. When the in-home security system is armed away, the control unit <NUM> may automatically disarm the security system, open the garage door, and may turn on one or more lights <NUM> throughout the monitored property <NUM>. For example, the control unit may turn on the garage light, and switch on one or more lights that light the pathway to the master bedroom. When the in-home security system is disarmed, the control unit <NUM> may assume that the monitored property is occupied. The control unit <NUM> may receive data from the one or more sensors and cameras throughout the monitored property to confirm the control unit's determination. Based on the control unit <NUM> confirming that the property is occupied by at least one occupant, the control unit may open the garage door, and simultaneously generate an output from a speaker within the property that notifies the occupant of the arrival of the vehicle. For example, the control unit may generate an output "John has arrived" based on authenticating John's vehicle when the in-home system was disarmed.

The control unit <NUM> may send a notification to the mobile device <NUM> of the user <NUM> to notify the user <NUM> when the garage door opened for the vehicle <NUM>. The notification may include one or more captured images of the vehicle <NUM>. In some implementations, the notification is communicated from the monitoring server <NUM>.

In some implementations, the user <NUM> may configure the system with a distress action. The distress action may be a discrete action that may be used by the user <NUM> to signal distress. The user <NUM> may log into the monitoring application to set an action that may be used to signal that a driver of a vehicle that approaches the driveway is in distress. For example, a criminal may attempt to gain access to the monitored property by hijacking a vehicle with access to the garage. The vehicle may be equipped with a panic button that causes the headlight to flash several times in a couple seconds. When the vehicle approaches the garage door <NUM>, the driver may press the panic button to signal to the control unit <NUM> that the driver is in distress. Based on recognizing the distress signal, the control unit <NUM> does not open the garage door even if the vehicle is authenticated. In some examples, the control unit <NUM> communicates the detected distress signal to the monitoring server <NUM> which in turn communicates with the server systems of one or more authorities. In other examples, the control unit <NUM> sounds an audible alarm at the property <NUM>.

The control unit may store in its memory one or more known vehicles that should not initiate an authentication process. These known vehicles may be vehicles that have pulled into the driveway of the monitored property <NUM> but do not wish to gain access to the garage. These vehicles may include delivery trucks, mail delivery trucks, service vehicles, or the vehicle of a visitor. For example, when a delivery vehicle approaches the garage of the property, a camera may begin to capture video data of the vehicle. The video data is communicated to the control unit <NUM>, and the control unit may store one or more images of the delivery vehicle. The vehicle would not be authenticated and the garage door would not automatically open for the delivery vehicle. When a delivery vehicle approaches the garage door in a future instance, a camera may begin to capture video data, the control unit may determine that the vehicle is a delivery vehicle based on the vehicle having similar characteristics as the previous delivery vehicle. For example, the control unit may perform analytics to confirm that the logo on the vehicle matches the logo on the delivery vehicle. Based on the control unit determining that the logo on the vehicle matches the logo on a delivery vehicle, the control unit determines that the vehicle is a delivery vehicle and does not begin the authentication process. The control unit <NUM> may prompt the one or more cameras to stop capturing video data of a delivery vehicle.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a system <NUM> configured to monitor a property. The system <NUM> includes a network <NUM>, a monitoring system control unit <NUM>, one or more user devices <NUM>, and a monitoring application server <NUM>. The network <NUM> facilitates communications between the monitoring system control unit <NUM>, the one or more user devices <NUM>, and the monitoring application server <NUM>. The network <NUM> is configured to enable exchange of electronic communications between devices connected to the network <NUM>. For example, the network <NUM> may be configured to enable exchange of electronic communications between the monitoring system control unit <NUM>, the one or more user devices <NUM>, and the monitoring application server <NUM>. The network <NUM> 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 <NUM> may include multiple networks or subnetworks, each of which may include, for example, a wired or wireless data pathway. The network <NUM> 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 <NUM> may include networks based on the Internet protocol (IP), asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), the PSTN, packet-switched networks based on IP, X. <NUM>, 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 <NUM> may include one or more networks that include wireless data channels and wireless voice channels. The network <NUM> may be a wireless network, a broadband network, or a combination of networks including a wireless network and a broadband network.

The monitoring system control unit <NUM> includes a controller <NUM> and a network module <NUM>. The controller <NUM> is configured to control a monitoring system (e.g., a home alarm or security system) that includes the monitor control unit <NUM>. In some examples, the controller <NUM> may include a processor or other control circuitry configured to execute instructions of a program that controls operation of an alarm system. In these examples, the controller <NUM> may be configured to receive input from indoor door knobs, sensors, detectors, or other devices included in the alarm system and control operations of devices included in the alarm system or other household devices (e.g., a thermostat, an appliance, lights, etc.). For example, the controller <NUM> may be configured to control operation of the network module <NUM> included in the monitoring system control unit <NUM>.

The network module <NUM> is a communication device configured to exchange communications over the network <NUM>. The network module <NUM> may be a wireless communication module configured to exchange wireless communications over the network <NUM>. For example, the network module <NUM> 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 <NUM> 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 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 <NUM> also may be a wired communication module configured to exchange communications over the network <NUM> using a wired connection. For instance, the network module <NUM> may be a modem, a network interface card, or another type of network interface device. The network module <NUM> may be an Ethernet network card configured to enable the monitoring control unit <NUM> to communicate over a local area network and/or the Internet. The network module <NUM> also may be a voiceband modem configured to enable the alarm panel to communicate over the telephone lines of Plain Old Telephone Systems (POTS).

The monitoring system may include multiple sensors <NUM>. The sensors <NUM> may include a contact sensor, a motion sensor, a glass break sensor, or any other type of sensor included in an alarm system or security system. The sensors <NUM> 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 <NUM> 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 sensors <NUM> may include a radio-frequency identification (RFID) sensor that identifies a particular article that includes a pre-assigned RFID tag. The sensors <NUM> may include a one or more metal induction proximity sensors. The metal induction proximity sensors are configured to detect the metal of a vehicle when the vehicle moves close to the proximity sensor. The one or more proximity sensors may be configured to detect the changes in the electromagnetic field of a sensor caused by a metal object moving close to the sensor.

The monitoring system may one or more other cameras <NUM>. Each of the one or more cameras <NUM> may be video/photographic cameras or other type of optical sensing device configured to capture images. For instance, the cameras may be configured to capture images of an area within a building monitored by the monitor control unit <NUM>. The cameras 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 cameras may be controlled based on commands received from the monitor control unit <NUM>.

The cameras may be triggered by several different types of techniques. For instance, a Passive Infra Red (PIR) motion sensor may be built into the cameras and used to trigger the one or more cameras <NUM> to capture one or more images when motion is detected. The one or more cameras <NUM> also may include a microwave motion sensor built into the camera and used to trigger the camera to capture one or more images when motion is detected. Each of the one or more cameras <NUM> 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 <NUM>, PIR, door/window, etc.) detect motion or other events. In some implementations, at least one camera <NUM> receives a command to capture an image when external devices detect motion or another potential alarm event. The camera may receive the command from the controller <NUM> or directly from one of the sensors <NUM>.

In some examples, the one or more cameras <NUM> triggers integrated or external illuminators (e.g., Infra Red, Z-wave controlled "white" lights, lights controlled by the module <NUM>, 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 sensors <NUM>, the lights <NUM>, and the cameras <NUM> communicate with the controller <NUM> over communication links <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. The communication links <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be a wired or wireless data pathway configured to transmit signals from the sensors <NUM>, the touchless doorbell device <NUM>, and the cameras <NUM> to the controller <NUM>. The communication link <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM><NUM> may include a local network, such as, <NUM> "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 <NUM> (CAT5) or Category <NUM> (CAT6) wired Ethernet network.

The monitoring application server <NUM> is an electronic device configured to provide monitoring services by exchanging electronic communications with the monitor control unit <NUM>, and the one or more user devices <NUM>, over the network <NUM>. For example, the monitoring application server <NUM> may be configured to monitor events (e.g., alarm events) generated by the monitor control unit <NUM>. In this example, the monitoring application server <NUM> may exchange electronic communications with the network module <NUM> included in the monitoring system control unit <NUM> to receive information regarding events (e.g., alarm events) detected by the monitoring system control unit <NUM>. The monitoring application server <NUM> also may receive information regarding events (e.g., alarm events) from the one or more user devices <NUM>.

The one or more user devices <NUM> are devices that host and display user interfaces. The user device <NUM> may be a cellular phone or a non-cellular locally networked device with a display. The user device <NUM> 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 <NUM> 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 <NUM> includes a monitoring application <NUM>. The monitoring application <NUM> refers to a software/firmware program running on the corresponding mobile device that enables the user interface and features described throughout. The user device <NUM> may load or install the monitoring application <NUM> based on data received over a network or data received from local media. The monitoring application <NUM> runs on mobile devices platforms, such as iPhone, iPod touch, Blackberry, Google Android, Windows Mobile, etc. The monitoring application <NUM> enables the user device <NUM> to receive and process image and sensor data from the monitoring system.

The central alarm station server <NUM> is an electronic device configured to provide alarm monitoring service by exchanging communications with the monitor control unit <NUM>, the one or more user devices <NUM>, and the monitoring application server <NUM> over the network <NUM>. For example, the central alarm station server <NUM> may be configured to monitor alarm events generated by the monitoring system control unit <NUM>. In this example, the central alarm station server <NUM> may exchange communications with the network module <NUM> included in the monitor control unit <NUM> to receive information regarding alarm events detected by the monitor control unit <NUM>. The central alarm station server <NUM> also may receive information regarding alarm events from the one or more user devices <NUM>.

In some implementations, the one or more user devices <NUM> communicate with and receive monitoring system data from the monitor control unit <NUM> using the communication link <NUM>. For instance, the one or more user devices <NUM> may communicate with the monitor control unit <NUM> using various local wireless protocols such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Z-Wave, Zigbee, "HomePlug," or other Powerline networks that operate over AC wiring, or Power over Ethernet (POE), or wired protocols such as Ethernet and USB, to connect the one or more user devices <NUM> to local security and automation equipment. The one or more user devices <NUM> 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 <NUM> with a remote server (e.g., the monitoring application server <NUM>) may be significantly slower.

Although the one or more user devices <NUM> are shown as communicating with the monitor control unit <NUM>, the one or more user devices <NUM> may communicate directly with the sensors and other devices controlled by the monitor control unit <NUM>. In some implementations, the one or more user devices <NUM> replace the monitoring system control unit <NUM> and perform the functions of the monitoring system control unit <NUM> for local monitoring and long range/offsite communication. Other arrangements and distribution of processing is possible and contemplated within the present disclosure.

<FIG> illustrates an example process <NUM> for performing an action based on authenticating a vehicle. The one or more cameras <NUM> detect a vehicle in the driveway of the monitored property (<NUM>). The one or more cameras <NUM> may be mounted to an external wall of the monitored property <NUM>, and each of the one or more cameras <NUM> may be configured to pan and or tilt to change it's field of view. The one or more cameras may be triggered to capture video data and still images when motion is detected in the driveway of the monitored property <NUM>. The one or more cameras <NUM> may communicate the captured video data and still images to the control unit <NUM> of the monitored property <NUM>. In some implementations, the monitoring property <NUM> may include one or more metal induction proximity sensors. The metal induction proximity sensors are configured to detect the metal in a vehicle when the vehicle moves close to the proximity sensor. The one or more proximity sensors may be mounted to the external wall of the monitored property near to the garage door. In some examples, the proximity sensors may be mounted along the side of the driveway. In some examples, the monitored property is equipped with one proximity sensor, in other examples, the monitored property is equipped with multiple proximity sensors. When the vehicle <NUM> moves up the driveway, the metal vehicle causes changes the electromagnetic field of the one or more proximity sensors, and the vehicle is detected based on the changes in the field of the one or more sensors. The one or more proximity sensors may communicate the data to the control unit <NUM>, and the control unit may confirm the detection of the vehicle based on video and or image data received from the one or more cameras <NUM>.

The control unit detects the vehicle actions (<NUM>). The one or more cameras <NUM> begin capturing video data when the vehicle is detected in the drive way of the monitored property <NUM>. The video data captured by the one or more cameras <NUM> is communicated to the control unit <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> may be configured to interpret the video data to identify vehicle actions that the user configured as authentication actions. The control unit <NUM> may implement the use of or more algorithms and neural networking to make determinations of the vehicle actions. For example, the user <NUM> may identify an action of switching the vehicle headlights on and off twice in a row as an authentication action, and the control unit may analyze the captured data to identify this vehicle action. In some implementations, the video data is communicated to the monitoring server <NUM>, and the monitoring server <NUM> uses one or more algorithms to determine whether the vehicle actions align with the user set authentication action.

The control unit authenticates the vehicle (<NUM>). In some implementations, the vehicle is authenticated when the control unit identifies a vehicle match, a license plate match, and authenticates the vehicle actions. The control unit <NUM> determines a vehicle match when the vehicle that approaches the driveway matches a known vehicle. The control unit <NUM> may store in memory one or more images of known vehicles. The images of one or more known vehicles may be manually input by the user <NUM> through the monitoring application running on the user's mobile device <NUM>. The user may manually input information such as the year, make, model, and color of the vehicle. The user may also manually enter the license plate number of the vehicle. The control unit <NUM> determines a license plate match when the license plate on the vehicle matches the stored records for the license plate for that vehicle. The control unit <NUM> may determine a license plate match when the control unit determines the vehicle matches the known vehicle, and the control unit determines a match of at least a subset of the characters of the license plate match. In examples where the user has not manually input the data associated with a vehicle, the control unit <NUM> may identify a vehicle as a known vehicle when the vehicle has previously entered the garage. For example, the control unit <NUM> may capture video and images of the one or more vehicles that enter the garage of the monitored property, and may store a log of the vehicles that entered. The control unit authenticates the vehicle actions when there is a vehicle match, a license plate match, and the vehicle performs a particular sequence of events. The particular sequence of events may be a sequence of events set by the user <NUM>. For example, the user may set switching the windshield wipers on and off three times as an authentication action. In another example, the user may set pausing at the foot of the drive way and flashing your headlights once, followed by turning the windshield wipers on and off as an authentication action. The user has the ability to set an authentication action for each of a one or more vehicles, and may have the ability to constantly customize the authentications actions of the one or more vehicles. In some implementations, the user sets one authentication action for each of the one or more vehicles authorized to enter the garage.

The control unit performs an action based on authenticating the vehicle (<NUM>). Based on authenticating the vehicle, the control unit <NUM> sends a command to the garage door <NUM> to open for the vehicle <NUM>. In some implementations, the in-home security system may automatically disarm when the vehicle is authenticated and the garage door opens. In some implementations, the control unit <NUM> may command one or more other devices at the monitored property to perform actions based on authenticating the vehicle. For example, the control unit may command one or more lights throughout the property to switch on. In another example, the control unit may command the one or more water sprinklers to switch on.

<FIG> illustrates an example process <NUM> for sounding an alarm at the property. The one or more cameras <NUM> detect a vehicle in the driveway of the monitored property (<NUM>). The one or more cameras <NUM> may be mounted to an external wall of the monitored property <NUM>, and each of the one or more cameras <NUM> may be configured to pan and or tilt to change its field of view. The one or more cameras may be triggered to capture video data and still images when motion is detected in the driveway of the monitored property <NUM>. The one or more cameras <NUM> may communicate the captured video data and still images to the control unit <NUM> of the monitored property <NUM>. In some implementations, the monitoring property <NUM> may include one or more metal induction proximity sensors. The metal induction proximity sensors are configured to detect the metal vehicle when the vehicle moves close to the proximity sensor. The one or more proximity sensors may be mounted to the external wall of the monitored property near to the garage door. In some examples, the proximity sensors may be mounted along the side of the driveway. In some examples, the monitored property is equipped with one proximity sensor, in other examples, the monitored property is equipped with multiple proximity sensors. When the vehicle <NUM> moves up the driveway, the metal vehicle causes changes the electromagnetic field of the one or more proximity sensors, and the vehicle is detected based on the changes in the field of the one or more sensors. The one or more proximity sensors may communicate the data to the control unit <NUM>, and the control unit may confirm the detection of the vehicle based on video and or image data received from the one or more cameras <NUM>.

The control unit does not authenticate the vehicle (<NUM>). The control unit does not authenticate the vehicle when at least one of the vehicle, the license plate, or the vehicle actions are not confirmed. For example, the control unit does not authenticate the vehicle when there is a vehicle license plate match but there is not a vehicle match. The control unit may determine that the license plate on the vehicle matches the license plate of a known vehicle, but the vehicle does not match the known vehicle. For example, the control unit may analyze the video data of the vehicle to determine that the vehicle does not match the color, make, or model of the known vehicle. In some examples, the control unit may determine that the vehicle does not match the known vehicle based on determining that unique characteristic of the known vehicle are not identified. For example, the vehicle may be the same make, model, and color of the known vehicle but may not have the same rims. The control unit <NUM> will not authenticate the vehicle when the vehicle performs the distress signal actions.

The control unit sends an alert to the authorities (<NUM>). Based on the control unit failing to authenticate the vehicle, the control unit communicates an alert to the server systems of the relevant authorities. In some implementations, the alert is communicated to the monitoring server <NUM>, and the monitoring server in turn communicated to the server systems of the relevant authorities. The control unit sounds an alarm at the monitored property (<NUM>). The control unit <NUM> commands the alarm system at the monitored property to generate an audible alarm.

<FIG> illustrates an example process <NUM> for performing a monitoring system action. The monitoring system includes one or more cameras and one or more sensors that are configured to detect a vehicle in the vicinity of the property <NUM>. Specifically, the one or more sensors may be configured to detect when a vehicle is approaching the garage door of a monitored property <NUM>. The monitoring control unit receives sensor data (<NUM>). The resident of a monitored property <NUM> may integrate a proximity sensor near the garage door <NUM>. The proximity sensor is configured to detect changes in the electromagnetic field of the sensor to sense when a vehicle is in close proximity to the sensor. When the proximity sensor detects a change in the electromagnetic field of the sensor, the sensor communicates the sensed data to the monitoring control unit <NUM>. In some implementations, the resident of the monitored property <NUM> integrates one or more motion sensors near the garage door <NUM>. The one or more motion sensors are configured to sense motion in the vicinity of the garage door <NUM>. When at least one of the motion sensors detects motion near the garage door <NUM>, the sensor communicates the sensor data to the monitoring control unit <NUM>.

The monitoring control unit receives video data (<NUM>). The resident of the monitored property <NUM> may integrate the monitoring system with one or more cameras that are configured to capture video data of the areas near the garage door <NUM> of the monitored property <NUM>. In some implementations, the one or more cameras are prompted to capture video data when an object moves into the field of view (FOV) of at least one of the cameras. In other implementations, the monitoring control unit <NUM> commands the one more cameras to capture video data when the monitoring control unit <NUM> receives data from the proximity sensor indicating that a vehicle is in the vicinity of the garage door <NUM>. The monitoring control unit <NUM> determines that a vehicle is in the vicinity of the property <NUM> based on the sensor data and the video data (<NUM>). The monitoring control unit <NUM> analyzes the received sensor data and the received video data to determine that a vehicle is in the vicinity of the property <NUM>. In the described examples, where the one or more motion sensors and the one or more cameras are located near to the garage door <NUM> of the monitored property <NUM>, the monitoring control unit <NUM> determines the vehicle is in the vicinity of the garage door <NUM>.

The monitoring control unit compares frames of the video data to an image of a known vehicle (<NUM>). The resident of the monitored property <NUM> may grant access to one or more vehicles that are associated with the residents of the property <NUM>. The resident may register the one or more vehicles through a monitoring application that runs on a user device. The resident may provide one or more images of the each of the one or more vehicles that to be stored as known vehicles that are allowed access to the garage of the monitored property <NUM>. The resident may also provide the license plate number, the color, and the vehicle model data associated with each of the one or more known vehicles. The monitoring control unit <NUM> may utilize one or more video analytics techniques to analyze the one or more frames of the video data, and to compare the one or more frames of the video data to the images of the one or more vehicles.

The monitoring control unit determines a confidence score that reflects a likelihood that the vehicle in the vicinity of the property matches the known vehicle based on comparing the frames of the video data to the image of the known vehicle (<NUM>). Based on the monitoring control unit <NUM> using the one or more different analytics techniques to compare the images of the vehicle in the vicinity of the property <NUM> to the images of the one or more known vehicles, the monitoring control unit <NUM> determines a confidence score. For example, the monitoring control <NUM> unit may determine that the vehicle in the vicinity of the property <NUM> is a known vehicle A with a confidence of <NUM>%. In some implementations, the monitoring control unit <NUM> is configured to identify unique characteristics of the known vehicles. Identifying fixtures, trimming, scratches, any/ or any other unique characteristics of the vehicle increases the confidence of the monitoring control unit's <NUM> determinations.

According to the invention, the monitoring control unit <NUM> determines a first confidence score that reflects a likelihood that the license plate number of the vehicle in the vicinity of the property <NUM> matches the license plate number of a known vehicle. In these implementations, the monitoring control unit <NUM> compares the frames of the video that include the license plate or frames that include a part of the license plate to the license plate data provided by the resident. The first confidence score may be lower in examples where the frames of the video include only a partial license plate number. The monitoring control unit <NUM> determines a second confidence score that reflects a likelihood that a model of the vehicle in the vicinity of the property <NUM> matches a model of the known vehicle. The monitoring control unit <NUM> compares the frames of the video that include features that determine the model of the vehicle to the images of the one or more known vehicles. For example, the monitoring control unit <NUM> compares the frames of the video that include features such as the front bumper that includes the logo for the brand vehicle, and the back bumper. In some implementations, the monitoring control unit <NUM> may access images of vehicles from the internet. For example, during configuration of a known vehicle, the resident may provide the color, license plate, model, and one or more images of the known vehicle. The monitoring control unit <NUM> may access one or more images of the same model of vehicle from the internet. These one or more images may be saved by the monitoring control unit <NUM> and analyzed when determining a confidence score.

The monitoring control unit <NUM> determines a third confidence score that reflects a likelihood that a color of the vehicle in the vicinity of the property matches a color of the known vehicle. The monitoring control unit <NUM> compares the frames of the video to determine a color of the vehicle in the vicinity of the property. The monitoring control unit <NUM> then compares the determined color of the car to the one or more colors of the one or more known vehicles. The confidence score may be lower in examples where the monitoring control unit <NUM> cannot distinguish the color of the vehicles. For example, the monitoring control unit <NUM> may determine a lower confidence score when distinguishing between white and silver, silver and gray, white and off white car.

In some implementations, the monitoring control unit <NUM> may determine a confidence score for the likelihood that the vehicle in the vicinity of the property <NUM> is a known vehicle based on averaging the first, second, and third confidence scores. In other implementations, the monitoring control unit <NUM> may determine a confidence score for the likelihood that the vehicle in the vicinity of the property <NUM> is a known vehicle based on a weighted average of the first, second, and third confidence score.

In some implementations, the monitoring control unit <NUM> may initiate a security action based on determining a license plate match and determining the model and color of the vehicle does not match a known vehicle. For example, a potential burglar may place a counterfeit license plate, that matches the license plate of a known vehicle on a vehicle that is different from the model and color of the known vehicle. The monitoring control unit <NUM> may determine a confidence score of <NUM>% that reflects the likelihood that the license plate number matches the license plate number of the known vehicle, and a confidence score of <NUM>% that reflects the likelihood that the model of the vehicle matches the known vehicle. The monitoring control unit <NUM> may communicate a notification to the resident of the property <NUM> indicating a potential risk. In some implementations, the monitoring control unit <NUM> may generate an audible alarm at the property <NUM>.

In some implementations, the monitoring control unit <NUM> adjusts the confidence score that reflects a likelihood that the vehicle in the vicinity of the property <NUM> matches the known vehicle based on the armed status of the monitoring system. The monitoring control unit <NUM> may increase the confidence score threshold when the monitoring system is armed. The monitoring control unit <NUM> then compares the confidence score to the increased confidence score threshold. When the confidence score satisfies the increased confidence score threshold, the monitoring control unit <NUM> identifies the action performed by the vehicle. The monitoring control unit <NUM> may decrease the confidence score threshold when the monitoring system is disarmed. The monitoring control unit <NUM> compares the confidence score to the decreased confidence score threshold. When the confidence score satisfies the decreased confidence score threshold, the monitoring control unit <NUM> identifies the action performed by the vehicle.

The monitoring control unit identifies an action that is performed by the vehicle based on determining that the confidence score that reflects the likelihood that the vehicle in the vicinity of the property matches the known vehicle satisfies a confidence score threshold (<NUM>). The monitoring control unit <NUM> compares the confidence score that reflects the likelihood that the vehicle in the vicinity of the property <NUM> matches the known vehicle to a confidence score threshold. When the confidence score satisfies the confidence score threshold, the monitoring control unit <NUM> further analyzes the video data to identify the one or more actions performed by the vehicle. The one or more cameras capture video data when the vehicle approaches the property <NUM>. In some implementations, where the property <NUM> includes a driveway that leads to the garage door <NUM>, the one or more cameras initiate video capture when the vehicle moves into the FOV of at least one camera, and the one or more cameras capture vide data as the vehicle drives up the driveway. The one or more cameras communicate the captured video data to the monitoring control unit <NUM>. The monitoring control unit <NUM> may utilize one or more algorithms and neural networking techniques to identify the one or more actions of the vehicle as the vehicle approaches the garage door. For example, the monitoring control unit <NUM> may identify that the vehicle hazard lights are switched on as the vehicle approaches the garage door.

In some implementations, the monitoring control unit <NUM> may utilize training sets of data to improve the one or more algorithms used to identify the one or more actions of the vehicle from the video data. In these implementations, the resident may train the monitoring control unit <NUM> to identify actions when the system is in a training mode. When in training mode, the determinations made by the monitoring control unit <NUM> are confirmed based on user feedback. When the monitoring system is in training mode the user may provide true or false responses based on reviewing video data of different vehicle actions. The resident may review the video data and the determination made by the monitoring control unit <NUM> to respond whether the determination was true or false. Receiving user feedback while in training mode helps the monitoring control unit <NUM> to improve the algorithms used to make the determinations. In some implementations, the control unit <NUM> communicates the captured video data to the monitoring server <NUM>. In these implementations, the monitoring server, which is located remotely from the monitored property <NUM>, may perform the video analytics on the video data and communicate the determinations to the monitoring control unit <NUM>. In some implementations, the training data may be captured by the control unit <NUM> automatically when the resident opens the garage door <NUM> with a remote.

The monitoring control unit identifies a monitoring system that corresponds to the action performed by the vehicle (<NUM>). The resident may provide one or more vehicle authentication actions that must be performed by each of the known vehicles for the vehicle to access the garage. In some implementations, the resident may set the same vehicle authentication actions for each of the one or more known vehicles. In other examples, the resident may set a different set of vehicle authentication actions for each of the one or more known vehicles. The user may also configure specific monitoring system actions to perform based on the different vehicle authentication actions. For example, the user may configure the monitoring control unit <NUM> to automatically disarm the monitoring system and open the garage door based on identifying a known vehicle switching between the high and low beam while approaching the garage door. For another example, the user may configure the monitoring control unit <NUM> to automatically disarm the monitoring system, open the garage door, and switch on one or more interior lights at the property <NUM> based on identifying a known vehicle switching on their headlights and switching on the windshield wipers. For another example, the user may configure the monitoring control unit <NUM> to open the garage door and turn on the sprinklers. The resident has the ability to configure the vehicle authentication actions and the monitoring system action that is performed in response to identifying the vehicle actions through the monitoring application.

The monitoring control unit performs the monitoring system action (<NUM>). The monitoring control unit <NUM> performs the monitoring system action that corresponds to the action performed by the vehicle. For example, the monitoring control unit <NUM> automatically opens the garage door and simultaneously disarms the monitoring system based on identifying the vehicle flashing the left indicator followed by flashing the right indicator. In some implementations, the resident may configure the system with a distress action. The distress action may be a discrete action that may be used by a vehicle approaching the garage door to signal distress. For example, a criminal may attempt to gain access to the monitored property <NUM> by hijacking a driver with a vehicle that has access to the garage. The vehicle may be equipped with a panic button that causes the headlight to flash several times in a couple seconds. When the vehicle approaches the garage door <NUM>, the driver may attempt to press the panic button to signal that the driver is in distress. When the monitoring control unit <NUM> identifies the distress signal, the monitoring control unit <NUM> does not open the arms the monitoring control unit <NUM> and does not open the garage door. In some examples, the monitoring control unit <NUM> contacts the authorities to dispatch to the monitored property. In other examples, the monitoring control unit <NUM> sounds an audible alarm at the property <NUM>.

In some implementations, the monitoring control unit <NUM> automatically opens the garage door <NUM> and automatically closes the garage door after a set period of time. In other implementations, the monitoring control unit <NUM> opens the garage door and automatically closes the garage door when the door from the garage into the property <NUM> is opened. In another implementations, the monitoring control unit <NUM> opens the garage door and automatically closes the garage door when a light in the interior of the property <NUM> is switched on.

Claim 1:
A monitoring system (<NUM>) that is configured to monitor a property (<NUM>), the monitoring system comprising:
a sensor (<NUM>) that is located at the property and that is configured to generate sensor data;
a camera that is configured to capture video data; and
a monitoring control unit (<NUM>) that is configured to
receive, from the sensor, the sensor data,
receive, from the camera, the video data,
based on the sensor data and the video data, determine that a vehicle (<NUM>) is in a vicinity of the property,
compare frames of the video data to an image of a known vehicle,
based on comparing the frames of the video data to the image of the known vehicle, determine a confidence score that reflects a likelihood that the vehicle in the vicinity of the property matches the known vehicle, wherein the monitoring control unit is configured to determine a confidence score that reflects the likelihood that the vehicle in the vicinity of the property matches the known vehicle by
i) determining a first confidence score that reflects a likelihood that a license plate number of the vehicle in the vicinity of the property matches a license plate number of the known vehicle,
ii) determining a second confidence score that reflects a likelihood that a model of the vehicle in the vicinity of the property matches a model of the known vehicle,
iii) determining a third confidence score that reflects a likelihood that a color of the vehicle in the vicinity of the property matches a color of the known vehicle, and
iv) determining the confidence score based on averaging or weighted averaging the first confidence score, the second confidence score, and the third confidence score,
based on determining that the confidence score that reflects the likelihood that the vehicle in the vicinity of the property matches the known vehicle satisfies a confidence score threshold, identify and authenticate an action that is performed by the vehicle,
identify a monitoring system action that corresponds to the authenticated action performed by the vehicle, and
perform the monitoring system action.