This application is directed to a hub device that may operate as a substitute for a backend device. For instance, an audio/video recording and communication device (A/V device) may communicate with the backend device using a first communication link. The first communication link may include a network-connected device, such as a router. Based on the A/V device determining that the first communication link is disrupted, the A/V device may configure settings in order to communicate with the hub device using a second communication link. The hub device may then receive data from the A/V device using the second communication link. If the hub device is able to still communicate with the backend device, the hub device may send the data to the backend device. However, if the hub device is unable to communicate with the backend device, then the hub device may store the data and/or transmit the data to a client device.

Methods and systems are described for storing video content collected by a home automation system. According to at least one embodiment, an apparatus for accessing video content collected by a home automation system includes a processor, a memory in electronic communication with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory which are executable by a processor to receive video content associated with an event, determine a priority level of the video content based on at least one predetermined criteria, and store the video content for a period of time based on the priority level.

This disclosure describes, in part, an audio/video (A/V) device that includes a first camera for generating first image data and one or more second cameras for both motion detection and generating second image data. For instance, the A/V device may generate and then store the second image data in one or more buffers. The A/V device may then detect an event, such as possible motion of an object. Based on detecting the event, A/V device may cause the one or more second cameras to cease generating the second image data and cause the first camera to begin generating the first image data. The A/V device may then process the second image data and send the processed second image data to a computing system. Next, the A/V device may process the first image data and send the processed first image data to the computing system.

An apparatus including an interface and a processor. The interface may be configured to receive video frames. The processor may be configured to perform video operations on the video frames to detect objects in the video frames, detect a license plate and a driver of the vehicle based on the objects detected in the video frames, detect a use of an electronic device by the driver and generate a notification signal. The notification signal may comprise data to enable correlating the driver using the electronic device in the vehicle with the license plate. The notification signal may be generated if the use of the electronic device is unauthorized. The processor may comprise a dedicated hardware module configured to perform feature detection to calculate descriptors for determining a likelihood that pixels of the video frames belong to the objects that correspond to the use of the electronic device by the driver.

The present embodiments solve the problem of low-quality stored footage from video stream by storing copies of data packets at a local storage device of the A/V recording and communication device. The locally stored data is subsequently (e.g., after the live stream has terminated) uploaded to a remote storage device. If any data packets are lost during the upload process, those lost data packets can be re-sent from the local storage device to the remote storage device so that the complete recording can be stored at the remote storage device. The subsequent upload process may, in some embodiments, comprise a reliable data transfer protocol.

Streaming and storing video for audio/video (A/V) recording and communication devices in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure are provided. In one embodiment, a method for an A/V recording and communication device comprises: recording video image data; executing a write operation to write the video image data at a write rate; executing a read operation to read the video image data at a first read rate that is greater than the write rate; continuing to read the video image data at the first read rate until the read operation catches up to the write operation; reading the video image data at a second read rate equal to the write rate; and transmitting streaming video to a client device, wherein a beginning portion of the streaming video is streamed at a first stream rate and thereafter streaming at a second stream rate less than the first stream rate.

Some aspects of the present embodiments provide a plurality of exterior lighting devices that are communicatively linked and capable of simultaneous (or near simultaneous) activation. At least a subset of the lighting devices may have cameras that enable live viewing (and/or later viewing of recorded footage) of the area around each lighting device (e.g., by the property owner, by law enforcement, or by any other authorized person or entity), and speakers that are capable of providing live verbal warnings (and/or automatic audible warnings) to intruders. Some of the present embodiments may enable the user to remotely control the light and/or sound emitted from the lighting devices.

The invention pertains to the field of video data analysis and processing, and more specifically to technologies aimed at finding information about objects of interest by the minimum known initial data. The system for processing the data from the archive comprises video cameras, memory, a database, a data processing device, and a graphical user interface. The graphical user interface comprises a video camera selection unit, a time period setting unit, a search mode selection unit, a search features unit, and a display. The data processing device is configured with the ability to perform the video data decompression and analysis, process the archive video data, perform the search, and display the search results through the display. The method for processing the data from the archive comprises providing a choice of specific video cameras of the system, setting a specific video time period, providing a choice of search mode from the search modes, setting the known object features, processing the archive video data, and searching for the corresponding metadata, wherein the metadata is generated by video data decompression and analysis and stored in the system database.

Apparatus and systems using merchandise activity sensors for increasing the awareness of interactivity with merchandise on retail store displays (shelves, peg hooks, merchandise pushers, and other Point of Purchase displays) in order to facilitate more effective customer service, reduce theft and to provide additional analysis data related to merchandise/shopper interaction. Additionally, apparatus and systems for the conversion of cameras from passive to active deterrence devices aware of events occurring the environment. More particularly, the present invention pertains to awareness of behaviors often related to potential theft activity.

A system and method for archiving digital surveillance footage is disclosed. The system being comprised of a universal software program that interacts with popular network video recording (NVR) and digital video recording (DVR) surveillance systems currently on the market (formerly known as closed circuit televisionCCTV). The software saves footage to the local and/or remote servers and allow users to easily-locate data or isolate key frames of interest. An object of the invention is to enhance the efficiency of surveillance footage management and to eliminate the reliance on a particular type of the NVR or DVR which among other benefits, illiminagtes the solution lock-in. The software allows users to examine and detect any trends in file metadata and migrate footage from one CCTV system to another while preserving the continuity and independence of the video archival process.