Doorbell systems can include a doorbell and a remote communication device. In some embodiments, the remote communication device can be communicatively coupled to a wireless network of a building, to the doorbell, and to a remote computing device. In several embodiments, the remote communication device facilitates communication with at least one of the doorbell, the remote computing device, and a remote sensor.

In one example, a home network associated with a user equipment obtains an authentication request to authenticate the user equipment to a serving network. The home network generates an authentication vector of a mobile security protocol. The authentication vector includes an indication that the user equipment is to be authenticated using a multi-factor authentication process. The home network provides the authentication vector to the serving network to prompt a response from the user equipment that is in accordance with the multi-factor authentication process. The home network authenticates the user equipment to the serving network based on the response.

A method is for controlling a home automation installation. The installation includes pieces of home automation equipment and a central control member. The method includes providing a desired operation of the installation, providing a first operation of each piece of equipment, optimizing the operation of the installation by modifying the first operation of at least one piece of equipment, to obtain a second operation of the at least one piece of equipment, and an operation of the installation according to the desired operation, and installing a virtual machine in the at least one piece of equipment. The virtual machine is able to impose the second operation on the at least one piece of equipment.

A device management service at a provider network may assign a contextual identity to a newly installed device at a client network based on proximity of other devices to the new device. When a new device is installed on a client network, the device broadcasts a request for proximity data. When another device receives the request, it generates proximity data. For example, it may measure a strength of the radio signal received from the new device, which varies depending on how close the devices are. The new device receives proximity data from the other devices on the client network. The new device then transmits the proximity data to a device management service. The device management service uses an algorithm to determine an estimated location of the new device based on the proximity data. The device management service determines a contextual identity of the new device based on the estimated location.

A method of remotely obtaining metadata from a building management system at a building site includes utilizing an intelligent gateway that is disposed at the building site and that is operably coupled with the building management system. A request for the intelligent gateway to obtain metadata from the building management system is received at the intelligent gateway, which applies the metadata request to individual components of the building management system. The intelligent gateway receives the requested metadata from the individual components of the building management system and translates the received metadata into a predetermined format. The intelligent gateway communicates the translated metadata to the remote server.

The disclosure includes a method for using a doorbell system to detect a presence of a visitor. The doorbell system can comprise a doorbell having a speaker, a microphone, a camera, and a button. The method can include detecting, by the doorbell system, the presence of the visitor while the visitor is located outside a building to which the doorbell is attached. The building can include a door having a lock that is configured to fasten the door to inhibit unauthorized entry into the building. In response to detecting the presence of the visitor, the method can include the step of actuating, by the doorbell system, a first appliance associated with the building.

According to one embodiment, an office device includes a communication unit to wirelessly communicate with a wireless device using a short-range wireless communication standard. A processor of the office device is configured to periodically search for wireless devices within a communication range of the communication unit, acquire identification information from each wireless device detected in the search for wireless devices, output search data including the identification information to a server. In some examples, the office device may be used as a monitoring sensor or the like to provide information for control of another apparatus.

Systems and methods for controlling routing in premises management systems are described. A system may comprise a server located external to a premises. The server may be configured to receive, from a user device located external to the premises, a request for content from a premises device located at the premises. The server may be configured to transmit, to a gateway device located at the premises, a request to cause transmission of the content. The gateway device may configured to determine, based on the request to cause transmission of the content and a capability of a network, a routing protocol for transmission of the content. The gateway device may be configured to cause transmission of the content. The transmission of the content may use the determined routing protocol. The transmission of the content may be via the network.

A method of remotely configuring one or more building system components at a building site uses a cloud-based server remote from the building site. The cloud-based server receives information from an intelligent gateway at the building site that identifies each of one or more building system components at the building site. The cloud-based server is used to create a site configuration that is based at least in part on the identified information for each of the one or more building system components. The site configuration is then downloaded from the cloud-based server to the intelligent gateway such that the intelligent gateway is able to pass configuration information to one or more local controllers that control operation of the one or more building system components.

Doorbell systems can include a doorbell and a chime. In some embodiments, the chime can be communicatively coupled to a wireless network of a building, to the doorbell, and to a remote computing device. In several embodiments, the chime facilitates communication with at least one of the doorbell, the remote computing device, and a remote sensor.