BACKGROUND

The present disclosure, for example, relates to security and/or automation systems, and more particularly to system and methods for automatically copying and storing data (e.g., media) held on one or more computing devices.

Security and automation systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication and functional features such as monitoring, communication, notification, and/or others. These systems may be capable of supporting communication with a user through a communication connection or a system management action.

It is common for individuals and families to generate significant amounts of media that documents events in their lives. For example, a family of four may operate four separate smart phones in addition to other computing devices such as tablet computers, laptop computers, cameras, etc. that the family uses to create media and other digital information such as pictures, video, social media, text messages, geo location, and the like. Many challenges exist related to capturing and storing the media, and determining what media and other information to store (or not to store).

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for capturing and storing data such as media. In the example above, the media and other electronic information generated by the family may be automatically copied and stored from their electronic devices when those devices are located within a predetermined geographic area (e.g., within a property monitored by a home automation/security system). The storage system may provide a central repository to easily store the media and whatever electronic information they choose to be captured from their electronic devices. In some embodiments, the storage system is considered a backup data storage system that stores copies of the media that originates and/or is stored on other electronic devices. The storage system may also automatically group the stored media based on certain criteria such as time period, location, event and source of the media. The storage system may cooperate with a security and/or automation system for a property such as a home or business.

One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method for storing data. The method includes detecting presence of one or more computing devices within a defined geographic area, automatically copying media stored on the one or more computing devices, storing the copied media on a backup storage device, and grouping the stored copied media by at least one of time period, location, event and a source of the copied media.

In one example, the method further includes transmitting the copied media to at least one of a social media platform and another computing device. The method may include automatically copying media when new media is detected on the one or more computing devices. The media may include at least one of video, pictures, social media posts and/or conversations, text messages, audio recordings, and geo location history. The method may include comparing the copied media to media previously stored on the backup storage device and storing copied media that is different from the previously stored media. The method may include automatically erasing at least some of the stored copied media according to predetermined rules.

The media may include security camera recordings from one or more cameras of a security system within the defined geographic area. The method may include controlling security features of a security system based on a detected location of the one or more computing devices. The one or more computing devices may include at least one of a smart phone, a table computer, a laptop computer, a digital camera, and a desktop computer. The defined geographic area may include a property monitored by an automation and/or security system. The one or more computing devices may include a mobile computing device. The method may include providing remote access to the stored copied media from any of the one or more computing devices.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for storing media with a security and/or automation system. The apparatus includes a processor, memory in electronic communication with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions are executable by the processor to detect presence of a plurality of computing devices within a defined geographic area, detect new media on any one of the plurality of computing devices, automatically copy the new media, and store the copied new media on a backup storage device of the security and/or automation system.

In one example, the instructions are further executable by the processor to group the stored copied new media by at least one of time period, location, event, and which of the plurality of computing devices the new media is copied from. The instructions may be further executable by the processor to detect the new media, copy the new media, and store the copied new media based on predefined rules. The one or more computing devices may include at least one of a smart phone, a table computer, a laptop computer, a digital camera, and a desktop computer. The defined geographic area may include a property monitored by an automation and/or security system. The media may include at least one of video, pictures, social media posts and/or conversations, text messages, audio recordings, and geo location history. The instructions may be further executable by the processor to transmit the copied new media to one or more of the plurality of computing devices.

A further embodiment is directed to a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable code. The code is executable by a processor to detect presence of one or more computing devices within a defined geographic area, automatically detect new media on any one of the one or more computing devices, automatically copy the new media, store the copied new media on a backup storage device, and group the stored copied new media by at least one of time period, location, event and a source of the new media.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of examples according to this disclosure so that the following detailed description may be better understood. Additional features and advantages will be described below. The conception and specific examples disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. Such equivalent constructions do not depart from the scope of the appended claims. Characteristics of the concepts disclosed herein—including their organization and method of operation—together with associated advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. Each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only, and not as a definition of the limits of the claims.

