Homeowners could be alerted that guests are snooping around parts of their house or flat and stop them in their tracks through a surveillance system being developed by Amazon.
The system — which can be linked to facial recognition software — could stop guests and service providers such as cleaners, delivery drivers and future autonomous robot helpers from entering rooms where they are not allowed by creating “virtual barriers”, the shopping giant’s patent says.
Using smart CCTV cameras, hosts will be sent a message and live-streamed video to their smartphone warning them that a “guest is outside of the designated zone”.
In 2017, Amazon announced a service called Key which uses a Cloud Cam and compatible smart lock to let couriers into the home when the resident is away. The new patent takes the idea further so the owner could set up zones where only they are allowed to enter.
The “camera apparatus” could also be connected to door locks which would then lock if an unauthorised person approaches “secure areas”.
The idea is that the front door or kitchen could be opened for a driver, cleaner or chef while other rooms would be out of bounds.
A guest’s phone could allow them access to unlock some doors but if they stray to an area where they are not allowed then the “camera apparatus” would alert the homeowner.
They could then allow other doors to be unlocked if they choose, after learning of the person’s identity. The patent says: “After unlocking the entrance for the guest, the guest can enter the secure areas of the environment.” In order to “authenticate” their identity, information about them or the task they will perform can be inputted, including details about any delivery items. The information could include the person’s name or a robot’s serial number but also the human’s phone number, email address and physical characteristics or voice.
The patent says the system could be tweaked to identify clothing, as well as “shape of the guest’s eyes, nose, cheekbones, jaw … and voice data representing a voice of the guest”.
If the object the spycam sees cannot be authenticated then its owner will be asked for confirmation, the patent says. Amazon, which owns the Ring doorbell company, even suggests the system could work out whether multiple people are needed to carry in large items such as mattresses.
An Amazon spokeswoman said: “Privacy is of the utmost importance to us and we always design our services to include strong privacy protections.”
