Doorbell communication systems and methods

A method for replacing a first doorbell with a second doorbell, wherein the first doorbell comprises a switch configured to close a circuit between a transformer and a sound output device to enable the sound output device to emit a notification sound, the method comprising:

• detaching the first doorbell from a first wire that is electrically connected to the transformer;
• detaching the first doorbell from a second wire that is electrically connected to the sound output device;
• obtaining the second doorbell, wherein the second doorbell comprises a speaker, a microphone, a camera, and an outer housing, wherein the speaker, the microphone, and the camera are coupled to the outer housing;
• connecting the second doorbell electrically to the first wire that is electrically connected to the transformer;
• connecting the second doorbell electrically to the second wire that is electrically connected to the sound output device;
• connecting the second doorbell communicatively to a remote computing device;
• receiving a first alternating current into the second doorbell from at least one of the first wire and the second wire;
• converting at least a first portion of the first alternating current into a first direct current, wherein the converting occurs within the outer housing of the second doorbell;
• using the first direct current to provide a first electrical energy to at least a second portion of the second doorbell;
• draining the first direct current to at least one of the first wire and the second wire;
• arranging and configuring the second doorbell to detect the presence of a visitor located outside of the building to which the doorbell is attached;
• and
• arranging and configuring the second doorbell to simultaneously transmit a first notification to a remote computing device to notify a user of the visitor's presence, wherein during the transmission of the first notification the doorbell supplies the sound output device with a first electrical power that is less than a triggering threshold of the sound output device such that the sound output device does not emit a notification sound in response to the first electrical power;
• and transmit a second notification to the sound output device located inside of the building to notify a user of the visitor's presence, wherein the second notification comprises supplying the sound output device with a second electrical power that is greater than the triggering threshold of the sound output device such that the sound output device emits the notification sound in response to the second electrical power.

A method for using a doorbell system, the method comprising:

• obtaining a doorbell that comprises a speaker, a microphone, a camera, and an outer housing, wherein the speaker, the microphone, and the camera are coupled to the outer housing of the doorbell;
• connecting the doorbell electrically to an electrical power supply of a building;
• connecting the doorbell electrically to a sound output device located inside of the building;
• connecting the doorbell communicatively to a remote computing device;
• receiving a first alternating current into the doorbell from the power supply of the building;
• converting at least a first portion of the first alternating current into a first direct current, wherein the converting occurs within the outer housing of the doorbell;
• using the first direct current to provide a first electrical energy to the camera;
• draining the first direct current to the sound output device located inside of the building, wherein the first direct current provides a first electrical power that is less than a triggering threshold of the sound output device such that the sound output device does not emit a notification sound in response to the first electrical power;
• detecting the presence of a visitor that is located outside of the building to which the doorbell is attached;
• and
• in response to detecting the presence of the visitor, transmitting a first notification to the remote computing device to alert a first user of the visitor's presence, wherein during the transmission of the first notification the doorbell supplies the sound output device with the first electrical power;
• and transmitting a second notification to the sound output device located inside of the building to alert a second user of the visitor's presence, wherein the second notification comprises supplying the sound output device with a second electrical power that is greater than the triggering threshold of the sound output device such that the sound output device emits the notification sound in response to the second electrical power.