Optical signaling system for a smart-home device

• US 10,197,243 B2
• Filed: 07/20/2017
• Issued: 02/05/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Dong, William, Mittleman, Adam, Macomber, Bryan
• Primary Examiner(s): Tweel, Jr., John A
• Application Number:
  US15/655,690
• Publication Number:
  US 20180094792A1
• Time in Patent Office: 565 Days
• Field of Search: 340628
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0442 activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/83 the elements having apertures, ducts or channels, e.g. heat radiation holes
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0076 Safety or security signalisation, e.g. smoke or burglar alarms, earthquake detectors; Self-defence devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/0008 providing for indirect lighting
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/0033 with successive reflections from one reflector to the next or following
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/0058 adapted to cooperate with light sources of shapes different from point-like or linear, e.g. circular light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/041 with conical or pyramidal surface
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/00 Elements for modifying spectral properties, polarisation or intensity of the light emitted, e.g. filters coloured shades F21V1/00; elements characterised by cooling arrangements F21V29/502
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/105 comprising arrangements for illumination
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/10 Actuation by presence of smoke or gases , e.g. automatic alarm devices for analysing flowing fluid materials by the use of optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 19/005 combined burglary and fire alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 19/025 Light-emitting indicators

Abstract

Various arrangements for light distribution incorporated as part of a device are presented. A circular light guide may be used that receives light from a plurality of light emitters that can be arranged in a circular pattern. A conical reflector may be used and may be positioned to reflect light emitted from the circular light guide onto an exterior of a case of the device. The conical reflector may reflect light such that light is reflected by the exterior of the case in the shape of a halo into an ambient environment of the device.

Claims

1. A combination carbon monoxide and smoke detector, comprising:

a case;

a carbon monoxide sensor housed within the case;

a smoke sensor housed within the case;

a plurality of light emitters arranged in a circular pattern and mounted within the case;

a light guide comprising a light disperser that;

is formed from a translucent or transparent material, is partially surrounded in reflective cladding, and that receives light from the plurality of light emitters and emits the light through a halo-shaped surface of the light disperser;

a reflector that reflects light emitted by the plurality of light emitters arranged in the circular pattern through the halo-shaped surface of the light guide into an ambient environment of the combination carbon monoxide and smoke detector; and

one or more processors housed within the case, wherein;

the one or more processors are in communication with the carbon monoxide sensor, the smoke sensor, and the plurality of light emitters; and

the one or more processors are configured to activate the plurality of light emitters such that light is emitted into the ambient environment in a halo shaped pattern having an even glow.

2. The combination carbon monoxide and smoke detector of claim 1, wherein the plurality of light emitters comprises at least six light emitters arranged in the circular pattern.

3. The combination carbon monoxide and smoke detector of claim 1, wherein the plurality of light emitters emit light in a plurality of colors.

4. The combination carbon monoxide and smoke detector of claim 3, wherein the plurality of light emitters emit light in the halo shaped pattern in the colors of red, green, and blue.

5. The combination carbon monoxide and smoke detector of claim 1, further comprising a button, wherein the light emitted by the plurality of light emitters in the halo shaped pattern is output around the button.

6. The combination carbon monoxide and smoke detector of claim 1, further comprising a cover grille that allows air to enter the combination carbon monoxide and smoke detector.

7. The combination carbon monoxide and smoke detector of claim 1, wherein the reflector is circular.

8. The combination carbon monoxide and smoke detector of claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of light emitters is a group of light emitting diodes (LEDs).

9. The combination carbon monoxide and smoke detector of claim 1, wherein the plurality of the light emitters are illuminated to serve as a nightlight.

10. The combination carbon monoxide and smoke detector of claim 1, wherein the case further comprises a light transmission region, wherein the light transmission region of the case has an opacity that allows light emitted within the case to pass through material of the light transmission region, exit through a surface of the case, and cause the light transmission region to appear to glow.

11. A light distribution system for a sensor device, comprising:

a plurality of light emitters arranged in a circular pattern and mounted within a case of the sensor device;

a light guide comprising a light disperser that;

is formed from a translucent or transparent material, is partially surrounded in reflective cladding, and that receives light from the plurality of light emitters and emits the light through a halo-shaped surface of the light disperser; and

a reflector that reflects light emitted by the plurality of light emitters arranged in the circular pattern through the halo-shaped surface of the light guide into an ambient environment of the sensor device.

12. The light distribution system for the sensor device of claim 11, wherein the plurality of light emitters comprises at least six light emitters arranged in the circular pattern.

13. The light distribution system for the sensor device of claim 11, wherein the plurality of light emitters emit light in a plurality of colors.

14. The light distribution system for the sensor device of claim 13, wherein the plurality of light emitters emit light through the halo-shaped surface in the colors of red, green, and blue.

15. The light distribution system for the sensor device of claim 11, wherein the light emitted by the plurality of light emitters through the halo-shaped surface is output around a button.

16. The light distribution system for the sensor device of claim 11, further comprising a cover grille that allows air to enter the sensor device.

17. The light distribution system for the sensor device of claim 11, wherein the reflector is circular.

18. The light distribution system for the sensor device of claim 17, wherein each of the plurality of light emitters is a group of light emitting diodes (LEDs).

19. The light distribution system for the sensor device of claim 11, wherein the plurality of the light emitters are illuminated to serve as a nightlight.

20. The light distribution system for the sensor device of claim 11, wherein the case comprises a light transmission region, wherein the light transmission region of the case has an opacity that allows light emitted within the case to pass through material of the light transmission region, exit through a surface of the case, and cause the light transmission region to appear to glow.