Optical signaling system for a smart-home device

• US 10,598,341 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2018
• Issued: 03/24/2020
• 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:
  US16/225,886
• Publication Number:
  US 20190195464A1
• Time in Patent Office: 461 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 pattern and mounted within the case;

a light guide that is formed from a translucent or transparent material and that receives light from the plurality of light emitters and emits light through a first surface of the light guide;

a button, wherein the light guide causes light to be emitted around an edge of the button;

blackout material arranged against a second surface of the light guide;

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 an ambient environment in a shaped pattern.

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

3. The combination carbon monoxide and smoke detector of claim 2, wherein, when all of the plurality of light emitters are active, the shaped pattern is illuminated with an even glow.

4. The combination carbon monoxide and smoke detector of claim 2, wherein the plurality of light emitters emit light in a plurality of colors.

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

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 each of the plurality of light emitters is a group of light emitting diodes (LEDs).

8. The combination carbon monoxide and smoke detector of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the plurality of light emitters to output a plurality of lighting animations.

9. The combination carbon monoxide and smoke detector of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the plurality of light emitters to vary a brightness of light output.

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

11. The combination carbon monoxide and smoke detector of claim 1, further comprising reflective cladding present on a side of the light guide.

12. The combination carbon monoxide and smoke detector of claim 1, further comprising a surface mount plate, wherein the case is configured to be attached to the surface mount plate and rotated.

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

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

a light guide that is formed from a translucent or transparent material and that receives light from the plurality of light emitters and emits light through a first surface of the light guide;

a button, wherein the light guide causes light to be emitted around an edge of the button;

blackout material arranged against a second surface of the light guide; and

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

14. The light distribution system for the sensor device of claim 13, wherein the plurality of light emitters comprises at least four light emitters arranged in a circular pattern.

15. The light distribution system for the sensor device of claim 14, wherein the plurality of light emitters emit light in a plurality of colors.

16. The light distribution system for the sensor device of claim 15, wherein the plurality of light emitters emit light through the first surface of the light guide in the colors of red, green, and blue.

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

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 13, 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 13, wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the plurality of light emitters to output a plurality of lighting animations.