Systems, methods, and devices for managing coexistence of multiple transceiver devices by optimizing component layout

• US 9,396,633 B1
• Filed: 08/05/2015
• Issued: 07/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Sannala, Mikko Pekka
• Primary Examiner(s): Elahi, Shan
• Application Number:
  US14/819,373
• Time in Patent Office: 349 Days
• Field of Search: 348/143
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19619 Details of casing
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19636 pertaining to the camera
• 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 17/113 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/007 Details of data content structure of message packets; data protocols
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2291 used in bluetooth or WI-FI devices of Wireless Local Area Networks [WLAN] H01Q1/241 takes precedence; WLAN in general H04W
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/44 using equipment having another main function to serve additionally as an antenna , e.g. means for giving an antenna an aesthetic aspectH01Q1/27 - H01Q1/34 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/30 Combinations of separate antenna units operating in different wavebands and connected to a common feeder system
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/55 Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof

Abstract

A camera assembly includes an enclosed housing having a rear surface, a front surface, and a periphery. The camera assembly also includes a lens module located within the housing and configured to receive light via the front surface, and communication circuitry located within the housing and configured to wireless communicate over a plurality of different communication protocols. The camera assembly further includes a first antenna arranged at a first location on an inner surface of the periphery, the first antenna configured for communication over a first one of the communication protocols, and a second antenna arranged at a second location on the inner surface of the periphery, the second location being different than the first location, the second antenna configured for communication over a second one of the communication protocols.

Claims

1. A camera assembly, comprising:

an enclosed housing having a rear surface, a front surface, and a periphery, wherein the periphery defines a border of the enclosed housing, and the periphery includes an inner surface and an outer surface;

a lens module located within the enclosed housing and configured to receive light via the front surface;

communication circuitry located within the enclosed housing and configured to wirelessly communicate over a plurality of different communication protocols, the communication circuitry including one or more transceivers configured for communication over a first communication protocol and a second communication protocol;

a first antenna arranged at a first location on the inner surface of the periphery, the first antenna configured for communication over the first communication protocol, and the first antenna being electrically coupled to the communication circuitry; and

a second antenna arranged at a second location on the inner surface of the periphery, the second location being different than the first location, the second antenna configured for communication over the second communication protocol, and the second antenna being electrically coupled to the communication circuitry.

2. The camera assembly of claim 1, further comprising a loop arm that is configured to hold the enclosed housing when the enclosed housing is inserted within a cutout opening in the loop arm.

3. The camera assembly of claim 2, wherein the loop arm is made from metal material, and the first location of the first antenna and the second location of the second antenna are such that the impact from the presence of the metal loop arm is suppressed.

4. The camera assembly of claim 1, wherein the first antenna is arranged at the first location on the inner surface of the periphery and/or the second antenna is arranged at the second location on the inner surface of the periphery by an adhesive material.

5. The camera assembly of claim 1, wherein the first antenna and the second antenna are configured to operate at a same wireless transmission frequency.

6. The camera assembly of claim 1, wherein the first antenna and the second antenna are configured to operate at distinct wireless transmission frequencies.

7. The camera assembly of claim 1, wherein the one or more transceivers of the communication circuitry include a first transceiver configured for communication over the first communication protocol and a second transceiver configured for communication over the second communication protocol, wherein the first transceiver and the second transceiver are distinct.

8. The camera assembly of claim 1, wherein the communication circuitry is an integrated circuit configured for communication over both the first and second communication protocols.

9. The camera assembly of claim 1, wherein the communication circuitry is configured to wireless communicate over at least three different communication protocols.

10. The camera assembly of claim 9, wherein the second antenna is further configured for communication over a third one of the communication protocols.

11. The camera assembly of claim 10, wherein:

the first antenna is configured to transmit and receive, over the first communication protocol, signals comprising one or more of alerts, control signals and status information to and from other smart home devices; and

the second antenna is configured to transmit and receive, over the second communication protocol signals for configuring the smart home device, and over the third communication protocol data corresponding to video captured by the smart home device.

12. The camera assembly of claim 1, wherein the communication circuitry is further configured to provide transmission access for communicating over the first communication protocol while denying transmission access for communicating over the second communication protocol, while detecting an activated priority control signal.

13. The camera assembly of claim 1, wherein the first antenna has a first orientation and the second antenna has a second orientation such that the impact from the presence and interference of each other antenna are suppressed.

14. The camera assembly of claim 1, wherein the first antenna or the second antenna is configured to transmit and receive wireless signals in a wireless local area network according to the IEEE 802.11 standard.

15. The camera assembly of claim 1, wherein the first antenna or the second antenna is configured to transmit and receive wireless signals in a wireless personal area network according to the IEEE 802.15.4 standard.

16. The camera assembly of claim 1, wherein the first antenna or the second antenna is configured to transmit and receive wireless signals according to the Bluetooth Low Energy standard.

17. The camera assembly of claim 1, wherein the first antenna and the second antenna are electrically coupled to a duplex that controls their connections to a single wireless receiver circuit.

18. The camera assembly of claim 1, wherein video data captured by the lens module is exchanged between the camera assembly and a server using a wireless local area network.

19. The camera assembly of claim 1, wherein the first antenna and the second antenna are marked with a respective alignment mark that is configured to guide the assembly of the respective antenna onto the interior wall of the camera lid.