Smart home device with integrated conditional lighting

• US 9,646,480 B2
• Filed: 10/07/2014
• Issued: 05/09/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Fadell, Anthony M., Webb, Nick, Rogers, Matthew L., Sloo, David, Matsuoka, Yoky, Mittleman, Adam, Honjo, Shigefumi
• Primary Examiner(s): ALAM, MIRZA F
• Application Number:
  US14/508,302
• Publication Number:
  US 20150097686A1
• Time in Patent Office: 945 Days
• Field of Search: 340517
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/33 to fire, excessive heat or smoke
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/34 by opening air passages
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/46 Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/58 using Internet communication
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/70 Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/75 for maintaining constant air flow rate or air velocity
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/89 Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/10 Occupancy
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/4204 with determination of ambient light solar light G01J2001/4266
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/02 by investigating impedance
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/121 for determining moisture content, e.g. humidity, of the fluid moisture content of the tested material G01N27/048
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0031 comprising two or more sensors, e.g. a sensor array
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/004 CO or CO2
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 8/10 Detecting, e.g. by using light barriers by reflection from the object G01S17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/70 Determining position or orientation of objects or cameras camera calibration G06T7/80
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/46 Extracting features or characteristics from the video content, e.g. video fingerprints, representative shots or key frames
• 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 17/117 by using a detection device for specific gases, e.g. combustion products, produced by the fire G08B17/103, G08B17/11 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 19/005 combined burglary and fire alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/12 : responsive to undesired emission of substances, e.g. pollution alarms
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/14 : Toxic gas alarms G08B21/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/18 : Status alarms G08B21/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/182 : Level alarms, e.g. alarms responsive to variables exceeding a threshold
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/002 : Generating a prealarm to the central station
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/008 : Alarm setting and unsetting, i.e. arming or disarming of the security system
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/012 : using recorded signals, e.g. speech G08B25/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/08 : using communication transmission lines G08B13/19658, G08B21/0286, G08B25/016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/02 : Monitoring continuously signalling or alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/04 : Monitoring of the detection circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/145 : of fire detection circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/185 : Signal analysis techniques for reducing or preventing false alarms or for enhancing the reliability of the system
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/22 : Provisions facilitating manual calibration, e.g. input or output provisions for testing; Holding of intermittent values to permit measurement
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/26 : by updating and storing reference thresholds
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/10 : using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/22 : using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/36 : using visible light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 : Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2809 : indicating that an appliance service is present in a home automation network monitoring functionality H04L43/0817; discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services, H04L67/51
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2818 : from a device located outside both the home and the home network access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless eletrical link G08C17/00; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with remote control systems H04M11/007
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/282 : based on user interaction within the home receiver circuitry for displaying additional information being controlled by a remote control apparatus H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/025 : for remote control or remote monitoring of applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 : in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/54 : Presence management, e.g. monitoring or registration for receipt of user log-on information, or the connection status of the users
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72445 : for supporting Internet browser applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 : for receiving images from a single remote source
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/10 : Controlling the intensity of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 : Controlling the colour of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 : by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 : via wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/196 : characterised by user interface arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/1965 : using handheld communication devices
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/197 : Sound control or voice control
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/1975 : Gesture control
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 50/20 : Air quality improvement or preservation, e.g. vehicle emission control or emission reduction by using catalytic converters

Abstract

Various embodiments of hazard detectors are presented. A hazard sensor may be present that detects the presence of a hazardous condition. A light sensor may be present that detects an ambient brightness level. A motion sensor may be present that detects motion of a user. A light may be present that is capable of outputting light. A processing system may receive an indication of the ambient brightness level in the ambient environment of the hazard detector from the light sensor. The processing system may determine that the ambient brightness level is less than a threshold brightness. The processing system may receive information indicative of the user moving in the ambient environment of the hazard detector. The processing system may cause the light to illuminate based on the ambient brightness level being below the threshold brightness and the user moving in the ambient environment of the hazard detector.

Claims

1. A smart home device, comprising:

a light sensor that detects an ambient brightness level of an ambient environment of the smart home device;

a motion sensor that detects motion of a user in the ambient environment of the smart home device;

a light that is capable of outputting light into the ambient environment of the smart home device; and

a processing system, the processing system being in communication with the motion sensor, the light sensor, and the light, the processing system comprising at least one processor and being configured to;

receive an indication of the ambient brightness level in the ambient environment of the smart home device from the light sensor;

determine that the ambient brightness level is less than a threshold brightness value;

receive information from the motion sensor indicative of the user moving in the ambient environment of the smart home device;

access a stored data structure that identifies a plurality of colors linked with a plurality of states of the smart home device;

select a color for the light based on a state of the smart home device using the stored data structure, wherein the state is indicative of the ambient brightness level being below the threshold brightness value and motion being present in the ambient environment of the smart home device; and

cause the light to illuminate in the selected color based on the ambient brightness level being below the threshold brightness value, and the user moving in the ambient environment of the smart home device.

2. The smart home device of claim 1, wherein the processing system is further configured to:

determine a charge level of one or more batteries of the smart home device; and

compare the determined charge level of the one or more batteries of the smart home device to a threshold charge level, wherein the processing system being configured to cause the light to illuminate based on the ambient brightness level being below the threshold brightness value and the user being present in the ambient environment of the smart home device is further based on the determined charge level being greater than the threshold charge level.

3. The smart home device of claim 1, the smart home device further comprising:

a wireless communication interface in communication with the processing system, wherein the processing system is further configured to;

perform an initial configuration of the smart home device using a wireless connection using the smart home device and a computerized wireless device that is in communication with the smart home device; and

enable a path-light feature based at least in part on the initial configuration of the smart home device being performed via the wireless connection using the smart home device and the computerized wireless device, wherein the processing system being configured to activate the light based on the ambient brightness level being below the threshold brightness value and motion being present in the ambient environment of the smart home device further comprises;

the processing system being configured to activate the light based on the ambient brightness level being below the threshold brightness value, motion being present in the ambient environment of the smart home device, and the path-light feature being enabled based at least in part on the initial configuration of the smart home device being performed via the wireless connection using the smart home device and the computerized wireless device.

4. The smart home device of claim 1, wherein the light is comprised of a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and the light outputs light from the smart home device in a shape of a ring when each of the plurality of LEDs is illuminated.

5. The smart home device of claim 1, the smart home device further comprising:

a wireless communication interface in communication with the processing system, wherein the processing system is further configured to;

receive, from a remote server, via a wireless network, a message indicative that a path-light feature has been disabled by a user via a remote computerized device; and

disable the path-light feature such that the light remains unlit in response to the ambient brightness level being below the threshold brightness value and motion being present in the ambient environment of the smart home device.

6. The smart home device of claim 1, the smart home device further comprising:

a wireless communication interface in communication with the processing system, wherein the processing system is further configured to;

receive, from a remote server, via a wireless network, a message indicative that a brightness level of a path-light feature has been set to a user-defined brightness level, wherein the processing system is configured to illuminate the light at the user-defined brightness level based on the ambient brightness level being below the threshold brightness value and motion being present in the ambient environment of the smart home device.

7. The smart home device of claim 1, wherein the light is capable of illuminating a plurality of colors and the processing system being configured to activate the light based on the ambient brightness level being below the threshold brightness value and the user moving in the ambient environment of the smart home device comprises the processing system being configured to cause the light to illuminate a first color of the plurality of colors.

8. The smart home device of claim 7, wherein the processing system is further configured to:

receive an indication of a presence of a hazardous condition from a hazard sensor; and

activate the light in response to receiving the presence of the hazardous condition from the hazard sensor, wherein the light is illuminated a second color of the plurality of colors.

9. A method for providing conditional lighting by a smart home device, the method comprising:

measuring, by the smart home device, an ambient brightness level in an ambient environment of the smart home device;

determining, by the smart home device, that the ambient brightness level is less than a threshold brightness value;

collecting, by the smart home device, motion data indicative of a user moving in the ambient environment of the smart home device;

accessing, by the smart home device, a stored data structure that identifies a plurality of colors linked with a plurality of states of the smart home device;

selecting, by the smart home device, a color for the light based on a state of the smart home device using the stored data structure, wherein the state is indicative of the ambient brightness level being below the threshold brightness value and motion being present in the ambient environment of the smart home device; and

illuminating, by the smart home device, the light using the selected color based on the ambient brightness level being below the threshold brightness value, and the user moving in the ambient environment of the smart home device.

10. The method for providing conditional lighting by the smart home device of claim 9, the method further comprising:

determining, by the smart home device, a charge level of one or more batteries of the smart home device; and

comparing, by the smart home device, the determined charge level of the one or more batteries of the smart home device to a threshold charge level, wherein illuminating, by the smart home device, the light based on the ambient brightness level being below the threshold brightness value and the user being present in the ambient environment of the smart home device is further based on the determined charge level being greater than the threshold charge level.

11. The method for providing conditional lighting by the smart home device of claim 9, the method further comprising:

configuring the smart home device using a wireless connection between the smart home device and a computerized wireless device that is in communication with the smart home device; and

enabling, by the smart home device, a path-light feature based at least in part on an initial configuration of the smart home device being performed via the wireless connection using the smart home device and the computerized wireless device, wherein illuminating the light based on the ambient brightness level being below the threshold brightness value and motion being present in the ambient environment of the smart home device further comprises;

illuminating, by the smart home device, the light based on the ambient brightness level being below the threshold brightness value, motion being present in the ambient environment of the smart home device, and the path-light feature being enabled based at least in part on the initial configuration of the smart home device being performed via the wireless connection using the smart home device and the computerized wireless device.

12. The method for providing conditional lighting by the smart home device of claim 9, the method further comprising:

receiving, by the smart home device from a remote server, via a wireless network, a message indicating that a path-light feature has been disabled by a user via a remote computerized device; and

disabling, by the smart home device, the path-light feature such that the light remains unlit in response to the ambient brightness level being below the threshold brightness value and motion being present in the ambient environment of the smart home device.

13. The method for providing conditional lighting by the smart home device of claim 9, the method further comprising:

receiving, by the smart home device, from a remote server, via a wireless network, a message indicative that a brightness level of a path-light feature has been set to a user-defined brightness level, wherein illuminating the light based on the ambient brightness level being below the threshold brightness value and motion being present in the ambient environment of the smart home device is performed at the user-defined brightness level.

14. A non-transitory processor-readable medium for providing conditional lighting by a smart home device, comprising processor-readable instructions configured to cause one or more processors to:

receive a measurement of an ambient brightness level in an ambient environment of the smart home device;

determine that the measurement of the ambient brightness level in the ambient environment is less than a stored threshold brightness value;

receive motion data indicative of a user moving in the ambient environment of the smart home device;

access a stored data structure that identifies a plurality of colors linked with a plurality of states of the smart home device;

select a color for a light of the smart home device based on a state of the smart home device using the stored data structure, wherein the state is indicative of the ambient brightness level being below the stored threshold brightness value and motion being present in the ambient environment of the smart home device; and

cause the light of the smart home device to illuminate in the selected color based on the ambient brightness level being below the stored threshold brightness value; and

the user moving in the ambient environment of the smart home device.

15. The non-transitory processor-readable medium for providing conditional lighting by the smart home device of claim 14, wherein the processor-readable instructions are further configured to cause the one or more processors to:

receive, from a remote server, via a wireless network, a message indicating that a path-light feature has been disabled by a user via a remote computerized device; and

disable the path-light feature such that the light remains unlit in response to the ambient brightness level being below the stored threshold brightness value and motion being present in the ambient environment of the smart home device.