Smart device with integrated conditional lighting

• US 9,900,958 B2
• Filed: 03/03/2017
• Issued: 02/20/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google LLC (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:
  US15/448,733
• Publication Number:
  US 20170181245A1
• Time in Patent Office: 354 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 electrochemical electrode arrays G01N27/27
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/004 for CO, 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: Y02A 50/20 : Air quality improvement or preservation, e.g. vehicle emission control or emission reduction by using catalytic converters

Abstract

Various arrangements of smart devices are presented. Such a smart device may include a case, a wireless interface, a light sensor that detects an ambient brightness level of an ambient environment of the smart device, a motion sensor that detects motion of a user in the ambient environment of the smart device, a light that is capable of outputting light into the ambient environment of the smart device, and a processing system. The processing system may cause the light to illuminate based on: the message indicating that the lighting feature has been activated; the ambient brightness level being below the threshold brightness value; and the user moving in the ambient environment of the smart device.

Claims

1. A smart device, comprising:

a case;

a wireless interface;

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

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

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

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

receive, via the wireless interface, a message indicating that a lighting feature that provides illumination based on movement and the ambient brightness level has been activated;

receive an indication of the ambient brightness level in the ambient environment of the smart device as sensed by 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 device; and

cause the light to illuminate based on all of the following conditions being present;

(1) the message having been received that indicates that the lighting feature has been activated;

(2) the ambient brightness level being below the threshold brightness value; and

(3) the user moving in the ambient environment of the smart device.

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

perform an initial configuration of the smart device based on information received via the wireless interface; and

enable the lighting feature based at least in part on the initial configuration of the smart device being performed, wherein the processing system is configured to activate the light based on;

(4) the lighting feature being enabled, in addition to (1) the message indicating that the lighting feature has been activated;

(2) the ambient brightness level being below the threshold brightness value; and

(3) the user moving in the ambient environment of the smart device.

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

4. The smart device of claim 1, wherein the light comprises one or more LEDs and the light outputs light that is reflected into the ambient environment of the smart device off the case of the smart device.

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

receive, via the wireless interface, a second message indicating that a brightness level of the lighting feature has been set to a user-defined brightness level, wherein;

the processing system is configured to cause the light to illuminate at the user-defined brightness level based on;

(1) the message indicating that the lighting feature has been activated;

(2) the ambient brightness level being below the threshold brightness value; and

(3) the user moving in the ambient environment of the smart device.

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

receive, via the wireless interface, a second message indicating that the lighting feature has been deactivated; and

following the second message being received, prevent the light from illuminating based on;

the ambient brightness level being below the threshold brightness value and the user moving in the ambient environment of the smart device.

7. The smart device of claim 1, wherein:

the light is capable of illuminating in a plurality of colors; and

the processing system is further configured to cause the light to illuminate in a first color based on;

(1) the message indicating that the lighting feature has been activated;

(2) the ambient brightness level being below the threshold brightness value; and

(3) the user moving in the ambient environment of the smart device.

8. The smart device of claim 7, further comprising:

an environmental sensor, wherein;

the processing system is further configured to;

receive data from the environmental sensor; and

activate the light in a second color of the plurality of colors in response to the data from the environmental sensor.

9. A smart illumination system comprising:

an application executed by a portable electronic device;

a cloud-based server system; and

a smart device, comprising;

a case;

a wireless interface;

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

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

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

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

receive, via the wireless interface, a message from the cloud-based server system indicating that a lighting feature that provides illumination based on movement and the ambient brightness level has been activated by the application executed on the portable electronic device;

receive an indication of the ambient brightness level in the ambient environment of the smart device as sensed by 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 device; and

cause the light to illuminate based on all of the following conditions being present;

(1) the message having been received that indicates that the lighting feature has been activated;

(2) the ambient brightness level being below the threshold brightness value; and

(3) the user moving in the ambient environment of the smart device.

10. The smart illumination system of claim 9, wherein the processing system of the smart device is further configured to:

perform an initial configuration of the smart device based on information received via the wireless interface from the cloud-based server system; and

enable the lighting feature based at least in part on the initial configuration of the smart device being performed, wherein the processing system is configured to activate the light based on;

(4) the lighting feature being enabled, in addition to (1) the message indicating that the lighting feature has been activated;

(2) the ambient brightness level being below the threshold brightness value; and

(3) the user moving in the ambient environment of the smart device.

11. The smart illumination system of claim 9, wherein the light of the smart device comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and the light outputs light from the smart device in a shape of a ring when each of the plurality of LEDs is illuminated.

12. The smart illumination system of claim 9, wherein the light comprises one or more LEDs and the light outputs light that is reflected into the ambient environment of the smart device off the case of the smart device.

13. The smart illumination system of claim 9, wherein the processing system is further configured to:

receive, via the wireless interface, a second message from the cloud-based server system indicating that a brightness level of the lighting feature has been set to a user-defined brightness level via the application executed by the portable electronic device, wherein;

the processing system is configured to cause the light to illuminate at the user-defined brightness level based on;

(1) the message indicating that the lighting feature has been activated;

(2) the ambient brightness level being below the threshold brightness value; and

(3) the user moving in the ambient environment of the smart device.

14. The smart illumination system of claim 9, wherein the processing system is further configured to:

receive, via the wireless interface, a second message from the cloud-based server system indicating that the lighting feature has been deactivated by the user via the application executed by the portable electronic device; and

following the second message being received, prevent the light from illuminating based on;

the ambient brightness level being below the threshold brightness value and the user moving in the ambient environment of the smart device.

15. The smart illumination system of claim 9, wherein:

the light is capable of illuminating in a plurality of colors; and

the processing system is further configured to cause the light to illuminate in a first color based on;

(1) the message indicating that the lighting feature has been activated;

(2) the ambient brightness level being below the threshold brightness value; and

(3) the user moving in the ambient environment of the smart device.

16. The smart illumination system of claim 15, wherein the smart device further comprises an environmental sensor, wherein:

the processing system of the smart device is further configured to;

receive data from the environmental sensor; and

activate the light in a second color of the plurality of colors in response to the data from the environmental sensor.

17. A method for illumination, the method comprising:

receiving, via a wireless interface of a smart device, a message indicating that a lighting feature of the smart device that provides illumination based on movement and an ambient brightness level is to be activated;

determining, using a light sensor of the smart device, an ambient brightness level in an ambient environment of the smart device;

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

detecting, by a motion detector of the smart device, a user moving in the ambient environment of the smart device; and

illuminating a light of the smart device based on all of the following conditions being present;

(1) the message having been received that indicates that the lighting feature has been activated;

(2) the ambient brightness level being below the threshold brightness value; and

(3) the user moving in the ambient environment of the smart device.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

performing an initial configuration of the smart device based on information received via the wireless interface; and

enabling the lighting feature based at least in part on the initial configuration of the smart device being performed, wherein the smart device is configured to activate the light based on;

(4) the lighting feature being enabled, in addition to (1) the message indicating that the lighting feature has been activated;

(2) the ambient brightness level being below the threshold brightness value; and

(3) the user moving in the ambient environment of the smart device.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

receiving, via the wireless interface of the smart device, a second message indicating that a brightness level of the lighting feature has been set to a user-defined brightness level, wherein;

the smart device causes the light to illuminate at the user-defined brightness level based on;

(1) the message indicating that the lighting feature has been activated;

(2) the ambient brightness level being below the threshold brightness value; and

(3) the user moving in the ambient environment of the smart device.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

receiving, via the wireless interface of the smart device, a second message indicating that the lighting feature has been deactivated; and

following the second message being received, preventing, by the smart device, the light from illuminating based on;

the ambient brightness level being below the threshold brightness value and the user moving in the ambient environment of the smart device.