Systems and methods for home automation integration with a doorbell

• US 9,978,228 B2
• Filed: 01/24/2017
• Issued: 05/22/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: EchoStar Technologies International Corporation (Echostar Corporation)
• Original Assignee: EchoStar Technologies International Corporation (Echostar Corporation)
• Inventors: Wilson, Daniel, Parthasarathy rao, Roopkumar
• Primary Examiner(s): Lau, Hoi
• Application Number:
  US15/414,290
• Publication Number:
  US 20170132886A1
• Time in Patent Office: 483 Days
• Field of Search: 3403921, 340326, 3403933, 3403847, 3403925, 340287, 340328, 340 61
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/10 using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/1016 using wireless transmission calling systems using transmission by inductive loop H04B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/06 using electric transmission , e.g. involving audible and visible signalling through the use of sound and light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 1/064 Operating or striking mechanisms therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0291 Door telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/186 Video door telephones

Abstract

Various doorbell monitoring devices and methods are presented herein. Such arrangements may be configured to be integrated with a previously-installed doorbell and a previously-installed chime unit. A first power source may be configured to power the doorbell monitor device separate from the previously-installed doorbell and the previously-installed chime unit. A plurality of electrical connectors may be present and may be configured to be attached with preexisting terminals of the previously-installed chime unit. An actuation sensor may be present and configured to detect an actuation of the previously-installed doorbell via the two or more electrical connectors. A communication module may also be present and configured to transmit a wireless signal indicative of the ring to a receiver device.

Claims

1. A doorbell monitor device, comprising:

a plurality of electrical connectors configured to be attached with a plurality of terminals of a chime unit;

an actuation sensor configured to sense an actuation of a doorbell in communication with the chime unit via the plurality of electrical connectors;

a communication module configured to transmit a wireless signal indicative of the actuation of the doorbell; and

a power circuit that converts an alternating current (AC) signal, received via the plurality of electrical connectors and the plurality of terminals of the chime unit, to a direct current (DC) output, wherein;

the direct current output powers the actuation sensor and the communication module; and

the power circuit comprises a diode bridge to isolate a positive voltage of the AC signal received via the plurality of terminals of the chime unit.

2. The doorbell monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of terminals of the chime unit comprise a doorbell input terminal and a transformer terminal.

3. The doorbell monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the power circuit comprises the diode bridge and a second diode bridge, wherein the first diode bridge and the second diode bridge each isolate a positive voltage of the AC signal received via the plurality of terminals of the chime unit.

4. The doorbell monitoring device of claim 3, wherein the diode bridge and the second diode bridge are electrically connected to a common output.

8. The doorbell monitor device of claim 1, further comprising a housing, configured to encase the actuation sensor, the power circuit, and the communication module, wherein the housing is configured to be placed within the chime unit and is configured to permit the plurality of electrical connectors to be attached with the terminals of the chime unit.

9. The doorbell monitor device of claim 1, wherein:

the actuation sensor is further configured to sense a second actuation of a second doorbell; and

the communication module is further configured to transmit a second wireless signal indicative of the second actuation.

10. The doorbell monitor device of claim 1, wherein the AC signal is 16 V.

5. A doorbell monitor device, comprising:

a plurality of electrical connectors configured to be attached with a plurality of terminals of a chime unit;

an actuation sensor configured to sense an actuation of a doorbell in communication with the chime unit via the plurality of electrical connectors;

a communication module configured to transmit a wireless signal indicative of the actuation of the doorbell; and

a power circuit that converts an alternating current (AC) signal, received via the plurality of electrical connectors and the plurality of terminals of the chime unit, to a direct current (DC) output, wherein;

the direct current output powers the actuation sensor and the communication module; and

the power circuit further comprises battery terminals and a disconnect circuit that electrically disconnects the battery terminals from the DC output if a first DC voltage at the DC output is greater than a second DC voltage across the battery terminals.

6. The doorbell monitoring device of claim 5, wherein the disconnect circuit comprises a Shottky diode.

7. The doorbell monitor device of claim 5, wherein the power circuit further comprises a battery isolation circuit that electrically disconnects the battery terminals when one or more batteries are connected with the battery terminals and have a reverse polarity.

11. A doorbell monitor system, comprising:

a doorbell monitor device, comprising;

a plurality of electrical connectors configured to be attached with terminals of a chime unit;

an actuation sensor configured to sense an actuation of a doorbell in communication with the chime unit via the plurality of electrical connectors;

a communication module configured to transmit a wireless signal indicative of the actuation of the doorbell; and

a power circuit that converts an alternating current (AC) signal received via the plurality of electrical connectors to a direct current (DC) output, the direct current output powers the actuation sensor and the communication module, wherein the power circuit comprises a diode bridge to isolate a positive voltage of the AC signal received via the terminals of the chime unit; and

a remote computerized device configured to receive the wireless signal indicative of the actuation of the doorbell and output an indication of the actuation of the doorbell to a user.

12. The doorbell monitoring system of claim 11, wherein the terminals of the chime unit comprise a doorbell input terminal and a transformer terminal.

13. The doorbell monitoring system of claim 11, wherein the power circuit of the doorbell monitor device comprises the first diode bridge and a second diode bridge, wherein the diode bridge and the second diode bridge each isolate a positive voltage of the AC signal received via the terminals of the chime unit.

14. The doorbell monitoring system of claim 13, wherein the diode bridge and the second diode bridge are electrically connected to a common output.

15. The doorbell monitoring system of claim 11, wherein the

power circuit further comprises battery terminals and a disconnect circuit that electrically disconnects the battery terminals from the DC output in response to a first DC voltage at the DC output being greater than a second DC voltage across the battery terminals.

16. The doorbell monitor system of claim 15, wherein the power circuit further comprises a battery isolation circuit that electrically disconnects the battery terminals in response to one or more batteries connected with the battery terminals having a reverse polarity.

17. The doorbell monitoring system of claim 11, wherein the remote computerized device is part of a home automation system and outputs the indication of the actuation of the doorbell as a visual indication on an electronic display.

18. The doorbell monitor system of claim 11, wherein the doorbell monitor device further comprises a housing, configured to encase the actuation sensor, the power circuit, and the communication module, wherein the housing is configured to be placed within the chime unit and is configured to permit the plurality of electrical connectors to be attached with the terminals of the chime unit.