Floodlight Controllers with Wireless Audio/Video Recording and Communication Features

• US 20180033273A1
• Filed: 07/20/2017
• Published: 02/01/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: A9.com Incorporated (Amazon.com, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bot Home Automation Inc. (Amazon.com, Inc.)
• Inventors: Siminoff, James, Russell, Stephen Grant
• Granted Patent: US 10,062,258 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19619 Details of casing
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19632 Camera support structures, e.g. attachment means, poles
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19691 Signalling events for better perception by user, e.g. indicating alarms by making display brighter, adding text, creating a sound
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19695 Arrangements wherein non-video detectors start video recording or forwarding but do not generate an alarm themselves
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 15/008 by simulating the existence of a security system, e.g. a mock video camera to scare thieves
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/56 provided with illuminating means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/33 Transforming infrared radiation cameras or camera modules for generating image signals from infrared radiation H04N23/20; circuitry of SSIS for transforming infrared radiation into image signals H04N25/20
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/76 Television signal recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/77 between a recording apparatus and a television camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/802 involving processing of the sound signal H04N9/806, H04N9/835 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/028 associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/04 Structural association of microphone with electric circuitry therefor in deaf-aid sets H04R25/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 29/00 Monitoring arrangements; Testing arrangements for hearing aids H04R25/30; detection of loudspeaker connection H04R5/04; sound-field adaptation dependent on speaker detection H04S7/308
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/00 Circuits for transducers , loudspeakers or microphones
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

Floodlight controllers with wireless audio/video recording and communication features in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure are provided. In one embodiment, a floodlight controller for activating and deactivating a floodlight device may include a camera including an image sensor and having a field of view, a switch having an open condition and a closed condition, and a processor operatively connected to the camera and operatively connected to the switch, wherein the processor is configured to receive an input from the camera and produce an output to the switch to cause the switch to transition from the open condition to the closed condition.

Claims

1. A floodlight controller for activating and deactivating a floodlight device, the floodlight controller comprising:

a camera including an image sensor and having a field of view;

a switch having an open condition and a closed condition; and

a processor operatively connected to the camera and operatively connected to the switch;

wherein the processor is configured to receive an input from the camera and produce an output to the switch to cause the switch to transition from the open condition to the closed condition.

2. The floodlight controller of claim 1, further comprising a floodlight device, wherein the floodlight controller is operatively connected to the floodlight device.

3. The floodlight controller of claim 2, wherein when the switch transitions from the open condition to the closed condition the floodlight device is activated to illuminate at least one floodlight of the floodlight device.

4. The floodlight controller of claim 1, further comprising a communication module including a wireless transceiver, the communication module being configured to facilitate two-way audio communication between a first person located at the floodlight controller and a second person located remotely from the floodlight controller.

5. The floodlight controller of claim 4, further comprising a microphone configured to capture audio from an area about the floodlight controller.

6. The floodlight controller of claim 5, further comprising a speaker configured to produce sound.

7. The floodlight controller of claim 4, wherein the communication module is further configured to transmit video information from the camera to a network.

8. The floodlight controller of claim 1, further comprising at least one motion sensor.

9. The floodlight controller of claim 8, wherein the at least one motion sensor is operatively connected to the processor, and wherein the processor is configured to receive an input from the at least one motion sensor and produce an output to the switch to cause the switch to transition from the open condition to the closed condition.

10. The floodlight controller of claim 1, wherein the image sensor comprises a video recording sensor or a camera chip.

11. The floodlight controller of claim 1, further comprising at least one infrared (IR) light-emitting component configured to illuminate the field of view to enable the image sensor to capture images under conditions of low ambient light.

12. The floodlight controller of claim 1, further comprising a microphone configured to capture audio from an area about the floodlight controller.

13. The floodlight controller of claim 12, further comprising a speaker configured to produce sound.

14. The floodlight controller of claim 1, further comprising storage configured to store audio and/or video information captured by the floodlight controller, and a battery configured to power the floodlight controller.

15. A floodlight controller for activating and deactivating a floodlight device, the floodlight controller comprising:

a housing;

a camera including an image sensor and having a field of view;

at least one motion sensor, wherein the at least one motion sensor is positioned adjacent a tapered lower portion of the housing;

wherein the tapered lower portion of the housing includes an opening that allows the at least one motion sensor to be exposed to incoming infrared (IR) light; and

wherein the opening lies in a plane P that is not perpendicular to a vertical axis A of the floodlight controller.

16. The floodlight controller of claim 15, wherein the plane P slopes upward in the direction from a rear wall of the housing toward a front wall of the housing.

17. The floodlight controller of claim 15, further comprising a Fresnel lens covering the opening, the Fresnel lens being configured to concentrate the incoming IR light onto the at least one motion sensor to thereby enhance the sensitivity of the at least one motion sensor to detect motion.

18. The floodlight controller of claim 15, wherein the at least one motion sensor comprises three passive infrared (PIR) sensors.

19. The floodlight controller of claim 18, further comprising an inverted pyramidal PIR sensor holder, wherein the PIR sensors are arranged about three surfaces of the inverted pyramidal PIR sensor holder.

20. The floodlight controller of claim 19, wherein the three surfaces of the inverted pyramidal PIR sensor holder are configured to point the PIR sensors at a downward angle.

21. The floodlight controller of claim 20, wherein the PIR sensors are configured to detect motion in an area of about 270 degrees around the front and sides of the floodlight controller.

22. The floodlight controller of claim 20, wherein the PIR sensors are arranged such that a first one of the PIR sensors is pointed toward the front of the floodlight controller.

23. The floodlight controller of claim 22, wherein the PIR sensors are arranged such that a second one of the PIR sensors is pointed toward the right side of the floodlight controller.

24. The floodlight controller of claim 23, wherein the PIR sensors are arranged such that a third one of the PIR sensors is pointed toward the left side of the floodlight controller.

25. The floodlight controller of claim 15, further comprising a floodlight device, wherein the floodlight controller is operatively connected to the floodlight device for activating and deactivating the floodlight device.

26. The floodlight controller of claim 15, wherein the housing further comprises a camera opening configured to expose the camera to the field of view.

27. The floodlight controller of claim 26, wherein the housing further comprises a microphone opening configured to expose a microphone of the floodlight controller to capture audio from an area about the floodlight controller.

28. The floodlight controller of claim 27, wherein the housing further comprises a speaker opening configured to expose a speaker of the floodlight controller to produce sound audible to the area about the floodlight controller.

29. The floodlight controller of claim 28, wherein the housing further comprises a fourth opening configured to expose at least one IR light-emitting component of the floodlight controller to illuminate the field of view to enable the image sensor to capture images under conditions of low ambient light.

30. The floodlight controller of claim 15, further comprising at least one light-emitting element.

31. The floodlight controller of claim 30, wherein the at least one light-emitting element comprises at least one light-emitting diode (LED).

32. The floodlight controller of claim 31, wherein the at least one light-emitting element comprises three LEDs.

33. The floodlight controller of claim 31, wherein the at least one LED is configured to emit light in a plurality of colors.