Optical signaling system for a smart-home device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10598341-B2
Application number	US-201816225886-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 19, 2018
Priority date	May 15, 2015
Publication date	Mar 24, 2020
Grant date	Mar 24, 2020

Abstract

Various arrangements for light distribution incorporated as part of a device are presented. A circular light guide may be used that receives light from a plurality of light emitters that can be arranged in a circular pattern. A conical reflector may be used and may be positioned to reflect light emitted from the circular light guide onto an exterior of a case of the device. The conical reflector may reflect light such that light is reflected by the exterior of the case in the shape of a halo into an ambient environment of the device.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A combination carbon monoxide and smoke detector, comprising:
a case;
a carbon monoxide sensor housed within the case;
a smoke sensor housed within the case;
a plurality of light emitters arranged in a pattern and mounted within the case;
a light guide that is formed from a translucent or transparent material and that receives light from the plurality of light emitters and emits light through a first surface of the light guide;
a button, wherein the light guide causes light to be emitted around an edge of the button;
blackout material arranged against a second surface of the light guide;
one or more processors housed within the case, wherein:
the one or more processors are in communication with the carbon monoxide sensor, the smoke sensor, and the plurality of light emitters; and
the one or more processors are configured to activate the plurality of light emitters such that light is emitted into an ambient environment in a shaped pattern.

2. The combination carbon monoxide and smoke detector of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of light emitters comprises at least four light emitters arranged in a circular pattern.

3. The combination carbon monoxide and smoke detector of claim 2 , wherein, when all of the plurality of light emitters are active, the shaped pattern is illuminated with an even glow.

4. The combination carbon monoxide and smoke detector of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of light emitters emit light in a plurality of colors.

5. The combination carbon monoxide and smoke detector of claim 4 , wherein the plurality of light emitters emit light in the pattern in the colors of red, green, and blue.

6. The combination carbon monoxide and smoke detector of claim 1 , further comprising a cover grille that allows air to enter the combination carbon monoxide and smoke detector.

7. The combination carbon monoxide and smoke detector of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of light emitters is a group of light emitting diodes (LEDs).

8. The combination carbon monoxide and smoke detector of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the plurality of light emitters to output a plurality of lighting animations.

9. The combination carbon monoxide and smoke detector of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the plurality of light emitters to vary a brightness of light output.

10. The combination carbon monoxide and smoke detector of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of the light emitters are illuminated to serve as a nightlight.

11. The combination carbon monoxide and smoke detector of claim 1 , further comprising reflective cladding present on a side of the light guide.

12. The combination carbon monoxide and smoke detector of claim 1 , further comprising a surface mount plate, wherein the case is configured to be attached to the surface mount plate and rotated.

13. A light distribution system for a sensor device, comprising:
a plurality of light emitters arranged in a pattern and mounted within a case;
a light guide that is formed from a translucent or transparent material and that receives light from the plurality of light emitters and emits light through a first surface of the light guide;
a button, wherein the light guide causes light to be emitted around an edge of the button;
blackout material arranged against a second surface of the light guide; and
one or more processors, wherein the one or more processors are configured to activate the plurality of light emitters such that light is emitted into an ambient environment in a shaped pattern.

14. The light distribution system for the sensor device of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of light emitters comprises at least four light emitters arranged in a circular pattern.

15. The light distribution system for the sensor device of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of light emitters emit light in a plurality of colors.

16. The light distribution system for the sensor device of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of light emitters emit light through the first surface of the light guide in the colors of red, green, and blue.

17. The light distribution system for the sensor device of claim 16 , further comprising a cover grille that allows air to enter the sensor device.

18. The light distribution system for the sensor device of claim 17 , wherein each of the plurality of light emitters is a group of light emitting diodes (LEDs).

19. The light distribution system for the sensor device of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of the light emitters are illuminated to serve as a nightlight.

20. The light distribution system for the sensor device of claim 13 , wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the plurality of light emitters to output a plurality of lighting animations.

Assignees

• Google Llc

Inventors

• Dong William
• Mittleman Adam
• Macomber Bryan

Classifications

• H01H19/025

  Light-emitting indicators · CPC title

• F21V7/0033

  with successive reflections from one reflector to the next or following · CPC title

• G08B19/005

  combined burglary and fire alarm systems · CPC title

• G08B17/10

  Actuation by presence of smoke or gases {, e.g. automatic alarm devices for analysing flowing fluid materials by the use of optical means} · CPC title

• F21V7/041

  with conical or pyramidal surface · CPC title