Multi-sensor having a light diffusing element around a periphery of a ring of photosensors

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10690540-B2
Application number	US-201514998019-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 6, 2015
Priority date	Oct 6, 2015
Publication date	Jun 23, 2020
Grant date	Jun 23, 2020

Abstract

Various implementations relate generally to a multi-sensor device. Some implementations more particularly relate to a multi-sensor device including a ring of radially-oriented photosensors. Some implementations more particularly relate to a multi-sensor device that is orientation-independent with respect to a central axis of the ring. Some implementations of the multi-sensor devices described herein also include one or more additional sensors. For example, some implementations include an axially-directed photosensor. Some implementations also can include one or more temperature sensors configured to sense an exterior temperature, for example, an ambient temperature of an outdoors environment around the multi-sensor. Additionally or alternatively, some implementations can include a temperature sensor configured to sense an interior temperature within the multi-sensor device. Particular implementations provide, characterize, or enable a compact form factor. Particular implementations provide, characterize, or enable a multi-sensor device requiring little or no wiring, and in some such instances, little or no invasion, perforation or reconstruction of a building or other structure on which the multi-sensor device is mounted.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A device comprising:
a ring of first photosensors, each having an angle of view oriented radially outward from the ring of first photosensors, the angle of view of each of the first photosensors overlapping the angle of view of each of two respective immediately adjacent first photosensors;
at least one light-diffusing element around a periphery of the ring of first photosensors to diffuse light incident on the device, during operation, prior to the light incident on the device being sensed by the first photosensors;
at least one second photosensor having an angle of view that at least partially encompasses a direction parallel with a central axis of the ring of first photosensors;
a circuit board;
a housing that physically supports at least portions of each of the first photosensors, the at least one light-diffusing element, the at least one second photosensor and the circuit board; and
wherein the at least one second photosensor is located further away than the ring of first photosensors in a direction opposite to a gravitational vector.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the ring of first photosensors provides an aggregate angle of view of 360 degrees.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein photosensors of the ring of first photosensors are positioned equidistantly along a circumference.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the ring of first photosensors includes at least twelve first photosensors.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one second photosensor includes a second photosensor having an angle of view oriented axially from the ring of first photosensors.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one light-diffusing element is a ring-shaped diffuser, the ring-shaped diffuser being concentric with the ring of first photosensors.

7. The device of claim 6 , wherein the ring-shaped diffuser is cylindrical and has a height, an inner diameter, an outer diameter, and a thickness defined by the inner diameter and the outer diameter.

8. The device of claim 7 , wherein the ring-shaped diffuser and the housing are a single integral unit.

9. The device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one light-diffusing element is formed of a plastic material.

10. The device of claim 1 , further including at least one temperature sensor.

11. The device of claim 10 , wherein the at least one temperature sensor includes at least two temperature sensors, a first of the at least two temperature sensors being at least partially external to the housing to sense an external temperature external to the housing, a second of the at least two temperature sensors being at least partially internal to the housing to sense an internal temperature within the housing.

12. The device of claim 1 , wherein the circuit board includes or is coupled to at least one communication interface.

13. The device of claim 12 , wherein the at least one communication interface includes a wireless communication interface.

14. The device of claim 12 , wherein the circuit board includes or is coupled to a power interface for receiving power from at least one power supply.

15. The device of claim 14 , wherein the communication interface is a power-over-ethernet (PoE) enabled to allow data and power transmission with a single cable.

16. The device of claim 14 , further including a battery within or coupled with the housing, the at least one power supply including the battery.

17. The device of claim 14 , wherein the at least one power supply includes at least one photovoltaic cell.

18. The device of claim 17 , wherein the housing includes the at least one photovoltaic cell.

19. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a mounting assembly configured to attach to a wall or roof of a building.

20. The device of claim 19 , further comprising a mast structure.

21. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a lid configured to transmit light incident a top surface of the lid to the at least one second photosensor during operation.

22. The device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one second photosensor is located approximately along the central axis.

23. The device of claim 1 , wherein readings from two or more photosensors of the ring of first photosensors and/or the at least one second photosensor are configured to be used to change a state of a building system.

24. The device of claim 21 , wherein the lid has an aperture or thinned portion configured to transmit the light incident the top surface of the lid to the at least one second photosensor.

25. The device of claim 21 , wherein the at least one second photosensor faces upward in a direction opposite to the gravitational vector.

26. The device of claim 10 , wherein two or more sensors of (i) the ring of first photosensors, (ii) the at least one second photosensor, and (iii) the at least one temperature sensor, are configured to provide weather information.

27. The device of claim 1 , wherein the angle of view of at least one of the first photosensors is in a range of from about 30 degrees to about 120 degrees.

28. The device of claim 1 , wherein the angle of view of each of the first photosensors is in a range of from about 30 degrees to about 120 degrees.

Assignees

• View Inc

Inventors

• Brown Stephen Clark
• Shrivastava Dhairya
• Zedlitz Jason
• Frank Trevor
• Wang Jue
• Rumer Alexander
• Mullins Dennis
• Kaneshiro Kevin

Classifications

• G02F1/163 Primary

  Operation of electrochromic cells, e.g. electrodeposition cells; Circuit arrangements therefor · CPC title

• E06B9/24

  Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; {Slat blinds}(operating, guiding or securing devices or arrangements for roll-type closures E06B9/56; free-hanging flexible screens A47H23/00) · CPC title

• Y02B80/00

  Architectural or constructional elements improving the thermal performance of buildings · CPC title

• Y02A30/24

  Structural elements or technologies for improving thermal insulation · CPC title

• G01J1/0403

  Mechanical elements; Supports for optical elements; Scanning arrangements · CPC title