Systems and methods associated with smart devices

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10852771-B2
Application number	US-201916543872-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 19, 2019
Priority date	Jan 2, 2017
Publication date	Dec 1, 2020
Grant date	Dec 1, 2020

Abstract

A system which in some embodiments comprises a wireless smart device assembly that includes a smart device, wherein the smart device assembly is attachable or mountable against an unopened surface of a wall or other structure. In some embodiments, a system comprises a smart device assembly that includes a smart device; and a fastener that includes adhesive and is coupled to the smart device assembly and releasably attachable to a wall or other structure. Some embodiments include a level indicator configured to indicate the angular position or orientation of one or more other portion of the smart device assembly relative to parallel and/or plumb to the force of gravity. In some embodiments, a mount and/or a cover define a catch to releasably attach the cover to the mount.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system comprising:
a mount coupleable to a smart device;
a cover releasably attachable to the mount; and
at least one fastener configured to attach the mount against an unopened surface of a wall or other structure without penetrating the unopened surface,
wherein when the mount is coupled to the smart device and the cover is releasably attached to the mount, the smart device is positioned on a surface of the mount such that the smart device is visible through an opening defined by the cover,
wherein the mount defines a catch to releasably retain the smart device to the mount.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one fastener comprises an at least partly adhesive fastener coupled to the mount and coupleable to the unopened surface of the wall or other structure.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the at least partly adhesive fastener comprises: a substrate having a front surface and a back surface, the front surface coupled to the mount, the back surface facing away from the mount; and a pressure sensitive adhesive disposed on at least a portion of the back surface.

4. The system of claim 2 , further comprising: a tab attached to the at least partly adhesive fastener, the tab configured to be pulled to apply at least a shear force to the at least partly adhesive fastener and thereby cause release of the at least one fastener from the unopened surface of the wall or other structure.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the tab extends through an opening defined by the mount.

6. The system of claim 5 , further comprising: a door releasably attachable to the mount, wherein when the door is attached to the mount, the door covers the tab; and wherein when the door is removed from the mount, the tab is visible through the opening defined by the mount.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the mount comprises: a level indicator configured to indicate an angular position or orientation of at least one portion of the mount relative to one or more of parallel or plumb to a force of gravity.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the catch comprises one or more magnetic components.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the mount defines one or more seats configured to accommodate one or more batteries configured to supply electrical power to the smart device.

10. A method comprising:
coupling a smart device to a mount such that the smart device is positioned on a surface of the mount;
subsequent to coupling the smart device to the mount, releasably attaching a cover to the mount such that the smart device is visible through an opening defined by the cover; and
attaching the mount to an unopened surface of a wall via at least one fastener without penetrating the unopened surface,
wherein coupling the smart device to the mount comprises coupling a catch of the smart device to a catch of the mount to releasably couple the smart device to the mount.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the at least one fastener comprises an at least partly adhesive fastener coupled to the mount.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein attaching the mount to the unopened surface of the wall comprises applying a pressure to the at least partly adhesive fastener.

13. The method of claim 11 , further comprising: pulling a tab to apply a shear force to the at least partly adhesive fastener to release the at least partly adhesive fastener from the unopened surface of the wall.

14. A smart device assembly, comprising:
a smart device;
a mount coupleable to the smart device;
a cover releasably attachable to the mount; and
at least one fastener configured to attach the mount against an unopened surface of a wall or other structure without penetrating the unopened surface,
wherein when the mount is coupled to the smart device and the cover is releasably attached to the mount, the smart device is positioned on a surface of the mount such that the smart device is visible through an opening defined by the cover,
wherein the mount defines one or more seats configured to accommodate one or more batteries configured to supply electrical power to the smart device.

15. The smart device assembly of claim 14 , wherein the smart device includes a smart switch configured to control power delivery to at least one device or appliance.

16. The smart device assembly of claim 15 , wherein the smart switch is configured to communicate with the at least one device or appliance via a wireless network.

17. The smart device assembly of claim 14 , wherein at least one of the smart device and the mount define a catch to releasably retain the smart device to the mount.

Assignees

• Idevices Llc
• Hubbell Inc

Inventors

• Allen Christopher
• Daigle Michael
• Gould Daniel
• Repp Timothy Corcoran
• Scarcella Jeffrey
• Tetreault Michael

Classifications

• H04L12/00

  Data switching networks (interconnection of, or transfer of information or other signals between, memories, input/output devices or central processing units G06F13/00) · CPC title

• H02G3/305 Primary

  Mounting by adhesive material · CPC title

• H02G3/14

  Fastening of cover or lid to box · CPC title

• H02G3/10 Primary

  for surface mounting on a wall · CPC title

• H02G1/00

  Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines · CPC title