Sink device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11949533-B2
Application number	US-202017129604-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 21, 2020
Priority date	Sep 15, 2017
Publication date	Apr 2, 2024
Grant date	Apr 2, 2024

Abstract

A voice controlled device comprises a housing, a dock, a coupling mechanism, and a microphone. The dock is configured to connect the housing to a plurality of host appliances. The coupling mechanism is configured to receive an identification value indicative of docking between the voice controlled device and a currently connected host appliance of the plurality of host appliances. The microphone is configured to receive one or more voice inputs for the currently connected host appliance. A command is provided based on the one or more voice inputs and the identification value.

First claim

We claim:

1. A home hub communication device for a sink, the home hub communication device comprising:
a data collection interface configured to communicate with a network and receive data indicative of at least one voice sink command from a user;
a flow sensor configured to generate sensor data indicative of a flow of water for the sink;
a controller configured to perform an analysis of the sensor data and the data indicative of the at least one voice sink command from the user and, in response to the analysis, control one or more valves to control the flow of water for the sink; and
an output interface configured to send data indicative of the at least one voice sink command from the user to a server,
wherein the home hub communication device is configured to package the data indicative of the at least one voice sink command in a predetermined format for the server.

2. The home hub communication device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one voice sink command from the user includes a trigger word.

3. The home hub communication device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one voice sink command from the user includes a device identifier for the sink.

4. The home hub communication device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one voice sink command from the user includes a skill command for the sink.

5. The home hub communication device of claim 1 , wherein the flow sensor is a pressure sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, or a light sensor.

6. The home hub communication device of claim 1 , wherein the flow sensor includes a light beam passing through at least a portion of the flow of water.

7. The home hub communication device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor data indicates a quantity of water.

8. The home hub communication device of claim 1 , wherein the controller is in communication with a proximity sensor to detect a gesture of the user in proximity to the sink.

9. The home hub communication device of claim 1 , wherein the sink provides a predetermined volume of water.

10. The home hub communication device of claim 1 , wherein the sink provides a predetermined temperature of water.

11. The home hub communication device of claim 1 , wherein the voice command from the user at a home hub connected to the network.

12. The home hub communication device of claim 1 , wherein the controller controls a light indicative of the voice command.

13. A system for voice controlled operation of a sink:
a home hub comprising:
a microphone configured to collect at least one voice sink command for the sink from a user; and
a network device configured to send data indicative of the at least one voice sink command from the user to a server;
and

a home hub communication device for the sink, the home hub communication device comprising:
a communication interface configured to receive, from the server, data indicative of at least one voice command from the user; and
a controller configured to perform an analysis of data indicative of the at least one voice command from the user and, in response to the analysis, control one or more valves to control a flow of water for the sink,

wherein the network device is configured to package the data indicative of the at least one voice sink command in a predetermined format for the server.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the home hub communication device further comprises:
a flow sensor configured to generate sensor data indicative of a flow of water for the sink, wherein the controller is configured to control the one or more valves in response to the sensor data.

15. The system of claim 13 , wherein the voice sink command from the user includes a trigger word, a device identifier for the sink, and a skill command for the sink.

16. The system of claim 13 , wherein the controller controls a light indicative of the at least one voice command.

17. A system comprising:
a communication interface configured to communicate with a network and receive data indicative of at least one voice sink command from a user;
a controller configured to perform an analysis of the data indicative of the at least one voice sink command from the user and, in response to the analysis, control one or more valves to control a flow of water; and
a network device configured to send data indicative of the at least one voice sink command from the user to a server,
wherein the network device is configured to package the data indicative of the at least one voice sink command in a predetermined format for the server.

18. The system of claim 17 , further comprising:
a flow sensor configured to generate sensor data indicative of the flow of water, wherein the controller is configured to control the one or more valves in response to the sensor data.

19. The system of claim 17 , wherein the one or more valve includes a solenoid connected to the controller.

20. The system of claim 17 , wherein the flow of water is provided by a water consuming appliance associated with the voice command.

21. A sink comprising:
a faucet coupled to one or more water inlet pipes;
a handle configured to control one or more valves for flow or temperature control of a flow of water from the one or more water inlet pipes to the faucet;
a communication interface configured to communicate with a network and receive data indicative of at least one voice command from a user;
a flow sensor configured to generate sensor data indicative of the flow of water; and
a controller configured to perform an analysis of the sensor data and the data indicative of the at least one voice command from the user and, in response to the analysis, control one or more valves to control the flow of water for the sink,
an output interface configured to send data indicative of the at least one voice sink command from the user in a predetermined form to a server.

22. The sink of claim 21 , further comprising:
a light emitting diode that is indicative of the voice command.

Assignees

• Kohler Co

Inventors

• Rexach Rafael
• Schroeder Jessica
• Arciniega Miguel
• Springer Ashley
• Zhang shi chao
• Estiban Marwan
• Krauter Anne
• Erickson Perry
• Pendyala Anil
• Geiger Erin

Classifications

• H04L12/282 Primary

  based on user interaction within the home (receiver circuitry for displaying additional information being controlled by a remote control apparatus H04N21/42204) · CPC title

• A47K5/1217 Primary

  Electrical control means for the dispensing mechanism · CPC title

• A47K13/305

  Seats with heating devices · CPC title

• E03C1/055

  Electrical control devices, e.g. with push buttons, control panels or the like · CPC title

• E03C1/057

  touchless, i.e. using sensors · CPC title