Optical signaling system for a smart-home device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9746154-B2
Application number	US-201514713729-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 15, 2015
Priority date	May 15, 2015
Publication date	Aug 29, 2017
Grant date	Aug 29, 2017

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 light distribution system for a sensor device, comprising:
a case having a mounting side that mounts to a first surface and an outward facing side that is opposite the mounting side and faces away from the first surface;
a plurality of light emitters mounted to a circuit board housed within the case;
a light guide that receives light from the plurality of light emitters within the case and guides the light toward an angled reflector; and
an angled reflector that reflects light receiving from the light guide onto a second surface, wherein the light is then reflected by the second surface away from the first surface into an ambient environment of the sensor device.

2. The light distribution system for the sensor device of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the angled reflector is conical in shape.

3. The light distribution system for the sensor device of claim 1 , wherein the light that is reflected by the second surface into the ambient environment of the sensor device is reflected in a halo pattern.

4. The light distribution system for the sensor device of claim 1 , wherein the angled reflector is part of a button that can be pressed by a user and the angled reflector is hidden from view when the sensor device is viewed by the user from the ambient environment.

5. The light distribution system for the sensor device of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the light guide that guides the light toward the angled reflector is circular.

6. The light distribution system for the sensor device of claim 1 , wherein the case comprises a grille that permits airflow into the sensor device.

7. The light distribution system for the sensor device of claim 1 , wherein the second surface is an outer surface of the outward facing side of the case.

8. The light distribution system for the sensor device of claim 1 , wherein the second surface is a depressed region of an exterior surface of the case.

9. The light distribution system for the sensor device of claim 8 , wherein the depressed region of the exterior surface of the case comprises a first region of greater material thickness and a second region of lesser material thickness.

10. The light distribution system for the sensor device of claim 9 , further comprising a status light, wherein the second region of lesser material thickness is positioned proximate to the status light such that the status light, when illuminated, shines light through the second region of lesser material thickness into the ambient environment of the sensor device.

11. The light distribution system for the sensor device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of light emitters comprises five or more groups of light emitting diodes (LEDs).

12. The light distribution system for the sensor device of claim 11 , wherein each group of LEDs comprises a red LED, a blue LED, and a green LED.

13. The light distribution system for the sensor device of claim 12 , wherein the light guide comprises a plurality of light receptacles, wherein each group of LEDs is positioned to emit light into a particular light receptacle of the plurality of light receptacles.

14. The light distribution system for the sensor device of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of light receptacles each comprises a parabolic surface through which light is received by the light guide.

15. The light distribution system for the sensor device of claim 1 , wherein the light guide comprises a transparent plastic portion and a titanium dioxide reflective cladding.

16. The light distribution system for the sensor device of claim 1 , wherein the light guide comprises:
a plurality of arched light diffusers and a plurality of light receptacles, wherein the plurality of light receptacles receive light from the plurality of light emitters, and the plurality of arched light diffusers are interspersed with the plurality of light receptacles.

17. The light distribution system for the sensor device of claim 16 further comprising: a plurality of arc insulators that are attached to the plurality of arched light diffusers to prevent light from entering an interior space of the sensor device through the plurality of arched light diffusers.

18. The light distribution system for the sensor device of claim 1 , wherein a surface of the light guide through which light is emitted to the angled reflector has a textured surface.

19. A hazard detector, comprising:
a case having a mounting side that mounts to a first surface and an outward facing side that is opposite the mounting side and faces away from the first surface;
one or more hazard sensors within the case;
a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) within the case;
one or more processors in communication with the one or more hazard sensors, and the plurality of LEDs, wherein the one or more processors control illumination of the plurality of LEDs based on information from the one or more hazard sensors;
a plurality of light emitters mounted to a circuit board housed within the case;
a light guide that receives light from the plurality of light emitters within the case and guides the light toward an angled reflector; and
an angled reflector that reflects light receiving from the light guide onto a second surface, wherein the light is then reflected by the second surface away from the first surface into an ambient environment of the hazard detector.

20. The hazard detector of claim 19 , wherein the one or more hazard sensors comprises: a smoke sensor, a carbon monoxide detector, or both.

Assignees

• Google Inc

Inventors

• Dong William R
• Mittleman Adam
• Macomber Bryan

Classifications

• G05G1/105

  comprising arrangements for illumination · CPC title

• F21V7/0008 Primary

  providing for indirect lighting · CPC title

• F21V33/0076 Primary

  Safety or security signalisation, e.g. smoke or burglar alarms, earthquake detectors; Self-defence devices · CPC title

• F21V7/041

  with conical or pyramidal surface · 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