JP2023510197A - Doorbell communication system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronic doorbell may include a housing, a visitor detection system, a battery, and a battery access door. A visitor detection system is coupled to the housing and may include at least one of a button, a camera, a microphone, and a motion detector. A battery may be slidably coupled to the housing and electrically coupled to the visitor detection system, and a battery access door may be located along an exterior surface of the housing. In some embodiments, the battery access door is configured to move between a closed position and an open position to slidably couple the battery to the housing.

Description

Various embodiments disclosed herein relate to doorbells. A particular example relates to a doorbell that includes a battery.

A doorbell allows a person outside an entry point, such as a door, to make someone inside the entry point aware that someone outside wants to talk to someone inside. A doorbell may include a button located near a door such as the front door, side door, or back door of a home, office, residence, warehouse, building, or structure. Doorbells are sometimes used near gates or other entrances to partially enclosed areas. Pressing the doorbell may trigger a chime or other alarm sound.

The present disclosure includes an electronic doorbell, which in some examples comprises a housing and a visitor detection system coupled to the housing. The visitor detection system may include at least one of buttons, cameras, microphones, and motion detectors. In some examples, the electronic doorbell further comprises a battery slidably coupled to the housing and electrically coupled to the visitor detection system. The electronic doorbell may also include a battery access door located along an exterior surface of the housing, wherein the battery access door moves between closed and open positions to allow the battery to It is configured for slidable coupling to the housing.

The battery access door may pivot relative to the housing as the battery access door moves between the closed and open positions. In some examples, the battery access door pivots to the side of the housing. A battery access door may be located along the bottom surface of the housing.

In some embodiments, the electronic doorbell further comprises a screw extending through the battery access door, wherein the screw threads into the housing to secure the battery access door in the closed position. is configured as The battery access door may include conductive pads configured to electrically couple the visitor detection system to the battery. In some examples, the conductive pad comprises a negative terminal. The battery access door may also include a pair of magnets and the screw may be positioned between the pair of magnets. In some embodiments, the battery access door includes a battery indicator located along the outer surface of the battery access door.

The electronic doorbell may include a light emitter coupled to the housing and electrically coupled to the battery. In some embodiments, the light is configured to illuminate in response to the visitor detection system detecting an indication of the visitor's presence. The electronic doorbell may also include a remote computing device communicatively coupled to the electronic doorbell, where the remote computing device is configured to run the mobile application. In some examples, the mobile application is configured to provide an indication of battery life.

The camera may be configured to image the visitor in response to the visitor detection system detecting an indication of the visitor's presence. In some examples, the electronic doorbell includes a touch pad located on the front surface of the housing, where the touch pad comprises buttons.

The battery access door may be configured to be coupled to the housing with a friction fit to secure the battery access door in the closed position. In some examples, the electronic doorbell further comprises a charging port located along the outer surface of the battery.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages are described below with reference to the drawings. The drawings are intended to illustrate the invention and are not limiting. In the drawings, like reference numerals indicate corresponding features throughout similar embodiments.

1 is a front view of an electronic doorbell according to one embodiment; FIG. 1 is a front view of an electronic doorbell according to one embodiment; FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic doorbell according to one embodiment; FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic doorbell according to one embodiment; FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic doorbell with a battery access door in an open position, according to one embodiment; FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic doorbell with a battery access door in an open position, according to one embodiment; FIG. FIG. 3 illustrates an electronic doorbell with a partially inserted battery, according to one embodiment. FIG. 3 illustrates an electronic doorbell with a partially inserted battery, according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 illustrates a battery of an electronic doorbell according to one embodiment; FIG. 2 illustrates a battery of an electronic doorbell according to one embodiment; FIG. 2 illustrates a battery of an electronic doorbell according to one embodiment; 1 is a perspective view of a battery inside an electronic doorbell according to one embodiment; FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery inside an electronic doorbell according to one embodiment; FIG. FIG. 1 illustrates an electronic doorbell communicatively coupled to a remote computing device, according to one embodiment; FIG. 1 illustrates an electronic doorbell communicatively coupled to a remote computing device, according to one embodiment;

Although specific embodiments and examples are disclosed below, the inventive subject matter extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses, and variations and equivalents thereof. reach. Accordingly, the claims appended hereto are not limited by any of the specific examples described below. For example, in any method or process disclosed herein, the acts or operations of the method or process may occur in any suitable sequence and are not necessarily limited to any particular disclosed sequence. Although various operations may be described as multiple discrete operations in sequence, in a manner that may be useful in understanding a particular embodiment, the order of description does not imply that these operations are order dependent. should not be construed as implied. Additionally, the structures, systems, and/or devices described herein may be embodied as integrated components or as separate components.

For purposes of comparing various embodiments, specific aspects and advantages of these embodiments are described. Not necessarily all such aspects or advantages are achieved by any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, various embodiments may achieve or achieve one advantage or group of advantages taught herein without necessarily achieving other aspects or advantages as taught or suggested herein. may be implemented to optimize.

1A and 1B show front views of electronic doorbells 10a, 10b (collectively "10"). In some embodiments, electronic doorbell 10 includes visitor detection system 14 coupled to housing 12 . Visitor detection system 14 may comprise multiple components located in multiple regions of housing 12, as illustrated in FIG. 1A. Visitor detection system 14 may include at least one of button 16 , camera 18 , microphone, and motion detector 22 . In some embodiments, motion detector 22 is a passive infrared (“PIR”) sensor. In some embodiments, camera 18 also acts as a motion detector. Button 16, camera 18, and motion detector 22 are discussed in more detail below with reference to Figures 6A and 6B.

1A and 1B also illustrate that the electronic doorbell 10 includes a touch pad 54 in some embodiments. Touch pad 54 may be located on front surface 56 of housing 12, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. Touch pad 54 may be located at other locations on housing 12 , such as on the side (and/or sides) of housing 12 . In some embodiments, touch pad 54 includes button 16 .

2A and 2B show bottom perspective views of the electronic doorbell 10 including the battery access door 26. FIG. In some embodiments, battery access door 26 includes a battery indicator 40 located on exterior surface 42 of battery access door 26, as illustrated in FIG. 2A. Battery access door 26 may not include battery indicator 40, as illustrated in FIG. 2B.

Battery access door 26 may also include screws 32 . In many embodiments, screw 32 extends through battery access door 26 to thread access door 26 to housing 12 in the closed position. Battery access door 26 may be opened by removing screw 32 and pivoting access door 26 relative to housing 12 . In some embodiments, battery access door 26 is held in the closed position by a friction fit between access door 26 and housing 12 . In such an embodiment, the access door 26 "snap" open and close to the housing 12, and tension rather than screws 32 are used to couple the battery access door 26 to the housing 12. . In some embodiments, the battery access door is located at the bottom of the electronic doorbell 10, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. As discussed further, battery access door 26 may be located along different portions of housing 12 . Battery access door 26 may also extend across multiple sides and/or surfaces of housing 12 . For example, battery access door 26 may be located at a corner of housing 12, thereby covering a portion of the sides and a portion of the bottom.

3A and 3B illustrate additional bottom perspective views of electronic doorbell 10, showing battery access door 26 in the open position. As shown in FIG. 3A, battery access door 26 may include a hinge along one edge that allows door 26 to swing (pivot) open and close relative to housing 12 . In some embodiments, the hinge is located along the edge opposite the edge shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. The battery access door 26 may also be opened by swinging downward from the top edge of the access door 26 or swinging upward from the bottom edge of the access door 26 .

Battery access door 26 may also include a pair of magnets 38 as shown in FIG. 3A and conductive pads 34 as shown in both FIGS. 3A and 3B. In some embodiments, a pair of magnets 38 , located on either side of screw 32 , are used with the screw to couple battery access door 26 to housing 12 of electronic doorbell 10 . The pair of magnets 38 may also double as a conduction path, such as conducting electricity. In some embodiments, a pair of magnets 38 are not included, as shown in FIG. 3B. Conductive pad 34 may be a negative terminal 36 and may be intended to contact battery 24 located inside electronic doorbell 10 as shown. 3A and 3B also show that a battery access door 26 may be located along the bottom surface 30 of the electronic doorbell 10. FIG.

4A and 4B show side perspective views of electronic doorbell 10 with battery 24 partially inserted. Although the battery 24 is shown protruding from the bottom surface 30 of the electronic doorbell 10 , in some embodiments the battery 24 is inserted into the electronic doorbell 10 through the sides 28 of the doorbell 10 . In that case, battery access door 26 would also be located along side 28 of electronic doorbell 10 and would be sized to allow lateral insertion of battery 24 . 4A and 4B also show negative terminal 36 located at the bottom of battery 24 (relative to electronic doorbell 10). In some embodiments, negative terminal 36 is located near the top of battery 24 and thus the top of electronic doorbell 10 .

5A, 5B, and 5C illustrate several embodiments of the battery 24 of the electronic doorbell 10. FIG. In some embodiments, battery 24 includes a positive terminal 37 and a negative terminal 36, as shown in FIGS. 5A-5C. Battery 24 may comprise any type of suitable battery, including but not limited to lithium-ion, alkaline, and any other suitable type. In some embodiments, battery 24 is about 122 mm high, about 32 mm wide, and about 8.5 mm thick. Battery 24 may have any other dimensions to be compatible with electronic doorbell 10, including embodiments not shown or explicitly discussed in this disclosure.

In many embodiments, battery 24 is rechargeable. FIG. 5C shows a side view of battery 24 and includes charging port 58 located on the side of battery 24 . Charging port 58 may be located anywhere on battery 24 . In some embodiments, charging port 58 is configured to receive a MicroUSB connection. Charging port 58 may be configured to receive other types of connections such as USB, USB-C, lighting cables, and the like.

6A and 6B show schematic perspective views of the battery 24 inside the electronic doorbell 10 to illustrate the size of the battery 24 compared to the size of the housing 12. FIG. The housing 12 of the electronic doorbell 10 may be approximately 135 mm high, approximately 42 mm wide, and have a thickness of approximately 35.5 mm. Of the approximately 35.5 mm thickness, approximately 20.5 mm may comprise the area of housing 12 that houses battery 24 .

6A and 6B also include button 16, camera 18, and motion detector 22. FIG. As previously mentioned, the buttons 16 may be integrated into a touch pad 54 located on the front surface 56 of the housing 12, as shown in Figures 6A and 6B. Buttons 16 may be located anywhere on touch pad 54 and/or may comprise substantially the entire surface of touch pad 54 . In some embodiments, touching and/or pressing button 16 activates a chime. Touching and/or pressing button 16 may also initiate sending an alert to a user, such as the user's remote computing device 46 (shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B).

In some embodiments, camera 18 is positioned toward the top of electronic doorbell 10, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. Camera 18 may be positioned toward the center, bottom, or any other position on housing 12 of electronic doorbell 10 that allows camera 18 to view the area around doorbell 10 . In some embodiments, camera 18 is configured to image the visitor when the visitor's presence is detected. Images may be still or video. In some embodiments, alerts sent to the user's remote computing device 46 when a visitor is detected include an image of the visitor. As discussed above, camera 18 may also act as a motion detector.

In some embodiments, electronic doorbell 10 has a dedicated motion detector 22 . The motion detector may be a PIR sensor or any other suitable type of motion detector. Although shown located near the bottom of housing 12, motion detector 22 may be located anywhere along housing 12, including in the middle, near the top, and the like. In some embodiments, motion detector 22 is integrated into touch pad 54, as illustrated in FIG. 6B. Motion detector 22 may be communicatively coupled with remote computing device 46 such that electronic doorbell 10 sends an alert to remote computing device 46 when motion is detected by motion detector 22 . . Activating motion detector 22 (e.g., via sensing motion) and causing camera 18 to capture images substantially simultaneously with or immediately after motion detector 22 senses motion. , the camera 18 may be activated.

Electronic doorbell 10 may also include a microphone (not shown). In some examples, the microphone is used to detect the presence of a visitor by sound detection, eg, detecting noise made by the visitor. A microphone may be communicatively coupled to the camera 18 as well as to the motion detector 22, wherein the camera 18 is configured to capture images when sound is detected by the microphone. A microphone may also be used, for example, to facilitate communication between a visitor and other persons located remotely from the electronic doorbell 10 .

7A and 7B illustrate remote computing device 46 communicatively coupled to electronic doorbell 10. FIG. As discussed above, remote computing device 46 monitors the area around doorbell 10, for example, by using at least one of camera 18, motion detector 22, button 16, and microphone. may be used with the electronic doorbell 10 to In some embodiments, remote computing device 46 includes mobile application 48 . Mobile application 48 may be configured to display alerts from electronic doorbell 10 , such as images captured by camera 18 . Mobile application 48 may also display battery life indication 50 . In some embodiments, indication 50 comprises the amount of battery life remaining in battery 24 as a percentage. The indication 50 may also comprise an amount as an amount of time, for example the indication 50 may indicate that 12 hours remain before the battery needs to be recharged.

In some embodiments, electronic doorbell 10 includes at least one light emitter. The at least one light emitter may be positioned anywhere on the housing 12 of the doorbell 10, including the top, bottom, sides, and front. At least one light may be communicatively coupled to at least one of motion detector 22, button 16, and microphone, whereby at least one light is activated when a visitor is detected. Illuminate. Detection includes, but is not limited to, motion detection, button presses, and sound detection. The at least one light emitter may be communicatively coupled to remote computing device 46 such that a user can remotely manipulate the at least one light emitter via mobile application 48 . In some embodiments, at least one light source is, for example, from alarms (e.g., fire, carbon monoxide, home security, etc.) from mobile applications 48 in the home and/or remote computing devices 46. Illuminates when instructed to respond to an emergency such as

Interpretation None of the steps described herein are essential or essential. Any of the steps can be adjusted or modified. Other or additional steps can be used. Any portion of any of the steps, processes, structures, and/or devices disclosed or illustrated in one embodiment, flowchart, or illustration herein may be disclosed or illustrated in a different embodiment, flowchart, or illustration. any other portion of any of the steps, processes, structures, and/or devices described herein. The examples and examples provided herein are not intended to be discrete and separate from each other.

The section headings and subheadings provided herein are non-limiting. Section headings and subheadings do not denote or limit the complete scope of implementations described in the section to which they pertain. For example, a section entitled "Topic 1" may contain examples not related to Topic 1, and examples described in other sections apply to the examples described within the "Topic 1" section. may be used and combined.

Some of the devices, systems, embodiments, and processes use computers. Each of the routines, processes, methods, and algorithms described in the preceding sections may be implemented as code modules executed by one or more computers, computer processors, or machines configured to execute computer instructions. It may be implemented and fully or partially automated. The code modules may be stored on any type of non-transitory computer-readable storage medium or tangible computer storage device, such as hard drives, solid state memory, flash memory, optical disks, and/or the like. may The processes and algorithms may be partially or wholly implemented in application specific circuits. The results of the disclosed processes and process steps may be stored persistently or otherwise in any type of non-transitory computer storage, eg, volatile or nonvolatile storage.

The various features and processes described above may be used independently of each other or combined in various ways. All possible combinations and subcombinations are intended to fall within the scope of this disclosure. Additionally, certain methods, events, states, or process blocks may be omitted in some implementations. The methods, steps, and processes described herein are also not limited to any particular sequence, and blocks, steps, or states associated therewith may be performed in any other sequence as appropriate. For example, the tasks or events illustrated may be performed out of the order specifically disclosed. Multiple steps may be combined in a single block or state. Exemplary tasks or events may be performed serially, in parallel, or otherwise. Tasks or events may be added or removed from the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The example systems and components described herein may be configured differently than described. For example, elements may be added, removed, or rearranged with respect to the disclosed exemplary embodiments.

As used herein, conditional language such as "can," "could," "may," "may," "for example," etc., among others, is not expressly stated otherwise. Unless otherwise understood in the context as used, it is generally conveyed that certain embodiments include certain features, elements and/or steps while other embodiments do not. intended. Thus, such conditional language generally states that a feature, element and/or step is in some way required by one or more implementations or that one or more implementations are It is implied that logic is necessarily included to determine whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or performed in any particular embodiment, with or without input or prompting. is not intended to be The terms "comprising," "including," "having," etc. are synonymous and are used inclusively in an open-ended manner and do not exclude additional elements, features, acts, operations, and the like. Also, the term "or" is used in its inclusive sense (and not its exclusive sense) so that, for example, when used to concatenate a list of elements, the term "or" is used in the list means one, some, or all of the elements in Conjunctive terms such as the phrase "at least one of X, Y, and Z" may be either X, Y, or Z unless otherwise stated. understood otherwise in the context in which it is commonly used to convey Thus, such conjunctions may generally require that particular embodiments require that at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z, respectively, be present. It is not meant to be implied.

The term "and/or" means that "and" applies to some embodiments and "or" applies to some embodiments. Thus, A, B, and/or C can be replaced with A, B, and C written in one sentence, and A, B, or C written in another sentence. A, B, and/or C may include A and B in some embodiments, A and C in some embodiments, and B and C in some embodiments. some examples may include only A; some examples may include only B; some may include only C; It is meant that examples can include A, B, and C. The term "and/or" is used to avoid unnecessary redundancies.

The term "about" is used to mean "approximately." For example, the disclosure includes "the battery may be approximately 122 mm in height." In this context "about" indicates that the battery may have a height of exactly or approximately 122 mm. The height of the battery may range from 110 mm to 135 mm, and fall within the examples described in this disclosure.

The term "substantially" is used to mean "completely" or "almost completely". For example, the disclosure includes "The button...may constitute substantially the entire surface of the touch pad." In this context, the term "substantially" indicates that the buttons may constitute all or nearly all of the touch pad. The buttons may make up more than half of the touch pad and fall within the bounds of "substantially" as used in the disclosure.

Although specific example embodiments have been described, these embodiments are provided by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions disclosed herein. Therefore, nothing in the above description is intended to imply that any particular feature, property, step, module, or block is necessary or essential. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in various other forms, and furthermore, various omissions, permutations, and substitutions in the form of the methods and systems described herein. and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention disclosed herein.

Claims (18)

a housing;
a visitor detection system coupled to the housing, the visitor detection system comprising at least one of a button, a camera, a microphone, and a motion detector;
a battery slidably coupled to the housing and electrically coupled to the visitor detection system;
A battery access door located along an exterior surface of the housing and configured to move between a closed position and an open position to slidably couple the battery to the housing. an electronic doorbell comprising: a battery access door; The electronic doorbell of claim 1, wherein the battery access door pivots relative to the housing as the battery access door moves between the closed and open positions. 3. The electronic doorbell of claim 2, wherein the battery access door pivots against the side of the housing. 3. The electronic doorbell of claim 2, wherein the battery access door is located along the bottom surface of the housing. 4. The claim further comprising a screw extending through the battery access door, the screw configured to threadably engage the housing to secure the battery access door in the closed position. 1. The electronic doorbell according to 1. 6. The electronic doorbell of claim 5, wherein the battery access door includes conductive pads configured to electrically couple the visitor detection system to the battery. 7. The electronic doorbell of Claim 6, wherein the conductive pad comprises a negative terminal. 7. The electronic doorbell of Claim 6, wherein the battery access door includes a pair of magnets. 9. The electronic doorbell of Claim 8, wherein the screw is located between the pair of magnets. 2. The electronic doorbell of claim 1, wherein the battery access door includes a battery indicator located along an exterior surface of the battery access door. The electronic doorbell of Claim 1, further comprising a light emitter coupled to said housing and electrically coupled to said battery. 12. The electronic doorbell of claim 11, wherein the light is configured to illuminate in response to the visitor detection system detecting an indication of a visitor's presence. The electronic doorbell of claim 1, further comprising a remote computing device communicatively coupled to the electronic doorbell, the remote computing device configured to run a mobile application. 14. The electronic doorbell of claim 13, wherein the mobile application is configured to provide battery life indications. The electronic doorbell of claim 1, wherein the camera is configured to image the visitor in response to the visitor detection system detecting an indication of the visitor's presence. 2. The electronic doorbell of claim 1, further comprising a touch pad located on the front surface of said housing, said touch pad comprising said buttons. 2. The electronic doorbell of claim 1, wherein the battery access door is configured to be coupled to the housing with a friction fit to secure the battery access door in the closed position. The electronic doorbell of Claim 1, further comprising a charging port located along an outer surface of said battery.

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