Doorbell system and doorbell chime

Abstract

A doorbell system comprises a doorbell chime (18), a first doorbell push (10) for sending a first input signal to the doorbell chime (18) in response to the first doorbell push (10) being activated, and a second device, such as a second doorbell push (14), for sending a second input signal to the doorbell chime (18). The doorbell chime (18) is arranged to emit light (24) of a first color in response to receiving the first input signal and light of a second, different, color in response to receiving the second input signal. The light (24) may be emitted around a perimeter of the doorbell chime, such that it creates a halo effect around the part of the door chime located within said perimeter.

Claims

1. A doorbell system comprising: a doorbell chime, a first doorbell push for sending a first input signal to the doorbell chime in response to the first doorbell push being activated; a second doorbell push for sending a second input signal to the doorbell chime in response to the second doorbell push being activated; wherein the doorbell chime further comprises: a speaker unit comprising a mesh cover, the speaker unit arranged to emit one or more sounds; and a light unit, the light unit being arranged to emit light of a first colour in response to receiving the first input signal and light of a second, different, colour in response to receiving the second input signal, wherein the light unit is formed around a perimeter of the doorbell chime such that the light unit, when illuminated, creates a halo effect around the part of the door chime located within said perimeter.

2. A doorbell system as claimed in claim 1, comprising a third input device for sending a third input signal to the doorbell chime, wherein the doorbell chime is arranged to emit a light of a third colour in response to receiving the third input signal.

3. A doorbell system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the third colour is different to both the first colour and the second colour.

4. A doorbell system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the doorbell chime is arranged to emit a first audible alarm via the speaker unit in response to the first doorbell push being activated, and the doorbell chime is arranged to emit a second audible alarm via the speaker unit in response to the second input signal being received.

5. A doorbell system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first audible alarm is different from the second audible alarm.

6. A doorbell system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the doorbell system is arranged to operate in a first mode, where the first audible alarm and second audible alarm may be emitted, and a second, muted, mode, where the first audible alarm and second audible alarm are deactivated.

7. A doorbell system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the doorbell chime comprises a user activated switch for switching between the first mode and second mode.

8. A doorbell system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the doorbell chime is arranged to switch from the second, muted, mode to the first mode, in dependence on an output of a timer circuit.

9. A doorbell system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the timer circuit is arranged to be activated by a user of the doorbell chime, such that the user can select a duration over which the doorbell chime is in the second, muted, mode.

10. A doorbell system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the user activated switch comprises a single switch.

11. A doorbell system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the doorbell chime is arranged such that a number of consecutive presses of the single switch determines a duration for which the doorbell chime stays in the second, muted, mode.

12. A doorbell system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light unit is operable in a night light mode.

13. A doorbell system according to claim 1, wherein the light unit extends around the outside of the mesh cover of the speaker unit.

14. A method of operating a doorbell system, comprising: in response to a first doorbell push being activated, emitting light of a first colour from a light unit; in response to a second doorbell push being activated, emitting light of a second, different colour from the light unit; and wherein the light unit is formed around a perimeter of the doorbell chime, such that the light unit, when illuminated, creates a halo effect around the part of the door chime located within said perimeter.

15. A doorbell chime comprising a speaker, the doorbell chime arranged to operate in a first active mode in which the speaker is arranged to emit a sound in response to activation by a doorbell push, and a second mute mode in which the speaker is arranged not to emit a sound in response to activation by a doorbell push, wherein the second mute mode is initiated by a user activating a mute button, wherein a duration of time in which the doorbell chime remains in the second mute mode depends on a number of consecutive actuations of the mute button by the user.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings of which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a doorbell system arrangement according to a first embodiment of the invention;

(3) FIG. 2a shows a perspective view of a doorbell chime according to the first embodiment of the invention;

(4) FIG. 2b shows a plan view of the doorbell chime in FIG. 2a;

(5) FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a doorbell chime according to a second embodiment of the invention; and

(6) FIGS. 4a-c shows side views of the doorbell chime according to the second embodiment of the invention in an exposed, unexposed and partially exposed position respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(7) FIG. 1 shows a doorbell system arrangement according to a first embodiment of the invention. A first doorbell push 10 is located close to and associated with a first entrance 12 to a building 20. A second doorbell push 14 is located close to and associated with a second entrance 16 to the building 20. A doorbell chime 18 is located within the building 20 and is arranged to emit a signal should either the first doorbell push 10 or second doorbell push 14 be activated. The first doorbell push 10, second doorbell push 14, and doorbell chime 18 may communicate wirelessly, or be in wired communication. Similarly, the first doorbell push 10, second doorbell push 14, and doorbell chime 18 may be mains powered, or battery powered.

(8) FIGS. 2a and 2b show schematic views of the doorbell chime 18. The doorbell chime 18 is approximately cuboid in shape, presenting an approximately square end face 22. A light unit 24 extends around the perimeter of the end face 22, with a speaker unit 26 located within the boundary defined by the light unit 24. The light unit 24 may comprise one or more LEDs, or any other suitable light source as will be understood by a skilled person. The light unit 24 is arranged to emit at least two different colours. In this case, the light unit is arranged to emit a blue colour when the first doorbell push is activated, and a red colour when the second doorbell push is activated. Therefore, when the doorbell chime emits a blue colour, it is clear that a visitor is at the first entrance 12, and when the doorbell chime emits a red colour, it is clear that a visitor is at the second entrance 16.

(9) By virtue of the light unit 24 surrounding the mesh of the speaker unit 26, the light source, when illuminated, provides a halo effect. This is easily visible from some distance away. Thus, it is possible to tell that someone is ringing the doorbell push, even when located a significant distance from the chime. By virtue of the different colours being emittable by the light unit 24, it is also possible to tell (from that distance) which doorbell push is being pressed.

(10) It will be appreciated that doorbell chime is arranged to emit the light for a time limited period after a doorbell push has been activated, and not necessarily only when the push is actually being pressed. In addition to the doorbell chime 18 emitting light when activated by a doorbell push, the doorbell chime 18 may emit a sound through the speaker unit 26 to further notify those within the building 20 that someone is outside the building 20 and requesting entry.

(11) The doorbell chime 18 includes a mute button 28 (showing the symbol of a speaker and a cross). The mute button 28, when pushed, deactivates the speaker unit 26 such that operation of either the first doorbell push 10 or second doorbell push 14, only results in the light unit 24 being activated, and a light being emitted, with no sound emitted by the speaker unit 26. The deactivation of the speaker lasts for a time determined by the number of actuations of the mute button 28. If it is actuated once only, the speaker is deactivated (until the user actively returns the chime to the first mode—for example by a subsequent, much later, press of the mute button 28). If the mute button 28 is pressed twice (in quick succession), the speaker is deactivated for three hours. If the mute button 28 is pressed three times (in quick succession), the speaker is deactivated for six hours. If it is pressed four time (in quick succession), the speaker is deactivated for nine hours, etc.

(12) The doorbell chime 18 comprises a plurality of indicators 30, 32, 34, 35 surrounding the mute button 28. The indicators are arranged as quarters of a clock face, each indicator comprises two illuminated dashes corresponding to the time increments between the 12, 3, 6 and 9 o'clock locations (although in other embodiments each indicator could comprise a different number of dashes). The number of the indicators that illuminate, corresponds to the period for which the chime is muted (e.g. all of them for a 12 hour mute, or half of them for a 6 hour mute).

(13) FIGS. 2a and 2b show the doorbell chime 18 as a standalone unit, which includes an internal battery to power the chime. However, in an alternative arrangement, the doorbell chime 18 may be connected to and powered by a mains supply. The doorbell chime 18 may also be arranged such that the light unit 24 can act as a night light. The light unit 24 may be arranged to emit light of a third colour, different to the first colour and second colour, when being used as a night light. The night light feature may be overridden by a user operating the first doorbell push 10 or second doorbell push 14, such that the first colour light or second colour light is emitted as appropriate. The night light feature may be reactivated after a set period of time. The night light feature may be activated by a user operated switch 36.

(14) The chime in FIGS. 2a and 2b also has a second light source adjacent the mute button 28 and indicators 30, 32, 34, 35. The second light source 37 comprises two parallel LED strips which illuminates when either doorbell push is activated (but in this embodiment, the second light source is a fixed colour). It is angled upwards such that it illuminates a structure (e.g. a wall) near the doorbell chime 18. This provides another clear indication to the user when the doorbell push is being pressed, as the light cast onto the structure tends to be readily visible from a distance. The second light source is a flashing light (for example to give a strobe effect), which has been found to be especially eye-catching.

(15) FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a doorbell chime 50 according to a second embodiment of the invention. The doorbell chime 50 comprises a main body 52 associated with a pivotable lid 54. The lid 54 is pivoted about a central axis, such that it moves in a similar way to a rocker switch. Referring to FIGS. 4a-4c, the lid 54 comprises a speaker unit 56 and a light unit 58, located at opposite ends of the lid 54. The lid 54 is movable between at least three distinct positions. In the first position, as shown in FIG. 4a, the speaker unit 56 is exposed, and the light unit 58 is unexposed, such that it is fully enclosed within the main body 52 and cannot be seen when looking at the outside of the doorbell chime 50. In the second position, as shown in FIG. 4b, the speaker unit is unexposed, such that it is fully enclosed within the main body 52 and cannot be seen when looking at the outside of the doorbell chime 50, and the light unit 58 exposed. In the third position (shown in FIG. 4c), halfway between the first position and second position, both the speaker unit 56 and the light unit 58 are partially exposed. The movement of the lid 54 between the first, second, and third positions is easily undertaken by a user pushing on the lid as appropriate to select the required position.

(16) When in the first position, when activated by a doorbell push, the doorbell chime 50 is arranged to emit an audible alarm via the speaker unit 56. No visual alarm is emitted in this position. When in the second position, when activated by a doorbell push, the doorbell chime 50 is arranged to emit a visual alarm via the light unit 58. No audible alarm is emitted in this position. When in the third position, when activated by a doorbell push, the doorbell chime 50 is arranged to emit an audible alarm via the speaker unit 56 and a visual alarm via the light unit 58. Therefore, a user can easily and intuitively switch between the various modes of operation of the doorbell chime 50.

(17) The doorbell chime 50 also includes a light unit extending around the perimeter of the main body 52. This light unit may emit light to identify which doorbell push has been activated, or provide a night light function, both as described with reference to the first embodiment of the invention.

(18) Whilst the present invention has been described and illustrated with reference to particular embodiments, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention lends itself to many different variations not specifically illustrated herein. By way of example only, certain possible variations will now be described.

(19) In another embodiment of the invention (not shown) the chime receives up to six different inputs: three different doorbell push inputs, a telephone signal (such that the light source displays a particular colour when the phone is ringing), a detector signal (such that the light source displays a particular colour when the detectors detects movement of a person outside the house), and a low battery signal (such that only the lower part of the light source is illuminated when the battery in the chime is running low).

(20) In alternative embodiments, the doorbell chimes according to the first embodiment and second embodiment may also include volume controls and sound selection controls in order to allow a user to further personalise the doorbell chime. Such features are not shown, but will be easily understood by the person skilled in the art.

(21) Where in the foregoing description, integers or elements are mentioned which have known, obvious or foreseeable equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. Reference should be made to the claims for determining the true scope of the present invention, which should be construed so as to encompass any such equivalents. It will also be appreciated by the reader that integers or features of the invention that are described as preferable, advantageous, convenient or the like are optional and do not limit the scope of the independent claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that such optional integers or features, whilst of possible benefit in some embodiments of the invention, may not be desirable, and may therefore be absent, in other embodiments.