Determining doorbell sound based on light scene
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/EP2026/058686
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2025-03-28
- Filing Date
- 2026-03-26
- Publication Date
- 2026-10-01
Smart Images
Figure EP2026058686_01102026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] 2024PF80507
[0002] 1
[0003] DETERMINING DOORBELL SOUND BASED ON LIGHT SCENE
[0004] FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The invention relates to a system for causing playback of a doorbell sound. The invention further relates to a method of causing playback of a doorbell sound.
[0006] The invention also relates to a computer program product enabling a computer system to perform such a method.
[0007] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0008] While traditional wired doorbells with mechanical chimes usually have a fixed sound, many smart doorbells allow the user to customize the doorbell sound (chime sound) through a mobile app. Customization of the doorbell sound allows the user to personalize their home's atmosphere by selecting a sound that matches their style and preferences, making it more pleasant than the standard "ding-dong." It also provides a fun and seasonal touch, letting the user switch to festive tunes for holidays or unique melodies for special occasions.
[0009] Additionally, it helps with recognition and differentiation, allowing the user to assign different sounds for multiple entrances or prevent confusion with a neighbor’s doorbell in close quarters. For accessibility and convenience, customized chimes can be adjusted in volume or tone to accommodate those with hearing impairments or personal sound preferences. Lastly, a more melodic or subtle sound can reduce annoyance, ensuring the doorbell is noticeable without being harsh or disruptive.
[0010] Automatic adjustment of the chime sound is also known. For example, US 2020 / 0402374 Al discloses a system which can adjust the volume of a chime of a doorbell or modify the chime of the doorbell from a first type of chime to a second type of chime if the occupant is detected to be sleeping. A drawback of this system is that it requires sleep detection, which may require one or more new sensors to be installed, and which users may consider as an invasion of their privacy.2024PF80507
[0011] 2
[0012] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] It is advantageous to provide a system and method, which can dynamically adjust a doorbell sound in an improved manner, e.g., without requiring sleep detection.
[0014] In a first aspect, a system for causing playback of a doorbell sound comprises at least one input interface and at least one processor configured to obtain, via the at least one input interface, information indicative of at least one of a color and an intensity of a light scene, the light scene comprising a plurality of light settings for a plurality of lighting devices, determine at least one of a volume and a type of the doorbell sound based on at least one of the color and the intensity of the light scene, and cause playback of the doorbell sound in response to a doorbell being pressed when the light scene is active.
[0015] By adjusting the volume and / or type of the doorbell sound based on the color and / or intensity of a light scene, sleep detection is not required for dynamically adjusting the doorbell sound. Furthermore, this system can be used in various situations, as the light scene normally reflects the user’s mood and / or activity, and the user’s mood and / or activity often determines which doorbell sound is appreciated by the user.
[0016] For example, a loud doorbell sound may be startling, especially in a quiet home. Lowering the volume can make it less jarring. In homes with babies or pets, a softer chime can prevent disturbances. Therefore, more cozy light scenes, for example a candlelight effect, may call for a moderate chime volume or pitch, while up-tempo dynamic lighting scenes controlled by an audio or video source may require a higher volume, pitch or length to alert the user.
[0017] A light scene defines specific lighting conditions and may be, for example, a pre-programmed configuration of lighting settings stored in a memory or created on the fly when the user changes light settings manually. It typically includes parameters such as color, intensity, brightness, and sometimes dynamic effects, all tailored to create a particular ambiance or support specific activities. Pre-programmed light scenes can be recalled or activated automatically or manually, enabling consistent and repeatable lighting experiences that meet predefined objectives or aesthetic preferences.
[0018] The at least one processor may be configured to receive a signal indicating that the doorbell has been pressed and control a speaker of the doorbell to play the doorbell sound in response to receiving the signal if the light scene is active.
[0019] The light scene may be a light scene currently active on the plurality of lighting devices.2024PF80507
[0020] 3
[0021] The light scene may be a stored light scene and the at least one processor may be configured to cause playback of the doorbell sound in response to the doorbell being pressed when the light scene is active by associating the doorbell sound with the light scene.
[0022] The at least one processor may be configured to obtain, via the at least one input interface, further information indicative of at least one of a color and an intensity of a further stored light scene, determine at least one of a volume and a type of a further doorbell sound based on at least one of the color and the intensity of the further stored light scene, and associate the further doorbell sound with the further stored light scene to cause the doorbell to play the further doorbell sound in response to the doorbell being pressed when the further stored light scene is active.
[0023] The at least one processor may be configured to generate an output suggesting to a user the association of the doorbell sound with the stored light scene, receive a user input approving the association of the doorbell sound with the stored light scene, and associate the doorbell sound with the stored light scene upon receiving the user input.
[0024] The at least one processor may be configured to cause a speaker of a mobile device of a user to play the doorbell sound in response to the doorbell being pressed when the light scene is active.
[0025] The light scene may be associated with a first space and the at least one processor maybe configured to cause a first speaker in the first space to play the doorbell sound in response to the doorbell being pressed when the light scene is active in the first space.
[0026] The at least one processor may be configured to cause a second speaker in a second space to play another doorbell sound in response to the doorbell being pressed.
[0027] The at least one processor may be configured to obtain, via the at least one input interface, other information indicative of at least one of a color and an intensity of another light scene, the other light scene being associated with the second space, determine at least one of a volume and a type of the other doorbell sound based on at least one of the color and the intensity of the other light scene, and cause the second speaker in the second space to play the other doorbell sound in response to the doorbell being pressed when the other light scene is active in the second space.
[0028] The at least one processor may be configured to cause playback of the doorbell sound in response to the doorbell being pressed during a certain period of the day in dependence on the light scene being active.
[0029] The light scene may provide a natural light function.2024PF80507
[0030] 4
[0031] The type of the doorbell sound may comprise a pitch of the doorbell sound and / or a length of the doorbell sound.
[0032] In a second aspect, a method of causing playback of a doorbell sound comprises obtaining information indicative of at least one of a color and an intensity of a light scene, the light scene comprising a plurality of light settings for a plurality of lighting devices, determining at least one of a volume and a type of the doorbell sound based on at least one of the color and the intensity of the light scene, and causing playback of the doorbell sound in response to a doorbell being pressed when the light scene is active. The method may be performed by software running on a programmable device. This software may be provided as a computer program product.
[0033] Moreover, a computer program for carrying out the methods described herein, as well as a non-transitory computer readable storage-medium storing the computer program are provided. A computer program may, for example, be downloaded by or uploaded to an existing device or be stored upon manufacturing of these systems.
[0034] In another aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores a software code portion, the software code portion, when executed or processed by a computer, being configured to perform the method described above.
[0035] As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a device, a method or a computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware implementation, an entirely software implementation (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an implementation combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a "circuit", "module" or "system." Functions described in this disclosure may be implemented as an algorithm executed by a processor / microprocessor of a computer.
[0036] Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product in one or more computer readable medium(s) having computer readable program code stored thereon.
[0037] Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may be utilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of a computer readable storage medium may include, but are not limited to, the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a2024PF80507
[0038] 5
[0039] random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable readonly memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of the present invention, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store, a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.
[0040] A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with computer readable program code included therein, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.
[0041] Program code on a computer readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber, cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present invention may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java(TM), Swift, Dart, Python, Go, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer, or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).
[0042] Aspects of the present invention are described below with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to implementations of the present invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor, in particular a microprocessor or a central processing unit (CPU), of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such2024PF80507
[0043] 6
[0044] that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices create means for implementing the functions / acts specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block or blocks.
[0045] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function / act specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block or blocks.
[0046] The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions / acts specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block or blocks.
[0047] The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of devices, methods and computer program products according to various implementations of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and / or flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and / or flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.
[0048] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0049] These and other aspects of the invention are apparent from and will be further elucidated, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0050] Fig. l is a block diagram of an implementation of the system;
[0051] Fig. 2 is a flow chart of a first implementation of the method;2024PF80507
[0052] 7
[0053] Fig. 3 illustrates different doorbell sounds being used when different light scenes are active;
[0054] Fig. 4 is a flow chart of a second implementation of the method;
[0055] Fig. 5 is a flow chart of a third implementation of the method;
[0056] Fig. 6 is a flow chart of a fourth implementation of the method;
[0057] Fig. 7 is a flow chart of a fifth implementation of the method;
[0058] Fig. 8 is a flow chart of a sixth implementation of the method;
[0059] Fig. 9 is a flow chart of a seventh implementation of the method;
[0060] Fig. 10 is a flow chart of an eighth implementation of the method;
[0061] Fig. 11 is a flow chart of a ninth implementation of the method; and Fig. 12 is a block diagram of an exemplary data processing system for performing the methods of the invention.
[0062] Corresponding elements in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numeral.
[0063] DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0064] Fig. 1 shows an implementation of the system for causing playback of a doorbell sound. In this implementation, the system is a controller 1. The controller 1 may be a Philips Hue bridge, for example. The controller 1 is connected to a wireless LAN access point 17, e.g., via Ethernet or Wi-Fi. The wireless LAN access point 17 is connected to the Internet 11. The controller 1 is able to communicate with lighting devices 31-34, e.g., using Zigbee technology.
[0065] In the example of Fig. 1, a user of a user device 19 is able to use an app running on their user device to control one or more of lighting devices 31-34 via the controller 1. The user device 19 may be, for example, a mobile device such as a mobile phone, a tablet or a smart watch. In the example of Fig. 1, user device 19 is connected directly to the wireless LAN access point 17. Alternatively, user device 19 may be connected to the Internet 11 remotely, e.g. via an LTE or 5G mobile communication network.
[0066] It may also be possible to control lighting devices 31-34 via Internet server 13 (and controller 1). The Internet server 13 may be operated by a manufacturer of a lighting company, for example. The Internet server 13 is also connected to the Internet 11. Light scenes may be stored on the controller 1 and / or on the Internet server 13.
[0067] The controller 1 comprises a receiver 3, a transmitter 4, a processor 5, a memory interface 6, and a memory 7. The processor 5 is configured to obtain information2024PF80507
[0068] 8
[0069] indicative of at least one of a color and an intensity of a light scene which comprises a plurality of light settings for a plurality of lighting devices, determine at least one of a volume and a type of the doorbell sound based on at least one of the color and the intensity of the light scene, and cause playback of the doorbell sound in response to a doorbell being pressed when the light scene is active.
[0070] For example, the controller 1 may receive notifications when the doorbell is activated and configure the desired volume and / or type of the doorbell sound based on the current light scene. The information indicative of the color and / or the intensity of the light scene may be obtained from the memory 7 via memory interface 6 or from the Internet server 13 via the receiver 3, for example. The volume and / or type of the doorbell sound may be determined for one or more stored light scenes or for a currently active light scene, for example.
[0071] In the example of Fig. 1, a doorbell comprises at least a doorbell button 48 and a doorbell speaker 47. The doorbell is typically a smart device which further comprises components like a local controller and (program / data) memory (not shown in Fig. 1), e.g., collocated with the doorbell 48 and / or the doorbell speaker 47. The processor 5 may be configured to receive a signal indicating that the doorbell button 48 has been pressed and control the doorbell speaker 47 to play the doorbell sound in response to receiving the signal if the light scene is active. Additionally or alternatively, the processor 5 may be configured to cause a speaker of user device 19 to play the doorbell sound in response to the doorbell being pressed when the light scene is active.
[0072] The processor 5 may be configured to cause a speaker in a certain space to play the doorbell sound in response to the doorbell being pressed when the light scene is active in this certain space. For example, a fixed speaker and a plurality of lighting devices may be (e.g., manually) associated with the same space, e.g., a room, and if the doorbell is pressed, the fixed speaker may play the doorbell sound associated with the light scene active on this plurality of lighting devices in this space.
[0073] The processor 5 may be configured to determine in which space of a plurality of spaces the user device 19 is present to determine which light scene is active in that space. If the processor 5 can determine in which space the user device 19 is located, the speaker of the user device 19 may be caused to play a doorbell source associated with the light scene active in this space. If the processor 5 cannot determine in which space the user device 19 is located, the speaker of the user device 19 may be caused to play the doorbell sound associated with the light scene active in a predetermined space, for example. Fig. 32024PF80507
[0074] 9
[0075] illustrates different doorbell sounds being used when different light scenes are active. Fig. 3 shows an example of a floorplan of a home 41 in which the controller 1 of Fig. 1 may be used. Three rooms are depicted: a hall 43, a kitchen 44 and a living room 45. The wireless LAN access point 17 has been placed in the hall 43. The controller 1 and the lighting devices 31-33 have been installed in the living room 45. Lighting device 34 has been installed in the kitchen 44.
[0076] At moment 51, a light scene 53 is active. Light scene 53 involves lighting devices 32 and 33. A doorbell sound 55 is or has been determined based on light scene 53 and is played by doorbell speaker 47 when the doorbell button 48 is pressed. The same doorbell sound or a different doorbell sound may also be played on a speaker of mobile device 19 held by a user 49 when the doorbell button 48 is pressed.
[0077] At moment 61, a light scene 63 is active. Light scene 63 involves lighting devices 32 and 33. A doorbell sound 65 is or has been determined based on light scene 63 and is played by doorbell speaker 47 when the doorbell button 48 is pressed. The same doorbell sound or a different doorbell sound may also be played on a speaker of mobile device 19 held by user 49 when the doorbell button 48 is pressed. The color and / or intensity of light scene 63 is different from the color and / or intensity of light scene 53. The volume and / or type of doorbell sound 65 is different from the volume and / or type of doorbell sound 55.
[0078] In the example of Fig. 3, a speaker in the living room 45 is used to play a doorbell sound determined based on a light scene rendered in the living room 45.
[0079] Alternatively or additionally, a speaker in the hallway 43 or a doorbell built-in speaker may be used. In this case, the volume of the doorbell sound may be adjusted based on the front door / outdoor light scene, for example.
[0080] The volume and / or type of the doorbell sound may be determined before or after the signal indicating that the doorbell button 48 has been pressed has been received. If the volume and / or type of the doorbell sound is determined before the signal has been received, it may be determined when the active light scene changes or even earlier, e.g., when a light scene is downloaded from the Internet server 13 and then stored in memory 7 of the controller 1.
[0081] The volume and / or type of the doorbell sound may be determined for each respective light scene of a plurality of stored light scenes and then associated with this respective light scene such that when the signal indicating that the doorbell button 48 has been pressed is received or when the active light scene changes, information representative of2024PF80507
[0082] 10
[0083] the volume and / or type of the doorbell sound associated with the active light scene is obtained and used.
[0084] The connections depicted in Fig. 1 are only schematical representations. For example, it is not required that each lighting device communicates directly with controller 1. The devices of the lighting system may form a mesh network and physical communication may be routed over multiple nodes in order to keep the distances of each radio connection short.
[0085] In the implementation of the controller 1 shown in Fig. 1, the controller 1 comprises one processor 5. In an alternative implementation, the controller 1 comprises multiple processors. The processor 5 of the controller 1 may be a general-purpose processor, e.g. ARM-based, or an application-specific processor. The processor 5 of the controller 1 may run a Unix-based operating system for example. The memory 7 may comprise one or more memory units. The memory 7 may comprise solid-state memory, for example. The memory 7 may be used to store a table of connected lights, for example.
[0086] The receiver 3 and the transmitter 4 may use one or more wired or wireless communication technologies, e.g. Ethernet for communicating with the wireless LAN access point 17 and Zigbee for communicating with the lighting devices 31-34, for example. In an alternative implementation, multiple receivers and / or multiple transmitters are used instead of a single receiver and a single transmitter. In the implementation shown in Fig. 1, a separate receiver and a separate transmitter are used. In an alternative implementation, the receiver 3 and the transmitter 4 are combined into a transceiver. The controller 1 may comprise other components typical for a network device such as a power connector. The invention may be implemented using a computer program running on one or more processors.
[0087] In the implementation of Fig. 1, the system of the invention comprises a controller, e.g., a bridge. In an alternative implementation, the system of the invention is a different device, e.g. a smart doorbell or a cloud server. In the implementation of Fig. 1, the system of the invention comprises a single device. In an alternative implementation, the system of the invention comprises a plurality of devices.
[0088] A first implementation of the method of causing playback of a doorbell sound is shown in Fig. 2. The method may be performed by the controller 1 of Fig. 1, for example. A step 101 comprises obtaining information indicative of a color and / or an intensity of a light scene. The light scene comprises a plurality of light settings for a plurality of lighting devices.
[0089] The intensity of the light scene may be represented by a total light output level of all lights, an average light output level per light, or a quantity of lights turned on, for2024PF80507
[0090] 11
[0091] example. The light scene may be a light scene currently active on the plurality of lighting devices or a stored light scene. The color and / or intensity indicated in the information may be a current color and / or a current intensity of the light scene, e.g., if the light scene provides a natural light function. In this case, the volume of the doorbell sound may follow the natural light function, for example.
[0092] A step 103 comprises determining a volume and / or a type of a doorbell sound based on the color and / or the intensity of the light scene indicated in the information obtained in step 101. The type of the doorbell sound may comprise a pitch of the doorbell sound and / or a length of the doorbell sound, for example. A step 105 comprises causing playback of the doorbell sound determined in step 103 in response to a doorbell being pressed when the light scene is active.
[0093] For example, at nighttime, lights in a living room will be off or dimmed to a minimum light level and the environment is quiet. A moderate chime volume is then more appropriate than a loud doorbell sound.
[0094] If a physical light control switch is used for dimming the active light scene, i.e., for increasing and decreasing the intensity of the active light scene, and the volume of the doorbell sound is determined based on the active light scene, the physical light switch not only controls the intensity of the active light scene, but also (indirectly) the volume of the doorbell sound. Dimming down the lights to the lowest level may mute the doorbell sound to not disturb the user. If the doorbell sound is muted, a light effect may be used to alert the user.
[0095] Step 105 may comprise causing a speaker of the doorbell and / or a speaker of a mobile device of a user to play the doorbell sound in response to the doorbell being pressed when the light scene is active. For example, a user may be able to link their smartphone to a doorbell to allow the speaker of the smartphone to be used for playing the doorbell sound.
[0096] Step 105 may comprise causing playback of the doorbell sound in response to the doorbell being pressed during a certain period of the day in dependence on the light scene being active. For example, the volume of the doorbell sound may be set to match the light level in a room during specific hours (e.g., dimmed nightlight settings of the baby room).
[0097] A second implementation of the method of causing playback of a doorbell sound is shown in Fig. 4. The method may be performed by the controller 1 of Fig. 1, for example. The implementation of Fig. 4 is an extension of the implementation of Fig. 2. In the implementation of Fig. 4, step 105 of Fig. 2 is implemented by a step 131, a step 133 is performed after steps2024PF80507
[0098] 12
[0099] Step 101 comprises obtaining information indicative of a color and / or an intensity of a light scene currently active on the plurality of lighting devices. Step 103 comprises determining a volume and / or a type of a doorbell sound based on the color and / or the intensity of the light scene indicated in the information obtained in step 101. Step 131 comprises storing information representing the volume and / or the type of the doorbell sound determined in step 103, e.g., by storing the doorbell sound itself. Step 133 comprises checking whether the light scene currently active on the plurality of lighting devices has been changed. If so, steps 101-105 are repeated.
[0100] Step 121 comprises receive a signal indicating that (a button of) the doorbell has been pressed. Step 123 is performed upon receiving this signal. Step 123 comprises controlling a speaker of the doorbell to play the doorbell sound determined in step 103 based on the latest information stored in step 105. Steps 121 and 123 may be performed multiple times.
[0101] A third implementation of the method of causing playback of a doorbell sound is shown in Fig. 5. The method may be performed by the controller 1 of Fig. 1, for example. The implementation of Fig. 5 is an extension of the implementation of Fig. 2 and an alternative to the implementation of Fig. 4. In the implementation of Fig. 5, step 121 is performed before step 101 of Fig. 2 and step 105 of Fig. 2 is implemented by step 123.
[0102] Step 121 comprises receiving a signal indicating that (a button of) the doorbell has been pressed. Steps 101, 103, and 123 are performed upon receiving this signal. Step 101 comprises obtaining information indicative of a color and / or an intensity of a light scene currently active on the plurality of lighting devices. Step 103 comprises determining a volume and / or a type of a doorbell sound based on the color and / or the intensity of the light scene indicated in the information obtained in step 101. Step 123 comprises controlling a speaker of the doorbell to play the doorbell sound determined in step 103. Step 121 is repeated after step 123, after which the method proceeds as shown in Fig. 5.
[0103] A fourth implementation of the method of causing playback of a doorbell sound is shown in Fig. 6. The method may be performed by the controller 1 of Fig. 1, for example. The implementation of Fig. 6 is an extension of the implementation of Fig. 2. In the implementation of Fig. 6, step 101 of Fig. 2 is implemented by a step 141, step 105 of Fig. 2 is implemented by a step 147, and optionally, steps 143 and 145 are performed between steps 103 and 147.
[0104] Step 141 comprises obtaining information indicative of a color and / or an intensity of a stored light scene. Step 103 comprises determining a volume and / or a type of a doorbell sound based on the color and / or the intensity of the light scene indicated in the information2024PF80507
[0105] 13
[0106] obtained in step 141. Optional step 143 comprises generating an output suggesting to a user, e.g., via a GUI, the association of the doorbell sound with the stored light scene. Optional step 145 comprises receiving a user input approving the association of the doorbell sound with the stored light scene, e.g., via the GUI.
[0107] Step 147 comprises associating the doorbell sound with the stored light scene. If the method includes steps 143 and 145, step 147 comprises associating the doorbell sound with the stored light scene upon receiving the user input in step 145. If the user does not approve the association, the association is not made in step 147.
[0108] Steps 141-147 may be repeated one or more times for one or more further stored light scenes. For instance, when a user adds a doorbell to their lighting system, the user may be presented with a notification that requests the user to enable dynamic chime volume, and the volume levels may be determined for different stored light scenes.
[0109] The user may be asked to approve the association per stored light scene or for all stored light scenes simultaneously. In the latter case, steps 141 and 103 may first be repeated multiple times, and then, after steps 143 and 145 have been performed, step 147 may be repeated multiple times.
[0110] A fifth implementation of the method of causing playback of a doorbell sound is shown in Fig. 7. The method may be performed by the controller 1 of Fig. 1, for example. The implementation of Fig. 7 is an extension of the implementation of Fig. 6. In the implementation of Fig. 7, step 133, 151, and 153 and steps 121 and 123 are performed after steps 101-105 of Fig. 6. Steps 121 and 123 are performed in parallel with steps 133, 151, and 153.
[0111] Step 151 comprises identifying a currently active light scene. This currently active light scene is a stored light scene. Step 153 comprises obtaining information representing the volume and / or the type of the doorbell sound previously associated with the active light scene identified in step 151, e.g. the doorbell sound itself, and storing this information. Step 133 comprises checking whether the currently active light scene has been changed. If so, steps 151, 153, and 133 are repeated.
[0112] Step 121 comprises receiving a signal indicating that (a button of) the doorbell has been pressed. Step 123 is performed upon receiving this signal. Step 123 comprises controlling a speaker of the doorbell to play the doorbell sound associated with the currently active light scene based on the latest information stored in step 153. Steps 121 and 123 may be performed multiple times.
[0113] A sixth implementation of the method of causing playback of a doorbell sound is shown in Fig. 8. The method may be performed by the controller 1 of Fig. 1, for example. The2024PF80507
[0114] 14
[0115] implementation of Fig. 8 is an extension of the implementation of Fig. 6. In the implementation of Fig. 8, steps 121, 151, 161, and 123 are performed after steps 101-105 of Fig. 6.
[0116] Step 121 comprises receiving a signal indicating that (a button of) the doorbell has been pressed. Steps 151, 161, and 123 are performed upon receiving this signal. Step 151 comprises identifying a currently active light scene. This currently active light scene is a stored light scene.
[0117] Step 161 comprises obtaining information representing the volume and / or the type of the doorbell sound previously associated with the active light scene identified in step 151, e.g., the doorbell sound itself. Step 123 comprises controlling a speaker of the doorbell to play the doorbell sound associated with the currently active light scene based on the information obtained in step 161. Step 121 is repeated after step 123, after which the method proceeds as shown in Fig. 8.
[0118] A seventh implementation of the method of causing playback of a doorbell sound is shown in Fig. 9. The method may be performed by the controller 1 of Fig. 1, for example. The implementation of Fig. 9 is an extension of the implementation of Fig. 2. In the implementation of Fig. 9, steps 101 and 105 of Fig. 2 are implemented by steps 171 and 173, respectively, and steps 181 and 183 are performed in parallel with steps 101-105.
[0119] Step 171 comprises obtaining information indicative of a color and / or an intensity of a light scene associated with a first space. Step 103 comprises determining a volume and / or a type of a doorbell sound based on the color and / or the intensity of the light scene indicated in the information obtained in step 171. Step 173 comprises causing a first speaker in the first space to play the doorbell sound determined in step 103 in response to the doorbell being pressed when the light scene is active in the first space.
[0120] Step 181 comprises determining a volume and / or a type of another doorbell sound, e.g., a default doorbell sound. Step 183 comprises causing a second speaker in a second space to play the other doorbell sound determined in step 181 in response to the doorbell being pressed.
[0121] For instance, in the example of Fig. 3, the doorbell sound 55 played on speaker 47 is or has been determined based on light scene 53 and the doorbell sound 65 played on speaker 47 is or has been determined based on light scene 63 while a default doorbell sound may be played on a speaker of the user device 19 at both moments.
[0122] An eighth implementation of the method of causing playback of a doorbell sound is shown in Fig. 10. The method may be performed by the controller 1 of Fig. 1, for example. The implementation of Fig. 10 is an extension of the implementation of Fig. 2. In the2024PF80507
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[0124] implementation of Fig. 10, steps 101 and 105 of Fig. 2 are implemented by steps 171 and 173, respectively, a step 191 is performed before step 171, and a step 193 is performed after step 173.
[0125] In the first iteration of step 191, step 191 comprises selecting a first space. In the next iteration of step 191, step 191 comprises selecting a next space. Step 171 comprises obtaining information indicative of a color and / or an intensity of a light scene associated with the space selected in step 191. Step 103 comprises determining a volume and / or a type of a doorbell sound based on the color and / or the intensity of the light scene indicated in the information obtained in step 171.
[0126] Step 173 comprises causing a speaker in the space selected in step 191 to play the doorbell sound determined in step 103 in response to the doorbell being pressed when the light scene is active in the space selected in step 191. A step 193 comprises determining whether all relevant spaces have been selected. If not, steps 191, 171, 103, and 173 are repeated for the next space.
[0127] For example, if a connected lighting system has multiple chimes, the volume of the individual chimes may be set to match the light level of an assigned room. A user may be able to configure which spaces are relevant.
[0128] A ninth implementation of the method of causing playback of a doorbell sound is shown in Fig. 11. The method may be performed by the controller 1 of Fig. 1, for example. The implementation of Fig. 11 is an extension of the implementation of Fig. 10. In the implementation of Fig. 11, step 121 is performed before step 191 of Fig. 10 and step 105 is implemented by a step 201 instead of by step 173 of Fig. 10.
[0129] Step 121 comprises receiving a signal indicating that (a button of) the doorbell has been pressed. Steps 191, 171, 103, 201, and 193 are performed upon receiving this signal. In the first iteration of step 191, step 191 comprises selecting a first space. In the next iteration of step 191, step 191 comprises selecting a next space. Step 171 comprises obtaining information indicative of a color and / or an intensity of a light scene associated with the space selected in step 191. Step 103 comprises determining a volume and / or a type of a doorbell sound based on the color and / or the intensity of the light scene indicated in the information obtained in step 171.
[0130] Step 201 comprises controlling a doorbell speaker in the space selected in step 191 to play the doorbell sound determined in step 103. If this space currently does not comprise a speaker, e.g., because it does not comprise a fixed speaker and no recognized mobile device is in this space, step 173 may be skipped for this space. Step 193 comprises determining whether all relevant spaces have been selected. If not, steps 191, 171, 103, and 201 are repeated for the next space. If so, step 121 is repeated, after which the method proceeds as shown in Fig. 11.2024PF80507
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[0132] For instance, in the example of Fig. 3, while the doorbell sound 55 played on speaker 47 at moment 51 is or has been determined based on light scene 53 in the living room 45, a doorbell sound played by a speaker of user device 19 at moment 51 may be or may have been determined based on a light scene active in the kitchen 44, e.g., if it can be determined that the user device 19 is located in the kitchen 44. If it cannot be determined in which space the user device 19 is located, the speaker of the user device 19 may be caused to play the doorbell sound associated with a light scene in a predetermined room, for example.
[0133] One or more of the implementations described above may be combined to create one or more additional implementations. For example, one or more steps of one flowchart may be added to another flowchart.
[0134] Fig. 12 depicts a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data processing system that may perform the method as described with reference to the flow charts.
[0135] As shown in Fig. 12, the data processing system 900 may include at least one processor 902 coupled to memory elements 904 through a system bus 906. As such, the data processing system may store program code within memory elements 904. Further, the processor 902 may execute the program code accessed from the memory elements 904 via a system bus 906. In one aspect, the data processing system may be implemented as a computer that is suitable for storing and / or executing program code. It should be appreciated, however, that the system 900 may be implemented in the form of any system including a processor and a memory that is capable of performing the functions described within this specification. The data processing system may be an Intemet / cloud server, for example.
[0136] The memory elements 904 may include one or more physical memory devices such as, for example, local memory 908 and one or more bulk storage devices 910. The local memory may refer to random access memory or other non-persistent memory device(s) generally used during actual execution of the program code. A bulk storage device may be implemented as a hard drive or other persistent data storage device. The processing system 900 may also include one or more cache memories (not shown) that provide temporary storage of at least some program code in order to reduce the quantity of times program code must be retrieved from the bulk storage device 910 during execution. The processing system 900 may also be able to use memory elements of another processing system, e.g. if the processing system 900 is part of a cloud-computing platform.
[0137] Input / output (VO) devices depicted as an input device 912 and an output device 914 optionally can be coupled to the data processing system. Examples of input devices may include, but are not limited to, a keyboard, a pointing device such as a mouse, a2024PF80507
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[0139] microphone (e.g. for voice and / or speech recognition), or the like. Examples of output devices may include, but are not limited to, a monitor or a display, speakers, or the like.
[0140] Input and / or output devices may be coupled to the data processing system either directly or through intervening VO controllers.
[0141] The input and the output devices may be implemented as a combined input / output device (illustrated in Fig. 12 with a dashed line surrounding the input device 912 and the output device 914). An example of such a combined device is a touch sensitive display, also sometimes referred to as a “touch screen display” or simply “touch screen”. In such an implementation, input to the device may be provided by a movement of a physical object, such as e.g. a stylus or a finger of a user, on or near the touch screen display.
[0142] A network adapter 916 may also be coupled to the data processing system to enable it to become coupled to other systems, computer systems, remote network devices, and / or remote storage devices through intervening private or public networks. The network adapter may comprise a data receiver for receiving data that is transmitted by the systems, devices and / or networks to the data processing system 900, and a data transmitter for transmitting data from the data processing system 900 to the systems, devices and / or networks. Modems, cable modems, and Ethernet cards are examples of different types of network adapter that may be used with the data processing system 900.
[0143] As pictured in Fig. 12, the memory elements 904 may store an application 918. The application 918 may be stored in the local memory 908, the one or more bulk storage devices 910, or separate from the local memory and the bulk storage devices. It should be appreciated that the data processing system 900 may further execute an operating system (not shown in Fig. 12) that can facilitate execution of the application 918. The application 918, being implemented in the form of executable program code, can be executed by the data processing system 900, e.g., by the processor 902. Responsive to executing the application, the data processing system 900 may be configured to perform one or more operations or method steps described herein.
[0144] The invention may be implemented as a program product for use with a computer system, where the program(s) of the program product define functions. The program(s) may be contained on a variety of non-transitory computer-readable storage media, where, as used herein, the expression “non-transitory computer readable storage media” comprises all computer-readable media, with the sole exception being a transitory, propagating signal. The program(s) may also be contained on a variety of transitory computer-readable storage media. Illustrative computer-readable storage media include, but are not limited to: (i) non-writable2024PF80507
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[0146] storage media (e.g., read-only memory devices within a computer such as CD-ROM disks readable by a CD-ROM drive, ROM chips or any type of solid-state non-volatile semiconductor memory) on which information is permanently stored; and (ii) writable storage media (e.g., flash memory, floppy disks within a diskette drive or hard-disk drive or any type of solid-state random-access semiconductor memory) on which alterable information is stored. The computer program may be run on the processor 902 described herein.
[0147] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular implementations only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.
[0148] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The detailed description has been presented for purposes of illustration, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the implementations in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Claims
2024PF8050719CLAIMS:
1. A system (1) for causing playback of a doorbell sound (55,65), the system (1) comprising:at least one input interface (3,6); andat least one processor (5) configured to:- obtain, via the at least one input interface (3,6), information indicative of at least one of a color and an intensity of a light scene (53,63), the light scene (53,63) comprising a plurality of light settings for a plurality of lighting devices (31-34),- determine at least one of a volume and a type of the doorbell sound (55,65) based on at least one of the color and the intensity of the light scene (53,63), and- cause playback of the doorbell sound (55,65) in response to a doorbell being pressed when the light scene (53,63) is active.
2. A system (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one processor (5) is configured to:- receive a signal indicating that the doorbell has been pressed, and- control a speaker (47) of the doorbell to play the doorbell sound (55,65) in response to receiving the signal if the light scene (53,63) is active.
3. A system (1) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the light scene (53,63) is a light scene currently active on the plurality of lighting devices (31-34).
4. A system (1) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the light scene (53,63) is a stored light scene and the at least one processor (5) is configured to cause playback of the doorbell sound (55,65) in response to the doorbell being pressed when the light scene (53,63) is active by associating the doorbell sound (55,65) with the light scene (53,63).
5. A system (1) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the at least one processor (5) is configured to:2024PF8050720- obtain, via the at least one input interface (3,6), further information indicative of at least one of a color and an intensity of a further stored light scene (53,63),- determine at least one of a volume and a type of a further doorbell sound (55,65) based on at least one of the color and the intensity of the further stored light scene (53,63), and- associate the further doorbell sound (55,65) with the further stored light scene (53,63) to cause the doorbell to play the further doorbell sound (55,65) in response to the doorbell being pressed when the further stored light scene (53,63) is active.
6. A system (1) as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the at least one processor (5) is configured to:- generate an output suggesting to a user the association of the doorbell sound (55,65) with the stored light scene (53,63),- receive a user input approving the association of the doorbell sound (55,65) with the stored light scene (53,63), and- associate the doorbell sound (55,65) with the stored light scene (53,63) upon receiving the user input.
7. A system (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one processor (5) is configured to cause a speaker of a mobile device (19) of a user to play the doorbell sound (55,65) in response to the doorbell being pressed when the light scene (53,63) is active.
8. A system (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light scene (53,63) is associated with a first space (45) and the at least one processor (5) is configured to cause a first speaker (47) in the first space (45) to play the doorbell sound (55,65) in response to the doorbell being pressed when the light scene (53,63) is active in the first space (45).
9. A system (1) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the at least one processor (5) is configured to cause a second speaker in a second space (43,44) to play another doorbell sound in response to the doorbell being pressed.2024PF805072110. A system (1) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the at least one processor (5) is configured to:- obtain, via the at least one input interface (3,6), other information indicative of at least one of a color and an intensity of another light scene, the other light scene being associated with the second space,- determine at least one of a volume and a type of the other doorbell sound based on at least one of the color and the intensity of the other light scene, and- cause the second speaker in the second space (44) to play the other doorbell sound in response to the doorbell being pressed when the other light scene is active in the second space (44).
11. A system (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one processor (5) is configured to cause playback of the doorbell sound (55,65) in response to the doorbell being pressed during a certain period of the day in dependence on the light scene (53,63) being active.
12. A system (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light scene (53,63) provides a natural light function.
13. A system (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the type of the doorbell sound (55,65) comprises a pitch of the doorbell sound and / or a length of the doorbell sound.
14. A method of causing playback of a doorbell sound, the method comprising:- obtaining (101) information indicative of at least one of a color and an intensity of a light scene, the light scene comprising a plurality of light settings for a plurality of lighting devices,- determining (103) at least one of a volume and a type of the doorbell sound based on at least one of the color and the intensity of the light scene, and- causing playback (105) of the doorbell sound in response to a doorbell being pressed when the light scene is active.2024PF805072215. A computer program product for a computing device, the computer program product comprising computer program code to perform the method of claim 14 when the computer program product is run on a processing unit of the computing device.