Abstract:
A communication device that may be removably coupled to a USB port, the device having a processor and non-volatile memory and configured to execute code, including code for receiving a wireless transmission including an alert signal from a second device, where the second device is a wireless doorbell, code for sounding an alarm via an audio or visual indicator on the communication device in response to the alert signal, code for receiving input from a user and transmitting a response signal to the second device, and code for allowing two-way audio communication between the communication device and the wireless doorbell.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/905,653, filed on Jan. 15, 2016, which is a National Stage of International Application No. PCT/US2014/046952, filed Jul. 17, 2014, which claims the benefit of earlier filed U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/847,274, filed on Jul. 17, 2013, all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Recent advancements in intercom technology and the rapid development of microcomputer industry have allowed users to access numerous household functions remotely. Specifically there are various types of Wireless Doorbell Chimes available in the market that may be accessed from multiple access points such as portable interfaces and smart devices etc. In addition to the advancement of intercom technology, wireless communication chips may be packaged into a smaller configurations, saving space without affecting their processing ability. As building upon the aforesaid advancements we have developed a USB Doorbell Dongle that not only can store data but also it may work as a USB wireless Controller for a wireless doorbell chime. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    A communication device that may be removably coupled to a USB port, the device having a processor and non-volatile memory and configured to execute code, including code for receiving an alert signal from a second device, where the second device is a wireless doorbell, code for sounding an alarm via an audio or visual indicator on the communication device in response to the alert signal, and code for receiving input from a user and transmitting a response signal to the second device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is an Entity Relationship diagram of the system and components of USB Doorbell Dongle according to an aspect of the present disclosure. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view of USB Doorbell Dongle according to an aspect of present disclosure. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of USB Doorbell Dongle according to an aspect of present disclosure. 
           [0007]      FIG. 4A  is a front profile view of USB Doorbell Dongle being inserted into a computer according to an aspect of present disclosure. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4B  is a front profile view of USB Doorbell Dongle being inserted in USB Adapter according to an aspect of present disclosure. 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  shows a diagram displaying communication between components within the system according to an aspect of present disclosure. 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  is a process flow diagram regarding the use and functions associated with USB Doorbell Dongle according to an aspect of the present disclosure. 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  is a diagram displaying a general purpose computer on which the system and method of the present disclosure may be implemented according to an aspect of present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]      FIG. 1  is an Entity Relationship Diagram displaying the components of USB Doorbell Dongle  13  according to an aspect of present disclosure. USB Doorbell Dongle  13  may be an electronic hardware device designed to fit into a USB port. As shown in  FIG. 1 , USB Doorbell Dongle  13  contains Microcontroller  4 , Flash Memory  6 , Speaker  1 , LED Lights  7  and Communications Module  8 . Each component inside USB Doorbell Dongle  13  performs an individual function which then contributes to an efficient working of the whole system. USB Doorbell Dongle  13  may communicate directly or indirectly with Doorbell  12 . Doorbell  12  may be a doorbell capable of wireless data transmission. Doorbell  12  may be equipped with a microphone, speaker, camera and button. Doorbell  12  may act as an intercom system, which in turn relays digital audio and/or video to USB Doorbell Dongle  13  and Smart Device  18 , allowing a User and a Visitor to communicate remotely with each other. 
         [0013]    Smart Device  18  may be any electronic device capable of receiving and transmitting data via the Internet, capable of transmitting and receiving audio and video communications, and that can operate to some extent autonomously. Examples of Smart Device  18  are but not limited to smartphones, tablets, laptops, computers, and VOIP telephone systems. In one non-limiting aspect, Smart Device  18  may be an initial point of contact between a Visitor (not shown) at Doorbell  12  and a User (not shown), prior to Doorbell  12  connecting to USB Doorbell Dongle  13 . In this aspect, in the event that the User cannot connect to Doorbell  12  via Smart Device  18 , data routed by Server  17  may be directed to USB Doorbell Dongle  13 . 
         [0014]    In one aspect, USB Doorbell Dongle  13 , Smart Device  18  and Doorbell  12  communicate via Wi-Fi. In this aspect, Communications Module  8  may be an off the shelf component such as the GS2011M module by Gainspan, or it could be another module that adds low power, high speed Wi-Fi and Internet connectivity to a device with a microcontroller and serial host interface. Communications Module  8  may send outbound data calls to Server  17  via Network  16 , containing data such as sound and identifying information related to USB Doorbell Dongle  13 . Network  16  may be a telecommunications network that allows computers to exchange data either physically or virtually. Server  17  determines which USB Doorbell Dongle  13  is associated with Doorbell  12  using the identifying information sent and routes the transmitted signal through Server  17  to USB Doorbell Dongle  13 . Server  17  is a system that responds to requests across a computer network to provide, or help to provide, a network service, such as routing. The Doorbell  13  may connect to Network  16  via Communications Module  8  to communicate with USB Doorbell Dongle  13 . 
         [0015]    Other data transmission protocols such as Bluetooth™ or ZigBee® may be incorporated into Communications Module  8  to transmit data to mobile devices or any other device capable of receiving wireless data transmissions. In this aspect, data may be transmitted to Microcontroller  4  directly through Bluetooth™ protocol via Communications Module  8  depending on Doorbell Dongle&#39;s  13  proximity to Doorbell  12 . 
         [0016]    Once a wireless connection has been made, Microcontroller  4  may process data delivered from Doorbell  12  to USB Doorbell Dongle  13 . Microcontroller  4  is a self-contained processing system embedded in USB Doorbell Dongle  13  which handles and distributes commands coming in and out of the device and routes them to the appropriate components. If Doorbell  12  is rung by a Visitor, Microcontroller  4  may transmit a notifying signal to a User via USB Doorbell Dongle  13 , such as activating LED Lights  7  and/or emitting an audio ringtone through Speaker  1 . USB Doorbell Dongle  13  may be equipped with one or more Input Buttons  3 . When pressed by the User, Input Button  3  may activate Microphone  9  to allow the User to communicate with the Visitor through audio transmission. 
         [0017]    USB Connector  5  may transmit data and/or electrical current from Computer  10  ( FIG. 4A ) and USB Wall Adapter  11  ( FIG. 4B ). Electrical current is transmitted to Power Regulator  2 , which in turn distributes power to all components within USB Doorbell Dongle  13 . Any data transmitted via USB Connector  5  from Computer  10  may be stored in Flash Memory  6 . In one aspect of the present disclosure, a User may store audio ringtones on Flash Memory  6 , which may be emitted when Doorbell  12  is rung. 
         [0018]      FIG. 2  shows a cross sectional view of USB Doorbell Dongle  13  according to an aspect of present disclosure. USB Doorbell Dongle  13  may contain Flash Memory  6  in conjunction with Speaker  1 , Power Regulator  2 , Input Button  3 , Microcontroller  4 , USB Connector  5 , LED Lights  7 , Communications Module  8  and Microphone  9 . Flash Memory  6  embedded inside USB Doorbell Dongle  13  may be used to store or transfer the User&#39;s data from one device to another device such as Computer  10 . Flash Memory  6  may also be used to store potential ringtones that the User might select as an audio notification for Doorbell  12 . Communications Module  8  may contain Bluetooth™ and/or Wi-Fi, and connect to Doorbell  12  depending on the wireless connection available at that given time. In one aspect of the present disclosure, USB Doorbell Dongle  13  may have the ability to extended available Wi-Fi signal to the nearby devices available within Network  16 . In this aspect, USB Doorbell Dongle  13  may contain components, (e.g. found in a Wi-Fi router) capable of receiving a wireless signal transmitted from Network  16 , amplifying the wireless signal, and then transmitting the boosted signal throughout the User&#39;s location or facility. USB Doorbell Dongle  13  may include a battery (not shown) to allow operation when electrical power is not available to the device. 
         [0019]      FIG. 3  shows a front perspective of USB DoorBell Dongle  13  according to an aspect of present disclosure. The top face of USB Doorbell Dongle  13  may feature a perforated pattern that allows for audio to be emitted from Speaker  9  (not shown). An aperture to allow for LED Lights  7  to emit light may be located on a front facing surface of USB Doorbell Dongle  13 . LED Lights  7 , mounted within USB Doorbell Dongle  13  may turn on and off or blink continuously depending on the signal transmitted from Doorbell  12 . LED Lights  7  may also be illuminated if USB Doorbell Dongle  13  is plugged into Computer  10  or USB Wall Adapter  11 . In this aspect, the illumination of LED Lights  7  may indicate charging or data transfer and may turn off once the user unplugs USB Doorbell Dongle  13  from Computer  10  or USB Wall Adapter  11 . 
         [0020]    Input button  3  may be positioned on a front facing surface of USB Doorbell Dongle  13 . Once USB Doorbell Dongle  13  receives signal from Doorbell  12 , Microcontroller  4  is triggered to inform the User by emitting audio from Speaker  1  and/or illuminating LED Lights  7 . The User may press Input button  3  to activate Microphone  9  in order to transmit digital audio from USB Doorbell Dongle  13  to Doorbell  12 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 4A  shows a front profile view of USB Doorbell Dongle  13  being inserted into Computer  10  according to an aspect of present disclosure. USB Doorbell Dongle  13  may extract power from Computer  10  as USB Doorbell Dongle  13  may be plugged in the USB port of Computer  10 . As USB Doorbell Dongle  13  may be inserted in Computer  10 , the User may also extract data from Computer  10  and store on Flash Memory  6  embedded in USB Doorbell Dongle  13  and/or user may be able to transfer data back and forth from Computer  10  to USB Doorbell Dongle  13 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 4B  shows USB Doorbell Dongle  13  being inserted in USB Wall Adapter  11  according to an aspect of present disclosure. USB Doorbell Dongle  13  may extract power from USB Wall Adapter  11  that may be plugged in a wall socket. USB Doorbell Dongle  13  may be inserted into any device offering a USB port, and that will also provide power to USB Doorbell Dongle  13 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 5  shows a diagram displaying communication between USB Doorbell Dongle  13  and Wi-Fi Doorbell  12 . In one aspect of the present disclosure, when a notification command is transmitted from Doorbell  12  to USB Doorbell Dongle  13  through Wi-Fi or Bluetooth™, the User may have the ability to talk to a Visitor through Microphone  9  embedded in the USB Doorbell Dongle  13 . 
         [0024]    In one aspect, USB Doorbell Dongle  13  may communicate with Doorbell  12  via Wi-Fi. Communication Module  8  may send an outbound data call to Server  17  located within Network  16 , containing data such as sound and identifying information related to USB Doorbell Dongle  13 . Server  17  may then determine which USB Doorbell Dongle  13  is associated with Doorbell  12  using the identifying information delivered from Doorbell  12  and may route the transmitted signal through Network  16  to USB Doorbell Dongle  13 . As mentioned above, the connection may also transmit through Bluetooth™ protocol via Bluetooth™ module embedded in Communications Module  8  of USB Doorbell Dongle  13  depending on its proximity to Doorbell  12 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 6  displays a process flow regarding the use and functions associated with USB Doorbell Dongle  13  according to an aspect of the present disclosure. A Visitor may push a button located on the Doorbell  12  at Step  102 . At Step  104 , Doorbell  12  transmits data to Network  16  such as video, audio and identifying information associated to Doorbell  12 . Server  17  identifies what Smart Devices  54 , web based applications, USB Doorbell Dongle  13 &#39;s and other devices may be associated with Doorbell  12 . Server  53  may route the appropriate data, such as audio or video data, to the appropriate device based on the functions of each device. The User may initially receive a notification on Smart Device  18  or another device associated with Doorbell  12 . If the request is accepted, (Yes, Step  104 ), the User and Visitor may communicate via audio and video transmissions sent to and from Doorbell  12  at Step  106 . The transmission may then be terminated at Step  116  once the User disconnects or hangs up. 
         [0026]    If a connection cannot be made with Smart Device  18 , (No, Step  104 ), Server  17  routes data to USB Doorbell Dongle  13  at Step  108  to emit an audio chime. Reasons such as but not limited to poor network connection, Smart Device  18  not connected to a network, and Smart Device  18  being powered off may trigger USB Doorbell Dongle to emit an audio chime to the User. 
         [0027]    If the User is in the presence of USB Doorbell Dongle  12  and is capable of answering the request, (Yes, Step  110 ), the User may press Button  3  located on USB Doorbell Dongle  12  at Step  112 . Pressing Button  3  located on USB Doorbell Dongle  12  creates a connection between Doorbell  12  and USB Doorbell Dongle  12  via Network  16 . The User and a Visitor may communicate via audio transmissions sent to and from Doorbell  12  and USB Doorbell Dongle  12  at Step  114 . The transmission may then be terminated at Step  116  when the User disconnects by pressing Button  3 . 
         [0028]    If the User is not in the presence of USB Doorbell Dongle  12 , or USB Doorbell Dongle  12  is either disconnected from Network  16  or powered off (No, Step  110 ) the transmission may then be terminated at Step  116 . It may be understood by those skilled in the art that the steps described within  FIG. 6  may take place in a different order than described above. For example, Server  17  may route data to USB Doorbell Dongle  12  prior to routing data to Smart Device  18 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 7  shows a general purpose computer on which the system and method of the present disclosure may be implemented. The computer system  900  may execute at least some of the operations described above. Computer system  900  may include processor  910 , memory  920 , storage device  930 , and input/output devices  940 . Some or all of the components  910 ,  920 ,  930 , and  940  may be interconnected via system bus  950 . Processor  910  may be single or multi-threaded and may have one or more cores. Processor  910  may execute instructions, such as those stored in memory  920  or in storage device  930 . Information may be received and output using one or more input/output devices  940 . 
         [0030]    Memory  920  may store information and may be a computer-readable medium, such as volatile or non-volatile memory. Storage device  930  may provide storage for system  900  and may be a computer-readable medium. In various aspects, storage device  930  may be a flash memory device, a floppy disk device, a hard disk device, an optical disk device, or a tape device. 
         [0031]    Input/output devices  940  may provide input/output operations for system  900 . Input/output devices  940  may include a keyboard, pointing device, and microphone. Input/output devices  940  may further include a display unit for displaying graphical user interfaces, speaker, and printer. External data, such as financial data, may be stored in accessible external databases  960 . 
         [0032]    The features described may be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or in combinations thereof. The apparatus may be implemented in a computer program product tangibly embodied in an information carrier, e.g., in a machine-readable storage device or in a propagated signal, for execution by a programmable processor; and method steps may be performed by a programmable processor executing a program of instructions to perform functions of the described implementations by operating on input data and generating output. 
         [0033]    The described features may be implemented in one or more computer programs that are executable on a programmable system including at least one programmable processor coupled to receive data and instructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a data storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device. A computer program may include set of instructions that may be used, directly or indirectly, in a computer to perform a certain activity or bring about a certain result. A computer program may be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, and it may be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. 
         [0034]    Suitable processors for the execution of a program of instructions may include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, and the sole processor or one of multiple processors of any kind of computer. Generally, a processor may receive instructions and data from a read only memory or a random access memory or both. Such a computer may include a processor for executing instructions and one or more memories for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer may also include, or be operatively coupled to communicate with, one or more mass storage devices for storing data files; such devices include magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks and removable, disks; magneto-optical disks; and optical disks. Storage devices suitable for tangibly embodying computer program instructions and data may include all forms of non-volatile memory, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and the memory may be supplemented by, or incorporated in, ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits). 
         [0035]    To provide for interaction with a user, the features may be implemented on a computer having a display device such as a CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor for displaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointing device such as a mouse or a trackball by which the user may provide input to the computer. 
         [0036]    The features may be implemented in a computer system that includes a back-end component, such as a data server, or that includes a middleware component, such as an application server or an Internet server, or that includes a front-end component, such as a client computer having a graphical user interface or an Internet browser, or any combination of them. The components of the system may be connected by any form or medium of digital data communication such as a communication network. Examples of communication networks may include, e.g., a LAN, a WAN, and the computers and networks forming the Internet. 
         [0037]    The computer system may include clients and servers. A client and server may be remote from each other and interact through a network, such as the described one. The relationship of client and server may arise by virtue of computer programs running on the respective computers and having a client-server relationship to each other. 
         [0038]    Numerous additional modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible in view of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the present disclosure may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.