Patent Description:
In some instances, it is beneficial for a user to be able to verify that a mesh network device is functional. As an example, a user trying to receive data through a system, such as a smartphone, may not be receiving data for an application executing on the smartphone. The user may wish to verify that a mesh network device within a proximity of the user is working, looking to the mesh network device for a visual indicator.

Today, the mesh network device may include a lighting mechanism that indicates to the user functionality of the mesh network device. However, the lighting mechanism may have a single point light source (such as a single light-emitting diode) that is not visible to the user because the mesh network device is in a corner or turned against a wall. The lighting mechanism may also emit light of a single color, limiting the ability of the user to understand aspects of functionality beyond the mesh network device simply being "on" or "off. " Furthermore, lighting mechanisms of today may provide light that is harsh and aesthetically unpleasing. <CIT> discloses a prior art smart home device including a light guide and a conical reflector that may reflect light such that light is reflected by the exterior of the case in the shape of a halo into an ambient environment of the device.

The present disclosure describes an annular light-guide integrated into a mesh network device. This mesh network device includes a lighting manager application that, when executed by a processor, causes the system to determine an operational status and select, based on the determined operational status, a color. The lighting manager application then causes the system to activate one or more light-emitting components to radiate light corresponding to the selected color and transmit, through an annular light-guide, the radiated light to provide an exterior glow under a bottom housing of the system.

In some aspects, a system is described. The system includes a top housing that is radially centered along a first portion of a central axis and a bottom housing that is radially centered along a second portion of the central axis. An interior space of the bottom housing contains one or more light-emitting components and an annular light-guide. The annular light-guide is configured to transmit light radiated from the one or more light-emitting components to provide an exterior glow under the bottom housing.

In some other aspects, a method is described. The method is performed by a system and includes determining an operational status of the system and selecting, based on the determined operational status, a color. The method includes activating one or more light-emitting components to radiate light corresponding to the selected color, wherein the radiated light is transmitted through an annular light-guide of the system to provide an exterior glow under a bottom housing of the system.

The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the following description. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims. This summary is provided to introduce subject matter that is further described in the Detailed Description and Drawings. Accordingly, a reader should not consider the summary to describe essential features nor limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

This document describes details of one or more aspects of an annular light-guide integrated into a mesh network device. The use of the same reference numbers in different instances in the description and the figures may indicate like elements:.

The present disclosure describes techniques directed to an annular light-guide integrated into a system such as a mesh network device. As part of the described techniques and systems, a light manager application of the system, when executed, causes the system to determine an operational status of the system and select, based on the determined operational status of the system, a color. The light manager application of the system then causes the system to activate one or more light-emitting components to radiate light corresponding to the second color and transmit, through an annular light-guide, the radiated light to provide an exterior glow under a bottom housing of the system.

While features and concepts of the described techniques can be implemented in any number of different environments, systems, devices, and/or various configurations, aspects are described in the context of the following example system, example operating environment, and example method.

<FIG> illustrates a perspective view (<NUM>) of an example system <NUM> having an annular light-guide and an exploded view of a portion of the example system <NUM>. The example system <NUM>, illustrated as a mesh network device, includes a top housing <NUM> that is radially centered along a first portion of a central axis <NUM>. The system <NUM> also includes a bottom housing <NUM> that is radially centered along a second portion of the central axis <NUM>.

Contained within an interior space of the bottom housing <NUM> is a printed circuit board (PCB) <NUM> having one or more light-emitting components <NUM> (the light-emitting components <NUM> are the underside of the PCB <NUM> and not visible in the exploded perspective view of <FIG>). The PCB <NUM> may be, for example, a glass-reinforced epoxy laminate material, such as an FR4 material, and have multiple layers and/or electrical traces, plated through-holes for through-hole components, and/or pads for surface-mount components.

The bottom housing <NUM> includes an annular light-guide <NUM>. One or more light-emitting components <NUM> radiate light and the annular-light guide <NUM> transmits the radiated light to provide an exterior glow under the bottom housing <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the PCB <NUM> is disposed in a plane that is orthogonal to the central axis <NUM> and the annular light-guide <NUM> is disposed in another plane that is orthogonal to the central axis <NUM>.

The bottom housing <NUM> also includes additional elements that combine with the PCB <NUM>, the one or more light-emitting components <NUM>, and the annular light-guide <NUM> to form an underglow subassembly. The additional elements include (i) a footing <NUM> and a reflector <NUM> that is disposed between the footing <NUM> and the annular light-guide <NUM>, (ii) a layer of a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) <NUM> that is disposed between the reflector <NUM> and the annular light-guide <NUM>, (iii) a light-blocking tape <NUM>, and (iv) another layer of a PSA <NUM> that is disposed between the PCB <NUM> and a surface of the bottom housing <NUM>. The reflector <NUM> may include recesses that accommodate the one or more light-emitting components <NUM>. The reflector <NUM> may also have channels or surfaces coated or lined with a reflective material (not illustrated in <FIG>).

In some instances, the system <NUM> may interface with a surface. For example, the system <NUM> may set on a tabletop. In such instances, the system <NUM> may include a sensor for detecting light reflected from the surface. Furthermore, and in some instances, the system <NUM> may be capable of receiving an audible input (e.g., receive, through microphones included in the system <NUM>, a command from a user of the system <NUM>) and emitting an audible output (e.g., emit, through speakers included in the system <NUM>, a message that may relate to a status of the system <NUM>, a message that may relate to a weather or news report, a message that may relate to a home automation system, music, and so on). In such instances, the audible input can be received through ports <NUM> and the audible output can be emitted through perforations <NUM> of the bottom housing <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a cross-sectional view <NUM> of a portion of an example system having an annular light-guide. The cross-sectional view <NUM> is a portion of the of bottom housing <NUM> of <FIG> and illustrates one or more elements contained in the bottom housing <NUM>.

As <FIG> illustrates, the bottom housing <NUM> is radially centered along a second portion of the central axis <NUM>. In some instances, and as illustrated, an interior radius <NUM> of a wall of the bottom housing <NUM> as measured from the second portion of the central axis <NUM> varies when measured along the second portion of the central axis, resulting in an interior curvature of the wall of the bottom housing <NUM>. In other instances, however, the interior radius <NUM> of the wall may be consistent.

The bottom housing <NUM> includes perforations <NUM> that may be used for audio porting. In some instances, the bottom housing <NUM> may be injection molded from a polymer material or a plastic material. In other instances, the bottom housing may be stamped or formed from a metal material such as stainless steel.

<FIG> also illustrates portions of the annular light-guide <NUM>, including an inner-annular portion that is a light pipe <NUM> and an outer-annular portion that is a diffuser <NUM>. The light pipe <NUM> may be made from a material such as an acrylic material or a polycarbonate material and, in general, can be transparent, clear, or translucent. The diffuser <NUM> may be made from a material such as an acrylic material, a polycarbonate material, or a styrene material and, in general, be translucent to help mix light. In some instances, a titanium dioxide (TiO<NUM>) may be part of a material (e.g., a translucent material) to effectuate color mixing.

<FIG> also illustrates an example of the light-emitting component <NUM>. The light-emitting component <NUM> may be a packaged component having one or more light-emitting diodes. Furthermore, the light-emitting component <NUM> may be a type of package that is a surface-mount package or a through-hole package that is mounted to a printed circuit board (e.g., the PCB <NUM> of <FIG>).

In one instance the light-emitting component <NUM> includes multiple light-emitting diodes (e.g., LEDs), where the LEDs include a red light-emitting diode, a green light-emitting diode, and a blue light-emitting diode (e.g., an "RGB" LED). In such an instance, pulse-width modulation (e.g., PWM) signaling may be applied to the light-emitting component <NUM> to effectuate the light-emitting component <NUM> radiating light of a selected color. Such LEDs may be top-firing, side firing, or bottom/reverse mount depending on a geometry of the light pipe <NUM>.

<FIG> also illustrates the footing <NUM>. In some instances, and as illustrated, the footing <NUM> can cause a gap <NUM> between the bottom housing <NUM> and a surface <NUM>. In such an instance, the gap <NUM> allows a reflected light <NUM> of the exterior glow from the surface <NUM> upon which the system <NUM> is placed (<FIG> illustrates the reflected light <NUM> at a single location for simplicity and clarity).

The gap <NUM> (facilitated by the hight of the footing <NUM>) allows an appropriate amount of light to be reflected from the surface <NUM> (e.g., the reflected light <NUM>) such that an aesthetically pleasing exterior glow is under the bottom housing <NUM>. In some instances, if the gap <NUM> is too "little", too little light may be reflected from the surface <NUM>. In other instances, if the gap <NUM> is too "great", too much light may be reflected from the surface <NUM>.

A dimension of the gap <NUM> may be dependent on qualities (e.g., intensity, color) of light that is expected to be transmitted through the annular light-guide <NUM>. For example, in one instance and for one set of qualities, the dimension of the gap <NUM> may be a dimension between approximately <NUM> millimeters (mm) and <NUM>. In another instance and for another set of qualities, the dimension of the gap <NUM> may be a dimension between approximately <NUM> and <NUM>. And, in yet another instance and for yet another set of qualities, the dimension of the gap <NUM> may be a dimension between approximately <NUM> and <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a top view <NUM> of an example sub-assembly that includes an annular light-guide in accordance with one or more aspects. <FIG> may include elements of <FIG> and <FIG> that are associated with the annular light-guide <NUM>, including the inner-annular portion having the light pipe <NUM> and the outer-annular portion having the diffuser <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the example sub-assembly is disposed in a plane defined by x-axis <NUM> and y-axis <NUM>. The sub-assembly includes the inner-annular portion having the light pipe <NUM> and the outer-annular portion having the diffuser <NUM>. As illustrated by <FIG>, an inner circumference of the light pipe <NUM> includes, for each of the one or more light-emitting components <NUM> (not illustrated in <FIG>), a respective curved recess <NUM> to receive and spread light <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a bottom view <NUM> of an example printed circuit board having one or more light-emitting components in accordance with one or more aspects. <FIG> may include elements of <FIG> and <FIG>, including the PCB <NUM> and the one or more light-emitting components <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the PCB <NUM> is disposed in a plane defined by x-axis <NUM> and y-axis <NUM>. The PCB <NUM> includes one or more light-emitting components <NUM> that are electrically connected to the PCB <NUM>. The PCB <NUM> may include additional components, such as drivers through which power is provided to the one or more light-emitting components <NUM>, as well as capacitors, resistors, memory, and a processor.

Although <FIG> illustrate a system in the context of a mesh network device, it is important to note the illustrated techniques and features of <FIG> apply to a variety of systems of device types. Other systems that can benefit from the techniques and features of <FIG> include, for example, an automotive headlamp system, a television backlighting system, an audio speaker, and so on.

<FIG> illustrates an example operating environment <NUM> in which various aspects of a system having an annular light-guide are implemented. The system may be the system <NUM> of <FIG> and incorporate elements of <FIG>.

As illustrated by <FIG>, the system <NUM> is a mesh network device that is wirelessly connected to a user equipment (UE) <NUM> using wireless-link <NUM>. As examples, the UE <NUM> may be a device such as a smartphone <NUM>, an Internet-of-Things (IoT) device such as a thermostat <NUM>, a personal heath device <NUM>, or a laptop <NUM>.

The system <NUM> provides, to the UE <NUM>, connectivity to a network. As an example, the system may be a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point that connects the UE <NUM> to the internet. As another example, the system <NUM> may be a "hotspot" that connects the UE <NUM> to a cellular network such as a Fifth Generation New Radio (<NUM> NR) network.

<FIG> also illustrates the bottom housing <NUM> of the system <NUM> interfacing the system to a surface (e.g., the surface <NUM> of <FIG>). The bottom housing <NUM> (e.g., the bottom housing <NUM> containing the printed circuit board <NUM> having the one or more light-emitting components <NUM> and the annular light-guide <NUM>) provides an exterior glow <NUM> under the bottom housing <NUM> (e.g., the reflected light <NUM> of <FIG>).

The exterior glow <NUM> under the bottom of the housing may be a result of one or more methods performed by the system <NUM>. For example, a processor of the system <NUM> may execute instructions of a lighting manager application (illustrated in <FIG> and discussed with reference to that figure). The lighting manager application causes the system <NUM> to determine an operational status of the system <NUM>. Based on the operational status of the system <NUM>, the lighting manager application further causes the system <NUM> to select a color and activate one or more light-emitting components (e.g., the one or more light-emitting components <NUM>), effectuating the radiating of light corresponding to the selected color and providing the exterior glow <NUM> under the bottom housing <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates functional elements of an example system having an annular light-guide in accordance with one or more aspects. The system may be the system <NUM> of <FIG> and include elements of <FIG>.

As illustrated, the system <NUM> includes different types of communication hardware (e.g., transceivers, antennas, circuitry, ports) for the system <NUM> to communicate with different types of networks and a user equipment. As illustrated, by <FIG>, the system <NUM> includes wireless local area network (WLAN) communication hardware <NUM>, radio access network (RAN) communication hardware <NUM>, and UE communication hardware <NUM>.

The system <NUM> also includes processor(s) <NUM> and computer-readable storage media <NUM> (CRM <NUM>). The processor(s) <NUM> may be a single-core processor or a multiple-core processor composed of a variety of materials, such as silicon, polysilicon, high-K dielectric, copper, and so on. The computer-readable storage media <NUM> described herein excludes transmitting signals. CRM <NUM> may include any suitable memory or storage device such as random-access memory (RAM), static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), non-volatile RAM (NVRAM), read-only memory (ROM), or Flash memory.

CRM <NUM> also includes a lighting manager application <NUM>. Alternately or additionally, the lighting manager application <NUM> may be implemented in whole or part as hardware logic or circuitry integrated with or separate from other components of the system <NUM>. The lighting manager application <NUM> may include code that is executable by the processor(s) <NUM>. The lighting manager application <NUM> may also include one or more cross-reference tables having content that is predetermined by a manufacturer of the system <NUM> or that is modifiable by a user of the system <NUM>. The CRM <NUM> also includes an assistant application <NUM> (e.g., a virtual assistant). The assistant application <NUM> may include code that is executable by the processor(s) <NUM>. Under different scenarios, the lighting manager application <NUM> and/or the assistant application may implement one or more of the techniques described herein.

The WLAN communication hardware <NUM> provides the system <NUM> access to an internet network through wireless link <NUM> connecting the system <NUM> to access point <NUM> (e.g., another mesh network device, a router). The RAN communication hardware <NUM> provides the system <NUM> access to a cellular network through wireless link <NUM> connecting the system <NUM> to a base station <NUM>. The UE communication hardware <NUM> provides the smartphone <NUM> access to the system <NUM> through wireless link <NUM>, providing the smartphone <NUM> indirect access to either the cellular network or the internet network.

The combination of communication hardware <FIG> illustrates is by way of example only, as other types or combinations of communication hardware that may provide access to different types of networks are possible (e.g., global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication hardware, infrared communication hardware).

<FIG> illustrates an example method <NUM> performed by a system having an annular light-guide in accordance with one or more aspects. The system (e.g., the system <NUM> of <FIG>) is caused to perform the method <NUM> by a processor (e.g., the processor <NUM>) executing code of a lighting manager application (e.g., the lighting manager application <NUM>). Operations of the method <NUM> are described in a series of blocks <NUM>-<NUM> and are not limited to the order or sequence as described below. Furthermore, the example method <NUM> may utilize elements of <FIG>.

At block <NUM>, the system <NUM> determines an operational status of the system <NUM>. In some instances, determining the operational status of the system <NUM> includes determining a degree of connectivity of the system <NUM> to an access point of a wireless local area network (e.g., the access point <NUM>), determining a degree of connectivity of the system <NUM> to a base station of a radio access network (e.g., the base station <NUM>), or determining a degree of connectivity of the system <NUM> to a user equipment (e.g., the user equipment <NUM>). In such instances, a respective degree of connectivity may relate to a received signal strength indicator (RSSI).

In other instances, determining the operational status of the system <NUM> includes determining a rate of data being communicated through the system <NUM>. This may correspond to a rate of data being communicated between the user equipment <NUM> and wireless local area network or a rate of data being communicated between the user equipment <NUM> and a radio access network.

Furthermore, determining the operational status of the system <NUM> at <NUM> may be triggered through a variety of mechanisms. Determining the operational status of the system <NUM> may be in response to the system <NUM> powering up, may be in response to a signal that the system <NUM> receives from the access point <NUM> of the wireless local area network, a signal that the system receives from the base station <NUM> of the radio access network, or a signal that the system <NUM> receives from the user equipment <NUM>.

At block <NUM>, the system <NUM> selects, based on the determined operational status of the system <NUM>, a color. In some instances, the system <NUM> selects the color from a cross-reference table having content that is predetermined by a manufacturer of the system <NUM>. In other instances, the system <NUM> selects the color from a cross-reference table having content that is modifiable by a user of the system.

For example, the content of the cross-reference table may associate the system <NUM> being fully operational to "green," the system <NUM> exchanging data at a throttled rate to "yellow," and the system <NUM> being non-operational to "red. " As another example, the content of the cross-reference table may associate a network error or a factory reset to "yellow" and a volume change of the system <NUM> to "white.

Examples of other operational status include a boot status of the system <NUM>, a volume level of a speaker of the system <NUM>, an updating status of the system <NUM>, a "listening" mode of the system <NUM>, a response status of the system <NUM>, and so on. Furthermore, and in addition to the cross-reference table including color information, the cross-reference table may also include information that indicates predetermined time durations, intermittencies, and intensities that the system may <NUM> may apply to activating one or more of the light-emitting components <NUM>.

At block <NUM>, the system <NUM> activates one or more of the light-emitting components <NUM> to radiate light corresponding to the selected color (e.g., the color selected at block <NUM>). In some instances, activating the one or more of the light-emitting components <NUM> includes using pulse-width modulation to combine light from a red light-emitting diode, a green light-emitting diode, and a blue light-emitting diode contained in each of the one or more light-emitting components to radiate the selected color. In other instances, activating the one or more light-emitting components <NUM> includes activating a single light-emitting diode that radiates a single color of light corresponding to the selected color. Furthermore, and at block <NUM>, activating the one or more light-emitting components <NUM> can include activating the one or more light-emitting components <NUM> in accordance with a predetermined time duration, intermittency, or intensity.

At block <NUM>, the system <NUM> transmits the radiated light corresponding to the selected color through an annular light-guide (e.g., the annular light-guide <NUM>) to provide an exterior glow under a bottom housing of the system <NUM> (e.g., the bottom housing <NUM>). Transmitting the radiated light corresponding to the selected color through the annular light-guide <NUM> may include various aspects, including receiving and spreading the radiated light through a curved recess (e.g., the curved recess <NUM>) of a light pipe (e.g., the light pipe <NUM>) that is an inner-annular portion of the annular light-guide <NUM>. Transmitting the radiated light corresponding to the selected color through the annular light-guide <NUM> may also include transmitting the radiated light through a diffuser (e.g., the diffuser <NUM>) that is an outer-annular portion of the annular light-guide <NUM>. The transmitted light causes an exterior glow that indicates the determined operational status of the system <NUM>.

The method <NUM> may be modified to include additional or alternative steps. As an example, the method may include determining that the operational status of the system no longer exists and deactivating the one or more light-emitting components <NUM>. The method may also include the system <NUM> detecting the color or intensity of reflected light (e.g., light reflected from the surface <NUM> of <FIG>) and adjusting or modifying the activation of the one or more light-emitting components <NUM> based on the detected color or intensity.

Claim 1:
A system (<NUM>) comprising:
a top housing (<NUM>) that is radially centered along a first portion of a central axis (<NUM>); and
a bottom housing (<NUM>) that is radially centered along a second portion of the central axis (<NUM>), the bottom housing (<NUM>) including:
a printed circuit board (<NUM>) having one or more light-emitting components (<NUM>); and
an annular light-guide (<NUM>), the annular light-guide (<NUM>) configured to transmit light radiated from the one or more light-emitting components (<NUM>) to provide an exterior glow (<NUM>) under the bottom housing (<NUM>),
characterized in that the annular light-guide (<NUM>) includes an inner-annular portion that is a light pipe (<NUM>) and an outer-annular portion that is a diffuser (<NUM>).