Patent Description:
<CIT> relates to an array speaker for distributing music uniformly across a room. A number of audio drivers is radially distributed within a speaker housing so that an output of the drivers is distributed evenly throughout the room. The exit geometry of the audio drivers is configured to bounce off a surface supporting the array speaker to improve the distribution of music throughout the room. The array speaker includes a number of vibration isolation elements distributed within a housing of the array speaker. The vibration isolation elements are configured reduce the strength of forces generated by a subwoofer of the array speaker.

<CIT> discloses a router. The router comprises a first shell, a second shell, a printed circuit board (PCB), an antenna, a light guide column, and a middle frame structure. The antenna is installed in the middle frame structure and is coupled with the PCB. The first shell and the second shell form an accommodation cavity, wherein the outer side wall of the accommodation cavity is an arc. The middle frame structure, the antenna, the light guide column and the PCB are all accommodated in the accommodation cavity. A splicing seam is formed between the first shell and the second shell. The peripheral wall of the light guide column props against the inner side wall of the accommodation cavity and is exposed out of the splicing seam, a ribbon-shaped light source is arranged on the surface, close to the annular light guide column, of the PCB in an annular manner, and the ribbon-shaped light source faces the light guide column.

<CIT> discloses a speaker device having a rounded enclosure. The rounded enclosure includes two housing elements that are coupled to each other and have a substantially continuous transition. The rounded enclosure has a circular cross section defined by a first radius. A first housing element includes and extends past the circular cross section, and a second housing element has a second maximum radius that is smaller than the first radius. A speaker unit and a circuit board are arranged within the rounded enclosure. The circuit board is electrically coupled to the speaker unit. At least a portion of the first housing element includes perforations configured to enable transmission of sound generated by the speaker unit out of the speaker device. The second housing element has a power connector that is electrically coupled to the circuit board and is configured to receive power from an external power supply.

This document describes a range extender device and associated systems of methods. The range extender device described herein includes a housing that is substantially cylindrical with smooth, rounded edges. The described range extender device has improved robustness, simplicity, and compactness in comparison to conventional range extender devices.

This summary is provided to introduce simplified concepts of a range extender device, which is further described below in the Detailed Description and Drawings. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for use in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

The details of one or more aspects of a range extender device are described in this document with reference to the following drawings. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components:.

This document describes a range extender device and associated systems of methods. The range extender device described herein has improved robustness, simplicity, and compactness compared to conventional range-extenders.

In aspects, a range extender device is disclosed. The range extender device includes a housing having top and bottom housing members, an audio sensor, a heat sink assembly, a circuit board assembly, a speaker, and a light ring assembly. The housing includes a top housing member having a generally cylindrical vertical wall and a top-end portion connected to a first end of the vertical wall via rounded corners, the vertical wall being generally cylindrical around a central axis and having an inner surface and an opposing outer surface, at least a portion of the vertical wall having non-uniform thickness in a direction of the longitudinal axis based on the outer surface of the vertical wall being curved in the direction of the longitudinal axis, and the inner surface of the vertical wall being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, the top-end portion being concave down in a side view of the top-end portion. The bottom housing member is connected to the top housing member at a second end of the vertical wall, the bottom housing member having a bottom exterior surface and an opposing interior surface, the bottom exterior surface defining a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the central axis, the bottom housing member comprising a curved edge between the bottom exterior surface and the vertical wall of the top housing member. The audio sensor is positioned within the housing and proximate to the top-end portion of the top housing member. The heat sink assembly incudes a heat sink and one or more antennas, the heat sink having a cylindrical shape with a radius that is within a tolerance threshold distance smaller than a radius of the inner surface of the vertical wall of the top housing member. The circuit board assembly is positioned within the housing and proximate to the heat sink assembly, the circuit board assembly communicatively coupled to the one or more antennas to cause the one or more antennas to provide a radio node for a wireless mesh network. The speaker assembly is positioned within the housing and connected to the circuit board assembly, the speaker assembly aligned with a plurality of holes in the bottom housing member. The light ring assembly is connected to the bottom exterior surface of the bottom housing member, the light ring assembly configured to radially reflect light away from the central axis and diffuse the light to provide a glow under the bottom housing member.

In aspects, a system is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of antennas, a circuit board assembly, a heat sink, a microphone, a speaker assembly, and a housing. The plurality of antennas are configured to transmit and receive communication signals. The circuit board assembly is communicatively connected to the plurality of antennas to provide a radio node to a wireless mesh network. The heat sink is positioned proximate to the circuit board. The microphone is connected to the circuit board. The speaker assembly is connected to the circuit board such that the circuit board is located between the speaker assembly and the heat sink. The housing having a generally-cylindrical shape around a central axis and including first and second housing members. The first and second housing members are connected to one another to form an enclosure around the plurality of antennas, the circuit board assembly, the heat sink, the microphone, and the speaker assembly. The first housing member includes a cylindrically-shaped vertical wall with an inner surface that is substantially parallel to the central axis. The second housing member includes a plurality of holes aligned with the audio output device. The light ring assembly is configured to provide a glow underneath the second housing member.

These are but a few examples of how the described techniques and devices may be used to enable a range extender device. Other examples and implementations are described throughout this document. The document now turns to an example device, after which example systems are described.

<FIG> illustrates a top rear perspective view <NUM> of an example implementation of a range extender device <NUM>. The range extender device <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> that has a substantially cylindrical shape with rounded edges. The housing <NUM> has a central axis <NUM> (e.g., longitudinal axis). The housing <NUM> has a smooth exterior surface with few visible features. The housing <NUM> includes a top housing member <NUM> and a bottom housing member <NUM>.

As is further described below, the housing includes a seam <NUM> on an outer surface of the housing <NUM>. The seam <NUM> is aligned with a location at which the top housing member <NUM> attaches to the bottom housing member <NUM>. The top housing member <NUM> is connected (e.g., threaded, snapped, fastened, pressed, glued, ultrasonic welded, etc.) to the bottom housing member <NUM>. The range extender device <NUM> also includes holes <NUM>, in the top housing member <NUM>, that are aligned with audio sensors (not shown in <FIG>), positioned within the housing <NUM>, for receiving audio input (e.g., voice commands) from a user. The bottom housing member <NUM> includes a privacy switch <NUM> to disable or turn off the audio sensors.

The range extender device <NUM> lengthens the reach of an existing Wi-Fi network. In some aspects, the range extender device can serve as a node to a wireless mesh network. For example, the range extender device can wirelessly communicate with an access point at a user's home to extend the range of a local wireless network.

<FIG> illustrates a bottom rear perspective view <NUM> of an example implementation of the range extender device from <FIG>. Here, the bottom housing member <NUM> includes a plurality of holes <NUM>. The holes <NUM> are perpendicular to the exterior surface of the bottom housing member <NUM>. The holes <NUM> are aligned with an audio output device (e.g., speaker) within the housing <NUM> to provide a path for audio output from the audio output device. In addition, the bottom housing member <NUM> includes an opening <NUM>, through the housing <NUM>, aligned with an electrical power connector, such as a barrel jack, of the range extender device <NUM>. As is described further below, a light ring assembly <NUM> is attached to the bottom housing member <NUM>. The light ring assembly <NUM> provides a glow of light under the range extender device <NUM> that indicates different operational states of the device. The glow of light (also referred to as an "underglow") is diffused light that radiates underneath the range extender device <NUM>, reflecting off of a surface upon which the range extender device <NUM> rests. In one example, the glow of light may be red or amber if the microphone is muted. The glow of light may flash a blue color if the range extender device <NUM> is actively on a call (e.g., a Wi-Fi call, a Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) call, etc.). Alternatively, the glow of light may be white when a user is interacting with a virtual assistant executing on the range extender device. Accordingly, the light ring assembly <NUM> may provide any suitable color and/or flash pattern for the underglow to indicate an operational state of the range extender device <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate various elevational views of the range extender device <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a front elevational view <NUM> of the range extender device <NUM> with the central axis <NUM> displayed vertically. The top housing member <NUM> includes a vertical wall <NUM> that is generally cylindrical about the central axis <NUM> (e.g., having an x-axis radius substantially equal to a y-axis radius such that the x-axis radius is within an approximately ten millimeter tolerance of the y-axis). Also, the top housing member <NUM> includes a top-end portion <NUM> that is concave down in the front elevational view <NUM>, such that the top-end portion <NUM> curves toward the vertical wall <NUM>. The top-end portion <NUM> is connected to a first end (e.g., top end) of the vertical wall <NUM> via rounded edges <NUM>.

The bottom housing member <NUM> shares the central axis <NUM> with the top housing member <NUM> and is connected to the top housing member <NUM> at a second end (e.g., bottom end) of the vertical wall <NUM>, which is opposite the first end. The bottom housing member <NUM> includes rounded edges <NUM> that may have a similar radius to the rounded edges <NUM> of the top housing member <NUM>. In the illustrated example, the bottom housing member <NUM> is substantially shorter in the direction of the central axis <NUM> than the top housing member <NUM>, such that the seam <NUM> is located on the lower half of the housing <NUM>. However, the bottom housing member <NUM> and the top housing member <NUM> can be any suitable height such that the seam <NUM> can be located at any location on the housing where the top housing member <NUM> is connected to the bottom housing member <NUM>. A radius of the vertical wall <NUM> about the central axis <NUM> can be any suitable radius, such as a radius within a range of approximately <NUM> millimeters (mm) to approximately <NUM>.

The bottom housing member <NUM> includes a bottom exterior surface (not shown) that defines a plane <NUM>. Connected to the bottom exterior surface of the bottom housing member <NUM> is the light ring assembly <NUM>. Accordingly, the bottom housing member <NUM> is positioned between the top housing member <NUM> and the light ring assembly <NUM>. A foot <NUM> is connected to the light ring assembly <NUM>. The foot <NUM> can be formed of any suitable material (e.g., elastomer) with a sufficiently high friction coefficient to reduce sliding between the housing <NUM> and a surface upon which the housing <NUM> rests. In some aspects, the foot <NUM> may be adhered to the light ring assembly <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a rear elevational view <NUM> of the range extender device <NUM>. As illustrated in the rear elevational view <NUM>, the bottom housing member <NUM> includes the opening <NUM>, which provides accessibility for a cable (e.g., power cable) to connect to an electrical power connector <NUM> within the housing to transfer electrical power to the range extender device <NUM>. In some aspects, the privacy switch <NUM> may be vertically aligned with the opening <NUM>. However, the privacy switch <NUM> can be positioned in any suitable location on the top housing member <NUM> that is conspicuous yet easy for a user to access quickly.

The foot <NUM> may be any suitable height y <NUM> that is within a range of approximately <NUM> to approximately <NUM>. The light ring assembly <NUM> may be any suitable height z <NUM> that is within a range of approximately <NUM> to approximately <NUM>. In addition, the light ring assembly <NUM> is inset from the corner of the bottom housing member <NUM> by a distance x <NUM> within a range of approximately <NUM> to approximately <NUM>. The inset distance x <NUM> is representative of a difference between a radius of the light ring assembly <NUM> and a radius of the exterior surface of the bottom housing member <NUM>. The foot <NUM> includes a radius that is smaller than the radius of the light ring assembly <NUM> by an amount equal to a distance q <NUM>, such that the foot <NUM> is inset from an outer surface of the light ring assembly <NUM> by a space equal to the distance q <NUM>. The distance q <NUM> can be any suitable distance that is within a range of approximately <NUM> to approximately <NUM>. The combination of heights <NUM> and <NUM> and inset distances <NUM> and <NUM> provide sufficient space underneath the housing <NUM> for the diffused light, provided by the light ring assembly <NUM>, to radiate underneath the housing <NUM> and reflect off a surface, upon which the range extender device <NUM> is resting, with a particular intensity.

<FIG> illustrates a right elevational view <NUM> of the range extender device <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a left elevational view <NUM> of the range extender device <NUM>. In aspects, the housing <NUM> has a height h <NUM> that is within a range of approximately <NUM> to approximately <NUM>. As illustrated, the range extender device <NUM> has a similar profile on the left and right sides. In some aspects, the privacy switch <NUM> may protrude outward from the vertical wall <NUM> of the top housing member <NUM>. Alternatively, the privacy switch <NUM> may be flush with, or inset from, the outer surface of the vertical wall <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a top plan view <NUM> of the range extender device <NUM>. In the top plan view <NUM>, the top-end portion <NUM> of the top housing member <NUM> is shown and is generally circular. The top-end portion <NUM> includes a plurality of holes <NUM> that are aligned with audio sensors (not shown) within the housing <NUM> configured to receive audio input from a user, such as a voice command. The top plan view <NUM> includes a section line <NUM>-<NUM>, which corresponds to a sectional view in <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a bottom plan view <NUM> of the range extender device <NUM>. The bottom housing member <NUM> includes the holes <NUM>. The holes <NUM> can be arranged in any suitable pattern or arrangement on the bottom housing member <NUM>. Here, the holes <NUM> are arranged in four rows along the rounded edge <NUM> of the bottom housing member <NUM>. In addition, the foot <NUM> includes a recess <NUM> (e.g., indentation, hole) to indicate a location of a cantilever member <NUM> that is hidden (as represented by dotted lines) behind the foot <NUM>, on the light ring assembly <NUM>. The cantilever member <NUM> is formed within the light ring assembly <NUM> and connected to the light ring assembly <NUM> at a fulcrum. The cantilever member <NUM> is coplanar with the light ring assembly <NUM>. The recess <NUM> is aligned with a free end of the cantilever member <NUM>. The cantilever member <NUM> is bendable, by a force applied to the free end of the cantilever member <NUM> (e.g., at a location of the recess <NUM> on the foot <NUM>), to interface with a reset mechanism (described below in relation to FIG. 10D) on a circuit board assembly that is positioned within the housing <NUM>. In aspects, the cantilever member <NUM> acts as a reset button that the user can press to reset the range extender device <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a sectional view <NUM> of the range extender device <NUM> of <FIG> taken at the horizontal sectioning plane and in the direction indicated by section line <NUM>-<NUM>. The range extender device <NUM> includes various hardware components within the housing <NUM> in a compact assembly. For example, the range extender device <NUM> includes a heat sink assembly <NUM> supporting multiple antennas <NUM> attached thereto. The heat sink assembly <NUM> is positioned within the housing <NUM> proximate to an inner surface of the vertical wall <NUM> of the top housing member <NUM>. In addition, the antennas <NUM> are positioned proximate (e.g., adjacent) to the inner surface of the vertical wall <NUM> within a tolerance distance of two millimeters.

The range extender device <NUM> also includes multiple printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs), including first PCBA <NUM>, second PCBA <NUM>, and third PCBA <NUM>. The PCBA <NUM> is positioned proximate to, and abuts, the top-end portion <NUM> of the top housing member <NUM>. As is further described below, the PCBA <NUM> is coupled to one or more touch sensors <NUM>, one or more light-emitting components <NUM>, and one or more audio sensors (not shown in <FIG>, described in relation to <FIG>). The PCBA <NUM> is described further below with respect to <FIG>. The PCBAs <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> each include a printed circuit board (PCB), which 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. At least one of the PCBAs <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> includes one or more components configurable to implement a virtual assistant capable of processing audio input from the user to identify a query or command and initiating a corresponding function, including providing audio output that responds to the query or command.

The second PCBA <NUM> is positioned on an opposing side of the heat sink assembly <NUM> from the PCBA <NUM>. In particular, the PCBA <NUM> is positioned between the heat sink assembly <NUM> and a speaker assembly <NUM>. The speaker assembly <NUM> is positioned between the PCBA <NUM> and the third PCBA <NUM>. The PCBA <NUM> is positioned between the speaker assembly <NUM> and the bottom housing member <NUM>. Abutting the exterior of the bottom housing member <NUM> is the light ring assembly <NUM>, which includes an annular light guide <NUM> and a reflector <NUM>. The light ring assembly <NUM> abuts the foot <NUM>.

The top housing member <NUM> also includes recesses in the inner surface of top-end portion <NUM>. The top housing member <NUM> is formed of a partially translucent material (e.g., polymer or thermoplastic) such that light can pass through the material if the thickness of the material is below a threshold value. For example, the light-emitting components <NUM> (e.g., light-emitting diode (LED)) connected to the PCBA <NUM> can radiate light into a recess on the inner surface of the top housing member <NUM>. Based on the thickness of the top housing member <NUM> being below the threshold value at a location aligned with the light-emitting component <NUM>, such as between the recess and the outer surface of the top-end portion <NUM>, the light passes through the top housing member <NUM> at that translucent location. The light can correspond to an operating status or functionality of the range extender device <NUM>. Any suitable location on the top housing member <NUM> may be used to provide a status light.

The top housing member <NUM>, at the top-end portion <NUM> and the rounded edges <NUM>, has a substantially uniform thickness. For example, inner and outer surfaces of the rounded edges <NUM> and the top-end portion <NUM> follow a substantially same curve. The vertical walls <NUM> of the top housing member <NUM>, however, may not include a uniform thickness, due to the outer surface of the vertical wall <NUM> having a curve while the inner surface of the vertical wall <NUM> has a substantially zero-draft surface (e.g., straight surface with approximately zero taper). In aspects, the zero-draft surface is substantially parallel to the central axis <NUM> such that an angle between the central axis <NUM> and the zero-draft surface is less than five degrees. This zero-draft inner surface of the vertical wall <NUM> enables the components within the housing to be slidably removable for easy disassembly and/or slidably insertable for easy assembly. A more detailed view of this aspect is shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates an enlarged view <NUM> of a portion of the sectional view <NUM> of <FIG>, as indicated by a dashed circle in <FIG>, and shows a connection point between top and bottom housing members <NUM>, <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. In the enlarged view <NUM>, the vertical wall <NUM> of the top housing member <NUM> is connected to the bottom housing member <NUM>. As described above, the vertical wall <NUM> of the top housing member <NUM> includes a non-uniform thickness based on a zero-draft inner surface <NUM> and a curved outer surface <NUM>. The curved outer surface <NUM> provides a smooth surface for the exterior of the range extender device <NUM> while the zero-draft inner surface <NUM> enables easy insertion or removal of internal components of the range extender device <NUM>. Also shown in the enlarged view <NUM> is a portion of the heat sink assembly <NUM> and a portion of the speaker assembly <NUM>. The bottom housing member <NUM> includes holes <NUM> (e.g., through-holes) in the rounded edge <NUM>, where a respective hole <NUM> is perpendicular to the exterior surface of the bottom housing member <NUM> at a location of the respective hole <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> includes a vertical step member <NUM> that interfaces the bottom housing member <NUM> to the vertical wall <NUM> of the top housing member <NUM>. The vertical step member <NUM> is inset toward the central axis <NUM> of the housing <NUM> (offset from outer surfaces of the top and bottom housing members <NUM>, <NUM>) by a distance x <NUM> that is within a range of approximately <NUM> to approximately <NUM>. The vertical step member <NUM> includes a height y <NUM> that is within a range of approximately <NUM> to approximately <NUM>. The vertical step member <NUM> creates a horizontal gap (e.g., the seam <NUM> from <FIG>) between the outer surfaces of the top housing member <NUM> and the bottom housing member <NUM>, with the gap including a height equal to the height y <NUM> of the vertical step member <NUM> and a depth equal to the distance x <NUM> that the vertical step member <NUM> is inset. The resulting gap is substantially uniform from the perspective of a user. Without the vertical step member <NUM>, the connection between the top housing member <NUM> and the bottom housing member <NUM> may create a seam that is more-easily perceived by the human eye as being non-uniform in height. Accordingly, the gap created by the vertical step member <NUM> is less likely to be perceived, by the user, as not being uniform.

<FIG> illustrates an example exploded view <NUM> of the range extender device <NUM>. As generally shown in <FIG>, touch sensors <NUM> are positioned between the PCBA <NUM> and the top housing member <NUM>. In particular, the touch sensors <NUM> are positioned proximate to, and abut, the inner surface of the top-end portion <NUM> of the top housing member <NUM> to detect touch input to the top surface of the top housing member <NUM>. The heat sink assembly <NUM> is positioned between the PCBA <NUM> and the PCBA <NUM>. Fasteners <NUM> can be used to secure the heat sink assembly <NUM> to the top housing member <NUM>. Any suitable fastener may be used, such as screws, bolts, rivets, etc. In aspects, included between the heat sink assembly <NUM> and the PCBA <NUM> is a thermal interface material <NUM> (e.g., thermal gel, thermal pads, etc.) and an electromagnetic (EMI) gasket <NUM>.

The PCBA <NUM> is positioned between the heat sink assembly <NUM> and the speaker assembly <NUM>. The privacy switch <NUM> is included proximate (e.g., adjacent) to the speaker assembly <NUM>. Speaker mesh <NUM> is positioned adjacent to the bottom housing member <NUM> along the curved edge <NUM>. In aspects, the speaker mesh <NUM> is assembled to the bottom housing <NUM> with adhesive on the speaker mesh <NUM>. The speaker mesh <NUM> limits audio distortion and reduces resonance peak, in addition to reducing dust or liquid ingress into the holes in the bottom housing member <NUM>. Below the speaker assembly <NUM> is the PCBA <NUM>, which includes one or more LEDs that radiate light into the light ring assembly <NUM>. The PCBA <NUM> can be attached to the bottom housing member <NUM> via pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) <NUM>, or other adhesive, and/or one or more fasteners <NUM>. Additional fasteners <NUM> can be used to secure the bottom housing member <NUM> to the speaker assembly <NUM>, or to secure the bottom housing member <NUM> to the heat sink assembly <NUM> via holes in the speaker assembly <NUM>.

Connected to the bottom exterior surface of the bottom housing member <NUM> is the light ring assembly <NUM>, which includes the annular light guide <NUM>, the reflector <NUM>, a light blocker <NUM>, and a layer of PSA <NUM>. The light blocker <NUM> causes the light to reflect between the annular light guide <NUM> and the reflector <NUM> to increase a brightness of the light. The light blocker <NUM> has the same function as the reflector <NUM> and may be formed from any suitable material, an example of which includes white and black PET film. The reflector <NUM> may have channels or surfaces coated or lined with a reflective material to reflect light, radiated by the LEDs on the PCBA <NUM>, into the annular light guide <NUM>. The annular light guide <NUM> diffuses the reflected light to provide the underglow underneath the housing <NUM>. The PSA <NUM> adheres the reflector <NUM> to the annular light guide <NUM>. The light ring assembly <NUM> is positioned between the bottom housing member <NUM> and the foot <NUM>. Fasteners <NUM> can be used to secure the light ring assembly <NUM> to the bottom housing member <NUM>. The foot <NUM> can be adhered to the light ring assembly <NUM> using any suitable adhesive (not shown), such as a PSA.

<FIG> illustrates top and bottom plan views <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, of the PCBA <NUM> from <FIG>. The PCBA <NUM> includes light-emitting components <NUM>, such as LEDs. The light-emitting components <NUM> are aligned with recesses in the inner surface of top-end portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM> to radiate light through the housing <NUM>. Because the light radiates through the housing <NUM>, the color of the light viewed by the user is based on the color of the material and paint of the housing <NUM>. The light-emitting components <NUM> can be calibrated to emit light based on a status or function of the range extender device <NUM>. Alternatively, the light-emitting components <NUM> can emit light to indicate a location of touch-sensitive regions on the housing <NUM>.

The PCBA <NUM> also includes a plurality of audio sensors <NUM>, such as microphones. In the illustrated example, the PCBA <NUM> includes three audio sensors <NUM>. Each audio sensor <NUM> is aligned with a hole <NUM> in the top housing member <NUM>. The PCBA <NUM> also includes a touch integrated circuit (IC) chip <NUM> that maps touch input, detected by the touch sensors <NUM>, to particular functions. For example, the touch input may correspond to volume up, volume down, play, pause, next, skip, restart, previous track, and so on.

<FIG> illustrates a perspective view <NUM> of an example heat sink assembly <NUM> of the range extender device from <FIG>. The heat sink assembly <NUM> includes a heat sink <NUM> that has a generally cylindrical shape with a radius that is within a tolerance threshold distance (e.g., <NUM>) smaller than a radius of the inner surface of the vertical wall <NUM> of the top housing member <NUM>. The heat sink <NUM> may be formed from any suitable material, including die-cast aluminum. The heat sink <NUM> is connected to a plurality of antennas, including antennas <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. The antennas <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be stampings that are fastened to the heat sink <NUM> of the heat sink assembly <NUM>. The antennas <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be configured for wireless communication over a wireless network, such as Bluetooth™, Thread™, and Wi-Fi®, respectively.

In addition, the heat sink assembly <NUM> includes a heat spreader <NUM> abutting the heat sink <NUM>. The heat spreader <NUM> is positioned between the heat sink <NUM> and the PCBA <NUM>, which is adjacent to the top-end portion <NUM> of the top housing member <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates various views of an example PCBA <NUM> of the range extender device from <FIG>, including a top plan view <NUM>, a right elevational view <NUM>, and a bottom plan view <NUM>. The PCBA <NUM> is positioned within the housing <NUM> and proximate (e.g., adjacent) to the heat sink assembly <NUM>, as described above in relation to <FIG>. As illustrated in the top plan view <NUM>, the PCBA <NUM> is oriented based on an axis <NUM>. The axis <NUM> is aligned with a plane defined by a PCB <NUM> of the PCBA <NUM>. The PCBA <NUM> includes one or more memory devices <NUM>, such as one or more double data rate memories. The PCBA <NUM> also includes a system-on-chip (SoC) <NUM>, and non-volatile memory <NUM> (e.g., NAND flash memory). In addition, the PCBA <NUM> includes a shield frame <NUM> around the SoC <NUM>, the non-volatile memory <NUM>, and the one or more memory devices <NUM>.

The PCBA <NUM> also includes a second shield frame <NUM> that shields a first wireless network module (not shown), such as a <NUM> Wi-Fi module. Additional components of the PCBA <NUM> include a thread control block <NUM>, a second wireless network module <NUM> (e.g., a <NUM> Wi-Fi module), and a third shield frame <NUM> that shields the thread control block <NUM> and the second wireless network module <NUM>.

The arrangement of components on the PCBA <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> are shown as an example only and are not to be construed as limiting. The components of the PCBA <NUM> can be implemented in any suitable configuration on the PCB <NUM> for implementing aspects of the range extender device <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a top plan view <NUM> and a bottom plan view <NUM> of an example PCBA <NUM> of the range extender device from <FIG>. The PCBA <NUM> includes at least a PCB <NUM>, an electrical power connector <NUM> (e.g., barrel jack connector), and one or more LED drivers <NUM>. The LED drivers <NUM> are configured to drive one or more LEDs <NUM> connected to the PCB <NUM>. In the illustrated example, the PCBA <NUM> includes nine LEDs <NUM>. As described above, the LEDs <NUM> radiate light into the reflector of the light ring assembly <NUM>. The LEDs <NUM> can be configured to radiate any suitable color and/or flash pattern corresponding to an operational state of the range extender device <NUM>. The PCBA <NUM> also includes a reset mechanism <NUM> that, when actuated, resets one or more settings or functions of the range extender device <NUM>.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an example mesh network device <NUM> that can be implemented as any mesh network device in a mesh network in accordance with one or more aspects of the range extender device described herein. The device <NUM> can be integrated with electronic circuitry, microprocessors, memory, input output (I/O) logic control, communication interfaces and components, as well as other hardware, firmware, and/or software to implement the device in a mesh network. Further, the mesh network device <NUM> can be implemented with various components, such as with any number and combination of different components as further described with reference to the example device shown in <FIG>.

In this example, the mesh network device <NUM> includes a low-power microprocessor <NUM> and a high-power microprocessor <NUM> (e.g., microcontrollers or digital signal processors) that process executable instructions. The device also includes an input-output (I/O) logic control <NUM> (e.g., to include electronic circuitry). The microprocessors can include components of an integrated circuit, programmable logic device, a logic device formed using one or more semiconductors, and other implementations in silicon and/or hardware, such as a processor and memory system implemented as a system-on-chip (SoC). Alternatively or in addition, the device can be implemented with any one or combination of software, hardware, firmware, or fixed logic circuitry that may be implemented with processing and control circuits. The low-power microprocessor <NUM> and the high-power microprocessor <NUM> can also support one or more different device functionalities of the device. For example, the high-power microprocessor <NUM> may execute computationally intensive operations, whereas the low-power microprocessor <NUM> may manage less-complex processes such as detecting a hazard or temperature from one or more sensors <NUM>. The low-power processor <NUM> may also wake or initialize the high-power processor <NUM> for computationally intensive processes.

The one or more sensors <NUM> can be implemented to detect various properties such as acceleration, temperature, humidity, water, supplied power, proximity, external motion, device motion, sound signals, ultrasound signals, light signals, fire, smoke, carbon monoxide, global-positioning-satellite (GPS) signals, radio-frequency (RF), other electromagnetic signals or fields, or the like. As such, the sensors <NUM> may include any one or a combination of temperature sensors, humidity sensors, hazard-related sensors, security sensors, other environmental sensors, accelerometers, microphones, optical sensors up to and including cameras (e.g., charged coupled-device or video cameras), active or passive radiation sensors, GPS receivers, and radio frequency identification detectors. In implementations, the mesh network device <NUM> may include one or more primary sensors, as well as one or more secondary sensors, such as primary sensors that sense data central to the core operation of the device (e.g., sensing a temperature in a thermostat or sensing smoke in a smoke detector), while the secondary sensors may sense other types of data (e.g., motion, light or sound), which can be used for energy-efficiency objectives or smart-operation objectives.

The mesh network device <NUM> includes a memory device controller <NUM> and a memory device <NUM>, such as any type of a nonvolatile memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage device. The mesh network device <NUM> can also include various firmware and/or software, such as an operating system <NUM> that is maintained as computer executable instructions by the memory and executed by a microprocessor. The device software may also include a smart-home application <NUM> that implements aspects of the range extender device. The mesh network device <NUM> also includes a device interface <NUM> to interface with another device or peripheral component. Further, the mesh network device <NUM> includes an integrated data bus <NUM> that couples the various components of the mesh network device for data communication between the components. The data bus in the mesh network device may also be implemented as any one or a combination of different bus structures and/or bus architectures.

The device interface <NUM> may receive input from a user and/or provide information to the user (e.g., as a user interface), and a received input can be used to determine a setting. The device interface <NUM> may also include mechanical or virtual components that respond to a user input. For example, the user can mechanically move a sliding or rotatable component, or the motion along a touchpad may be detected, and such motions may correspond to a setting adjustment of the device. Physical and virtual movable user-interface components can allow the user to set a setting along a portion of an apparent continuum. The device interface <NUM> may also receive inputs from any number of peripherals, such as buttons, a keypad, a switch, a microphone, and an imager (e.g., a camera device).

The mesh network device <NUM> can include network interfaces <NUM>, such as a mesh network interface for communication with other mesh network devices in a mesh network, and an external network interface for network communication, such as via the Internet. The mesh network device <NUM> also includes wireless radio systems <NUM> for wireless communication with other mesh network devices via the mesh network interface and for multiple, different wireless communications systems. The wireless radio systems <NUM> may include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth™, mobile broadband, Bluetooth Low Energy™ (BLE), and/or point-to-point IEEE <NUM>. Each of the different radio systems can include a radio device, antenna, and chipset that is implemented for a particular wireless communications technology. The mesh network device <NUM> also includes a power source <NUM>, such as a battery and/or to connect the device to line voltage. An AC power source may also be used to charge the battery of the device.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an example system <NUM> that includes an example device <NUM>, which can be implemented as any mesh network device that implements aspects of the range extender device <NUM> as described with reference to the previous <FIG>. The example device <NUM> may be any type of computing device, client device, mobile phone, tablet, communication, entertainment, gaming, media playback, and/or other type of device. Further, the example device <NUM> may be implemented as any other type of mesh network device that is configured for communication on a mesh network, such as a thermostat, hazard detector, camera, light unit, commissioning device, router, border router, joiner router, joining device, end device, leader, access point, a hub, and/or other mesh network devices.

The device <NUM> includes communication devices <NUM> that enable wired and/or wireless communication of device data <NUM>, such as data that is communicated between the devices in a mesh network, data that is being received, data scheduled for broadcast, data packets of the data, data that is synchronized between the devices, etc. The device data can include any type of communication data, as well as audio, video, and/or image data that is generated by applications executing on the device. The communication devices <NUM> can also include transceivers for cellular phone communication and/or for network data communication.

The device <NUM> also includes input/output (I/O) interfaces <NUM>, such as data network interfaces that provide connection and/or communication links between the device, data networks (e.g., a mesh network, external network, etc.), and other devices. The I/O interfaces can be used to couple the device to any type of components, peripherals, and/or accessory devices. The I/O interfaces also include data input ports via which any type of data, media content, and/or inputs can be received, such as user inputs to the device, as well as any type of communication data, as well as audio, video, and/or image data received from any content and/or data source.

The device <NUM> includes a processing system <NUM> that may be implemented at least partially in hardware, such as with any type of microprocessors, controllers, or the like that process executable instructions. The processing system can include components of an integrated circuit, programmable logic device, a logic device formed using one or more semiconductors, and other implementations in silicon and/or hardware, such as a processor and memory system implemented as a system-on-chip (SoC). Alternatively or in addition, the device can be implemented with any one or combination of software, hardware, firmware, or fixed logic circuitry that may be implemented with processing and control circuits. The device <NUM> may further include any type of a system bus or other data and command transfer system that couples the various components within the device. A system bus can include any one or combination of different bus structures and architectures, as well as control and data lines.

The device <NUM> also includes computer-readable storage memory <NUM>, such as data storage devices that can be accessed by a computing device, and that provide persistent storage of data and executable instructions (e.g., software applications, modules, programs, functions, or the like). The computer-readable storage memory described herein excludes propagating signals. Examples of computer-readable storage memory include volatile memory and non-volatile memory, fixed and removable media devices, and any suitable memory device or electronic data storage that maintains data for computing device access. The computer-readable storage memory can include various implementations of random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, and other types of storage memory in various memory device configurations.

The computer-readable storage memory <NUM> provides storage of the device data <NUM> and various device applications <NUM>, such as an operating system that is maintained as a software application with the computer-readable storage memory <NUM> and executed by the processing system <NUM>. The device applications may also include a device manager, such as any form of a control application, software application, signal processing and control module, code that is native to a particular device, a hardware abstraction layer for a particular device, and so on. In this example, the device applications also include a smart-home application <NUM> that implements aspects of the range extender device, such as when the example device <NUM> is implemented as any of the mesh network devices described herein.

In aspects, at least part of the techniques described for the range extender device may be implemented in a distributed system, such as over a "cloud" <NUM> in a platform <NUM>. The cloud <NUM> includes and/or is representative of the platform <NUM> for services <NUM> and/or resources <NUM>.

The platform <NUM> abstracts underlying functionality of hardware, such as server devices (e.g., included in the services <NUM>) and/or software resources (e.g., included as the resources <NUM>), and communicatively connects the example device <NUM> with other devices, servers, etc. The resources <NUM> may also include applications and/or data that can be utilized while computer processing is executed on servers that are remote from the example device <NUM>. Additionally, the services <NUM> and/or the resources <NUM> may facilitate subscriber network services, such as over the Internet, a cellular network, or Wi-Fi network. The platform <NUM> may also serve to abstract and scale resources to service a demand for the resources <NUM> that are implemented via the platform, such as in an interconnected device embodiment with functionality distributed throughout the system <NUM>. For example, the functionality may be implemented in part at the example device <NUM> as well as via the platform <NUM> that abstracts the functionality of the cloud <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A range extender device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) comprising:
a top housing member (<NUM>) having a wall (<NUM>) and a top-end portion (<NUM>) connected to a first end of the wall (<NUM>), the wall (<NUM>) having an inner surface (<NUM>) and an opposing outer surface (<NUM>); and
a bottom housing member (<NUM>) connected to the top housing member (<NUM>) at a second end of the wall (<NUM>), the bottom housing member (<NUM>) having a bottom exterior surface and an opposing interior surface;
an audio sensor (<NUM>) positioned within the housing (<NUM>);
a heat sink assembly (<NUM>) comprising a heat sink (<NUM>) and one or more antennas (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>);
a circuit board assembly (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) positioned within the housing (<NUM>) and communicatively coupled to the one or more antennas (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) to cause the one or more antennas (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) to provide a radio node for a wireless mesh network;
a speaker assembly (<NUM>) positioned within the housing (<NUM>) and connected to the circuit board assembly (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>);
a light ring assembly (<NUM>) connected to the bottom exterior surface of the bottom housing member (<NUM>), the light ring assembly (<NUM>) configured to radially reflect light away from a central axis (<NUM>) of the housing (<NUM>) and diffuse the light to provide a glow under the bottom housing member (<NUM>), the light ring assembly (<NUM>) having a height that is within a range of <NUM> to <NUM> and being inset from the corner of the bottom housing member (<NUM>) by a first inset distance (<NUM>), the first inset distance (<NUM>) being within a range of <NUM> to <NUM>;
a foot (<NUM>) connected to the light ring assembly (<NUM>), the light ring assembly (<NUM>) being positioned between the bottom housing member (<NUM>) and the foot (<NUM>), the foot (<NUM>) having a height that is within a range of <NUM> to <NUM> and a radius that is smaller than the radius of the light ring assembly (<NUM>) by an amount equal to a second inset distance (<NUM>), such that the foot (<NUM>) is inset from an outer surface of the light ring assembly (<NUM>) by the second inset distance (<NUM>), the second inset distance (<NUM>) being within a range of <NUM> to <NUM>.