IP Library Patent Application 14496622
Patent Application
App. No. 14/496,622

Wireless Door Chime

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
14/496,622
Abstract

A wireless door chime apparatus operates in connection with a trigger device installed at a doorway. The wireless door chime apparatus has a decorative housing, such as a vase, bowl, candle, statue, or lamp, for example. A wireless speaker unit configured to generate audible sounds is mounted to the decorative housing. The wireless door chime apparatus also has a power connection mechanism that can supply electric power to the wireless door chime apparatus. The wireless door chime apparatus produces an audible notification in response to receiving a wireless signal generated by the trigger device.

Claims (34)

1 ) A wireless door chime apparatus configured to operate in connection with a trigger device installed at a doorway, the wireless door chime apparatus comprising:

a decorative housing;

a wireless speaker unit mounted to the decorative housing, the wireless speaker unit configured to produce audible sounds; and

a power connection mechanism configured to connect with an electric power source and to supply electric power to the wireless door chime apparatus;

wherein the wireless door chime apparatus is configured to produce an audible notification in response to receiving a wireless signal generated by the trigger device.

2 ) The wireless door chime apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the wireless speaker unit is configured to produce the audible notification in response to receiving a wireless signal generated by the trigger device.

3 ) The wireless door chime apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the wireless speaker unit is configured to communicate wirelessly with an audio source and play an audio stream based on information communicated by the audio source.

4 ) The wireless door chime apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the wireless speaker unit is configured to temporarily suspend the audio stream and generate an audible notification in response to receiving a wireless signal generated by the trigger device.

5 ) The wireless door chime apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the power connection mechanism is configured to be, or to connect with at least one of a battery, a rechargeable battery, a USB port, a mains power supply, a wall wart power supply, a computer, and a solar power supply.

6 ) The wireless door chime apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the decorative housing is a vase.

7 ) The wireless door chime apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the vase is configured to receive plants.

8 ) The wireless door chime apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the vase comprises at least one artificial plant.

9 ) The wireless door chime apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the wireless speaker unit is installed in an internal portion of the vase, and wherein the vase comprises at least one aperture configured to facilitate distribution of sound generated by the wireless speaker unit outside the vase.

10 ) The wireless door chime apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the decorative housing is an artificial candle.

11 ) The wireless door chime apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the artificial candle comprises a light source.

12 ) The wireless door chime apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the power connection mechanism provides electric power to the light source.

13 ) The wireless door chime apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the light source is configured to simulate the appearance of a candle flame.

14 ) The wireless door chime apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the decorative housing is at least one of a bowl, a plate, a candle holder, a statue, a sculpture, a picture frame, a lamp, a tissue box cover, a pen holder, a paper holder, an organizer, a book, a book end, a clock, a trophy, and a mirror.

15 ) A wireless door chime apparatus configured to operate in connection with a trigger device installed at a doorway, the wireless door chime apparatus comprising:

a vase configured to receive plants, the vase having at least one aperture;

a wireless speaker unit installed in an internal portion of the vase, the wireless speaker unit configured to produce audible sounds; and

a power connection mechanism configured to connect with an electric power source and to supply electric power to the wireless speaker unit;

wherein the aperture is configured to facilitate distribution of sound generated by the wireless speaker unit outside the vase, and

wherein the wireless speaker unit is configured to produce an audible notification in response to receiving a wireless signal generated by the trigger device.

16 ) The wireless door chime apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the wireless speaker unit is configured to communicate wirelessly with an audio source and play an audio stream based on information communicated by the audio source.

17 ) The wireless door chime apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the wireless speaker unit is configured to temporarily suspend the audio stream and generate an audible notification in response to receiving a wireless signal generated by the trigger device.

18 ) A method for generating a door chime signal with a vase, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a decorative object within an internal portion of the vase;

receiving, via a wireless speaker unit installed in the internal portion of the vase, a wireless signal generated by a trigger device installed at a doorway;

producing, with the wireless speaker unit, an audible notification in response to the wireless speaker unit receiving the wireless signal generated by the trigger device.

19 ) The method of claim 18 , further comprising the steps of:

wirelessly communicating, via the wireless speaker unit, with an audio source; and

producing, with the wireless speaker unit, an audio stream based on information communicated by the audio source.

20 ) The method of claim 19 , further comprising the step of temporarily suspending the audio stream to produce an audible notification in response to receiving a wireless signal generated by the trigger device.

Assignments (4)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 28, 2020
From: LBC CREDIT PARTNERS III, L.P., AS AGENT
To: HEATHCO LLC
Reel/Frame 055349/0140 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 4, 2016
From: HEATHCO LLC
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 037693/0533 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 11, 2016
From: HEATHCO LLC
To: LBC CREDIT PARTNERS III, L.P., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 037484/0127 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 25, 2014
From: LEE, JONATHAN ARNOLD; ZAVADA, MARK ALAN
To: HEATHCO, LLC
Reel/Frame 033820/0422 →