IP Library Granted Patent US 10,748,394
Granted Patent B1
US 10,748,394 · App. 16/559,406 · Granted Aug 18, 2020

Sensor for barrier

Inventor: Wallace E. Day (Provo, UT)
Assignee: Vivint, Inc.
G08B13/08G08C17/02G08C2201/50
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,748,394
App. No.
16/559,406
Granted
Aug 18, 2020
Kind
B1
Abstract

Methods and systems are described for determining operation of an openable barrier into a building. A method for determining a state of a barrier includes identifying, based at least in part on a barrier sensor, a first position of the barrier. In one embodiment, the barrier sensor may be positioned at a first side of the barrier, and a magnet may be positioned adjacent to the barrier sensor at the first side of the barrier. The magnet may be positioned at an angle with respect to the barrier sensor. The method may further include determining, based at least in part on the barrier sensor and the magnet, when the barrier changes position from the first position to a second position; and wirelessly transmitting data concerning the change in position of the barrier.

Claims (49)

1. A method for monitoring a barrier, comprising:

identifying a first position of a barrier based at least in part on a barrier sensor, wherein the barrier sensor is positioned at a first side of the barrier adjacent to a magnet, the magnet is positioned at an angle with respect to the barrier sensor, and the angle at which the magnet is positioned is adjustable to alter a sensitivity of the barrier sensor;

determining, based at least in part on the barrier sensor and the magnet, when the barrier changes position from the first position to a second position;

determining an authorization associated with the change in position; and

transmitting data associated with the change in position to a device based at least in part on the determined authorization.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the authorization comprises:

determining that the change in position of the barrier is unauthorized.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein transmitting the data comprises:

transmitting a notice to an alarm, wherein the alarm is configured to generate an audible alarm or a visual alarm based at least in part on the unauthorized change in position.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transmitted data comprises a notification based at least in part on the change in position.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the authorization comprises:

receiving an authentication that associates the change in position with a person; and

determining that the change in position of the barrier is authorized.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the authentication is received from a second device.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first position is a closed position, and the second position is an open position.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first side of the barrier comprises at least one hinge connected to a frame.

9. A sensor assembly for monitoring a barrier, comprising:

a barrier sensor positioned at a first side of the barrier;

a magnet positioned adjacent to the barrier sensor, wherein the magnet is positioned at an angle with respect to the barrier sensor, and the angle at which the magnet is positioned is adjustable to alter a sensitivity of the barrier sensor;

a transceiver;

a processor;

memory coupled with the processor; and

instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the sensor assembly to:

identify a first position of the barrier based at least in part on the barrier sensor;

determine, based at least in part on the barrier sensor and the magnet, when the barrier changes position from the first position to a second position;

determine an authorization associated with the change in position; and

transmit, via the transceiver, data associated with the change in position to a device based at least in part on the determined authorization.

10. The sensor assembly of claim 9 , wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the sensor assembly to:

determine that the change in position of the barrier is unauthorized.

11. The sensor assembly of claim 10 , wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the sensor assembly to:

transmit, via the transceiver, a notice to an alarm, wherein the alarm is configured to generate an audible alarm or a visual alarm based at least in part on the unauthorized change in position.

12. The sensor assembly of claim 9 , wherein the transmitted data comprises a notification based at least in part on the change in position.

13. The sensor assembly of claim 9 , wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the sensor assembly to:

receive, via the transceiver, an authentication that associates the change in position with a person; and

determine that the change in position of the barrier is authorized.

14. The sensor assembly of claim 9 , wherein the first position is a closed position, and the second position is an open position.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable code for a home automation system, the code executable by a processor to:

identify a first position of a barrier based at least in part on a barrier sensor, wherein the barrier sensor is positioned at a first side of the barrier adjacent to a magnet, the magnet is positioned at an angle with respect to the barrier sensor, and the angle at which the magnet is positioned is adjustable to alter a sensitivity of the barrier sensor;

determine, based at least in part on the barrier sensor and the magnet, when the barrier changes position from the first position to a second position;

determine an authorization associated with the change in position; and

transmit data associated with the change in position to a device based at least in part on the determined authorization.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the code is further executable by the processor to:

determine that the change in position of the barrier is unauthorized.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16 , wherein the code is further executable by the processor to:

transmit a notice to an alarm, wherein the alarm is configured to generate an audible alarm or a visual alarm based at least in part on the unauthorized change in position.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the transmitted data comprises a notification based at least in part on the change in position.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the code is further executable by the processor to:

receive an authentication that associates the change in position with a person; and

determine that the change in position of the barrier is authorized.

Assignments (6)
AFTER-ACQUIRED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 27, 2025
From: VIVINT LLC; SMART HOME PROS, INC.; VIVINT AMIGO, INC.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS PRIORITY COLLATERAL TRUSTEE
Reel/Frame 070349/0816 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS RECORDED AT REEL 067456, FRAME 0729 Recorded Nov 11, 2024
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: VIVINT, INC.
Reel/Frame 069334/0165 →
RELEASE (REEL 057434 / FRAME 0591) Recorded Nov 1, 2024
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: VIVINT LLC (F/K/A VIVINT, INC.)
Reel/Frame 069289/0529 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 21, 2024
From: DAY, WALLACE E.
To: VIVINT, INC.
Reel/Frame 068954/0659 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 17, 2024
From: VIVINT, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 067456/0729 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT NO. 2 Recorded Jul 12, 2021
From: VIVINT, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 057434/0591 →