Amazon Technologies, Inc.

James Steven Skeoch

Robert Tso

Michael Kalajian

Chih-Jung Lin

Daniil Tretiakov

A device includes a processor, a radar sensor with a transmitter, a first receiver, and a second receiver. The device operates the sensor in a first operational mode that utilizes the transmitter and the first receiver, but not the second receiver. The device detects, using the sensor in the first operational mode, possible motion of an object within a threshold distance from the sensor. Responsive to detecting possible motion of the object, the device transitions the sensor from the first to a second operational mode that utilizes the transmitter and the first and second receivers. The device transmits, while using the sensor in the first operational mode, a first number of radar frames in a first time interval and transmits, while using the sensor in the second operational mode, a second number of radar frames in the first time interval, the second number being greater than the first number.

Reduced radar sensor power consumption

A video recording and communication device includes a camera, a processor, a radar sensor, and memory. The processor executes instructions from memory to cause the device to operate the sensor in a first operational mode in which the camera is maintained in a low-power mode. The processor further detects, using the sensor in the first mode, possible motion of an object within a threshold distance from the sensor. Responsive to the detecting, the processor transitions the sensor from the first mode to a second operational mode. The second mode consumes more power than the first mode. The processor determines, using the radar sensor in the second mode, that the possible motion of the object occurred in a region of interest, in response to which, it transitions the sensor from the second mode to a third operational mode. The third mode consumes more power mode than the second mode.

In implementations described herein, A/V recording and communication doorbell devices ('A/V doorbells') and signaling devices may be powered from a common AC waveform. In some implementations, an A/V doorbell and its corresponding signaling device may be arranged in a circuit loop where a portion of an AC waveform is used to power the A/V doorbell and the other portions of the AC waveform is used to power the signaling device. For example, a positive phase of the AC waveform may be used to power one of the A/V doorbell or signaling device and a negative phase of the AC waveform may be used to power the other of the A/V doorbell or signaling device. In some cases, an energy harvester device may be used to slow charge a battery or supercapacitor from the circuit loop to power the A/V doorbell and/or signaling device.

Batteryless doorbell with multi-load power delivery

Batteryless doorbell with rectified power delivery

In implementations described herein, /V recording and communication doorbell devices ('A/V doorbells') may include supercapacitors to supply power to functional components of the A/V doorbells. For example, the A/V doorbells described herein may include one or more supercapacitors to supply power to one or more functional components in situations where doorbell power circuitry is unable to supply sufficient power for the one or more functional components to operate. The A/V doorbells described herein may also include a power control system and supercapacitor control circuitry to regulate the charging and discharging of the one or more supercapacitors. In various implementations, the supercapacitor control circuitry may control the amount of current supplied from the one or more supercapacitors to one or more functional components of the A/V doorbells.

Audio/video recording and communication doorbell devices with supercapacitors

An audio/video (A/V) recording and communication doorbell device includes an input port, a switch, a first power supply, a second power supply, a button, a first controller, and a second controller. The switch is electrically coupled across the input port. The first power supply receives power from the input port and powers a first power supply rail, and the second power supply powers a second power supply rail. The button, when pressed, activates a signaling device. The first controller is at least partially powered from the first power supply rail and closes the switch in response to the button being pressed. The second controller is at least partially powered from the second power supply rail.

Audio/video recording and communication doorbell devices

This disclosure describes techniques for using alternating current (AC) power waveforms to communicate between devices in a doorbell circuit. A signaling device that emits sound may be positioned in the doorbell circuit between an AC power source and a doorbell device (such as an A/V device including a doorbell). A signaling device may be coupled in parallel to a signaling-control device that includes electronic circuitry that provides a selective bypass to allow for larger amounts of current drawn by the A/V device to bypass the signaling device without causing the signaling device to emit the sound. The A/V device and the signaling-control device may use AC power waveforms to communicate data and/or data between each other. For example, the A/V device and the signaling-control device may control respective signal relays to selectively open and close the doorbell circuit in order to communicate with each other using the AC current waveform.

Communicating between devices in a doorbell system using AC power waveforms

In implementations described herein, power is supplied to functional components of audio/video (A/V) recording and communication doorbell devices ('A/V doorbells') during activation of signaling devices that are coupled to the A/V doorbells without the use of a backup power supply. To illustrate, systems described herein may include first parallel circuitry coupled to the signaling device and second parallel circuitry coupled to an A/V doorbell. The first parallel circuitry and the second parallel circuitry are configured to supply sufficient power to the functional components of the A/V doorbell during activation of the signaling device. In particular implementations, the first parallel circuitry and the second parallel circuitry include shunting circuitry to control the flow of current through the first and second parallel circuitry and supply sufficient power to both the signaling device and the A/V doorbell.

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Palos Verdes Estates, CA, United States of America

James Steven Skeoch