Abstract: Techniques for operating an environmental sensing system are described. In an example, a cloud-based server system receives a first indication that a first type of air pollutant is present within a first structure from a first plurality of indoor air quality (IAQ) sensing devices positioned within the first structure. A second structure within a predefined distance to the first structure is then identified by the server system. The server system then determines that the first type of air pollutant is not present within the second structure. The server system then causes a second plurality of IAQ sensing devices positioned within the second structure to change an operating mode from a normal sensitivity mode to a high-sensitivity mode.

Abstract: Techniques for creating health assessments based on Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) detection are described. In an example, a VOC sensor measures a concentration of a VOC within an enclosed space during a time period. An accumulation of carbon dioxide is detected within the space during the time period. Based on the accumulation of carbon dioxide it is determined that a human is present within the space and that the space is substantially sealed. The VOC sensor then detects that the concentration of the VOC within the space increased during the time period. A health assessment for the human is generated based on the detected increase in the VOC and a notification including the assessment is issued to an electronic device.

Abstract: The various implementations described herein include methods, devices, and systems for determining locations of an electronic device. In one aspect, a method is performed at a computing system having one or more processors and memory. The method includes obtaining device identification information for the electronic device; broadcasting a request based on the device identification information that the electronic device be enabled to transmit or reflect location information using a radar technique; receiving a signal from the electronic device, the signal indicating a location of the electronic device using a radar technique; and determining the location of the electronic device based on the received signal.

Abstract: The various implementations described herein include methods, devices, and systems for determining locations of an electronic device. In one aspect, a method is performed at a computing system having one or more processors and memory. The method includes obtaining device identification information for the electronic device; broadcasting a request based on the device identification information that the electronic device be enabled to transmit or reflect location information using a radar technique; receiving a signal from the electronic device, the signal indicating a location of the electronic device using a radar technique; and determining the location of the electronic device based on the received signal.

Abstract: The various implementations described herein include methods, devices, and systems for determining locations of an electronic device. In one aspect, a method is performed at a computing system having one or more processors and memory. The method includes obtaining device identification information for the electronic device; broadcasting a request based on the device identification information that the electronic device be enabled to transmit or reflect location information using a radar technique; receiving a signal from the electronic device, the signal indicating a location of the electronic device using a radar technique; and determining the location of the electronic device based on the received signal.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for presence and directional motion detection. Signals may be received from a sensor positioned in a structure. An indication of directional motion may be generated based on the signals from the sensor. The indication of directional motion may be generated without using signals from additional sensors. A control signal for a device in the structure may be generated in response to the indication of directional motion. The control signal may be sent to the device in the structure to be implemented by the device.

Abstract: The various implementations described herein include methods, devices, and systems for determining locations of an electronic device. In one aspect, a method is performed at a computing system having one or more processors and memory. The method includes obtaining device identification information for the electronic device; broadcasting a request based on the device identification information that the electronic device be enabled to transmit or reflect location information using a radar technique; receiving a signal from the electronic device, the signal indicating a location of the electronic device using a radar technique; and determining the location of the electronic device based on the received signal.

Abstract: The various implementations described herein include methods, devices, and systems for determining locations of a plurality of electronic devices within a home. In one aspect, a method is performed at a computing system having one or more processors and memory. The method includes: (1) obtaining device identification information for a plurality of electronic devices; (2) broadcasting, via a standard wireless communication protocol, a request based on the device identification information that a particular electronic device of the plurality of electronic devices be enabled to transmit or reflect location information using a radar technique; (3) receiving a signal from the particular electronic device, the signal indicating a location of the particular electronic device using a radar technique; and (4) determining the location of the particular electronic device based on the received signal.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for presence and directional motion detection. Signals may be received from a sensor positioned in a structure. An indication of directional motion may be generated based on the signals from the sensor. The indication of directional motion may be generated without using signals from additional sensors. A control signal for a device in the structure may be generated in response to the indication of directional motion. The control signal may be sent to the device in the structure to be implemented by the device.

Abstract: An electronic device includes an image sensor having a field of view, a radar module, one or more processors, and memory. The electronic device captures image data of a scene that is within the field of view of the image sensor. The electronic device receives radar signals from one or more objects in the scene. The device determines respective location and/or movement of the one or more objects based on the radar signals. It further identifies a first object of the one or more objects based on a combination of the image data and the radar signals.

Abstract: The various implementations described herein include methods, devices, and systems for utilizing radar in smart devices. In one aspect, an electronic device includes: (1) circuit boards; (2) a housing encasing the circuit boards; (3) a communications module coupled to the circuit boards, including one or more antennas and configured for communicating with remote devices; (4) a radar module coupled to the circuit boards, configured for generating radar data for a home environment and including: (a) low power radar transmitters; and (b) radar receivers; (5) one or more processors mounted to one of the circuit boards, the processors configured to: (a) govern operation of the communications module and the radar module; (b) determine location and/or movement of detected objects in the home environment; and (c) detect anomalies associated with the detected objects; and (6) a power source coupled to the processors, the communications module, and the radar module.

Abstract: A method for adaptively adjusting a threshold used to detect the presence of a living being may include receiving a first set of sensor measurements acquired by a passive infrared (PIR) sensor during a time period when the living being is not expected to be present in a space monitored by the PIR sensor. Here, the sensor measurements may depend on one or more noise sensitivity characteristics of the PIR sensor. The method may include adjusting a threshold that may indicate a presence of the living being based on the first set of sensor measurements. The method may then receive a second set of sensor measurements acquired by the PIR sensor and detect the presence of the living being when at least one of the second set of sensor measurements exceeds the threshold.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to a photodiode-augmented infrared (IR) motion sensor are provided. The IR motion sensor can be used to sense mid-IR range radiation emitting from a person. Within the IR motion sensor, incident mid-IR range radiation impinges on an IR sensing element situated behind a Fresnel lens. Thus, when the person crosses a particular region in the range of the IR motion sensor, the IR sensing element detects a change in radiation signature, and can subsequently notify another system, such as a security system, of the change. The IR motion sensor also includes an ambient light-sensing element configured to provide information used to perform a quality check, such as to rule out “false positive” outputs, on information output from the IR sensing element.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a multi-sensing hazard detector for detecting potential dangers may include a back plate and a front casing that is coupled with the back plate to define a housing. A circuit board and a plurality of components may be positioned within the housing. The circuit board may be communicatively coupled with the components. The components may include, among other components, an alarm device, an occupancy sensor, and a smoke chamber. The alarm device may be activatable upon the detection of a potential hazard to warn an occupant of a potential danger, the occupancy sensor may be configured to detect the presence and/or movement of objects external to the hazard detector, and the smoke chamber may be configured to detect the presence of smoke to cause a triggering of the alarm device. The housing may comprise a volume of less than 1024 cubic centimeters.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a hazard detector may include a back plate and a front casing coupled to the back plate to define a housing having an interior region and an opening through which air flows into the interior region. A circuit board may be coupled to the back plate and have a plurality of components mounted thereon. A smoke chamber may be mid-mounted on the circuit board, mid-mounting being characterized in the smoke chamber extending through a hole formed in the circuit board such that a top surface of the smoke chamber is positioned above a top surface of the circuit board and a bottom surface of the smoke chamber is positioned below a bottom surface of the circuit board, whereby an interior region of the smoke chamber is accessible to smoke from both the top and bottom surfaces of the circuit board.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a multi-sensing hazard detector for detecting potential dangers may include a back plate and a front casing that is coupled with the back plate to define a housing. A circuit board and a plurality of components may be positioned within the housing. The circuit board may be communicatively coupled with the components. The components may include, among other components, an alarm device, an occupancy sensor, and a smoke chamber. The alarm device may be activatable upon the detection of a potential hazard to warn an occupant of a potential danger, the occupancy sensor may be configured to detect the presence and/or movement of objects external to the hazard detector, and the smoke chamber may be configured to detect the presence of smoke to cause a triggering of the alarm device. The housing may comprise a volume of less than 1024 cubic centimeters.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to a photodiode-augmented infrared (IR) motion sensor are provided. The IR motion sensor can be used to sense mid-IR range radiation emitting from a person. Within the IR motion sensor, incident mid-IR range radiation impinges on an IR sensing element situated behind a Fresnel lens. Thus, when the person crosses a particular region in the range of the IR motion sensor, the IR sensing element detects a change in radiation signature, and can subsequently notify another system, such as a security system, of the change. The IR motion sensor also includes an ambient light-sensing element configured to provide information used to perform a quality check, such as to rule out “false positive” outputs, on information output from the IR sensing element.

Abstract: The various implementations described herein include methods, devices, and systems for determining locations of a plurality of electronic devices within a home. In one aspect, a method is performed at a computing system having one or more processors and memory. The method includes: (1) obtaining device identification information for a plurality of electronic devices; (2) broadcasting, via a standard wireless communication protocol, a request based on the device identification information that a particular electronic device of the plurality of electronic devices be enabled to transmit or reflect location information using a radar technique; (3) receiving a signal from the particular electronic device, the signal indicating a location of the particular electronic device using a radar technique; and (4) determining the location of the particular electronic device based on the received signal.

Abstract: The various implementations described herein include methods, devices, and systems for utilizing radar in smart devices. In one aspect, an electronic device includes: (1) circuit boards; (2) a housing encasing the circuit boards; (3) a communications module coupled to the circuit boards, including one or more antennas and configured for communicating with remote devices; (4) a radar module coupled to the circuit boards, configured for generating radar data for a home environment and including: (a) low power radar transmitters; and (b) radar receivers; (5) one or more processors mounted to one of the circuit boards, the processors configured to: (a) govern operation of the communications module and the radar module; (b) determine location and/or movement of detected objects in the home environment; and (c) detect anomalies associated with the detected objects; and (6) a power source coupled to the processors, the communications module, and the radar module.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a multi-sensing hazard detector for detecting potential dangers may include a back plate and a front casing that is coupled with the back plate to define a housing. A circuit board and a plurality of components may be positioned within the housing. The circuit board may be communicatively coupled with the components. The components may include, among other components, an alarm device, an occupancy sensor, and a smoke chamber. The alarm device may be activatable upon the detection of a potential hazard to warn an occupant of a potential danger, the occupancy sensor may be configured to detect the presence and/or movement of objects external to the hazard detector, and the smoke chamber may be configured to detect the presence of smoke to cause a triggering of the alarm device. The housing may comprise a volume of less than 1024 cubic centimeters.