Home network of connected consumer devices

Abstract

Connected consumer device systems are described. The consumer products associated with the systems can be powered or non-powered. The systems include one or more sensors to detect the state of the consumer product. An exemplary consumer product is designed to collect material and then be replaced once a desired amount of material is collected. The sensor is capable of detecting the existence and/or volume of material collected by the consumer product and is capable thereafter to communicate data to a hub and/or computing device. The communicated data can alert a consumer of a suggested action based on the data; for example, replace the consumer product as it has collected material. The communicated data can also trigger access to an e-commerce gateway to order more consumer products.

1 ) A connected consumer device system, comprising:
 a. a non-powered consumer product;   b. a sensor to detect a state of the consumer product, wherein the sensor comprises a communication module and is selected from the group comprising a motion sensor, an accelerometer, a VOC sensor, an odor sensor, a moisture sensor, and combinations thereof;   c. a hub comprising a room-transparent communication module; and   d. a computing device;   e. wherein the sensor, the hub, and the computing device are capable of wirelessly communicating with one another to indicate one or more actions to a user of the connected consumer device system based on the detected state of the consumer product.   
     
     
         2 ) The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises an accelerometer and a VOC sensor. 
     
     
         3 ) The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor communicates with the hub and/or computing device via IPv6. 
     
     
         4 ) The system of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless communicating is via an ad hoc mesh network. 
     
     
         5 ) The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a mesh network. 
     
     
         6 ) The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system can access an e-commerce gateway to order more consumer products. 
     
     
         7 ) A connected consumer device system, comprising:
 a. a non-powered consumer product;   b. a sensor to detect a state of the consumer product, wherein the sensor comprises a communication module and is selected from the group comprising a motion sensor, an accelerometer, a VOC sensor, an odor sensor, a moisture sensor, and combinations thereof; and   c. a hub comprising a room-transparent communication module;   d. wherein the sensor communicates data to the hub regarding the state of the consumer product; and   e. wherein the hub is capable of wirelessly communicating information regarding the state of the consumer product to a computing device accessible by a user of the connected consumer device system.   
     
     
         8 ) The system of  claim 7 , wherein the sensor comprises an accelerometer and a VOC sensor. 
     
     
         9 ) The system of  claim 7 , wherein the sensor communicates with the hub and/or computing device via IPv6. 
     
     
         10 ) The system of  claim 7 , wherein the wireless communicating is via an ad hoc mesh network. 
     
     
         11 ) The system of  claim 7 , further comprising a mesh network. 
     
     
         12 ) The system of  claim 7 , wherein the system can access an e-commerce gateway to order more consumer products. 
     
     
         13 ) A connected consumer device system, comprising:
 a. a non-powered and replaceable consumer product that collects material;   b. a sensor to detect a state of the consumer product, wherein the sensor comprises a communication module and is selected from the group comprising a VOC sensor, an odor sensor, a moisture sensor, and combinations thereof; and   c. a hub comprising a room-transparent communication module;   d. wherein the sensor communicates data to the hub regarding the state of the consumer product; and   e. wherein the hub communicates information to a user-accessible computing device regarding when the replaceable consumer product needs to be changed.   
     
     
         14 ) The system of  claim 13 , wherein the sensor comprises an accelerometer and a VOC sensor. 
     
     
         15 ) The system of  claim 13 , wherein the sensor communicates with the hub and/or computing device via IPv6. 
     
     
         16 ) The system of  claim 13 , wherein the wireless communicating is via an ad hoc mesh network. 
     
     
         17 ) The system of  claim 13 , further comprising a mesh network. 
     
     
         18 ) The system of  claim 13 , wherein the system can access an e-commerce gateway to order more consumer products. 
     
     
         19 ) A connected consumer device system, comprising:
 a. a consumer product;   b. a sensor to detect a state of the consumer product, the sensor comprising a communication module; and   c. a computing device;   d. wherein the sensor communicates to the computing device via protocol IPv6 to access an e-commerce gateway and enables ordering additional consumer products based on the detected state of the consumer product.