U.S. patent number RE38,069 [Application Number 09/532,850] was granted by the patent office on 2003-04-08 for electrical switched load relocation apparatus.
Invention is credited to John G. Posa.
United States Patent |
RE38,069 |
Posa |
April 8, 2003 |
Electrical switched load relocation apparatus
Abstract
A wireless transmitter associated with a switched electrical
connection and a receiver therefor, adapted for connection in an
electrical path between the source of power and a load, enables the
load to be controlled by the switch originally used to control the
switched electrical connection. The communication between the
transmitter and receiver may be realized only when power is applied
or removed from the switched connection, or, alternatively, this
communication may be carried out on a per-cycle basis, enabling a
phase-delay type of control over the relocated load, including
dimming of the relocated load without requiring modification to a
previously installed dimmer switch. The signal radiated by the
transmitter may be of acoustic or electromagnetic origin, though IR
transmissions are used in the preferred embodiment. The transmitter
module includes means for making electrical contact to a switched
electrical connection, and means for transmitting a wireless signal
in response to the application of electrical Dower to the switched
electrical connection, and the receiver module includes means for
making electrical contact to a source of electrical power, means
for making contact to an electrical load, and means for routing
electrical power from the source to the load in response to the
signal transmitted by the transmitter module. Exposed wires, plug-
and socket-type connections may be utilized as alternatives
depending upon physical implementation.
Inventors: |
Posa; John G. (Ann Arbor,
MI) |
Family
ID: |
24522890 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/532,850 |
Filed: |
March 21, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
Reissue of: |
629412 |
Apr 8, 1996 |
05731664 |
Mar 24, 1998 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
315/194; 307/140;
307/38; 315/158; 315/291; 315/DIG.4; 367/903; 340/12.22 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05B
47/19 (20200101); H04B 10/114 (20130101); H05B
39/088 (20130101); H05B 47/195 (20200101); Y10S
315/04 (20130101); Y10S 367/903 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H05B
39/00 (20060101); H04B 10/10 (20060101); H05B
39/08 (20060101); H04B 010/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;367/903
;315/291,149,194,DIG.4,158 ;340/825.72 ;307/116 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.: Decora Home Control Technical
Manual, Mar. 1994, Leviton Manufacturing Co. Inc. pp.
1-39..
|
Primary Examiner: Kinkead; Arnold
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Gifford, Krass, Groh, Sprinkle,
Anderson & Citkowski, PC
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. .[.Electrical.]. .Iadd.An electrical .Iaddend.switched-load
relocation apparatus adapted for use with an electrical connection,
controlled by a switch, a source of A.C. electrical power, and an
electrical load, comprising: a wireless transmitter module in
electrical communication with the electrical connection and the
source of A.C. electrical power, the transmitter module being
operative to radiate a remote-control signal on a per-cycle basis
when the electrical power is applied to the connection through the
switch; and a wireless receiver module physically separate from the
wireless transmitter module and disposed in an electrical path
between the source of A.C. electrical power and the electrical
load, the receiver being operative to route power from the source
to the load on a per-cycle basis in response to the remote-control
signal radiated by the transmitter, thereby enabling the switch to
control a relocated load on a delayed-phase basis.
2. The electrical switched-load relocation apparatus as .[.see.].
.Iadd.set .Iaddend.forth in claim 1, wherein the signal radiated by
the transmitter is an infrared signal.
3. The electrical switched-load relocation apparatus as set forth
in claim 1, wherein the signal radiated by the transmitter is an RF
signal.
4. The electrical switched-load relocation apparatus as set forth
in claim 1, wherein the signal radiated by the transmitter is an
acoustical signal.
5. The electrical switched-load relocation apparatus as set forth
in claim 1 including a switched electrical connection associated
with an electrical outlet located in the ceiling of a room.
6. The electrical switched-load relocation apparatus as set forth
in claim 1 including a switched electrical connection associated
with a wall outlet of a room.
7. A system for relocating a switched electrical connection,
comprising: a transmitter module, including: a threaded base for
making electrical contact to a switched electrical socket of the
type configured to receive a light bulb with treaded base, and
means other than the light bulb for transmitting a wireless signal
in response to the application of electrical power to the switched
electrical socket; and a receiver module, including: means for
making electrical contact to a source of electrical power, means
for making contact to an electrical load, and means for routing
electrical power from the source to the load in response to the
signal transmitted by the transmitter module.
8. The system as see forth in claim 7, wherein the transmitter
module further includes means for making electrical contact to an
electrical load which receives power in response to the application
of electrical power to the switched electrical connection.
9. The system as set forth in claim 7 wherein the means for making
electrical contact to a source of electrical power includes a set
of exposed wires adapted for connection to a corresponding set of
exposed wires.
10. The system as set forth in claim 7, wherein the means for
making electrical contact to a source of electrical power includes
a plug to be inserted into an electrical outlet.
11. The system as set forth in claim 7, wherein the means for
making electrical contact to a source of electrical power includes
a threaded base to be inserted into an electrical socket.
12. The system as set forth in claim 7, wherein the means for
making contact to an electrical load includes an electrical outlet
into which a load having a plug may be inserted.
13. The system as set forth in claim 7, wherein the means for
making contact to an electrical load includes an electrical socket
into which a load having a threaded base may be installed.
14. The system as set forth in claim 7, wherein the means for
transmitting a wireless signal in response to the application of
electrical power to the switched electrical connection and the
means for routing electrical power from the source to the load in
response to the wireless signal both function on a per-cycle basis
in conjunction with AC power, thereby permitting remote phase-angle
control..Iadd.
15. In an electrical circuit configuration wherein a source of AC
power is routed to an electrical outlet and to a first load
associated with a ceiling fixture controlled by a manually operated
switch, a method of controlling a second load at the outlet using
the switch, comprising the steps of: replacing the first load with
a wireless remote transmitter, the transmitter being operative to
radiate a control signal in accordance with the setting of the
manually operated switch; installing a wireless remote receiver at
the outlet, the receiver including an electrically operated switch
responsive to the control signal radiated by the transmitter;
connecting the second load to the receiver; and controlling the
second load using the manually operated switch..Iaddend..Iadd.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the control signal radiated by
the transmitter is an RF, infrared, or acoustical
signal..Iaddend..Iadd.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein the transmitter includes a
threaded base enabling the transmitter to be screwed into a
standard lamp socket..Iaddend..Iadd.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein the transmitter includes a set
of prongs enabling the transmitter to be plugged into standard wall
outlet..Iaddend..Iadd.
19. The method of claim 15, wherein second load is a light bulb,
and the receiver includes: a threaded base enabling the receiver to
be screwed into standard lamp socket; and a threaded receptacle to
receive the light bulb..Iaddend..Iadd.
20. The method of claim 15, wherein the receiver includes a set of
prongs enabling the receiver to be plugged into a standard wall
outlet..Iaddend..Iadd.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein the receiver includes an outlet
into which the second load can be plugged..Iaddend..Iadd.
22. In an electrical circuit configuration wherein a source of AC
power is routed to an electrical outlet and to a first load
controlled by a manually operated switch, a method of controlling a
second load at the outlet using the switch, comprising the steps
of: installing a wireless remote transmitter at the location of the
first load, the transmitter being operative to radiate a control
signal in accordance with the setting of the manually operated
switch; installing a wireless remote receiver at the outlet, the
receiver including an electrically operated switch responsive to
the control signal radiated by the transmitter; connecting the
second load to the receiver module; and dimming the second load
using the manually operated switch..Iaddend..Iadd.
23. In an electrical circuit configuration wherein a source of AC
power operating on a per-cycle basis is routed to an electrical
outlet and to a first load at a ceiling fixture controlled by a
manually operated switch, a method of controlling a second load at
the outlet using the switch, comprising the steps of: installing a
wireless remote transmitter at the ceiling fixture, the transmitter
being operative to radiate a control signal in accordance with the
setting of the manually operated switch; installing a wireless
remote receiver at the outlet, the receiver including an
electrically operated switch responsive to the control signal
radiated by the transmitter; connecting the second load to the
receiver module; and controlling the second load using the manually
operated switch..Iaddend..Iadd.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein the control signal radiated by
the transmitter is an RF, infrared, or acoustical
signal..Iaddend..Iadd.
25. The method of claim 23, wherein the step of installing the
transmitter replaces the first load..Iaddend..Iadd.
26. The method of claim 23, wherein the transmitter includes a
threaded base enabling the transmitter to be screwed into standard
lamp socket..Iaddend..Iadd.
27. The method of claim 23, wherein second load is a light bulb,
and the receiver includes: a threaded base enabling the receiver to
be screwed into standard lamp socket; and a threaded receptacle to
receive the light bulb..Iaddend..Iadd.
28. The method of claim 23, wherein the receiver includes a set of
prongs enabling the receiver to be plugged into standard wall
outlet..Iaddend..Iadd.
29. The method of claim 28, wherein the receiver includes an outlet
into which the second load can be plugged..Iaddend..Iadd.
30. The method of claim 28, wherein the second load is controlled
on a per-cycle basis..Iaddend..Iadd.
31. In an electrical circuit configuration wherein a source of AC
power operating on a per-cycle basis is routed to a fixture and to
a first load, the first load being controlled by a manually
operated switch, a method of controlling a second load at the
fixture, comprising the steps of: installing a wireless remote
transmitter at the first load, the transmitter being operative to
radiate a control signal in accordance with the setting of the
manually operated switch; installing a wireless remote receiver at
the fixture, the receiver including an electrically operated switch
responsive to the control signal radiated by the transmitter;
connecting the second load to the receiver module; and controlling
the second load using the manually operated
switch..Iaddend..Iadd.
32. The method of claim 31, wherein the control signal radiated by
the transmitter is an RF, infrared, or acoustical
signal..Iaddend..Iadd.
33. The method of claim 31, wherein the step of installing the
transmitter replaces the first load..Iaddend..Iadd.
34. The method of claim 31, wherein the transmitter includes a
threaded base enabling the transmitter to be screwed into a
threaded socket..Iaddend..Iadd.
35. The method of claim 31, wherein second load is a light bulb,
and the receiver includes: a threaded base enabling the receiver to
be screwed into a threaded socket; and a threaded receptacle to
receive the light bulb..Iaddend.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to electrical switching and
control, and, more particularly, to apparatus enabling an
electrically switched load, including a load operated using a
dimmer function, to be relocated to another location where power is
available.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The rooms in many homes are illuminated with ceiling lights, which
are efficient in terms of coverage, but often cast harsh shadows or
make the room seem small. Often times rooms can be made more
appealing with floor or table lamps used to create particular
functional areas or moods. Accordingly, some homes are built in
such a way than when one enters a room and turns on the
lightswitch, a wall outlet is powered at the same time or instead
of a ceiling fixture, enabling the lightswitch to control a floor
or table lamp for a higher degree of ambiance.
Unless the structure is already wired to switch a wall outlet upon
entry into a particular room, the options for utilizing floor or
table lamps instead of overhead fixtures are limited or difficult
to implement. Often the resident simply turns on the overhead lamp,
and uses the light produced to switch on one or more floor or table
lamps, then, using the light which they provide, go back and turn
off the overhead lamp. Although this is inconvenient, it produces
the desired effect. Alternatively, the homeowner can have
particular rooms rewired for switched wall outlets, but this
necessitates a great degree of inconvenience and expense. Thus, an
economical, easily implemented mechanism for relocating a switched
electrical connection, such as a ceiling outlet, to a wall outlet,
would therefore be welcomed by numerous homeowners, home builders,
architects, interior decorators, and others.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a wireless transmitter associated
with a switched electrical connection, and a receiver adapted for
connection in an electrical path between the source of power and a
load, enabling the load to be controlled by the switch originally
used to control the switched electrical connection. The
communication between the transmitter and receiver may be realized
only when power is applied or removed from the switched connection,
or, alternatively, this communication may be carried out on a
per-cycle basis, enabling a phase-delay type of control over the
relocated load, including dimming of the relocated load without
requiring modification to a previously installed dimmer switch.
Electrical switched-load relocation apparatus according to the
invention includes a transmitter module in electrical communication
with the switched electrical connection, the transmitter module
being operative to radiate a signal when electrical power is
applied to tile connection, and a receive module disposed in an
electrical path between a source of electrical power and an
electrical load, the receiver being operative to route power from
the source to the load in response to the signal radiated by the
transmitter. The signal radiated by the transmitter may be of
acoustic or electro-magnetic origin.
More particularly, the transmitter module includes means for making
electrical contact to a switched electrical connection, and means
for transmitting a wireless signal in response to the application
of electrical power to the switched electrical connection, and the
receiver module includes means for making electrical contact to a
source of electrical power, means for making contact to an
electrical load, and means for routing electrical power from the
source to the load in response to the signal transmitted by the
transmitter module. The means for making electrical contact to the
switched electrical connection may take on many forms, including a
set of exposed wires, a plug to be inserted into a switched
electrical outlet, or a threaded base to be inserted into a
switched electrical socket. The means for making electrical contact
to a source of electrical power may adopt many forms as well,
including a see of exposed wires, a plug to be inserted into an
electrical outlet, a threaded base to be inserted into an
electrical socket. The means for making contact to an electrical
load may includes an electrical outlet into which a load having a
plug may be inserted or an electrical socket into which a load
having a threaded base may be installed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a room illustrating
physical implementations which the present invention may
assume;
FIG. 2A is an electrical block diagram of a transmitter module
according to the invention which does not function on a per-cycle
basis;
FIG. 2B is an electrical block diagram of a receiver module
responsive to the transmitter depicted in FIG. 2A;
FIG. 3A is an electrical block diagram of a transmitter module
capable of communicating a control signal on a per-cycle basis;
and
FIG. 3B is an electrical block diagram of a receiver module
responsive to the transmitter module of FIG. 3A, thereby
accommodating a relocated load which benefits from a dimmer
function.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The present invention provides a wireless transmitter associated
with a switched electrical connection, and a receiver adapted for
connection in an electrical path between the source of power and a
load, enabling the load to be controlled by the switched originally
used to control the switched electrical connection. The
communication between the transmitter and receiver may be realized
only when power is applied or removed from the switched connection,
or, alternatively, such communication may be carried out on a
per-cycle basis, enabling a phase-delay type of control over the
relocated load, including dimming of the relocated load without
requiring modification to a previously installed dimmer switch.
Various techniques will further be disclosed to ensure that a
particular transmitter reliably activates only one or a given set
of receivers, including physical directioning and encoded
addressing schemes between matched transmitters and receivers.
The signal between the transmitter and receiver may be optical,
acoustical or RF in nature, though, in the preferred embodiment and
for reasons of reduced cost and component availability, infrared
(IR) transmissions are used. However, it should be clear to one of
skill in the art that the IR transmitters and receivers of this
invention may be replaced straightforwardly with other wireless
communication forms, such as acoustic, including supersonic, RF,
and so forth. The choice to use infrared is primarily based upon
the availability of inexpensive transducers, both as transmitters
and receivers. Realization of the invention utilizing acoustical
transducers or RF transmitters and receivers, though possible,
would be more expensive to implement or present other hurdles, such
as the need for FCC certification, and so forth.
FIG. 1 shows a number of ways in which the invention may be
physically implemented to meet the needs of a wide range of
applications. The transmitter module may be installed either in a
ceiling fixture or in an existing switched wall outlet or lamp
socket using a variety of convenient installation mechanisms. With
regard to ceiling installation, a previously installed ceiling
light fixture 110 may simply be removed and a new fixture 112
according to he invention including an infrared transmitter LED 114
may be installed in its place. The infrared LED 114 is preferably
supported on a rotating turret 116, enabling the device to be
"aimed" no the location of a particular receiver.
As one alternate to the replacement of the ceiling fixture 110, the
fixture may be kept in place, bum with one or more of the bulbs 120
being removed to install instead, one or more transmitter modules
122, each having a threaded base end 123 and a transmitter end 125.
As a further alternative, a module 128 according to the invention
may include a threaded end 129 and a threaded socket into which a
bulb 130 may be inserted. In this case, the module 128 may have one
or more transmitter boards 132 spaced about the outer side wall of
the device between the threaded base 129 and socket containing bulb
130. Utilizing this particular embodiment, when the ceiling fixture
is electrically activated, both the transmitter within module 128
and bulb 130 will be powered, enabling a remote load to be switched
simultaneously with the bulb 130. As yet a further alternative
implementation of this particular embodiment, the receiver,
discussed below, may simply be designed to be responsive to the
light produced by a "master" bulb, particularly incandescent,
enabling the remote load to function as a "slave" without the need
for a transmitter of specialized radiation.
Instead of ceiling installation, the transmitter module according
to the invention may be adapted for wall installation, either as a
plug-in type unit 140, which simply plugs into a standard outlet
142 shrouded with a cover plate 144. Alternatively, the receptacle
containing outlet 142 and cover plate 144 may be removed, and a
transmitter module 150 may instead be installed for a more
permanent replacement of the receptacle. Such a permanent
replacement may be advantageous, for example, in using the
invention to relocate a switched outlet to a different outlet less
accessible to small children.
The receiver module of this invention may also take on various
physical configurations, including a module 160 having an end with
prongs 162 adapted for installation into a standard receptacle 164,
and a second end 126 into which a plug 168 may be inserted. The
actual receiver transducer 170 is shown exposed on an upper surface
of the body of the module 160. As with the transmitter module, as
an alternate to a plug-in type of unit the receptacle assembly and
cover plate may be removed and replaced with a unit such as that
depicted at 172 having a receiver transducer 174 which controls a
receptacle 176 in accordance with a signal transmitted by the
receiver, as will be discussed below.
Other alternative physical configurations for the receiver further
exist, including that depicted by module 180, which has a threaded
end 182 adapted to screw into a fixture 184 such as a lamp fixture,
and another end 186 having a socket into which a load may be
installed, such as lightbulb 188. In this case, one or more
receiver transducers 190 would be positioned outside the body of
the module 180, as shown. With this particular configuration, and
using a lamp as an example, the lamp would be plugged into the wall
and turned on with switch 192 with the module 180 and bulb 188 in
place. Although the lamp is turned on with switch 192, the bulb
will remain off until controlled in accordance with the signal from
one or more of the transmitters described herein.
In the preferred embodiment, the transmitter takes the form of a
screw-in type unit such as module 122, and the receiver takes the
form of module such as 160 having male and female prongs. This is
the preferred embodiment since it enables the consumer to very
easily install both the transmitter and receiver without the use of
any specialized tools, and without the need to remove power, for
example, by opening a circuit breaker. Using this physical
configuration as an example, the operation of the invention is
briefly described as follows. When an individual enters the room
and activates the switch 199, power is applied to the overhead
outlet. Assuming all ceiling-mounted lights have been removed, and
that aa lease one module 122 has been inserted into a socket
associated with the ceiling fixture, the switched power is not
applied to a large load, but is instead applied to the transmitter
module electronics contained within the unit 122. Application of
power to this unit causes a wireless signal to be radiated through
transducer 125 which is sensed by pick up 170 and the module 160.
Assuming the module 160 has been inserted into a standard wall
outlet wherein power is continuously available, the electronics
contained in the module 160 is continuously ready to receive such a
transmitted signal. Assuming a lamp having a bulb inserted there
into and having been previously switched on, is plugged into the
end 166 of the module 160, electronics within the module 160
further route power from the outlet to the line cord of the lamp
through receiver module electronics, in response to the received
signal, causing the lamp to turn on. Thus, a switched load, in this
case, a lightbulb, has been effectively relocated using the
invention. It should be understood than any type of electrical load
may be relocated in a similar manner utilizing the appropriate set
of transmitter and receiver modules.
As with physical configuration, the electronics associated with
both the transmitter and receiver modules of this invention may
also take on various electrical circuit configurations, depending
upon whether a single pulse or signal is transmitted only during
actual switching by a user, or whether signal transmission occurs
on a per-cycle basis, thereby accommodating the relocation of a
phase delay load such as a light dimmer. Additionally, order to
ensure that a transmitter in one area does not falsely trigger the
wrong receiver, mechanical and/or electrical or optical
considerations may be added to ensure proper receiver addressing
and/or activation.
FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a transmitter/receiver which is not
based upon per-cycle communication but, instead, involves a single
communication when the load is switched on and a single
communication when the load is switched off. A transmitter module
respecting this embodiment is shown in FIG. 2A, having means 202
adapted for connection to a switched connection as described above
with regard to physical configurations, a power supply 204 and a
pulse generator 206 driving, in this case, an infrared light
emitting diode 208. While operate the transmitter so as to
continuously output a signal or stream of pulses from the IR diode
208 using pulse generator 206, to conserve power and prolong the
life of the components involved, it may be advantageous to send out
a single pulse or stream of pulses when the connection is initially
switched, and a second pulse or stream of pulses when turned off.
Thus, in terms of circuitry power supply 204 may be implemented
using a variety of circuit techniques familiar to one of skill in
electrical engineering, depending upon the sophistication of pulse
generator 206. As examples, in the event pulse generator 206 is
called upon to transmit but a single pulse upon power-up and
power-down, power supply 204 may not provide direct current
continuously in a traditional sense, but rather, may simply include
appropriate capacitors and triggers such as zener diodes and/or
power transistors to activate the transducer actually responsible
for pulse transmission. In this simplified case, then, the
functions of power supply 204 and pulse generator 206 may
effectively be combined.
If, however, pulse generator 206 is used to generate a series of
pulses and, in particular, if such pulses are to be encoded in some
fashion as described below, pulse generator 206 may be much more
sophisticated and may include a programmable device such as a
single-chip microcomputer, or the like. In this case, then, power
supply 204 may be more traditional in that it will generate a
continuous DC. In preferred implementations of this embodiment, in
lieu of more expensive components such as transformers, a
single-chip voltage regulator including power MOSFETs is utilized
to facilitate direct connection to the AC line.
As mentioned, if a stream of pulses are utilized, upon
initialization, such pulses may also conveniently be used to encode
an address for a particular receiver. In this case the circuitry
involved would be somewhat more sophisticated, and may include the
use of a single-chip microcomputer of conventional design having
one or more inputs such as switches to encode address programming.
Although not shown, since the transmitter is associated with a
switched connection, circuitry may further be provided to delay the
activation of the various circuits shown in the figures until the
voltage level from the power supply 204 has stabilized.
FIG. 2B illustrates one embodiment of a receiver operative to
activate a load in accordance with a signal radiated by the
transmitter of FIG. 2A. Broadly, the receiver of FIG. 2B includes
means 250 for making connection to a source of power as described
earlier with reference to FIG. 1, and a power supply 252. As with
the power supply 204 associated with the transmitter of FIG. 2A, it
will be appreciated by those involved with circuit design that
single-chip power supplies are now available which may make direct
connection no higher-voltage input sources, including such direct
connection no an AC line.
The output of the power supply 252 is fed to a receiver circuit 254
coupled to an infrared detector 256 and the output of the receiver
254 is used to drive an AC switch such as a triac 268 through a
gating circuit 258. The output of the switch 268 is further coupled
to means 270 for making connection to a load, which may be of any
of the types described earlier with reference to FIG. 1. Note that
since the switched load is in parallel with the power supply 252,
power will remain imposed upon the supply even in the event that
switch 268 has routed power to the load through means 270, thereby
enabling the receiver 254 to continue to watch for an "off" pulse
from the transmitter even while the load is "on".
The receiver 254 may be implemented in various ways, depending upon
whether the transmitter utilizes single on/off activation or a
stream of pulses. In the event of a single-pulse approach, the
receiver 254 will preferably include some means for alternating
between on and off activation, such as a simple flip flop gated by
the receipt of a transmitted IR pulse. In the event that a data
stream is utilized with receiver addressing, functional block 254
will represent more sophisticated logic circuitry such as a
single-chip microcomputer of conventional design, including input
means for setting a correct address for the receipt of an
appropriate pulse train.
FIG. 3 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the invention,
wherein the transmitter and receiver are both able to accommodate a
phase-delay type of activation, thereby permitting the use of a
relocated dimmer switching function. FIG. 3A illustrates a
transmitter for this embodiment, whereas FIG. 3B presents a
schematic diagram for a corresponding receiver. The transmitter of
FIG. 3A, includes means 302 for making connection to a switched
electrical outlet as described previously with respect to FIG. 1,
and means 304 for rectifying the signal if in AC form, such as a
full-wave bridge, as shown. Trigger circuit 307 provides a pulse to
infrared diode 320, thus radiating a wireless signal, when the
input voltage exceeds a threshold indicating turn-on. In the event
that the application of power is delayed by phase angle .alpha. due
to the attachment of a dimmer at connection means 302, the
transmitter of FIG. 3A responds to this condition, and simply
delays the turn-on of IR diode 320 in accordance with this phase
angle.
The receiver for this embodiment, shown in FIG. 3B, includes means
350 for making attachment to a source of power, and a circuit 357
providing bias to IR receiver 364. Upon receipt of an infrared
pulse, detector device 364 switches on, causing the gating of a
switch, preferably triac 380, thereby activating the load through
connection means 386. A gating circuit 372 including a DIAC,
example, may be included in the circuit for reliable performance.
Since the load through connection means 386 and the pulse receiving
components just described are in parallel with the source of power
through means 350, as with the circuit of FIG. 2, subsequent pulses
may be received to continue the operation of the circuit, including
transmissions associated with phase-delay switching. Even though
the transmitter and receiver are remotely disposed within a room,
assuming the relocated load is not extremely inductive or
capacitive in nature, zero crossing of the AC wave should be
consistent between the two locations to afford this remote dimming
function.
* * * * *