Lighting device cover with built-in antenna

• US 10,374,303 B1
• Filed: 06/20/2017
• Issued: 08/06/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Signify Holding B.V. (Signify N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Matute, Leonardo Enrique
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Graham P
• Application Number:
  US15/628,459
• Time in Patent Office: 777 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/22 by structural association with other equipment or articles
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/36 Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; Particular materials used therewithH01Q1/08, H01Q1/14 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/44 using equipment having another main function to serve additionally as an antenna , e.g. means for giving an antenna an aesthetic aspectH01Q1/27 - H01Q1/34 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/28 Combinations of substantially independent non-interacting antenna units or systems multiple beam H01Q25/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/30 Combinations of separate antenna units operating in different wavebands and connected to a common feeder system
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/42 with folded element, the folded parts being spaced apart a small fraction of the operating wavelength

Abstract

A faceplate of a lighting device includes a base plate having a front surface and a back surface. The back surface is on an opposite side of the front surface. The faceplate further includes an antenna formed in the back surface of the faceplate. The antenna is exposed on the back surface of the faceplate.

Claims

1. A faceplate of a lighting device, comprising:

a base plate having a front surface and a back surface, wherein the back surface is on an opposite side of the front surface; and

an antenna formed in the back surface, wherein the antenna is exposed on the back surface of the faceplate.

2. The faceplate of claim 1, further comprising a contact pad coupled to the antenna, wherein the contact pad is positioned to make an electrical contact with a pad or a pin extending from a printed circuit board.

3. The faceplate of claim 1, further comprising an electrical wire coupled to and extending from the antenna.

4. The faceplate of claim 1, wherein the faceplate is made from plastic.

5. The faceplate of claim 4, wherein the antenna is made from copper.

6. The faceplate of claim 1, wherein an opening is formed in the base plate.

7. The faceplate of claim 6, where the faceplate is a cover of a dimmer or a cover of a light switch.

8. The faceplate of claim 6, where the faceplate is a cover of a power outlet.

9. The faceplate of claim 1, where the faceplate is an end cap or a trim of a lighting fixture.

10. A faceplate of a lighting device, comprising:

a base plate having a front surface, a back surface, and an opening through the base plate, wherein the back surface is on an opposite side of the front surface;

a first antenna formed in the back surface, wherein the first antenna is exposed on the back surface of the faceplate; and

a second antenna formed in the back surface, wherein the second antenna is exposed on the back surface of the faceplate.

11. The faceplate of claim 10, further comprising a first contact pad coupled to the first antenna, a second contact pad coupled to the second antenna, wherein each contact pad is positioned to make electrical contacts with a respective pad or pin extending from a printed circuit board.

12. The faceplate of claim 10, where the faceplate is an end cap or a trim of a lighting fixture.

13. The faceplate of claim 10, wherein the faceplate is made from plastic, and wherein the antenna is made from copper.

14. The faceplate of claim 10, wherein an opening is formed in the base plate.

15. The faceplate of claim 14, where the faceplate is a cover of a dimmer, a cover of a light switch, or a cover of a power outlet.

16. A lighting device, comprising:

a wireless transceiver; and

a faceplate, comprising;

a base plate having a front surface and a back surface, wherein the back surface is on an opposite side of the front surface; and

an antenna formed in the back surface, wherein the antenna is exposed on the back surface of the faceplate and wherein the antenna is electrically coupled to the wireless transceiver.

17. The lighting device of claim 16, further comprising a second antenna formed in the back surface, wherein the second antenna is exposed on the back surface of the faceplate.

18. The lighting device of claim 17, further comprising an electrical component that analyzes an electrical signal from each of the first antenna and the second antenna to determine a direction or location of a transmitting device that transmits a wireless signal received by the first antenna and the second antenna.

19. The lighting device of claim 16, wherein the lighting device is a lighting switch, a dimmer, a power outlet, or a wallstation.

20. The lighting device of claim 16, wherein the lighting device is a lighting fixture and wherein the faceplate is an end cap or a trim.