Wireless in-line low-voltage controller

• US 20040100151A1
• Filed: 10/30/2003
• Published: 05/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Brain John Smyth
• Original Assignee: Brain John Smyth
• Inventors: Smyth, Brain John
• Application Number:
  US10/696,363
• Publication Number:
  US 20040100151A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/139
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link

Abstract

A transmitter (20,21), that may be hand-held, transmits radio frequency signals to a receiver within a low-voltage controller device (31, 32, 33, 34, 35). This controller device is installed in-line with the low-voltage power source (22, 23, 24, 25), and the low-voltage load (26, 27, 28, 29, 30). The system allows the user to remotely switch on and off individual controller devices, or a plurality of controller devices depending the address assigned at the transmitter and receiver. One aspect of the device is that it is installed in the low-voltage line, and therefore allows the user a more versatile control system than other devices.

Claims

1. A method of remotely switching on and off low-voltage electrical power provided to a single low-voltage load or a plurality of low-voltage loads comprising an electrical circuit connected between the low-voltage power supply, or secondary side of a transformer providing low-voltage power, and the low-voltage load, that switches power downstream of the circuit on and off using a remote radio frequency transmitter.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the switching device can be assigned an address, that may be unique, such that with a single radio frequency transmitter the user can switch on and off one, or a plurality, of switching devices.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the switching device is powered by the low-voltage power supply.

4. An in-line low-voltage electrical circuit according to claim 1 comprising:

a. means of switching the low-voltage power downstream of the electrical circuit on and off;

b. means of receiving and decoding a radio frequency control signal transmitted from a remote source, which may be a hand-held transmitter.

5. An in-line low-voltage electrical circuit according to claim 4 wherein the circuit comprises a means of being assigned an address, that may be unique, such that with a single radio frequency transmitter the user can switch on and off the low-voltage power downstream of one, or a plurality of such circuits.

6. An in-line low-voltage electrical circuit according to claim 5 wherein the circuit is powered by the low-voltage power supply.

7. An in-line low-voltage electrical circuit according to claim 6 wherein the switching portion of the circuit latches in the on or off position.

8. An in-line low-voltage electrical circuit according to claim 7 wherein the switching portion of the circuit remains latched in the on or off position even if the low-voltage power supply is interrupted;

the circuit may also accomplish this by returning to the previous on or off position once the low-voltage power is restored.