Infrared sensor unit for controlling operation of electrically powered appliances

• US 20060169903A1
• Filed: 03/28/2006
• Published: 08/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: M. Group Corporation
• Original Assignee: M. Group Corporation
• Inventors: Mahvi, Ali Pascal
• Application Number:
  US11/390,867
• Publication Number:
  US 20060169903A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/338.300
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/941 using an optical detector H03K17/968 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/94106 Passive activation of light sensor, e.g. by ambient light

Abstract

There is provided an infrared sensor unit for deactivating an electrical appliance when left unattended by its user. The sensor unit includes a passive infrared sensor for sensing the user through a field of infrared light provided within a viewable distance of the electrical appliance. An adjustable timer is in electrical communication with the passive infrared sensor for counting toward a predetermined amount of time when the user is not sensed within the field of infrared light. The sensor unit further includes a controller device which is in electrical communication with the adjustable timer for deactivating the electrical appliance upon reaching the predetermined amount of time.

Claims

1. A sensor unit for deactivating an electrical appliance when left unattended by a user, the sensor unit comprising:

a passive infrared sensor for sensing the user through a field of infrared light provided within a viewable distance of the electrical appliance;

an adjustable timer in electrical communication with the passive infrared sensor for counting toward a predetermined amount of time when the user is not sensed within the field of infrared light;

a controller device being in electrical communication with the adjustable timer and the electrical appliance, the controller being operative to deactivate the electrical appliance upon the adjustable timer reaching the predetermined amount of time; and

a voice command module being operative to receive a command from the user, the voice command module being in communication with the electrical appliance to transmit the command to the electrical appliance, the electrical appliance performing a given operation in response to the command, the given operation including deactivation of the appliance the given operation being performed independently of the adjustable timer.

2. The sensor unit of claim 1 wherein the passive infrared sensor senses a change in motion of the user within the field of infrared light.

3. The sensor unit of claim 2 wherein the adjustable timer counts toward the predetermined amount of time when the passive infrared sensor fails to sense the change in motion of the user.

4. The sensor unit of claim 3 wherein the adjustable timer recounts the predetermined amount of time when the passive infrared sensor senses the change in motion of the user.

5. The sensor unit of claim 1 wherein the passive infrared sensor senses a change in heat generating from a body temperature of the user within the field of infrared light.

6. The sensor unit of claim 5 wherein the adjustable timer counts toward the predetermined amount of time when the passive infrared sensor fails to sense heat generating from the body temperature of the user.

7. The sensor unit of claim 5 wherein the adjustable timer counts toward the predetermined amount of time when the passive infrared sensor fails to sense the change in heat generating from the body temperature of the user.

8. The sensor unit of claim 5 wherein the adjustable timer recounts the predetermined amount of time when the passive infrared sensor senses the change in heat generating from the body temperature of the user.

9. The sensor unit of claim 5 further comprising an aperture device for closing the passive infrared sensor from heat generated from the body temperature of the user.

12. The sensor unit of claim 1 wherein the controller device terminates power to the electrical appliance upon reaching the predetermined amount of time.

13. The sensor unit of claim 1 wherein the controller device interrupts power to the electrical appliance upon reaching the predetermined amount of time.

14. The sensor unit of claim 1 wherein the controller device is in a wired communication with the electrical appliance.

15. The sensor unit of claim 14 wherein the controller device is a power delivery circuit with a power termination/interruption switch.

16. The sensor unit of claim 1 wherein the controller device is in a wireless communication with the electrical appliance.

17. The sensor unit of claim 16 wherein the controller device is a radiofrequency remote control transmitter with a power termination/interruption switch.

18. The sensor unit of claim 16 wherein the controller device is an infrared remote control transmitter with a power termination/interruption switch.

20. The sensor unit of claim 1 wherein the voice command module is a single-chip voice synthesizer LSI.

21. The sensor unit of claim 1 wherein the given operation includes changing a channel of the appliance.

22. The sensor unit of claim 21 wherein the electrical appliance is a television set.

10. (canceled)

11. (canceled)

19. (canceled)

23. An infrared sensor unit for controlling an operation of an electrical appliance by a user, the sensor unit comprising:

a passive infrared sensor for sensing the user through a field of infrared light provided within a viewable distance of the electrical appliance;

an aperture device disposed on the passive infrared sensor, the aperture device being operative to close the passive infrared sensor from heat generated from the body temperature of the user;

an adjustable timer in electrical communication with the passive infrared sensor for counting toward a predetermined amount of time when the user is not sensed within the field of infrared light;

a controller device being in electrical communication with the adjustable timer and in wireless communication with the electrical appliance, the controller being operative to deactivate the electrical appliance upon the adjustable timer reaching the predetermined amount of time; and

a voice command module being operative to receive a command from the user, the voice command module being in communication with the electrical appliance to transmit the command to the electrical appliance, the electrical appliance performing a given operation in response to the command, the given operation including deactivation of the appliance, the given operation being performed independently of the adjustable timer.

24. A method of controlling a given operation of an electrical appliance utilizing an infrared sensor unit, the method comprising:

receiving a command from the user utilizing a voice command module of the infrared sensor unit, the voice command module being in communication with the electrical appliance;

transmitting the command from the voice command module to the electrical appliance; and

performing the given operation of the electrical appliance in response to the command, the given operation including deactivating the appliance.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the given operation includes changing a channel of the appliance.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the electrical appliance is a television set.