Conformal repeater unit

• US 20060208877A1
• Filed: 05/02/2006
• Published: 09/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Lawrence Kates
• Inventors: Kates, Lawrence
• Granted Patent: US 7,403,097 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.100
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/009 Signalling of the alarm condition to a substation whose identity is signalled to a central station, e.g. relaying alarm signals in order to extend communication range
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/40 Remote control systems using repeaters, converters, gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission

Abstract

A signal repeater for receiving and re-transmitting signals from environmental transducers and the like, and for mechanically and electrically cooperating with existing electrically powered fixtures. More particularly, the present invention includes a housing unit for mechanically and electrically coupling to the powered fixture, a transceiver unit, and a first power supply electrically connected to the transceiver circuit and housed by the housing unit. The repeater is adapted to maintain the functionality of the fixture.

Claims

1. A repeater, comprising:

a transceiver unit;

a rechargeable power supply electrically provided to said transceiver unit; and

a housing unit for housing said transceiver and said rechargeable power supply, said housing including a lamp base, wherein an electrical connection is provided from said lamp base to a light socket such that said light socket receives electrical power from said lamp base, said light socket disposed at a base of a cavity in said housing, said cavity configured to receive at least a portion of a light bulb, said housing unit configured to reduce a distance between said lamp base and said light socket by disposing at least a portion of said rechargeable power supply beside said cavity.

2. The repeater of claim 1, wherein said rechargeable power supply is provided to said lamp base.

3. The repeater of claim 1, further comprising a heat shield disposed in said cavity.

4. The repeater of claim 1, wherein said rechargeable power supply comprises one or more rechargeable batteries.

5. The repeater of claim 1, wherein a shape of said housing is substantially conformal to at least a portion of a light bulb.

6. The repeater of claim 1, wherein said transceiver is powered by electrical power from said lamp base when said lamp base receives electrical power.

7. The repeater of claim 1, wherein said transceiver is powered by electrical power from said rechargeable power supply when electrical power is not available from said lamp base.

8. The repeater of claim 1, wherein said rechargeable power supply is recharged by at least a portion of electrical power provided to said lamp base.

9. The repeater of claim 1, wherein said transceiver unit receives a signal from at least one transducer and re-transmits said signal to a base station.

10. The repeater of claim 1, wherein said lamp base comprises a candelabra lamp base.

11. The repeater of claim 1, wherein said cavity is configured to receive at least a portion of an R30 type bulb.

12. A repeater, comprising:

a transceiver unit;

a rechargeable power supply electrically provided to said transceiver unit; and

a housing unit for housing said transceiver and said rechargeable power supply, said housing including at least one standard electrical power plug configured to plug into a standard wall outlet, wherein an electrical connection is provided from said at least one plug to at least one standard electrical socket, and wherein said rechargeable power supply is provided to said plug.

13. The repeater of claim 12, wherein said rechargeable power supply comprises one or more rechargeable batteries.

14. The repeater of claim 12, wherein said transceiver is powered by electrical power from said plug when said plug receives electrical power.

15. The repeater of claim 12, wherein said transceiver is powered by electrical power from said rechargeable power supply when electrical power is not available from said plug.

16. The repeater of claim 12, wherein said rechargeable power supply is recharged by at least a portion of electrical power provided to said plug.

17. The repeater of claim 12, wherein said transceiver unit receives a signal from at least one transducer and re-transmits said signal to a base station.