ELECTRICAL FIXTURE FACE PLATE AND COMMUNICATION COVER

• US 20090025955A1
• Filed: 01/22/2008
• Published: 01/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/1995
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Theodore Mcbain
• Original Assignee: Theodore Mcbain
• Inventors: McBain, Theodore
• Application Number:
  US12/017,523
• Publication Number:
  US 20090025955A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 174/67
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/443 Dummy plugs
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/447 Shutter or cover plate
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/453 Shutter or cover plate opened by engagement of counterpart
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/06 Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/14 Fastening of cover or lid to box

Abstract

An electrical fixture faceplate that has illumination functionality is disclosed. The faceplate may be associated with various electrical fixtures such as a receptacle or switch. The faceplate may be illuminated by a lighting device associated or incorporated with the faceplate. The lighting device may further comprise an LED, neon, chemiluminescent material or combinations thereof to provide illumination of the faceplate.

Claims

1. An electrical fixture faceplate comprising:

a faceplate made of an electrically insulating material, the faceplate substantially shaped to fit around at least one electrical fixture;

at least one electrical component associated with the faceplate, the at least one electrical component operatively coupled with at least one receiver;

at least one wire operatively coupled to the at least one electrical fixture and the at least one receiver, wherein the at least one wire provides electrical power to the at least one electrical fixture and provides bi-directional signal transmission to the at least one receiver to operate the at least one electrical component.

2. The faceplate in accordance with claim 1, wherein the faceplate comprises a camera and a motion sensor, the camera configured to capture at least one image and being activated by a signal from the motion sensor, wherein the at least one image is transmitted over the at least one wire.

3. The faceplate in accordance with claim 1, wherein the faceplate comprises a camera and a timer, the camera activated by a signal from the timer and images captured by the camera are transmitted over the at least one wire to a computer.

4. The faceplate in accordance with claim 3, wherein the camera is activated at a predetermined time interval.

5. The faceplate in accordance with claim 4, wherein the predetermined time interval is random.

6. The faceplate in accordance with claim 2, wherein camera is activated by a main computer.

7. The faceplate in accordance with claim 1, wherein the electrical component is controlled by a computer using signals transmitted over the at least one wire.

8. The faceplate in accordance with claim 1, wherein the electrical component comprises an output port, the output port operatively coupled to the receiver, wherein the output port provides external access to signals transmitted over the at least one wire.

9. The faceplate in accordance with claim 8, wherein the output port and the receiver are configured to provide video signals.

10. The faceplate in accordance with claim 8, wherein the output port and the receiver are configured to provide audio signals.

11. The faceplate in accordance with claim 8, wherein the output port and the receiver are configured to provide data signals.

12. The faceplate in accordance with claim 8, wherein the output port is operatively coupled with a computer.

13. An electrical fixture faceplate comprising:

a faceplate made of an electrically insulating material, the faceplate substantially shaped to fit around at least one electrical fixture;

at least one optional component associated with the faceplate, the at least one optional component operatively coupled with at least one digital code receiver;

at least one conductor operatively coupled to the at least one electrical fixture and the at least one digital code receiver, wherein the at least one conductor provides electrical power to the at least one electrical fixture and provides bi-directional signal transmission to the at least one digital code receiver to operate the at least one optional component.

14. The faceplate in accordance with claim 13, wherein the faceplate comprises a camera and a motion sensor, the camera configured to capture at least one image and being activated by a signal from the motion sensor, wherein the at least one image is transmitted over the at least one conductor to a computer.

15. The faceplate in accordance with claim 13, wherein the faceplate comprises a camera and a timer, the camera activated by a signal from the timer and images captured by the camera are transmitted over the at least one conductor to a computer.

16. The faceplate in accordance with claim 15, wherein the camera is activated at a predetermined time interval.

17. The faceplate in accordance with claim 16, wherein the predetermined time interval is random.

18. The faceplate in accordance with claim 14, wherein camera is activated by a computer.

19. The faceplate in accordance with claim 13, wherein the optional component is controlled by a computer using signals transmitted over the at least one conductor.

20. The faceplate in accordance with claim 13, wherein the optional component comprises an output port, the output port operatively coupled to the digital code receiver, wherein the output port provides external access to signals transmitted over the at least one conductor.

21. The faceplate in accordance with claim 20, wherein the output port and the digital code receiver are configured to provide video signals.

22. The faceplate in accordance with claim 20, wherein the output port and the digital code receiver are configured to provide audio signals.

23. The faceplate in accordance with claim 20, wherein the output port and the digital code receiver are configured to provide data signals.

24. The faceplate in accordance with claim 20, wherein the output port is operatively coupled with a computer.