System and Method for Transmitting Signals To An Appliance

• US 20090298445A1
• Filed: 06/03/2008
• Published: 12/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Heathco LLC (Transom Capital Group)
• Original Assignee: Heathco LLC (Transom Capital Group)
• Inventors: Claiborne, Jimmy David, Birdwell, Timothy Gale, Anglikowski, Ronald Edward, Tylicki, Scott Blaise
• Granted Patent: US 8,055,200 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/91
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/08 Constructional details, e.g. cabinet

Abstract

A transmitter apparatus effective for activating a remotely situated appliance includes a radio frequency (RF) transmitter. The RF transmitter is configured to be mounted to a structural element of a building and configured to receive an actuation by a user to wirelessly transmit a signal. An antenna is coupled to the RF transmission circuitry and is arranged and configured to transmit the signal to a remotely situated appliance. The antenna is disposed within an opening in the structural element of the building and is of dimensions so as to extend at least partially through the opening. The antenna transmits the signal to the appliance without significant interference or absorption from the structural element of the building.

Claims

1. A transmitter apparatus effective for activating a remotely situated appliance comprising:

a radio frequency (RF) transmitter which includes radio transmission circuitry and an antenna, the RF transmitter configured to be mounted to a structural element of a building and configured to receive an actuation by a user to wirelessly transmit a RF signal, the antenna coupled to RF transmission circuitry, the antenna configured to transmit the RF signal to a remotely situated appliance, the antenna being disposed within an opening in the structural element of the building and of dimensions so as to extend at least partially through the opening, the antenna transmitting the signal to the appliance without significant interference or absorption from the structural element of the building.

2. The transmitter apparatus of claim 1 wherein the RF transmitter further comprises a power source, the power source disposed so as to be accessible to the user without removing the RF transmitter from its mounted position.

3. The transmitter apparatus of claim 1 wherein the antenna comprises a wire.

4. The transmitter apparatus of claim 3 wherein the wire is of a length so as to extend through the opening and beyond the structural element of the building.

5. The transmitter apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a housing, the antenna being disposed within the housing.

6. The transmitter apparatus of claim 5 wherein the housing is generally cylindrical in shape.

7. The transmitter apparatus of claim 1 wherein the structural element of the building comprises an element selected from the group consisting of an exterior wall, an interior wall, and a barrier.

8. The transmitter apparatus of claim 1 wherein the remotely situated appliance comprises at least one device selected from the group consisting of a doorbell;

an intercom;

a light;

a fan;

an alarm system;

a moveable barrier operator;

a window treatment;

a rolling shutter;

a hot tub;

a fireplace;

a television; and

a video source.

9. The transmitter apparatus of claim 1 wherein the transmitter apparatus further comprises at least one actuator button.

10. The transmitter apparatus of claim 9 wherein the at least one button is illuminated.

11. A method of installing a transmitter apparatus that actuates a remotely situated appliance comprising:

mounting a transmitter to an exterior surface of a building, the transmitter including RF transmission circuitry and an antenna;

forming an opening in the building, the opening extending at least partially through a structural element of the building; and

disposing the antenna within the opening.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

actuating the transmitter and responsively transmitting a radio frequency (RF) signal from the transmitter to the remotely situated appliance via the antenna, the signal being transmitted to the appliance without significant interference or absorption from the structural element of the building.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein forming an opening comprises drilling a hole completely through a wall of the building.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the opening extends completely through the structural element of the building and disposing the antenna comprises disposing the antenna so as to completely pass through the opening.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein the transmitter includes a power source and further comprising accessing the power source without removing the transmitter from its mounted position.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein the remotely situated appliance comprises at least one device selected from the group consisting of a doorbell;

a light;

an intercom;

a fan;

an alarm system;

a moveable barrier operator;

a window treatment;

a rolling shutter;

a hot tub;

a fireplace;

a television; and

a video source.

17. The method of claim 11 wherein the structural element of the building comprises an element selected from the group consisting of:

an exterior wall, an interior wall, and a barrier.

18. A transmitter apparatus effective for activating a remotely situated appliance comprising:

an actuator button;

a radio frequency (RF) transmitter, the RF transmitter configured to be mounted to a structural element of a building and configured to receive an actuation by a user to wirelessly transmit a signal, the RF transmitter comprising

a cylindrically shaped housing,

RF transmission circuitry, and

an antenna disposed in the cylindrically shaped housing and coupled to RF transmitter, the antenna being arranged and configured to transmit the signal to a remotely situated appliance, the antenna configured within the housing so as to extend completely through an opening in the structural element of the building, the antenna transmitting the signal to the appliance without significant interference or absorption from the structural element of the building.

19. The transmitter apparatus of claim 18 wherein the RF transmitter further comprises a power source, the power source disposed so as to be accessible to the user without removing the RF transmitter from its mounted position.

20. The transmitter apparatus of claim 18 wherein the antenna comprises a wire.