INTERACTIVE APPLIANCES, APPLIANCE SYSTEMS AND APPLIANCE CONTROL METHODS, AND CONTROLS THEREFOR

• US 20100141045A1
• Filed: 02/19/2010
• Published: 06/10/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: William Wiener
• Original Assignee: William Wiener
• Inventors: Wiener, William
• Granted Patent: US 8,304,936 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/116
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/12 by detecting audible sound
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

An appliance control circuit has an occupancy sensor, a control signal receiver, a control signal transmitter, a control element, and a power supply. In operation, when the occupancy sensor senses an occupant, the occupancy sensor outputs a signal to cause the control element 9 to control power from the source of power to the appliance. Similarly, when a control signal is received by the control signal receiver the receiver outputs a signal to cause the control element to control power from the source of power to the appliance. At the same time, the control signal transmitter is activated based on the signal from the occupancy sensor. Multiple control circuits can be used to control one another. The appliance could be for example a light, a thermostat, or a camera.

Claims

1. An appliance control circuit for use with an appliance, the control circuit comprising:

a) an occupancy sensor,

b) a control signal receiver,

c) a control signal transmitter operatively connected to the occupancy sensor,

d) a control element operatively connected to the occupancy sensor and to the control signal receiver, and

e) an output from the control element for operative connection to the appliance,

wherein the control element controls the output upon occupancy sensed by the occupancy sensor,

wherein the control element controls the output upon receipt of a first control signal by the control signal receiver, and

wherein the control signal transmitter transmits a second control signal upon occupancy sensed by the occupancy sensor.

2. The control circuit of claim 1 further comprising a power supply for providing power to components of the control circuit.

3. The control circuit of claim 1 wherein the control circuit has an input for operative connection to a source of power for the appliance.

4. The control circuit of claim 3 wherein the control element controls power to the output from the source of power.

5. The control circuit of claim 4 wherein the control element controls power to the output to increase the amount of power supplied to the appliance.

6. The control circuit of claim 4 wherein the control element controls the power to the output to activate the appliance.

7. The control circuit of claim 1 wherein the control signal transmitter transmits an ultrasonic control signal, the control signal receiver is a microphone, and the control signal transmitter is a speaker.

8. The control circuit of claim 1 wherein the control transmitter transmits an ultrasonic control signal, the control signal receiver is an ultrasonic transducer, and the control signal transmitter is an ultrasonic transducer.

9. The control circuit of claim 1 wherein signal strength of the control signal transmitter is settable.

10. The control circuit of claim 1 wherein reception sensitivity of the control signal receiver is settable.

11. A system comprising:

a) a plurality of control circuits, each control circuit respectively comprising;

i) an occupancy sensor,

ii) a control signal receiver,

iii) a control signal transmitter operatively connected to the occupancy sensor,

iv) a control element operatively connected to the occupancy sensor and to the control signal receiver, and

v) an output from the control element for operative connection to the appliance,

wherein the control element controls the output upon occupancy sensed by the occupancy sensor,

wherein the control element controls the output upon receipt of a first control signal by the control signal receiver, and

b) a plurality of appliances, each appliance associated with a respective one of the control circuits such that the appliance is operatively connected to the output of the control circuit.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the appliances and their associated control circuits are installed such that at least one control circuit associated with an appliance is within range of another control circuit to allow for control signals transmitted from the other control circuit to be received by the at least one control circuit.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the appliances and their associated control circuits are installed such that one control circuit is within range of at least one other control circuit associated with an appliance to allow for control signals transmitted from the one control circuit to be received by the at least one other control circuit.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein the appliances and their associated control circuits are installed such that a plurality of the control circuits are within range of a first control circuit associated with an appliance to allow for control signals transmitted from the one control circuit to be received by the plurality of the control circuits.

15. The system of claim 12 wherein the appliances are lighting appliances.

16. A method of operating a control circuit for use in association with an appliance, the method comprising the steps of:

a) sensing for occupancy using an occupancy sensor in the control circuit,

b) receiving a control signal through a control signal receiver in the control circuit,

c) if occupancy is sensed or control signals are received then transmitting a control signal through a control signal transmitter in the control circuit and providing an output from the control circuit to control the appliance.