Wiring Device with Integrated Wireless Signal Extender

• US 20150215027A1
• Filed: 01/24/2014
• Published: 07/30/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Lacey, Darron Kirby
• Granted Patent: US 9,853,708 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/15507 Relay station based processing for cell extension or control of coverage area, network planning with network coordinated processing with regard to cell extension H04W16/26; network topologies using dedicated repeater stations H04W84/047; terminal devices adapted for relaying to or from an other terminal H04W88/04

Abstract

An electrical wiring device includes a receptacle housing comprising alternating current (AC) terminal openings. The electrical wiring device further includes an AC power output terminals disposed within the receptacle housing and aligned with the AC terminal openings. The AC power output terminals are designed to receive prongs of an electrical plug through the AC terminal openings. The electrical wiring device also includes a wireless signal extender circuit disposed within the receptacle housing. The wireless signal extender circuit is configured to receive an incoming wireless signal and to transmit an outgoing wireless signal, where the outgoing wireless signal is generated based on the incoming wireless signal.

Claims

1. An electrical wiring device, comprising:

a receptacle housing comprising Alternating Current (AC) terminal openings;

AC power output terminals disposed within the receptacle housing and aligned with the AC terminal openings, wherein the AC power output terminals are designed to receive prongs of an electrical plug through the AC terminal openings; and

a wireless signal extender circuit disposed within the receptacle housing, wherein the wireless signal extender circuit is configured to receive an incoming wireless signal and to transmit an outgoing wireless signal, wherein the outgoing wireless signal is generated based on the incoming wireless signal.

2. The electrical wiring device of claim 1, further comprising a switch at least partially disposed within the receptacle housing, wherein power is provided to the wireless signal extender circuit when the switch is closed and wherein the power is disconnected from the wireless signal extender circuit when the switch is open.

3. The electrical wiring device of claim 2, wherein the receptacle housing comprises a switch opening and wherein the switch is at least partially disposed outside of the receptacle housing through the switch opening.

4. The electrical wiring device of claim 1, further comprising a power conversion circuit disposed within the receptacle housing, wherein the power conversion circuit is configured to convert AC power to direct current (DC) power and wherein the wireless signal extender circuit operates on the DC power.

5. The electrical wiring device of claim 4, wherein the power conversion circuit and the wireless signal extender circuit are disposed on one or more printed circuit boards.

6. The electrical wiring device of claim 4, wherein a switch disposed within the receptacle housing is configured to control whether the AC power is provided to the power conversion circuit.

7. The electrical wiring device of claim 1, further comprising a light source disposed within the receptacle housing, wherein the light source is configured to emit light when power is provided to the wireless signal extender circuit.

8. The electrical wiring device of claim 7, wherein the light source is a light emitting diode.

9. The electrical wiring device of claim 1, wherein the receptacle housing comprises a back side, the back side forming one or more openings for dissipating heat.

10. The electrical wiring device of claim 1, further comprising a midframe disposed within the receptacle housing between the AC power output terminals and the wireless signal extender circuit.

11. An electrical wiring device, comprising:

a receptacle housing comprising Alternating Current (AC) terminal openings;

an AC power output terminals disposed within the receptacle housing and aligned with the AC terminal openings, wherein the AC power output terminals are designed to receive prongs of an electrical plug through the AC terminal openings; and

a Wi-Fi signal extender circuit disposed within the receptacle housing, wherein the Wi-Fi signal extender circuit is configured to receive an incoming Wi-Fi signal and to transmit an outgoing Wi-Fi signal, wherein the outgoing Wi-Fi signal is generated based on the incoming Wi-Fi signal.

12. The electrical wiring device of claim 11, further comprising a switch at least partially disposed within the receptacle housing, wherein power is provided to the Wi-Fi signal extender circuit when the switch is closed and wherein the power is disconnected from the Wi-Fi signal extender circuit when the switch is open.

13. The electrical wiring device of claim 12, wherein the receptacle housing comprises a switch opening and wherein the switch is at least partially disposed outside of the receptacle housing through the switch opening.

14. The electrical wiring device of claim 11, further comprising a power conversion circuit disposed within the receptacle housing, wherein the power conversion circuit is configured to convert AC power to direct current (DC) power and wherein the Wi-Fi signal extender circuit operates on the DC power.

15. The electrical wiring device of claim 14, wherein the DC power is based on a 5 volt DC voltage level.

16. The electrical wiring device with DC output of claim 14, wherein the power conversion circuit comprises an AC/DC conversion element, a switcher element, and a secondary rectifier element.

17. The electrical wiring device of claim 11, further comprising a midframe disposed within the receptacle housing between the AC power output terminals and the Wi-Fi signal extender circuit.

18. The electrical wiring device of claim 11, further comprising a light source disposed within the receptacle housing, wherein the light source is configured to emit light when power is provided to the Wi-Fi signal extender circuit.

19. The electrical wiring device of claim 11, wherein the AC power output terminals are configured to output AC power having at least a 120 volt, 15 ampere rating.

20. The electrical wiring device of claim 11, wherein the receptacle housing comprises a back side, the back side having one or more openings for dissipating heat.