WIRELESS CONTROL DEVICE
First Claim
1. A wall-mountable wireless control device comprising:
- a yoke configured to mount the control device to an electrical wallbox;
a faceplate assembly configured to be attached to the yoke for covering an opening of the wallbox;
an antenna configured to transmit or receive radio-frequency signals;
a radio-frequency communication circuit configured to transmit or receive the radio-frequency signals via the antenna; and
a control circuit responsive to the radio-frequency communication circuit;
wherein the faceplate assembly comprises a conductive element that is configured to operate as a radiating element of the antenna when the faceplate assembly is attached to the yoke.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A wall-mountable wireless control device may comprise a yoke, a faceplate assembly, an antenna, a radio-frequency communication circuit, and/or a control circuit. The radio-frequency communication circuit may be configured to transmit or receive radio-frequency signals via the antenna. The faceplate assembly may comprise a conductive element that is configured to operate as a radiating element of the antenna when the faceplate assembly is attached to the yoke. The conductive element may comprise a conductive material on the front surface of the faceplate. The conductive element may be attached to a rear surface of the faceplate (e.g., as a conductive backer). The conductive element may be located inside of the faceplate. The conductive element may comprise metallization applied to a plastic carrier of the faceplate. The faceplate assembly may comprise an adapter plate comprising a surface on which the conductive element is located.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A wall-mountable wireless control device comprising:
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a yoke configured to mount the control device to an electrical wallbox; a faceplate assembly configured to be attached to the yoke for covering an opening of the wallbox; an antenna configured to transmit or receive radio-frequency signals; a radio-frequency communication circuit configured to transmit or receive the radio-frequency signals via the antenna; and a control circuit responsive to the radio-frequency communication circuit; wherein the faceplate assembly comprises a conductive element that is configured to operate as a radiating element of the antenna when the faceplate assembly is attached to the yoke. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A faceplate for a wall-mountable wireless control device, the wireless control device comprising an actuator and a wireless communication circuit for receiving or transmitting RF signals at a communication frequency, the faceplate comprising:
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a body portion comprising a front surface and defining an opening in the front surface for receiving the actuator of the wireless control device when the faceplate is installed on the wireless control device; and a conductive element oriented parallel to the front surface of the body portion; wherein the conductive element provides a capacitive loading on the antenna of the wireless control device that is approximately equal to a capacitive loading provided on the antenna by an equivalently sized and shaped metal faceplate. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A wall-mountable wireless control device comprising:
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an antenna configured to transmit or receive radio-frequency signals; a radio-frequency communication circuit configured to transmit or receive the radio-frequency signals via the antenna; and a control circuit responsive to the radio-frequency communication circuit; wherein the wireless control device is characterized by a first communication range when no faceplate installed on the wireless control device and by a second communication range greater than the first communication range when a faceplate is installed on the wireless control device, the first communication range being greater than or equal to approximate 30 feet. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification