Infrared transmitter and control circuit

• US 4,371,814 A
• Filed: 09/09/1981
• Issued: 02/01/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Draco Laboratories, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Silent Running Corporation
• Inventors: Hannas, James R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Weldon, Ulysses
• Application Number:
  US06/300,498
• Time in Patent Office: 510 Days
• Field of Search: 318/16, 318/480, 318/345 H, 318/345 D, 340/825.69, 340/168 R, 340/168 B, 367/197-199
• US Class Current: 318/16
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/114 Indoor or close-range type systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 388/912 Pulse or frequency counter
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 388/917 Thyristor or scr

Abstract

An infrared transmitter and control circuit for a load such as a ceiling fan which is capable of starting and regulating the speed of the ceiling fan as well as reversing the direction of the ceiling fan, controlling a light. The apparatus allows the selective control of a single one of a plurality of ceiling fans such that operation of the control does not cause all of the ceiling fans to change speed. The apparatus eliminates the need for running wiring between the ceiling fan and a switch and saves substantial installation costs.

Claims

1. An infrared control system for a ceiling fan motor or other load comprising, an infrared transmitter with keying switches for transmitting directional infrared energy, an infrared receiver and decoder for receiving and decoding the output of said transmitter, a counter connected to receive an output of said receiver and decoder, a first transistor connected between a first output of said counter and a second input of said counter, a second transistor connected to a second output of said counter, a first TRIAC with its gate connected to an output of said second transistor and supplying an output to a first input lead of said fan motor, a third transistor connected to a third output of said counter, and a second TRIAC with its gate connected to an output of said third transistor and supplying an output to a second input lead of said fan motor.

2. An infrared control system according to claim 1 including, a fourth transistor connected to a fourth output of said counter, and a third TRIAC with gate connected to an output of said fourth transistor, a first resistor and a first capacitor connected between said third TRIAC and said second input lead of said fan motor.

3. An infrared control system according to claim 2 including first and second power supply leads with said first power supply lead connected to a third input lead of said fan motor and said second power lead connected to said first, second and third TRIACS.

4. An infrared control system according to claim 3 comprising first, second and third resistor-capacitor circuits respectively connected between the gates of said first, second and third TRIACs and said second power lead.

5. An infrared control system according to claim 4 comprising a first flip-flop circuit which receives an output from said receiver-decoder, a fifth transistor connected to the output of said first flip-flop circuit, a fourth TRIAC with its gate connected to said fifth transistor, a light with one side connected to said fourth TRIAC and its other side connected to said first power lead.

6. An infrared control system according to claim 5 including a reversing switch connected between said first, second and third TRIAC and said first, second and third input leads of said fan motor and comprising, a second flip-flop circuit connected to an output of said receiver-decoder, a sixth transistor connected to the output of said second flip-flop circuit, a fifth TRIAC with its gate connected to said sixth transistor, a reversing relay connected between said fifth TRIAC and said first power lead and said reversing relay connected to said reversing switch to cause the fan motor to reverse direction of rotation.

7. An infrared control system according to claim 6 comprising a light emitting diode connected between the emitters of said second, third and fourth transistors and ground.