Remote control for a ceiling fan
First Claim
1. A remote control for a ceiling fan comprising:
- power supply means for supplying power to said remote control;
keyboard means for inputting ceiling fan control commands;
control means coupled to said keyboard means and said power supply means for accepting the ceiling fan control commands and outputting a series of ceiling fan control signals;
transmitter means coupled to said control means and said power supply means for transmitting the control signals to the ceiling fan; and
animated fan display means coupled to said control means for displaying an animated pictorial representation of the ceiling fan;
wherein said animated fan display means is animated to provide an appearance of rotation in a direction consistent with a direction of rotation of the ceiling fan as determined from the ceiling fan control commands from said control means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A remote control for operating a combination ceiling fan and light fixture features a dual microprocessor control. A microprocessor mounted in the remote control includes a clock and may be programmed to operate the ceiling fan and/or light fixture in a timed manner. A microprocessor mounted in the ceiling fan controls fan speed, fan direction, and light intensity. The two microprocessors communicate over the 60 Hz power line between the remote control and the ceiling fan. The remote control features a control panel for inputting commands from the user, as well as a display for displaying fan and light status as well as time. One feature of the display are animated fan and light displays. The animated fan display appears to rotate in the same direction as the ceiling fan and may also indicate fan speed. The animated light display depicts a light bulb with a series of flashing rays emanating therefrom. The remote control connects in series with the load line of the ceiling fan and features a power supply which provides power for the remote control from the voltage drop of a triac in series with the ceiling fan load line.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A remote control for a ceiling fan comprising:
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power supply means for supplying power to said remote control; keyboard means for inputting ceiling fan control commands; control means coupled to said keyboard means and said power supply means for accepting the ceiling fan control commands and outputting a series of ceiling fan control signals; transmitter means coupled to said control means and said power supply means for transmitting the control signals to the ceiling fan; and animated fan display means coupled to said control means for displaying an animated pictorial representation of the ceiling fan; wherein said animated fan display means is animated to provide an appearance of rotation in a direction consistent with a direction of rotation of the ceiling fan as determined from the ceiling fan control commands from said control means. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A remote controlled ceiling fan comprising:
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a ceiling fan; a remote control comprising; first power supply means for supplying power to said remote control; keyboard means for inputting ceiling fan control commands; first control means coupled to said keyboard means and said first power supply means for accepting the ceiling fan control commands and outputting a series of ceiling fan control signals; transmitter means coupled to said first control means and said first power supply means for transmitting said control signals to the ceiling fan; and
animated fan display means coupled to said first control means for displaying an animated pictorial representation of said ceiling fan to provide an appearance of rotation of said ceiling fan as determined from the ceiling fan control signals from said first control means, andfan control means coupled to said ceiling fan and said remote control, said fan control means comprising; second power supply means for providing power to said fan control means; receiver means coupled to said second power supply means for receiving the ceiling fan control signals from said remote control and outputting ceiling fan control commands; and second control means coupled to said second power supply means and said receiver means for receiving the ceiling fan control commands and controlling said ceiling fan. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. In a control device for a ceiling fan, an animated display device comprising:
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a plurality of fan blade display elements extending radially from a central point, said plurality of fan blade display elements grouped into at least a first and a second group; and exciter means coupled to said plurality of fan blade display elements for selectively exciting said fan blade display elements to pictorially represent movement of said ceiling fan, wherein said exciter means selectively excites said fan blade display elements to pictorially represent movement of said ceiling fan as determined from ceiling fan control signals from a said control device. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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23. In a control device for a ceiling fan including a light fixture, an animated light display device comprising:
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animated light fixture display shaped substantially as a light fixture; a plurality of animated ray display elements arranged radially from said light fixture display; and exciter means coupled to said plurality of ray display elements for selectively exciting said light fixture display and said plurality of ray display elements to pictorially illumination of said light fixture, wherein said exciter means selectively excites said light fixture display and said plurality of ray display elements to pictorially represent illumination of said light fixture as determined from ceiling light control signals from said control device. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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Specification