Remotely controlled dimmer

• US 6,163,275 A
• Filed: 03/19/1997
• Issued: 12/19/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hartzell; Charles James
• Original Assignee: Hartzell; Charles James
• Inventors: Hartzell, Charles J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Holloway, III, Edwin C.
• Application Number:
  US08/822,552
• Time in Patent Office: 1,371 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.72, 340/825.69, 340/825.57, 340/825.22, 323/324, 348/734
• US Class Current: 340/12.24
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 19/28 using pulse code
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 39/088 by wireless means, e.g. infrared transmitting means
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/195 the transmission using visible or infrared light

Abstract

The present invention discloses a system for remotely controlling a switch and a light. In the preferred embodiment, a conventional remote control is used to turn a light to a maximum setting. All received pulses thereafter within a given Null Time will smoothly reduce the electrical load thereby dimming the light. An indicator LED will be provided to demonstrate that the remote signal is reaching the remote switch. If the unit remains in an "on" condition or the Null Time, the next pulse will turn the light fully off. A learning mode is also provided which allows a button on a conventional remote to be pressed for a certain period of time. The switch will thereafter recognize that remote function key as the switch to control the light. The remotely controlled switch has a line interface electronically connected with the power supply. The power supply then electronically connects to an infrared sensor and a processor. The processor is electronically connected to an infrared sensor and a user interface as well as an isolation and control system. The isolation and control system is then electronically connected to the line interface.

Claims

1. A device for attenuating an electrical device using a conventional remote control comprising:

a. means for controlling amount of electricity to said electrical device;

b. means for receiving a signal from said conventional remote control;

c. means for learning an operating key from said conventional remote control, said controlling means responsive to reception by said receiving means of a signal corresponding to said learned operating key;

d. user interface means for manual input

e. means for indicating learning status of said device; and

f. means for canceling the learned operating key in response to a manual input continuously applied to the user interface means until said indicating means indicates that the learned operating key is canceled.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising means for reducing said electricity to said electrical device.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said means for controlling amount of electricity to said electrical device comprises a line interface.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said means for receiving a signal from said conventional remote control comprises a sensor.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said means for learning an operating key from said conventional remote control device such that said device will accept instructions from a particular remote control.

6. A device for operating a light using a conventional remote control comprising:

a. a line interface for interfacing between a switch power source and a light power source;

b. a power supply electronically connected to said line interface;

c. a sensor for receiving a signal from said conventional remote control electronically connected to said power supply;

d. a microprocessor electronically connected to said power supply and said sensor for processing said signal and said power, said microprocessor reading input from said conventional remote control to learn an operating key of said remote control;

e. a user interface electronically connected to said microprocessor; and

f. an isolation and control electronically connected to said microprocessor and said line interface for controlling the amount of electricity passed through said line interface, said isolation and control responsive to signal from the microprocessor indicating reception by said sensor of a signal corresponding to said learned operating key;

g. an indicator to indicate learning status of said device; and

h. said microprocessor canceling said learned operating key in response to a manual input continuously applied to the user interface until said indicator provides an indication that the learned operating key is canceled.