Power shut-off that operates in response to prespecified remote-conditions
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising(a) a transmitter for sending a signal directly or indirectly to a switchable power receptacle in response to the occurrence of a predetermined awareness condition, said transmitter including at least one of (i) sensing means for sensing the occurrence of at least one predetermined awareness condition or (ii) input means for receiving an input from such a sensing means and (b) at least one remote switchable power receptacle that includes (i) outlet means for receiving an electrical supply line for an electrically powered device, (ii) connection means for connecting said receptacle to an electrical power supply, said connection means being in electrical communication with said outlet means though (iii) switch means having an “
- on” and
“
off”
position such that electrical power is supplied to said outlet means when said switch means is in an “
on”
position and electrical power to said outlet means is interrupted when said switch means is in an “
off”
position, and;
(iv) receiving means for receiving said signal directly or indirectly from said transmitter and operating said switch means in response to said signal wherein said sensing means is a sound detector, motion detector, light detector, heat detector, smoke detector or a device that detects the operation of another electrical device or component thereof, said transmitter is a radio frequency transmitter, AC line power carrier transceiver, ultrasound transmitter, infrared or visible light transmitter or microwave transmitter, and said receiving means is correspondingly a radio frequency receiver, an AC line power carrier transceiver, an ultrasound receiver, an infrared or visible light receiver or a microwave receiver.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and a method for temporarily disabling the operation of a noise-producing electrical device or internal combustion engine upon detection of a predetermined awareness condition, such as an incoming telephone call, doorbell ring, security system alarm or other awareness condition. For disabling operation of an electrical device, the apparatus includes a command module and one or more switchable power receptacles that respond to a control signal from the command module, de-energizing the electrical device, when at least one of the predetermined awareness conditions is detected. Control signals are communicated to the switchable power receptacles via either a radio frequency signal, or by a modulated signal that is conveyed over an alternating current electrical power circuit to which the command module and switched power receptacle(s) are connected. For disabling operation of an engine, the apparatus includes a command module that sends a wireless signal to a shutdown module to control operation of the engines ignition or fuel systems, so that operation of the engine is disabled when the shutdown module is switched to a shutdown mode. Disabling operation of a noise-producing device enables a signal that is produced in conjunction with the awareness condition, such as a telephone or doorbell ring, to be more easily perceived.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising
(a) a transmitter for sending a signal directly or indirectly to a switchable power receptacle in response to the occurrence of a predetermined awareness condition, said transmitter including at least one of (i) sensing means for sensing the occurrence of at least one predetermined awareness condition or (ii) input means for receiving an input from such a sensing means and (b) at least one remote switchable power receptacle that includes (i) outlet means for receiving an electrical supply line for an electrically powered device, (ii) connection means for connecting said receptacle to an electrical power supply, said connection means being in electrical communication with said outlet means though (iii) switch means having an “ - on” and
“
off”
position such that electrical power is supplied to said outlet means when said switch means is in an “
on”
position and electrical power to said outlet means is interrupted when said switch means is in an “
off”
position, and;
(iv) receiving means for receiving said signal directly or indirectly from said transmitter and operating said switch means in response to said signalwherein said sensing means is a sound detector, motion detector, light detector, heat detector, smoke detector or a device that detects the operation of another electrical device or component thereof, said transmitter is a radio frequency transmitter, AC line power carrier transceiver, ultrasound transmitter, infrared or visible light transmitter or microwave transmitter, and said receiving means is correspondingly a radio frequency receiver, an AC line power carrier transceiver, an ultrasound receiver, an infrared or visible light receiver or a microwave receiver. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
- on” and
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18. A switchable power receptacle adapted to operate in response to a signal from a remote transmitter that indicates the existence of an awareness condition, the receptacle comprising (i) outlet means for receiving an electrical supply line for an electrically powered device, (ii) connection means for connecting said receptacle to an electrical power supply, said connection means being in electrical communication with said outlet means though (iii) switch means having an “
- on” and
“
off”
position such that electrical power is supplied to said outlet means when said switch means is in an “
on”
position and electrical power to said outlet means is interrupted when said switch means is in an “
off”
position, and (iv) receiving means for receiving a signal directly or indirectly from said transmitter and operating said switch means in response to said signal wherein said remote transmitter includes a sensing means selected from the group consisting of a sound detector, motion detector, light detector, heat detector, smoke detector or a device that detects the operation of another electrical device or component thereof, said remote transmitter is a radio frequency transmitter, AC line power carrier transceiver, ultrasound transmitter, infrared or visible light transmitter or microwave transmitter, and said receiving means is correspondingly a radio frequency receiver, an AC line power carrier transceiver, an ultrasound receiver, an infrared or visible light receiver or a microwave receiver.
- on” and
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19. An apparatus for shutting down an internal combustion engine upon detection of a predetermined awareness condition, wherein the internal combustion engine includes an ignition system and a fuel-supply system, comprising:
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(a) a transmitter for sending a signal directly or indirectly to a switchable power receptacle in response to the occurrence of said predetermined awareness condition, said transmitter including at least one of (i) sensing means for sensing the occurrence of at least one predetermined awareness condition and (ii) input means for receiving an input from such a sensing means, wherein said sensing means is a sound detector, motion detector, light detector, heat detector, smoke detector, load detector, voltage detector, current detector or telephone ring detector (b) a shutdown module comprising one or both of components (1)(a) and (1)(b), wherein component (1)(a) is a switch that is coupled to said ignition system and component (1)(b) is a valve that controls a flow of fuel for the said internal combustion engine, said shutdown module being switchable between a normal operation mode and a shutdown mode in which operation of the internal combustion engine is disabled, by actuating said one of the switch and the valve; and
(2) receiving means for receiving said signal directly or indirectly from said transmitter and operating said switch or valve to effect said shutdown mode in response to said signal.- View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification