Light socket wireless repeater and controller

• US 7,079,808 B2
• Filed: 04/18/2002
• Issued: 07/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Striemer, Bryan Lester
• Primary Examiner(s): Urban, Edward F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DEAN, RAYMOND S
• Application Number:
  US10/125,191
• Publication Number:
  US 20030199247A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,552 Days
• Field of Search: 455 7- 10, 455/11.1, 455 14- 25, 455/402, 370/315
• US Class Current: 455/7
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/155 Ground-based stations H04B7/204 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/46 Interconnection of networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0219 where the power saving management affects multiple terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/04 adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A wireless repeater and controller is placed between a light socket and a light bulb, such as in a ceiling light fixture. The wireless repeater and controller has an extending threaded portion that screws into the light socket, and a recessed threaded portion that receives a light bulb. When the light switch that would normally control the light bulb is on, power is provided to the wireless repeater and controller. When the power to the wireless repeater and controller is toggled on then off using the light switch, the wireless repeater and controller disconnects line power from the light bulb so the light switch can still be used to control the light bulb.

Claims

1. A wireless repeater comprising:

a first connection mechanism that couples the wireless repeater to a light socket;

a second connection mechanism that couples the wireless repeater to a light bulb;

a switching mechanism coupled to the first connection mechanism controlling the application of power to the second connection mechanism; and

a detector mechanism coupled to the first connection mechanism and to the switching mechanism, the detector mechanism sensing when power is removed from the first connection mechanism, and toggling the switching mechanism from an on state to an off state when power to the first connection mechanism is turned off and then turned on again, and then toggling the switching mechanism from an off state to an on state when power to the first connection mechanism is turned off and turned on again.

2. The wireless repeater of claim 1 further comprising a circuit comprising:

a first wireless receiver coupled to a first antenna;

a first wireless transmitter coupled to a second antenna; and

a processor coupled to the first wireless receiver and the first wireless transmitter, the processor receiving a first wireless command via the first wireless receiver and repeating the first wireless command by transmitting the first wireless command via the first wireless transmitter.

3. The wireless repeater of claim 1 wherein the switching mechanism connects power from the first connection mechanism to the second connection mechanism when the first wireless receiver receives a first predetermined wireless command.

4. The wireless repeater of claim 1 wherein the switching mechanism disconnects power between the first connection mechanism and the second connection mechanism when the first wireless receiver receives a second predetermined wireless command.

5. The wireless repeater of claim 2 wherein the second antenna is the first antenna, and wherein the wireless receiver and the wireless transmitter are part of a wireless transceiver.

6. The wireless repeater of claim 2 further comprising a second wireless receiver and a second wireless transmitter coupled to a third antenna and coupled to the processor, the second wireless receiver and the second wireless transmitter receiving and transmitting, respectively, wireless messages using a second protocol that is different from a first protocol used by the first wireless receiver and the first wireless transmitter.

7. The wireless repeater of claim 6 wherein the processor receives a wireless message in the first protocol from the first wireless receiver, and transmits the wireless message in the second protocol via the second wireless transmitter.

8. The wireless repeater of claim 6 wherein the processor receives a wireless message in the second protocol from the second wireless receiver, and transmits the wireless message in the first protocol via the first wireless transmitter.

9. The wireless repeater of claim 2 wherein the circuit further comprises a power supply coupled to the first connection mechanism that supplies power to the first wireless receiver, the first wireless transmitter, and the processor.

10. The wireless repeater of claim 9 wherein the power supply comprises a temporary power supply for supplying stored energy when power is not available on the first connection mechanism.

11. The wireless repeater of claim 10 wherein the temporary power supply comprises at least one capacitor that supplies the stored energy.

12. The wireless repeater of claim 10 wherein the temporary power supply comprises at least one battery that supplies the stored energy.

13. A wireless repeater comprising:

a first connection mechanism that couples the wireless repeater to a light socket;

a second connection mechanism that couples the wireless repeater to a light bulb;

a circuit comprising;

a first wireless receiver coupled to a first antenna;

a first wireless transmitter coupled to the first antenna;

a processor coupled to the first wireless receiver and the first wireless transmitter, the processor receiving a first wireless command via the first wireless receiver and repeating the first wireless command by transmitting the first wireless command via the first wireless transmitter;

a switching mechanism coupled to the first connection mechanism and coupled to the processor, the switching mechanism controlling the application of power to the second connection mechanism, wherein the switching mechanism connects power from the first connection mechanism to the second connection mechanism when the first wireless receiver receives a first predetermined wireless command, and disconnects power between the first connection mechanism and the second connection mechanism when the first wireless receiver receives a second predetermined wireless command;

a power supply coupled to the first connection mechanism that supplies power to the first wireless receiver, the first wireless transmitter, and the processor, wherein the power supply comprises a temporary power supply for supplying stored energy when power is not available on the first connection mechanism; and

a detector mechanism coupled to the first connection mechanism and to the switching mechanism, the detector mechanism sensing when power is removed from the first connection mechanism, and toggling the switching mechanism from an on state to an off state when power to the first connection mechanism is turned off and then turned on again, and then toggling the switching mechanism from an off state to an on state when power to the first connection mechanism is turned off and turned on again.

14. The wireless repeater of claim 13 further comprising a second wireless receiver and a second wireless transmitter coupled to a second antenna and coupled to the processor, the second wireless receiver and the second wireless transmitter receiving and transmitting, respectively, wireless messages using a second protocol that is different from a first protocol used by the first wireless receiver and the first wireless transmitter.

15. The wireless repeater of claim 14 wherein the processor receives a wireless message in the first protocol from the first wireless receiver, and transmits the wireless message in the second protocol via the second wireless transmitter.

16. The wireless repeater of claim 14 wherein the processor receives a wireless message in the second protocol from the second wireless receiver, and transmits the wireless message in the first protocol via the first wireless transmitter.

17. The wireless repeater of claim 13 wherein the temporary power supply comprises at least one capacitor that supplies the stored energy.

18. The wireless repeater of claim 13 wherein the temporary power supply comprises at least one battery that supplies the stored energy.

19. A method for controlling a lightbulb coupled to a wireless repeater comprising the steps of:

turning on the lightbulb when a wireless repeater coupled to the lightbulb receives a first wireless command;

turning off the lightbulb when the wireless repeater receives a second wireless command; and

toggling the lightbulb from an on state to an off state when power to the wireless repeater is turned off and then turned on again, and then toggling the light bulb from an off state to an on state when power to the wireless repeater is turned off and turned on again.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of:

training personnel to turn a light switch that controls application of power to the wireless repeater momentarily off then back on to toggle the state of the lightbulb.

21. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of:

installing at least one normally closed momentary open switch coupled to the wireless repeater that controls application of power to the wireless repeater.

22. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of:

providing temporary power to power the wireless repeater when main power is removed from the wireless repeater.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the temporary power is provided by at least one capacitor in the wireless repeater.

24. The method of claim 22 wherein the temporary power is provided by at least one battery coupled to the wireless repeater.

25. A method for repeating a wireless message and for controlling the function of a lightbulb coupled to a wireless repeater, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving the wireless message;

transmitting the wireless message at a predetermined power level;

receiving a first wireless command, and in response thereto, turning on the lightbulb;

receiving a second wireless command, and in response thereto, turning off the lightbulb; and

toggling the lightbulb from an on state to an off state when power to the wireless repeater is turned off and then turned on again, and then toggling the light bulb from an off state to an on state when power to the wireless repeater is turned off and turned on again.

26. The method of claim 25 further comprising the step of:

training personnel to turn a light switch that controls application of power to the wireless repeater momentarily off then back on to toggle the state of the lightbulb.

27. The method of claim 25 further comprising the step of:

installing at least one normally closed momentary open switch coupled to the light socket that controls application of power to the wireless repeater.

28. The method of claim 25 further comprising the step of:

providing temporary power to power the wireless repeater when main power is removed from the wireless repeater.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein the temporary power is provided by at least one capacitor in the wireless repeater.

30. The method of claim 28 wherein the temporary power is provided by at least one battery coupled to the wireless repeater.