Wireless transmitter and doorbell system

• US 7,085,534 B2
• Filed: 07/14/2004
• Issued: 08/01/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Heathco LLC (Transom Capital Group)
• Original Assignee: DESA IP, LLC
• Inventors: Bentley, Roger Donn
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Duc M.
• Application Number:
  US10/890,608
• Publication Number:
  US 20040257222A1
• Time in Patent Office: 748 Days
• Field of Search: 455/41.1, 455/41.2, 455/91, 455/95, 455/100, 455/106, 455/128, 455/129, 455/90.1, 455/90.2, 455/90.3, 455/575, 455/575.7, 455/575.8, 340/539.1, 340/539.11, 340/539.14, 340/539.15, 340/391.1, 340/392.1, 340/396.1
• US Class Current: 455/41.2
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 1/08 using electric transmission ; transformation of alarm signals to electrical signals from a different medium, e.g. transmission of an electric alarm signal upon detection of an audible alarm signal
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/362 for broadside radiating helical antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/42 Housings not intimately mechanically associated with radiating elements, e.g. radome

Abstract

A wireless doorbell system which employs a radio frequency (“RF”) transmitter and a RF receiver. The doorbell transmitter has its RF source and antenna enclosed within a metal case which is designed so that the effective operating range of the transmission of the RF signals is not reduced to unacceptable levels and whose finish, such as polished brass, presents an attractive appearance which can be made to match the decorative trim at the entranceway to a building, such as a residence.

Claims

1. A wireless doorbell transmitter, comprising:

a power source;

a metal doorbell case divided into at least two electrically isolated sections by an electrically non-conductive gap;

an electrical switch;

an antenna within said metal doorbell case;

an RF signal generator electronically connected to said electrical switch;

said power source, electrical switch, antenna and said RF signal generator electronically connected, said RF signal generator energized by said power source when said electrical switch is closed.

2. The wireless doorbell transmitter of claim 1 wherein said non-conductive gap in said doorbell case is separated by a non-conductive material.

3. The wireless doorbell transmitter of claim 1 wherein said non-conductive gap is about 0.08 inches.

4. The wireless doorbell transmitter of claim 1 wherein said antenna is positioned near said non-conductive gap.

5. The wireless doorbell transmitter of claim 1 wherein said RF generator is an encoder connected to a high frequency RF oscillator.

6. The wireless doorbell transmitter of claim 1 wherein said RF generator is an RF integrated circuit.

7. The wireless doorbell transmitter of claim 1 wherein said RF generator is an RF amplifier driven by an RF oscillator.

8. The wireless doorbell transmitter of claim 1 wherein said antenna is a helical antenna positioned near said non-conductive gap.

9. The wireless doorbell transmitter of claim 8 wherein said non-conductive gap is about 0.08 inch.

10. A metalized housing wireless doorbell transmitter, comprising:

a metal doorbell case divided into a first metal section and a second metal section;

a non-conductive gap material positioned between said first metal section and said second metal section;

an antenna located near said non-conductive gap material within said case;

a push-button switch electrically connected to said antenna, a power source and a radio frequency signal generator.

11. The doorbell transmitter of claim 10 further comprising an encoder electrically connected between said push-button switch and said radio frequency signal generator.

12. The doorbell transmitter of claim 10 wherein said non-conductive gap material has a width of at least 0.08 inches.

13. The doorbell transmitter of claim 12 wherein said radio frequency generator is a high frequency RF oscillator.

14. A wireless doorbell transmitter, comprising:

a doorbell housing divided into a first section and a second section, each of said first and second section having a metal covering;

a non-conductive gap material positioned between said first metal section and said second metal section and having a width of at least about 0.08 inches;

an antenna located near said non-conductive gap material within said case;

a push-button switch electrically connected to said antenna, a power source and a radio frequency signal generator.

15. A metal wireless doorbell transmitter case, comprising:

a metal doorbell case divided into at least two electrically isolated sections by an electrically non-conductive gap;

an electrical push button switch held within said doorbell case.

16. The metal wireless doorbell transmitter case of claim 15 further comprising an antenna positioned adjacent said non-conductive gap.

17. The metal wireless doorbell transmitter case of claim 16 wherein said non-conductive gap is a polycarbonate material.

18. A metal wireless doorbell transmitter case, comprising:

a metal doorbell case divided into at least two electrically isolated sections by an electrically non-conductive gap of a polycarbonate material at least 0.08 inches;

an electrical push button switch held within said doorbell case;

an antenna positioned adjacent said non-conductive gap.