Remote control transmitter which is capable of controlling a plurality of light fittings without the need for a slidable switch

• US 7,675,247 B2
• Filed: 08/14/2007
• Issued: 03/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: NEC Lighting Limited (NEC Corporation)
• Original Assignee: NEC Lighting Limited (NEC Corporation)
• Inventors: Okimura, Katsuyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Owens; Douglas W
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vu; Jimmy T
• Application Number:
  US11/838,842
• Publication Number:
  US 20080074241A1
• Time in Patent Office: 938 Days
• Field of Search: 315151-154, 315/209.R, 315/291, 315/307, 315/312, 315360-362, 340/309.4, 340/309.5, 340/309.16, 340/332, 340/825.22, 340/825.37, 340/825.76, 340/815.6, 340/825, 340/825.69, 340/825.72
• US Class Current: 315/291
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/00 Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link

Abstract

A remote control transmitter is capable of controlling a plurality of light fittings without the need for a slidable switch. The remote control transmitter includes a memory for storing data representing a plurality of control signals for respective channels corresponding respectively to the light fittings, a measurer for calculating a period of time during which the operation button is pressed based on a detected event starting when the operation button is pressed and ending when the operation button is released, and outputting a signal representing the calculated period of time, a transmitter for outputting a control signal based on the data stored in the memory, and a controller for setting one of the channels based on the signal output from the measurer, and controlling the transmitter to output a control signal based on the data stored in the memory in association with the set channel.

Claims

1. A remote control transmitter including an operation button for starting to operate a plurality of light fittings, comprising:

a memory for storing data representing a plurality of control signals for respective channels corresponding respectively to the light fittings;

a measurer for calculating a period of time during which said operation button is pressed based on a detected event starting when said operation button is pressed and ending when said operation button is released, and outputting a signal representing the calculated period of time as a measured period of time;

a transmitter for outputting a control signal based on the data stored in said memory; and

a controller for setting one of the channels based on said signal output from said measurer, and controlling said transmitter to output a control signal based on the data stored in said memory in association with the set channel,

wherein said controller sets said first channel if said measured period of time represented by said signal output from said measurer is shorter than a predetermined period of time, and sets said second channel if said measured period of time represented by said signal output from said measurer is longer than said predetermined period of time.

2. The remote control transmitter according to claim 1, wherein said measurer sets a maximum period of time which can thereby be measured as said predetermined period of time;

and

said controller sets said second channel if a signal indicating that said measured period of time reaches said maximum period of time is supplied from said measurer to said controller.

3. A remote control transmitter including an operation button for starting to operate a plurality of light fittings, comprising:

a memory for storing data representing a plurality of control signals for respective channels corresponding respectively to the light fittings;

a setting button for setting said channels;

a measurer for calculating a period of time during which said setting button is pressed based on a detected event starting when said setting button is pressed and ending when said setting button is released, and outputting a signal representing the calculated period of time as a measured period of time;

a transmitter for outputting a control signal based on the data stored in said memory; and

a controller for setting one of the channels based on said signal output from said measurer, and controlling said transmitter to output a control signal based on the data stored in said memory in association with the set channel,

wherein said controller sets said first channel if said measured period of time represented by said signal output from said measurer is shorter than a predetermined period of time, and sets said second channel if said measured period of time represented by said signal output from said measurer is longer than said predetermined period of time.

4. The remote control transmitter according to claim 3, wherein said measurer sets a maximum period of time which can thereby be measured as said predetermined period of time;

and

said controller sets said second channel if a signal indicating that said measured period of time reaches said maximum period of time is supplied from said measurer to said controller.