Method and apparatus for connecting AC powered switches, current sensors and control devices via two way IR, fiber optic and light guide cables

• US 8,175,463 B2
• Filed: 09/24/2008
• Issued: 05/08/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Elbex Video Limited (Elbex Japan Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Elbex Video Limited (Elbex Japan Ltd.)
• Inventors: Elberbaum, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Bello, Agustin
• Application Number:
  US12/236,656
• Publication Number:
  US 20100278537A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,322 Days
• Field of Search: 398/58, 398106-111, 398/113, 398/135, 398140-141
• US Class Current: 398/141
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/06 through light guides, e.g. optical fibres

Abstract

A method for connecting an AC powered device, which has an optical receiver, with a control circuit, which has an optical transmitter, using at least on optical medium cable includes the steps of terminating the cable at both of its ends, introducing the processed cable between the receiver and transmitter, attaching and securing one end of the processed cable to the transmitter and the other end of the processed cable to the receiver, and propagating a one way optical signal including control commands from the control circuit to the powered device.

Claims

1. A method for connecting an AC current detecting device with an automation controller network device via an optical grid of an optical cable for propagating one way optical signals, said network device comprising a CPU, a communication circuit and a first optical receiver, said AC current detecting device comprising a CPU, a communication circuit, a current sensing circuit and a second optical transmitter for detecting an AC current drain by a load and said load status;

an optical element of each optical receiver and each optical transmitter is enclosed in an opaque socket with an optical access and a holder commensurate with a size and a shape of a terminated end of said optical cable, said method comprising the steps of;

a. terminating one said optical cable at its both ends by a process selected from a group comprising cutting, shaping, polishing, lapping, fitting a plug and combinations thereof for providing a processed surface at both ends of the optical cable;

b. attaching and securing the two processed surfaces of each said terminated end one to each said optical element directly via each said opaque socket by each said holder;

c. introducing to at least one of said CPU an identification pertaining to at least one of said load and said AC current detecting device;

d. connecting said load to an AC power through said AC current detecting device;

e. operating said load;

f. detecting by said current sensing circuit the current drained by said load and said load status; and

g. propagating said one way optical signal including said identification and reporting at least one of the load current drain and the load status via said grid.

2. The method for connecting an AC current detecting device according to claim 1, wherein said automation controller is selected from a group comprising a dedicated controller, a video interphone, a shopping terminal and a combination thereof, said network device is selected from a group comprising an home automation control distributor, an optical driver, an optical repeater, a command converter, a current drain data receiver, a keypad and combinations thereof, said optical cable is selected from a group comprising a fiber optic, a lightguide and a combination thereof and said holder is selected from a group comprising a crimp plug, a bond plug, a self-lock plug, a vise plug, a screw, a structured indentation, a bar, a clamp, a clamp ring, a jaw and combinations thereof.

3. The method for connecting an AC current detecting device according to claim 1, wherein said introducing of an identification includes at least one of a location and particulars of said load.

4. The method for connecting an AC current detecting device according to claim 1, wherein said AC current detecting device is selected from a group comprising an AC current sensor, an AC outlet, an AC switch, an AC relay and combinations thereof.

5. The method for connecting an AC current detecting device according to claim 4, wherein each of said relay and said switch further comprising an operating key for switching said load on and off.

6. The method for connecting an AC current detecting device according to claim 4, wherein one of said relay and said switch is one of a semiconductor and electromechanical device.

7. The method for connecting an AC current detecting device according to claim 6, wherein said AC current detecting device further comprising a second optical receiver and said network device further comprising a first optical transmitter for propagating two way optical signals, said method comprising the further steps of:

h. terminating a second said optical cable by said process;

i. attaching and securing the two processed surfaces of said terminated ends of said second optical cable to each said optical element directly via each said opaque socket by each said holder of said first optical transmitter and said second optical receiver respectively; and

j. exchanging said two way optical signal by augmenting said reporting to include commands inquiring said load current drain and said load status from said network device to said AC current detecting device.

8. The method for connecting an AC current detecting device according to claim 7, wherein said commands are augmented to include commands for controlling said load and the power consumed by said load.

9. The method for connecting an AC current detecting device according to claim 6, wherein each said network device further including a first transceiver comprising a first plastic molded structure, a first transmit optical element and a first receive optical element, said AC current detecting device further including a second optical transceiver comprising a second plastic molded structure, a second receive optical element and a second transmit optical element, wherein each said plastic molded structure includes a combined optical access for accessing the two optical elements of each said transceiver for propagating two way optical signals;

each said combined optical access is enclosed in said opaque socket and wherein each said optical element in step b. of said method are replaced by said two optical elements of each said transceiver for said propagating two way optical signals via a single said optical cable; and

augmenting said reporting in step g. to include commands inquiring said load current drain and said load status from said network device to said AC current detecting device.

10. The method for connecting an AC current detecting device according to claim 9, wherein said commands are augmented to include commands for controlling said load and the power consumed by said load.

23. The method for connecting an AC detecting device according to claim 1, wherein said AC detecting device is structured to fit an electrical box and designed for installation selected from a group comprising front surface mounting side by side with electrical wiring device in an adjacent electrical box, side by side mounting with electrical wiring device inside an electrical box accessible from the front surface, front surface mounting with no adjacent electrical wiring devices, inside an electrical box mounting at the rear of an electrical wiring device occupying the front surface and hidden mounting inside an electrical box with blank cover.

11. A method for connecting an AC current detecting device including one of an SPDT and DPDT relay with an automation controller network device via an optical grid of an optical cable for operating a load via at least one of SPDT and DPDT switch by the connection of two traveler wires extended between two traveler terminals of said relay and two traveler terminals of said switch, said AC current detecting device comprising a CPU, a communication circuit, a current sensing circuit, a second optical receiver and a second optical transmitter, each said network device comprising a CPU, a communication circuit, a first optical transmitter and a first optical receiver for propagating two way optical signals;

an optical element of each optical receiver and each optical transmitter is enclosed in an opaque socket with an optical access and a holder commensurate with a size and a shape of a terminated end of said optical cable, said method comprising the steps of;

a. terminating two said optical cables at their both ends by a process selected from a group comprising cutting, shaping, polishing, lapping, fitting a plug and combinations thereof for providing a processed surface of each end of said optical cables;

b. attaching and securing each of said processed surface of each terminated end of a first said optical cable to each said optical elements directly via said opaque socket of said first optical transmitter and said opaque socket of said second optical receiver by each said holder respectively;

c. attaching and securing each of said processed surface of each terminated end of a second said optical cable to each said optical element directly via said opaque socket of said second optical transmitter and said opaque socket of said first optical receiver by each said holder respectively;

d. connecting said two traveler wires;

e. connecting said AC current detecting device including a pole of said relay to said AC power and said load to a pole terminal of said switch;

f. introducing to at least one of said CPU an identification pertaining to at least one of said load and said AC current detecting device;

g. exchanging said two way optical signals selected from a group comprising control commands, confirmations, statuses, current drain, data and combinations thereof for at least one of operating and controlling said load including at least one of monitoring said load current drain and said load status.

12. The method for connecting an AC current detecting device according to claim 11, wherein said automation controller is selected from a group comprising, a dedicated controller, a video interphone, a shopping terminal and a combination thereof, said network device is selected from a group comprising an home automation control distributor, an optical driver, an optical repeater, a command converter, a current drain data receiver, a keypad and combinations thereof, said optical cable is selected from a group comprising a fiber optic, a lightguide and a combination thereof and said holder is selected from a group comprising a crimp plug, a bond plug, a self-lock plug, a vise plug, a screw, a structured indentation, a bar, a clamp, a clamp ring, a jaw and combinations thereof.

13. The method for connecting an AC current detecting device according to claim 11, wherein said introducing of an identification includes at least one of a location and particulars of said load.

14. The method for connecting an AC current detecting device according to claim 11, wherein said AC current detecting device further include an operating key for switching said load on and off.

15. The method for connecting an AC current detecting device according to claim 11, wherein said relay is a semiconductor relay.

16. The method for connecting an AC current detecting device according to claim 15, wherein said commands further include commands for controlling the power consumed by said load.

24. The method for connecting an AC detecting device according to claim 11, wherein said AC detecting device is structured to fit an electrical box and designed for installation selected from a group comprising front surface mounting side by side with electrical wiring device in an adjacent electrical box, side by side mounting with electrical wiring device inside an electrical box accessible from the front surface, front surface mounting with no adjacent electrical wiring devices, inside an electrical box mounting at the rear of an electrical wiring device occupying the front surface and hidden mounting inside an electrical box with blank cover.

17. A method for connecting AC current detecting device including one of an SPDT and DPDT relay with an automation controller network device via an optical grid of an optical cable for operating a load via at least one of an SPDT and DPDT switch by the connection of two traveler wires extended between two traveler terminals of said relay and two traveler terminals of said switch, said AC current detecting device comprising a CPU, a communication circuit, a current sensing circuit and a second optical transceiver, said network device comprising a CPU, a communication circuit and a first optical transceiver for propagating two way optical signal;

said first transceiver comprising a first plastic molded structure, a first transmit optical element and a first receive optical element, said second optical transceiver comprising a second plastic molded structure, a second receive optical element and a second transmit optical element, each said plastic molded structure includes a combined optical access for accessing the two optical elements of each optical transceiver, said two optical elements and said combined optical access are enclosed in an opaque socket including a holder, said method comprising the steps of;

a. terminating said optical cable at its both ends by a process selected from a group comprising cutting, shaping, polishing, lapping, fitting a plug and combinations thereof for providing a processed surface at both ends of the optical cables;

b. attaching and securing each of said processed surface of a terminated end of said optical cable to each said two optical elements directly of each said transceiver via each said opaque socket by each said holder respectively;

c. connecting said two traveler wires;

d. connecting said AC current detecting device including a pole of said relay to said AC power and said load to a pole terminal of said switch;

e. introducing to at least one of said CPU an identification pertaining to at least one of said load and said AC current detecting device; and

f. exchanging said two way optical signals selected from a group comprising control commands, confirmations, statuses, current drain, data and combinations thereof for at least one of operating and controlling said load including at least one of monitoring said load current drain and said load status.

18. The method for connecting an AC current detecting device according to claim 17, wherein said automation controller is selected from a group comprising, a dedicated controller, a video interphone, a shopping terminal and a combination thereof, said network device is selected from a group comprising an home automation control distributor, an optical driver, an optical repeater, a command converter, a current drain data receiver, a keypad and combinations thereof, said optical cable is selected from a group comprising a fiber optic, a lightguide and a combination thereof and said holder is selected from a group comprising a crimp plug, a bond plug, a self-lock plug, a vise plug, a screw, a structured indentation, a bar, a clamp, a clamp ring, a jaw and combinations thereof.

19. The method for connecting an AC current detecting device according to claim 17, wherein said introducing of an identification includes at least one of a location and particulars of said load.

20. The method for connecting an AC current detecting device according to claim 17, wherein said AC current detecting device further comprising an operating key for switching said load on and off.

21. The method for connecting an AC current detecting device according to claim 17, wherein said relay is a semiconductor relay.

22. The method for connecting an AC current detecting device according to claim 21, wherein said commands further include commands for controlling the power consumed by said load.

25. The method for connecting an AC detecting device according to claim 17, wherein said AC detecting device is structured to fit an electrical box and designed for installation selected from a group comprising front surface mounting side by side with electrical wiring device in an adjacent electrical box, side by side mounting with electrical wiring device inside an electrical box accessible from the front surface, front surface mounting with no adjacent electrical wiring devices, inside an electrical box mounting at the rear of an electrical wiring device occupying the front surface and hidden mounting inside an electrical box with blank cover.

26. An AC current detecting device for connection to an automation controller network device via an optical grid of an optical cable, said network device comprising a CPU, a communication circuit and a first optical receiver, said AC current detecting device comprising a CPU, a communication circuit, a current sensing circuit and a second optical transmitter, at least one of said CPU includes at least one of a memory and a setting selector for introducing an identification pertaining to at least one of a load and said AC current detecting device;

an optical element of each optical receiver and each optical transmitter is enclosed in an opaque socket with an optical access and a holder commensurate with a size and a shape of a terminated end of said optical cable, terminated at its both ends by a process selected from a group comprising cutting, shaping, polishing, lapping, fitting a plug and combinations thereof, each said holder attach and secure one processed surface of the two terminated ends of said optical cable to each said optical element directly via each said opaque socket;

said current sensing circuit detects a current drained by said load connected to an AC power through said AC current detecting device and said second optical transmitter propagates one way optical signal including said identification for reporting at least one of the load current drain and the load status to said first optical receiver.

27. The AC current detecting device according to claim 26, wherein said automation controller is selected from a group comprising, a dedicated controller, a video interphone, a shopping terminal and a combination thereof, said network device is selected from a group comprising an home automation control distributor, an optical driver, an optical repeater, a command converter, a current drain data receiver, a keypad and combinations thereof, said optical cable is selected from a group comprising a fiber optic, a lightguide and a combination thereof and said holder is selected from a group comprising a crimp plug, a bond plug, a self-lock plug, a vise plug, a screw, a structured indentation, a bar, a clamp, a clamp ring, a jaw and combinations thereof.

28. The AC current detecting device according to claim 26, wherein said introducing of an identification includes at least one of a location and particulars of said load.

29. The AC current detecting device according to claim 26, wherein said AC current detecting device is selected from a group comprising an AC current sensor, an AC outlet, an AC switch, an AC relay and combinations thereof.

30. The AC current detecting device according to claim 29, wherein each of said relay and said switch further comprising an operating key for switching said load on and off.

31. The AC current detecting device according to claim 29, wherein at least one of said relay and said switch is one of a semiconductor and electromechanical device.

32. The AC current detecting device according to claim 31, wherein said AC current detecting device further comprising a second optical receiver and said network device further comprising a first optical transmitter for propagating two way optical signals by attaching and securing two processed surfaces of a second optical cable to each said optical element via each said opaque socket by each said holder of said first optical transmitter and said second optical receiver respectively and by augmenting said reporting to include commands inquiring said load current drain and said load status.

33. The AC current detecting device according to claim 32, wherein said commands are augmented to include commands for controlling said load and the power consumed by said load.

34. The AC current detecting device according to claim 29, wherein said network device further comprising a first transceiver comprising a first plastic molded structure, a first transmit optical element and said first receive optical element, said AC current detecting device further comprising a second optical transceiver comprising a second plastic molded structure, a second receive optical element and said second transmit optical element, each said plastic molded structure includes a combined optical access for accessing the two optical elements of each said transceiver for propagating two way optical signals;

each said combined optical access of each said plastic molded structure is enclosed in said opaque socket and said holder attach and secure one processed surface of the terminated end of said optical cable directly to said optical elements for exchanging two way optical signals via a single said optical cable for augmenting said reporting to include commands inquiring said load current drain and said load status.

35. The AC current detecting device according to claim 34, wherein said commands are augmented to include commands for controlling said load and the power consumed by said load.

38. The AC current detecting device according to claim 26, wherein said introducing of an identification includes at least one of a location and particulars of said load.

39. The AC current detecting device according to claim 26, wherein said AC current detecting device further include an operating key for switching said load on and off.

40. The AC current detecting device according to claim 26, wherein said relay is a semiconductor relay.

41. The AC current detecting device according to claim 40, wherein said commands further include commands for controlling the power consumed by said load.

48. The AC detecting device according to claim 26, wherein said AC detecting device is structured to fit an electrical box and designed for installation selected from a group comprising front surface mounting side by side with electrical wiring device in an adjacent electrical box, side by side mounting with electrical wiring device inside an electrical box accessible from the front surface, front surface mounting with no adjacent electrical wiring devices, inside an electrical box mounting at the rear of an electrical wiring device occupying the front surface and hidden mounting inside an electrical box with blank cover.

36. An AC current detecting device including one of an SPDT and DPDT relay for connection to an automation controller network device via an optical grid of an optical cable for operating a load via at least one of SPDT and DPDT switch by the connection of a pole of said relay to live AC, a pole of said switch to said load and two traveler wires between two traveler terminals of said relay and two traveler terminals of said switch;

said AC current detecting device comprising a CPU, a communication circuit, a current sensing circuit, a second optical receiver and a second optical transmitter, each said network device comprising a CPU, a communication circuit, a first optical transmitter and a first optical receiver, at least one of said CPU including at least one of a memory and a setting selector for introducing identification pertaining to at least one of said load and said AC current detecting device;

an optical element of each optical receiver and each optical transmitter is enclosed in an opaque socket with an optical access and a holder commensurate with a size and a shape of a terminated end of said optical cable, terminated at its both ends by a process selected from a group comprising cutting, shaping, polishing, lapping, fitting a plug and combinations thereof, each said holder attach and secure one processed surface of one terminated end of one said optical cable directly to said element via one said access and said opaque socket;

two said optical cables terminated at their both ends are extended between said AC current detecting device and said network device, a first said optical cable is extended between said first optical transmitter and of said second optical receiver and a second said optical cable between said second optical transmitter and said first optical receiver for propagating two way optical signals selected from a group comprising control commands, confirmations, statuses, current drain, data and combinations thereof for at least one of operating and controlling said load including at least one of monitoring said load current drain and said status.

37. The AC current detecting device according to claim 36, wherein said automation controller is selected from a group comprising, a dedicated controller, a video interphone, a shopping terminal and a combination thereof, said network device is selected from a group comprising an home automation control distributor, an optical driver, an optical repeater, a command converter, a current drain data receiver, a keypad and combinations thereof, said optical cable is selected from a group comprising a fiber optic, a lightguide and a combination thereof and said holder is selected from a group comprising a crimp plug, a bond plug, a self-lock plug, a vise plug, a screw, a structured indentation, a bar, a clamp, a clamp ring, a jaw and combinations thereof.

49. The AC detecting device according to claim 36, wherein said AC detecting device is structured to fit an electrical box and designed for installation selected from a group comprising front surface mounting side by side with electrical wiring device in an adjacent electrical box, side by side mounting with electrical wiring device inside an electrical box accessible from the front surface, front surface mounting with no adjacent electrical wiring devices, inside an electrical box mounting at the rear of an electrical wiring device occupying the front surface and hidden mounting inside an electrical box with blank cover.

42. An AC current detecting device including one of an SPDT and DPDT relay for connecting to an automation controller network device via an optical grid of an optical cable for operating a load via at least one of an SPDT and DPDT switch by the connection of a pole terminal of said relay to live AC, said load to a pole terminal of said switch and two traveler wires between two traveler terminals of said relay and two traveler terminals of said switch;

said AC current detecting device comprising a CPU, a communication circuit, a current sensing circuit and a second optical transceiver, said network device comprising a CPU, a communication circuit and a first optical transceiver, at least one of said CPU including at least one of a memory and a setting selector for introducing an identification pertaining to at least one of said load and said AC current detecting device;

said first transceiver comprising a first plastic molded structure, a first transmit optical element and a first receive optical element, said second optical transceiver comprising a second plastic molded structure, a second receive optical element and a second transmit optical element, each said plastic molded structure includes a combined optical access for accessing the two optical elements of each optical transceiver, said two optical elements and said combined optical access are enclosed in an opaque socket including a holder commensurate with a size and a shape of a terminated end of said optical cable terminated at its both ends by a process selected from a group comprising cutting, shaping, polishing, lapping, fitting a plug and combinations thereof;

the two terminated ends of said optical cable are extended between two said opaque sockets with each said holder attach and secure the processed surface of one terminated end of said optical cable to two said optical element of said first transceiver and said second transceiver for propagating two way optical signals;

said AC current detecting device and said network device exchange said two way optical signals selected from a group comprising control commands, confirmations, statuses, current drain, data and combinations thereof for at least one of operating and controlling said load including at least one of monitoring said load current drain and said status.

43. The AC current detecting device according to claim 42, wherein said automation controller is selected from a group comprising, a dedicated controller, a video interphone, a shopping terminal and a combination thereof, said network device is selected from a group comprising an home automation control distributor, an optical driver, an optical repeater, a command converter, a current drain data receiver, a keypad and combinations thereof, said optical cable is selected from a group comprising a fiber optic, a lightguide and a combination thereof and said holder is selected from a group comprising a crimp plug, a bond plug, a self-lock plug, a vise plug, a screw, a structured indentation, a bar, a clamp, a clamp ring, a jaw and combinations thereof.

44. The AC current detecting device according to claim 42, wherein said introducing of an identification includes at least one of a location and particulars of said load.

45. The AC current detecting device according to claim 42, wherein said AC current detecting device further comprising an operating key for switching said load on and off.

46. The AC current detecting device according to claim 42, wherein said relay is a semiconductor relay.

47. The AC current detecting device according to claim 46, wherein said commands further include commands for controlling the power consumed by said load.

50. The AC detecting device according to claim 42, wherein said AC detecting device is structured to fit an electrical box and designed for installation selected from a group comprising front surface mounting side by side with electrical wiring device in an adjacent electrical box, side by side mounting with electrical wiring device inside an electrical box accessible from the front surface, front surface mounting with no adjacent electrical wiring devices, inside an electrical box mounting at the rear of an electrical wiring device occupying the front surface and hidden mounting inside an electrical box with blank cover.