Remote control systems

• US 8,378,783 B1
• Filed: 04/21/2010
• Issued: 02/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Andrew L. Augustine
• Original Assignee: Andrew L. Augustine
• Inventors: Augustine, Andrew L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bugg, George
• Assistant Examiner(s): LAI, ANNE VIET NGA
• Application Number:
  US12/764,851
• Time in Patent Office: 1,035 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.61, 340/5.64, 340/5.7, 340/5.71, 340/426.13, 340/426.16, 340/12.22, 340/12.5, 340/13.24, 340/13.25, 340/4.11, 341/176
• US Class Current: 340/5.64
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0017 Devices integrating an element dedicated to another function
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link

Abstract

A system that allows a user to install a remote control transmitter to transmit a control signal in response to the driver flashing the high-beam headlights in a vehicle without cutting and splicing wires in the vehicle electrical system. Pluggable light system components such as the light bulb housing, the light bulb socket, and/or the headlight fuse are structured and arranged to contain a radio frequency transmitter that draws power from the existing electrical circuits. A method of use is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A remote control system, relating to remote operation of at least one vehicle gate for at least one vehicle to drive through, comprising:

a) at least one automotive fuse housing insertable into at least one electrical fuse-box socket of at least one vehicle;

b) wherein said at least one automotive fuse housing comprises

i) at least one vehicle gate operator transmitter to transmit at least one coded radio frequency signal to remotely control operation of at least one vehicle gate,

ii) at least one automotive fuse, and

iii) at least one electrical contact blade;

c) wherein said at least one vehicle gate operator transmitter is structured and arranged to draw electrical power from said at least one automotive fuse when electrical power is applied to said at least one automotive fuse; and

d) wherein said at least one vehicle gate operator transmitter is triggered to transmit such at least one coded radio frequency signal by modulation of electrical power supplied to said at least one automotive fuse.

2. The remote control system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one vehicle electric light circuit.

3. The remote control system according to claim 2, wherein said at least one automotive fuse is in electrical connection with said at least one vehicle electric light circuit.

4. The remote control system according to claim 3, wherein said at least one vehicle electric light circuit comprises at least one vehicle high-beam headlight circuit.

5. The remote control system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one vehicle gate operator transmitter is supplied to said at least one automotive fuse housing via at least one adapter element.

6. The remote control system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one automotive fuse housing comprises two electrical contact blades.

7. The remote control system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one vehicle gate operator transmitter remotely operates at least one garage door.

8. A method comprising the steps of:

a) unplugging at least one automotive fuse from at least one electrical fuse-box socket of at least one vehicle;

b) plugging at least one automotive fuse comprising at least one vehicle gate operator transmitter into such at least one electrical fuse-box socket; and

c) triggering operation of such at least one vehicle gate operator transmitter by powering at least one electric light circuit of such at least one vehicle.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of programming such at least one vehicle gate operator transmitter to operate with at least one particular vehicle gate.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein such triggering step occurs in response to at least one pattern of powering such at least one electric light circuit of such at least one vehicle.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein triggering operation of such at least one vehicle gate operator occurs by powering at least one vehicle high-beam headlight circuit.

12. A vehicle comprising:

a) at least one automotive fuse connected with at least one electrical fuse-box socket of said vehicle;

b) wherein said at least one automotive fuse comprises

i) at least one vehicle gate operator transmitter to transmit at least one coded radio frequency signal to remotely control at least one vehicle gate,

ii) at least one fuse, and

iii) at least one electrical contact blade;

c) wherein said at least one vehicle gate operator transmitter is structured and arranged to draw electrical power from said at least one automotive fuse when electrical power is applied to said at least one automotive fuse; and

d) wherein said at least one vehicle gate operator transmitter is triggered to transmit such at least one coded radio frequency signal by modulation of electrical power supplied to said at least one automotive fuse.

13. The vehicle according to claim 12, wherein said at least one automotive fuse is in electrical connection with at least one vehicle electric light circuit.

14. The vehicle according to claim 13, wherein said at least one vehicle electric light circuit comprises at least one vehicle high-beam headlight circuit.

15. The vehicle according to claim 12, wherein said at least one vehicle gate operator transmitter is supplied to said at least one automotive fuse via at least one adapter element.

16. The vehicle according to claim 12, wherein said at least one automotive fuse comprises two electrical contact blades.

17. The vehicle according to claim 12, wherein said at least one vehicle gate operator transmitter remotely operates at least one garage door.

18. The vehicle according to claim 12, wherein said vehicle has at least two wheels.

19. The vehicle according to claim 12, wherein said vehicle has at least four wheels.

20. The vehicle according to claim 12, wherein said vehicle has four or more wheels.