EP0960454B1 - A remote control adapter - Google Patents

A remote control adapter Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0960454B1
EP0960454B1 EP98904289A EP98904289A EP0960454B1 EP 0960454 B1 EP0960454 B1 EP 0960454B1 EP 98904289 A EP98904289 A EP 98904289A EP 98904289 A EP98904289 A EP 98904289A EP 0960454 B1 EP0960454 B1 EP 0960454B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
remote control
adapter
adapter according
adapter body
control adapter
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP98904289A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0960454A1 (en
Inventor
Steven Sevak Singh
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP0960454A1 publication Critical patent/EP0960454A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0960454B1 publication Critical patent/EP0960454B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B39/00—Circuit arrangements or apparatus for operating incandescent light sources
    • H05B39/04—Controlling
    • H05B39/08—Controlling by shifting phase of trigger voltage applied to gas-filled controlling tubes also in controlled semiconductor devices
    • H05B39/083—Controlling by shifting phase of trigger voltage applied to gas-filled controlling tubes also in controlled semiconductor devices by the variation-rate of light intensity
    • H05B39/085—Controlling by shifting phase of trigger voltage applied to gas-filled controlling tubes also in controlled semiconductor devices by the variation-rate of light intensity by touch control
    • H05B39/086—Controlling by shifting phase of trigger voltage applied to gas-filled controlling tubes also in controlled semiconductor devices by the variation-rate of light intensity by touch control with possibility of remote control
    • H05B39/088—Controlling by shifting phase of trigger voltage applied to gas-filled controlling tubes also in controlled semiconductor devices by the variation-rate of light intensity by touch control with possibility of remote control by wireless means, e.g. infrared transmitting means
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B47/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light sources in general, i.e. where the type of light source is not relevant
    • H05B47/10—Controlling the light source
    • H05B47/175—Controlling the light source by remote control
    • H05B47/19—Controlling the light source by remote control via wireless transmission
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B47/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light sources in general, i.e. where the type of light source is not relevant
    • H05B47/10—Controlling the light source
    • H05B47/175—Controlling the light source by remote control
    • H05B47/19—Controlling the light source by remote control via wireless transmission
    • H05B47/195—Controlling the light source by remote control via wireless transmission the transmission using visible or infrared light

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a remote control adapter, and in particular, one which is suitable for a light fitting.
  • a remote control adapter is described in United States Patent Number 4,654,541.
  • a remote control adapter for connecting an electrical device to an electrical supply, comprises:
  • a remote control adapter for fitting in-line between an electrical power supply and an electrical device so that a number of functions of the device can be controlled or triggered remotely.
  • the remote control circuit is located within the adapter body to minimise the overall size of the remote control adapter. This is particularly important for applications where the visual impact of the adapter is significant to the customer.
  • the remote control adapter further comprises a hollow core which communicates with vents at opposite ends of the adapter body to provide a passage for air to pass through the adapter body in the direction of the longitudinal axis to dissipate heat by convection.
  • the remote source is a remote control transmitter.
  • the remote source may be any form of external stimulus capable of being detected, for example, infra-red radiation from a human body.
  • the electrical device is a light bulb and the remote control circuit forms a dimmer switch.
  • the first connector is a fitting for a standard electrical bulb socket, i.e. a bayonet or a screw-type fitting.
  • the second connector is adapted to receive a standard electrical fitting for a light bulb.
  • the remote control adapter may also be used with other electrical devices, for example, fans, smoke detectors and alarms.
  • the remote control circuit may be designed to perform a number of control functions in addition to switching the device on and off.
  • the remote control circuit may include a timer circuit for controlling the length of time that the device is switched on or for implementing a delayed dimmer/off function.
  • the remote control circuit could be programmed to turn the light on gradually over a predetermined interval at a predetermined time.
  • the remote control adapter is adapted to rotate to at least a limited extent about the longitudinal axis of the adapter body. More preferably, it is the second connector which is rotatable relative to the adapter body.
  • the remote control circuit includes an infra-red receiver which is responsive to a signal from a remote control transmitter.
  • the ability to rotate the adapter body makes it possible to select the position of a receiver of the remote control circuit.
  • An additional element such as an infra-red detector for detecting the presence of a person within a predetermined area may also be provided in the adapter and be aligned accordingly.
  • a remote control adapter 1 for an electrical bulb socket 2 is provided in which the remote control adapter 1 is located between the electrical socket 2 and an electrical bulb 3.
  • the remote control adapter 1 has a socket connector 4, in this case a bayonet fitting, and a complimentary bulb socket (bayonet) fitting (not shown) within an annular housing 5 for receiving the bayonet fitting of the bulb 3.
  • the annular housing 5 is hollow and a remote control circuit 7 mounted on a flexible substrate or annular disc is located within the housing so that the circuit is effectively "wrapped" around the longitudinal axis of the adapter body.
  • the remote control circuit 7 is operated by a remote transmitter 6 and may perform a variety of functions.
  • the remote control adapter is moulded from a heat resistant thermoplastics material such as glass filled PET.
  • FIGs 2 and 3 show the assembly of a first example of a remote control adapter 21.
  • the remote control circuit has been omitted for clarity.
  • the remote control adapter comprises an inner cup portion 22 which is received by an outer cup portion 23, an end plate 24, and a rotatable socket connector 25 consisting of a T-piece 26 and a socket cap 27 held together by a pin 28.
  • An annular washer 29 is provided as a spring contact pressure washer, the function of which is described below.
  • the inner cup portion 22 is moulded with an integral J-slot 30 to receive the bayonet fitting of an electrical bulb (not shown).
  • the outer surface 31 of the inner cup portion 22 is provided with a reflecting material to reflect both heat and light away from the adapter body.
  • the T-piece 26 of the socket connector 25 is shown in Figures 4A and 4B and includes a key 32, the function of which is described below.
  • the assembly of the socket connector 25 is shown in Figures 5A to 5G.
  • Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the remote control adapter 21.
  • a remote control circuit 33 is fitted within the annular housing defined by the inner and outer cup portions.
  • the remote control circuit 33 is mounted on a flexible substrate of the type used in the production of multi-layered printed circuit boards, for example, single sided copper FR4 PCB, so that it can be wrapped around the longitudinal axis within the annular housing.
  • the circuit is shown schematically in Figure 7.
  • An infra-red receiver 34 is connected to the circuit and mounted so that it faces to the rear of the housing, i.e. in the shadow of the electrical bulb 35.
  • the remote control circuit 33 receives power from the mains supply to the standard socket whenever the light is switched on.
  • An electrical lead (not shown) is provided which connects the socket connector 25 to the circuit via an unbroken mid-lead spring-pinch electrical connection to one of the springs 36 of the bulb fitting. Additional electrical leads (not shown) connect the other spring 36 and the socket connector 25 to the remote control circuit 33.
  • the annular washer 29 is fitted so as to retain the springs 36 within the inner cup portion 22 during assembly. Thereafter. it provides a pressure washer onto which the springs 36 bear so that the springs maintain good electrical contact with their respective electrical leads.
  • the remote control adapter 21 receives the bayonet fitting of the electrical bulb 35 well within the adapter to minimise the overall length of the adapter. As shown, air is able to circulate through passages which extend through the core of the adapter body to help dissipate heat.
  • the socket connector 25 has the ability to rotate through a limited angle to adjust the relative location of the infra-red receiver. As shown in Figures 5A to 5G and 6, the socket connector 25 has a rotatable portion having a two part construction which is held together by a pin 28 which extends through a passage 37 in the socket connector 25. This pin 28 creates a bayonet fitting for locating in the electrical socket.
  • the socket connector 25 is keyed for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the adapter, limited by a stop 32 coming up against a second stop (not shown) in the keyway provided.
  • an infra-red detector 39 for detecting the presence of a person in a room is provided in the adapter body, this infra-red detector can be aligned in a preferred direction.
  • FIG. 7 shows the layout of the remote control circuit 33.
  • This circuit comprises surface mount components mounted on a tlexible PCB substrate 40 so that the low power circuit elements are mounted towards one end of the substrate, with the high power components mounted at the other. This means that when the circuit is wrapped within the housing of the adapter body, low power circuit components are located well away from the high power circuit components, which might otherwise cause the adapter to malfunction.
  • the detector stage 41 typically contains elements such as a signal sensor, an AGC (automatic gain control), a band pass filter, a demodulator, an integrator, a Schmitt trigger, and a drive stage.
  • the signal discrimination stage 42 may contain a decoder, error check circuit or some other signal discriminating circuit function.
  • the signal discrimination stage 42 may be configured so that the circuit only reacts to a stream of pulses, thereby avoiding false activation due to random noise.
  • the power-on-reset circuit 43 ensures that on power-up the mode of operation of the unit is defined.
  • the function control stage 44 responds to a processed input signal and activates the power switching stage 45 accordingly.
  • the power regulator stage 46 derives the necessary power rails required to support all the functional circuit blocks of the remote control circuit.
  • the mains filter 47 limits both conducted and radiated electrical noise. The mains interface with the load and power switching is physically located away from the low power sensitive parts of the circuit for the reasons described above.
  • Figure 8 shows a second example of a remote control adapter 51.
  • the infra-red receiver is provided on the end of a sub-miniature cable 52 (DEF standard 61-12 - Part IV, type 7-1-3A).
  • the sub-miniature cable 52 serves as an extension cable to allow the infra-red receiver to be positioned away from objects such as light shades which may otherwise obstruct a signal from a remote control transmitter.
  • the cable is wound around a specially adapted end plate 53, shown in detail in Figures 9A and 9B, which stores the cable and permits deployment of the required length of cable when necessary.
  • the remote control adapter is the same as that described earlier with respect of Figures 1 to 7.
  • the cable 52 may be a light pipe which couples light to an infra-red receiver within the adapter.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Arrangement Of Elements, Cooling, Sealing, Or The Like Of Lighting Devices (AREA)
  • Selective Calling Equipment (AREA)
EP98904289A 1997-02-17 1998-02-16 A remote control adapter Expired - Lifetime EP0960454B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9703248 1997-02-17
GBGB9703248.6A GB9703248D0 (en) 1997-02-17 1997-02-17 Remote control adapter
PCT/GB1998/000473 WO1998036476A1 (en) 1997-02-17 1998-02-16 A remote control adapter

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0960454A1 EP0960454A1 (en) 1999-12-01
EP0960454B1 true EP0960454B1 (en) 2002-05-22

Family

ID=10807796

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98904289A Expired - Lifetime EP0960454B1 (en) 1997-02-17 1998-02-16 A remote control adapter

Country Status (7)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0960454B1 (xx)
AU (1) AU6223598A (xx)
DE (1) DE69805504T2 (xx)
ES (1) ES2178155T3 (xx)
GB (2) GB9703248D0 (xx)
HK (1) HK1023232A1 (xx)
WO (1) WO1998036476A1 (xx)

Families Citing this family (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2336701A (en) * 1998-04-21 1999-10-27 Polarmax Limited Detachable function unit
GB0009962D0 (en) * 2000-04-25 2000-06-14 Hardwick Michael D Energy saving
TW486200U (en) * 2000-11-14 2002-05-01 Lin-Song Weng Remote control apparatus for lamp tube
FR2857179A1 (fr) * 2003-07-01 2005-01-07 Michel Jean Eugene Fovel Enfichage d'une borne fixe ayant fonction de detecteur electronique ou de relais de transmission sur un systeme d'eclairage entre la douille et la lampe
GB2407713A (en) * 2003-11-01 2005-05-04 David Swinfen A mains electrical adaptor with a remote control on/off switch
US20080041842A1 (en) 2005-09-07 2008-02-21 United Technologies Corporation Connector for heater
CN201754455U (zh) * 2007-01-18 2011-03-02 罗德里克·约翰·谢泼德 开关装置
GB2470429A (en) * 2009-05-18 2010-11-24 Patrick Hayden Adapter to switch off lights in the absence of people
GB201405570D0 (en) 2014-03-27 2014-05-14 Aurora Ltd Improved control module
CN114530738A (zh) * 2022-02-25 2022-05-24 河南宝通信息安全测评有限公司 一种系统风险检测多通道转换接头

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2032664A (en) * 1978-10-17 1980-05-08 Hutton R Electrical control apparatus
US4654541A (en) * 1986-02-07 1987-03-31 Clifford G. Dimmitt Lamp dimmer casing
IT1189597B (it) * 1986-06-06 1988-02-04 Carla Questa Impianto elettrico di illuminazione con punti luce telecomandati
US5121287A (en) * 1990-03-12 1992-06-09 Wade Lee Receiver/adapter for lamp control
AU8330291A (en) * 1990-07-23 1992-02-18 Kenneth J Franco Multi-mode remote control system
GB2280291A (en) * 1993-07-20 1995-01-25 Nicholas Weiner Control of equipment

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69805504T2 (de) 2002-12-05
HK1023232A1 (en) 2000-09-01
AU6223598A (en) 1998-09-08
GB9703248D0 (en) 1997-04-09
DE69805504D1 (de) 2002-06-27
GB2322214A (en) 1998-08-19
ES2178155T3 (es) 2002-12-16
WO1998036476A1 (en) 1998-08-20
GB9803278D0 (en) 1998-04-08
EP0960454A1 (en) 1999-12-01

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