GB2397154A

GB2397154A - Wireless wall switch

Info

Publication number: GB2397154A
Application number: GB0300647A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Craig Exley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-01-13
Filing date: 2003-01-13
Publication date: 2004-07-14
Also published as: GB0300647D0

Abstract

The 'wireless' wall switch uses infra red and/or radio (depending on transmission distances) to activate a normally hard wired mains device such as an electric light. The technology comprises a battery powered 'sender' switch (typically the wireless wall switch) and a receiver' switch (typically a mains powered light). The sender and receiver are calibrated to the same identity number, by the installer, using two small wheels within the 'sender' (wall switch) and 'receiver' (the light/lamp/electrical devices) to enable multiple devices to be operated in the same transmission field without conflict. The technology can be applied to any electrical device running on standard voltage supplies, such as 3 Phase, AC or DC current, 220v or 110v AC domestic mains or 24v or 12v DC. The technology may also be applied to vehicles, boats and camping equipment as well as 'hostile' environments such as manufacturing and military applications.

Description

WIRELESS WALL SWITCH

1. Technical Field

This invention Elates to a wireless wall switch designed lo activate nonnally wired lights or any other electrically powered device. For the purposes ofthis patent application the design example will be for light switching and comprises a 'Sender' switch (the wall switch) and the Receiver' switch (the light socket or lamp body).

2. Background

Existing wall switches use 'hard' wiring to enable lights lo be turned on. Conventional wall switches use expensive copper cabling and require skilled labour to channel (known as chasing') into walls and run to static mounted wall switches which necessitates damage to brickwork and decorative finishes. The use of a 'wireless' wall switch enables the switch (or switches) to be located anywhere within the vicinity of the electrical device and placed (or moved) as required. There is no need for cables to be chased into walls (and subsequently run across ceilings or under floors) and the 'finish' of the building does not need to be disturbed (for example brickwork plasterwork plasterboard paint or wall papered finishes etc.).

3. Essential Technical Features The Wireless Wall Switch will have the same look and dimensions of a standard wall switch commonly used for domestic business and industrial applications. There are two principle components that comprise the invention- the 'sends' switch and the 'receiver' switch.

- 'Sender' Switch The switch (known as the 'Sender' switch) is the wall mounted switch. It comprises a solid state radio and/or infra red transmitter enclosed within the light switch body and the entire unit is wall mounted using either a self adhesive backing (to allow it to be securely stuck to any standard wall surface) or the built in screw fastening option to allow screw fastening to brick or any other rough or unprepared subrace or where regulations require screw type fastening.

The 'Sender' transmitter switch is powered by a small nicad battery and each switch is calibrated to match a correspondingly calibrated light or indeed any other electrical device.

Unique calibration of the switch and its associated devices is essential to ensure switches are synchronized to only operate specific devices and also facilitate the use of multiple switches and their associated devices within the same transmission area. In this example calibration is achieved using 2 small encoders utilising 2 small nylon wheels calibrated from 'O' to '9'.

Each wheel can be set to a unique code based on units and tens to give any code from 10 to the power of 10 which can be set by turning each wheel by inserting a small electrical screw driver into the slat placed hi axis of each wheel. Calibration can only take place prior to Oatmeal (no external calibration possible) to prevent either delibaerate or accidental change of a switch's identify number. The transmitter within the switch broadcasts a coded signal which only those devices configured with the same code will respond to. The sender switch will only transmit the signal info the immediate vicinity and will be blocked by any major obstruction such as a wall to prevent cross switching of lights in other rooms that may have been set to identical calibrations. It is expected that a range of different strength transmitters will be available depending on operating distances between the 'Sender' switch and the Receiver' switch.

Claims

WIRELESS WALL SWITCH - 'Receiver Switch' The receiving switch is integral (using the example of a light) to the light bulb socket and comprises a solid state radio or inDa red receiver that completes or breaks the mains (or any other hard wired electrical supply) voltage supply to the light bulb (or any other type of lighting such as fluorescent or halogen for example). As with the 'sender' switch the receivernust also be set to the same unique calibration as that set on the sending wall switch to enable operation. In all other respects the receiver in this case a mains powered light remains standard allowing bayonet filling bulbs and other lamp fittings such as shades and light surrounds to be used. 4. Exampl_ The aforenientioned technology may also be applied to 3-pin electrical plugs which could act es 'Receiving' switches- providing electrical health and safety regulations permit. Wireless switches could also be used in hostile industrial environments or in motor vehicles. boats. aircraft or military applications. For the purposes of this patent request a standard light switch has been used as the example. WIRELESS WALL SWITCH CLAIMS

1. The wireless switch uses a wireless 'sender' switch which is configured to communicate via either infra red or radio frequencies with a hard wired 'receiver' switch whicl' will typically power a mains powered device or devices.

2. The 'sender' and 'receiver' switches are configured by the installer to have a common and unique (to the transmission area) identity set to enable accurate control.

3. The 'sender' and 'receiver' switches can be easily changed lo different id's to enable flexible charges of application or reconfiguration of the operating environment.

4. It is anticipated that the main application of this technology will be for mains powered lamps and lights as well as any other electrical device fitted with the 'receives' technology.

5. The technology described in claim 1 & 2 may be applied to any hard wired device in domestic? business and industrial environments.

6. There is no restriction on the number or type of hard wired receiver devices nor the sender devices other than the constraints of the transmission environment in which the devices are deployed.

7. The hard wired 'receiver' devices described in claims 1 and 2 can be powered by any standard voltage such as 3 Phase AC or DC current 220v or l 1 Ov AC domestic mains of 24v or 12v DC commonly used by vehicles boats and camping equipment.

8. The wireless switch described in claims 1 and 2 may also be used hi "hostile' environments such as manufacturing research and development as well as military applications.