US5146153A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wireless control system
Assignee: Lutron Technology Co LLC
•
Filing: 1989-11-01
•
Granted: 1992-09-08
•
Expires: 2009-11-01
Abstract
Abstract A remote wireless load control system wherein the power supplied to a load can be varied from a remote location using a remote control device not electrically wired to the load. The load control system includes a transmitter and a receiver, each having a control actuator for adjusting the power supplied to the load. Control can be conferred upon either the transmitter or the receiver immediately upon manipulation of the control switch, with the adjustment in power level occurring substantially instantaneously upon manipulation of the control actuator. Transmission of load level information between transmitter and receiver is by digitally pulse-coded infrared signal.
Inventors
- 👤 David G. Luchaco
- 👤 Stephen J. Yuhasz
- 👤 David Buehler
- 👤 Raphael K. T. Tang
- 👤 Joel S. Spira
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 11:46
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08C; G08C17/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S315/00; Y10S315/04; Y10S323/00; Y10S323/905
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 100
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A remotely controlled power control system comprising, in combination: (a) means for transmitting a radiant control signal, including actuator means, manually movable through a range of positions, information contained in said control signal depending upon the position of said actuator means; (b) means for detecting said control signal and for providing an output signal that is determined by said information contained in said control signal; and (c) means responsive to said output signal for controlling power delivered to an AC load, whereby the power to said load is adjustable through a range of values that are immediately determined upon the positioning of said actuator means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
A remotely controlled power control system comprising, in combination: (a) means for transmitting a radiant control signal, including actuator means, manually movable through a range of positions, information contained in said control signal depending upon the position of said actuator means; (b) means for detecting said control signal and for providing an output signal that is determined by said information contained in said control signal; and (c) means responsive to said output signal for controlling power delivered to an AC load, whereby the power to said load is adjustable through a range of values that are immediately determined upon the positioning of said actuator means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 1 in which said control signal is electromagnetic.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 2 in which said control signal is an infrared signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 2 in which said control signal is a radio frequency signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 in which said control signal is an acoustic signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 5 in which said control signal is an ultrasonic signal
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 in which said control signal is amplitude modulated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 in which said control signal is frequency modulated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 in which said control signal is phase modulated.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 in which said control signal is pulse-width modulated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 1 which said control signal is digitally encoded.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 in which said control signal is a multichannel signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
10 words
The system of claim 12 further comprising channel selector means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 1 in which said transmitter means is battery-powered.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1 in which said actuator means is manually operable along a substantially linear path.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1 in which said actuator means is manually operable along a substantially planar rotational path.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1 in which said actuator means is positionable for turning off power to said load.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 17 in which said actuator power-off position has a detent.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1 in which said actuator means position determines the value of a variable impedance.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising at least one additional transmitter means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 1 in which said transmitter means further comprises switch means for enabling and disabling transmission of said control signal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 21 in which said switch means is mechanically coupled to said actuator means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 22 in which said switch means is a push-button on said actuator means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 21 in which said switch means comprises a mechanical switch.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 21 in which said switch means comprised an electronic switch.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 22 in which said switch means enables transmission of said control signal substantially instantaneously on positioning of said actuator means and disables transmission of said control signal after positioning of said actuator has ceased.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 26 in which said switch means comprises a mechanical switch.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 26 in which said switch means comprises an electronic switch.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 26 in which said switch means enables transmission of said control signal substantially instantaneously on positioning of said actuator means, even if said actuator means is initially substantially at an extreme end of its position range.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 26 in which said switch means disables transmission of said control signal after a delay time of not more than one seocnd after positioning of said actuator means has ceased.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising a source of an auxiliary signal for controlling the power delivered to the load.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 31 in which the source of the auxiliary signal comprises at least one non-radiant signal source.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 32 in which said non-radiant signal source is in electrical contact with said control means.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 33 further comprising switch means for enabling said non-radiant signal source.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 34 in which said switch means comprises a push-button on said non-radiant signal source.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 31 in which said transmitter means further comprises switch means for enabling and disabling transmission of said control signal.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 36 in which said switch means is mechanically coupled to said actuator means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 37 in which said switch means is a push-button on said actuator means.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 36 in which said switch means comprises a mechanical switch.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 36 in which said switch means comprises an electronic switch.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 37 in which said switch means enables transmission of said control signal substantially instantaneously on positioning of said actuator means and disables transmission of said control signal after positioning of said actuator means has ceased.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 41 in which said switch means comprises a mechanical switch.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 41 in which said switch means comprises an electronic switch.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 31 further comprising means for deciding whether the power control means is to be directed by said radiant control signal or said auxiliary signal.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1 in which said detector means and controller means are combined in a single unit.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising at least one additional controller means.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 1 in which said AC load comprises lighting.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
118 words
A remotely controlled power control system comprising, in combination: (a) means for tranmitting a radiant control signal, including actuator means, manually movable through a range of positions, which (i) enables transmission, substantially instantaneously on positioning of said actuator means, of the control signal determined by the actuator position, and (ii) disables transmission of said control signal after positioning has ceased; (b) means for detecting said control signal and for providing an output signal that is determined by said control signal; and (c) means responsive to said output signal for controlling power to a load. whereby the power to said load is adjustable through a range of values that are immediately determined upon the positioning of said actuator means.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
118 words
A remotely controlled power control system comprising, in combination: (a) means for tranmitting a radiant control signal, including actuator means, manually movable through a range of positions, which (i) enables transmission, substantially instantaneously on positioning of said actuator means, of the control signal determined by the actuator position, and (ii) disables transmission of said control signal after positioning has ceased; (b) means for detecting said control signal and for providing an output signal that is determined by said control signal; and (c) means responsive to said output signal for controlling power to a load. whereby the power to said load is adjustable through a range of values that are immediately determined upon the positioning of said actuator means.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 48 in which said transmitter means is battery-powered.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 48 in which said control signal is electromagnetic.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 48 in which said control signal is digitally encoded.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 48 in which said actuator means is manually operable along a substantially linear path.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 48 in which said actuator means comprises mechanical switching means.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 48 in which said controller means controls a lighting load.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 48 further comprising a source of an auxiliary signal provided to the controller by electrical conduction.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
35 words
The sytem of claim 55 in which said auxiliary signal source comprises auxiliary actuator means, which provides, substantially instantaneously on positioning of said auxiliary actuator means, the auxiliary signal determined by the auxiliary actuator position.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 55 further comprising push-button switching means for enabling said auxiliary signal source.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
169 words
A remotely controlled power control system comprising, in combination: (a) means for transmitting a radiant control signal, including actuator means, manually movable through a range of positions, information contained in said control signal depending upon the position of said actuator means; (b) means for detecting said control signal and for providing an output signal that is determined by said information contained in said control signal; (c) an auxiliary signal source for providing an auxiliary signal by electrical conduction, said auxiliary signal source comprising auxiliary actuator means, manually movable through a range of positions, which provides, on positioning of said auxiliary actuator means, the auxiliary signal determined by the auxiliary actuator position; and (d) means for controlling power to a load in accordance with a signal selected from the group consisting of said auxiliary signal and said output signal, whereby the power to said load is adjustable through a range of values that are immediately determined upon the positioning of one of said auxiliary actuator and said transmitter means actuator.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
169 words
A remotely controlled power control system comprising, in combination: (a) means for transmitting a radiant control signal, including actuator means, manually movable through a range of positions, information contained in said control signal depending upon the position of said actuator means; (b) means for detecting said control signal and for providing an output signal that is determined by said information contained in said control signal; (c) an auxiliary signal source for providing an auxiliary signal by electrical conduction, said auxiliary signal source comprising auxiliary actuator means, manually movable through a range of positions, which provides, on positioning of said auxiliary actuator means, the auxiliary signal determined by the auxiliary actuator position; and (d) means for controlling power to a load in accordance with a signal selected from the group consisting of said auxiliary signal and said output signal, whereby the power to said load is adjustable through a range of values that are immediately determined upon the positioning of one of said auxiliary actuator and said transmitter means actuator.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 58 in which the positionable actuator means is manually operable along a substantially linear path.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 58 in which the auxiliary actuator means is manually operable along a substantially linear path.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 58 in which the transmitter means enables transmission of said control signal substantially instantaneously on positioning of said actuator means and disables transmission of said control signal after positioning of said actuator means has ceased.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 58, further comprising at least one additional auxiliary signal source.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 58 in which said load comprises lighting.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 58 in which said transmitter means is battery-powered.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 58 in which said control signal is electromagnetic.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 58 in which said control signal is digitally encoded.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
186 words
A remotely controlled power control system comprising, in combination: (a) means for transmitting a radiant control signal, including actuator means, manually movable through a range of positions, which (i) enables transmission, substantially instantaneously on positioning of said actuator means, of the control signal determined by the actuator position, and (ii) disables transmission of said control signal after positioning has ceased; (b) means for detecting said control signal and for providing an output signal that is determined by said control signal; (c) an auxiliary signal source for providing an auxiliary signal by electrical conduction, said auxiliary signal source comprising auxiliary actuator means, manually movable through a range of positions, which provides, substantially instantaneously on positioning of said auxiliary actuator means, the auxiliary signal determined by the auxiliary actuator position; and (d) means for controlling power to a load in accordance with a signal selected from the group consisting of said auxiliary signal and said output signal, whereby the power to said load is adjustable through a range of values that are immediately determined upon the positioning of one of said auxiliary actuator and said transmitter means actuator.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
186 words
A remotely controlled power control system comprising, in combination: (a) means for transmitting a radiant control signal, including actuator means, manually movable through a range of positions, which (i) enables transmission, substantially instantaneously on positioning of said actuator means, of the control signal determined by the actuator position, and (ii) disables transmission of said control signal after positioning has ceased; (b) means for detecting said control signal and for providing an output signal that is determined by said control signal; (c) an auxiliary signal source for providing an auxiliary signal by electrical conduction, said auxiliary signal source comprising auxiliary actuator means, manually movable through a range of positions, which provides, substantially instantaneously on positioning of said auxiliary actuator means, the auxiliary signal determined by the auxiliary actuator position; and (d) means for controlling power to a load in accordance with a signal selected from the group consisting of said auxiliary signal and said output signal, whereby the power to said load is adjustable through a range of values that are immediately determined upon the positioning of one of said auxiliary actuator and said transmitter means actuator.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 67 in which the positionable actuator means is manually operable along a substantially linear path.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 67 in which the auxiliary actuator means is manually operable along a substantially linear path.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 67, further comprising at least one additional transmitter means.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 67, further comprising at least one additional auxiliary signal source.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 67 in which said load comprises lighting.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 67 in which said transmitter is battery-powered.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 67 in which said control signal is electromagnetic.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 67 in which said control signal is digitally-encoded.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
108 words
A remotely controlled power control system comprising, in combination, (a) a transmitter comprising means for transmitting a radiant control signal, including actuator means, manually movable through a range of positions, which enables transmission, substantially instantaneously on positioning of said actuator means, of the control signal determined by the actuator position, (b) means for detecting said control signal and for providing an output signal that is determined by said control signal, and (c) means responsive to said output signal for controlling power to a load, whereby the power to said load is adjustable through a range of values that are immediately determined upon the positioning of said actuator means.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
108 words
A remotely controlled power control system comprising, in combination, (a) a transmitter comprising means for transmitting a radiant control signal, including actuator means, manually movable through a range of positions, which enables transmission, substantially instantaneously on positioning of said actuator means, of the control signal determined by the actuator position, (b) means for detecting said control signal and for providing an output signal that is determined by said control signal, and (c) means responsive to said output signal for controlling power to a load, whereby the power to said load is adjustable through a range of values that are immediately determined upon the positioning of said actuator means.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 76 in which said control signal comprises a plurality of transmission sequences and said transmission is maintained, after actuator motion ceases, for a time sufficient to transmit a valid transmission sequence.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 76 in which said load comprises lighting.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
135 words
A remotely controlled power control system comprising, in combination, (a) a transmitter comprising: (i) means for transmitting a radiant control signal, including actuator means, manually movable through a range of positions, information contained in said control signal depending upon the position of said actuator means; and (ii) push-button switch means, mechanically coupled to said actuator means, for enabling and disabling transmission of said control signal; (b) means for detecting said control signal and for providing an output signal that is determined by said information contained in said control signal, and (c) means responsive to said output signal for controlling a lighting load, whereby power to said load is adjustable through a range of values that, upon actuation of the push button to an enabling mode, are immediately determined upon the positioning of said actuator means.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
135 words
A remotely controlled power control system comprising, in combination, (a) a transmitter comprising: (i) means for transmitting a radiant control signal, including actuator means, manually movable through a range of positions, information contained in said control signal depending upon the position of said actuator means; and (ii) push-button switch means, mechanically coupled to said actuator means, for enabling and disabling transmission of said control signal; (b) means for detecting said control signal and for providing an output signal that is determined by said information contained in said control signal, and (c) means responsive to said output signal for controlling a lighting load, whereby power to said load is adjustable through a range of values that, upon actuation of the push button to an enabling mode, are immediately determined upon the positioning of said actuator means.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 79 in which said control signal is digitally-encoded.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 79 in which said actuator means is manually operable along a substantially linear path.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 79 in which said transmitter is battery-powered.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 79 in which said control signal is electromagnetic.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 79 further comprising a source of an auxiliary signal provided to the controller by electrical conduction.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
159 words
A remotely controlled power control system comprising a transmitter comprising: (a) means for transmitting a radiant control signal, including actuator means, manually movable through a range of positions, information contained in said control signal depending upon the position of said actuator means; and (b) push-button switch means, mechanically coupled to said actuator means, for enabling and disabling transmission of said control signal; in which said actuator means is manually operable along a substantially linear path, the transmitter is battery-powered, the control signal is electromagnetic and digitally encoded, and the system further comprises means for detecting said control signal and for providing an output signal that is determined by said information contained in said control signal and means responsive to said output signal for controlling a lighting load, whereby power to said load is adjustable through a range of values that, upon actuation of the push-button to an enabling mode, are immediately determined upon the positioning of said actuator means.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
159 words
A remotely controlled power control system comprising a transmitter comprising: (a) means for transmitting a radiant control signal, including actuator means, manually movable through a range of positions, information contained in said control signal depending upon the position of said actuator means; and (b) push-button switch means, mechanically coupled to said actuator means, for enabling and disabling transmission of said control signal; in which said actuator means is manually operable along a substantially linear path, the transmitter is battery-powered, the control signal is electromagnetic and digitally encoded, and the system further comprises means for detecting said control signal and for providing an output signal that is determined by said information contained in said control signal and means responsive to said output signal for controlling a lighting load, whereby power to said load is adjustable through a range of values that, upon actuation of the push-button to an enabling mode, are immediately determined upon the positioning of said actuator means.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
58 words
A transmitter for remote control of a system, comprising means for transmitting a radiant control signal, including positionable actuator means, whose position determines said control signal, wherein said control signal comprises of plurality of transmission sequences and said transmission is maintained, after positioning of said actuator has ceased, for a time sufficient to transmit a valid transmission sequence.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
58 words
A transmitter for remote control of a system, comprising means for transmitting a radiant control signal, including positionable actuator means, whose position determines said control signal, wherein said control signal comprises of plurality of transmission sequences and said transmission is maintained, after positioning of said actuator has ceased, for a time sufficient to transmit a valid transmission sequence.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
57 words
A transmitter for remote control of a system, comprising means for transmitting a radiant control signal, including positionable actuator means, whose position substantially instantaneously determines said control signal, in which the transmitter transmits the control signal that corresponds to an actuator position for a time not longer than one second after positioning of said actuator has ceased.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
57 words
A transmitter for remote control of a system, comprising means for transmitting a radiant control signal, including positionable actuator means, whose position substantially instantaneously determines said control signal, in which the transmitter transmits the control signal that corresponds to an actuator position for a time not longer than one second after positioning of said actuator has ceased.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
136 words
A remotely controlled power control system comprising, in combination, (a) a transmitter comprising means for transmitting a radiant control signal, including positionable actuator means, information contained in said control signal depending upon the position of said actuator means, in which said actuator means' positions include a position for turning the system off; (b) means for detecting said control signal and for providing an output signal that is determined by said information contained in said control signal, and (c) means responsive to said output signal for controlling power to a load, whereby the power to said load is adjustable through a range of values that are immediately determined upon the positioning of said actuator means and in which the radiant signal for turning the system off causes an air gap switch to open in the controller means.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
136 words
A remotely controlled power control system comprising, in combination, (a) a transmitter comprising means for transmitting a radiant control signal, including positionable actuator means, information contained in said control signal depending upon the position of said actuator means, in which said actuator means' positions include a position for turning the system off; (b) means for detecting said control signal and for providing an output signal that is determined by said information contained in said control signal, and (c) means responsive to said output signal for controlling power to a load, whereby the power to said load is adjustable through a range of values that are immediately determined upon the positioning of said actuator means and in which the radiant signal for turning the system off causes an air gap switch to open in the controller means.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 86, in which the actuator position that turns the system off has a detent.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 89, in which said detent requires that a greater force be applied to said actuator to turn said system off than to turn said system on.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-09-08 | 1996-03-09 | 1996-09-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-09-08 | 2000-03-09 | 2000-09-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-09-08 | 2004-03-09 | 2004-09-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |