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Conformal repeater unit

Conformal repeater unit description/claims

The present application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/415,767 titled “CONFORMAL REPEATER UNIT”, which was filed on May 2, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,403,097, which is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/718,374 titled “REPEATER UNIT”, which was filed on Nov. 19, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,199,701, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The present invention relates to radio frequency wireless signaling systems, and more particularly to an improved repeater system which can be incorporated into electrically powered fixtures for supplying power to common electrical devices such as light bulbs, fluorescent tubes, circuit outlets and switches, or other electrical appliances. More particularly, the present invention relates to a repeater electrically coupled to an electrical fixture, and including a transceiver unit electrically connected to a first power supply, having a housing unit that is adapted to mechanically cooperate with an electrical fixture, whereby the repeater unit provides continuous operation even when electrical power from the electrical fixture is unavailable.

Known systems employ remote transducers to signal various observations to a base station, but can lack power to reach the destination, such as a centrally located station. One or more repeaters intercept the signal, amplify it and retransmit it until the destination is reached. For example, a transducer at a remote location can detect and signal smoke, temperature, humidity, wind speed and other important environmental parameters. Other transducers can provide signals representative of the state or the physical condition of an object or physical location.

Most buildings, including dwellings, are now equipped with transducers or sensors combined in a detector to monitor the performance and efficiency of heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment. Other sensors incorporated in a smoke detector are used to monitor atmospheric parameters such as smoke level or temperature condition that warn of a fire. Still other sensors are used to signal a security breach, or other hazardous or dangerous condition.

For the most part, such detectors issue an audible or visible alarm, but not necessarily a signal that can be received in a centrally located station where someone can call for assistance. A repeater circuit associated with a transducer such as a smoke detectors or other fire sensors, if equipped with a wireless transmitter to broadcast a signal that includes the location of the sensor and the conditions being monitored could, if operated in conjunction with repeaters between the sensor and the base station, alert the base station to the change in conditions that can be interpreted as a fire.

But providing a power supply to such a repeater is troublesome because electrical outlets can not be readily available. Usually, within relatively close range of a detector are installed powered devices such as light fixtures or power outlets to which power is applied from a central location for predetermined and finite periods of time. For example, in a large residential complex such as an apartment building, area lights are illuminated during the hours of darkness and are not powered during the times when adequate ambient light is provided from natural sources.

The present invention relates to a repeater unit that are proximal to sensors to receive and retransmit signals, including circuits that power the transmit and the receive functions. Also present are circuits that responds to the intermittent provision of electrical power to recharge batteries which normally power the system when electrical power is absent. The frequent recharging of the batteries facilitate uninterrupted communication between the sensors and the base station.

In a preferred embodiment, the repeater unit is designed to mate with an existing light bulb socket so that it can be interposed between a light bulb and the socket. Since the repeater unit also includes a light bulb socket, that must be done to install the repeater unit is remove the light bulb from the socket, insert the repeater unit and return the light bulb to the socket of the repeater unit. During daylight hours, while the light bulb is not being powered-on, the rechargeable batteries permit operation of the repeater unit to relay sensor information to the central location such as a base station. In the evening, when the lights are powered-on, the repeater unit is also powered-on and the batteries are recharged. Thereby, the repeater unit provides continuous operation even when electrical power from a light bulb socket or other receptacle is unavailable.

In other embodiments, the repeater unit is installed in a fluorescent light fixture and connected to the power lines. In additional embodiments, the repeater unit could be installed in EXIT signs or even switches. In yet other embodiments, the repeater unit can be incorporated in outlet receptacles where power is provided to the unit and the batteries provide a back up in the event of a loss of power to the premises.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the below referenced accompanying drawings. Reference number refer to the same or the equivalent parts of the present invention throughout the several figures of the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side, partially sectioned view of repeater incorporated in a lamp base according to the present invention;

FIGS. 2A, 2B are block diagrams of the circuits of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which a repeater unit incorporates into an R30 light fixture.

• Provisional Patent
• Utility Patent

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