Abstract:
There is disclosed an in-line free-form sensor for controlling power flow to a utilization device. The in-line sensor is contained within a housing attached along a power cord and the housing contains no externally-visible moving parts. The sensor can be trained to respond to certain stimuli, such as light, sound, temperature, human presence, and/or motion. The sensor can control the power directly by operation of a switch or can provide signals for use by a device external to said housing.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to power control devices and more particularly to a device that can be attached in-line to a power line and which can be selectively controlled from selectable parameters to enable and disenable power along said power line without manipulation of externally visible switches. 
     BACKGROUND 
     It is common practice to connect lamps and other devices to timers so as to control the on-off time of the lamp. These timers are traditionally plugged into a wall socket and the lamp (or other device) is then plugged into a switched power socket on the side of the timer. The user then inserts pins, or moves small levers or otherwise sets the start and stop (on and off) times of the switched socket. The lamp then turns on at the set time and turns off at another set time. 
     These devices are bulky and unattractive and sometimes even noisy. The use of such timers in an outdoor situation is problematical as they are not usually designed for damp or wet conditions. Because such timers have moving parts and further because of cost considerations, it is difficult to waterproof them. However, even assuming the timer could be waterproofed sufficiently to be used in outdoor situations a further problem exists in that outdoor electrical sockets usually are covered by a flip-up cap that protects the socket from moisture when the socket is not in use. The bulky timers simply do not fit into sockets which are so protected since the flip-up portion of the cover blocks the timer from being inserted fully into the outdoor socket. 
     Also, in the prior art, there are timer devices which have a light sensor built in so that the sensor can detect dusk. That same device can then be set to remain on for a selected period of time or, optionally, all night. Devices of this type are now available with a “pigtail” cord and plug so that the device can be plugged into an electric outlet and the device to be controlled is then plugged into the device. The “pigtail” cord allows the device to hang down from a wall electrical outlet. As in all prior art devices of this type, the “pigtail” device is bulky and requires physical intervention by the user to set the parameters on the surface of the device. These devices do, however, allow for use with outdoor sockets and sometimes are even waterproofed. 
     In addition to the physical problems inherent with current power control devices, they are typically bulky and unattractive and not suited for use in decorated situations, such as a home living area. The prior art devices require physical contact by the user to set the parameters. This physical contact then requires the surface of the device to include switches or other mechanical devices adapted to accept the user&#39;s physical commands and/or provide the user with feedback information as to the status of the set parameters. 
     Thus it is desired to construct a switch which is neither unsightly when in use indoors nor too bulky to use outdoors. 
     It is further desired to construct such a switch so as to be relatively inexpensive, easy to install and simple to establish the operational parameters therein. It is a still further object of my invention to construct a switch such that there is not a need for physical contact by the user with externally fashioned switches in order to set the control parameters. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     These and other objects, features and technical advantages are achieved by a system and method which are achieved by a switch designed to be installed in-line along a power line. The switch will have contained within it a device, such as a clock mechanism (or a sensor of one type or another) which controls the flow of power from the proximal end (plug end) of the power line to the distal end (the lamp or other device). The in-line switch should be made relatively small and the mechanism (whether mechanical or electrical) could be, if desired, made of nano technology parts, all of which should be sealed within the housing. The user could, in the case of a timer, touch sensitive spots around the edge of the device to set the on-off times, or the user may speak the time or send other timing control signals. 
     There are many methods of setting the operational parameters. One method, as discussed above, can be by touching sensitive spots on the surface of the device. Another can be by the use of a magnet positioned by a user at selected spots. Another method of setting the parameters is by allowing the mechanism to self-learn. For example, the device could obtain power from the power line (or from a battery if desired) and can use the power line for timing based on the 60 cycle per second wave form. In this form of operation, the device, when installed, would have its output closed so as to pass power continuously. The user could, for example, be instructed to turn the lamp (or other device) at the end of the power line on and off three times in rapid succession at exactly noon. The device would then recognize that it is noon and would then set its internal clock to noon. The user then would turn the light on at, say 7:00 p.m. and off at 11:00 p.m. The device would sense the power flow start time and the power flow stop time and would then duplicate those times until changed. Change could occur, for example, when the user flipped the lamp switch twice in rapid succession. The device would sense the impedance change and know that a program change was to follow. 
     Of course, many such learning scenarios could be utilized to allow the device to “learn” without requiring the use of externally mounted switches or mechanisms. For example, one or more small holes could be positioned on the surface of the device and atmospheric pressure changes (caused by opening and closing a human palm around the device) could be used to teach the device the operating parameters. 
     In addition, if the device were designed to sense impedance changes (or other signals from the distal end), then the light (or other device) could be turned on by the user at any time simply by turning the lamp switch off (its normal position would be always on) and then turning the switch on again. In this example, the lamp had been off because the timer was in the off mode with its switch open. The on-off switch in the lamp, however, had been in the on position since power is being controlled by the in-line switch. The in-line switch senses the change in on-off position of the lamp switch (or any other specific impulses) and immediately turns on. The in-line switch remains closed (power flowing) until it senses that the user has turned the lamp switch off and then on again. The in-line switch then goes into its pre-established mode of timed operation whereby the lamp is turned off (even though the lamp switch is now on). The lamp is turned on at the preset time by the in-line switch, having “learned” its parameters by “observation” of the user&#39;s requirements. 
     The controller could be programmed during manufacture, or by signals received over the power lines (for example from a master controller or PC), or by signals received by RF or infrared transmission. The shell of the controller could contain the antenna or could allow sound, or IR to pass through it. A small DSP or other device could be designed to change its parameters and its operating characteristics in response to many different stimuli. While not essential, I have a vision of the device being about one inch in length and having an egg-like shape. Of course, any shape could be used. 
     The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is an overview of the on-line controller being used in one application; 
     FIG. 2 shows details of the controller; 
     FIGS. 3A,  3 B and  3 C show alternative physical examples of the controller; 
     FIGS. 4 and 5 show one alternative of a wire and the connections thereto; 
     FIG. 6 shows a portable version of the invention; and 
     FIGS. 7 and 8 show prior art devices. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1 shows one embodiment 10 of my invention. Lamp  12  (or any other consumption device) is attached to power line  16 B at a distance away from power plug  11 . Lamp  12  is shown with socket  13 , switch  14  and bulb  15 . Controller  20 , which ideally would be constructed as two half shells (as shown in FIG. 3A) with an optional water-tight seal  301  at the intersection of the two shells is inserted between sections  16 A and  16 B of the power cord. Typically, there would be no movable parts visible to a view when the shells are held together, by screws, snaps, glue or any other suitable means. However, as shown in FIG. 3C, there could be one or more holes  32  in housing  31  to allow light and/or pressure, (or any other detectable material) to enter the device. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, there resides within controller  20  a switch mechanism  21  for selectively allowing power to flow or not flow from the input to the output. Switch  21  can be constructed using conventional technology, or electronic technology, and will be controlled physically by the assertion of force against the switch or electrically by control circuitry. This is controlled by power control  25 , which could be powered from line power, via cable  201  or from an internal power source (not shown). 
     Switch  21  includes, for example a power diode controllable by electronics operating from an electronic timing circuit and can, for example, enable by mechanism  50  (FIG.  5 ). The electronics could be controllable by a sense of moisture, pressure, gas detection, light levels, RF energy, etc., any one or more of which would be communicated through a membrane or other structure of device  20 , including pressure applied by a user. 
     A miniature timer could be constructed using nano technology and could be set by pulses (or other signals) received by one or more of sensors  24 . The external signals could come, for example, from RF (or light) signals through the housing via detector  26  to sensor  23 . Controller  20  could include a clock  22  and/or voice control unit  27 . Voice control unit  27  could, for example, accept voice (or other sound) commands which would then go into the memory portion of power controller  25 . 
     FIG. 3A shows controller  20  configured as an “egg” shape with an optional ‘o’ ring seal  301  for making the mechanism water tight. 
     FIG. 3B shows a coin-shaped controller  30  (an alternate shape for controller  20 ) while FIG. 3C shows optional holes  32  on a surface of controller  31  (another alternate shape for controller  20 ). The wire (or other power line type) would pass through controller  20  ( 30 ,  31 ) and the flow of power from the input to the output would be controlled by parameters set within the controller. These parameters would respond to received conditions and control the power flow along the power line. 
     FIG. 4 shows input power line  16 A having two conductors  401 ,  402 , with conductor  401  being “broken” between terminal  41  and  42  in the conventional manner. Controller  20  then would, when appropriate, control the flow of electricity across gap  43  between points  41  and  42  by, for example, terminals  52  and  53  of device  50  shown in FIG.  5 . 
     Also shown in FIG. 5, device  50  includes a knife edge  51  for cutting wire  401  to create gap  43  (FIG.  4 ). Device  50  contains a mechanism for bridging the electrical gap between points  41  and  42  upon command of controller  20 . 
     FIG. 6 shows one embodiment 60 of controller  20  being used with battery power. In this embodiment, spring  64  would force battery  61  against controller  20  which in turn is forced against battery  62  and in turn against bulb  63 . Controller  20  obtains power from battery  61  and, if necessary from (battery −) over leads  66  and  65  via spring  64 . Controller  20  can be made to respond to pressure, light, time, or any other desired stimuli. 
     FIG. 7 shows a typical prior art wall mounted timer  70  controlling loop  71 . Plug  72  of device  70  plugs into a typical wall socket. 
     FIG. 8 shows a line mounted on-off switch  80  connected in-line between plug  82  and lamp  81 . Also, as discussed above, there presently is a device ( 70 ) of the type shown in FIG. 7 with a plug-in pigtail. Such a device requires externally mounted controls and requires the load to be plugged into a socket mounted on the device. While switch  80  is close in size to what is contemplated by this invention, it requires externally applied pressure each time an operation is to be performed. 
     Controller  20  could be designed such that the type of stimuli sensor is easily interchangeable. 
     Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, while I have been discussing power lines, this same concept could be applied to other forms of in-line applications, such as, for example, the in-line (free-form) control of watering heads for use in a garden. By free-form I mean a power distribution system that is not permanently attached to a structure such that the switch is free to move in conjunction with the power-line and essentially becomes integral to the line. Also note that the preestablished conditions could be entered by the user or by the manufacturer and may or may not be modified or changed by the user. By way of another example, the controller need not control power to the appliance at the end of the line, but rather could simply act as a “parasite” and use the power line to obtain power for its own internal use. In such a situation, the “load” would be internal to the controller. Such use, for example, could be as a detector (motion, gas, etc.) and the result of such detection could be an audible signal or a signal transmitted by some other mechanism, such as RF signals. 
     Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the present invention, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present invention. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.