Abstract:
A signal repeater for receiving and re-transmitting signals from environmental transducers and the like, and for mechanically and electrically cooperating with existing electrically powered fixtures. More particularly, the present invention includes a housing unit for mechanically and electrically coupling to the powered fixture, a transceiver unit, and a first power supply electrically connected to the transceiver circuit and housed by the housing unit. The repeater is adapted to maintain the functionality of the fixture.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATTION  
       [0001]     The present application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/718,374 titled “REPEATER UNIT”, which was filed on Nov. 19, 2003, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     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.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART  
       [0003]     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.  
         [0004]     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.  
         [0005]     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.  
         [0006]     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.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     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.  
         [0008]     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.  
         [0009]     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. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     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.  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a side, partially sectioned view of repeater incorporated in a lamp base according to the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIGS. 2A, 2B  are block diagrams of the circuits of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which a repeater unit incorporates into an R30 light fixture.  
         [0014]      FIG. 4A  is another alternative embodiment of the present invention in which a repeater unit is incorporated within a light bulb.  
         [0015]      FIG. 4B  is another alternative embodiment of the present invention in which a repeater unit is a light bulb shaped fixture that cooperates with a light bulb.  
         [0016]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  is an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which a repeater unit is incorporated within a fluorescent light fixture.  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which a repeater is incorporated into an electrical outlet; and  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  partly sectional, partly phantom view of outlet of  FIG. 6 .  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS  
       [0019]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown one preferred embodiment of the present invention in which a repeater unit is adapted to install into an electrical light socket  14 . In  FIG. 1 , the repeater  10  comprises a housing unit  12  fitted with a first mating structure  16  which is adapted to mechanically and to electrically cooperate with the electrical light socket  14 . The repeater unit  10  further comprises a first power supply  22  to provide power to the repeater unit  10 . In one preferred embodiment, the electrical light socket  14  is a candelabra socket and the first mating structure  16  is adapted to fit the candelabra socket. It should be noted that the electric light socket  14  is electrically connected to the second power supply  48  that provides electrical power. In one preferred embodiment, the electrical light socket  14  maintains its existing functionality when repeater unit  10  is installed. Further, in this embodiment, the first mating structure  16  is a standard candelabra base that mechanically and electrically cooperates with the candelabra socket. Additionally, it should be noted that the first mating structure  16  may be any mechanical structure that mates with an electrical receptacle. Electrical light socket  14  may be an electrical outlet, an electrical receptacle, an electrical fixture, a power supply fixture, an existing fixture, an electrically powered fixture, a fixture or a fixture that is associated with a second power supply  48 .  
         [0020]     The housing unit  12  may further comprise a heat shield  11 . The heat shield  11  acts as a reflector for light when a light bulb  18  is powered-on. However, it should be noted that even though the light bulb  18  is depicted in the figure as an incandescent flood light bulb, a repeater according to the present invention is designed to cooperate with other light fixtures such as a fluorescent light, a fluorescent tube, a neon light, a neon tube, other light sources or common electrical devices come within the spirit and the scope of the present invention. In addition, the housing unit  12  comprises a housing interior walls  20 , wherein the first power supply  22  is mounted between the housing interior walls  20  and the heat shield  11 , the first power supply  22 . Mounted to the housing unit  12  is an antenna  24  which transmits and receives wireless signals. The antenna  24  is depicted as a monopole antenna but may be any device that will receive and transmit wireless signals. A repeater circuit board  26  is located at the base of the housing interior while a second circuit board  34  is connected to a second mating structure  17  that is adapted to insert a light source such as a light bulb  18 . Further, the second mating structure  17  is electrically connected to the second power source  48 . In one preferred embodiment, the repeater circuit board  26  comprises a transceiver circuit  28 . In addition, the first power supply  22 , which may include a rechargeable power storage module, comprising a rechargeable power storage cell and a power recharger, to provide energizing power to set the desired operating point for the transceiver circuit  28 .  
         [0021]     Referring to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , block diagrams of the repeater circuit board  26  is shown. In one preferred embodiment, the first power supply  22  is a rechargeable battery module including a rechargeable battery  27  and a battery charger  46 . It should be noted that the first power supply  22  may be any electrical storage device such as a nickel cadmium battery, a lithium-ion battery, a rechargeable power storage module, or any device that provides electrical energy. It should also be noted that a power recharger may be any device that charges a rechargeable power storage cell such as a solar panel array, transformer, electrical circuit board or other electrical circuit. The second power supply  48  is a source of energy from the electrical light socket  14 . The second power supply  48  furnishes electrical energy to the battery charger  46 . The battery charger  46 , in turn, powers the transceiver circuit  28  and recharges the rechargeable battery  27  when power from the second power supply  48  is available, i.e., powered-on. When the second power supply  48  is not available, not being supplied, or powered-off to the mating structure  16 , the first power supply  22  powers the repeater unit  10 .  
         [0022]     The repeater circuit board  26  further comprises a first system and a second system. The first system includes the transceiver circuit  28 , a received signal strength indicator  31  and a display  38 . The second system includes a micro-controller unit  40 , a memory storage unit  32  and a data communication port  42 . In one preferred embodiment, the transceiver circuit  28  is a Texas Instruments, Part No. TRF6901 RF transceiver circuit. However, the transceiver circuit  28  may be any similar transmit/receive circuit that will receive and transmit electrical signals. In this embodiment, the transceiver circuit  28  receives at least one electrical signal from the antenna  24 . The signal is a Radio Frequency (RF), a microwave or millimeter wave signal. The signal originates at a transducer  23 , which may by example be located in a building, such as an apartment or office building, which measures environmental parameters such as smoke index, particulate matter, moisture, humidity, pressure or temperature. By way of other examples, the transducer  23  may be located in an exit sign, a fire alarm, an air-conditioning unit, or other locations where a user desires to monitor the environmental parameters and to send this information to another location, such as a repeater or a base station.  
         [0023]     After the transceiver circuit  28  receives and processes the signal representing the measured environmental parameter, the signal is electrically coupled to the micro-controller  40 . In one preferred embodiment, the micro-controller is a Xilinix, Part No. XE2S100E. Generally, the micro-controller evaluates the signal, then categorizes and maps the signal into representative values for storage within the memory storage unit  32 . In one preferred embodiment, the memory storage unit  32  is a Microchip, Part No. #93AA56A, but, other memory storage devices may be substituted and are also included within the scope of this invention. Following, the micro-controller  40  may send the representative values back through the transceiver circuit  26  for re-transmission through the antenna  24  to a centrally located station, a centralized database station, another repeater unit, or other destination.  
         [0024]     The data communication port  42  provides control and data signals to the micro-controller unit  40 . Such control and data signals used to program, to reprogram, to enter data, or to remove data which can be stored internally within the micro-controller unit  40  or externally within the memory storage unit  32 . In one mode, the control and data signals program the micro-controller unit  40  to determine which of the signals received by the antenna  24  is to be processed further by the transceiver circuit  28 . In another mode, the control and data signals program the micro-controller  40  to store such signals in the memory storage unit  32 . In another mode, the control signals program the micro-controller unit  32  to select which of the stored signals is to be retrieved from the memory storage unit  32 , and which of them are to be transmitted from the transceiver unit  28  through the antenna  24 , to the next repeater unit, the base station, centrally located station, or centralized database station. The following paragraphs address alternative component packaging for a repeater unit of the present invention. The repeaters described in the following paragraphs are not hard-wired, but rather plug into an existing socket. Additionally, the repeaters described below may include sockets for use with other electrical appliances in the same way that the first embodiment includes sockets for the light bulb that was removed to install the repeater.  
         [0025]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , an alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown, in which a repeater unit  10  allows insertion of an R30-type light bulb and fits into an R30-type light fixture. This embodiment includes the same components and functionality as the  FIG. 1  embodiment including the repeater board  26 , the antenna  24  and the first power supply  22  and other circuitry (not shown) but described functionally in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . The major difference from the  FIG. 1  embodiment is that this alternative embodiment fits into an R30 light fixture.  
         [0026]     Referring to  FIG. 4A , another alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown, in which a repeater unit  10  packaged within a light bulb. The embodiment includes the same components and functionality of  FIG. 1  embodiment including the repeater board  26 , the antenna  24 , and the first power supply  22  and other circuitry (not shown) but described functionally in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . The major difference from the  FIG. 1  embodiment is that in this alternative embodiment, the repeater unit  10  looks like a light bulb.  
         [0027]     Referring to  FIG. 4B , another alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown, in which the repeater unit  10  is a light bulb shaped fixture that cooperates with another light bulb. This embodiment includes the same components and functionality as the  FIG. 1  embodiment including the repeater board  26 , the antenna  24 , and the first power supply  22  and other circuitry (not shown) but described functionally in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . The major difference from the  FIG. 1  embodiment is that in this alternative embodiment, the repeater unit  10  looks like a light bulb and cooperates with another light bulb.  
         [0028]     Referring to  FIGS. 5A, 5B , an additional alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in which the repeater unit  10  is incorporated with a fluorescent light fixture  13  that includes a ballast  9  and fluorescent light sockets  25 - 28 . This embodiment includes the same components and functionality as the  FIG. 1  embodiment including the repeater board  26 , the antenna  24 , and the first power supply  22  and other circuitry (not shown) but described functionally in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . The major difference from the  FIG. 1  embodiment is that this alternative embodiment repeater unit  10  plus a first fluorescent light bulb  21  replaces a standard fluorescent light bulb. The repeater unit  10  includes a plug  19  that fits into a fluorescent light fixture socket (not shown in  FIG. 5B ) and is mechanically adapted to accept a first fluorescent bulb  21  so that the functionality of the fluorescent light fixture  13  is maintained. Moreover, a second fluorescent bulb  15  also fits into the fluorescent light fixture  13  to permit more light. The repeater described in the next two paragraphs is not hard-wired, but rather plugs into an existing socket. Additionally, the repeaters described below include sockets for use with other electrical appliances in the same way that the first embodiment includes sockets for the light bulb that was removed to install the repeater. Finally, installation should be described in the same way installation was described for the first embodiment.  
         [0029]     Referring to  FIG. 6 , a perspective view is shown of an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which a repeater is incorporated into a service outlet  62 . A service outlet  62  is an electric outlet but may be any outlet that provides a source of electrical energy. In particular, a service outlet repeater unit  60  (not shown) is installed into the plastic housing  58 . Further, the service outlet repeater unit  60  (not shown) includes outlet repeater antennas  56  to receive and to transmit electric signals to and from repeaters, base stations, or other destinations such as a centrally located data center. However, the major difference from other preferred embodiments discussed elsewhere in this specification is that this alternative embodiment is plugged into an existing electrical outlet or socket instead of inserted into an electrical light receptacle.  
         [0030]     Referring to  FIG. 7  is a partly sectional, partly phantom view of the service outlet  62  of  FIG. 6 . This alternative embodiment houses the service outlet repeater unit  60  within the service outlet  62  and has the same functional aspects and same basic component building blocks as shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . In particular, the service outlet repeater unit  60  includes the following components: the plastic housing  58  (as shown in  FIG. 3 ); the service outlet  62  (functionally equivalent to the second power supply  48 ); outlet batteries  64  (functionally equivalent to the first power supply  22 ); a transceiver/repeater printed circuit board  66  (functionally equivalent to the RF circuit board  26 ); and outlet repeater service antennas  56  (functionally equivalent to the antenna  24 ). The service outlet repeater unit  60  draws power from the outlet batteries  64  during periods of time the service outlet  62  is not powered, e.g., blown fuse or when power is unavailable. The service outlet repeater unit  60  recharges the outlet batteries  64  and powers the service outlet repeater unit  60  during periods when the service outlet  62  is energized, i.e., powered-on. It should be noted that the choice for components are only exemplary in nature including: the plastic housing which may be any housing unit, a service outlet which may be any wired electrical receptacle, and the outlet batteries, which may be any rechargeable storage device. As such, these possible variations in components are included within the scope of this invention.  
         [0031]     Further, in another embodiment of  FIG. 6 , the repeater may further be hard-wired into an existing electrical outlet. In this embodiment, the component functionality is the same as discussed in the above embodiments, however, the installation would be different such as requiring partial or full removal of existing wall outlet plug, and electrical connection of the repeater to existing wires disconnected from an existing wall outlet and mounting to the surface associated with an existing wall outlet.  
         [0032]     Further, in another embodiment of  FIG. 6 , the repeater is adapted to replace a building accouterment while maintaining said functionality of said building accouterment. The building accouterment is by way of example, a ceiling tile, a heating and ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) grill, a ceiling speaker, a ceiling speaker tile, and a speaker grill or speaker attached to the wall of the building or the like. In this embodiment, a first power supply can be the sole source of electrical power for the repeater unit. An alternative of this embodiment, both a first power supply and a second power supply may supply power to the repeater unit. Further, in this embodiment, the installation would be different than  FIG. 6  above, including removal of the building accouterment which is well known in the art, and installation of the repeater unit adapted to replace a building accouterment.  
         [0033]     Information as herein shown and described in detail is fully capable of attaining the above-described object of the invention, the present preferred embodiment of the invention, and is, thus, representative of the subject matter which is broadly contemplated by the present invention. The scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art, and is to be limited, accordingly, by nothing other than the appended claims, wherein referenced to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described preferred embodiment and additional embodiments that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art are hereby expressly incorporated by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the present claims.  
         [0034]     Moreover, no requirement exists for a device or method to address each and every problem sought to be resolved by the present invention, for such to be encompassed by the present claims. Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. However, one skilled in the art should recognize that various changes and modification in form and material details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventiveness as set forth in the appended claims. No claim herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.”