US5903226A — Trainable RF system for remotely controlling hous…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 246 words

A system for remotely controlling the operation of household lamps comprising: a control module including a receiver for detecting control signals from a trainable remote radio frequency transmitter, said receiver responsive to the frequency and signal format of a plurality of different control signals to associate a respective operation with each of said control signals, said control module adapted to be coupled to AC power conductors and provide a lamp control signal for application to the AC power conductors in response to the reception of a control signal; at least one remote circuit module for connection to AC power conductors for receiving said lamp control signal from said control module through the AC power conductors for the actuation of a lamp coupled to said remote circuit module; and a trainable remote radio frequency transmitter including an input circuit for receiving a radio frequency signal having a carrier frequency between 200 and 400 MHz transmitted by a remote control transmitter, a controller coupled to said input circuit for learning the carrier frequency of the received radio frequency signal and for storing signal characteristics data representing the learned carrier frequency and the data code of the received radio frequency signal, and an output circuit coupled to said controller for receiving the stored signal characteristics data, generating an RF activation signal having the carrier frequency and data code of the received radio frequency signal, and transmitting the RF activation signal to said control module for controlling a household lamp.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 246 words

A system for remotely controlling the operation of household lamps comprising: a control module including a receiver for detecting control signals from a trainable remote radio frequency transmitter, said receiver responsive to the frequency and signal format of a plurality of different control signals to associate a respective operation with each of said control signals, said control module adapted to be coupled to AC power conductors and provide a lamp control signal for application to the AC power conductors in response to the reception of a control signal; at least one remote circuit module for connection to AC power conductors for receiving said lamp control signal from said control module through the AC power conductors for the actuation of a lamp coupled to said remote circuit module; and a trainable remote radio frequency transmitter including an input circuit for receiving a radio frequency signal having a carrier frequency between 200 and 400 MHz transmitted by a remote control transmitter, a controller coupled to said input circuit for learning the carrier frequency of the received radio frequency signal and for storing signal characteristics data representing the learned carrier frequency and the data code of the received radio frequency signal, and an output circuit coupled to said controller for receiving the stored signal characteristics data, generating an RF activation signal having the carrier frequency and data code of the received radio frequency signal, and transmitting the RF activation signal to said control module for controlling a household lamp.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 40 words

The system as defined in claim 1 and further including a garage door opening mechanism including a radio frequency receiver responsive to a garage door control signal transmitted by said trainable remote radio frequency transmitter for actuating a garage door.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 38 words

The system as defined in claim 2 wherein said control module includes a selector switch to select whether a lamp off signal will be transmitted automatically by said control module a predetermined time after said lamp control signal.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 267 words

A frequency and code trainable system for controlling the operation of household appliances comprising: a control module including a code trainable receiver for detecting control signals from a trainable remote radio frequency transmitter, said receiver responsive to the code of a plurality of different control signals to associate a respective operation with each of said control signals, said control module adapted to be coupled to the AC power conductors of a house for providing appliance control signals to the AC power conductors; a plurality of remote circuit modules for connection to AC power conductors of a house for receiving said appliance control signal from the control module through the AC power conductors for the actuation of an appliance coupled to said remote circuit module in response to a control signal associated with a particular one of said remote circuit modules; a source of radio frequency signals; and a trainable remote radio frequency transmitter including an input circuit for receiving a radio frequency signal having a carrier frequency between 200 and 400 MHz transmitted by said source of radio frequency signals, a controller coupled to said input circuit for learning the carrier frequency of the received radio frequency signal and for storing signal characteristics data representing the learned carrier frequency and the data code of the received radio frequency signal, and an output circuit coupled to said controller for receiving the stored signal characteristics data, generating an RF activation signal having the carrier frequency and data code of the received radio frequency signal, and transmitting the RF activation signal to said control module for controlling a household appliance.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 267 words

A frequency and code trainable system for controlling the operation of household appliances comprising: a control module including a code trainable receiver for detecting control signals from a trainable remote radio frequency transmitter, said receiver responsive to the code of a plurality of different control signals to associate a respective operation with each of said control signals, said control module adapted to be coupled to the AC power conductors of a house for providing appliance control signals to the AC power conductors; a plurality of remote circuit modules for connection to AC power conductors of a house for receiving said appliance control signal from the control module through the AC power conductors for the actuation of an appliance coupled to said remote circuit module in response to a control signal associated with a particular one of said remote circuit modules; a source of radio frequency signals; and a trainable remote radio frequency transmitter including an input circuit for receiving a radio frequency signal having a carrier frequency between 200 and 400 MHz transmitted by said source of radio frequency signals, a controller coupled to said input circuit for learning the carrier frequency of the received radio frequency signal and for storing signal characteristics data representing the learned carrier frequency and the data code of the received radio frequency signal, and an output circuit coupled to said controller for receiving the stored signal characteristics data, generating an RF activation signal having the carrier frequency and data code of the received radio frequency signal, and transmitting the RF activation signal to said control module for controlling a household appliance.

Claim 7

Independent Claim 250 words

A system for remotely controlling the operation of a plurality of household appliances using a trainable transmitter comprising: a control module including a receiver for detecting control signals from a trainable remote radio frequency transmitter, said receiver responsive to the code of a plurality of different control signals to associate a respective operation with each of said control signals, said control module adapted to be coupled to AC power conductors and provide appliance control signals for application to the AC power conductors in response to the reception of different control signals; a plurality of remote circuit modules for connection to AC power conductors for receiving said appliance control signals from said control module through the AC power conductors for the actuation of an appliance coupled to an associated remote circuit module; and a trainable remote radio frequency transmitter including an input circuit for receiving a radio frequency signal having a carrier frequency between 200 and 400 MHz transmitted by a remote control transmitter, a controller coupled to said input circuit for learning the carrier frequency of the received radio frequency signal and for storing signal characteristics data representing the learned carrier frequency and the data code of the received radio frequency signal, and an output circuit coupled to said controller for receiving the stored signal characteristics data, generating an RF activation signal having the carrier frequency and data code of the received radio frequency signal, and transmitting the RF activation signal to said control module for controlling a household appliance.

Claim 8

Independent Claim 250 words

A system for remotely controlling the operation of a plurality of household appliances using a trainable transmitter comprising: a control module including a receiver for detecting control signals from a trainable remote radio frequency transmitter, said receiver responsive to the code of a plurality of different control signals to associate a respective operation with each of said control signals, said control module adapted to be coupled to AC power conductors and provide appliance control signals for application to the AC power conductors in response to the reception of different control signals; a plurality of remote circuit modules for connection to AC power conductors for receiving said appliance control signals from said control module through the AC power conductors for the actuation of an appliance coupled to an associated remote circuit module; and a trainable remote radio frequency transmitter including an input circuit for receiving a radio frequency signal having a carrier frequency between 200 and 400 MHz transmitted by a remote control transmitter, a controller coupled to said input circuit for learning the carrier frequency of the received radio frequency signal and for storing signal characteristics data representing the learned carrier frequency and the data code of the received radio frequency signal, and an output circuit coupled to said controller for receiving the stored signal characteristics data, generating an RF activation signal having the carrier frequency and data code of the received radio frequency signal, and transmitting the RF activation signal to said control module for controlling a household appliance.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 191 words

A trainable transceiver for remotely controlling the operation of a household appliance by learning the characteristics of a radio frequency signal transmitted from a remote transmitter and by transmitting an RF activation signal having the learned characteristics to a receiver of a control module that, in response to the received RF activation signal, generates and transmits a control signal through AC power conductors of a house to a remote circuit module coupled to the controlled household appliance, said trainable transceiver comprising: an input circuit for receiving a radio frequency signal having a carrier frequency between 200 and 400 MHz transmitted by a remote transmitter; a controller coupled to said input circuit for learning the carrier frequency of the received radio frequency signal and for storing signal characteristics data representing the learned carrier frequency and the data code of the received radio frequency signal; and an output circuit coupled to said controller for receiving the stored signal characteristics data, generating an RF activation signal having the carrier frequency and data code of the received radio frequency signal, and transmitting the RF activation signal to the control module for controlling a household appliance.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 191 words

A trainable transceiver for remotely controlling the operation of a household appliance by learning the characteristics of a radio frequency signal transmitted from a remote transmitter and by transmitting an RF activation signal having the learned characteristics to a receiver of a control module that, in response to the received RF activation signal, generates and transmits a control signal through AC power conductors of a house to a remote circuit module coupled to the controlled household appliance, said trainable transceiver comprising: an input circuit for receiving a radio frequency signal having a carrier frequency between 200 and 400 MHz transmitted by a remote transmitter; a controller coupled to said input circuit for learning the carrier frequency of the received radio frequency signal and for storing signal characteristics data representing the learned carrier frequency and the data code of the received radio frequency signal; and an output circuit coupled to said controller for receiving the stored signal characteristics data, generating an RF activation signal having the carrier frequency and data code of the received radio frequency signal, and transmitting the RF activation signal to the control module for controlling a household appliance.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 77 words

The trainable transceiver as defined in claim 6 and further including an operator actuated switch coupled to said controller for controlling the operational state of said controller between a learning mode and a transmitting mode, wherein said controller is responsive to the actuation of said switch to provide the stored signal characteristics data to said output circuit and to cause said output circuit to transmit the RF activation signal when said controller is in the transmitting mode.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 52 words

The trainable transceiver as defined in claim 7 and further including a second operator actuated switch coupled to said controller for controlling the operational state of said controller with respect to a separate channel used for learning and transmitting a radio frequency control signal for remotely actuating a garage door opening mechanism.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 68 words

The trainable transceiver as defined in claim 6, wherein said controller is coupled to an electronically adjustable mirror for control of the reflectivity thereof in response to output signals received from at least one ambient light sensor coupled to said controller, said controller also coupled to a compass circuit for receiving vehicle heading information and to a display for displaying the vehicle heading to occupants of the vehicle.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 321 words

A trainable transceiver for remotely controlling the operation of a household appliance and a garage door opener by learning the characteristics of a radio frequency signal transmitted from a remote transmitter associated with the garage door opener and by transmitting a first RF activation signal having the learned characteristics to a receiver of the garage door opener and by transmitting a second RF activation signal to a receiver of a control module that, in response to the received second RF activation signal, generates and transmits a control signal through AC power conductors of a house to a remote circuit module coupled to the controlled household appliance, said trainable transceiver comprising: an input circuit for receiving a radio frequency signal having a carrier frequency between 200 and 400 MHz transmitted by a remote transmitter; a controller coupled to said input circuit for learning the carrier frequency of the received radio frequency signal and for storing signal characteristics data representing the learned carrier frequency and the data code of the received radio frequency signal; a first operator actuation switch coupled to said controller and associated with the garage door opener; a second operator actuation switch coupled to said controller and associated with the household appliance; and an output circuit coupled to said controller for receiving the stored signal characteristics data associated with the garage door opener, generating an RF activation signal having the carrier frequency and data code of the received radio frequency signal, and transmitting the RF activation signal to the garage door opener in response to actuation of said first operator actuation switch, and, in response to actuation of said second operator actuation switch, said output circuit receives stored signal characteristics data associated with the control module, generates an RF activation signal having a carrier frequency and data code represented by the stored signal characteristics, and transmits the RF activation signal to the control module for to control the household appliance.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 321 words

A trainable transceiver for remotely controlling the operation of a household appliance and a garage door opener by learning the characteristics of a radio frequency signal transmitted from a remote transmitter associated with the garage door opener and by transmitting a first RF activation signal having the learned characteristics to a receiver of the garage door opener and by transmitting a second RF activation signal to a receiver of a control module that, in response to the received second RF activation signal, generates and transmits a control signal through AC power conductors of a house to a remote circuit module coupled to the controlled household appliance, said trainable transceiver comprising: an input circuit for receiving a radio frequency signal having a carrier frequency between 200 and 400 MHz transmitted by a remote transmitter; a controller coupled to said input circuit for learning the carrier frequency of the received radio frequency signal and for storing signal characteristics data representing the learned carrier frequency and the data code of the received radio frequency signal; a first operator actuation switch coupled to said controller and associated with the garage door opener; a second operator actuation switch coupled to said controller and associated with the household appliance; and an output circuit coupled to said controller for receiving the stored signal characteristics data associated with the garage door opener, generating an RF activation signal having the carrier frequency and data code of the received radio frequency signal, and transmitting the RF activation signal to the garage door opener in response to actuation of said first operator actuation switch, and, in response to actuation of said second operator actuation switch, said output circuit receives stored signal characteristics data associated with the control module, generates an RF activation signal having a carrier frequency and data code represented by the stored signal characteristics, and transmits the RF activation signal to the control module for to control the household appliance.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 117 words

The system as defined in claim 1, wherein said trainable remote radio frequency transmitter further includes: a signal generator having a frequency control terminal coupled to said controller for receiving frequency control signals, said signal generator generates a signal having a radio frequency corresponding to the frequency control signal provided from said controller, an output of said signal generator is coupled to said input circuit, wherein, during a training mode in which said controller learns the carrier frequency of a received radio frequency signal, said controller varies the frequency of the signal supplied by said signal generator to said input circuit at least until said controller detects a data code at an output of said input circuit.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 126 words

The trainable system as defined in claim 4, wherein said trainable remote radio frequency transmitter further includes: a signal generator having a frequency control terminal coupled to said controller for receiving frequency control signals, said signal generator generates a signal having a radio frequency corresponding to the frequency control signal provided from said controller, an output of said signal generator is coupled to said input circuit, wherein, during a training mode in which said controller learns the carrier frequency of a received radio frequency signal, said controller varies the frequency of the signal supplied by said signal generator to said input circuit until said controller detects a predetermined relationship between the frequencies of the received radio frequency signal and the signal supplied from said signal generator.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 126 words

The system as defined in claim 5, wherein said trainable remote radio frequency transmitter further includes: a signal generator having a frequency control terminal coupled to said controller for receiving frequency control signals, said signal generator generates a signal having a radio frequency corresponding to the frequency control signal provided from said controller, an output of said signal generator is coupled to said input circuit, wherein, during a training mode in which said controller learns the carrier frequency of a received radio frequency signal, said controller varies the frequency of the signal supplied by said signal generator to said input circuit until said controller detects that the frequency of the received radio frequency signal and the signal supplied from said signal generator are substantially the same.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 112 words

The trainable transceiver as defined in claim 6 and further including: a signal generator having a frequency control terminal coupled to said controller for receiving frequency control signals, said signal generator generates a signal having a radio frequency corresponding to the frequency control signal provided from said controller, an output of said signal generator is coupled to said input circuit, wherein, during a training mode in which said controller learns the carrier frequency of a received radio frequency signal, said controller varies the frequency of the signal supplied by said signal generator to said input circuit at least until said controller detects a data code at an output of said input circuit.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 120 words

The trainable transceiver as defined in claim 10, and further including: a signal generator having a frequency control terminal coupled to said controller for receiving frequency control signals, said signal generator generates a signal having a radio frequency corresponding to the frequency control signal provided from said controller, an output of said signal generator is coupled to said input circuit, wherein, during a training mode in which said controller learns the carrier frequency of a received radio frequency signal, said controller varies the frequency of the signal supplied by said signal generator to said input circuit until said controller detects a predetermined relationship between the frequencies of the received radio frequency signal and the signal supplied from said signal generator.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2002-05-10	2002-11-09	2003-05-11	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2006-05-10	2006-11-09	2007-05-11	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2010-05-10	2010-11-09	2011-05-11	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Trainable RF system for remotely controlling household appliances

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