US 4,048,596 A · Light-activated remote control unit

Abstract

A remote control unit for an electrical appliance includes a pair of photocells and one or more threshold devices connected to sense differential illumination of the photocells. The threshold devices, in turn, emit signals that initiate operation of a control device connected to the appliance. The threshold devices are preferably gaseous discharge lamps whose light outputs are sensed by radiation-response switching circuitry.

Drawings

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Drawings

Claims9

Dependent claims

An appliance control unit for effecting one or more control operations on an appliance, said control unit comprising

A. first and second photocell units arranged to be substantially equally responsive to ambient household optical radiation, said photocell units including first and second photoconductive cells, respectively, connected in series to a voltage source,
B. detection means including
1. a gaseous discharge first lamp connected across said first photocell so as to be ignited when radiation is preferentially applied to the second photocell, and
2. a third photoconductive cell arranged to respond to light from said first lamp and thereby provide an initiating signal in response to preferential illumination of said second photocell, and
C. a control device
1. for connection to said appliance so as to perform a control operation thereon, and
2. for performing said control operation in response to said initiating signal.

4 more elements

An appliance control unit for effecting multiple control operations of an appliance, said control unit comprising

A. first and second photocell units including first and second photocells and so arranged as to be substantially equally responsive to household ambient radiation
B. detection means for providing a first initiating signal in response to the difference in illumination of said photocell units,
C. time delay means providing a delayed initiating signal if said initiating signal persists longer than a predetermined interval,
D. a first control device connected to said appliance so as to perform a first control operation on said appliance in response to said first initiating signal, and
E. a second control device connected to said appliance so as to perform a second control operation in response to said delayed initiating signal.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description3,191 words

Summary739 words

#A. Field of the Invention

#This invention relates to a light-sensitive remote control unit for electrical appliances. More specifically it relates to a simple, inexpensive control unit actuated by the beam from a common flashlight and capable of multiple control functions of an appliance. The embodiment of the invention described herein is arranged for the control of a television set.

#B. Background of the Invention

Brief description of the drawings4 figures

#FIG. 1 is a front view, partly broken away, of an appliance control unit embodying the invention, connected to control the operation of a television receiver;

#FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit in the control unit of FIG. 1;

#FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of another circuit that can be used in the control unit; and

Detailed description2,376 words

#As shown in FIG. 1, a control unit generally depicted at 10 comprises a housing 12 located on top of a conventional television receiver 14. The housing 12 is connected to a channel changing adapter 16 by way of a cable 18. The adapter 16 is fitted to the shaft (not shown) of the tuner in the receiver 14 and when actuated by means of a flexible shaft 20 within the cable 18, it advances the tuner from one television channel to the next.

#More specifically, the shaft 20 is actuated by a solenoid actuator 22 which is energized to pull the shaft 20 to the left each time the television channel is to be changed. The actuator 22, adapter 16 and associated parts are preferably as described in the aforesaid U.S. Pat. application, Ser. No. 476,438.

#The control unit 10 also includes a plug 30 for connection to a household electrical receptacle and a receptacle 32 into which the receiver 14 is plugged.

Facts

Application

05/568,938Filed 17 Apr 1975

Granted

13 Sep 1977

Term ended

13 Sep 1994

Estimated · how

Pre-1995 term; greater of 17 years from grant or 20 years from filing when eligible. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification4 codes

H03J 9/06
Remote-control of tuned circuits; Combined remote-control of tuning and other functions, e.g. brightness, amplification: using electromagnetic…
H01H 47/24
For supplying energising current for relay coil: having light-sensitive input
H03J
Tuning resonant circuits
H01H
Electric switches

Light-activated remote control unit

Life of this patent

Light-activated remote control unit

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims9

Description3,191 words

Drawings

Classification4 codes

Life of this patent

Description3,191 words