US 9,609,719 B2 · Wireless control device

Abstract

A wall-mountable wireless control device may include an antenna (e.g., a slot antenna or a hybrid slot-patch antenna) for transmitting and/or receiving radio-frequency signals, and may have a conductive material on a large amount (e.g., greater than or equal to approximately 85%) of a front surface of the control device. The wireless control device may operate consistently when installed with different types of faceplate assemblies (e.g., faceplate assemblies having metal and/or plastic components) and when installed with different types of electrical wallboxes (e.g., metal and plastic wallboxes). A faceplate comprising a conductive element may be installed on the wireless control device, such that the conductive element operates as a radiating element of the antenna. The wireless control device may comprise a conductive member (e.g., a conductive label or a conductive strap) extending around a rear enclosure of the wireless control device between opposite sides of a conductive yoke.

Claims34

Dependent claims

A wall-mountable wireless control device, comprising:

a yoke configured to mount the control device to an electrical wallbox;
a bezel configured to be attached to the yoke;
a user interface provided on the bezel, the user interface comprising an actuation member configured to receive a user input;
a slot antenna configured to transmit or receive radio-frequency signals;
a radio-frequency communication circuit configured to transmit or receive the radio-frequency signals via the slot antenna;
and
a control circuit configured to be responsive to the radio-frequency communication circuit and the user input received via the actuation member;
wherein the slot antenna comprises a driven element located between the bezel and the yoke, the driven element defining a first elongated slot through which the actuation member of the user interface extends.

5 more elements

A wall-mountable wireless control device comprising:

a yoke configured to mount the control device to an electrical wallbox;
a user interface configured to receive a user input;
a faceplate defining an elongated opening for receiving the user interface, the faceplate comprising a conductive element electrically coupled to the yoke via a single electrical connection when the faceplate is mounted to the wireless control device and the user interface is received through the elongated opening of the faceplate, the conductive element defining a first slot substantially the same size as and substantially aligned with the elongated opening of the faceplate when the faceplate is mounted to the wireless control device and the user interface is received through the elongated opening of the faceplate;
an antenna configured to transmit or receive radio-frequency signals;
a radio-frequency communication circuit configured to transmit or receive the radio-frequency signals via the antenna;
and
a control circuit configured to be responsive to the user input and the radio-frequency communication circuit;
wherein the conductive element is configured to operate as a radiating element of the antenna when the faceplate is mounted to the wireless control device.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Wireless control device

Life of this patent

Wireless control device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims34