IP Library Granted Patent US 8,212,377
Granted Patent B2
US 8,212,377 · App. 12/334,606 · Granted Jul 3, 2012

Smart control device

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,212,377
App. No.
12/334,606
Granted
Jul 3, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A control device, such as a device for connecting with and providing control data on a low voltage line, is provided disclosed. The control device includes a power supply that generates a DC voltage from an input voltage communicated via a low voltage line by a power source. The control device also includes a receiver that extracts timing data from the input voltage and output circuitry that is operable to communicate information to the power source via the low voltage line.

Claims (25)

1. An intelligent device comprising:

a power supply operable to generate a DC voltage from an input voltage communicated via a low voltage line by a power source, wherein the input voltage corresponds to an AC voltage with a positive cycle, negative cycle, and an intermediate platform;

a receiver operable to extract timing data from the input voltage; and

output circuitry operable to communicate information to the power source via the low voltage line.

2. The intelligent device according to claim 1 , wherein the power source controls a remote device in accordance with a data pattern communicated.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the power source corresponds to a low voltage lighting power supply.

4. The intelligent device according to claim 1 , further comprising a sensor.

5. The intelligent device according to claim 1 , further comprising a switch.

6. The intelligent device according to claim 1 , wherein the remote device corresponds to a remote lighting device.

7. The intelligent device according to claim 1 , wherein the data pattern is encoded by varying a width of at least one of: the positive cycle and the negative cycle.

8. The intelligent device according to claim 1 , wherein the AC voltage comprises a square wave pulse.

9. The intelligent device of claim 1 , wherein the output circuitry communicates information by inserting a pulse during a time associated with the intermediate platform.

10. An intelligent device comprising:

a receiver; and

a processor in communication with the receiver, the processor operable to receive an input signal from the receiver and output an output signal, the output signal comprising a control bit that is a function of the input signal,

wherein the output signal

corresponds to an AC voltage with a positive cycle, negative cycle, and an intermediate platform and

is used to control a remote device over a low voltage line, and wherein the control of the remote device is based on the control bit.

11. The intelligent device of claim 10 , wherein the receiver comprises a sensor.

12. The intelligent device of claim 10 , wherein the receiver comprises a switch.

13. The intelligent device of claim 10 , wherein the processor is within a housing, and wherein the housing is configured to be placed in an outdoor environment.

14. The intelligent device of claim 10 , wherein the remote device comprises a light of an outdoor lighting system.

15. The intelligent device of claim 10 , wherein the output signal powers the remote device.

16. The intelligent device according to claim 10 , wherein a data pattern is encoded on the output signal by varying a width of at least one of: the positive cycle and the negative cycle.

17. The intelligent device according to claim 10 , wherein the AC voltage comprises a square wave pulse.

Assignments (6)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 2, 2010
From: MALIBU LIGHTING CORPORATION
To: J. BAXTER BRINKMANN INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 024633/0598 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 12, 2009
From: J. BAXTER BRINKMANN INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
To: MALIBU LIGHTING CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 023085/0245 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 22, 2009
From: INTERMATIC INCORPORATED
To: J. BAXTER BRINKMANN INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 022990/0132 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 11, 2009
From: J. BAXTER BRINKMANN INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
To: INTERMATIC INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 022804/0854 →
TERMINATION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded May 20, 2009
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT
To: INTERMATIC INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 022708/0177 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 6, 2009
From: JOSEPH, PETER D.; SAATHOFF, DAVID A.
To: INTERMATIC INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 022065/0602 →