A method of switching on an electrically powered unit and an electrically powered unit which can be connected to a power supply

Abstract

 An electrically powered unit (2) is connectible to a mains supply (10) by way of a power switch (12). When not in use, the unit (2) is not placed in a standby mode. Instead, the power switch (12) is switched off so that the unit (2) draws no power. The unit (2) is provided with a non-powered receiver (20). When it is required to use the unit, it is not necessary for a user to switch the power switch (12) on. Operation of a remote control unit (4) is arranged to cause an inductive transmitter (22) to output an instruction. The non-powered receiver (20) of the unit (2) is arranged, in response to receipt of the instruction, to output a response (26) which is utilized to cause the power switch to be switched from off to on.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method of switching on an electrically powered unit, and an electrically powered unit connectible to a power supply.

[0002] Electrically powered units, for example TV receivers, and set top boxes, are frequently left on standby. This means that a user can utilize the normally provided remote control device to switch the unit on when required without having to approach the physical unit and switch on a power switch to reconnect the unit to the power supply.

[0003] Environmentalists are increasingly campaigning for users to switch off electrically powered equipment completely. In the standby mode, the units continue to consume power and it is now thought that this consumption is unnecessary, wasteful, and costly. Of course, users will be reluctant to switch off units at the mains, or by way of a main power switch if this means they have to forgo the convenience of picking up a remote control unit to switch on the device when required.

[0004] The present invention seeks to address these issues.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of switching on an electrically powered unit connectible to a supply of electric power by way of a power switch, where the powered unit has been provided with a non-powered receiver, the method comprising:

transmitting to said receiver an instruction to switch on the powered unit; and

causing the receiver to output a response to the incoming instruction, the receiver response being enabled to cause the power switch to be switched from off to on.

[0006] The present invention proposes to use a non-powered receiver, such as an inductive receiver, within an electrically powered unit. When switched off, the electrically powered unit can be totally disconnected from the power supply and yet readily available, by way of a remote control device, when required. Embodiments of the invention make it unnecessary to keep the unit in a "standby mode", in which it is drawing power from the mains, in order to be accessible on demand. The non-powered receiver is enabled, upon receipt of an instruction, to produce a response. This response may be a deflection of the signal arriving at the receiver, and/or may be a signal generated by the receiver. This receiver response is used to cause a power switch of the electrically powered unit to be switched from the off to the on position.

[0007] The particular arrangement enabling a transmitted instruction to cause an electrically powered unit to be switched on may be chosen as required. In an embodiment, it is proposed to use RFID technology. In an embodiment, the transmitted instruction is a radio frequency signal.

[0008] The invention may be used to switch on any devices which are normally left on standby such as computers, peripherals for computers, photocopiers and the like.

[0009] An important class of equipment currently left on standby is equipment for receiving broadcast programming such as televisions and set top boxes. For such devices it may be preferred that the transmitted instruction is an infrared frequency signal. It will be appreciated that the remote control units traditionally utilized with equipment for receiving broadcast programming generally use infrared technology.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the receiver is an antenna enabled, in response to the receipt of the incoming instruction, to output an electrical signal to cause the power switch to be switched from off to on.

[0011] Preferably, the antenna is also enabled to output an electrical signal to the electrically powered unit.

[0012] The present invention also extends to an electrically powered unit, connectible to a supply of electric power by way of a power switch, the electrically powered unit being provided with a non-powered receiver arranged, in response to the receipt of an incoming transmitted instruction, to output a response able to cause the power switch to be switched from off to on and thereby to connect the unit to the power supply.

[0013] An electrically powered unit of the invention may include a receiver in the form of an antenna responsive to radio frequency signals or to infrared frequency signals.

[0014] In an embodiment, the receiver is an antenna enabled, in response to the receipt of an incoming transmitted instruction, to output an electrical signal to cause the power switch to be switched from off to on.

[0015] In an example, the antenna is also enabled to output an electrical signal to the electrically powered unit.

[0016] The manner in which the power switch is switched from off to on may be chosen as required. For example, the output response from the receiver, which may be a diverted or generated signal, may be applied directly to the power switch to move it from off to on. This process might be enabled by latching the power switch in an off position against resilient means, against magnetic forces, or in some other manner, such that the opposing forces will assist in the physical movement of the power switch from off to on once the output response from the receiver is received.

[0017] Additionally and/or alternatively, the power switch may be part of, or coupled to a device to be powered by the output response of the receiver to physically move the power switch from off to on. Any appropriate device may be used, but solenoid operated devices would be amongst the devices of choice.

[0018] As set out above, the output electrical signal from the receiver may be utilized directly to cause the movement of the power switch from off to on. Alternatively, the output electrical signal may be applied to the electrically powered unit. In this case, the electrically powered unit may use the output signal to induce other signals which are to assist in the switching on of the power switch.

[0019] The receiver of the electrically powered unit may comprise a passive inductive tag, for example, an RFID tag.

[0020] As set out previously, the function of an electrically powered unit which may incorporate embodiments of the invention may be chosen as required. However, it is thought that the invention will have particular applicability where the unit is a receiving device, such as a TV receiver or a set top box, able to receive broadcast programming.

[0021] In an embodiment, the electrically powered unit is provided in conjunction with a remote control device for transmitting signals to control the operation of said unit, wherein the remote control device is arranged to transmit instructions to which said non-powered receiver is responsive.

[0022] Embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing which illustrates an electrically powered unit and an associated remote control device able to switch on the unit from a non-powered condition.

[0023] The figure shows an electrically powered unit 2 and an associated remote control device 4 for providing infrared signals to control the operation of the unit 2. It is expected that this invention will have particular use for the control of an electrically powered unit 2 for receiving broadcast programming as it is common to leave such units on standby and to operate them by remote control devices. However, it will be appreciated that the invention has wider applicability than broadcast receiving devices such as TV receivers and set top boxes, and the invention may be used wherever its functionality is found useful.

[0024] In the usual manner, the electrically powered unit 2 is switched to receive power from a power supply, as indicated at 10, by way of a power switch 12. The electrical supply is applied to an electronic circuit 14 able to perform the requirements of the powered unit 2. The powered unit 2 also incorporates a receiver 16 able to receive infrared control signals from a transmitter 18 of the remote control unit 4. In known manner, when the unit 2 is connected to the power supply 10, use of buttons or switches (not shown) on the remote control device 4 causes infrared commands to be output by the remote control transmitter 18. The unit 2 receives and interprets the commands arriving by way of the receiver 16 which are then applied to the electronic circuit 14 so that the unit 2 can perform its functions. For example, if the unit 2 is a set top box, it is able, on receipt of arriving commands, to tune to selected programs, to display electronic program guides and perform other functions.

[0025] As illustrated in the figure, the electrically powered unit 2 can be switched on, from a disconnected condition, at the push of a button of the remote control device 4. In this respect, the unit 2 includes an inductive receiver 20. This receiver 20 may be, for example, an RFID tag responsive to radio frequency transmissions or a similar passive tag responsive to infrared frequency transmissions. The remote control device 4 is provided with an inductive transmitter 22 which is enabled to transmit an instruction to the receiver 20 upon actuation of an on/off button 24 of the remote control device 4.

[0026] RFID technology is well known and it will be understood that the passive receiver 20 does not need any power to retain it in an appropriate condition. Thus, when use of the electrically powered unit 2 is no longer required, the power switch 12 can be switched to an off condition such that the unit 2 is disconnected from the supply 10. Pressing the on/off button 24 of the remote control unit 4 is arranged to cause the inductive transmitter 22 to output a transmitted instruction. This instruction is received by the receiver 20 in the control unit 2. The receiver 20 may divert the received instruction or it may generate an output signal in response to its receipt. However it is provided, a response 26 is output from the receiver 20 and applied to the power switch 12 and/or to control means (not shown) for the power switch 12. The response 26 may also be applied directly to the electronic circuit 14 of the unit 2.

[0027] It is arranged that the application of the output response 26 to the power switch 12 and/or control means therefor, causes the power switch to move from its off to its on position. Power from the supply 10 is thus applied to the electronic circuit 14 and normal operation of the electrically powered unit 2 is provided. The manner in which the power switch 12 is caused to move from off to on can be chosen as appropriate.

[0028] For example, the power switch might be mechanically or magnetically latched into its off position so that the application of a small electrical current, provided as the response signal 26, defeats the latch and enables resilient or magnetic means to move the power switch physically from off to on. The catching of the power switch 12 to off is preferably against the force of such resilient or magnetic means.

[0029] Additionally and/or alternatively, the output response 26 may be applied to a device able, when energized, to move the power switch 12 from off to on.

[0030] As can be seen, the output response 26 may also be applied to the electronic circuit 14 which may produce control currents, for example, for devices for moving the power switch 12.

[0031] It will be appreciated that variations in, or modifications of, the embodiment as described and illustrated may be made within the scope of the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A method of switching on an electrically powered unit connectible to a supply of electric power by way of a power switch, where the powered unit has been provided with a non-powered receiver, the method comprising:

transmitting to said receiver an instruction to switch on the powered unit; and

causing the receiver to output a response to the incoming instruction, the receiver response being enabled to cause the power switch to be switched from off to on.

2. A method of switching on an electrically powered unit as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the transmitted instruction is a radio frequency signal.

3. A method of switching on an electrically powered unit as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the transmitted instruction is an infrared frequency signal.

4. A method of switching on an electrically powered unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the receiver is an antenna enabled, in response to the receipt of the incoming instruction, to output an electrical signal to cause the power switch to be switched from off to on.

5. A method of switching on an electrically powered unit as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the antenna is also enabled to output an electrical signal to the electrically powered unit.

6. An electrically powered unit, connectible to a supply of electric power by way of a power switch, is provided with a non-powered receiver arranged, in response to the receipt of an incoming transmitted instruction, to output a response able to cause the power switch to be switched from off to on and thereby to connect the unit to the power supply.

7. An electrically powered unit as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the receiver is an antenna responsive to radio frequency signals.

8. An electrically powered unit as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the receiver is an antenna responsive to infrared frequency signals.

9. An electrically powered unit, as claimed in any of Claims 6 to 8, wherein the receiver is an antenna enabled, in response to the receipt of an incoming transmitted instruction, to output an electrical signal to cause the power switch to be switched from off to on.

10. An electrically powered unit, as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the antenna is also enabled to output an electrical signal to the electrically powered unit.

11. An electrically powered unit, as claimed in any of Claims 6 to 10, wherein the receiver is a passive inductive tag.

12. An electrically powered unit, as claimed in any of Claims 6 to 11, wherein the unit is a receiving device able to receive broadcast programming.

13. An electrically powered unit, as claimed in any of Claims 6 to 12, further comprising a remote control device for transmitting signals to control the operation of said unit, wherein the remote control device is arranged to transmit instructions to which said non-powered receiver is responsive.

Drawing