Connector having wireless control capabilities

Abstract

A connector for connecting a source of low-voltage DC power to a low-voltage DC powered device includes a line-side interface arranged for releasably and electrically coupling the connector to the source of low-voltage DC power, a line-side interface arranged for electrically coupling the connector to the low-voltage DC powered device, a power controller electrically coupled to the line-side interface and the load-side interface and operarable to control a bringing of power to the load-side interface from the line-side interface, and an RF receiver electrically coupled to the power controller for receiving a first signal from a device external to the connector and for generating, in response thereto, a second signal for controlling operations of the power controller.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A connector for connecting a source of low-voltage DC power to a low-voltage DC powered device, comprising:
 a line-side interface arranged for electrically coupling the connector to the source of low-voltage DC power;   a line-side interface arranged for electrically coupling the connector to the low-voltage DC powered device;   a power controller electrically coupled to the line-side interface and the load-side interface and operarable to control a bringing of power to the load-side interface from the line-side interface; and   an RF receiver electrically coupled to the power controller for receiving a first signal from a device external to the connector and for generating, in response thereto, a second signal for controlling operations of the power controller.   
     
     
         2 . The connector as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the line-side interface is arranged for releasably and electrically coupling the connector to a low-voltage DC power grid system. 
     
     
         3 . The connector as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the load-side interface comprises at least one of a push-in type contact, an IDC type contact, an IPC type contact, a crimp type contact, and a weld type contact for engaging a corresponding one or more wires associated with the low-voltage DC powered device. 
     
     
         4 . The connector as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the power controller functions as an on/off power controller. 
     
     
         5 . The connector as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the power controller functions as a dimming power controller. 
     
     
         6 . The connector as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the power controller comprises an Opto-isolator. 
     
     
         7 . The connector as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the power controller comprises an SCR. 
     
     
         8 . The connector as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the power controller comprises a FET, transistor. 
     
     
         9 . The connector as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the power controller comprises a MEMS switch. 
     
     
         10 . The connector as recited in  claim 1 , comprising a DC-DC converter electrically coupled to the line-side interface and the RF receiver for providing power to the RF receiver. 
     
     
         11 . The connector as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the RF receiver is directly, electrically coupled to the line-side interface which provides power to the RF receiver. 
     
     
         12 . The connector as recited in  claim 1 , comprising a battery for providing power to the RF receiver  20 . 
     
     
         13 . The connector as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the RF receiver comprises a RF transceiver. 
     
     
         14 . The connector as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the RF receiver is provided with an address. 
     
     
         15 . The connector as recited in  claim 14 , comprising an address setting device associated with the RF receiver. 
     
     
         16 . The connector as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the line-side interface comprises at least one of a push-in type contact, an IDC type contact, an IPC type contact, a crimp type contact, and a weld type contact for engaging a corresponding one or more wires associated with the source of low-voltage DC power.