The present invention relates to switches and more specifically to devices for remotely operating a push-button switch.

BACKGROUND ART

A push-button switch is a simple switch mechanism for controlling some aspect of a machine or a process. Push-button switches are typically made out of hard material, usually plastic or metal. Their surface is usually flat or shaped to accommodate the human finger or hand, so as to be easily depressed or pushed. Push-button switches are often biased switches, though even many unbiased buttons (due to their physical nature) require a spring to return to their un-pushed state. Different terms are used for the "pushing" of the button, such as press, depress, mash, and punch.

Push-button switches may be toggle or momentary switches. A momentary push-button switch is a type of biased switch. The most common type is a "push-to-make" (or normally-open or NO) switch, which makes contact when the button is pressed and breaks when the button is released. Each key of a computer keyboard, for example, is a normally-open "push-to-make" switch. A "push-to-break" (or normally-closed or NC) switch, on the other hand, breaks contact when the button is pressed and makes contact when it is released. An example of a push-to-break switch is a button used to release a door held open by an electromagnet. The interior lamp of a household refrigerator is controlled by a switch that is held open when the door is closed. This type of switch cannot open AND close a circuit, but rather, open OR close a circuit. In contrast, a toggle push-button switch may open and close a circuit. Each depression of the push-button toggle switch can change the state of the circuit. Therefore if the circuit is closed, a depression will result in opening of the circuit. Accordingly, if the circuit is open a depression will result in closing of the circuit.

Push-button switches are utilized in button bearing apparatuses such as calculators, push-button telephones, video door entry systems, kitchen appliances, and various other mechanical and electronic devices, home and commercial. Furthermore, push-button switches and button bearing apparatuses are commonplace in industrial environments, such as factories and nuclear reactors.

A typical usage scenario of a button bearing apparatus will be given, by way of an example, with the description of a video door entry system. A video door entry system, also known as "video intercom" or "door-phone" or "door intercom", is a stand-alone system used to manage calls made at the entrance to a building (residential complex, detached family home, workplace, etc.) with access controlled by audio or audio-visual communication between the inside and outside. The main feature of video door entry is that it enables the person indoors to identify the visitor and, if they wish, engage in conversation and/or open the door, typically by pressing a push-button switch, to allow access to the person calling.

However, in cases where access is required to premises without the presence of an individual inside the premises to press the push-button switch, it is not possible to access the premises without bearing a key.

There are occasions, though, when selective access to premises is required, without bearing a key, for example only for specific time periods. It may not always be possible or practical to give a physical key to the visitor if selective access is required for a predetermined or limited time period. In this case, a remotely controlled access to the premises is desirable.

Similar situations may occur in industrial environments, such as in factories or nuclear plants. There may occasionally appear a need to remotely operate a push-button switch without the presence of an individual, for example, in places that may be difficult or dangerous for human access.

There thus exists the problem of operating a push-button switch of a button bearing apparatus without the presence of an individual. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to at least partially overcome some of above mentioned drawbacks.

According to a first aspect of the invention a device is disclosed for remotely operating a push-button switch (or simply "button") of a button bearing apparatus. The device may comprise a fixed portion and a movable portion. The movable portion may be movable relative to the fixed portion. The fixed portion may comprise controlling means for moving the movable portion. The movable portion may be configured to depress the push-button switch when the controlling means moves the movable portion in the direction of the push-button switch.

The support surface may be part of the button bearing apparatus or part of a support structure of the button bearing apparatus, such as a wall or any larger configuration on where the button bearing apparatus may be arranged.

In some embodiments the device may comprise a tip configured to depress the push-button switch when the controlling means moves the movable portion in the direction of the push-button switch. The tip may be inclined towards the button bearing apparatus, so that when said distal part touches the button, the tip may be aligned with the direction of depression.

The tip may have a form substantially resembling that of a human finger, as push-button switches are generally arranged so that they are operated by human fingers.

In some embodiments, controlling the movement may be by rotating the movable portion around an axis of the fixed portion. In such a case, the movable portion may extend from the fixed portion to a point in space above the button bearing apparatus so that, in operation, the tip of the movable portion may define an arc of a circle intersecting with the button.

In some embodiments the movable portion may comprise an extendable arm, such as a telescopic arm, having a variable length to allow installation of the device on different button bearing apparatuses. The length of the extendable arm may be remotely controllable to allow pressing of different buttons on the same device. An extendable telescopic arm may have at least two arm sections, the first arm section being retractable within the second arm section.

In other embodiments the extendable arm may comprise a first arm section coupled to the controlling means. The first arm section may have a groove extending along its longitudinal axis. A second arm section, may be slidable within the groove. The second arm section, comprising the tip, may have at least a hole perpendicular to the groove for receiving a bolt. The second arm section may be securely fixed to the first arm section with the bolt so that the tip is at a desired distance to depress the button.

In some embodiments the controlling means may comprise a wireless unit and an actuator coupled to the wireless unit. The wireless unit may be used for receiving instructions from a remote location to move the movable part and for commanding the actuator. The actuator may be used for controlling the movement of the moveable part in response to a command received from the wireless unit.

In some embodiments the actuator may be a motor. In these embodiments, the proximal side of the movable portion may comprise a toothed part and the fixed portion may comprise means for meshing with the toothed part in order to transmit torque. In other embodiments the actuator may be a solenoid. A motor may be advantageous when a greater force is required for depressing a button while a solenoid may be more suitable for lower power consumption applications. In some cases it may be more convenient to attach a solenoid and in others a motor based mechanism depending on the type of button to be pressed and the surface available on the button bearing apparatus for mounting the device.

In some embodiments the button may rest on a first surface of the button bearing apparatus and the fixed portion may be attached to a second surface of the button bearing apparatus, the second surface being substantially perpendicular to the first. Such an arrangement has the advantage that the device may follow the button bearing apparatus if the button bearing apparatus needs to be removed from its original place. Therefore, no unnecessary detaching and reattaching of the device would take place.

In some embodiments the device may comprise attachment means for securing to a support surface. The attachment means may be selected among a group consisting of adhesive means, screwing means or elastic bands. However, any form of permanent or non-permanent attachment may be used between the device and the button bearing apparatus, such as a section pads, elastic bands, double-sided tapes or similar. The fixed portion of the device may also be adapted to attach to the support surface. In some embodiments a surface of the fixed portion may be provided with holes so that the device may be screwed or nailed to a wall or to the button bearing apparatus.

In some embodiments the device may further comprise a power source for powering the controlling means. Such power source may be a battery or a solar panel, so that the device is portable, or may be any suitable means for connecting to a mains power source. The device may further comprise rechargeable means, such as a rechargeable battery, that may be recharged with any recharging means, such as the solar panel.

In another aspect of the invention, a remote button pressing system is disclosed. The remote button pressing system may comprise a device for pressing a push-button switch according to any of the above-mentioned embodiments, and a remote unit for sending instructions to the device over a communication network. The device may be a wireless communication device, such as a mobile phone. In other implementations, the remote unit may be a remote control. In such a case the remote unit may communicate with the wireless unit with optical waves, such as infrared data transmission, or with ultrasound or RF waves, such as the remote controls used for garage doors or remote keyless systems. However, any type of wireless communication protocol may be suitable as part of the communication protocol between the remote unit and the wireless unit of the device.

Throughout the description and claims the word "comprise" and variations of the word, are not intended to exclude other technical features, additives, components, or steps. Additional objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the description or may be learned by practice of the invention. The following examples and drawings are provided by way of illustration, and they are not intended to be limiting of the present invention. Reference signs related to drawings and placed in parentheses in a claim, are solely for attempting to increase the intelligibility of the claim, and shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the claim. Furthermore, the present invention covers all possible combinations of particular and preferred embodiments described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Particular embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a device according to an embodiment;

Figure 2A is a schematic representation of a device according to another embodiment;

Figure 2B is a cross section of the device of FIG 2A;

Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating the functional blocks of a remote button pushing system according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In the following descriptions, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be understood, however, by one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known elements have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the description of the present invention.

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a device according to an embodiment. Device 100 is attached to a support surface of button bearing apparatus 200. Button bearing apparatus 200 includes push-button switch 250 on a first surface. Device 100 comprises fixed portion 1 10 and movable portion 150. Fixed portion 1 10 is at a first part attached to a second surface of button bearing apparatus 200. At a second part, movable portion 150 is rotationally connected at a proximal end with fixed portion 1 10. The first part is shown rectangular in shape and may be used to host controlling means for moving the movable portion. Such controlling means may be communication means, such as wireless communication means and an actuator, such as a motor or a solenoid. The actuator may be coupled to the second part of fixed portion 1 10 for attaching to movable portion 150. Movable portion 150 may comprise first arm 152 and second arm 154. First arm 152 is shown curved at one end and the curved end may be engaged to fixed portion 1 10. The other end may be hollow to receive second arm 154 in a telescopic manner. A small hole 155 near the tip of the first arm may be used to fix second arm 154 at a suitable position with a screw. However any type of telescopic coupling may be used, as part of the invention, to adjust the length of the movable part in a secure manner. Second arm 154 has one end coupled with the hollow end of first arm 152. The other end, being the distal end of movable portion 150, may be curved to form tip 145 so that, when the distal end of movable portion 150 touches the button, the curved tip would be aligned with the direction of depression. In that way, the push-button switch may be efficiently depressed. Tip 145 may be configured according to the form of push-button switch 250. Furthermore, second arm may be replaceable to account for different types of push-button switches that may require different selectable characteristics of tip 145. Such selectable characteristics may be the length, the width, the pointy edge or the hardness of tip 145.

Figures 2A and 2B are schematic representations of a device according to another embodiment. Device 100 comprises fixed portion 1 10 and movable portion 150. Fixed portion 1 10 is adapted so that a first part may be attached to a button bearing apparatus. Fixed portion 1 10 comprises a set of screw holes 1 12 on a first side, for attaching to the button bearing apparatus with screws. A further set of screw holes 1 14 (only one is shown in Fig. 2A) on another side, perpendicular to the first, of fixed portion 1 10 may be used for securing the device on another surface, such as a wall. At a second part, fixed portion 1 10 is connected at a proximal end with movable portion 150. Movable portion 150 comprises a toothed part 156 and the fixed portion comprises means for meshing 125 with the toothed part in order to transmit torque. In Fig. 2B a pinion 125 is shown meshing with toothed part 156. The first part of fixed portion 1 10 is shown rectangular in shape and may be used to host at least a part of the controlling means. Such controlling means may be communication means, such as wireless communication means and an actuator 124, such as a motor or a solenoid. The actuator may be coupled to the means for meshing 125 on the second part of fixed portion 1 10 for coupling to toothed part 156 of movable portion 150. Movable portion 150 may comprise first arm 152 and second arm 154. First arm 152 may comprise a groove extending along its longitudinal axis. Second arm 154 may be hollow to receive first arm 152. Second arm 154 may comprise a pair of holes 157, perpendicular to the groove, for receiving a pair of bolts, so that second arm 154 may be securely fixed to first arm 152. Second arm 154 may be curved having tip 145 at a distal end substantially perpendicular to first arm 152. Second arm 154 may be slidable along first arm 152 so that it can be fixed at a position such that, after installation on a button bearing apparatus, tip 145 may form an arc intersecting with a button on the button bearing apparatus. The distal end of second arm 154 is considered the distal end of movable portion 150. When the distal end of movable portion 150 touches the button, the curved tip would be aligned with the direction of depression. In that way, the push-button switch may be efficiently depressed. A grooved part 1 15 of fixed portion 1 10 is shown that limits the degree of freedom of the movable arm so that the tip of the movable portion defines an arc of a circle intersecting with the push-button switch having an angle not greater than 90°. This is particularly useful so that the movable part does not protrude from the device which would make it prone to accidents and damage.

Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating the functional blocks of a remote button pushing system according to an embodiment. Remote unit 50 sends an instruction to device 100 to push-button 250. Communication unit 122 of device 100 receives the instruction and switches on actuator 124. Actuator 124 starts moving or rotating movable portion 150 until the button is pushed. The communication unit may comprise an electronic controller for controlling the motor. The electronic controller may store in a memory a computer program implementing the process of controlling the device, and a processing unit of the electronic controller may access to the memory for retrieving and executing said computer program in such a way that the process for controlling the device implemented by the computer program is carried out. The electronic controller may further include an authentication unit for verifying that the remote unit where the instruction originates is an authorised unit and that the instruction received is an authentic instruction. The electronic controller may be programmable to allow different modes of operation or different users being authenticated. As the device may be portable, the electronic controller may include different parameters for different types of button bearing devices or for different buttons of the same button bearing device. Such parameters may be the duration of the motor function, the speed of the motor or the length of the movable part. In a typical scenario, a remote user sends an instruction to device 100 via a communication network to press switch 250. Such a communication network may be wired or wireless. In an example, the communication network is a GSM network and the instruction is a command placed over the GSM network. The command may be a call, a short message such as an SMS, or a message over any IP network or the Internet. Communication unit 122 may comprise a GSM unit adapted to receive commands over the GSM network. Communication unit receives the command and initiates actuator 124. Movable portion 150 is assumed in a rest position sufficiently removed from the push-button switch 250 and moves or rotates in response to the operation of actuator 124 from the rest position. The speed and duration of operation of actuator 124 are adapted so that the movement of movable portion is sufficient to depress push-button switch 250. The motor may rotate first in one direction for as long as it is necessary for movable portion 150 to depress push-button switch 250 and afterwards in the reverse direction to return to the rest position.

Although only a number of particular embodiments and examples of the invention have been disclosed herein, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof are possible. Furthermore, the present invention covers all possible combinations of the particular embodiments described. Reference signs related to drawings and placed in parentheses in a claim, are solely for attempting to increase the intelligibility of the claim, and shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the claim. Thus, the scope of the present invention should not be limited by particular embodiments, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow.