Abstract: A repeater for use in a two way communication system for retransmitting information between a first device and a second device to help ensure reliable two way communication between the devices, comprising: a transmitter/receiver, the transmitter/receiver receiving signals from the first and second devices and transmitting the received signals for reception by the respective first and second devices; and further wherein a direct communication path for the information between the first and second devices is provided, the direct communication path being intermittently unreliable, the repeater providing an additional path for the information between the first and second devices; the repeater being spaced from said first and second devices by a specified distance, said specified distance being significantly less than a theoretical maximum communication distance thereby to ensure communication reliability.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling an electrical device by remote control including a control device coupled to the electrical device by a wire connection for providing power to the electrical device, the control device having an actuator for adjusting the status of the electrical device and a radio frequency transmitter/receiver and antenna for adjusting the status of the electrical device in response to control information in a radio frequency signal. The transmitter/receiver receives the radio frequency signal via the antenna and transmits a status radio frequency signal with information regarding the status of the electrical device. A master control unit has at least one actuator and status indicator and a transmitter/receiver for transmitting a radio frequency signal having the control information therein to control the status of the electrical device and for receiving the status information from the control device.

Abstract: A repeater for use in a two way communication system for retransmitting information between a first device and a second device to help ensure reliable two way communication between the devices, comprising: a transmitter/receiver, the transmitter/receiver receiving signals from the first and second devices and transmitting the received signals for reception by the respective first and second devices; and further wherein a direct communication path for the information between the first and second devices is provided, the direct communication path being intermittently unreliable, the repeater providing an additional path for the information between the first and second devices; the repeater being spaced from said first and second devices by a specified distance, said specified distance being significantly less than a theoretical maximum communication distance thereby to ensure communication reliability.

Abstract: A communication protocol for a two way transmission system having at least one first transmitter/receiver device, at least one second transmitter/receiver device and at least one repeater for relaying signals between the first and second devices. The protocol includes the steps of transmitting a first signal comprising a command from the first device, repeating the first signal with each repeater in a respective repeater time slot, receiving the first signal at the second device, transmitting status information from each second device in a respective status time slot, forming a status bit map comprising all status information in the at least one repeater, and transmitting the status bit map with the repeater so that the at least one first device has received the status bit map. Preferably, the transmission system comprises an R.F. communication system. If a plurality of repeaters are employed, the repeaters repeat the transmitted signals in a defined repeater sequence.

Abstract: A lighting control device for controlling the state and intensity of a lamp includes a user-actuatable intensity selector for selecting a desired lamp intensity level between minimum and maximum intensity levels. The device further includes a programmable microprocessor for storing a preset lamp intensity level, and a linear array of indicator lights (e.g. LED's) for indicating the available range of lamp intensities. According to a preferred embodiment, the microprocessor operates to illuminate all lights in the array when the lamp is OFF, with one indicator light being more brightly illuminated to indicate the preset intensity level. When the lamp is ON, only that indicator light representing the present lamp intensity level is illuminated.

Abstract: A lighting control device for controlling the state and intensity level of at least one lamp.