# US 10,063,002 B2 · Configurable device control network > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,063,002 B2 - Document ID: US10063002B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/074,915 - Filed: 2016-03-18 - Published: 2017-03-02 - Granted: 2018-08-28 - Earliest claimed: 2015-08-31 - Assignees: Deako, Inc. - Applicants: Deako, Inc. - Inventors: Derek Richardson; Patrick Prendergast; Cole Wilson; Erik Anderson; Dana Olson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10063002B2 ## CPC - H01R 13/447: Shutter or cover plate - G06F 3/041: Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means - H02G 3/08: Distribution boxes; Connection or junction boxes - H02G 3/12: for flush mounting - H02G 3/16: structurally associated with support for line-connecting terminals within the box - H05B 47/10: Controlling the light source - H05B 47/175: by remote control - H05B 47/18: via data-bus transmission - H05B 47/19: via wireless transmission - H05K 5/0221: {Locks; Latches} - H05K 5/0256: {of interchangeable modules or receptacles therefor, e.g. cartridge mechanisms} - H05K 5/03: Covers - H05K 5/10: comprising several parts forming a closed casing - H01R 12/724: {containing contact members forming a right angle} - H01R 13/2407: {characterized by the resilient means} - H01R 13/6275: {Latching arms not integral with the housing (H01R13/6276, H01R13/6277, H01R13/6278 take precedence)} - H01R 24/62: Sliding engagements with one side only, e.g. modular jack coupling devices - H01R 2107/00: Four or more poles - H05B 47/165: following a pre-assigned programmed sequence; Logic control [LC] - H05B 47/1965: {using handheld communication devices} - Y04S 20/20: End-user application control systems - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H02G: INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES - H05B: ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL - H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS - Y04S: SYSTEMS INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO POWER NETWORK OPERATION, COMMUNICATION OR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR IMPROVING THE ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION, TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION, MANAGEMENT OR USAGE, i.e. SMART GRIDS ## Abstract A network includes a first device control assembly and at least one second device control assembly. The first device control assembly is electrically connected to a power distribution panel. The first device control assembly is further configured to regulate a load. The at least one second device control assembly is electrically connected to a power distribution panel. The first device control assembly is in data communication with the at least one second device control assembly. The first device control assembly regulating the load based on the data communication from the at least one second device control assembly. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A network of backplates, comprising: two or more backplates configured to mount to one or more electrical junction boxes, the two or more backplates configured to couple with any of two or more device control assemblies, wherein the two or more device control assemblies are configured to be in data communication with each other, each backplate of the two or more backplates comprising: a backplate junction box electrical connector configured to connect to electrical wiring within an electrical junction box of the one or more electrical junction boxes; a housing providing a cavity to receive any device control assembly of the two or more device control assemblies; a set of backplate electrical contacts configured to connect to the backplate junction box electrical connector; a cover, the cover configured to shield the set of backplate electrical contacts from the cavity when translated to a closed position by a user, the cover further configured to expose the set of backplate electrical contacts to the cavity when translated to an open position by the user; and a lock configured to maintain the cover in the closed position unless a device control assembly of the two or more device control assemblies is inserted into the cavity, wherein inserting the device control assembly into the cavity by the user engages the lock to allow the cover to be translated to the open position by the user to connect the set of backplate electrical contacts to a set of device control assembly electrical contacts on the device control assembly. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The network of backplates of claim 1, wherein the two or more device control assemblies are configured to be in data communication with each other via a wired data pathway. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The network of backplates of claim 2, wherein the wired data pathway includes a wired electrical connection between a backplate of the two or more backplates and the electrical wiring within an electrical junction box of the one or more electrical junction boxes. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The network of backplates of claim 1, wherein the network further comprises: at least one of a sensor, a luminaire, a mobile device, or an electrical appliance. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The network of backplates of claim 1, wherein the lock is configured to restrict motion of the cover when the cover is in the closed position, wherein inserting the device control assembly into the cavity by the user translates the lock to provide clearance for the user to translate the cover to to the open position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The network of backplates of claim 5, wherein the lock includes a graded portion, wherein contact between the device control assembly and the graded portion of the lock translates the lock to provide clearance for the user to translate the cover to the open position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The network of backplates of claim 1, wherein the set of backplate electrical contacts comprises: a set of spring contacts. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The network of backplates of claim 7, wherein the set of spring contacts comprises: a set of spring finger contacts. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The network of backplates of claim 7, wherein the set of device control assembly electrical contacts comprises: a set of electrical contact pads. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The network of backplates of claim 1, wherein the backplate is configured to couple or decouple with the device control assembly when the backplate junction box electrical connector is connected to live power via the electrical wiring within the electrical junction box. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The network of backplates of claim 1, wherein the two or more device control assemblies include at least one of a switch, a dimmer, an outlet, a sensor, or a control panel. ### Claim 12 A network of device control assemblies, comprising: two or more device control assemblies configured to couple with any of two or more backplates, wherein the two or more device control assemblies are configured to be in data communication with each other, the two or more backplates configured to mount to one or more electrical junction boxes and further configured to connect to electrical wiring within the one or more electrical junction boxes, each backplate of the two or more backplates comprising: a housing providing a cavity to receive a device control assembly of the two or more device control assemblies, the device control assembly including a set of device control assembly electrical contacts; a set of backplate electrical contacts configured to connect to the electrical wiring within an electrical junction box of the one or more electrical junction boxes; a cover, the cover configured to shield the set of backplate electrical contacts from the cavity when translated to a closed position by a user, the cover further configured to expose the set of backplate electrical contacts to the cavity when translated to an open position by the user; and a lock configured to maintain the cover in the closed position unless a device control assembly of the two or more device control assemblies are inserted into the cavity, wherein inserting the device control assembly into the cavity by the user engages the lock to allow the cover to be translated to the open position by the user to connect the set of backplate electrical contacts to a set of device control assembly electrical contacts on the device control assembly. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The network of device control assemblies of claim 12, wherein the two or more device control assemblies include at least one of a switch, a dimmer, an outlet, a sensor, or a control panel. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The network of device control assemblies of claim 12, wherein a first device control assembly of the two or more device control assemblies is configured to regulate an electrical load. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The network of device control assemblies of claim 14, wherein the first device control assembly is configured to regulate the electrical load through regulation of at least one of a current or a voltage to the electrical load. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The network of device control assemblies of claim 14, wherein the first device control assembly is configured to be in data communication with the electrical load, wherein the first device control assembly regulates the electrical load based on data communication with the electrical load. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The network of device control assemblies of claim 14, wherein the first device control assembly is configured to regulate the electrical load based on data communication from a second device control assembly of the two or more device control assemblies in response to user input on the second device control assembly. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The network of device control assemblies of claim 17, wherein the second device control assembly is assigned to operate the electrical load via the first device control assembly based on a pairing between the second device control assembly and the electrical load. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The network of device control assemblies of claim 18, wherein the pairing is determined by the second device control assembly. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The network of device control assemblies of claim 18, wherein the pairing is determined by a controller. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The network of device control assemblies of claim 20, wherein the controller includes a centralized controller. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The network of device control assemblies of claim 21, wherein the centralized controller comprises: at least one of a hub, a server, or a desktop computer. ### Claim 23 (depends on 20) The network of device control assemblies of claim 20, wherein the controller includes a distributed controller. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The network of device control assemblies of claim 23, wherein the distributed controller comprises: at least two of the two or more device control assemblies. ### Claim 25 (depends on 17) The network of device control assemblies of claim 17, wherein the second device control assembly is configured to operate regulate an additional load via an additional device control assembly of the two or more device control assemblies, wherein the additional device control assembly is configured to regulate the additional load. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The network of device control assemblies of claim 25, wherein the additional device control assembly is the first device control assembly. ### Claim 27 (depends on 12) The network of device control assemblies of claim 12, wherein the two or more device control assemblies are configured to be in data communication with each other via a network topology comprising: at least one of a mesh topology, a star topology, a ring topology, a line topology, a tree topology, or a bus topology. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The network of device control assemblies of claim 27, wherein the network topology includes a flood mesh topology. ### Claim 29 (depends on 12) The network of device control assemblies of claim 12, wherein the two or more device control assemblies are configured to be in data communication with each other via at least one of a single-hop pathway or a multi-hop pathway. ### Claim 30 (depends on 12) The network of device control assemblies of claim 12, wherein the two or more device control assemblies are configured to be in data communication with each other via a wireless data pathway. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The network of device control assemblies of claim 30, wherein the wireless data pathway includes a radio frequency connection. ### Claim 32 (depends on 30) The network of device control assemblies of claim 30, wherein the wireless data pathway is based on a WiFi protocol, a Bluetooth Low Energy protocol, a ZigBee protocol, or a Z-wave protocol. ### Claim 33 (depends on 12) The network of device control assemblies of claim 12, wherein the two or more device control assemblies are configured to be in data communication with each other via a wired data pathway. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) The network of device control assemblies of claim 33, wherein the wired data pathway comprises: one or more electrical wires associated with the electrical wiring within the one or more electrical junction boxes. ### Claim 35 (depends on 33) The network of device control assemblies of claim 33, wherein the wired data pathway is based on a universal powerline bus protocol, an X10 protocol, a LonTalk protocol, a Homeplug AV protocol, or a Powerline AV protocol. ### Claim 36 (depends on 12) The network of device control assemblies of claim 12, wherein the network further includes: at least one of a sensor, a luminaire, a mobile device, or an electrical appliance. ### Claim 37 A network of modular control units, comprising: two or more device control assemblies configured to be in data communication with each other; and two or more backplates configured to couple with any of the two or more device control assemblies, each of the two or more backplates configured to mount to one or more electrical junction boxes and further configured to connect to electrical wiring within the one or more electrical junction boxes, each backplate of the two or more backplates comprising: a housing providing a cavity to receive any device control assembly of the two or more device control assemblies; a set of backplate electrical contacts configured to connect to the electrical wiring of an electrical junction box of the one or more electrical junction boxes; a cover, the cover configured to shield the set of backplate electrical contacts from the cavity when translated to a closed position by a user, the cover further configured to expose the set of backplate electrical contacts to the cavity when translated to an open position by the user; and a lock configured to maintain the cover in the closed position unless a device control assembly of the two or more device control assemblies is inserted into the cavity, wherein inserting the device control assembly into the cavity by the user engages the lock to allow the cover to be translated to the open position by the user to connect the set of backplate electrical contacts to a set of device control assembly electrical contacts on the device control assembly. ### Claim 38 (depends on 37) The network of modular control units of claim 37, wherein the two or more device control assemblies includes at least one of a switch, a dimmer, an outlet, a sensor, or a control panel. ### Claim 39 (depends on 37) The network of modular control units of claim 37, wherein a first device control assembly of the two or more device control assemblies is configured to regulate an electrical load. ### Claim 40 (depends on 39) The network of modular control units of claim 39, wherein the first device control assembly is configured to regulate the electrical load through regulation of at least one of a current or a voltage to the electrical load. ### Claim 41 (depends on 39) The network of modular control units of claim 39, wherein the first device control assembly is configured to be in data communication with the electrical load, wherein the first device control assembly regulates the electrical load based on data communication with the electrical load. ### Claim 42 (depends on 39) The network of modular control units of claim 39, wherein the first device control assembly is configured to regulate the electrical load based on data communication from a second device control assembly of the two or more device control assemblies in response to user input on the second device control assembly. ### Claim 43 (depends on 42) The network of modular control units of claim 42, wherein the second device control assembly is assigned to operate the electrical load via the first device control assembly based on a pairing between the second device control assembly and the electrical load. ### Claim 44 (depends on 39) The network of modular control units of claim 39, wherein the second device control assembly is configured to operate an additional load via an additional device control assembly of the two or more device control assemblies, wherein the additional device control assembly is configured to regulate the additional load. ### Claim 45 (depends on 44) The network of modular control units of claim 44, wherein the additional device control assembly is the first device control assembly. ### Claim 46 (depends on 37) The network of modular control units of claim 37, wherein the network further includes: at least one of a sensor, a luminaire, a mobile device, or an electrical appliance.