US 11,245,285 B2 · Faceplate switch

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods for modifying an existing electrical circuit to enable a conventional mechanical switch to integrate with and operate smart devices, while also providing continuous power supply and cooperating with external operation of the smart devices (e.g., via a mobile device application, smart controller, etc.). The smart device thus is operable both via the physical switch and via a home automation system, without loss of power to the smart device computer and transmitter components caused by use of the wall switch. This may be done via a replacement switch or faceplate which effectively bypasses the physical switch to ensure continuous power to the smart device while also inferring and transmitting the toggle state of the switch by measuring an amount of current through the faceplate.

Claims25

Dependent claims

A smart device comprising:

a faceplate adapted for installation on a mechanical switch, said mechanical switch wired to a power system and alternatively opening and closing a first connection from a power source to a load;
a first electrical lead extending from said faceplate;
a second electrical lead extending from said faceplate;
a contiguous path through said faceplate for electrical current to flow through said faceplate from said first electrical lead to said second electrical lead;
a current sensor disposed on said contiguous path;
and
a wireless transmitter in electrical communication with said current sensor and configured to receive from said current sensor a measure of an amount of current on said contiguous path;
wherein when said faceplate is installed on said mechanical switch said contagious path provides a second connection from said power source to said load via said first electrical lead and said second electrical lead.

5 more elements

A method for operating a smart light with a conventional manual switch without loss of power comprising:

providing a light receptacle installed in a circuit including a mechanical switch having a toggle, said mechanical switch wired to a power system and said toggle toggling opening and closing a first connection from a power source to said light receptacle;
providing a smart light installed in said light receptacle;
providing an electrical switch faceplate comprising:
a first electrical lead extending from said faceplate;
a second electrical lead extending from said faceplate;
a contiguous path providing a second connection through said faceplate for electrical current to flow through said faceplate from said first electrical lead to said second electrical lead;
a current sensor disposed on said contiguous path;
a wireless transmitter in electrical communication with said current sensor;
and
a controller operatively connected to said current sensor and said wireless transmitter;
installing said faceplate on said mechanical switch so that said first electrical lead and said second electrical lead form said second connection around said mechanical switch via said contiguous path;
said controller operating said current sensor to sense an amount of current on said contiguous path;
said controller converting said sensed amount of current into an indication of a detected state of said toggle;
said controller operating said transmitter to transmit said detected state to said smart light;
and
said smart light turning on or off in accordance with said transmitted detected state.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

15/909,744Filed 1 Mar 2018 · continuation in part

Priority

27 Jan 2014

Published

US 2018/0188706 A15 Jul 2018

Granted

8 Feb 2022

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification30 codes

H02J 13/14
Circuit arrangements for providing remote monitoring or remote control of equipment in a power distribution network: the power network being…
G05B 15/02
Systems controlled by a computer: electric
G05B 19/042
Program control other than numerical control, i.e. in sequence controllers or logic controllers: using digital processors
G05B 19/0423
Using digital processors: input/output

Family

Application61/932,085Us provisional application · filed 27 Jan 2014

Application62/074,902Us provisional application · filed 4 Nov 2014

Application14/606,881Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 27 Jan 2015

Application14/698,690Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 28 Apr 2015

Application14/855,031Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 15 Sep 2015

Application62/331,220Us provisional application · filed 3 May 2016

Application15/449,172Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 3 Mar 2017

US 2018/0188706 A1Pre-grant publication · published 5 Jul 2018

US 10,072,942 B2Parent of this continuation-in-part

US 10,211,004 B2Parent of this continuation-in-part

US 9,843,194 B2Parent of this continuation-in-part

US 9,692,236 B2Parent of this continuation-in-part

US 2015/0214759 A1Published application

US 2015/0280440 A1Published application

US 2016/0126031 A1Published application

US 2017/0322049 A1Published application

US 11,245,285 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Faceplate switch

Life of this patent

Faceplate switch

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25