Multistate environmental control system and method

Abstract

Systems and methods for using light switches to control lighting and other functions are disclosed. Each switch may be a manual switch that is mounted to a wall. A biasing device may be positioned proximate each switch. When a user moves the switch out of a first position and into a second position or toward a second position, the delivery of household power to one or more light units may be interrupted. However, when the user releases the switch, the biasing device may provide an immediate automatic return of the manual switch to the first position. The resulting short interruption in household power may be used as a signal for controlling operation of the one or more light units and/or other electronic devices installed at one or more lighting sites corresponding to the switch.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.