# US 12,148,591 B2 · Home automation apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,148,591 B2 - Document ID: US12148591B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/746,255 - Filed: 2022-05-17 - Published: 2022-09-01 - Granted: 2024-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2018-10-31 - Applicants: Richard Anthony Bishel - Inventors: Richard Anthony Bishel - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12148591B2 ## CPC - H01H 9/54: Circuit arrangements not adapted to a particular application of the switching device and for which no provision exists elsewhere - G05B 15/02: electric - H01H 9/16: Indicators for switching condition, e.g. "on" or "off" - H01R 31/065: {with built-in electric apparatus} - H02J 3/14: by switching loads on to, or off from, the networks, e.g. progressively balanced loading - H03K 17/136: {in thyristor switches} - H04L 12/2818: {from a device located outside both the home and the home network (access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless eletrical link G08C17/00; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with remote control systems H04M11/007)} - G05B 2219/25427: Controller inside socket, wall connector, distributor, junction box - H01H 2300/03: Application domotique, e.g. for house automation, bus connected switches, sensors, loads or intelligent wiring - H04L 2012/2841: {Wireless} - Y02B 70/30: Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level - Y02B 70/3225: Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving - Y04S 20/20: End-user application control systems - Y04S 20/222: Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving - Y04S 20/242: Home appliances - H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00) - G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G) - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY - H03K: PULSE TECHNIQUE (measuring pulse characteristics G01R; modulating sinusoidal oscillations with pulses H03C; transmission of digital information H04L; discriminator circuits detecting phase difference between two signals by counting or integrating cycles of oscillation H03D3/04; automatic control, starting, synchronisation or stabilisation of generators of electronic oscillations or pulses where the type of generator is irrelevant or unspecified H03L; coding, decoding or code conversion, in general H03M) - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) - Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS - 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 An apparatus that physically and electrically attaches to an existing AC electrical switch, and controls the power to the electrical load via outputs from the existing electrical switch or from wireless commands from a remote controller. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for selectively energizing an AC electrical load, said apparatus comprising: a module electrically connected to an electrical switch, which is selected from a variety of different types of electrical switches, an AC electrical power supply, and said AC electrical load, and wherein said module is physically attached to said electrical switch so as to form a combined physical unit; a relay mounted on said module coupled between said AC electrical power supply and said AC electrical load for controlling the flow of a current to said AC electrical load; and, at least one wireless controller mounted on said module and configured to enable the relay in response to one or more commands received over a wireless connection or from input of said electrical switch which one side of said electrical switch is connected to said AC electrical power supply and the other side of said electrical switch is connected to input of the wireless controller. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus in claim 1, wherein said module is affixed to said electrical switch via one or more screw terminals of said electrical switch, one or more push-in terminals of said electrical switch, one or more printed circuit board pads to the screw terminals of said electrical switch, glue joints, fasteners, terminals, or a combination of the foregoing. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus in claim 1, wherein the relay is a TRIAC, a SCR, or a mechanical relay. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus in claim 1, wherein the wireless controller is a Bluetooth module, a Zigbee module, a Wi-Fi module, a Wi-Fi direct module, a Thread module, a Z-Wave module, an Xpress module, a proprietary module, or a multi-protocol module. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus in claim 1, wherein the one or more commands enable the relay, disable the relay, enable the relay temporarily, or request status information. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus in claim 1, wherein the input from the switch enables the relay, disables the relay, or enables the relay temporarily. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus in claim 1, wherein the electrical load is a LED light, a compact fluorescent light, an incandescent light, a motor, a fan, or a heating element. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus in claim 1, wherein the received one or more commands are from a handheld smart device, a laptop computer, a router, a desktop PC, a plug-in home automation module, or a home automation device. ### Claim 9 An apparatus for selectively energizing an AC electrical load, the apparatus comprising: a module electrically and physically connected to an electrical switch, which is selected from a variety of different types of electrical switches, an AC electrical power supply, and said AC electrical load, wherein said module is physically attached to said electrical switch so as to form a combined physical unit; a thyristor mounted on said module, said thyristor coupled between current leads for controlling the flow of a current from said AC electrical power supply to said AC electrical load; a power converter coupled between said AC electrical power supply and said AC electrical load, said power converter configured to convert a small portion of the AC current at the beginning of each half or full AC cycle which appears across the thyristor in each ON and OFF states thereof to form a DC power supply for the module; and at least one wireless controller mounted on said module and configured to enable the relay in response to one or more commands received over a wireless connection or from input of said electrical switch which one side of said electrical switch is connected to said AC electrical power supply and the other side of the said electrical switch is connected to input of the wireless controller. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus in claim 9, wherein said module is affixed to said electrical switch via screw terminals of said electrical switch, push-in terminals of said electrical switch, printed circuit board pads, glue, fasteners, or a combination of the foregoing. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The apparatus in claim 9, wherein the thyristor is a TRIAC or a SCR. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The apparatus in claim 9, wherein the wireless controller is Bluetooth module, a Zigbee module, a Wi-Fi module, a Wi-Fi direct module, a Thread module, a Z-Wave module, Xpress module, a proprietary module, or a multi-protocol module. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The apparatus in claim 9, wherein the one or more commands enable the relay, disable the relay, enable the relay temporarily, or request status information. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The apparatus in claim 9, wherein the input from the switch enables the relay, disables the relay, or enables the relay temporarily. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The apparatus in claim 9, wherein the electrical load is a LED, a fluorescent light, an incandescent light, a motor, a fan, or a heating element. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The apparatus in claim 9, wherein the one or more commands are from a handheld smart device, a laptop computer, a router, a desktop PC, a plug-in home automation module, or a home automation device. ### Claim 17 A method for controlling AC electrical power to an AC electrical load using a module physically attached to an electrical switch, which is selected from a variety of different types of electrical switches, the module and the electrical switch forming a combined physical unit, the method comprising: controlling the current flow from said AC electrical power to said AC electrical load via a relay mounted on said module, said relay coupled between current leads from said AC electrical power supply to said AC electrical load; receiving, at the module, one or more commands over a wireless connection or input entered by manipulation of said electrical switch; and controlling said relay in response to said commands or said input, wherein one side of said electrical switch is connected to said AC electrical power supply and the other side of said electrical switch is connected to the module. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The apparatus in claim 1, wherein said electrical switch is one of a single-pole, single-throw switch; a double-pole, single-throw switch; a double-pole switch; a rocker-style switch; a three-way switch; or a four-way switch. ### Claim 19 (depends on 9) The apparatus in claim 9, wherein said electrical switch is one of a single-pole, single-throw switch; a double-pole, single-throw switch; a double-pole switch; a rocker-style switch; a three-way switch; or a four-way switch.