# US 12,184,019 B2 · Methods and devices for intelligent reconfigurable electrical devices

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 12,184,019 B2
- Document ID: US12184019B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/761,463
- Filed: 2020-09-22
- Published: 2022-10-27
- Granted: 2024-12-31
- Earliest claimed: 2019-09-23
- Assignees: Swidget Corp.
- Applicants: Swidget Corp.
- Inventors: Lowell Misener; Christopher E. Adamson
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12184019B2

## CPC

- H01R 33/90: adapted for co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts
- H02G 3/14: Fastening of cover or lid to box
- G06K 7/10237: {the reader and the record carrier being capable of selectively switching between reader and record carrier appearance, e.g. in near field communication [NFC] devices where the NFC device may function as an RFID reader or as an RFID tag}
- H01R 13/6658: {on printed circuit board (H01R13/6666 - H01R13/6691 take precedence)}
- H01R 25/006: {the coupling part being secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. duplex wall receptacle}
- H01R 27/00: Coupling parts adapted for co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts ({for dissimilar contact members H01R13/35}; supported only by co-operation with a counterpart H01R31/00; with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/90)
- H01R 33/88: adapted for simultaneous co-operation with two or more identical counterparts
- H04W 4/30: Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes
- G05B 23/0283: {Predictive maintenance, e.g. involving the monitoring of a system and, based on the monitoring results, taking decisions on the maintenance schedule of the monitored system; Estimating remaining useful life [RUL] (preventive maintenance, i.e. planning maintenance according to the available resources without monitoring the system G06Q10/06)}
- G05B 2219/2614: HVAC, heating, ventillation, climate control
- H01R 13/6691: {with built-in signalling means (H01R13/717 takes precedence)}
- H01R 31/065: {with built-in electric apparatus}
- H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H02G: INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
- G06K: GRAPHICAL DATA READING (image or video recognition or understanding G06V); PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72)
- 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)

## Abstract

Today, building automation and infrastructure provisioning are discrete deployments and systems such that electrical power distribution for consumption, electrical power and switching for lighting, environmental sensors, security sensors and the like are discrete and fixed. The present disclosure provides receptacles including electrical power outlets and light switches with configurable and reconfigurable additional functionality such that additional functions are distributed as necessary or required within the environment such as sensors, wireless interfaces, and data interfaces through the use of removable inserts. Further, these receptacles and inserts support artificial intelligence-based assisted living functionality through monitoring user activities with the artificial intelligence centralized or distributed locally or remotely accessed. These receptacles and inserts identify other electrical or electronic devices attached to them, allowing increased knowledge of the user's activities, as well as providing additional aspects of artificial intelligence-based assisted living such as power monitoring, and preventive maintenance.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A device comprising:
a housing having at least a front face comprising;
a mounting means to affix the housing to another electrical device which is at least one of a portable electronic device, a fixed electronic device, a wearable electronic device, a portable electrical device, a fixed electrical device, and a wearable electrical device;
a plurality of first electrical interfaces, each first electrical interface allowing connection to a predetermined electrical signal forming part of an electrical power distribution network;
an electrical circuit coupled to the plurality of first electrical interfaces for generating at least one of one or more electrical power signals and one or more electrical data signals;
a plurality of first contacts, each first contact coupled to a predetermined one of the at least one of one or more electrical power signals and one or more electrical data signals;
a set of cavities, each cavity disposed within the front face of the housing allowing the insertion and removal of a demountable insert into and from the front face when the housing is mounted within the another device and comprising a first part of a retention means to retain the demountable insert within the cavity accessible through a first opening in the faceplate and comprising the plurality of first contacts; and
a plurality of first features upon a surface of the cavity; wherein
each demountable insert is one of a plurality of demountable inserts each sized for insertion into the cavity within the front face of the housing and capable of insertion and removal, the demountable insert comprising a second part of the retention means to retain the demountable insert when inserted into the cavity, a plurality of second contacts to electrically contact a predetermined subset of the plurality of first contacts, and a plurality of second features; wherein
the plurality of first features when aligned with the plurality of second features allow full insertion of the demountable insert into the cavity such that the plurality of second contacts electrically contact the predetermined subset of the plurality of first contacts; wherein
the electrical circuit comprises a microprocessor supporting a first plurality of algorithms providing at least one of an aspect of artificial intelligence and machine learning to the device;
the electrical circuit receives data relating to the demountable insert which is processed by the first plurality of algorithms; and
the microprocessor either provides a user of the device with an artificial intelligence assisted living Nano-Hub which executes first decisions established in dependence upon processing the received data by the first plurality of algorithms, or communicates with a remote artificial intelligence assisted living hub which establishes second decisions in dependence upon processing data transmitted from the device with a second plurality of algorithms providing at least one of an aspect of artificial intelligence and machine learning to the remote artificial intelligence assisted living hub where the processed data was generated by processing the received data with the first plurality of algorithms.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein
a first subset of the plurality of demountable inserts have their plurality of second features positioned such that the plurality of first features will align;
a second subset of the plurality of demountable inserts have their plurality of second features positioned such that the plurality of first features will align; and
a third subset of the plurality of demountable inserts have their plurality of second features positioned such that the plurality of first features will not align; wherein
the third subset of the plurality of demountable inserts can be inserted into another housing having its plurality of first features positioned such that they will align with the plurality of second features of the third subset of the plurality of demountable inserts; and
the second subset of the plurality of demountable inserts can also be inserted into the another housing which has its plurality of first features positioned such that they will align with the plurality of second features of the second subset of the plurality of demountable inserts and the plurality of second features of the third subset of the plurality of demountable inserts.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein
the device further comprises a predetermined electrical function selected from the group consisting of an electrical power socket, an electrical power plug, a switch, and a dimmer switch;
the electrical circuit comprises a microprocessor supporting a plurality of algorithms providing at least one of an aspect of artificial intelligence and machine learning to the device;
the electrical circuit receives data relating to the demountable insert which is processed by a first subset of the plurality of algorithms;
the electrical circuit receives other data relating to the predetermined electrical function which is processed by a second subset of the plurality of algorithms; and
the electrical circuit adjusts an aspect of the predetermined electrical function in dependence upon a result of processing the data with the first subset of the plurality of algorithms and another result of processing the other data with the second subset of the plurality of algorithms.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The device according to claim 3, wherein
when the predetermined electrical function is the electrical power socket or electrical power plug the one of the electrical power socket or electrical power plug comprises a comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) circuit;
when the predetermined electrical function is the electrical power socket the RFID circuit establishes an identity of an electrical cable connected to the electrical power socket via a plug in dependence upon the RFID circuit interrogating an RFID tag forming part of the electrical cable or the plug; and
when the predetermined electrical function is the electrical power plug the RFID circuit establishes an identity of an electrical cable connected to the electrical power plug via a socket in dependence upon the RFID circuit interrogating an RFID tag forming part of the electrical cable or the socket.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein
the demountable insert comprises a second electrical circuit comprising a microprocessor; and
the demountable insert provides for at least one off control of and monitoring of at least one of the another device and a further device via an interface of the demountable insert; wherein
the interface of the demountable insert is at least one of a wireless interface according to a first predetermined standard, an electrical interface and an optical interface according to a second predetermined standard.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein
a first demountable insert of the plurality of demountable inserts is a blank insert such that when the first demountable insert of the plurality of demountable inserts is inserted a function of the electrical circuit with respect to the another electrical device is not modified; and
a second demountable insert of the plurality of demountable inserts comprises at least one of a sensor and a wireless interface such that when inserted the function of the electrical circuit with respect to the another electrical device is modified in dependence upon data processed by the electrical circuit provided by the second demountable insert of the plurality of inserts.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein
the electrical circuit establishes a load profile of a load connected to either the another electrical device in dependence upon data acquired by the electrical circuit or a demountable insert inserted into a cavity of the set of cavities in dependence upon other data acquired by the electrical circuit from the demountable insert; and
the established load profile is communicated to a remote device by the electrical circuit via one of the another electrical device, the demountable insert, or another demountable insert inserted into another cavity of the set of cavities.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein
the electrical circuit establishes a load profile of a load connected to either the another electrical device in dependence upon data acquired by the electrical circuit or a demountable insert inserted into a cavity of the set of cavities in dependence upon other data acquired by the electrical circuit from the demountable insert;
the established load profile is communicated to a remote device by the electrical circuit via one of the another electrical device, the demountable insert, or another demountable insert inserted into another cavity of the set of cavities; and
the remote device compares the established load profile with stored local profiles to associate a device type to the load connected to the another electrical device or the demountable insert.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein
the electrical circuit establishes a load profile of a load connected to either the another electrical device in dependence upon data acquired by the electrical circuit or a demountable insert inserted into a cavity of the set of cavities in dependence upon other data acquired by the electrical circuit from the demountable insert;
the established load profile is communicated to a remote device by the electrical circuit via one of the another electrical device, the demountable insert, or another demountable insert inserted into another cavity of the set of cavities; and
the load profile is established by the electrical circuit using a defined current modulation sequence to applied electrical signals provided to the load.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein
the electrical circuit establishes a load profile of a load connected to either the another electrical device in dependence upon data acquired by the electrical circuit or a demountable insert inserted into a cavity of the set of cavities in dependence upon other data acquired by the electrical circuit from the demountable insert;
one of a wireless interface according to a predetermined standard forming part of the device or another wireless interface according to the predetermined standard format forming part of a demountable insert establishes; and
the established load profile is communicated to a remote device by the electrical circuit via one of the another electrical device, the demountable insert, the device or another demountable insert inserted into another cavity of the set of cavities.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein
a configuration of the demountable insert is established in dependence upon information relating to a product electrically connected to the another device or the demountable insert;
the information relating to the product established in dependence upon data retrieved from a cable or plug associated with the product providing the electrical connection between the product and the another device or the demountable insert; and
the retrieved data is established via a wireless interface forming part of the demountable insert, another demountable insert, the device or the another device.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein
a configuration of a demountable insert is established in dependence upon information relating to a product electrically connected to the another device or the demountable insert retrieved from a remote server;
the information relating to the product was established in dependence upon data retrieved from a cable or plug associated with the product providing the electrical connection between the product and the another device or the demountable insert communicated to the remote server;
the retrieved data is established via a wireless interface forming part of the demountable insert, another demountable insert, the device or the another device; and
the established configuration is disabling the electrical connection between the product and the another device or the demountable insert.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein
use data relating to usage of a further device electrically connected to-a the demountable insert is acquired by one of the electrical circuit and the demountable insert and transmitted to a remote server by one of the electrical circuit, the another device, the demountable insert and another demountable insert;
the use data relating to the usage of the further device is selected from the group comprising start time of power provisioning to or from the further device, end time of power provisioning, start time of data provisioning to or from the further device, end time of data provisioning, power consumption, data volume transferred and a deviation from nominal behaviour; and
dependence upon the RFID circuit interrogating an RFID tag forming part of the electrical cable or the socket.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein
the another device provides one or more functional elements each providing a function; and
at least one of:
the electrical circuit selectively disables or enables a demountable insert within a cavity of the set of cavities in dependence upon a current function of a predetermined functional element of the one or more functional elements or a state of the predetermined functional element of the one or more functional elements; and
the electrical circuit selectively disables or enables a current function of a predetermined functional element of the one or more functional elements or a state of the predetermined functional element of the one or more functional elements in dependence upon data from one or more demountable inserts within a subset of the set of cavities.

### Claim 15

A device comprising:
a housing having at least a front face comprising;
a mounting means to affix the housing to another electrical device which is at least one of a portable electronic device, a fixed electronic device, a wearable electronic device, a portable electrical device, a fixed electrical device, and a wearable electrical device;
a plurality of first electrical interfaces, each first electrical interface allowing connection to a predetermined electrical signal forming part of an electrical power distribution network;
an electrical circuit coupled to the plurality of first electrical interfaces for generating at least one of one or more electrical power signals and one or more electrical data signals;
a plurality of first contacts, each first contact coupled to a predetermined one of the at least one of one or more electrical power signals and one or more electrical data signals;
a set of cavities, each cavity disposed within the front face of the housing allowing the insertion and removal of a demountable insert into and from the front face when the housing is mounted within the another device and comprising a first part of a retention means to retain the demountable insert within the cavity accessible through a first opening in the faceplate and comprising the plurality of first contacts; and
a plurality of first features upon a surface of the cavity; wherein
each demountable insert is one of a plurality of demountable inserts each sized for insertion into the cavity within the front face of the housing and capable of insertion and removal, the demountable insert comprising a second part of the retention means to retain the demountable insert when inserted into the cavity, a plurality of second contacts to electrically contact a predetermined subset of the plurality of first contacts, and a plurality of second features; wherein
the plurality of first features when aligned with the plurality of second features allow full insertion of the demountable insert into the cavity such that the plurality of second contacts electrically contact the predetermined subset of the plurality of first contacts; wherein
the device further comprises a predetermined electrical function selected from the group consisting of an electrical power socket, an electrical power plug, a switch, and a dimmer switch;
the electrical circuit comprises a microprocessor supporting a plurality of algorithms providing at least one of an aspect of artificial intelligence and machine learning to the device;
the electrical circuit receives data relating to the demountable insert which is processed by a first subset of the plurality of algorithms;
the electrical circuit receives other data relating to the predetermined electrical function which is processed by a second subset of the plurality of algorithms; and
the electrical circuit adjusts an aspect of the predetermined electrical function in dependence upon a result of processing the data with the first subset of the plurality of algorithms and another result of processing the other data with the second subset of the plurality of algorithms.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The device according to claim 15, wherein
when the predetermined electrical function is the electrical power socket or electrical power plug the one of the electrical power socket or electrical power plug comprises a comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) circuit;
when the predetermined electrical function is the electrical power socket the RFID circuit establishes an identity of an electrical cable connected to the electrical power socket via a plug in dependence upon the RFID circuit interrogating an RFID tag forming part of the electrical cable or the plug; and
when the predetermined electrical function is the electrical power plug the RFID circuit establishes an identity of an electrical cable connected to the electrical power plug via a socket in dependence upon the RFID circuit interrogating an RFID tag forming part of the electrical cable or the socket.

### Claim 17

A device comprising:
a housing having at least a front face comprising;
a mounting means to affix the housing to another electrical device which is at least one of a portable electronic device, a fixed electronic device, a wearable electronic device, a portable electrical device, a fixed electrical device, and a wearable electrical device;
a plurality of first electrical interfaces, each first electrical interface allowing connection to a predetermined electrical signal forming part of an electrical power distribution network;
an electrical circuit coupled to the plurality of first electrical interfaces for generating at least one of one or more electrical power signals and one or more electrical data signals;
a plurality of first contacts, each first contact coupled to a predetermined one of the at least one of one or more electrical power signals and one or more electrical data signals;
a set of cavities, each cavity disposed within the front face of the housing allowing the insertion and removal of a demountable insert into and from the front face when the housing is mounted within the another device and comprising a first part of a retention means to retain the demountable insert within the cavity accessible through a first opening in the faceplate and comprising the plurality of first contacts; and
a plurality of first features upon a surface of the cavity; wherein
each demountable insert is one of a plurality of demountable inserts each sized for insertion into the cavity within the front face of the housing and capable of insertion and removal, the demountable insert comprising a second part of the retention means to retain the demountable insert when inserted into the cavity, a plurality of second contacts to electrically contact a predetermined subset of the plurality of first contacts, and a plurality of second features; wherein
the plurality of first features when aligned with the plurality of second features allow full insertion of the demountable insert into the cavity such that the plurality of second contacts electrically contact the predetermined subset of the plurality of first contacts; wherein
the electrical circuit establishes a load profile of a load connected to either the another electrical device in dependence upon data acquired by the electrical circuit or a demountable insert inserted into a cavity of the set of cavities in dependence upon other data acquired by the electrical circuit from the demountable insert;
the established load profile is communicated to a remote device by the electrical circuit via one of the another electrical device, the demountable insert, or another demountable insert inserted into another cavity of the set of cavities; and
the load profile is established by the electrical circuit using a defined current modulation sequence to applied electrical signals provided to the load.

### Claim 18

A device comprising:
a housing having at least a front face comprising;
a mounting means to affix the housing to another electrical device which is at least one of a portable electronic device, a fixed electronic device, a wearable electronic device, a portable electrical device, a fixed electrical device, and a wearable electrical device;
a plurality of first electrical interfaces, each first electrical interface allowing connection to a predetermined electrical signal forming part of an electrical power distribution network;
an electrical circuit coupled to the plurality of first electrical interfaces for generating at least one of one or more electrical power signals and one or more electrical data signals; and
a plurality of first contacts, each first contact coupled to a predetermined one of the at least one of one or more electrical power signals and one or more electrical data signals;
a set of cavities, each cavity disposed within the front face of the housing allowing the insertion and removal of a demountable insert into and from the front face when the housing is mounted within the another device and comprising a first part of a retention means to retain the demountable insert within the cavity accessible through a first opening in the faceplate and comprising the plurality of first contacts;
a plurality of first features upon a surface of the cavity; wherein
each demountable insert is one of a plurality of demountable inserts each sized for insertion into the cavity within the front face of the housing and capable of insertion and removal, the demountable insert comprising a second part of the retention means to retain the demountable insert when inserted into the cavity, a plurality of second contacts to electrically contact a predetermined subset of the plurality of first contacts, and a plurality of second features; wherein
the plurality of first features when aligned with the plurality of second features allow full insertion of the demountable insert into the cavity such that the plurality of second contacts electrically contact the predetermined subset of the plurality of first contacts; wherein
a configuration of the demountable insert is established in dependence upon information relating to a product electrically connected to the another device or the demountable insert;
the information relating to the product established in dependence upon data retrieved from a cable or plug associated with the product providing the electrical connection between the product and the another device or the demountable insert; and
the retrieved data is established via a wireless interface forming part of the demountable insert, another demountable insert, the device or the another device.

### Claim 19

A device comprising:
a housing having at least a front face comprising;
a mounting means to affix the housing to another electrical device which is at least one of a portable electronic device, a fixed electronic device, a wearable electronic device, a portable electrical device, a fixed electrical device, and a wearable electrical device;
a plurality of first electrical interfaces, each first electrical interface allowing connection to a predetermined electrical signal forming part of an electrical power distribution network;
an electrical circuit coupled to the plurality of first electrical interfaces for generating at least one of one or more electrical power signals and one or more electrical data signals; and
a plurality of first contacts, each first contact coupled to a predetermined one of the at least one of one or more electrical power signals and one or more electrical data signals;
a set of cavities, each cavity disposed within the front face of the housing allowing the insertion and removal of a demountable insert into and from the front face when the housing is mounted within the another device and comprising a first part of a retention means to retain the demountable insert within the cavity accessible through a first opening in the faceplate and comprising the plurality of first contacts; and
a plurality of first features upon a surface of the cavity; wherein
each demountable insert is one of a plurality of demountable inserts each sized for insertion into the cavity within the front face of the housing and capable of insertion and removal, the demountable insert comprising a second part of the retention means to retain the demountable insert when inserted into the cavity, a plurality of second contacts to electrically contact a predetermined subset of the plurality of first contacts, and a plurality of second features; wherein
the plurality of first features when aligned with the plurality of second features allow full insertion of the demountable insert into the cavity such that the plurality of second contacts electrically contact the predetermined subset of the plurality of first contacts; wherein
use data relating to usage of a further device electrically connected to the demountable insert is acquired by one of the electrical circuit and the demountable insert and transmitted to a remote server by one of the electrical circuit, the another device, the demountable insert and another demountable insert;
the use data relating to the usage of the further device is selected from the group comprising start time of power provisioning to or from the further device, end time of power provisioning, start time of data provisioning to or from the further device, end time of data provisioning, power consumption, data volume transferred and a deviation from nominal behaviour; and
dependence upon the RFID circuit interrogating an RFID tag forming part of the electrical cable or the socket.