Smart Acoustical Electrical Switch
AssigneeAT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
InventorJohn Willis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electrical switch responds to acoustic inputs. A microphone integrated into the electrical switch generates electrical signals in response to the acoustic inputs. A network interface integrated into the electrical switch provides addressable communication with controllers, computers, and other networked devices. The electrical switch may thus be installed or retrofitted into the electrical wiring of all homes and businesses. Users may thus speak voice commands, which are received by the electrical switch and sent for voice control of appliances and other automation tasks.
Claims20
An electrical switch, comprising:
- a toggle switch adapted for a connection to an electrical power;
- a hardware processor;
- and
- a memory device, the memory device storing instructions, the instructions when executed causing the hardware processor to perform operations, the operations comprising:
- converting the electrical power into a direct current electrical power;
- converting an analog output signal generated by a microphone into a digital signal;
- and
- sending the digital signal via a network to a network address associated with a controller.
An electrical switch, comprising:
- a housing retaining a switch assembly therein, the switch assembly adapted for physical connection to conductors of an electrical power distribution system;
- a microphone at least partially housed within the electrical enclosure, the microphone having a sensory element;
- a hardware processor housed within the electrical enclosure;
- and
- a memory device housed within the electrical enclosure, the memory device storing instructions, the instructions when executed causing the hardware processor to perform operations, the operations comprising:
- converting alternating current electrical power when present on the conductors into direct current electrical power;
- converting an analog output signal generated by the sensory element of the microphone into a digital signal;
- and
- sending the digital signal via a network to a network address associated with a controller.
An electrical switch, comprising:
- a housing retaining a switch assembly therein, the switch assembly having terminal screws adapted for physical connection to conductors of an electrical power distribution system;
- a microphone at least partially housed within the electrical enclosure, the microphone having a sensory element;
- a hardware processor housed within the electrical enclosure;
- and
- a memory device housed within the electrical enclosure, the memory device storing instructions, the instructions when executed causing the hardware processor to perform operations, the operations comprising:
- converting alternating current electrical power when present on the conductors into direct current electrical power;
- converting an analog output signal generated by the sensory element of the microphone into a digital signal;
- and
- sending the digital signal via a network to a network address associated with a controller.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.