Environmental control system with auxiliary control interface

Remote control apparatus for controlling disability equipment comprising:

• a microprocessor producing control signals;
• a user-controlled dual action switch connected to said microprocessor;
• and
• an auxiliary control interface controlled by said microprocessor, said auxiliary control interface providing output switch contact closures in response to microprocessor control signals that selectively emulate closures of said user-controlled dual action switch to control disability equipment.
• wherein the microprocessor selectively operates in a pass through mode to automatically generate control signals controlling the auxiliary control interface to provide output switch control closures that emulate closures of the user-controlled switch, and once operating in the pass through mode the microprocessor remains in the pass through mode until a predetermined event occurs.

Apparatus for controlling equipment for the disabled comprising:

• detecting means for detecting user-actuated switch closures;
• and
• electronic control means coupled to said detecting means for:
• (a) in a first mode, selecting from menu options in response to said detected switch closures, at least some of the menu options controlling at least first equipment for the disabled;
• and
• (b) in a second, "pass through" mode, automatically generating output switch contact closures that emulate said user-actuated switch closures to control at least other equipment for the disabled, and remaining in the pass through mode until a predetermined event occurs.

Apparatus for controlling equipment for the disabled comprising:

• a circuit that detects user-actuated switch closures;
• and
• an electronic processing component coupled to the circuit, the electronic processing component:
• (a) selecting between first and second control modes in response, at least in part, to detected user-actuated switch closures;
• (b) in the first mode, selecting menu options in response to said detected switch closures and controlling first equipment for the disabled based on at least some of the selected menu options;
• and
• (c) in the second, "pass through" mode, generating switch contact closures that emulate said user-actuated switch closures to control other equipment for the disabled, and remaining in the pass through mode until occurrence of a predetermined event.

An arrangement for allowing a disabled person to selectively control at least one electrical device, the arrangement comprising:

• a switch that provides switch closures upon actuation by the disabled person;
• an electronic circuit, coupled to said switch, that distinguishes between at least first and second types of closures of said switch actuated by the disabled person the electronic circuit, in use,
• (a) testing for the first and second type of closures, and
• (b) selectively generating outputs to control the at least one electrical device, including (b1) automatically beginning to generate and apply output switching contact closure signals to the electrical device upon said circuit detecting said first type of manually-actuated switch closure, the output switching contact closure signals mimicking said manually-actuated switch closures, (b2) continually testing for the occurrence of a predetermined event, (b3) continuing to apply said mimicked manually-activated output switch closures to the electrical device until the predetermined event occurs, and (b4) thereupon ceasing to apply said mimicked manually-activated output switch closures to the electrical device.

A method for allowing a disabled person to selectively control at least one electrical device, the method comprising the following steps:

• (a) providing a switch for actuation by the disabled person;
• (b) generating switch closures with the switch upon actuation of the switch by the disabled person;
• (c) testing for a first type of switch closure;
• (d) automatically beginning to generate and apply output switching contact closure signals to the electrical device upon the testing step (c) detecting said first type of manually-actuated switch closure, including the step of causing the output switching contact closure signals to mimic at least some of said person-actuated switch closures;
• (e) continually testing for the occurrence of a predetermined event;
• (f) continuing to apply said mimicked output switch closures to the electrical device until the predetermined event occurs;
• and
• (g) upon occurrence of the predetermined event, ceasing to apply said mimicked output switch closures to the electrical device.