Compact non-contact multi-function electrical switch

A non-contact multi-function electrical switch for use in at least one electrical circuit for controlling at least one electrical device comprising:

• one or more sensor means;
• a central processing unit (CPU) connected to the one or more sensor means and having means for receiving input signals therefrom, and for processing the signals to generate one or more output signals in response to the input signals, the central processing unit having signal processing means for receiving the one or more output signals and for determining which function is to be performed, the signal processing means generating one or more control signals in response to the output signals, the control signals received by means for performing the function identified by the signal processing means in the at least one electrical circuit, and,
• means for communicating with neighboring switches, the communication means enabling the CPU to perform sensor synchronization, to eliminate overlap zones and to program the switch to perform complex functions.

A non-contact multi-function electrical switch for use in at least one electrical circuit for controlling at least one electrical device comprising:

• two or more sensor means;
• and,
• a central processing unit (CPU) connected to the sensor means and having means for receiving signals therefrom, and for processing the signals to generate one or more output signals, and having signal processing means for receiving the one or more output signals and for determining which functions are to be performed, the signal processing means generating one or more control signals in response to the sensor signals, the control signals received by means for performing the function identified by the signal processing means in the at least one electrical circuit, such that movements in different directions can be processed to effect a plurality of control functions, the central processing unit having a comparator to calculate X, Y and/or Z coordinates of an object based on the sensor signals received from two or more sensor means.

A lighting system for use with an electrical switch mounted in a wall box and having an electrical circuit passable therethrough, the lighting system comprising at least one light source, means to connect to a power supply integrated with the electrical circuit, a mounting assembly for supporting the light source and the power supply and a controller for controlling the light source integrated with the electrical switch, the electrical switch having one or more sensors and means for communicating with nearby electrical switches whereby the light source is turned on and off, or a sequence of lighting of a single light source or multiple light sources is initiated or an intensity of the light source is varied, wherein communication is used for sensor synchronization, to eliminate overlap zones and to program the switches to perform complex functions.

A multi-gang switch arrangement comprising a plurality of switches mounted next to each other, each of the switches having one or more sensors, the sensors from the plurality of switches providing an array, the array of sensors generating a plurality of sensor outputs wherein different combinations of sensor outputs generated by the array actuate different functions, and, a processing unit for receiving the plurality of sensor outputs for performing the different functions, the processing unit used for sensor synchronization, to eliminate overlap zones and to perform complex functions.

A multi-gang switch unit comprising two or more switches, each of the switches having one or more sensors, the switches being connected together to provide a unit with multiple sensors for covering a larger sensor area capable of detecting and processing output signals received from the multiple sensors, for performing sensor synchronization, to eliminate overlap zones and to program the switches to perform complex functions.

A multi-gang switch unit comprising two or more switches, each of the switches having one or more sensors, the switches being in communication with each other to provide a unit with multiple sensors for covering a larger sensor area capable of detecting and processing output signals received from the multiple sensors, communication used for sensor synchronization, to eliminate overlap zones and to program the switches to perform complex functions.