TO CONVENTIONAL SWITCHES

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to an alternate means for actuating electrical loads. More specifically it relates to a wireless means for actuation of electric loads connected to conventional switches.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art

[0003] Single Pole switches are the most commonly used mechanism globally for operating electrical devices (loads) in homes and workplaces. They enable a user to control the flow of current to connected loads by turning the switches ON/OFF to complete or break the circuit between the live electric supply and the load. Conventional switches are typically wall mounted, flush with the wall on which they are mounted, and with an aesthetic switch plate or trim around it. The mechanism of the switch and the wiring used for it are enclosed behind the switch within an enclosure called the 'switch box' that sits within a recess created in the building material of the wall. The switch is usually fastened by screws to the switch box or the wall, and the trim plate is attached to the exterior of the switch with fasteners or snap-on type of fittings usually to improve the aesthetics of the installation. The switch is used to operate the load, through physical touch. The switch is connected directly to AC Voltages as needed by the loads which the switch operates.

[0004] The switch and switch plate are produced in myriads of aesthetic designs, colors, and materials by a number of manufacturers globally and usually selected as part of the interior decor of the space within which they are used. These switches offer the basic function of turning ON/OFF the loads that are connected to them. The switches also come in multiple formats such as toggle, pushbutton, rocker, etc. In some cases these switches can also have a separate accompanying device (e.g. fan regulator, light dimmer) that alters/limits the amount of voltage or current being sent to the load to which the switch is connected, whenever the switch is in the ON' state.

[0005] For such conventional switch installations, the switch is the only way to allow control of the loads. No alternative means of actuation apart from the use of the conventional switch, exist for users to operate the load. Additionally, the function of the conventional switch is to make or break the circuit between the live source of the power and the load. No other alternative function relative to the operation of the load exists for conventional switches.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a system and device that serves as an alternate means for actuation of electrical loads that are connected to conventional switches.

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a system and device for wireless actuation of electrical loads that are connected to conventional switches, from a remote location without any geographical distance limitation of such location from the switch

[0008] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a device to actuate electrical loads that are connected to conventional switches, by providing a wireless signal to the said device from one or more remote mechanisms that can themselves be located at varying distances from the load.

[0009] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system and device which can override the conventional functionality of switches and/or can resume conventional operation/functionality of the switches to operate the load and/or can be overriden by the conventional functionality of switches

[0010] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a device, for remote actuation of electrical loads connected to conventional switches, which can be incorporated within the existing/conventional switch boxes without removal of any building material.

[0011] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a device for remote actuation of electrical loads connected to conventional switches, such that, the addition of the device does not affect aesthetics of existing/conventional switch installations. [0012] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a device that allows additional functions to be enabled for existing switches, to serve as inputs to the device of this disclosure, beyond just the conventional function of operating the electrical load.

SUMMARY

[0013] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to an alternative switching system for operating electrical loads that are connected to conventional switches and that which can be easily retrofitted with existing/conventional switch installations to provide wireless means for actuation of the electric loads. In an aspect, retrofitting of the proposed switching system does not affect aesthetics of already installed switch/switch board and does not require removal of any additional building materials.

[0014] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to systems and method and device for providing alternate means for actuation of electrical loads attached/connected with the conventional switches. The system for alternately actuating one or more attached electric loads, connected to one or more conventional switches, can comprise (1) a wireless receiver module configured to receive a wireless control signal from a remote device; (2) a control module configured to receive a control signal, and interpret the control signal using a programmed logic and to generate a control command, wherein the control signal is either the wireless control signal received from the wireless receiver module or a conventional control signal received from one or more of the conventional switches; (3) an actuation module configured to actuate one or more of the connected electric loads or to control amount of current or voltage supplied to one or more of the connected electric loads based on the control command, wherein selection of the one of the one or more attached electric loads that is actuated is based on the wireless control signal or one of the conventional switches that is operated, and (4) a power module configured to convert AC to DC power for the use by other modules of the system.

[0015] In an embodiment, the device of present disclosure can be placed inside the 'switch box' of an existing conventional switchboard/box installation. In an example implementation, the system/device of present disclosure can receive wireless signals from different sources, such as wireless remote switches or wireless signals initiated from other sensors, computers, smart phones, tablets, PLC's or other such programmable devices configured to send discrete pulses, continuous steps or more sophisticated strings of data to control the attached load. [0016] Illustrative embodiments of the present invention describe an assembly/device having a wireless receiver, a control unit, a power unit and an actuation unit all housed in a casing to form an assembly. The assembly/device can be placed inside the 'switch box' of a conventional switch board installation in any of the residual space that typically exists in the switch box, and therefore does not require removal of any building materials. The disclosed device/assembly can be just placed in the switch box without use of any additional fasteners or in another embodiment it can be fastened to the interior walls of the switch box.

[0017] In an embodiment, the casing of the assembly/device allows for connectivity to the live wires carrying AC power as well as other wires that connect the assembly/device to the conventional switches and to the loads to be controlled by it using some form of conventional wiring. The connections and the device can be contained within the switch box, and only the switch is visible along with switch (or trim) plate retaining the same aesthetic view of the conventional switch, as prior to the installation of the assembly/device. The aesthetics of traditional switches, that plays an important role in adding to the decor of the space that they serve, often being available in multiple designs, colors and trims can thus be maintained intact while using the disclosed device to add functionality to the existing switches.

[0018] In an example implementation, the system, device and method of the present disclosure can be integrated with conventional Single Pole Single Throw switches or with Single Pole Dual Throw switches that are commonly used in most residential and commercial applications. These conventional switches can be in the form of a toggle or a rocker or a push button.

[0019] In an example implementation, the device/system of the present disclosure acts upon inputs received from the conventional switches as well as any wireless signal received by its wireless receiver. Its actions serve to change the status of the load into either the ON or OFF state or in some embodiments to also control the amount of current or voltage applied to the load.

[0020] In an embodiment, the wireless receiver module of the present disclosure can be configured to receive a radio frequency wireless signal from any external source, such as a sensor, remote control, portable electronic unit, mobile phone, or from a PC of a user. In an example implementation, the external source and the wireless receiver of the present disclosure can be configured to use any communication standards, protocol, frequency, modulation and addressing mechanisms.

[0021] In an embodiment, the wireless receiver and external source can be configured to operate over any short range communication means, such as Bluetooth, Zigbee, WiFi, LAN etc. for enabling a user to send a signal to the wireless receiver of the device from any location in proximity of, or remote to, the switch. In another embodiment, the wireless receiver module and external source of the wireless signal can be configured to operate over any long range communication means, such as LoRA, CDMA, GSM or over shorter ranges using WiFi, Bluetooth etc. In which case a user located away from the point of installation of switch board can send the command signal to the wireless receiver of the device (installed within the switchboard) of the present disclosure. The content of the signal from the wireless transmitter can be varied depending on the nature of the transmitting source and can be pulses or steps or bits/bytes of data or such variant. The wireless receiver module can be configured to receive the signal from an external/transmitting source, validate it and send it to the control module of the device for further processing.

[0022] In an embodiment, the wireless signals from different sources such as one or more digital or analog sensors or wireless remote switches or wireless signals initiated from computers, smart phones, tablets, PLC's or other such programmable devices can be in the form of discrete pulses, continuous steps or more sophisticated strings of data.

[0023] In an embodiment, the control module can be configured to interpret the received signal (inputs) from multiple sources, such as from the conventional switch with which the device is connected, or from the wireless receiver module that receives signals from external sources, or from any form of timing/frequency based mechanisms that can be incorporated in the circuitry of the control module itself. The control module can process all these inputs and decide in accordance with its own programmed logic on how to control the status of the actuation module over time in response to the received inputs. In an example implementation, a sequence of 3 toggles of the physical switch within a time period of 3 sec could be interpreted by the control module as one type of input, and a single toggle of the switch could be interpreted to be a different input. Inputs received from different alternative means can be processed by the control module's programmed logic and the actuation module can be appropriately informed to change its actuation status. In another example, the number of pulses in a unit time or the time length of a continuous step function could provide an input signal from a wireless transmitter to the control module, to alter its actuation module's behavior differently for any future signals that it receives. As long as some types of inputs can be interpreted by the control module and processed through the programmed logic to create a control signal for the actuation module, the actuation of the load can be enabled in response to the inputs. The actuation states can be simply ON or OFF, or can also include varying control over voltage or current supplied to the load by the actuation module.

[0024] In an embodiment, the programmed logic of the control module can be replaced either through a wired connection to the system or a wireless transmission to the wireless receivers of the system. Such a change in programmed logic would allow the control module to change how it interprets the inputs from its various input sources to inform the actuation module to change its actuation status.

[0025] In an embodiment the conventional switches that prior to retrofit installation of the device or system of the present disclosure were configured to provide direct connectivity between load and power supply, now serve to provide inputs to the system/device. Specific types of input from the switches is used by the control module as an input into its programmed logic to make it control the actuation module differently in response to any future inputs it receives from the switch and the wireless receiver.

[0026] In an embodiment the device/system of present disclosure enables a user to provide specific types of input by combination of multiple instances of the toggle and timing or interval between such toggling of the conventional switch. In an example implementation, such inputs can be sent to the control module in form of a code very similar in concept to 'Morse code' along with specificity on the timing either for the length of each toggle or collectively across multiple toggles or between one toggle and the next.

[0027] In an embodiment, the power module can include analog and/or digital circuits and/or software to convert AC to DC power needed by the device. In another aspect it can also include de-bouncing capability which is essential to ensure that any inputs from conventional switches through physical making and breaking of contacts in the switches are accurately registered without errors that are conventionally observed due to the 'bouncing' of the mechanical contacts. Since the conventional switches use AC power and provide a form of input to the system which uses DC for its operation, an accurate interpretation of the inputs provided through physical operation of the switches can be essential for functioning of the device of the present disclosure and de-bouncing circuit can be a means to facilitate that accuracy.

[0028] In an embodiment, the actuation module can control flow of power between a live source of power and the loads. It can include any form of power control mechanism such as air- gap relays, solid-state relays, triacs, and other such devices. It can provide power in discrete steps such as ON/OFF switching or continuous graded steps such as for dimming or speed control of loads. The actuation module can also provide variable DC output, as some of the AC devices such as LED bulbs can have need of DC drivers for functions such as, dimming. The actuation module can be connected to one or more loads whose status it changes in response to instructions from the control module.

[0029] The embodiments of the present disclosure can be incorporated with installations involving common manual switches such as Single Pole Single Throw Switches, or Single Pole Dual Throw Switches.

[0030] The inventive principles of this patent disclosure have been described above with reference to some specific example embodiments, but these embodiments can be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from the inventive concepts. For example, some of the embodiments have been described in the context of building spaces, but the inventive principles apply to exterior or hybrid spaces as well. Such changes and modifications are considered to fall within the scope of the following claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG.1 illustrates an exemplary schematic diagram of an environment implementing wireless switching system for operating electrical devices in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. [0033] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of functional modules of the wireless switching system for operating electrical devices in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary schematic diagram indicating installation of the disclosed device within an existing switch box as a retrofit in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure and connected to a load.

[0035] FIG 4A and FIG 4B illustrate two different methods of connecting Single Pole Dual Throw switches with the disclosed device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0037] As used in the description herein, the meaning of "a," "an," and "the" includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of "in" includes "in" and "on" unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0038] Some of the inventive principles of this patent disclosure relate to the use of a system for alternative means of actuation of an existing switch installation that operates one or more electrical loads.

[0039] Embodiments of the present disclosure relates to system, method and device for providing alternate means of actuation for loads connected with the conventional switches, wherein the retrofitting device of present disclosure does not result in any aesthetic changes to the already installed switch/switch board.

[0040] FIG. l illustrates an exemplary schematic diagram of environment 100 implementing wireless switching system for operating electrical devices in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown multiple conventional electric switches (referred to as switches hereinafter) such as switch 112-1, switch 112-2, switch 112-3, switch 112-4, etc., collectively and interchangeably referred to as switch/switches 112, placed on a switch board 120 are typically installed to control various electrical appliances such as fan 102, light bulbl03, air conditioner 104 and an electrical outlet 105 (to which any appliance can be connected), to name a few. Switches 112 incorporate functionality of switching ON/OFF the respective connected appliance. Most switches installed in this manner are Single Pole Single Throw switches or Single Pole Dual Throw switches that are commonly used in most residential and commercial uses globally. Switches 112, serve not only as the mechanisms to control the flow of power to the electrical appliances, but also play an important role in adding to the decor of the space that they serve, often being available in multiple designs, colors and trims. The conventional switch 112, itself can be typically in the form of a toggle or a rocker or a push button.

[0041] In an embodiment, device of the present disclosure can be incorporated within the switch board 120 to wirelessly control operations of the electric appliances such as 102, 103 104 or electrical outlet 105. The device 110 having a wireless receiver, a controller, a power unit, and an actuator, can be connected to the conventional switch(es) and located within the conventional switch board 120 without being visible on the exterior. In an embodiment, the device 110 can receive signals from a transmitting source 108 that can be operated by a user 114 or from source 107 that is a sensor with the ability to sense some characteristic of its environs and transmit a wireless signal to the device of the present disclosure. The user 114 located remotely from the switch board/box 120, can also operate the device 110 via conventional switches 112 placed on the switch box 120 thereby alter the status of the electric appliances to ON/OFF or alter the voltage or current being supplied by the switch to the device it controls.

[0042] In an exemplary implementation, the device 110 can be contained within the switch box 120 that is usually installed in a recess created within a wall, such that the mechanism of the switches 112 and any wires connected to it from the appliances 102, 103, 104,105 as well as power supply is contained within the switch box 120 and the installation retains it aesthetics as prior to the incorporation of the said device without the removal of any building material.

[0043] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary block diagram 200 of functional modules of the wireless switching system for operating electrical devices in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The system 204 can incorporate a number of functional modules such as Wireless receiver module 214, a control module 216, a power module 212, and an actuation module 218. The wireless receiver module 214 can be configured to receive wireless signals 202 from a remote source and in an embodiment may include a wireless receiver and an antenna. The control module 216 receives its input from the wireless receiver module 214 or from the conventional switch (that is connected to 208 and 210), and it interprets these inputs using its programmed logic to provide a control signal to the actuation module 218. The power module 212 has a connection 208 to both the live power supply and to the conventional switch. The power module converts the AC power supply to DC power for use by the device, and it also contains de-bouncing functionality essential for reducing error in the interpretation of any inputs received from the conventional switch (attached to 208 and 210). The actuation module 218 actuates the attached load 206 based on the control signal from the control module. In an embodiment, the actuation module 218 can also control the amount of current or voltage supply to the load 206.

[0044] In an embodiment, the receiver module 214 can be configured to receive a radio frequency wireless signal from any external source, such as a remote control, portable electronic unit, mobile phone, or from a PC of a user. In an example implementation, the external source and the receiver module 214 can be configured to use any communication standards, protocol, frequency, modulation and addressing mechanisms. In an embodiment, the receiver module 214 and external source can be configured to operate over any short range communication means, such as Bluetooth, Zigbee, WiFi, LAN etc. for enabling a user residing in the close proximity to send the command signal to the wireless receiver of the device. In another embodiment, the receiver module 214 and external source can be configured to operate over any long range communication means, such as LoRA, CDMA, and GSM etc. for enabling a user located at a faraway place from the point of installation of the switch board to send the command signal. The content of the signal from the wireless transmitter can be varied depending on the nature of the external/transmitting device and can be pulses or steps or bits/bytes of data or such variant. The receiver module 214 can be configured to receive the command signal from an external/transmitting device, validate it and send it to the control module 216 of the system for further processing. In an embodiment, the wireless signals that can be received may be from different sources such as one or more digital or analog sensors or wireless remote switches or wireless signals initiated from other computers, smart phones, tablets, PLC's or other such programmable devices that send discrete pulses, continuous steps or more sophisticated strings of data.

[0045] In an embodiment, the control module 216 can be configured to interpret the received signals from multiple input sources, such as from the conventional switch connected to 208,210 with which the control module 216 can be operatively connected or from the receiver module 214 that receives signals from external devices or any form of timing/frequency based switching mechanisms that can be included in the circuitry of the control module itself. The control module 216 can process all such inputs using its programmed logic to decide on how to manage the status of the actuation module to subsequently received inputs. In an example implementation, a sequence of 3 toggles of the physical switch within a time period of 3 sec could be interpreted by the control module as one type of input, and a single toggle of the switch could interpreted be a different input. Inputs received from different alternative means can be processed by the programmed logic of the control module 216 and the actuation module 218 can be appropriately informed to change its actuation status. In another example, the number of pulses in a unit time or the time length of a continuous step function could provide an input to the control module 214 program from a wireless transmitter to control the status of the actuation module 216 differently for subsequent signals. As long as the provided inputs can be interpreted by the programmed logic of the control module 216, various types of actuations of the load can be enabled in response to the inputs. The actuation states can be simply ON or OFF, or can even include control over voltage or current supplied to the load over time by the actuation module 218. In different embodiments, the programmed logic of the control module 216 can be replaced either through a wired connection with the device or a wireless transmission to the wireless receivers of the device. Such a change in programmed logic would allow the control module 216 to interprets the inputs from its various input sources differently and to hence to change the status of the actuation module 218 differently.

[0046] In an embodiment, the power module 212 can be configured to meet power needs of other modules of the assembly and also to enable de-bouncing. It may comprise of analog and/or digital circuits and/or software to convert AC to DC power. De-bouncing can be essential to ensure that inputs from conventional switches into the assembly are registered with minimal error. Since output of the conventional switches which continue to use AC power, is now an input to the device of this disclosure, an accurate interpretation of the input provided through the physical operation of the switches can be essential and de-bouncing circuit is required to facilitate that accuracy by filtering out any 'bounce' that occurs within the contacts of AC switches when toggled. Such bounce if not addressed can create errors in the input to the control module of the device.

[0047] In an embodiment, the actuation module 218 can be configured to control flow of power to the load connected at 206. It can include any form of power control mechanism such as air-gap relays, solid-state relays, triacs, and other such devices. The actuation module 218 can provide power in discrete steps such as ON/OFF switching or continuous graded steps such as for dimming or speed control of AC devices. The actuation module 218 can also provide variable DC output as some AC devices such as LED bulbs can have the need of DC drivers for dimming. The actuation module 218 can be connected to one or more loads whose status it changes in response to instructions from the control module 216.

[0048] In an embodiment, the system 204 enables multiple input commands to be given by user for operation of the attached load by the conventional switch, as compared to conventional switch which allow only one type of actions, i.e. making/ breaking the power connection to the load. The device/system of present disclosure enables a user to provide different types of input through a combination of multiple instances of the toggle and the timing or interval between such toggling. In an example implementation, such inputs can be sent to the control module 216 in form of a code such as 'Morse code' along with specificity on the timing either for the length of each toggle or collectively across multiple toggles or between one toggle and the next.

[0049] The embodiments of the present disclosure can be incorporated with the most common manual switch such as Single Pole Single Throw Switches, or Single Pole Dual Throw Switches.

[0050] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary schematic diagram 300 indicating installation of the disclosed device within an existing switch box as a retrofit in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The device 306 can comprise a wireless receiver unit 308, a control unit 310, a power unit 314 and an actuation unit 312, all housed in a casing to form an assembly. The assembly/device 306 can be placed inside the 'switch box' 320 of a conventional switch board installation in any of the 'residual space' that typically exists, and therefore does not require removal of any building materials. In another embodiment, the disclosed device/assembly 306 can be just placed in the switch box 320 without use of any additional fasteners.

[0051] In an embodiment, the assembly/device 306 connects to the load 302; the live power supply connects to the device at 306. The contacts of a Single Pole Single Throw switch 318 connect to the live power supply 316, the power supply unit 314 and the control unit 310 of the device 306. All these connections are made using some form of conventional wire. In an aspect, the connections and the device 306 can be contained within the switch box 320, and only the switch 318 can be visible flush with a switch/trim plate that is usually placed in front of the switch to hide fasteners and switch box 320 to maintain an aesthetically appealing view of the conventional switch. The aesthetics of traditional switches plays an important role in adding to the decor of the space that they serve, often being available in multiple designs, colors and trims can thus be maintained by using the disclosed device to add functionality to the existing switches while leaving the switch installation undisturbed. The device acts upon inputs received from the conventional switch 318 as well any wireless transmissions received by its wireless receiver unit 308.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 3, the wireless receiver unit 308 can be configured to receive a radio frequency wireless signal from any external source such as a remote control, portable electronic unit, mobile phone, or from a PC of a user. Any communication that is based on standards, protocol, frequency, modulation and addressing mechanisms that is shared and common between the wireless receiver unit 308 and any wireless transmitter that can be accepted by the wireless receiver unit 308 and transmitted to the control unit 310 for further processing. The content of the signal from any wireless transmitter can vary depending on the nature of the transmitting device and can be pulses or steps or bits/bytes of data or such variant.

[0053] The control unit 310 is configured to interpret inputs from multiple input sources, one of which can be the existing conventional switch 318 to which the assembly is connected as illustrated in FIG. 3. Other input sources can be the wireless receiver unit 308 or any form of timing/frequency based switching mechanisms that may be included in the circuitry of the control unit 310. The control unit 310 processes all these inputs using its programmed logic to decide on how to manage the status of the actuation module 312 in response to these inputs. For instance a sequence of 3 toggles of the physical switch 318 within a time period of 3 sec could be interpreted as one type of input, and a single toggle of the switch 318 could be a different input. All inputs would be processed by the programmed logic of the control unit 310 and the actuation unit 312 can be appropriately informed to change its actuation status. In another example, the number of pulses in a unit time or the time length of a continuous step function could provide an input to the control unit 310 to control the status of the actuation unit 312 in a different manner for all future inputs it receives. As long as the provided inputs can be interpreted by the programmed logic within the control unit 310, various types of actuations of the load 302 can be enabled in response to the inputs. The actuation states can be simply ON or OFF, or changing the voltage or current supplied to the load.

[0054] In an embodiment, the programmed logic of the control unit 310 can be replaced/changed either through a wired connection to the device 306 or a wireless transmission to the wireless receivers 308 of the device 306. Such a change in programmed logic would allow the control unit 310 to change how it interprets the inputs from its various input sources to change the status of the actuation unit 312.

[0055] In an embodiment, the power unit 314 can include analog and/or digital circuits and/or software to convert AC to DC power needed by the other units of the assembly and also to enable de-bouncing. De-bouncing is essential to ensure that any inputs from conventional switches 318, on account of physical making and breaking of contacts, are accurately registered without error. Since the conventional switches 318 continue to use AC power and are now configured to provide input to the system, an accurate interpretation of the input provided through the physical operation of the switches 318 is essential for accurate functioning of the device 306 and de-bouncing circuit is required to facilitate that accuracy.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 3, the actuation unit 312 can be connected to one or more loads 302, whose status it changes in response to transmissions to it from the control unit. It can include any form of power control mechanisms such as air-gap relays, solid-state relays, triacs, and other such devices. It can provide power in discrete steps such as ON/OFF switching or continuous graded steps such as for dimming or speed control of AC devices. The actuation unit 312 can also provide variable DC output as some AC devices such as LED bulbs may have DC drivers for dimming.

[0057] As stated earlier and shown in FIG. 3, the existing switches 318 are connected to the device 306 and serve as a source of input to the control unit 310. However, unlike their original use when they functioned to provide direct connection between input power and load 302 to turn the load 302 ON/OFF, they can be used with the device 306 to provide multiple types of input through a combination of multiple instances of the toggle and the timing or interval between such toggling. This input is in the form of codes such as a 'Morse code' along with specificity on the timing either for the length of each toggle or collectively across multiple toggles or between one toggle and the next. The input is used by the programmed logic of control unit 310 to either inform the actuation unit 312 to control the operation of the load 302 or to change the way that control unit 310 itself interprets future inputs it receives

[0058] FIG 4A and FIG 4B illustrate two different methods of connecting Single Pole Dual Throw switches with the disclosed device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG 4 A, the Dual Throw switch 408 is used much like a Single Throw switch and all the earlier mentioned attributes and functions of Single Throw switches apply and the device 406 controls the status of the load as per the input from the wireless receiver and the switch 408 and as per the programmed logic in the device. In FIG. 4B the dual throw switch is wired to allow a 'direct connection' between the switch 408 and the load 402 in one of the positions of the switch 408. Therefore, in one of the positions, the switch would effectively bypass the device 406 of present disclosure and provide input power 404 to the load 402 directly in that position. Therefore in this position the device 406 has no control over the operational status of the load 402. The connection illustrated in FIG 4B can serve a special purpose in retrofit installations, where existing physical devices like fan regulators or dimmers are used to regulate the flow of voltage/current to the load 402, and users wish to continue to use voltage controllers in addition to any other means of alternate actuation. A dual throw switch 408 configured with the device 406 in accordance with FIG. 4B would continue to allow use of such devices which control voltage/current to the load 402, when the switch 408 is in one of its positions while allowing the device 406 of present disclosure to operate the load 402 through an alternate means of actuation in the other position.

[0059] The inventive principles of this patent disclosure have been described above with reference to some specific example embodiments, but these embodiments can be modified in arrangement and detail, without departing from the inventive concepts. For example, some of the embodiments have been described in the context of building spaces, but the inventive principles apply to exterior or hybrid spaces as well. Such changes and modifications are considered to fall within the scope of the following claims.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0060] The present disclosure provides a system and device for alternate means for actuation of electrical loads.

[0061] The present disclosure is to provide a system and device for wireless actuation of electrical loads.

[0062] The present disclosure provides a device to actuate electrical loads from a remote location without any geographical limitation.

[0063] The present disclosure provides a device to actuate electrical loads that can receive wireless signals from different remote devices of varying range and actuate the attached load based on the received signals.

[0064] The present disclosure provides a device for remote actuation of electrical appliances that can be incorporated within the existing/conventional switch boxes without removal of any building material.

[0065] The present disclosure provides a device for remote actuation of electrical appliances without affecting the original, as installed, aesthetics of existing/conventional switch boxes.

[0066] The present disclosure provides a device that allows additional functionality for existing switches beyond just the conventional function for operation of the load, such functionality includes the ability to provide inputs to the device to alter the manner in which the device operates the load or alters the current/voltage provided to the load to subsequent inputs from the switches themselves or other alternate input devices mentioned herein.