US20110043052A1 - Systems and Methods for Remotely Controlling an Electrical Load - Google Patents

Abstract

Systems and methods for remotely controlling an electrical load are provided. A switch is associated with controlling one or more electricity-consuming devices. After electrically isolating the switch from the electricity-consuming device, an adapter is communicatively coupled to and used to detect the state of the switch. The adapter generates and wirelessly transmits a signal indicative of the detected state of the switch to a controller that controls operation of the device based on at least the state of the switch as detected by the sensor and indicated by the wirelessly transmitted signal.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• The present application is a continuation and claims the priority benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/380,727 filed Mar. 2, 2009. This application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/156,621 filed Jun. 2, 2008, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention
• The present invention generally relates to electrical infrastructure technology. More specifically, the present invention relates to remotely controlling an electrical load.
• 2. Description of Related Art
• Traditionally, electrical loads (e.g., of lighting fixtures and other electricity-consuming appliances) in commercial and residential settings are controlled by wired switches. Switches, or actuators, may vary in number of fixtures/appliances controlled, degree of control, physical form, and mount type. In general, however, these wired switches are manually regulated in the vicinity of a corresponding electrical load. Thus, a highly localized control solution may result in which electrical loads are controlled at usage locations.
• Highly localized control solutions may become difficult to maintain and operate in larger installations, particularly where energy conservation is a concern. For instance, in some buildings, each light switch may need to be located and switched off. As such, building occupants may be required to micromanage these light switches, and such occupants may, for example, forget to switch off one or more light switches when they leave the office building.
• In contrast, highly centralized control solutions may allow the electrical loads of a particular installation to be controlled by a single control interface. The control interface may be accessible, for example, to a facilities manager of the particular installation. Such highly centralized control solutions may be complex and costly to install or retrofit. Further, consequences of high centralization may include inflexibility and inability to respond to local dynamic conditions. Fluctuations in occupancy of certain building areas, natural lighting levels, and differences in occupant lighting preferences, for example, may require local adjustments, which may not be possible or easily achieved in highly centralized systems.
• Wireless control solutions may possess advantages of both localized and centralized control solutions by providing control of electrical loads locally and centrally. Implementing such wireless solutions, however, may include installing new wireless systems into new buildings. Alternatively, buildings with existing wired systems may need to be retrofitted for wireless control. Completely retrofitting a building may involve replacing wired switches with new devices that can transmit wireless signals. A problem with such a solution is that users may be accustomed to wired switches and may therefore be uncomfortable with dramatic changes.
• There is therefore a need in the art for improved systems and methods for wireless control of such electrical loads.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The presently claimed invention provides systems and methods for remotely controlling electrical loads to electricity-consuming devices. In some embodiments of the present invention, such systems may include an adapter configured to couple to a switch. The switch may be a pre-existing wired wall switch. The adaptor may include a sensor configured to detect a state of the switch such as an ‘on’ position, an ‘off’ position, and, for light fixtures, positions indicative of one or more levels of dimness. The switch may be electrically isolated from the electricity-consuming device. The adaptor may further include a communications interface configured to wirelessly transmit a signal indicative of the detected state of the switch to a controller. Such a controller may be configured to control the electrical load provided to the device based on at least the state of the switch as detected by the sensor and indicated by the wirelessly transmitted signal. A power unit configured to provide power to the sensor and the communications interface may also be included in the adaptor.
• Some embodiments provide methods for remotely controlling an electrical load provided to an electricity-consuming device. These methods may include detecting a state of a switch electrically isolated from the device. Detecting the state of the switch may include detecting an interrupt signal. A wireless signal indicative of the state of the switch may be transmitted from a transmitter to a controller. As mentioned, the controller may control the electrical load provided to the device based on at least the state of the switch indicated by the signal. Controlling the electrical load may allow for turning on, turning off, and/or dimming one or more lighting fixtures.
• Further embodiments of the present invention include methods for adapting a pre-existing switch for remote control of an electrical load. These methods may include electrically isolating the pre-existing switch from the electricity-consuming device, communicatively coupling an adapter to the pre-existing switch, and configuring the adapter to detect a state of the pre-existing switch and to transmit a signal indicative of the state to a controller that may control the electrical load provided to the device based on at least the state indicated by the signal. Electrically isolating the pre-existing switch may include shorting a switched line previously associated with the pre-existing switch such that power is continuously available for the controller to provide to the device. Configuring the adapter may include connecting a low voltage signal from the power source of the adapter to a line terminal of the pre-existing switch and connecting a sensor from the adapter to a load terminal of the pre-existing switch.
• Embodiments of the present invention may further include computer-readable storage media having embodied thereon programs that, when executed by a computer processor device, perform methods associated with adapting wall controllers and switches.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
• FIG. 1 is a wiring diagram for circuitry including a switched electrical load according to prior art.
• FIG. 2 is a wiring diagram for circuitry including a remotely controlled electrical load according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary adapter.
• FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for remotely controlling an electrical load.
• FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for adapting a pre-existing switch for remote control of an electrical load.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• The presently claimed invention provides systems and methods for remotely controlling electrical loads and adapting pre-existing switches for such remote control. Such systems and methods may allow pre-existing, wired switches to be compatible with wireless control systems. An adapter may be installed in a switchbox alongside a pre-existing switch. The adapter may detect a state of the switch (e.g., ‘on’ or ‘off’) and transmit a signal indicative of that state to a controller associated with a device. The controller may control the electrical load of the device based on at least the state of the switch as indicated by the signal. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as a limitation on the presently claimed invention, which may be applied to any system including a switched electrical load.
• FIG. 1 is a wiring diagram100 for circuitry including a switched electrical load according to the prior art. The wiring diagram100 includes aswitch105 used to control electric load provided todevice110. Electrical power is provided by a line-in115. Theswitch105 may control thedevice110 by electrically connect and disconnect the line-in115 to a line-to-load120. When the line-in115 is connected to the line-to-load120, power is provided from the line-in115 to thedevice110 via the line-to-load120. When the line-in115 is disconnected from the line-to-load120, power is not provided from the line-in115 to thedevice110. The line-in115 may provide a number of different voltages such as 120/277 VAC or 24 VAC/VDC. Although wiring diagram100 depicts a 2-way switched electrical load, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the concepts and principles discussed herein may be applied to other traditional, wired circuitry such as multi-way switched electrical loads (e.g., 3-way switched loads).
• Theswitch105 may be any device that may be used to interrupt an electrical circuit or vary the power transferred via the electrical circuit based on user input. Manually operated switches, for example, allow for electrical circuit control based on physical manipulation by a user. Examples of such include a toggle switch, a rocker switch, a push-button switch, a momentary contact switch, etc. Such aswitch105 may have one or more sets of electrical contacts or terminals (not depicted). While manually operated switches may presently be most common,switch105 may further include touchpads, virtual switches, graphic user interfaces, or combinations of the foregoing.
• Binary switches include a line-in terminal and line-to-load terminal and may be in one of two states. These states include ‘open’ and ‘closed,’ which correspond to theswitch105 states of ‘off’ or ‘on,’ respectively. In the ‘open’ state, the terminals are disconnected such that electricity cannot flow between the terminals, and no electricity may be provided to any device. Conversely, in the ‘closed’ state, the terminals are connected such that electricity can flow between the terminals in the closed-state, and electricity may be provided to one or more devices.
• Alternatively, theswitch105 may include a dimmer switch or another variable voltage device by which variable power may be supplied to thedevice110 based on a setting of theswitch105. Accordingly, intermediate states between on and off may be attributed to theswitch105. For example, the state could be ‘50% power,’ where off-state and on-state correspond to ‘0% power’ and ‘100% power,’ respectively. Although dimmer switches are generally associated with lighting fixtures, other variable voltage devices may be associated with other electricity-consuming appliances having multiple operational settings (e.g., fans).
• Theload device110 illustrated inFIG. 1 may represent one or more electricity-consuming appliances. For example, thedevice110 may be an individual lighting fixture or a cluster of lighting fixtures. Thedevice110 may also include heating, ventilating, air-conditioning (HVAC) systems, fans, blinds, louvers, security systems, fire and life safety systems, irrigation systems, etc.
• FIG. 2 is an exemplary wiring diagram200 for circuitry including a remotely controlled electrical load according to an embodiment of the present invention. The wiring diagram200 includes an adaptedswitch205 and an adapteddevice210. The adaptedswitch205 is not connected to the line-to-load120, as illustrated by theline break215. Instead, the line-in115 is connected directly to the line-to-load120. For example, abypass line220 may be provided to connect the line-in115 directly to the line-to-load120.Bypass line220 andline break215 may be included within the same switch box that may house the adaptedswitch205. Although wiring diagram200 depicts a 2-way switched electrical load configuration, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the concepts and principles discussed herein may be applied to more complex circuitry such as multi-way switched electrical loads (e.g., 3-way switched loads).
• As depicted, the adaptedswitch205 includes anadapter225 and theswitch105. In alternative embodiments, the adaptedswitch205 may include a device that incorporates features of both theadapter225 and theswitch105 described herein. Theadapter225 is communicatively coupled to switch105 and may be mounted to, or proximate to, theswitch105. Theadapter225, or elements thereof, is configured to detect a state of the switch105 (e.g., on, off, or some intermediate state), generate a signal indicative of the detected state, and wirelessly transmit the signal to the adaptedload device210. Theadapter225 is described in further detail in connection withFIG. 3.
• The adaptedload device210 includes acontroller230 associated with theload device110 as depicted inFIG. 2. In such an embodiment, thecontroller230 may be disposed in the line-to-load120 just prior to theload device110. Alternatively, thecontroller230 may be integrated with theload device110 as a single unit. For example, thecontroller230 may be contained within a ballast of a lighting fixture.
• Thecontroller230 is configured to control theload device110 based on at least the state of theswitch105 as indicated by the signal transmitted by theadapter225. Controlling theload device110 may be accomplished by controlling the electricity provided or not provided to theload device110. For example, thecontroller230 may be configured to control dimming operations of a light fixture.
• In some embodiments,controller230 may encompass various apparatuses described in related U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/156,621, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.Controller230 may include a microcontroller or microprocessor-based computing platform designed to perform a specific task or set of tasks (not depicted) and a communications interface (not depicted). Rule-based or algorithmic actuation logic executed by the microcontroller may make control decisions to actuate theload device110 to a certain state or level based on the information provided to thecontroller230. Besides the signals transmitted from theadapter225, thecontroller230 may controlload device110 based on time of day, occupancy information, schedules, natural light levels, signals from a centralized control system, automated signals from the utility or other entity (e.g., demand response), etc. In some embodiments, elements of thecontroller230 may track date and time internally such that time-based operations may be performed. Operating schedule information, (e.g., holiday information) and desired operating states may be communicated to and stored in thecontroller230 such that thecontroller230 may run autonomously.
• The communications interface (not depicted) of thecontroller230 may provide relevant information for configuration and decision making to elements of thecontroller230. The communications interface may allow thecontroller230 to receive information or signals from various sources such as light and other switches (e.g., the adapted switch205), sensors (e.g., light level, occupancy, or switch-state sensors), and network gateways that provide input from a centralized control system. Additionally, thecontroller230 may provide information to the centralized control system regarding failed equipment (e.g., lamps or ballasts) based on the state of theload device110 and the state of theswitch105.
• FIG. 3 is a block diagram of anexemplary adapter225. As depicted, theadapter225 includes asensor305, acommunications interface310, and apower unit315. The connections included in theadapter225 may include standard terminations such as those found on typical lighting switches (e.g., screw terminals, insert connections). A blank cover plate may be installed on a switchbox housing theadapter225 for concealment in some embodiments. Furthermore, theadapter225 may further include a mechanical switch (not shown) to interrupt power supplied to the adapted load device210 (e.g., for maintenance purposes).
• Thesensor305 is configured to detect a state of theswitch105. As mentioned previously, theswitch105 may be electrically isolated from the adaptedload device210, such that physical manipulation of the switch does not affect the electrical load with respect to loaddevice110. In 2-way switched electrical load configurations, for example, the state of theswitch105 may be detected by thesensor305 by connecting a low voltage signal to the line-in terminal of theswitch105 and a digital sensor to the corresponding line-to-load terminal of theswitch105. This allows the position of the switch to be detected using an interrupt signal, while requiring very little power. Depending on the type of switch,sensor305 may also detect the state ofswitch105 based on on motion detection, touch detection, etc.
• Thecommunications interface310 may be configured to generate and wirelessly transmit a signal indicative of the detected state of theswitch105 tocontroller230. Thecontroller230 may then control theload device110 based on the signal. For example, if thesensor305 senses or detects that the state of theswitch105 is changed from ‘off’ to ‘on,’ thecommunications interface310 may generate and wirelessly transmit a signal to thecontroller230 that indicates the current state of theswitch105. Accordingly, thecontroller230 may turn theload device110 on. In some embodiments, thecommunications interface310 may include a radio transmitter or antenna to transmit signals tocontroller230. Alternatively, an external antenna may be integrated into a wall cover plate or a photovoltaic insert associated with the adaptedswitch205.
• Thepower unit315 may be configured to provide power to thesensor305 and thecommunications interface310. Thepower unit315 may take on several forms in accordance with various embodiments. For example, a battery (e.g., lithium, alkaline) may be included in thepower unit315 to provide power to thesensor305 and thecommunications interface310. In other embodiments, a capacitor capable of storing energy for a specified time span (e.g., several days) may be included in thepower unit315. A current transformer, AC/DC power converter, or other means of obtaining power from the line-in115 may be used to charge the battery or capacitor when power is supplied to theload device110.
• Thepower unit315 may further include a photovoltaic cell (not shown) configured to harvest light energy. The photovoltaic cell may directly power thesensor305 and thecommunications interface310. Alternatively, the photovoltaic cell may charge a battery or capacitor included in thepower unit315. The photovoltaic cell may be mounted on a wall cover plate that covers a switchbox that houses the adaptedswitch205. For example, when a single switch is replaced in a 2-gang switchbox, the photovoltaic cell may be mounted in one switch position so as to protrude through a standard decorator cover plate.
• In some embodiments, thepower unit315 may include an AC/DC power converter. Alternating current supplied by the line-in115 to the AC/DC power converter may be converted to a direct current at an appropriate voltage for thesensor305 and thecommunications interface315. For example, where a low voltage is supplied by the line-in115, the AC/DC converter may be capable of converting the low voltage (e.g., 16 to 24 VAC) to the appropriate voltage (e.g., approximately 3 VDC) as may be required by thesensor305 and thecommunications interface310.
• Theadapter225 may include other elements for mounting theadapter225 proximate to theswitch105. In some embodiments, theadapter225 may mount to the rear of theswitch105 using metal lugs that connect to terminals of theswitch105. In other embodiments, wire (e.g., 14 AWG) may be inserted into rear-wiring connecters of theswitch105 in order to mount theadapter225.
• FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating anexemplary method400 for remotely controlling an electrical load (e.g., load device110). Inmethod400, a state ofswitch105 is detected, a signal is generated based on the detected state, and the signal is wirelessly transmitted tocontroller230 associated withload device110.Controller230 may control the operation ofload device110 based on the state ofswitch105 as indicated by the received signal.
• Instep405, a state ofswitch105 is detected.Switch105 has been electrically isolated from theelectrical load device110, which may be a lighting fixture or any other electricity-consuming appliance. The electrical isolation of switches is discussed further in connection withFIG. 5. The state ofswitch105 is detected bysensor305. For some switches, detecting the state of the switch may include detecting an interrupt signal. For example, the state of the switch may be detected when a low voltage signal is connected to a line-in terminal of the switch by connecting a digital sensor connected to a corresponding line-to-load terminal of the switch.
• The state of the switch detected bysensor305 may be ‘on,’ ‘off,’ or some intermediate state (e.g., 50% power).Sensor305 may further detect when the switch is pressed and held for a certain period of time. In some embodiments, such a hold may indicate a request for a type of control (i.e., a request for maximum light power).
• Instep410, a signal indicative of the state ofswitch105 is generated bycommunications interface310. As noted previously,switch105 has been electrically isolated fromdevice110. As such, manipulation, physical or otherwise, ofswitch105 no longer interrupts/connects the flow of electricity ofdevice110, which is under the control ofcontroller230. For user input received atswitch105 to affect operation ofdevice110, such input may be provided tocontroller230 as a signal.
• Instep415, the signal generated instep410 is wirelessly transmitted tocontroller230 from thecommunications interface310.Controller230 may control operation ofdevice110 based on the signal (e.g., turning on or turning off a lighting fixture or other electricity-consuming appliance). Controlling the electrical load may further include dimming a lighting fixture or setting the electricity-consuming appliance to a variable setting.
• Where there are multiple points of control (e.g., multiple light bulbs),controller230 may exercise individualized control over each point. For example,controller230 may be associated with a cluster of light fixtures in a room. In such an example,adapter225 may be coupled to a toggle switch, detected one or two toggles, generated and wirelessly transmitted a signal tocontroller230 indicative of such. In response,controller230 may provide electricity to and thereby turn on only one or two of the fixtures.
• FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating anexemplary method500 for adapting a switch for remote control of an electrical load. Inmethod500, .switch105 is electrically isolated fromload device110,adapter225 is coupled to switch105, andadapter225 is configured to detect a state (or change to a state) ofswitch105 and to generate and wirelessly transmit a signal indicative of the state tocontroller230.
• Instep505, theswitch105 is electrically isolated fromdevice110. This step may be performed in various manners depending on specific circuitry and circuit elements. As illustrated inFIG. 2, aline break215 in the line-to-load120 may be used to electrically isolate theswitch105 from theload110. Electrical isolation may be achieved by disconnecting any line connecting theswitch105 to acorresponding load device110 and/or shorting a switched line previously associated withswitch105 such that power is continuously supplied to the electrical load. Abypass line220 may be provided, thereby connecting the line-in115 to the line-to-load120 such that power is continuously provided to the adapted load device210 (i.e.,load device110 under control of controller230).
• As previously described,switch105 may include a line-in terminal that connects to the line-in115 and a line-to-load terminal that connects to the line-to-load120. Step505 may include disconnecting the line-to-load120 from the line-to-load terminal and connecting the line-to-load120 to the line-in terminal, thereby shorting the line-in115 to the adaptedload210.
• Instep510, anadapter225 is communicatively coupled to switch105. In some embodiments, the adapter may be mounted to the rear ofswitch105 using metal lugs that connect to terminals ofswitch105. Alternatively, wire (e.g., 14 AWG) may be inserted into rear-wiring connecters ofswitch105 in order to mount theadapter225.
• Instep515, theadapter225 is configured to detect a state ofswitch105 and to generate and wirelessly transmit a signal indicative of the state tocontroller230, which controls the electrical load based on at least the state ofswitch105 indicated by the signal. Configuring theadapter225 may include connecting a low voltage signal from apower unit315 of theadapter225 to a line-in terminal ofswitch105. Additionally, asensor305 may be connected from theadapter225 to a line-to-load terminal of theswitch105.
• The terms “computer-readable storage medium” and “computer-readable storage media” as used herein refer to a medium or media that participates in providing instructions to a CPU for execution. Such media can take many forms including, but not limited to, non-volatile and volatile media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical or magnetic disks, such as a fixed disk. Volatile media include dynamic memory, such as system RAM. Common forms of computer-readable storage media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, a hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM disk, digital video disk (DVD), any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns of marks or holes, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASHEPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge.
• While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. The descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular forms set forth herein. Thus, the breadth and scope of a preferred embodiment should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.
• To the contrary, the present descriptions are intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and otherwise appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but instead should be determined with reference to the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.

Claims (1)

1. A computer-readable storage medium having embodied thereon a program, the program being executable by a processor to perform a method for remotely controlling an electrical load, the method comprising:

detecting a state of a switch electrically isolated from the electrical load; and

transmitting a wireless signal indicative of the state of the switch to a controller, the controller controlling the electrical load based on at least the state of the switch as indicated by the signal.

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