WIRELESS SWITCHING AND ENERGY MANAGEMENT
First Claim
1. Wireless apparatus for switching at least one energy load with an AC power source comprising:
- a load-interface device havinga relay between the at least one energy load and the AC power source,a controller operatively connected to the relay;
a toggle and a wireless transceiver connected to the controller; and
a remote wireless transceiver unit in communication with the wireless transceiver,wherein the controller operates the relay for changing the state of the electrical continuity between the at least one energy load and the AC power source(i) in response to a change in state of the toggle regardless of a state signaled through wireless signals received from the remote wireless transmitting unit, and(ii) in response to a change in the state signaled through the wireless signals received by the transceiver from the wireless transceiver unit regardless of the state of the toggle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A wireless switching apparatus is provided for three-way switching at least one energy load with an AC power source. The apparatus comprises a relay controlled by a controller. The controller is also connected to both a toggle and a wireless transceiver. A remote wireless transceiver unit is in communication with the wireless transceiver. The controller operates the relay for making and breaking electrical continuity between the energy load and an AC power source in response to a change in the state of either toggle or wireless signals received from the remote wireless transmitting unit. Control of the energy load using a combined system comprising an energy monitoring device operatively coupled to the apparatus is also provided. Methods are provided for retrofitting conventional receptacles and switches with the wireless switching apparatus.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. Wireless apparatus for switching at least one energy load with an AC power source comprising:
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a load-interface device having a relay between the at least one energy load and the AC power source, a controller operatively connected to the relay; a toggle and a wireless transceiver connected to the controller; and a remote wireless transceiver unit in communication with the wireless transceiver, wherein the controller operates the relay for changing the state of the electrical continuity between the at least one energy load and the AC power source (i) in response to a change in state of the toggle regardless of a state signaled through wireless signals received from the remote wireless transmitting unit, and (ii) in response to a change in the state signaled through the wireless signals received by the transceiver from the wireless transceiver unit regardless of the state of the toggle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of controlling at least one energy load comprising:
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maintaining a log of power consumed by the at least one energy load over a set period of time to arrive at an average power consumed by the at least one energy load; measuring the power consumed by the at least one energy load at a given instant to arrive at an instant power; comparing the instant power with the average power; and determining that the at least one energy load is outside operating limits when the instant power exceeds the average power by a predetermined tolerance. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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25. A method of installing a wireless apparatus for changing status of at least one energy load connected to an AC power source comprising:
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providing a controlled receptacle comprising a load-interface device, the load-interface device having a relay between the at least one energy load and the AC power source, a controller operatively connected to the relay; a toggle and a wireless transceiver connected to the controller; and a remote wireless transceiver unit in communication with the wireless transceiver; and replacing a conventional receptacle for receiving a plug of the at least one energy load or an electrical switch controlling the at least one energy load with the controlled receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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Specification