METHODS FOR CONTROLLING APPLIANCES USING SCRIPTED SWITCHES AND BUTTONS
First Claim
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1. A system for controlling a smart appliance comprising:
- one or more normally-closed (NC) switches in electrical communication with the smart appliance, where the one or more NC switches breaks an electrical current connection with the smart appliance when pressed and makes the electrical connection when the one or more NC switches is released;
a smart controller in the smart appliance; and
wherein the smart controller is configured to use the breaks in the electrical current connection to control the smart appliance.
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Abstract
A method and system allowing for the use of traditional buttons and switches to operate sophisticated features of smart appliances when a smartphone, a tablet, or a computer is not available is provided. Wall switches with existing wiring in a building or buttons on appliances can be used when a smartphone or other remote controlling devices are not available. A normally-closed (NC) wall switch or button can be used to control a smart appliance with only a power line connection in between the NC switch and the smart appliance without a wireless connection, or additional wires to send control signals.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A system for controlling a smart appliance comprising:
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one or more normally-closed (NC) switches in electrical communication with the smart appliance, where the one or more NC switches breaks an electrical current connection with the smart appliance when pressed and makes the electrical connection when the one or more NC switches is released; a smart controller in the smart appliance; and wherein the smart controller is configured to use the breaks in the electrical current connection to control the smart appliance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A system for controlling a smart appliance comprising:
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a smart switch with one or more buttons in electrical communication with the smart appliance, where the smart switch generates make and break timing signals with a defined specific durations to the smart appliance; a smart controller in the smart appliance; and wherein the smart controller is configured to use the breaks in the electrical current and the duration of the breaks to control the smart appliance with the use of one or more relays. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for controlling a smart appliance comprising:
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a smart switch in electrical communication with the smart appliance, where the smart switch comprises one or more buttons, a master control unit (MCU), and one or more relay circuits to make and break power to the smart appliance; and a smart controller in the smart appliance; wherein depending on a button pressed form amongst the one or more buttons, the MCU controls the one or more relay circuits to break and to make an electrical power connection for a predetermined sequence and duration; and wherein the smart controller is configured to use the breaks in the electrical current and the duration of the breaks to control the smart appliance. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A smart multiple-way switch for a non-smart appliance comprising:
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a two or multiple-way smart switch system comprising a smart master switch and a master control unit (MCU); and wherein the smart master switch turns on and turns off the non-smart appliance - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A smart 3-way switch for devices comprising:
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a smart 3-way switch and an existing traditional switch with connecting electrical wiring; and a master control unit (MCU) within the smart 3-way switch, the MCU comprising a wireless interface, one or more buttons and a relay to turn on or turn off the devices. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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29. A master control unit comprising:
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program memory, data memory, radio frequency transmitter and receiver, one or more buttons, and input/output pins to receive appliance operation scripts from smartphones or computing devices; wherein the operation scripts are stored in the data memory of the MCU; and wherein the MCU is inside a smart appliance or electrically connected to an appliance with wires or wirelessly. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31)
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32. An Intelligent Remote Control Unit (IRCU) comprising:
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program memory, data memory, radio frequency transmitter and receiver, one or more buttons, and input/output pins to receive and to transmit instructions from and to smartphones or smart devices; wherein the IRCU operates in slave mode when pairing wirelessly with smartphones; and wherein the IRCU operates in master mode when pairing wirelessly with devices. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35)
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Specification