Wall switch device and power outlet device

• US 6,518,724 B2
• Filed: 08/01/2001
• Issued: 02/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Simpledevices Inc. (Universal Electronics, Inc.)
• Inventors: Janik, Craig M.
• Primary Examiner(s): TOATLEY, GREGORY J
• Application Number:
  US09/921,197
• Publication Number:
  US 20020043960A1
• Time in Patent Office: 559 Days
• Field of Search: 320/114, 320/115, 320/107, 340/636, 379/446, 439/655, 439/638, 439/639, 439/651, 439/652, 439/956
• US Class Current: 320/115
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2300/03 Application domotique, e.g. for house automation, bus connected switches, sensors, loads or intelligent wiring
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/0271 structurally combining a switch and an electronic component for relays H01H50/021
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/181 using a programmable display, e.g. LED or LCD
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6675 with built-in power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/76 with sockets, clips or analogous contacts and secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. to a wall
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/14 Fastening of cover or lid to box
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5441 Wireless systems or telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5445 Local network
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5458 Monitor sensor; Alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5483 using coupling circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/54 Systems for transmission via power distribution lines
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/14 Protecting elements, switches, relays or circuit breakers

Abstract

A wall switch device and a power outlet device are described. In one embodiment, the wall switch device includes a wall switch plate, a component integral to a receptacle on the wall switch plate, a control charging module, and an AC power input. The wall switch plate is fastened to a light switch module on a wall. The control charging module includes electrical contacts corresponding to electrical contacts on the component. The control charging module also includes a circuit board and an integrated circuit board. The AC power input supplies power to the component. Power from the AC power input is converted to DC power by the control charging module so that the power may be used to charge the component.

Claims

1. A wall switch device comprising:

a wall switch plate for fastening to a light switch module on a wall;

a component integral to a receptacle on the wall switch plate;

a control charging module including electrical contacts to contact corresponding electrical contacts on the component, the control charging module also including a printed circuit board and an integrated circuit; and

an AC power input to supply power to the component, power from the AC power input converted to DC power by the control charging module so that the power may be used to charge the component.

2. The wall switch device of claim 1 further comprising a data transceiver on the wall switch device to allow the wall switch device to send and receive data via power wires coupled to the AC power input.

3. The wall switch device of claim 2 wherein the data is sent and received from a network.

4. The wall switch device of claim 3 wherein the network is Internet.

5. The wall switch device of claim 2 wherein the data is sent and received from a second wall switch device.

6. The wall switch device of claim 1 further comprising a wireless transceiver base on the wall switch device to allow the wall switch device to send and receive data via a wireless transfer protocol.

7. The wall switch device of claim 6 wherein the data is sent and received from a network.

8. The wall switch device of claim 7 wherein the network is Internet.

9. The wall switch device of claim 6 wherein the data is sent and received from a second wall switch device.

10. The wall switch device of claim 6 wherein the wireless transfer protocol is IEEE 802.11b.

11. The wall switch device of claim 1 further comprising a wireless transceiver base located separately from the wall switch device to send and receive data via a wireless transfer protocol.

12. The wall switch device of claim 11 wherein the wireless transfer protocol is IEEE 802.11b.

13. The wall switch device of claim 1 wherein the receptacle on the wall switch plate is a dock.

14. The wall switch device of claim 1 wherein the AC power input supplies 120 V power to the component.

15. The wall switch device of claim 1 wherein the component is a display.

16. The wall switch device of claim 15 wherein the display includes a plurality of buttons and a user interface.

17. A power outlet device comprising:

a power outlet plate for fastening to a light switch module on a wall;

a component integral to a receptacle on the power outlet plate;

a control charging module including electrical contacts to contact corresponding electrical contacts on the component, the control charging module also including a printed circuit board and an integrated circuit; and

a power input to supply power to the component, power from the power input converted by the control charging module so that the power may be used to charge the component.

18. The power outlet device of claim 17 further comprising a data transceiver on the power outlet device to allow the power outlet device to send and receive data via power wires coupled to the AC power input.

19. The power outlet device of claim 18 wherein the data is sent and received from a network.

20. The power outlet device of claim 19 wherein the network is Internet.

21. The power outlet device of claim 18 wherein the data is sent and received from a second power outlet device.

22. The power outlet device of claim 17 further comprising a wireless transceiver base on the power outlet device to allow the power outlet device to send and receive data via a wireless transfer protocol.

23. The power outlet device of claim 22 wherein the data is sent and received from a network.

24. The power outlet device of claim 23 wherein the network is Internet.

25. The power outlet device of claim 22 wherein the data is sent and received from a second power outlet device.

26. The power outlet device of claim 22 wherein the wireless transfer protocol is IEEE 802.11b.

27. The power outlet device of claim 17 further comprising a wireless transceiver base located separately from the power outlet device to send and receive data via a wireless transfer protocol.

28. The power outlet device of claim 27 wherein the wireless transfer protocol is EEE 802.11b.

29. The power outlet device of claim 17 wherein the receptacle on the power outlet plate is a dock.

30. The power outlet device of claim 17 wherein the AC power input supplies 120 V power to the component.

31. The power outlet device of claim 17 wherein the component is a display.

32. The power outlet device of claim 31 wherein the display includes a plurality of buttons and a user interface.