Plug and play utility control modules

• US 7,497,273 B2
• Filed: 03/07/2007
• Issued: 03/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Optimal Innovations Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Optimal Innovations Incorporated
• Inventors: Schoettle, Roland
• Primary Examiner(s): Zarroli; Michael C
• Application Number:
  US11/683,335
• Publication Number:
  US 20080219029A1
• Time in Patent Office: 727 Days
• Field of Search: 439/535, 439/538, 439/209, 174/60, 174/50, 174/53, 174/54, 362/659
• US Class Current: 173/53
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/665 with built-in electronic circuit H01R13/70, H01R13/719 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/73 Means for mounting coupling parts to apparatus or structures, e.g. to a wall
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A utility control device, such as a light socket, a switch or a plug socket, is designed with universal terminals so that when plugged into a pre-wired utility box (box socket), the terminals will make the proper electrical connections with the premises wiring. Systems and methods are disclosed for arranging the premises power grid such that any device type can be “plugged” into the shells that are pre-wired inside the utility box.

Claims

1. An insert for use with a utility box, said insert device comprising:

a shell adapted to be affixed within said utility box affixed to a permanent structure of a premises, said shell having therein at least one electrical connector;

said connector having a portion within a body of said shell and a portion extending through a wall of said sell such that wiring within said utility box can be connected to said extending portion and wherein said connector portion within said body of said shell is adapted for mating with control devices; and

a control device removably positioned within said body of said shell wherein said control device comprises;

a housing having a footprint designed to fit within said shell;

at least one user accessible device positioned on a face side of said housing;

a plurality of electrical terminals accessible from an exterior section of said housing;

said terminals adapted for mating with said electrical connectors of said shell, and

at least one processor for controlling the function of said control device.

2. The insert of claim 1 wherein said control device is selected from the list of:

power switch, electrical outlet, light switch, thermostat, temperature detection, light-intensity detection, motion detection, vibration detection communications device, humidity detection, fire detection, smoke detection, CO detection, CO2 detection, video detection, video receiver, audio detection, audio receiver, keypad, touchpad, switching, outlet socket, light socket, dimmer, motion detection switch, light-intensity detection switch, touch screen controller, telephone, alarm controller.

3. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

means for changing the connection orientation of said terminals.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said changing means is selected from the list of:

jumper plate, interchangeable terminal pins, jumper wires.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said processor comprises:

means for communicating with at least one processor associated with another switch, said communicating being by electrical signals transmitted between processors.