Adaptable wireless power, light and automation system
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1. A power control device for controlling an electrical apparatus through a wireless communications link with a personal controller so as to control a supply of electricity to the electrical apparatus, the personal controller having a processor, a user interface, and a wireless communications transceiver, said device comprising:
- a wireless control module operable for wireless communication with the personal controller, said wireless control module including an aerial, a wireless interface circuit, a radio transceiver, and a microcontroller, said microcontroller being configured in a first mode to operate said wireless control module using a peer-to-peer communications standard to communicate with the personal controller, said microcontroller being configured in a second mode to operate said wireless control module using a non-peer-to-peer communications standard to communicate with a network access point in a WLAN, said microcontroller being configured to change from the first mode to the second mode upon receiving instructions form the personal controller for said radio transceiver to operate in the second mode; and
a power control circuit configured to vary the supply of electricity to the electrical apparatus based at least in part on instructions communicated from the personal controller through said wireless control module.
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Abstract
A power control unit and method of use thereof for varying the supply of electricity to an electrical apparatus using a wireless communications link between a controller and the power control unit. The power control unit is adapted to alternatively communicate with the controller using a non-peer-to-peer communications standard or a peer-to-peer communications standard such as Wi-Fi Direct.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A power control device for controlling an electrical apparatus through a wireless communications link with a personal controller so as to control a supply of electricity to the electrical apparatus, the personal controller having a processor, a user interface, and a wireless communications transceiver, said device comprising:
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a wireless control module operable for wireless communication with the personal controller, said wireless control module including an aerial, a wireless interface circuit, a radio transceiver, and a microcontroller, said microcontroller being configured in a first mode to operate said wireless control module using a peer-to-peer communications standard to communicate with the personal controller, said microcontroller being configured in a second mode to operate said wireless control module using a non-peer-to-peer communications standard to communicate with a network access point in a WLAN, said microcontroller being configured to change from the first mode to the second mode upon receiving instructions form the personal controller for said radio transceiver to operate in the second mode; and a power control circuit configured to vary the supply of electricity to the electrical apparatus based at least in part on instructions communicated from the personal controller through said wireless control module. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A power control device for controlling an electrical apparatus through a wireless communications link with a personal controller so as to control a supply of electricity to the electrical apparatus, the personal controller having a processor, a user interface, and a wireless communications transceiver, said device comprising:
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a plurality of wireless control modules operable for wireless communication with the personal controller, said wireless control modules each comprising an aerial, a wireless interface circuit, and a radio transceiver; a microcontroller configured to operate a first of said wireless control modules using a peer-to-peer communications standard to communicate with the personal controller when first establishing a link with the personal controller, said microcontroller being configured to operate a second of said wireless control modules using a non-peer-to-peer communications standard to communicate with a network access point in a WLAN, said microcontroller being configured to operate said first and second wireless control modules either one at a time, or concurrently; and a power control circuit configured to vary the supply of electricity to the electrical apparatus based at least in part on instructions communicated from the personal controller through said control module. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for remotely controlling an electrical apparatus to control a supply of electricity to the electrical apparatus, the method comprising:
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initiating in a first mode of communication a two-way, peer-to-peer wireless communications link between a personal controller and a power control device, the power control device controlling the supply of electricity to the electrical apparatus; receiving an instruction at the power control device to either; maintain the first mode of communication between the power control device and the personal controller;
orchange to a second mode of communication between the power control device and the personal controller utilizing a non-peer-to-peer communications link; receiving a command at the power control device from the personal controller using one of the modes of communication to vary the supply of electricity to the electrical apparatus; and varying the supply of electricity to the electrical apparatus in accordance with the command. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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Specification