Interface module for powering wireless user interface through light switch

• US 9,750,115 B2
• Filed: 01/23/2015
• Issued: 08/29/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bosch Security Systems Incorporated (Robert Bosch GmbH), Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Keller, Brent Andrew, Khazanov, Alex
• Primary Examiner(s): Fureman, Jared
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pham, Duc M
• Application Number:
  US14/603,505
• Publication Number:
  US 20160219680A1
• Time in Patent Office: 949 Days
• Field of Search: 307112
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/12 for flush mounting
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission

Abstract

An interface module is described for replacing a light switch assembly in an electrical switch box, the electrical switch box having an input wire coupled to a power source, an output wire coupled to a first lighting device, and at least one threaded bore. The interface module includes a housing, a first terminal mounted on the housing and connected to the input wire, a second terminal mounted on the housing and connected to the output wire, a first switch component configured to activate and deactivate the lighting device, a control configured to operate the first switch component, a user interface coupleable to the first terminal to receive operating power, and a wireless transmitter configured to transmit signals indicative of inputs received through the user interface, the wireless transmitter being configured to receive power from the first terminal.

Claims

1. An interface module for replacing a light switch assembly in an electrical switch box, the electrical switch box including an input wire coupled to a power source, an output wire coupled to a first lighting device, and at least one threaded bore, the interface module comprising:

a housing positionable within the electrical switch box;

a first terminal mounted on the housing and configured to connect to the input wire;

a second terminal mounted on the housing and configured to connect to the output wire;

a first switch component positioned within the housing, the first switch component being coupled to the housing between the first terminal and the second terminal and configured to activate and deactivate the first lighting device when the second terminal is connected to the output wire;

a control configured to operate the first switch component;

a user interface configured to receive operating power from the power source through the first terminal when the first terminal is connected to the input wire; and

a wireless transmitter coupled to the user interface and configured to transmit signals indicative of inputs received through the user interface, the wireless transmitter being configured to receive operating power from the power source when the first terminal is connected to the input wire.

2. The interface module of claim 1, wherein the user interface includes a touchscreen device.

3. The interface module of claim 1, wherein the wireless transmitter is configured to transmit the signals indicative of inputs received through the user interface to one or more external devices.

4. The interface module of claim 3, wherein the interface module includes a wireless transceiver, the wireless transceiver including the wireless transmitter, wherein the wireless transceiver is configured to receive signals from the one or more external devices and the user interface is configured to display signals from the one or more external devices.

5. The interface module of claim 3, wherein the one or more external devices includes a security system.

6. The interface module of claim 3, wherein the one or more external devices includes a computer or computer network.

7. The interface module of claim 1, wherein the first switch component includes a relay.

8. The interface module of claim 1, wherein the first switch component includes a multiway switch.

9. The interface module of claim 1, wherein the control includes an on-off switch control configured to manually change a state of the first switch component.

10. The interface module of claim 1, wherein the user interface is mountable adjacent to the electrical switch box.

11. The interface module of claim 1, further comprising a circuit contained within the housing and including a transformer configured to produce a current directed to the user interface.

12. The interface module of claim 1, wherein the wireless transmitter is positioned in the housing.

13. The interface module of claim 1, further including at least one opening positioned to align with the at least one threaded bore when the housing is positioned within the electrical switch box.

14. The interface module of claim 1, further including a transformer configured to provide operating power from the power source to the user interface and the wireless transmitter at a voltage different than the voltage provided by the power source.

15. The interface module of claim 1, further including a switch-mode power supply configured to provide operating power from the power source to the user interface and the wireless transmitter at a voltage different than the voltage provided by the power source.

16. An interface module for replacing a light switch assembly in an electrical switch box, the electrical switch box including an input wire coupled to a power source, an output wire coupled to a first lighting device, and at least one threaded bore, the interface module comprising:

a housing positionable within the electrical switch box;

a first terminal mounted on the housing and configured to connect to the input wire;

a second terminal mounted on the housing and configured to connect to the output wire;

a first switch component positioned within the housing, the first switch component being coupled to the housing between the first terminal and the second terminal and configured to activate and deactivate the first lighting device when the second terminal is connected to the output wire;

a control configured to operate the first switch component;

a user interface configured to receive operating power from the power source through the first terminal when the first terminal is connected to the input wire; and

a wireless transmitter coupled to the user interface and configured to transmit signals indicative of inputs received through the user interface, the wireless transmitter being configured to receive operating power from the power source when the first terminal is connected to the input wire,

wherein the electrical switch box further includes a second output wire coupled to a second controllable device, and further comprising;

a third terminal mounted on the housing and configured to connect to the second output wire; and

a second switch component positioned within the housing, the second switch component being coupled to the third terminal and configured to activate and deactivate the second controllable device when the third terminal is connected to the second output wire.

17. The interface module of claim 16, wherein the second controllable device includes a second lighting device.

18. An interface module for replacing a light switch assembly in an electrical switch box, the electrical switch box including an input wire coupled to a power source, an output wire coupled to a first lighting device, and at least one threaded bore, the interface module comprising:

a housing positionable within the electrical switch box;

a first terminal mounted on the housing and configured to connect to the input wire;

a second terminal mounted on the housing and configured to connect to the output wire;

a first switch component positioned within the housing, the first switch component being coupled to the housing between the first terminal and the second terminal and configured to activate and deactivate the first lighting device when the second terminal is connected to the output wire;

a control configured to operate the first switch component;

a user interface configured to receive operating power from the power source through the first terminal when the first terminal is connected to the input wire;

a wireless transmitter coupled to the user interface and configured to transmit signals indicative of inputs received through the user interface, the wireless transmitter being configured to receive operating power from the power source when the first terminal is connected to the input wire; and

a circuit contained within the housing and including a transformer configured to produce a current directed to the user interface,

wherein the housing is a first housing, the interface module further comprising;

a second housing, wherein the user interface is mounted on the second housing; and

a user interface connector mounted on the second housing and coupled to the user interface,

wherein the circuit further includes an accessory connector mounted on the first housing that is selectively coupleable to the user interface connector, and

wherein the circuit is configured to produce a current directed to the user interface when the accessory connector is coupled to the user interface connector.

19. The interface module of claim 18, wherein the wireless transmitter is positioned in the second housing.