Configurable mesh network for an electrical switching system

• US 9,843,194 B2
• Filed: 04/28/2015
• Issued: 12/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ivani, LLC
• Original Assignee: Ivani, LLC
• Inventors: Wootton, Matthew, Nissman, Christopher, Wootton, John, McKinney, Justin
• Primary Examiner(s): Puentes, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US14/698,690
• Publication Number:
  US 20150280440A1
• Time in Patent Office: 959 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00 Circuit arrangements for providing remote indication of network conditions, e.g. an instantaneous record of the open or closed condition of each circuitbreaker in the network; Circuit arrangements for providing remote control of switching means in a power distribution network, e.g. switching in and out of current consumers by using a pulse code signal carried by the network
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00004 characterised by the power network being locally controlled
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/12 The local stationary network supplying a household or a building
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 4/00 Circuit arrangements for mains or distribution networks not specified as ac or dc
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0631 using root cause analysis; using analysis of correlation between notifications, alarms or events based on decision criteria, e.g. hierarchy, tree or time analysis
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission

Abstract

Systems and methods that can be retrofitted into an existing wired electrical system replacing existing switches whether as a standalone single switch or part of a multi-way switch configuration that can be controlled locally nominally by touch, controlled remotely by a remote, or controlled remotely by a computer. The systems and method provide that the switches establish a local network allowing for retrofit or construction of a structure or facility with electrical system automation without the need for additional wiring.

Claims

1. A power control system for retrofitting into a structure, the system comprising:

a master switch configured to replace a traditional lightswitch, the master switch comprising;

a first activation object;

a physical switch configured to connect and disconnect an outlet to a power source;

a first computer configured to control said physical switch; and

a first network communication system configured to receive instructions from a network and provide them to said computer;

wherein said first computer will adjust a configuration of said physical switch upon receipt of an instruction from said first network communication system or activation of said first activation object;

a remote switch, the remote switch comprising;

a second activation object; and

a second network communication system configured to provide instructions to said network;

and not comprising a physical switch configured to connect and disconnect an outlet to a power source;

wherein said second network communication system will provide an instruction to said network upon activation of said second activation object, said instruction instructing said first computer to control said physical switch of said master switch.

2. The power control system of claim 1, wherein said physical switch is an SPDT relay.

3. The power control system of claim 1 further comprising an analog control circuit for providing instructions from said computer to said physical switch.

4. The power control system of claim 1, wherein said network is a Bluetooth Low Energy network.

5. The power control system of claim 1, wherein said first activation object is a capacitive touch plate.

6. The power control system of claim 1, wherein said instruction includes:

an address of said network; and

an identifier of said master switch to which said instruction is directed.

7. The power control system of claim 6, wherein said instruction also includes a security code.

8. The power control system of claim 7, wherein said security code is an RSA code.

9. The power control system of claim 1, wherein said second activation object is a capacitive touch plate.

10. The power control system of claim 1, wherein said network is a self-organizing network.

11. The power control system of claim 10, wherein said first computer can act as a hub in said self-organizing network.

12. The power control system of claim 11, wherein said remote switch further comprises a second computer.

13. The power control system of claim 12, wherein said second computer can act as a hub in said self-organizing network.

14. The power control system of claim 10 wherein said self-organizing network is connected to a remote hub which is connected to the Internet.

15. The power control system of claim 1 further comprising:

a controller, the controller comprising;

a third computer including software instructions for receiving an indicator of an activation; and

a third network communication system configured to provide instructions to said network;

wherein said third network communication system will provide an instruction to said network upon said third computer receiving an indicator of activation.

16. The power control system of claim 15 wherein said third network communication system is connected to said network via the Internet and a hub connected to said network.

17. The power control system of claim 15 wherein said controller is a mobile device.

18. The power control system of claim 15 wherein said software instructions include instructions for activating said physical switch according to a timetable.

19. The power control system of claim 15 wherein said software instructions include instructions for disconnecting said physical switch regardless of activation of said first activation object or said second activation object.

20. The power control system of claim 1 wherein said master switch further comprises a power measurement system.

21. The power control system of claim 20 wherein said master switch can communicate power measured by said power measurement system to a user.

22. The power control system of claim 1 wherein said master switch further comprises a fault detection system.

23. The power control system of claim 22 wherein said master switch can communicate a fault detected by said fault detection system to a user.

24. The power control system of claim 1 wherein said second activation object is an occupancy sensor.

25. The power control system of claim 24 wherein said occupancy sensor is a motion sensor.

26. The power control system of claim 1 wherein said second activation object is activated by said second activation object detecting a mobile device nearby.

27. The power control system of claim 1 wherein:

said master switch replaces an existing manual switch in a multi-way configuration that controls a single outlet while a second manual switch in said multi-way configuration remains; and

wherein said master switch, said remote switch, and said existing manual switch control said single outlet.

28. The power control system of claim 1 wherein:

said master switch replaces an existing manual switch in a multi-way configuration that controls a single outlet and said remote switch replaces a second manual switch in said multi-way configuration; and

wherein said master switch and said remote switch control said single outlet.