Method and apparatus for controlling and determining the status of electrical devices from remote locations

• US 5,905,442 A
• Filed: 02/07/1996
• Issued: 05/18/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
• Original Assignee: Lutron Electronics Company Incorporated (Lutron Electronics)
• Inventors: Mosebrook, Donald R., Palmer, Robert G. Jr., Houggy, David E., Luchaco, David G., Spira, Joel S., Moseley, Robin C., Hausman, Donald F. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILSON JR, WILLIAM HALL
• Application Number:
  US08/599,097
• Time in Patent Office: 1,196 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.06, 340/825.72, 340/825.69, 340/538, 340/310.01, 340/310.06, 340/310.08, 340/825.07, 307/31, 307/40, 362/85, 362/276, 455/11.1, 455/15, 345/168, 345/169, 345/172
• US Class Current: 340/3.7
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0423 Input/output
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/21037 Serial time multiplex bus, programming each module with one delayed line TDM
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/21042 Address a group, a zone
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24102 Display status of controller
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25181 Repeater
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25188 Superposition high frequency data signal on power lines, current carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25196 Radio link, transponder
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25209 Device status answer, response, acknowledge
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25427 Controller inside socket, wall connector, distributor, junction box
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25448 Control module is pluggable into wall connector
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00026 involving a local wireless network, e.g. Wi-Fi, ZigBee or Bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/185 via power line carrier transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/195 the transmission using visible or infrared light
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• 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 20/00 Management or operation of end-user stationary applications or the last stages of power distribution; Controlling, monitoring or operating thereof
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/20 End-user application control systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/246 the system involving the remote operation of lamps or lighting equipment

Abstract

Apparatus for controlling an electrical device by remote control including a control device coupled to the electrical device by a wire connection for providing power to the electrical device, the control device having an actuator for adjusting the status of the electrical device and a radio frequency transmitter/receiver and antenna for adjusting the status of the electrical device in response to control information in a radio frequency signal. The transmitter/receiver receives the radio frequency signal via the antenna and transmits a status radio frequency signal with information regarding the status of the electrical device. A master control unit has at least one actuator and status indicator and a transmitter/receiver for transmitting a radio frequency signal having the control information therein to control the status of the electrical device and for receiving the status information from the control device. The status indicator indicates the status of the electrical device in response to the status information. A repeater receives the radio frequency signal from the master unit and transmits the control information to the control device and receives the status information from the control device and transmits it to the master unit.

Claims

1. Apparatus for controlling at least one electrical device by remote control comprising:

at least one control device coupled to the electrical device by a wire connection for providing power to the electrical device, the control device having a controllably conductive device for adjusting the status of said electrical device, the control device further having a manual actuator for adjusting the status of the electrical device, the control device further having a radio frequency transmitter/receiver and antenna coupled thereto for adjusting the status of the electrical device in response to control information in a radio frequency signal, the transmitter/receiver being coupled to the antenna of the control device for receiving the radio frequency signal and for transmitting a status radio frequency signal having status information therein regarding the status of the electrical device as affected by the control information and the manual actuator;

a master control unit having at least one actuator and status indicator thereon, the master unit comprising a transmitter/receiver for transmitting a radio frequency signal having the control information therein to control the status of said at least one electrical device and for receiving the status information from the control device, the status indicator indicating the status of the electrical device in response to the status information; and

a repeater transmitter/receiver for receiving the radio frequency signal from the master unit and transmitting the control information to the control device and for receiving the status information from the control device and transmitting the status information to the master unit.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a control circuit for automatically selecting a digital house code for the system to prevent interference with adjacent systems.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the control circuit for automatically selecting the digital house code is contained in said repeater.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of control devices coupled to a plurality of electrical devices, each control device having a controllably conductive device, radio/frequency transmitter/receiver and antenna;

and the master control unit having a plurality of actuators and status indicators thereon.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a further control circuit comprising a program for allowing the user to selectively assign control devices to respective actuators of said master unit.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 herein said repeater helps to ensure that signals from and to said master unit and said control devices are received by the respective control devices and master unit.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a plurality of repeaters to help ensure that signals from and to said master unit and said control devices are received by the respective control devices and master unit.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a defined repeater sequence in which the plurality of repeaters transmit received control and status information.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the repeaters each comprise a control circuit for generating a status bit map of the status information from the control devices received by each respective repeater, each repeater transmitting the status bit map to other ones of the repeaters, each repeater adding status information received from ones of the control devices that are not present in the status bit map until the repeater sequence is completed to develop a complete status bit map of all status information.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the master unit receives the complete status bit map at least once.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, further wherein each repeater comprises a computer programmed to select a house code for the system that does not interfere with nearby installed systems.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein each repeater comprises a circuit for establishing the repeater as a selected one of a main repeater and a remote repeater, and if selected as the main repeater, for generating an address for each other repeater to establish a repeater time slot for retransmission by each other repeater.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the main repeater computer comprises an address generator for assigning an address to each control device and master control unit to facilitate two way communication between the master control unit and the electrical control devices.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein each control device and master unit comprises a computer for receiving an assigned address from the main repeater.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein each control device and master unit include an indicator for indicating it has received the assigned address.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the master control unit computer comprises:

a programming mode for assigning electrical control devices to a selected actuator of the master control unit;

the programming mode being responsive to user actuation of a control device to assign the control device to the selected actuator of the master control unit.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the electrical devices comprise electric lamps and the master unit computer comprises:

an intensity setting mode for setting an intensity level of selected ones of the electric lamps.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the master control unit comprises an actuator for a plurality of lamps comprising a zone, the control devices having addresses corresponding to the zone providing data to the master control unit concerning the respective intensity level, the master control unit comprising a circuit for setting the intensity level of the zone and for providing the set intensity level to all control devices in the zone.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the master control unit computer averages the intensity levels set by selected ones of the control devices to obtain an average intensity level and provides the average intensity level as a new intensity level for all control devices in the zone.

20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the master control unit further comprises:

a circuit for setting a predefined intensity level corresponding to a scene;

an actuator corresponding to the predefined intensity level;

the master control unit computer providing the predefined intensity level to selected ones of the control devices to set an intensity level of all lamps coupled to the control devices to the predefined intensity level.

21. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a control circuit for assigning addresses to each of the control devices.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the control circuit for assigning addresses to each of the control devices is contained in said repeater.

23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein a plurality of control devices can be assigned to an actuator of said master unit, the master unit control circuit including an assignment bit map generator for generating an assignment bit map of the control devices assigned to an actuator, the control devices each having a control circuit for determining a respective status time slot in which to communicate status information to the master unit.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the control circuit of each control device comprises a circuit for determining the respective status time slot in which to communicate to the master unit by counting the number of control devices assigned a lower address than the particular control device.

25. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of master units each having at least one actuator and status indicator thereon.

26. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrical device comprises an electric lamp and the status of the electrical device comprises its status as on or off.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, further wherein the status includes the intensity level setting of the control device controlling the intensity level of the lamp.

28. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the manual actuator of the control device controls the controllably conductive device for manual adjustment of the status of the electrical device.

29. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrical device comprises any of an electric lamp, security system, HVAC system, computer system, and audio/visual system.

30. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus includes a communications port for communicating with any of a security system, HVAC system, computer system, audio/visual system, cable system, telephone system and computer network, allowing two way communication between said apparatus and said system coupled to the communications port.

31. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transmitter/receiver of said control device, said master unit and said repeater comprise superheterodyne receivers.

32. A method for controlling at least one electrical device by remote control comprising:

coupling at least one control device to the electrical device by a wire connection for providing power to the electrical device;

providing a manual actuator at the control device for adjusting the status of the electrical device;

transmitting a radio frequency signal having control information therein from a master control unit having at least one actuator and status indicator thereon, the radio frequency signal being adapted to control the status of said at least one electrical device;

receiving the control information in the radio frequency signal from the master unit at a repeater and transmitting the control information to the control device;

receiving the control information at the control device;

adjusting the status of the electrical device in response to the control information and optionally in response to manual actuation of the manual actuator at the control device;

transmitting status information in a radio frequency signal from the control device regarding the status of the electrical device as affected by the control information and the manual actuator;

receiving the status information in the radio frequency signal from the control device at the repeater and transmitting the status information to the master unit;

receiving the status information at the master unit; and

indicating the status of the electrical device at the master unit with the status indicator.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising automatically selecting a digital house code for the system to prevent interference with adjacent systems.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the step of automatically selecting a digital house code is performed by said repeater.

35. The method of claim 32, further comprising coupling a plurality of control devices to a plurality of electrical devices.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising allowing the user to selectively assign control devices to respective actuators of the master unit.

37. The method of claim 35, further comprising using said repeater to help ensure that signals from and to said master unit and said control devices are received by the respective control devices and master unit.

38. The method of claim 37, further comprising using a plurality of repeaters to help ensure that signals from and to said master unit and said control devices are received by the respective control devices and master unit.

39. The method of claim 38, further comprising transmitting received information using a plurality of repeaters in a defined repeater sequence.

40. The method of claim 39, further comprising generating in each repeater a status bit map of the status information from the control devices received by each respective repeater;

transmitting with the repeater the status bit map to other ones of the repeaters;

adding status information in each repeater received from ones of the control devices that are not present in the status bit map until the repeater sequence is completed to develop a complete status bit map of all status information.

41. The method of claim 40, further comprising receiving the complete status bit map at least once at the master.

42. The method of claim 40, further comprising programming a computer to select a house code for the system that does not interfere with nearby installed systems.

43. The method of claim 42, further comprising establishing the repeater as a selected one of a main repeater and a remote repeater, and if selected as the main repeater, generating an address for each other repeater to establish a repeater time slot for retransmission by each other repeater.

44. The method of claim 43, further comprising assigning with said main repeater an address to each control device and master control unit to facilitate two way communication between the master control unit and the control devices.

45. The method of claim 44, further comprising receiving an assigned address at each said control device and master unit from the main repeater.

46. The method of claim 45, further comprising indicating at each control device and master unit that it has received the assigned address.

47. The method of claim 45, further comprising:

assigning control devices to a selected actuator of the master control unit at the master control unit; and

responding to user actuation of a control device at the master control unit to assign the control device to the selected actuator of the master control unit.

48. The method of claim 45, wherein the electrical devices comprise electric lamps and further comprising:

setting an intensity level of selected ones of the electric lamps with an intensity setting program at said master unit.

49. The method of claim 48, further comprising providing an actuator on said master unit for a plurality of lamps comprising a zone;

providing addresses to a plurality of control devices corresponding to the zone;

providing data to the master control unit concerning the respective intensity level;

setting the intensity level of the zone at the master unit; and

providing the set intensity level to all control devices in the zone.

50. The method of claim 49, further comprising obtaining an average intensity level by averaging the intensity levels set by selected ones of the control devices in the master unit and providing the average intensity level as a new intensity level for all control devices in the zone.

51. The method of claim 48, further comprising:

setting a predefined intensity level corresponding to a scene at the master unit;

providing an actuator corresponding to the predefined intensity level at the master unit; and

providing the predefined intensity level to selected ones of the control devices to set an intensity level of all lamps coupled to the control devices to the predefined intensity level.

52. The method of claim 35, further comprising assigning an address to each of the control devices.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein the step of assigning an address to each of the control devices is performed by said repeater.

54. The method of claim 52, further comprising assigning a plurality of control devices to the at least one actuator of said master unit;

generating an assignment bit map in the master unit of the control devices assigned to the at least one actuator; and

determining in the control device a respective status time slot in which to communicate status information to the master unit.

55. The method of claim 54, further comprising determining in the control device the respective status time slot in which to communicate to the master unit by counting the number of control devices assigned a lower address than the particular control device.

56. The method of claim 32, further comprising providing a plurality of master units each having at least one actuator and status indicator thereon.

57. The method of claim 32, wherein the electrical device comprises an electric lamp and the status of the electrical device comprises its status as on or off.

58. The method of claim 57, further wherein the status includes the intensity level setting of the control device controlling the intensity level of the lamp.

59. The method of claim 32, wherein the electrical device comprises any of an electric lamp, security system, HVAC system, computer system, and audio/visual system.

60. The method of claim 32, further comprising communicating via a communications port with any of a security system, HVAC system, computer system, audio/visual system, cable system, telephone system and computer network, allowing two way communication between any of said master unit, control device and repeater and said system coupled to the communications port.

61. The method of claim 32, further comprising actuating the manual actuator on the control device to adjust the status of the electrical device.

62. Apparatus for controlling at least one electrical device by remote control comprising:

at least one control device coupled to the electrical device by a wire connection for providing power to the electrical device, the control device having a controllably conductive device for changing the status of said electrical device, the control device further having a manual actuator for adjusting the status of the electrical device, the control device further having a radio frequency transmitter/receiver and antenna coupled thereto for changing the status of the electrical device in response to a radio frequency command signal, the transmitter/receiver being coupled to the antenna of the control device for receiving the radio frequency command signal and for transmitting a radio frequency status signal regarding the status of the electrical device as affected by the control information and the manual actuator;

a master control unit having at least one actuator and status indicator thereon, the master unit comprising a transmitter/receiver for transmitting the radio frequency command signal to control the status of said at least one electrical device and for receiving the status signal from the control device; and

the status indicator of said master control unit indicating the status of the electrical device in response to the status signal from the control device.

63. The apparatus of claim 62, further comprising a control circuit for automatically selecting a digital house code for the system to prevent interference with adjacent systems.

64. The apparatus of claim 63, wherein the control circuit for automatically selecting a digital house code further comprises a program for allowing the user to selectively assign control devices to respective actuators of said master unit.

65. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the manual actuator of the control device controls the controllably conductive device for manual adjustment of the status of the electrical device.

66. The apparatus of claim 62, further comprising a plurality of control devices coupled to a plurality of electrical devices, each control device comprising a controllably conductive device, radio/frequency transmitter/receiver and antenna;

and the master control unit comprising a plurality of actuators and status indicators thereon.

67. The apparatus of claim 65, further comprising a control circuit for assigning addresses to each of the control devices.

68. The apparatus of claim 67, wherein a plurality of control devices can be assigned to an actuator of said master unit, the master unit control circuit including an assignment bit map generator for generating an assignment bit map of the control devices assigned to an actuator, the control devices each having a control circuit for determining a respective status time slot in which to communicate to the master unit.

69. The apparatus of claim 68, wherein the control circuit of each control device comprises a circuit for determining the respective status time slot in which to communicate to the master unit by counting the number of control devices assigned a lower address than the particular control device.

70. The apparatus of claim 66, further comprising an address generator for assigning an address to each control device and master control unit to facilitate two way communication between the master control unit and the control devices.

71. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein each electrical control device and master unit comprises a computer for receiving an assigned address.

72. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein each control device and master unit include an indicator for indicating it has received the assigned address.

73. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the master control unit computer comprises:

a programming mode for assigning control devices to a selected actuator of the master control unit; and

the programming mode being responsive to user actuation of a control device to assign the control device to the selected actuator of the master control unit.

74. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the electrical devices comprise electric lamps and the master unit computer comprises:

an intensity setting mode for setting an intensity level of selected ones of the electric lamps.

75. The apparatus of claim 74, wherein the master control unit comprises an actuator for a plurality of lamps comprising a zone, the control devices having addresses corresponding to the zone providing data to the master control unit concerning the respective intensity level, the master control unit comprising a circuit for setting the intensity level of the zone and for providing the set intensity level to all control devices in the zone.

76. The apparatus of claim 75, wherein the master control unit computer averages the intensity levels set by selected ones of the control devices to obtain an average intensity level and provides the average intensity level as a new intensity level for all control devices in the zone.

77. The apparatus of claim 74, wherein the master control unit further comprises:

a circuit for setting a predefined intensity level corresponding to a scene;

an actuator corresponding to the predefined intensity level; and

the master control unit computer providing the predefined intensity level to selected ones of the control devices to set an intensity level of all lamps coupled to the control devices to the predefined intensity level.

78. The apparatus of claim 62, further comprising a plurality of master units each having at least one actuator and status indicator thereon.

79. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the electrical device comprises an electric lamp and the status of the electrical device comprises its status as on or off.

80. The apparatus of claim 79, further wherein the status includes the intensity level setting of the control device controlling the intensity level of the lamp.

81. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the electrical device comprises any of an electric lamp, security system, HVAC system, computer system, and audio/visual system.

82. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the apparatus includes a communications port for communicating with any of a security system, HVAC system, computer system, audio/visual system, cable system, telephone system and computer network, allowing two way communication between said apparatus and said system coupled to the communications port.

83. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the transmitter/receiver of said control device and said master unit comprise superheterodyne receivers.

84. A method for controlling at least one electrical device by remote control comprising:

coupling at least one control device to the electrical device by a wire connection for providing power to the electrical device;

providing a manual actuator at the control device for adjusting the status of the electrical device;

transmitting a radio frequency signal having control information therein from a master control unit having at least one actuator and status indicator thereon, the control information in the radio frequency signal controlling the status of said at least one electrical device;

receiving the radio frequency signal at the control device;

adjusting the status of the electrical device in response to the control information in the radio frequency signal and optionally in response to manual actuation of the manual actuator at the control device;

transmitting from the control device a status radio frequency signal having status information therein regarding the status of the electrical device after adjustment of the status in response to the control information as affected by the control information and the manual actuator;

receiving the status information in the status radio frequency signal at the master unit; and

indicating at the master unit the status of the electrical device in response to the status information.

85. The method of claim 84, further comprising automatically selecting a digital house code for the system to prevent interference with adjacent systems.

86. The method of claim 85, further comprising selectively assigning control devices to respective actuators of said master unit.

87. The method of claim 84, further comprising coupling a plurality of control devices to a plurality of electrical devices.

88. The method of claim 86, further comprising assigning addresses to each of the control devices.

89. The method of claim 88, further comprising assigning a plurality of control devices to an actuator of said master unit;

generating an assignment bit map in the master unit of the control devices assigned to an actuator; and

determining in the control device a respective assignment time slot in which to communicate to the master unit.

90. The method of claim 89, further comprising determining in the control device the respective assignment time slot in which to communicate to the master unit by counting the numbers of control devices assigned a lower address than the particular control device.

91. The method of claim 87, further comprising assigning an address to each control device and master control unit to facilitate two way communication between the master control unit and the control devices.

92. The method of claim 91, further comprising receiving an assigned address at each said control device and master unit.

93. The method of claim 92, further comprising indicating at each control device and master unit that it has received the assigned address.

94. The method of claim 92, further comprising:

assigning control devices to a selected actuator of the master control unit at the master control unit; and

responding to user actuation of a control device at the master control unit to assign the control device to the selected actuator of the master control unit.

95. The method of claim 92, wherein the electrical devices comprise electric lamps and further comprising:

setting an intensity level of selected ones of the electric lamps with an intensity setting program at said master unit.

96. The method of claim 95, further comprising providing an actuator on said master unit for a plurality of lamps comprising a zone;

providing addresses to a plurality of control devices corresponding to the zone;

providing data to the master control unit concerning the respective intensity level;

setting the intensity level of the zone at the master unit; and

providing the set intensity level to all control devices in the zone.

97. The method of claim 96, further comprising obtaining an average intensity level by averaging the intensity levels set by selected ones of the control devices in the master unit and providing the average intensity level as a new intensity level for all control devices in the zone.

98. The method of claim 95, further comprising:

setting a predefined intensity level corresponding to a scene at the master unit;

providing an actuator corresponding to the predefined intensity level at the master unit; and

providing the predefined intensity level to selected ones of the control devices to set an intensity level of all lamps coupled to the control devices to the predefined intensity level.

99. The method of claim 84, further comprising actuating the manual actuator on the control device to adjust the status of the electrical device.

100. The method of claim 84, further comprising providing a plurality of master units each having at least one actuator and status indicator thereon.

101. The method of claim 84, wherein the electrical device comprises an electric lamp and the status of the electrical device comprises its status as on or off.

102. The method of claim 100, further wherein the status includes the intensity level setting of the control device controlling the intensity level of the lamp.

103. The method of claim 84, wherein the electrical device comprises any of an electric lamp, security system, HVAC system, computer system, and audio/visual system.

104. The method of claim 84, further comprising communicating via a communications port with any of a security system, HVAC system, computer system, audio/visual system, cable system, telephone system and computer network, allowing two way communication between any said master unit and control device and said system coupled to the communications port.

105. Apparatus for controlling at least one electrical device by remote control comprising:

at least one control device coupled to a power line and coupled to the electrical device by a wire connection for providing power to the electrical device, the control device having a controllably conductive device for adjusting the status of said electrical device, the control device further having a manual actuator for adjusting the status of the electrical device, the control device further having a power line carrier receiver coupled thereto for receiving a power line carrier signal received from the power line and for changing the status of the electrical device in response to the power line carrier signal received on the power line, the control device further comprising a transmitter for transmitting a status radio frequency signal having status information therein regarding the status of the electrical device as affected by the control information and the manual actuator and further having an antenna coupled to the transmitter; and

a master control unit having at least one actuator and status indicator thereon, the master unit comprising a transmitter for transmitting the power line carrier signal to control the status of said at least one electrical device and a radio frequency receiver for receiving the status information from the control device.

106. The apparatus of claim 105, further comprising, a repeater radio frequency transmitter/receiver for receiving the status information from the control device and transmitting the status information to the master unit.

107. The apparatus of claim 106, wherein said repeater helps to ensure that the status information sent to said master unit from said control devices is received by the respective control devices and master unit.

108. The apparatus of claim 107, further comprising a plurality of repeaters to help ensure that the status information sent to said master unit from said control devices is received by the master unit.

109. The apparatus of claim 105, wherein the manual actuator of the control device controls the controllably conductive device for manual adjustment of the status of the electrical device.

110. The apparatus of claim 105, further comprising a plurality of control devices coupled to a plurality of electrical devices, each control device having a controllably conductive device, power line carrier receiver, radio frequency transmitter and antenna;

and the master control unit having a plurality of actuators and status indicators thereon and a control circuit for helping to ensure that respective power line carrier signals for respective control devices do not interfere.

111. The apparatus of claim 110, further comprising a control circuit for assigning addresses to each of the control devices.

112. The apparatus of claim 105, further comprising a plurality of master units each having at least one actuator and status indicator thereon.

113. The apparatus of claim 105, wherein the electrical device comprises an electric lamp and the status of the electrical device comprises its status as on or off.

114. The apparatus of claim 113, further wherein the status includes the intensity level setting of the control device controlling the intensity level of the lamp.

115. The apparatus of claim 105, further comprising a program for allowing the user to selectively assign control devices to respective actuators of said master unit.

116. The apparatus of claim 105, wherein the electrical device comprises any of an electric lamp, security system, HVAC system, computer system, and audio/visual system.

117. The apparatus of claim 105, wherein the apparatus includes a communications port for communicating with any of a security system, HVAC system, computer system, audio/visual system, cable system, telephone system and computer network, allowing two way communication between said apparatus and said system coupled to the communications port.

118. A method for controlling at least one electrical device by remote control comprising:

coupling at least one control device to a power line and coupling the control device to the electrical device by a wire connection for providing power to the electrical device;

providing a manual actuator at the control device for adjusting the status of the electrical device;

transmitting a power line carrier signal on the power line from a master control unit having at least one actuator and status indicator thereon, the power line carrier signal having control information therein for controlling the status of said at least one electrical device;

receiving the control information in the power line carrier signal at the control device;

adjusting the status of the electrical device in response to the control information in the power line carrier signal and optionally in response to manual actuation of the manual actuator at the control device;

transmitting from the control device a status radio frequency signal having status information therein regarding the status of the electrical device as affected by the control information and the manual actuator;

receiving the status information at the master unit; and

indicating with the status indicator at the master unit the status of the electrical device in response to the status information.

119. The method of claim 118, further comprising receiving the status information in the radio frequency signal from the control device at a repeater and transmitting the status information to the master unit by radio frequency signal.

120. The method of claim 118, further comprising coupling a plurality of control devices to a plurality of electrical devices;

and ensuring that respective power line carrier signals for the respective control devices do not interfere.

121. The method of claim 120, further comprising using said repeater to help ensure that signals sent to said master unit from said control devices are received by the master unit.

122. The method of claim 121, further comprising using a plurality of repeaters to help ensure that signals sent to said master unit from said control devices are received by the master unit.

123. The method of claim 120, further comprising assigning addresses to each of the control devices.

124. The method of claim 118, further comprising providing a plurality of master units each having at least one actuator and status indicator thereon.

125. The method of claim 118, wherein the electrical device comprises an electric lamp and the status of the electrical device comprises its status as on or off.

126. The method of claim 125, further wherein the status include the intensity level setting of the control device controlling the intensity level of the lamp.

127. The method of claim 118, further comprising allowing the user to selectively assign control devices to respective actuators of said master unit.

128. The method of claim 118, wherein the electrical device comprises any of an electric lamp, security system, HVAC system, computer system, and audio/visual system.

129. The method of claim 118, further comprising communicating via a communications port with any of a security system, HVAC system, computer system, audio/visual system, cable system, telephone system and computer network, allowing two way communication between a selected one of the master unit, the control device and said system coupled to the communications port.

130. An apparatus for controlling at least one electrical device comprising, at least one control device coupled to the electrical device by a wire connection for providing power to the electrical device, the control device having a controllably conductive device for adjusting the status of said electrical device, the control device further having a manual actuator for adjusting the status of the electrical device, the control device having a power line carrier receiver coupled to electric power lines for receiving a power line carrier command signal having control information therein to control the status of the electrical device, the control device further having a radio frequency transmitter coupled to a first antenna for transmitting a status radio frequency signal having status information therein regarding the status of the electrical device as affected by the control information and the manual actuator;

a master control unit having at least one actuator and status indicator thereon, the master unit comprising a radio frequency transmitter coupled to a second antenna for transmitting a command radio frequency signal having control information therein to control the status of the electrical device, and further having a power line carrier receiver coupled to the electric power lines for receiving power line carrier status signals regarding the status of the electrical device, the status indicator indicating the status of the electrical device in response to the status power line carrier signal;

a bridge unit comprising a radio frequency receiver coupled to a third antenna for receiving the command radio frequency signal and the status radio frequency signal and a power line carrier transmitter coupled to the power lines for transmitting the command power line carrier signal and the status power line carrier signal.

131. The apparatus of claim 130, wherein the manual actuator of the control device controls the controllably conductive device for manual adjustment of the status of the electrical device.

132. The apparatus of claim 130, further comprising a plurality of control devices coupled to a plurality of electrical devices, each control device having a controllably conductive device, power line carrier receiver, radio frequency transmitter and first antenna;

and the master control unit having a plurality of actuators and status indicators thereon.

133. The apparatus of claim 132, further comprising a plurality of bridge units to help ensure that the status information sent to said master unit from said control devices is received by the master unit.

134. The apparatus of claim 132, further comprising a control circuit for assigning addresses to each of the control devices.

135. The apparatus of claim 130, further comprising a plurality of master units each having at least one actuator and status indicator thereon.

136. The apparatus of claim 130, wherein the electrical device comprises an electric lamp and the status of the electrical device comprises its status as on or off.

137. The apparatus of claim 136, further wherein the status includes the intensity level setting of the control device controlling the intensity level of the lamp.

138. The apparatus of claim 130, further comprising a program for allowing the user to selectively assign control devices to respective actuators of said master unit.

139. The apparatus of claim 130, wherein the electrical device comprises any of an electric lamp, security system, HVAC system, computer system, and audio/visual system.

140. The apparatus of claim 130, wherein the apparatus includes a communications port for communicating with any of a security system, HVAC system, computer system, audio/visual system, cable system, telephone system and computer network, allowing two way communication between said apparatus and said system coupled to the communications port.

141. A method for controlling at least one electrical device by remote control comprising:

coupling at least one control device to a power line and coupling the control device to the electrical device by a wire connection for providing power to the electrical device;

providing a manual actuator at the control device for adjusting the status of the electrical device;

transmitting a command radio frequency signal from a master control unit having at least one actuator and status indicator thereon, the command radio frequency signal having control information therein for controlling the status of said at least one electrical device;

receiving the control information in the command radio frequency signal at a bridge unit;

using the bridge unit to place the control information in the command radio frequency signal into a command power line carrier signal;

receiving the control information in the command power line carrier signal at the control device;

adjusting the status of the electrical device in response to the control information in the command power line carrier signal and optionally in response to manual actuation of the manual actuator at the control device;

transmitting from the control device a status radio frequency signal having status information therein regarding the status of the electrical device as affected by the control information and the manual actuator;

receiving the status information in the status radio frequency signal at the bridge unit;

using the bridge unit to place the status information in the status radio frequency signal into a status power line carrier signal;

receiving the status information in the status power line carrier signal at the master unit; and

indicating with the status indicator at the master unit the status of the electrical device in response to the status information.

142. The method of claim 141, further comprising coupling a plurality of control devices to a plurality of electrical devices;

and ensuring that respective power line carrier signals for the respective control devices do not interfere.

143. The method of claim 142, further comprising using a plurality of bridge units to help ensure that the status information sent to said master unit from said control devices is received by the master unit.

144. The method of claim 142, further comprising assigning addresses to each of the control devices.

145. The method of claim 141, further comprising providing a plurality of master units each having at least one actuator and status indicator thereon.

146. The method of claim 141, wherein the electrical device comprises an electric lamp and the status of the electrical device comprises its status as on or off.

147. The method of claim 146, further wherein the status includes the intensity level setting of the control device controlling the intensity level of the lamp.

148. The method of claim 141, further comprising allowing the user to selectively assign control devices to respective actuators of said master unit.

149. The method of claim 141, wherein the electrical device comprises any of an electric lamp, security system, HVAC system, computer system, and audio/visual system.

150. The method of claim 141, further comprising communicating via a communications port with any of a security system, HVAC system, computer system, audio/visual system, cable system, telephone system and computer network, allowing two way communication between a selected one of the master unit, the control device, and said system coupled to the communications port.

151. A remotely controllable lighting control device for controlling an electric lamp, the control device receiving command signals to control at least one of the light intensity level and on/off status of the electric lamp and transmitting status signals via radio frequency transmission,

said lighting control device including a power supply to provide power to internal control circuitry,

said lighting control device being connected to a line voltage hot lead and to a first lead of the electric lamp, a second lead of the electric lamp being connected to neutral,

said power supply deriving energy only from the connections of the lighting control device to the line hot lead and to the first lead of the electric lamp.

152. The lighting control device of claim 151, wherein said command signals are received via radio frequency transmissions.

153. The lighting control device of claim 151, wherein said command signals are received via power line carrier transmissions.

154. The lighting control device of claim 151, wherein said command signals are received via infrared transmissions.

155. The lighting control device of claim 151, further including a manual actuator for controlling the light intensity at the lighting control device, operation of said manual actuator causing the light intensity of the electric lamp to be adjusted and a status signal to be transmitted by radio frequency containing information of the new status of the lamp.

156. A remotely controllable lighting control device for controlling an electric lamp, the control device receiving command signals to control at least one of the light intensity level and on/off status of the electric lamp and transmitting status signals via radio frequency transmission,

said lighting control device including a power supply to provide power to internal control circuitry,

said lighting control device being connected to a line voltage hot lead and to a first lead of the electric lamp, a second lead of the electric lamp being connected to neutral,

there being no connection of the control device to neutral except through the electric lamp.

157. The lighting control device of claim 156, wherein said command signals are received via radio frequency transmissions.

158. The lighting control device of claim 156, wherein said command signals are received via power line carrier transmissions.

159. The lighting control device of claim 156, wherein said command signals are received via infrared transmissions.

160. The lighting control device of claim 156, further including a manual actuator for controlling the light intensity at the lighting control device, operation of said manual actuator causing the light intensity of the electric lamp to be adjusted and a status signal to transmitted by radio frequency containing information of the new status of the lamp.

161. Apparatus for controlling at least one electrical device by remote control comprising:

at least one control device coupled to the electrical device by a wire connection for providing power to the electrical device, the control device having a controllably conductive device for adjusting the status of said electrical device, the control device further having a manual actuator for adjusting the status of the electrical device, the control device further having a radio frequency transmitter/receiver and antenna coupled thereto for adjusting the status of the electrical device in response to control information in a radio frequency signal, the transmitter/receiver being coupled to the antenna of the control device for receiving the radio frequency signal and for transmitting a status radio frequency signal having status information therein regarding the status of the electrical device as affected by the control information and the manual actuator;

a master control unit having at least one status indicator thereon, comprising a transmitter-receiver for transmitting a command radio frequency signal having the control information therein to control the status of said at least one electrical device and for receiving the status information from the control device, the status indicator indicating the status of the electrical device in response to the status information, the master control unit being responsive to a signal generating device and placing control information in a signal from the signal generating device into the command radio frequency signal; and

a repeater transmitter/receiver for receiving the command radio frequency signal from the master control unit and transmitting the control information to the control device and for receiving the status information from the control device and transmitting the status information to the master unit.

162. The apparatus of claim 161, wherein the signal generating device comprises a time clock.

163. The apparatus of claim 161, wherein said signal generating device comprises an occupancy sensor.

164. The apparatus of claim 161, wherein said signal generating device comprises a modem.

165. The apparatus of claim 161, wherein said signal generating device comprises selected ones of a timeclock, an occupancy sensor and a modem.

166. Apparatus for controlling at least one electrical device by remote control comprising:

at least one control device coupled to the electrical device by a wire connection for providing power to the electrical device, the control device having a controllably conductive device for adjusting the status of said electrical device, the control device further having a manual actuator for adjusting the status of the electrical device, the control device further having a radio frequency transmitter/receiver and antenna coupled thereto for adjusting the status of the electrical device in response to control information in a radio frequency signal, the transmitter/receiver being coupled to the antenna of the control device for receiving the radio frequency signal and for transmitting a status radio frequency signal having status information therein regarding the status of the electrical device as affected by the control information and the manual actuator;

a master control unit having at least one status indicator thereon, the master unit comprising a transmitter/receiver for transmitting a radio frequency signal having the control information therein to control the status of said at least one electrical device and for receiving the status information from the control device, the status indicator indicating the status of the electrical device in response to the status information; and

a repeater transmitter/receiver for receiving the radio frequency signal from the master unit and transmitting the control information to the control device and for receiving the status information from the control device and transmitting the status information to the master unit, the repeater transmitter/receiver being responsive to a signal generating device and placing control information in a signal from the signal generating device into the control information in the radio frequency signal which is transmitted to the control device.

167. The apparatus of claim 166, wherein said signal generating device comprises a timeclock.

168. The apparatus of claim 166, wherein said signal generating device comprises an occupancy sensor.

169. The apparatus of claim 166, wherein said signal generating device comprises a modem.

170. The apparatus of claim 166, wherein said signal generating device comprises selected ones of a timeclock, an occupancy sensor and a modem.