WO2019217620A1

WO2019217620A1 - Switch automating and monitoring adapter devices

Info

Publication number: WO2019217620A1
Application number: PCT/US2019/031432
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Wong; Oladayo ADEWOLE
Original assignee: Michael Wong; Adewole Oladayo
Priority date: 2018-05-09
Filing date: 2019-05-09
Publication date: 2019-11-14

Abstract

Systems and methods for switch automation and monitoring are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the disclosed subject matter can include a switch automation and monitoring adapter device, including a housing, adapted to attach to an existing light switch, at least one sensor, disposed within the housing, adapted to monitor one or more environmental conditions, a processor, disposed within the housing, coupled to the at least one sensor, adapted to determine a desired state of the existing light switch based on the one or more environmental conditions, and an actuator, disposed within the housing, coupled to the processor, adapted to manipulate the existing light switch to the desired state in response to the determination of the processor. In some embodiments, the disclosed subject matter can include a method for switch automation and monitoring, including monitoring one or more environmental conditions, determining a desired state of an existing light switch based on the one or more environmental factors, and manipulating the existing light switch to the desired state.

Description

SWITCH AUTOMATING AND MONITORING ADAPTER DEVICES

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent No. 62/669,314, filed May 9, 2018, which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Certain techniques for switch automation are known and can require expensive rewiring, as well as replacement of an existing light switch with an automated light switch. In addition to cost, certain techniques frequently account for only movement when determining whether a light should be on and can fail to account for environmental conditions such as sunlight, other lighting devices, and user preference.

Accordingly, there exists a need for a technique for switch automation that does not require rewiring and its associated costs. Furthermore, there remains a need for switch automation that accounts for a full range of environmental conditions.

SUMMARY

Systems and methods for switch automation and monitoring are disclosed herein.

In certain example embodiments, the disclosed subject matter provides a switch automation and monitoring adapter device. The device can include a housing, adapted to attach to an existing light switch and at least one sensor, disposed within the housing and adapted to monitor one or more environmental conditions. The device can also include a processor, disposed within the housing and coupled to the at least one sensor, adapted to determine a desired state of the existing light switch based on the one or more environmental conditions. Further, the device can include an actuator, disposed within the housing and coupled to the processor, adapted to manipulate the existing light switch to the desired state in response to the determination of the processor.

In some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the device can include a user interface, disposed on the housing, coupled to the processor, adapted to receive a user input, wherein the processor can be adapted to determine the desired state of the existing light switch based on the user input. Additionally or alternatively, the user interface can be further adapted to indicate an operational state of the device.

In some embodiments, the at least one sensor can include a microwave radar, adapted to monitor movement. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one sensor can include an ambient light sensor, adapted to monitor natural light. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one sensor can include a light switch positional sensor, adapted to monitor an existing state of the existing light switch.

In some embodiments, the at least one sensor can be adapted to continuously monitor one or more environmental conditions. In some embodiments, the processor can be further adapted to determine an updated desired state of the existing light switch based on a change in the one or more environmental conditions. In some embodiments, the actuator can be further adapted to manipulate the existing light switch to the updated desired state in response to the updated determination of the processor.

In some embodiments, the processor can be further adapted to communicate with a user device such that the processor can transmit information to or from the user device.

The disclosed subject matter also provides methods for switch automation and monitoring. In an example embodiment, a method includes monitoring one or more environmental conditions, determining a desired state of an existing light switch based on the one or more environmental factors, and manipulating the existing light switch to the desired state.

In some embodiments, the method can include receiving a user input, wherein the determining step accounts for the user input in determining the desired state of the existing light switch. Additionally or alternatively, the method can include providing an operational state of the device to a user interface.

In some embodiments, the one or more environmental conditions can include movement. Additionally or alternatively, the one or more environmental conditions can include ambient sunlight. Additionally or alternatively, the one or more environmental conditions can include an existing state of the existing light switch.

In some embodiments, the monitoring step can occur continuously. In some embodiments, the method can include determining an updated desired state of the existing light switch based on a change in the one or more environmental conditions. In some embodiments, the method can include manipulating the existing light switch to the updated desired state.

In some embodiments, the method can include transmitting information to or from a user device. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated and constitute part of this disclosure, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. l is a diagram of an exemplary switch automation and monitoring adapter device in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an exploded view of an exemplary switch automation and monitoring adapter device in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary switch automation and monitoring adapter device in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter;

FIGS. 4A-4D are diagrams illustrating an exemplary switch automation and monitoring adapter device being installed to automate a rocker light switch in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter;

FIGS. 5A-5D are diagrams illustrating an exemplary switch automation and monitoring adapter device being installed to automate a toggle light switch in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary actuator in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter; and

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating exemplary environmental conditions and processing thereof in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals and characters, unless otherwise stated, are used to denote like features, elements, components or portions of the illustrated embodiments. Moreover, while the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the FIGS., it is done so in connection with the illustrative embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Techniques for switch automation and monitoring are presented. A switch automation and monitoring adapter device can be attached to an existing light switch. The device can include at least one sensor, a processor, and an actuator. The at least one sensor can monitor one or more environmental conditions. The processor can then receive the one or more environmental conditions from the at least one sensor and determine a desired state of the existing light switch. The actuator can then manipulate the existing light switch to the desired state as directed by the processor.

FIGS. 1-2 illustrate different views of an example switch automation and monitoring adapter device in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary switch automation and monitoring adapter device in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

With reference to the exemplary switch automation and monitoring adapter device 101 of FIGS. 1-2 in conjunction with the example architecture of FIG. 3, the switch automation and monitoring adapter device 101 includes a housing 102, 121, at least one sensor 110, 125, processor 108, 114, and actuator 111, 130.

The housing 102, 121 is adapted to attach to an existing light switch. The housing can be attached to an existing light switch using an installation adapter 124. The installation adapter 124 can include suitable and non-electrical techniques to form a secure, reversible connection between the housing and the existing light switch. For example, the attachment can be made using mechanical forces, assemblies, or magnetic bonds. The housing 102 can contain and protect elements disposed within the housing 102. For example, the housing 102 can be waterproof. The housing 102 can be customized to meet a range of aesthetic requirements such as surface finish, color, material, angularity, profile, or opacity. In some embodiments, the housing 102 can be two interlocking structures 106, 107. In some embodiments, the housing 102 can include a power switch 105, wherein the power switch 105 causes the switch automation and monitoring adapter device 101 to be manipulated from a powered, active state to an unpowered, inactive state, or vice-versa.

The at least one sensor 110, 125 is disposed within the housing 102, 121 and adapted to monitor one or more environmental conditions. As used herein, environment or environmental refers to the space in which the device is installed. For example, the environment can be an office space, conference room, bedroom, bathroom, etc. In some embodiments, the one or more environmental conditions can include movement, ambient sunlight and an existing state of the existing light switch. For example, the at least one sensor 110, 125 can include a microwave radar 127 for monitoring movement, an ambient light sensor 128 for monitoring natural light, and/or a light switch positional sensor 129 for monitoring the existing state of the existing light switch.

The processor 108, 114 is disposed within the housing 102, 121. The processor 108, 114 can be coupled to the at least one sensor 110, 125 such that the processor 108,

114 can receive data on the one or more environmental conditions. The processor can then determine a desired state of the existing light switch based on the one or more environmental conditions. For example, the processor can determine that the desired state of the existing light switch is the off position when the environmental conditions include no movement. For example, the processor can determine that the desired state of the existing light switch is the on position when the environmental conditions include movement and no ambient sunlight. The processor can determine whether the existing light switch should be manipulated to reach the desired state.

Exemplary processors, such as the processor 108, 114 described herein, can perform the techniques described herein, for example and not limitation, by executing software embodied in one or more tangible, computer-readable media 116, such as a memory unit. The memory unit can read the software from one or more other computer- readable media, such as a mass storage device or from one or more other sources via a communication interface 132. The software can cause the processor 108, 114 to execute the particular analysis or response process or particular processes including defining data structures stored in the memory unit and modifying such data structures according to the processes defined by the software. The processor 108, 114 can employ a microcontroller

115 to receive data from the at least one sensor 110, 125 described herein, for example and not limitation, the microwave radar 127, the ambient light sensor 128, and the light switch positional sensor 129, and to communicate with one or more output interfaces described herein, such as an actuator 111, 130, a user interface 103, or any other suitable output interface. In some embodiments, peripheral electronics 126, such as external resistors, capacitors, or voltage level shifters, can couple the microcontroller 115 to the at least one sensor 110, 125 and the one or more output interfaces. In some embodiments, the processor 108, 114 can include a local memory storage 117. For example, the local memory storage 117 can be an existing memory card such as an SD Card.

In some embodiments, the processor 108, 114 can include a communication interface 132 to communicate with a user device such that the processor can transmit information to or from the user device. For example, the processor 108, 114 can transmit information to or from the user device, including a computer, mobile phone, or tablet using existing communication interfaces 132 such as USB, microUSB, Wi-Fi, LoRa, or Bluetooth.

The actuator 111, 130 is disposed within the housing 102, 121 and coupled to the processor 108, 114. The actuator 111, 130 can be adapted to manipulate the existing light switch to the desired state in response to the determination of the processor 108,

114. The actuator 111, 130 can be coupled to the processor 108, 114 such that the processor 108, 114 can direct the actuator 111, 130 to manipulate the existing light switch. The actuator 111, 130 can then manipulate the existing light switch.

In some embodiments, electrical components of the device 101, such as the at least one sensor 110, 125, the processor 108, 114, and the actuator 111, 130, can be supplied with electrical power from a power module 109, 118. In some embodiments, the power module 109, 118 can include electrical storage elements 119. For example, the electrical storage elements 119 can include one or more batteries or capacitors. In some embodiments, the power module 109, 118 can include charging elements 120. For example, the charging elements 120 can include existing onboard recharging such as solar harvesters or AC/DC rectification.

In some embodiments, the device can include a user interface 103. The user interface 103 can be disposed on the exterior of the housing 102, 121. The user interface 103 can be coupled to the processor 108, 114 such that the user interface 103 and the processor 108, 114 are in communication with each other. The user interface 103 can receive a user input 122 such that the processor 108, 114 can determine the desired state of the existing light switch based on the user input 122. For example, the user interface 103 can capture a user input 122 through a physical pushbutton, a tactile switch, or a similar mechanical element or patterns of deliberate human activity such as hand gestures. The user input 122 can allow a user to control the device. For example, the user input 122 can direct the processor to change the state of the existing light switch from on to off, or vice-versa.

In some embodiments, the processor 108, 114 can send a user output 123 to the user interface 103. For example, the processor 108, 114 can send an operational state of the device to the user interface 103. The user interface 103 can communicate with visual, audial, or tactile outputs. For example, the user interface 103 can use light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) to indicate the operational status of the device, where distinct colors correspond to distinct operational states. For example, the user interface 103 can use LEDS to indicate the level of detectable environmental activity, wherein different rates of flashing correspond to different levels of detectable environmental activity.

In some embodiments, the at least one sensor 110, 125 can continuously monitor the one or more environmental conditions such that the at least one sensor 110, 125 can detect a change in the in the one or more environmental conditions. In response to the change in the one or more environmental conditions, the processor 108, 114 can receive updated data from the at least one sensor 110, 125 and determine an updated desired state of the existing light switch. The processor can direct the actuator 111, 130 whether to manipulate the existing light switch, and the actuator 111, 130 manipulate the existing light switch.

FIGS. 4A-4D and 5A-5D are diagrams illustrating an exemplary switch automation and monitoring adapter device being installed for a rocker light switch and a toggle light switch in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4A, the device 101 can be attached to an existing rocker light switch 140 or an existing toggle light switch 141. As shown in FIGS. 4B and 5B, an existing faceplate screw 138 above the light switch panel can be partially removed from its thread. As shown in FIG. 4C and 5C, the device 101 can be mounted directly to the light switch and can slide along the faceplate 137 onto the existing faceplate screw 138. For example, the device can be hung on the screw similar to how a mirror or portrait is hung on a nail. In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 4D and 4D, a sliding latch 104 can lock the device 101 into place upon the existing light switch 136. Other non-electrical attachment techniques can be used to lock the device to the existing light switch 136 such as magnets, a threaded latch, negative pressure, or adhesives.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary actuator in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. The actuator can manipulate the existing light switch to the desired state in response to the determination of the processor. For example, the actuator can employ a gear 112 and a motor 113 to manipulate the existing light switch. The motor 113 can rotate the gear 112. The rotation of the gear 112 can move a linear toothed rack 142 coupled to a light switch control surface 131. The movement of the light switch control surface 131 can manipulate the existing light switch. For example, the light switch control surface 131 can be a pair of protrusions 144 such that the light switch control surface 131 can manipulate a rocker light switch 140. For example, the light switch control surface 131 can be a slot 143 such that the light switch control surface 131 can manipulate a toggle light switch 141.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating exemplary environmental conditions and processing thereof in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. The processor 108, 114 can perform one or more algorithms 149 such that one or more algorithmic inputs 150 can be transformed in to one or more algorithmic outputs 152. The one or more algorithmic inputs 150 can be environmental conditions 145 such as movement 146, ambient sunlight 147, and the existing state of the existing light switch 148, a combination or transformation of features extracted or selected from the environmental conditions 145 during pre-processing such as thresholding 151 or kernel filtering, or user inputs. For example, thresholding 151 can compare the ambient sunlight to a predetermined level of ambient sunlight. Algorithmic inputs 150 can also include historical data regarding user preferences.

The one or more algorithm 149 can include processing and some combination of computational analyses, predictions, or classifications. For example, the one or more algorithms 149 can calculate the range, variation, and frequency spectra of the one or more algorithmic inputs 150 over time to classify one or more algorithmic outputs 152. For example, the one or more algorithms 149 can implement a linear or logistical regression on the one or more algorithmic inputs 150 based on historical or user- provided data to predict one or more algorithmic outputs 152. Algorithmic outputs 152 can include occupant activity 153, energy usage 155, the determination of the desired state of the existing light switch 158, or records of environmental information 160. For example, the algorithmic outputs 152 can track occupant activity 154 such as whether an occupant in the environment is sitting, standing or walking, or vacant. For example, the algorithmic output 152 can characterize energy usage 156 and/or identify opportunities to use natural sunlight instead of electrical lighting 157. For example, the algorithmic output 152 can determine the desired state of the existing light switch 158 such that the actuator turns the existing light switch on or off 159. For example, the algorithmic outputs 152 can record environmental information 161, such as occupant activity 156, energy usage 155 records and statistics, and individual environmental conditions 146- 148, to be logged by the processor 108, 114. The foregoing merely illustrates the principles of the disclosed subject matter. Various modifications and alterations to the described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings herein. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise numerous techniques which, although not explicitly described herein, embody the principles of the disclosed subject matter and are thus within its spirit and scope.

Claims

1. A switch automation and monitoring adapter device, comprising:

a housing, adapted to attach to an existing light switch;

at least one sensor, disposed within the housing, adapted to monitor one or more environmental conditions;

a processor, disposed within the housing, coupled to the at least one sensor, adapted to determine a desired state of the existing light switch based on the one or more environmental conditions; and

an actuator, disposed within the housing, coupled to the processor, adapted to manipulate the existing light switch to the desired state in response to the determination of the processor.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a user interface, disposed on the housing, coupled to the processor, adapted to receive a user input, wherein the processor is adapted to determine the desired state of the existing light switch based on the user input.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the user interface is further adapted to indicate an operational state of the device.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor includes a microwave radar, adapted to monitor movement.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor includes an ambient light sensor, adapted to monitor natural light.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor includes a light switch positional sensor, adapted to monitor an existing state of the existing light switch.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is adapted to continuously monitor one or more environmental conditions.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the processor is further adapted to determine an updated desired state of the existing light switch based on a change in the one or more environmental conditions.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the actuator is further adapted to manipulate the existing light switch to the updated desired state in response to the updated determination of the processor.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further adapted to communicate with a user device such that the processor can transmit information to or from the user device.

11. A method for switch automation and monitoring, comprising:

monitoring one or more environmental conditions;

determining a desired state of an existing light switch based on the one or more environmental factors; and

manipulating the existing light switch to the desired state.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising receiving a user input, wherein the determining step accounts for the user input in determining the desired state of the existing light switch.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising providing an operational state of the device to a user interface.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the one or more environmental conditions includes movement.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the one or more environmental conditions includes ambient sunlight.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the one or more environmental conditions includes an existing state of the existing light switch.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the monitoring step occurs continuously.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising determining an updated desired state of the existing light switch based on a change in the one or more environmental conditions.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising manipulating the existing light switch to the updated desired state.

20. The method of claim 11, further comprising transmitting information to or from a user device.