Smart Light Switch Vacation Mode Using Historical Usage Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light switches lack advanced smart features and integration with IoT technologies, limiting their ability to provide seamless remote control, energy management, and automation in residential and commercial settings.
Innovation Solution
A smart light switch equipped with wireless communication protocols, motion sensors, voice control capabilities, and integration with remote servers for IoT connectivity, allowing for remote control, energy management, and automation through mobile devices and voice processing services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional light switches are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but smart features and IoT integration are lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a traditional light switch with multiple smart components including motion sensors, microcontrollers, and wireless communication modules into a single integrated device. This merging allows the switch to maintain its simple installation and usage while gaining advanced smart features like remote control, automation, and energy monitoring capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The smart light switch is designed to perform multiple functions beyond simple on/off control, including motion detection, remote control via mobile devices, voice control integration, energy consumption monitoring, and automated scheduling. This multi-functionality increases adaptability while the device maintains a compact form factor suitable for standard electrical boxes.
2Ease of operation
If remote control and automation features are added, then user convenience is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light switch implements periodic motion detection cycles and scheduled automation routines that are energy-efficient. The microcontroller enters low-power states between detection cycles, and wireless communications are scheduled during optimal times. This periodic operation provides continuous monitoring and control capabilities while minimizing overall energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates energy monitoring that tracks consumption patterns and provides feedback to optimize operation. The microcontroller analyzes usage data to adjust detection sensitivity and communication frequency, reducing energy consumption during periods of low activity while maintaining user convenience during active periods.
3Measurement precision
If motion sensors and sensors are integrated, then occupancy detection capability is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates motion sensors, ambient light sensors, and temperature sensors into the light switch housing, combining multiple sensing functions with the control circuitry in a single compact unit. This merging allows precise occupancy detection through multiple sensor inputs while maintaining a form factor that fits standard electrical boxes and requires minimal additional installation infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
A smart light switch includes a housing, a light actuator, and a processor and memory. The processor is adapted to selectively turn an electrical load on and off in accordance with a programmed set of light activation rules stored in memory. The processor is operable to determine whether the smart light switch is in an On or Off state and create a historical record of the On or Off state of the smart light switch over time. A user is selectively able to place the smart light switch in a vacation mode. The processor suspends the programmed set of light activation rules, determines a probability that the smart light switch would have been turned on based upon the historical record, and probabilistically activates and deactivates the smart light switch for a period of time based upon the historical record while the smart light switch was not in vacation mode.