Smart Light Switch Scheduling via Wireless Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional 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
Development of an Internet-enabled smart light switch with wireless communication protocols, integrated sensors, and voice control capabilities, allowing for remote operation, energy management, and automation through connectivity with smart thermostats and cloud-based services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional light switches are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but smart features and IoT integration are lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a conventional light switch with multiple smart components including wireless communication modules (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth), sensors (motion, ambient light, temperature), and a processor into a single integrated device. This merging allows the switch to maintain its simple physical form while incorporating advanced smart features for remote control, automation, and energy management.
Solution Approach 2:
The smart light switch is designed to perform multiple functions beyond simple on/off control, including remote control via smartphone apps, voice control integration, occupancy detection, energy consumption monitoring, and integration with smart home ecosystems. This multi-functionality increases adaptability while the modular architecture manages complexity.
2Ease of operation
If Internet-enabled features are added, then remote control capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway device or cloud-based server as an intermediary between the light switch and user smartphones. The switch communicates with this intermediary via wireless protocols, which then handles the complex communication logic, app integration, and user interface, allowing the switch itself to remain relatively simple while providing sophisticated remote control capabilities.
3Extent of automation
If integrated sensors are incorporated, then occupancy detection and automation are enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a modular design where sensors, processing units, and communication modules are separate functional segments that can be independently manufactured and tested before final assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized and produced using specialized manufacturing processes, then integrated into the final switch assembly, reducing overall manufacturing complexity.
4Ease of operation
If voice control capabilities are added, then user convenience is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates voice control functionality through an intermediary approach where the light switch connects to existing voice assistant platforms (such as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple Siri) via wireless communication. The complex voice processing and natural language understanding are handled by these external services, while the light switch simply receives and executes the resulting commands, adding voice control capability without significant increase in the switch's own complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A smart light switch includes a housing, a light actuator located within the housing, and a processor and memory. The processor and memory are operably connected and located within the housing. The processor is adapted to selectively turn an electrical load on and off in accordance with a program schedule stored in memory. The smart light switch further includes a data communications module operable to provide data communication across a wireless network to a remote device. The program schedule includes time periods and a set of light activation rules for each time period. The smart light switch is operable to receive the time periods from a remote device having a different set of rules than the set of light activation rules for the smart light switch.