Adaptable Wireless Power, Light And Automation System
Patent No. US10862313 (titled "Adaptable Wireless Power, Light And Automation System") was filed by Kortek Industries Pty Ltd on Mar 20, 2018.
What is this patent about?
’313 is related to the field of home automation and, more specifically, to the wireless control of electrical devices such as lights. The background acknowledges the increasing prevalence of Wi-Fi networks and the potential they offer for controlling home appliances. However, it also points out security vulnerabilities associated with WLAN-based systems and the limitations of remote control. The invention aims to provide a more secure and flexible control mechanism.
The underlying idea behind ’313 is to create a dual-mode power control unit that can communicate with a smartphone or other controller using either a peer-to-peer wireless connection (like Wi-Fi Direct) or a traditional Wi-Fi network. This allows for both local, secure control and remote access, addressing the limitations of existing systems. The key insight is to have a single device capable of switching between these modes based on user preference.
The claims of ’313 focus on a controller for a light, comprising a wireless control module and a power control circuit. The wireless control module is key, as it includes a radio transceiver and a microcontroller that can operate in two modes: a peer-to-peer mode (e.g., Wi-Fi Direct) and a non-peer-to-peer mode (e.g., standard Wi-Fi). The microcontroller is configured to switch between these modes based on instructions received from a personal controller (like a smartphone). The power control circuit then adjusts the electricity supply to the light based on commands received through the wireless control module.
In practice, the user would initially connect to the power control unit via Wi-Fi Direct for secure local configuration. Using a smartphone app, they could then instruct the unit to switch to Wi-Fi WLAN mode, allowing remote control via the internet. This switching capability provides flexibility, allowing the user to choose the most appropriate control method based on their needs and security concerns. The system also allows for the creation of lighting schedules based on location data obtained from the smartphone, automating lighting based on sunrise/sunset times.
This approach differentiates itself from prior solutions by offering a single device that can operate in both peer-to-peer and non-peer-to-peer modes. Traditional systems typically rely on either a Wi-Fi network for remote control or a direct connection for local control, but not both in a single unit. By incorporating both modes, ’313 provides a more versatile and secure solution for controlling electrical devices, allowing users to balance convenience and security as needed. The use of a smartphone app further simplifies the configuration and control process.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical landscape at the time
In the early 2010s when ’313 was filed, at a time when Wi-Fi was typically implemented using WLANs with access points, peer-to-peer communication between devices was becoming more prevalent, but when security concerns related to internet-connected devices were already a known issue.
Novelty and Inventive Step
Claims 21-32 were rejected in a non-final office action. The claims were rejected under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b) as being anticipated by Huq et al. (U.S. Publication Number: 2010/0099396). The prosecution record does not describe the technical reasoning or specific claim changes that led to allowance.
Claims
There are 12 claims in total, with claims 1 and 9 being independent. Independent claim 1 focuses on a controller for a light that uses a wireless link with a personal controller, and independent claim 9 focuses on a method for remotely controlling a light. The dependent claims generally elaborate on the specific features, configurations, and implementations of the controller and method described in the independent claims.
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Date
Description
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US10862313
- Application Number
- US15925767
- Filing Date
- Mar 20, 2018
- Status
- Granted
- Expiry Date
- Dec 22, 2032
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents