WO2012010170A1

WO2012010170A1 - An intelligent switch

Info

Publication number: WO2012010170A1
Application number: PCT/DK2011/000062
Authority: WO
Inventors: Niels G. Barfred
Original assignee: Barfred Niels G
Priority date: 2010-07-22
Filing date: 2011-06-15
Publication date: 2012-01-26

Abstract

An intelligent switch for controlling externally connected devices, which is constructed as a socket (1, 3, 5) comprising a power outlet (2), a controller (9) connected to the power outlet and at least one communications module (10, 13) connected to the controller and at least one interface module (11, 14). The communications modules and the interface modules are adapted to two or more wireless communications protocols, so that the controller is capable of communicating with one or more external devices by means of various wireless protocols. The socket may comprise at least two interface modules adapted to their respective communications protocols or at least one exchangeable interface module. Two or more intelligent switches may be connected in a master/slave configuration (22, 23), where the one switch controls the other switches.

Description

AN INTELLIGENT SWITCH

The technical field The present invention relates to an apparatus for controlling externally connected devices, said apparatus comprising at least one socket with a power outlet to be mounted in a mounting box to which the external devices may be connected, and at least one controller connected to the power outlet in the socket, and at least one communications module which in turn con- nected to at least one interface module capable of communicating wire- lessly with one or more external devices.

The prior art Various intelligent switches are described in the literature, e.g. an intelligent switch from Zensehome. The switch is capable of turning on and off the devices connected to the socket and is capable of communicating with a controller via the live wires. The socket has an incorporated power meter which meters the consumption of power in the devices connected to the socket. This structure has the drawback that the socket is capable of communicating only with other devices which are connected to the same live wires as the socket, and of communicating only with devices which use the same communications standard. Another example of such an intelligent switch is an IHC socket from Lauritz Knudsen, which may be turned on and off by means of two contacts at the front. Further, the socket may be set up to communicate wirelessly with an external unit by using the programming buttons which are located behind the keys. The drawback of this structure is that the socket is capable of communicating only with other devices which use the same communications standard, and that the socket is capable of only turning on and off the devices connected to the socket. Moreover, it is both time-consuming and cumbersome to program the control of the socket, since it is necessary to open the socket. A third example is a socket model 2473 from Insteon comprising two power outlets, of which the one outlet may be turned on and off via a button on the socket or be controlled wirelessly by means of a central controller. The socket may communicate via the live wires with other units by means of either Insteon's own powerline communications protocol or the X10 com- munications protocol, as described in US 2006/0126617 A1 . The drawback of this structure is that the socket has to be connected to an external adapter, if the socket is to communicate with other units which are either connected to another phase, or which require a wireless connection for the units to be able to communicate.

Various external adapters to be placed in a socket are described in the literature, e.g. model AN 158 from Everspring. The adapter is capable of turning on and off devices connected to the adapter and is moreover capable of metering the consumption of power. The adapter uses the Z-wave standard for communicating with other devices. A similar adapter from Plugwise, which uses the ZigBee standard, and which is easy to install for the user, is described in WO 2008/088219 A1. These structures have the drawback that the adapter is to be placed between the socket and the devices connected to the socket, and that the adapter is capable of communi- eating only with devices which use the same communications standard. Since these structures are connected to a socket, the adapters are moreover vulnerable to impacts or blows, which may either tear the adapter out of the socket and/or destroy the adapter. Likewise, such adapters disturb the aesthetical appearance in a room, since they protrude from the socket and occupy space in the room. These external adapters are moreover vulnerable to theft, since they do not appear as being part of the existing in- stallation.

Another solution is to mount a separate relay (RF transmitter), e.g. from Beckhoff, at the side of the socket, which is capable of controlling the socket. This structure has the drawback that the relay is to be placed at the side of the socket and is also capable of communicating only with devices which use the same communications standard.

None of these structures describes a socket which itself is capable of me- tering the consumption of power, and which is capable of communicating with other devices by means of various wireless communications standards.

The object of the invention

The present invention remedies the problems of the most immediate prior art by providing an apparatus, which is characterized in that the communications modules and the interface modules are adapted to two, three, four, five or more wireless communications protocols, and that the apparatus either comprises at least two wireless interface modules which are adapted to their respective wireless communications protocols, or comprises at least one exchangeable interface module which is adapted to one of the wireless communications protocols. According to claim 2, the communications modules and the wireless interface modules are arranged in two, three, four, five or more branches, wherein each branch is adapted to a wireless communications protocol of its own. According to claim 3, the apparatus comprises at least one universal communications module connected to at least one universal wireless interface module, said modules being adapted to two or more of the wireless communications protocols. Hereby, the controller is capable of communicating with one or more external devices by means of various wireless communications protocols. The intelligent switch appears as being part of the existing installation, whereby the aesthetical appearance in the room is not disturbed, and at the same time the risk of theft is minimized. The interface modules are implemented on one or more separately exchangeable circuit boards, which are connected via at least one plug connection to at least one other circuit board on which the remaining part of the electronics is implemented, according to claim 4. Hereby, it is possible to exchange the interface module, without also having to exchange the other circuit boards.

According to claim 5, the apparatus comprises a metering circuit, which is connected to the controller, and which is capable of metering the power consumption of the external devices connected to the power outlet. Hereby, it is possible to meter the consumption in the externally connected devices.

According to claim 6, the apparatus comprises a timer module, which is connected to the controller, which is capable of turning on or off the externally connected devices. Hereby, it is possible to turn on or off the exter- nally connected devices at specific points of time or after the expiry of predetermined periods of time.

According to claim 7, the controller comprises a manual state in which the socket is constantly on, or in which the socket is capable of turning on and off the externally connected devices via one or more contacts which are connected to the power outlet. Hereby, it is possible to use the socket, even if the controller detects a long-term dropout of the power supply or an error in the communication. According to claim 8, the controller is located in the socket and is connected to the one part of a plug connection disposed on the outer side of the socket. The socket comprises a removable front plate, so that the interface module may be exchanged when the front plate is removed, according to claim 9. Hereby, it is possible to exchange the interface module, without having to exchange the entire socket. Further, the controller is ca- pable of communicating with the other units/devices connected to the intelligent switch, wirelessly or via the plug connections.

According to claim 10, the apparatus comprises one, two, three, four, five or more mounting boxes in which the socket may be mounted, and which are constructed as a flush mounting box or as a surface mounting box. Hereby, the socket may be built into or be mounted on the outer side of the installation, thus concealing the socket and protecting it against external impacts or blows. According to claim 1 , the controller is disposed in the mounting box and is connected to a plurality of terminals on the mounting box, which may be connected to a plurality of terminals disposed on the socket. According to claim 12, the controller is integrated in a plug connected to a cable, wherein the plug may be connected to a plug outlet disposed on the mounting box, which is connected to a plurality of terminals on the socket. Hereby, it is possible to exchange either the socket or both the socket and the mounting box, without having to exchange the controller.

According to claim 13, the apparatus comprises two, three, four, five or more sockets, which are configured in a master/slave configuration and are connected to each other via a serial, parallel or daisy chain connection. According to claim 14, the master unit and the slave units have the same structure, or the controller is disposed in the master unit, and each of the slave units comprises a local controller which is controlled by the controller. Hereby, it is possible to use one intelligent switch for controlling the function of other intelligent switches connected to it. According to claim 15, the mounting box comprises one, two or more plug outlets which are connected to the controller in the unit. According to claim 16, the plug outlets are arranged on the bottom of the mounting box and comprise a male part or a female part of a plug connection, wherein the other part of the plug connection is disposed on a connector, which comprises a corresponding male part or a female part of the plug connection at the other end, said plug connections being interconnected via wires or cables. According to claim 17, the plug connections are disposed on the side of the mounting box and comprise a male part or a female part of a plug connection, wherein the other part of the plug connection is disposed on a second mounting box which may be mounted at the side of the first mounting box. According to claim 18, the male part and the female part in the plug connection are constructed such that the parts engage each other, when the second mounting box is moved down along the side of the first mounting box. Hereby, it is possible to arrange several mounting boxes and intelligent switches at the side of each other and connect the controllers in the individual switches with each other.

The apparatus is used partly for monitoring/controlling the power consump- tion of the connected devices and partly for communicating wirelessly with at least one other device, according to claim 19.

The drawing Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be explained more fully below with reference to the drawing, in which fig. 1 shows the front of an embodiment of the switch without circuit breakers and contacts, seen from the front.

fig. 2 shows the front of another embodiment of the switch with two buttons, seen from the front, figs. 3a-b show two structures of the controller in the intelligent switch. figs. 4a-c show three embodiments of the intelligent switch,

fig. 5 shows a preferred embodiment of a plurality of intelligent switches in a master/slave configuration,

figs. 6a-b show two alternative embodiments of the master/slave configuration.

Description of the exemplary embodiments Figure 1 shows the front of an embodiment of the intelligent switch, which may be constructed as a socket 1 comprising one, two, three or more power outlets 2 without contacts or circuit breakers (also called a plug receptacle). Figure 2 shows the front of another embodiment of the intelligent switch, which may be constructed as a socket 3 comprising one, two, three or more power outlets 2 and one, two, three or more contacts 4 or damper devices (not shown). Alternatively, the intelligent switch may be constructed as a socket 5 comprising one, two, three or more power outlets 2 with a corresponding number of circuit breakers. Alternatively, the intelligent switch may be constructed as a data outlet (not shown) comprising at least one outlet.

The intelligent switch may be mounted in an installation panel, an electricity panel or another form of panel or channel. One or more live wires, data cables as well as separately laid district heating pipes, pipes/hoses for a central vacuum cleaner and/or other pipes or cables may be arranged in one or more compartments in the panel. Alternatively, the switch may be mounted in a mounting box or a substrate, which may be disposed and secured on/to or in a wall, a ceiling or a panel, so that the intelligent switch may be built into or appears as being part of the existing installation.

The power outlet 2 comprises a plurality of outlet devices 6a, 6b, 6c, e.g. two, three, four or five, in which the pins and/or the clamp terminals from a plug or a connector may be placed. The outlet devices 6a, 6b, 6c may be constructed as pins, clamp terminals or a combination of both. The outlet devices 6a, 6b, 6c are connected to a plurality of connecting devices, e.g. clamp or screw terminals, arranged on the rear side and/or on at least one of the sides of the socket 1 , 3, 5 in which the live wires are placed.

The contacts 4 may be connected directly to the power outlet 2 and be constructed as simple breaker contacts, and the user may manually turn on and off the devices connected to the power outlet 2. Alternatively, the contacts 4 may be constructed as circuit breakers which are connected to the power outlet 2, and which are controlled by a controller 9. Alternatively, the socket 1 , 3, 5 may comprise a damper device or a damper circuit (not shown). The damper device/circuit may be controlled by the controller 9 and/or the contacts 4, which may be constructed as one or more push-buttons, pressure sensitive surfaces, slides, rotary buttons or another form of contact. Hereby, it is possible to vary the amount of energy supplied to the devices which are connected to the power outlet. The intelligent switch is constructed such that it may be disposed in a frame 7, which may have various configurations, colours and/or be made of various materials. Alternatively, a front plate, e.g. a removable front plate, may be arranged in front of the front of the socket and comprises a plurality of holes adapted to the outlet devices 6 on the socket, and wherein the rear side of the front plate may be conformed to the front of the socket. The frame 7 and/or the socket 1 , 3, 5 are constructed such that they may be attached to a mounting box 8 disposed inside the panel or directly to the panel by means of fastening elements, such as screws, tongue and groove devices or snap systems.

The mounting box 8 may be configured as a flush mounting box which may be built into, moulded or sealed inside the installation, or a surface mounting box which may be mounted on the outer side of the installation. In a preferred embodiment, the mounting box 8 is configured as a so-called Euro receptacle, which is essentially cylindrical and comprises a bottom and an opening at the respective ends, or an essentially box-shaped, e.g. quadrangular, mounting box comprising a bottom and an opening at the respective ends. The sides and/or the bottom of the mounting box 8 may have one or more cutouts, openings, blanks or knockout blanks for the insertion of cables, pipes, pipelines or other devices. Alternatively, the edges of the knockout blanks may comprise a plurality of fastening arrangements, so that it is possible to secure one or more cable reliefs to the knockout blank. The bottom of the mounting box 8 may comprise one, two, three or more cutouts or knockout blanks, so that the mounting box 8 may be arranged in and/or be secured to a foot arranged in the panel. Hereby, the mounting box 8 may be mounted in the panel, following which the intelligent switch is mounted in the mounting box.

Alternatively, the socket 1 , 3, 5 may comprise at least one safety device (not shown), e.g. a fuse or a safety device which protects against over- loading, short-circuiting of the outlet devices 6 or other defects.

Figure 3 shows two embodiments of the structure of the controller in the intelligent switch. The intelligent switch comprises a controller 9, which is implemented in one or more chips and electrical circuits disposed on one or more circuit boards. The controller 9 is connected to one or more communications modules 10, which are in turn connected to one or more associated wireless interface modules 1 1 , e.g. interfaces, which are capable of communicating with at least one external unit or device 12, which may form part of another external system. The controller 9 is capable of wirelessly trans- mitting and receiving data from one or more of the external units/devices 12 by means of the communications modules 10 and the interface modules 1 1 . Alternatively, the modules 10, 1 1 may be constructed as one or more universal communications modules 13 and one or more universal interface modules 14, each of which is adapted to two or more different wireless protocols, e.g. Z-wave, ZigBee, KNX, EnOcean or another communications protocol, as shown in fig. 3b. Alternatively, the communications modules 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d and interface modules 1 1 a, 1 b, 1 1c, 1 1 d may be arranged in a plurality of branches, e.g. one, two, three, four, five or more, which are adapted to their respective wireless communications protocols, as shown in figure 3a. The controller 9 and the modules 10, 1 1 , 13, 14 are connected to at least one memory module 15, in which received data and/or data between the individual modules may be stored.

In a first preferred embodiment, the controller 9 and the associated modules are implemented on one, two, three or more circuit boards which are connected to each other. The wireless interface module 1 1 , 14 is implemented on a separately exchangeable circuit board, where the components and the local chip on the circuit board are adapted to a specific wireless communications protocol. The exchangeable circuit board is connected to the controller and the module 10, 13 by means of one or more plug con- nections, e.g. a socket arrangement comprising a male part and a female part, thereby making it possible to exchange the interface module 1 1 , 14 with another interface module adapted either to the same wireless communications protocol or to another wireless communications protocol. In a special embodiment, the intelligent switch comprises one, two, three, four or five exchangeable interface modules 1 1 , 14 implemented on their respective circuit boards, all of which are connected to the controller 9 by means of their respective plug connections. Hereby, the controller 9 is capable of communicating with the external units/devices 12, e.g. a central computer, a smart gate, a display, a master unit, a slave unit and/or other intelligent switches, by means of various wireless communications protocols. Alternatively, the controller 9 and/or one or more of the associated modules may be implemented on the exchangeable circuit board together with the interface module 1 1 , 14. The controller 9 and the local chip, in which the communications protocol is implemented, may be implemented in one and the same chip.

In another preferred embodiment, the intelligent switch comprises one, two, three, four or five wireless interface modules 1 1 , 14 implemented on their respective circuit boards, all of which are connected to the controller 9 by means of one or more plug connections. Alternatively, the interface modules 11 , 14 may be implemented on the same circuit board as the controller 9. The controller 9 is implemented in the same manner as in the first preferred embodiment. Hereby, the controller 9 is capable of communicating with the external units/devices 12, e.g. a central controller, a smart gate, a display, a master unit, a slave unit and/or other intelligent switches, by means of various wireless communications protocols.

The controller 9 comprises an internal timer circuit or is connected to a timer circuit on the circuit board, which generates an internal clock fre- quency and is connected to a timer module 16 controlled by the controller 9. An electrician/user may encode one or more points in time and/or periods of time in the timer module 16 via the communications modules 10, 13 and/or the contacts 4 connected to the controller 9. Hereby, it is possible for the electrician/user to turn on and/or off the connected devices at specific points of time and/or after the expiry of one or more encoded periods of time. Alternatively, the communications modules 10, 13 and/or the contacts 4 are used for configuring the setup of the intelligent switch, e.g. by means of an external device, such as a smart gate. At least one metering circuit 17 is connected to the controller 9 and is disposed near one or more of the live wires and/data cables. Alternatively, the metering circuit 17 may be implemented on the same circuit board as the controller 9. The metering circuit 17 is constructed such that it is capable of metering the consumption, e.g. the consumption of power and/or the data amount (transmitted/received), of the external devices 12 connected to the intelligent switch. The metering circuit 17 may be connected directly to the outlet devices 6a, 6b, 6c or via a wireless metering unit, e.g. a Hall sensor. Alternatively, other types of sensors, e.g. a light sensor, may be connected to the metering circuit 17 and/or the controller 9. The metering circuit 17 may comprise an A/D converter, which is capable of converting the metered values into suitable digital data signals. The metered values are stored in the memory module 15 or are sent directly to one or more modules in the controller 9, which calculates the accumulated consumption which is stored in the memory. At the request from an external device 12, e.g. a smart gate, the controller 9 may send the accumulated consumption to the device via one of the communications protocols in the interface modules 1 1 , 14.

The controller 9 may be connected to a damper device connected to the outlet devices 6a-c, which is capable of adjusting the amount of power supplied to the externally connected devices. The damper device may be con- nected to the contacts 4 via at least one relay or a similar element, which may be controlled by the controller 9.

The controller 9 comprises a manual state (backup), which is activated if the controller 9 detects a long-term dropout of the power supply or an error in the communication, e.g. loses the communication with one of the external units/devices. In the manual state, the controller 9 interrupts the individual modules 10-17 fully or partly, so that the intelligent switch just serves as a simple socket 1 , 3, 5, which is either on all the time or may be turned on and off by means of the contacts 4. When the controller 9 detects that the power supply returns to normal after the communication has been re-established, the controller 9 will activate the individual modules 10-17 again, fol- lowing which the controller 9 returns to its automatic state. In the manual state, the intelligent switch is configured such that a user may still use the socket 1 , 3, 5, even if the communication with one or more external devices fails.

In the automatic state, the controller 9 communicates continuously or periodically with one or more external devices, e.g. a smart gate and/or a central server or a computer unit, by means of one or more of the communications protocols. The controller is capable of transmitting information on its status and the metered consumption further on to one or more of the external devices, which are capable of accumulating data from one or more intelligent switches connected to the device. The controller 9 is capable of receiving various control signals from the external device or devices, optionally via a user interface in the device, so that it is possible to an electri- cian/operator and alternatively a user to configure the setup of the intelligent switch, including the control of the individual modules 10-17.

Figure 4a shows a first embodiment of the intelligent switch, in which the controller 9 and the modules 0-17 are disposed inside the socket 1 , 3, 5, e.g. at the bottom of the socket. The circuit boards comprising the controller 9 and the modules 10-17 are arranged in one, two, three or more planes which are connected to each other. The exchangeable circuit boards comprising the interface modules 1 1 , 14 are disposed either in the uppermost one of the planes or in a separate plane thereabove, thereby making it pos- sible to exchange the circuit board when the front of the socket 1 , 3, 5 is removed. Alternatively, all the interface modules 1 1 , 14 are arranged in the uppermost plane on one or more circuit boards. The controller 9 is connected to the one part of one or more plug connections 18 disposed on the outer side of the socket 1 , 3, 5, and the other part of the plug connection is connected via cables or wires to at least one other unit. Hereby, the controller 9 is capable of communicating with the other units/devices connected to the intelligent switch, via the plug connections 18 or the wireless interface modules 1 1 , 14.

The communications modules 10, 13 and the interface modules 1 1 , 14 may be shielded, so that noise from surrounding circuits and signal paths does not affect the data communication to and from the external units/devices. Hereby, it is possible to mount the socket 1 , 3, 5 in a new mounting box 8, without first having to transfer all the data and the configurations from the controller 9 to an external unit.

Figure 4b shows a second embodiment of the intelligent switch, in which the controller 9 (and its circuit boards) is disposed in the mounting box 8, e.g. on the bottom, and may be connected with the socket 1 , 3, 5 by means of wires, one or more plug connections or a combination of both. The plug connections may be configured as a female plug and a male plug with a number of pin and terminal connections arranged opposite each other on the mounting box 8 and the socket 1 , 3, 5, respectively. The metering circuit 17 and the controller 9 may be disposed in the mounting box 8 and be connected to one or more terminals 19a, e.g. the connecting devices and/or a plurality of data terminals, on the socket 1 , 3, 5, which may be connected to one or more terminals 19b, e.g. clamp or screw terminals, arranged on the mounting box 8. All or some of the terminals 19a, 19b may be constructed as the female part and the male part, respectively, of a plug connection. Alternatively, the metering circuit 17 may be disposed in the socket 1 , 3, 5 and be connected to the controller 9 via at least one data connection in the terminals 19a, 19b. Hereby, it is possible to exchange the socket 1 , 3, 5 itself, without also having to exchange the controller 9.

Figure 4c shows a third embodiment of the intelligent switch, in which the controller 9 (and its circuit boards) is integrated in a plug 20a, which may be connected to one, two or more plug outlets 20b which are provided on the mounting box 8, and which are adapted to the plug 20a. The plug outlet 20b is connected to the terminals 21 on the socket 1 , 3, 5 and/or at least one other plug outlet 20b via wires and/or cables. The plug 20a is connected to a cable, which may either be configured as a connecting cable or an inter- mediate cable. At the opposite end, the cable may comprise a corresponding plug 20a or another plug. Alternatively, the socket 1 , 3, 5 and the mounting box 8 may be built into one and the same unit. The metering circuit 17 may be disposed in the plug 20a or in the socket 1 , 3, 5. The plug connection 20a, 20b may comprise one, two or more data terminals and two, three, four or five live terminals. The connecting devices on the socket 1 , 3, 5 may be connected to two or more of the live terminals in the plug outlet 20b. The controller 9 and/or the metering circuit 17 may be connected to the data terminals in the plug outlet 20b, so that the controller 9 may be connected to other intelligent switches and external units/devices 12. The controller 9 and the metering circuit 17 may be encapsulated in the same material/housing as surrounds the pins/clamps, so that the controller 9 and the metering circuit 17 are concealed inside the plug. Hereby, it is possible to exchange both the socket 1 , 3, 5 and the mounting box 8, without having to exchange the controller 9 itself.

In the three different embodiments shown in figs. 4a-c, the intelligent switch is protected against external impacts or blows that may occur in the room near a socket, and which might destroy the intelligent switch. Moreover, the intelligent switch does not disturb the aesthetical appearance in the room, since the components controlling the intelligent switch are integrated and concealed in the installation which comprises the socket.

Figure 5 shows a preferred embodiment, in which the intelligent switch is configured as a master unit 22, which is capable of controlling a plurality of other intelligent switches configured as slave units 23. The slave units 23 may be constructed in the same manner as the master unit 22. Alterna- tively, the slave units 23 may be constructed as simple units capable of just executing the instructions which the master unit 22 sends to it.

The master unit 22 is connected to a number of slave units 23, e.g. one, two, three, four or more, in a serial, parallel or daisy chain convention. The master unit 22 may be configured as described in figures 1 -4, and comprises a plurality of communications modules 10, 13 and interface modules 1 1 , 14 adapted to one or more wireless communications protocols. The master unit 22 controls the function of each individual slave unit 23 by means of a plurality of control signals sent to and from the units 22, 23 via a wired connection. Alternatively, the controller 9 may send status information and/or measurements from the units 23 further on to one or more external devices via one or more of the wireless interface modules 1 1 , 14. The controller is capable of controlling the function of the units 23 via control signals received from the external device or devices.

The slave units 23 may be configured in the same manner as the master unit 22. Alternatively, the slave units 23 may comprise a local controller (not shown), which may be connected to and controlled by the controller 9. The local controller may be connected to a plurality of local modules, all of which may be implemented on the same chip and/or circuit board as the local controller. The slave units 23 are capable of transmitting and/or receiving data from the master unit 22 and optionally also from the other slave units 23. Hereby, the slave units 23 may be constructed and config- ured to perform one or more predetermined tasks.

Each unit 22, 23 may be mounted in a mounting box 24, and the controller in each unit 22, 23 may be connected to one or more plug outlets 25 disposed on the mounting box 24. The mounting box 24 may have the same structure as the mounting box 8. The plug outlets 25 may be connected to the controller in each unit 22, 23 and optionally also to each other via wires and/or cables. The plug outlets 25 may be disposed on the bottom near the sides or on the sides near the bottom of the mounting box 24, and may be disposed opposite each other. Hereby, it is possible to place the slave units 23 on one side or both sides of the master unit 22, as shown in figure 5.

The plug outlets 25 on the mounting box 24 may be disposed at the bottom and be constructed as the male part or the female part of a plug connection comprising a plurality of pin/terminal connections, where the other part of the plug connection may be connected to a connector 26, e.g. a jumper or a cable, as shown in fig. 6a. The connector 26 comprises two or more plug connections, so that the connector 26 connects at least two plug outlets 25, 25' disposed on their respective mounting boxes 24, 24' with each other. The connector 26 may be constructed as a flexible member, e.g. a cable, which is connected to the plug outlets 25, 25' at the mounting of the mounting boxes 24, 24' in the panel. Alternatively, the connector 26 may be constructed as a rigid member, e.g. a rail, in which plug connections and cables/wires are disposed, which are mounted in the panel before the mounting of the mounting boxes 24, 24'. Alternatively, the connector 26 may be disposed at the bottom of the mounting boxes 24, 24', said plug outlets 25, 25' being disposed on the socket 1 , 3, 5. Hereby, it is possible to remove the master unit 22 or a specific slave unit 23, without having to remove the other units, too, as shown in figure 5.

Alternatively, the plug outlets 25 on the mounting box 24 may be disposed on the side of the mounting box 24 and be constructed as the male part or the female part of a plug connection comprising a plurality of terminals. The mounting box 24 may comprise one or more guiding arrangements (not shown) adapted to guide the other mounting box 24' into position at the side of the first mounting box 24, whereby the plug connections in the plug outlets 25, 25' may be connected to each other. The plug connections in the plug outlets 25, 25' may have the same structure or be adapted to each other, so that when the plug outlet 25' is moved in front of the plug outlet 25, the terminals are caused to contact each other, as shown in figure 6b. The mounting box 24 may comprise a snap system or a tilting arrangement (not shown) adapted to secure the mounting box 24 to the panel and/or to the mounting box 24' and to ensure a good connection between the plug outlets 25, 25'. Alternatively, the snap system or the tilting arrangement may be disposed on the rear side of the mounting box 24, and may be constructed so as to be capable of engaging the panel. The snap system or the tilting arrangement may be constructed such that for guiding the mounting box 24' the last distance into position, it is necessary to apply an additional pressure to the mounting box 24', whereby the mounting box 24' is secured and the plug outlets 25, 25' are connected to each other. The mounting box 24, 24' may comprise a corresponding plug outlet 25 disposed on the opposite side. Hereby, it is possible to remove the master unit 22 or a specific slave unit 23, without having to remove the other units, too, as shown in figure 5.

The live wires may be connected to the connecting devices on the sockets 1 , 3, 5 in the individual units 22, 23 via the cutouts, the openings, the blanks or the knockout blanks in the mounting boxes 8, 24. Alternatively, the live wires may be connected to the two outermost units in the master/slave configuration, and the remaining sockets 1 , 3, 5 in the master/slave configuration may be connected to the live wires on the outermost units via the plug outlets 25, 25'.

Each intelligent switch has a unique identification number which is used at each data transmission transmitted through the communications interfaces and/or has an identification number disposed on the front plate in the power outlet 2 near the outlet devices 6a, 6b, 6c. Hereby, it is possible to identify each individual socket either visually or electronically. At least one power supply circuit is connected to the electrical components 9-17 in the intelligent switch. The power supply circuit may be connected to the live wires and/or an internal power source and may comprise one or more transformers, rectifiers and/or smoothing devices.

One or more white and/or coloured LEDs may be disposed behind the front plate or be disposed behind at least one transparent/semitransparent plate in the front plate, which may comprise one or more patterns, figures or motifs. The LEDs may be controlled by the controller which is capable of con- trolling the diodes by means of an on/off function or a light adjusting function, which is capable of adjusting the intensity of the light relative to the amount of light recorded by a light sensor. Hereby, it is possible to illuminate the switch in the dark, indicate whether the switch is on/off, or indicate other matters relevant to the switch concerned.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1 . An apparatus for controlling externally connected devices, said apparatus comprising at least one socket (1 , 3, 5) with a power outlet (2) to be mounted in a mounting box (8, 24) to which the external devices may be connected, and at least one controller (9) connected to the power outlet (2) in the socket, and at least one communications module (10, 13) which is in turn connected to at least one interface module (1 1 , 14) capable of communicating wirelessly with one or more external devices, characterized in that the communications modules (10, 13) and the interface modules (1 1 , 14) are adapted to two, three, four, five or more wireless communications protocols, and that the apparatus either comprises at least two wireless interface modules (1 1a-d) which are adapted to their respective wireless communications protocols, or comprises at least one exchangeable inter- face module (1 1 , 14) which is adapted to one of the wireless communications protocols.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 , characterized in that the communications modules (10) and the wireless interface modules (1 1 ) are arranged in two, three, four, five or more branches, wherein each branch (10a-d, 1 1a- d) is adapted to a wireless communications protocol of its own.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 , characterized in that the apparatus comprises at least one universal communications module (13) connected to at least one universal wireless interface module (14), wherein both modules (13, 14) are adapted to two or more of the wireless communications protocols.

4. An apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the wire- less interface modules (1 1 , 14) are implemented on one or more separately exchangeable circuit boards, which are connected via at least one plug connection to at least one other circuit board on which the remaining part of the electronics (9-10, 13, 15-17) is implemented.

5. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, character- ized in that the apparatus comprises at least one metering circuit (17), which is connected to the controller (9), and which is capable of metering the power consumption of the external devices connected to the power outlet (2).

6. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the apparatus comprises a timer module (16), which is connected to the controller (9), and which is capable of turning on or off the externally connected devices.

7. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the controller (9) comprises a manual state in which the socket (1 ) is constantly turned on, or in which the socket (3, 5) is capable of turning on or off the externally connected devices via one or more contacts (4) which are connected to the power outlet (2).

8. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the controller (9) is disposed in the socket (1 , 3, 5) and is connected to the one part of a plug connection (18) disposed on the outer side of the socket.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the socket (1 , 3, 5) comprises a removable front plate, so that the interface module (1 1 , 14) may be exchanged when the front plate is removed.

10. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the apparatus comprises one, two, three, four, five or more mounting boxes (8, 24, 24'), in which the socket (1 , 3, 5) may be mounted, and which are constructed as a flush mounting box or as a surface mounting box.

1 1 . An apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the controller (9) is disposed in the mounting box (8) and is connected to a plurality of terminals (19b) on the mounting box, which may be connected to a plurality of terminals (19a) disposed on the socket (1 , 3, 5).

12. An apparatus according to claim 0, characterized in that the controller (9) is integrated in a plug (20a) connected to a cable, wherein the plug (20a) may be connected to a plug outlet (20b) disposed on the mounting box (8), which is connected to a plurality of terminals (21 ) on the socket (1 , 3, 5).

13. An apparatus according to any one of claims 10 - 12, characterized in that the apparatus comprises two, three, four, five or more sockets (1 , 3, 5), which are configured in a master/slave configuration (22, 23) and are connected to each other via a serial, parallel or daisy chain connection.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the master unit (22) and the slave units (23) have the same structure, or that the controller (9) is disposed in the master unit (22), and that each of the slave units (23) comprises a local controller which is controlled by the controller (9).

15. An apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the mounting box (24, 24') comprises one, two or more plug outlets (25, 25'), which are connected to the controller in the unit (22, 23).

16. An apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that the plug outlets (25, 25') are disposed on the bottom of the mounting box (24, 24') and comprises a male part or a female part of a plug connection, wherein the other part of the plug connection is disposed on a connector (26), which comprises a corresponding male part or female part of a plug connection at the other end, said plug connections being interconnected via wires or cables.

17. An apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that the plug outlets (25, 25') are disposed on the side of the mounting box (24, 24') and comprise a male part or a female part of a plug connection, wherein the other part of the plug connection is disposed on a second mounting box (24'), which may be mounted at the side of the first mounting box (24).

18. An apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that the male part and the female part in the plug connection are constructed such that the parts engage each other, when the second mounting box (24) is moved down along the side of the first mounting box (24).

19. Use of the apparatus defined in claims 1 - 18, characterized in that the apparatus is used partly for monitoring/controlling the power consumption of the connected devices and partly for communicating wirelessly with at least one other device.