A multi-function control switch for electrically operating devices, such as a lighting system, is disclosed. The multi-function control switch includes a rocker-type actuating arm for actuating a plurality of momentary switches. When actuated, the momentary switches send signals to an electronic operating module which houses a control logic circuit. The control logic circuit receives input keying sequences from the user, and interprets the input to determines whether the input keying sequence is associated with any of the command logic elements stored in its memory, and whether the system may validly switch from the current operating function to the new operating function. If the transition is valid, the control logic circuit signals the electronic operating module to execute the command logic element associated with the new operating function.

Multi-function control switch for electrically operating devices

An automated system for providing different services within a house includes an appliance coor­dination data network for communicating relatively low speed digital data within a house, a high capacity data network for transferring high speed digital data within the house, an energy distribu­tion system for distributing energy throughout the house, an analog services distribution system for distributing conventional analog signals throughout the house and a video services distribution network for distributing video services throughout the house. The appliance coordination network inter­faces with the energy distribution system to control the flow of energy to appliances throughout the house responsive to a digital request or interroga­tion signal that is emitted from the appliance itself.

Communication and energy control system for houses

The present invention relates to an integrated outlet that allows supply of AC power to an outlet receptacle when certain conditions are satisfied. The integrated outlet contains separate modules establish electrical connection with electrical conductors that transmit AC and DC power, telecommunications, control communications, and signals transmitted along a coaxial wire. In a preferred embodiment, these electrical conductors are all disposed on a single ribbon cable. Each module within the integrated outlet can attach to only certain conductors to increase safety in the resulting system.

Integrated outlet for communications and electrical power

A power line communications network carries power and communications signals over power lines. Fitted in the power line is a fuse unit (300) which has means for coupling communications signals to and/or from the power line. The fuse unit may include a high-pass filter. The fuse unit (300) is adapted to mate with an existing fuse socket in the power line to replace an existing fuse, thereby minimising disruption and simplifying installation. The fuse unit can also include means for impeding flow of non-power signals along the line.

Power line transmission

A wiring layout for new home construction is disclosed in which primarily two different cables conduct distribute various electrical signals from a central location to different rooms in a home. The first cable, an AC power and internal communications cable, is a ribbon cable containing power conductors and digital data conductors. A predetermined number of lengths of this ribbon cable form that number of branches from the central location to different areas of the home. The second cable, the external communications cable, is a cable containing coaxial conductors and twisted wire pairs in one casing. This cable is run from the central location to a splitter. A predetermined number of lengths of the second cable are then run from the splitter to selected locations in some or all the rooms. The resulting layout from this combination branch-star layout allows efficient transmission of signals through a home and enables reduced installation costs.

Wiring layout for use in constructing new homes

1. A structure for the poWer supply of buildings, residences, offices, apartments, shops or the like, the power supply lines being passed from a connection or central (7) having overcurrent of fault current circuit breakers to individual power outlets (9) such as sockets, light or wall outlets or the like which are at least partially controllable or switchable by power switching points (10), for instance light or lighting fixture switches, each power switching point (10) being provided with one each signalling circuit (11) and the controllable or switchable power outlets (9) having one each signal receiving circuit (13), at least one, preferably two or more, control line(s) (1, 2) for weak current signals connecting the power switching points (10) at least with the controllable or switchable power outlets (9), the control lines (1, 2) serving for the transmission of coded switch signals from the power switching points (10) to the power outlets (9) for the actuation of power switching means (15), for instance relays, thyristors, triacs, in the power outlets (9) and the power supply lines (R, S, T, 0) being laid together with the control line(s) (1,2) in the form of an optionally not closed ring circuit and stub lines emanating therefrom, characterized in that the ring circuit and the stub lines are formed of flat lines (30) of optionally trapezoidal cross section and comprising the power supply lines (R, S, T), a zero conductor (0), a ground wire (E) and the control lines (1, 2), that the individual portions of the flat line (30) are connected to one another by connecting and/or branching elements (5, 8, 35, 36) containing conductors extending the power and control lines, that the flat lines (30) are connectable to the terminals of wall boxes (27) adapted to the flat lines and having continuous conductor tracks (32) of preferably determined position for the power and control lines, that modules insertable or pluggable into the wall boxes (27) are provided, the modules being formed as power outlets (9) with the signal receiving circuit (13) and/or as power switching point (10) with the signalling circuit (11) and having contact means (31, 151, 166) for picking up power and control signals connectable in the course of insertion of the module with the conductor tracks (32) for power or control signals continuing in the wall blox (32), that, in particular in the case of a reduction of the cross section of the power conductors, the controllable or switchable power outlets (9) and the power outlets (9') with free power supply in the stub line leading to the power outlet (9) in the wall box (27) each have an electronic overcurrent monitoring circuit (16) and that a cut-off signal appearing at the respective outlet of the monitoring circuit in the event of a current flow exceeding a predetermined value is feedable to a control circuit (14) of the power switching means (15) and/or via the control line(s) (1, 2) of the flat line (30) to the central (7) for actuating the fault current and/or overcurrent circuit breakers provided in the central.

Helmut Dr. Wildhack

Papers

Power supply system