EXHIBIT 1 

Case 2:23-cv-00271-JRG-RSP Document 1-1 Filed 06/06/23 Page 1 of 8 PageID #: 16
USOO8818532B1 

(12) United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 8,818,532 B1 

Vasquez (45) Date of Patent: Aug. 26, 2014 

(54) SYSTEMAND METHOD FOR SELECTIVELY 6,018,690 A * 1/2000 Saito et al. .................... 7OO 295 

CONTROLLING AND MONITORING 7,257.466 B2 * 8/2007 Kreiner .......... TOO,292 7,982,335 B2 * 7/2011 Aldag et al. .................... 307/12 RECEPTACLES AND FIXTURES 

CONNECTED TO APOWER CIRCUIT INA 

BUILDING 

(76) Inventor: Ricardo Vasquez, Bensalem, PA (US) 

(*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this 

patent is extended or adjusted under 35 

U.S.C. 154(b) by 291 days. 

(21) Appl. No.: 13/217,221 

(22) Filed: Aug. 24, 2011 

(51) Int. Cl. 

G05B II/OI (2006.01) 

G05D3/12 (2006.01) 

G05D 5/00 (2006.01) 

G05D 9/00 (2006.01) 

G05D II/00 (2006.01) 

G05D (7/00 (2006.01) 

(52) U.S. Cl. 

USPC ................... 700/19, 700/17; 700/18; 700/20; 

700/286; 700/297 

(58) Field of Classification Search 

USPC ...................................... 700/17 20, 286, 297 

See application file for complete search history. 

(56) References Cited 

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 

3, 1991 Hendel et al. ................. TOO,293 

... 307/31 

5,003,486 A * 

5,455,464 A * 10/1995 Gosling ....... 

2 

CENTRA 

ROCESSNG 

CE KEY cop key Era 54 ROWR 

7,983,795 B2 * 7/2011 Josephson et al. . 700,276 

8,244405 B2 * 8/2012 Kao et al. ........... ... 700,286 

8.442,792 B1* 5/2013 Elberbaum . TO2/107 

8,723,653 B2 * 5/2014 Jansma ....... ... 34.0/10.5 

2003/0227220 A1* 12/2003 Biskup et al. ...... ... 307 116 

2009/0273334 A1* 11/2009 Holovacs et al. ............... 324.66 

2010/00 19575 A1* 1/2010 Verges ............................ 307/38 

2012/0089263 A1* 4/2012 Park et al. ..................... TOO,291 

* cited by examiner 

Primary Examiner — Ronald Hartman, Jr. 

(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — LaMorte & Associates, P.C. 

(57) ABSTRACT 

A system for adding controls to an area circuit within a 

building. The system enables specific outlets and fixture 

Switches in the area circuit to be automatically and individu 

ally controlled. Smart outlets and Smart fixtures switches are 

used. Each has a receptacle, an internal on/off Switch, and a 

selectively changeable address code. An electrical power 

cable extends throughout the area circuit. A control unit is 

coupled to the electrical power cable and generates an 

addressed control signal within the electrical power cable. 

The addressed control signal selectively controls the internal 

on/off switches in the Smart outlets and the Smart fixture 

Switches. However, the addressed control signal generated by 

the control unit must be properly addressed to a Smart outlet or a smart fixture switch. 

16 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets 

aisa 

AN 

MER 

SGNA 

GENERAR 

NSW CCCE 

RCEACE 

CNCFF 

S.C. 

CONRO 

CRCTRY 

RSEAE 

AV 

EER 

MANA 

Silic 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Case 2:23-cv-00271-JRG-RSP Document 1-1 Filed 06/06/23 Page 2 of 8 PageID #: 17
€)NIVAJOONI `-+-EAAOd 

U.S. Patent Aug. 26, 2014 Sheet 1 of 3 US 8,818,532 B1 

 

Case 2:23-cv-00271-JRG-RSP Document 1-1 Filed 06/06/23 Page 3 of 8 PageID #: 18
U.S. Patent Aug. 26, 2014 Sheet 2 of 3 US 8,818,532 B1 

ÅEX NOILWA? 13\,

. . . . . . 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Case 2:23-cv-00271-JRG-RSP Document 1-1 Filed 06/06/23 Page 4 of 8 PageID #: 19
U.S. Patent Aug. 26, 2014 Sheet 3 of 3 US 8,818,532 B1 

 

Case 2:23-cv-00271-JRG-RSP Document 1-1 Filed 06/06/23 Page 5 of 8 PageID #: 20
US 8,818,532 B1 

1. 

SYSTEMAND METHOD FOR SELECTIVELY 

CONTROLLING AND MONITORING 

RECEPTACLES AND FIXTURES 

CONNECTED TO APOWER CIRCUIT INA 

BUILDING 

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 

1. Field of the Invention 

In general, the present invention relates to systems and 

methods that control the supply of power to individual 

Switches and outlets in a home or business. More particularly, 

the present invention relates to control systems that enable a 

user to selectively activate and deactivate individual fixtures 

in a particular circuit of a home or business. 

2. Prior Art Description 

In the United States, electrical power is typically provided 

to commercial and residential buildings as alternating current 

at 120 volts and 60 Hz. Within a home or building, power is 

divided into smaller area circuits. Power to each area circuit is 

controlled by a separate circuit breaker. The number of outlets 

and fixtures assigned to each area circuit are governed by 

various federal, state, and local building codes. However, in 

most wiring scenarios, an area circuit typically contains less 

than ten outlets and fixtures in combined total. 

It has long been known that data can be transmitted through 

power wire cables, while electricity is simultaneously being 

transmitted through those same cables. This is accomplished by transmitting low Voltage signals at high frequencies, i.e. 

frequencies over 100 KHZ. The transmission of the data has 

no appreciable effect upon the transmission of electricity and 

vice versa. 

Transmitting data through power lines has been used for 

computer networking and even for telephone communication 

wiring. However, data transmission through power cables has 

primarily been used to control smart outlets, wherein the 

outlets can be activated or deactivated using a data transmis 

Sion. In Such systems, the control signals are typically gener 

ated using a desktop computer. The desktop computer uses a 

signal converter to convert command signals into data signals 

that can travel through the power lines. Since data is being 

transmitted through active power lines, the installation and 

expense of installing Such systems is considerable. Further 

more, commercially available Smart outlets are very expen 

sive. This is due to the electronics required within the smart 

outlet to identify that outlet to the overall system. A typical 

home may have over one hundred outlets and dozens of 

lighting fixtures. Being able to place an expensive Smart 

outlet into Such a multitude has made such prior art systems 

too expensive and too complex for use by the average home 

owner. Accordingly, Smart outlets are typically only installed 

by professionals in luxury homes and ultra-high energy effi 

cient commercial buildings. 

A need therefore exists for a system and method of simpli 

fying the use of Smart outlets so that an average homeowner 

can afford to use the smart outlets and has the ability to install 

the smart outlets. This need is met by the present invention as 

described and claimed below. 

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 

The present invention is a system for adding controls to an 

area circuit within a building. The system enables specific 

outlets and fixture Switches in the area circuit to be automati 

cally and individually controlled. 

In the system, Smart outlets are used. Each Smart outlet has 

a receptacle, an internal on/off Switch, and a selectively 

10 

15 

25 

30 

35 

40 

45 

50 

55 

60 

65 

2 

changeable address code. Likewise, Smart fixture Switches are used. Each smart fixture switch has an internal on/off 

Switch, and a selectively changeable address code. 

An electrical power cable extends throughout the area cir 

cuit providing power to the various Smart outlets and Smart 

fixture switches. The smart outlets only conduct electricity to 

their receptacles when their internal on/off switches are “on”. 

Likewise, the fixture Switches are only capable of passing 

electricity when their internal on/off switches are turned 

“On. 

A control unit is coupled to the electrical power cable at a 

point in the circuit before the first smart outlet or smart fixture 

Switch. The control unit generates an addressed control signal 

within the electrical power cable. The addressed control sig 

nal selectively controls the internal on/off switches in the 

Smart outlets and the Smart fixture Switches. However, the 

addressed control signal generated by the control unit must be 

properly addressed to a Smart outlet or a Smart fixture Switch 

in order for that smart outlet or Smart fixture switch to 

respond. By changing the address codes associated with each 

Smart outlet and smart fixture Switch, different elements of an 

area circuit can be controlled using a single command signal. 

Likewise, many different elements can be controlled using different command signals. 

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 

For a better understanding of the present invention, refer 

ence is made to the following description of exemplary 

embodiments thereof, considered in conjunction with the 

accompanying drawings, in which: 

FIG. 1 is a general schematic of an exemplary embodiment 

of the overall system; 

FIG. 2 is a more detailed schematic showing the electronic 

components utilized in the elements of the present invention 

system; and 

FIG.3 is a front view of an alternate embodimentofa smart 

outlet for use in the present invention system. 

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 

Although the present invention system can be embodied in 

many ways, the embodiments illustrated show the system 

being used in the wiring of a typical residential home. These 

embodiments are selected in order to set forth the best modes 

contemplated for the invention. The illustrated embodiment, 

however, is merely exemplary and should not be considered a 

limitation when interpreting the scope of the appended 

claims. 

Referring to FIG. 1, a schematic for the wiring of a typical 

residential home is shown. As can be seen, the home receives 

power through electrical power cables 12 that run to the house 

10 from a local power utility. The electrical power cables 12 

run into a main circuit breaker panel 14. The circuit breaker 

panel 14 contains multiple circuit breakers. Each circuit 

breaker controls a specific area circuit 18 within the home 10. 

The present invention system 20 includes the use of a 

control unit 22, Smart outlets 24 and smart fixture switches 26 

that enable each individual circuit to be separately pro 

grammed and controlled. 

Referring to both FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, it can be seen that a 

control unit 22 is provided for each area circuit 18 within the 

home. The control unit 22 is placed in series between the 

primary circuit breaker panel 14 and the first smart outlet 24 or smart fixture Switch 26 in that area circuit 18. The control 

unit 22 generates control signals to operate the various Smart 

outlets 24 and smart fixture switches 26 present in that area 

Case 2:23-cv-00271-JRG-RSP Document 1-1 Filed 06/06/23 Page 6 of 8 PageID #: 21
US 8,818,532 B1 

3 

circuit 18. The control unit 22 also prevents reply signals or 

looped signals from passing back into the main wiring and 

affecting other area circuits 18. 

Each Smart outlet 24 and Smart fixture switch 26 contains 

control circuitry 28a, 28b that controls an internal on/off 

switch 30a, 30b. The control circuitry 28a, 28b responds to 

command signals 32 sent by the control unit 22, provided 

those command signals 32 are addressed to the Smart outlet 24 or smart fixture switch 26. The address of each smart outlet 24 

and each smart fixture switch 26 is determined by the use of 

a set of pin switches 34a, 34b. Although the use of pin 

switches 34a, 34b is illustrated, other code setting devices, 

Such as memory cards or ID chips can be used. The use of pin switches 34a, 34b is preferred because of the ease in changing 

between preset codes. 

In addition to an internal on/off switch30a,30b, each smart 

outlet 24 and smart fixture switch 26 also preferably contains 

a current meter 46a. 46b and a signal generator 48a, 48b that 

enables the Smart outlets 24 and the smart fixture switches 26 

to send signals back to the control unit 22. 

Each control unit 22 contains its own central processing unit (CPU)36. The CPU 36 is coupled to a display 38 and to 

the user inputs 40. The display 38 and user inputs 40 enable a 

user to interact with program control software being run by 

the control unit 22. The program control software provides 

two program functions to each of the Smart outlets 24 and/or 

Smart fixture switches 26 connected to the area circuit 18. The 

first program function is for the on/off control of each smart 

outlet 24 or Smart fixture Switch 26. Using this program function, a user can immediately send a signal to a specific 

Smart outlet 24 or smart fixture switch 26 that causes that 

device to immediately turn either on or off. Similarly, using a 

clock 42 and memory 44 that are coupled to the CPU 36, a 

user can program specific times that each Smart outlet 24 and 

each smart fixture switch 26 can be activated or be deacti 

vated. It will therefore be understood that a user can turn 

on/off lights, appliances or any other electrical item that is 

either plugged into a Smart outlet 24 and/or wired to a Smart 

fixture switch 26. 

The second program function is used for power monitor 

ing. Each Smart outlet 24 contains an amp meter 46. The amp 

meter 46 measures how much current is presently flowing 

through the smart outlet 24 or smart fixture switch 26. The 

current flow is converted into a data signal by the control 

circuitry 28a, 28b. The data signal is then sent back to the 

control unit 22 using signal generators 48a, 48b in the Smart 

outlets 24 and smart fixture switches 26. 

It will therefore be understood that a user can go to the 

control unit 22 and display how much electrical current is 

passing through a particular outlet or Switch. In this manner, 

a person can calculate the costs of running various appliances, 

fixtures and other electrical items. 

As can be seen, the control unit 22 contains a plurality of 

pin switch devices 50. Although, only a few are illustrated, it 

is preferred that each control unit 22 have up to ten pin switch 

devices 50. Each pin switch device 50 is set to a unique 

identification code that is shared by either one of the smart 

outlets 24 and/or one of the smart fixture switches 26 in the 

same area circuit 18 as the control unit 22. If a pin switch 

device 50 on the control unit 22 is set to the same identifier 

code as a pin switch device 34a, 34b in a smart outlet 24 or 

smart fixture switch 26, then the control unit 22 is capable of 

communicating with that Smart outlet 24 or Smart fixture 

switch 26 and vice versa. Furthermore, it should be under 

stood that more than one Smart outlet 24 or Smart fixture 

switch 26 can be set to the same identification code. If this is 

done, all the smart outlets 24 and smart fixture switches 26 set 

5 

10 

15 

25 

30 

35 

40 

45 

50 

55 

60 

65 

4 

to the same code will turn on together and off together upon 

the sending of a single command signal 32 from the control 

unit 22. 

Optional safety features can be added to the control unit 22. 

The control unit 22 can have a key slot 52 that is configured to 

receive a removable activation key 54. The various user inputs 

40 can be used only when the removable activation key 54 is 

inserted into the key slot 52. Once the activation key 54 is 

removed, the settings programmed into the control unit 22 

remain fixed until the activation key 54 is returned. In this 

manner, children, employees or other unauthorized personnel 

cannot change the settings for the control unit 22. 

In the first embodiment, the identification code associated 

with each smart outlet 24 or Smart fixture switch 26 is deter 

mined by setting a pin switch device 50. To change the pin 

setting, the smart outlet 24 or smart fixture switch 26 would 

have to be removed from its junction box. Referring to FIG.3, an alternate embodiment is shown that eliminates the use of 

pin switch devices and the need to remove the smart outlet or 

Switch when changing its identification code. 

In FIG. 3, each smart outlet 60 and each Smart fixture 

switch (not shown) is provided with a key slot 62. A coded key 

64 is provided that fits into the key slot 62. The coded key 64 

contains the identification code for that Smart outlet 60. 

Accordingly, the identification code for any smart outlet 60 or 

Smart fixture Switch can be changed simply by changing the 

coded key 64. The smart outlet 60 never has to be removed 

from its junction box. Furthermore, if the coded key 64 is 

removed by an unauthorized person, the smart outlet 60 will 

automatically deactivate. 

In a similar manner, generic coded keys can be provided 

that activate the Smart outlet 60 but make the Smart outlet 60 

unresponsive to the control unit 22. Rather, ifa generic coded 

key is placed in a smart outlet 60, that Smart outlet 60 is no 

longer “Smart’ and operates as a conventional hard-wired 

outlet. 

It will be understood that the embodiments of the present invention that are illustrated and described are merely exem 

plary and that a person skilled in the art can make many 

variations to those embodiments. All Such embodiments are 

intended to be included within the scope of the present inven 

tion as defined by the claims. 

What is claimed is: 

1. In a building having multiple circuits wired to a central 

circuit breaker, a system for adding controls to a targeted circuit from among said multiple circuits, said system com 

prising: 

a plurality of outlet assemblies, wherein each of said plu rality of outlet assemblies has a receptacle, an on/off 

Switch, and a selectively changeable outlet identification 

code, wherein said on/off switch is configurable 

between an on condition and an off condition; 

an electrical power cable extending from said central cir 

cuit breaker to said plurality of outlet assemblies, 

wherein said electrical power cable supplies electrical 

current to said plurality of outlet assemblies, and 

wherein said electrical current is connected to said 

receptacle in each of said plurality of outlet assemblies 

only when its said on/off Switch is in said on condition; 

and 

a control unit coupled to said electrical power cable at a 

point between said plurality of outlet assemblies and 

said central circuit breaker, wherein said control unit 

generates an addressed control signal within said elec 

trical power cable, wherein said addressed control signal selectively controls said on/off switch in any of said 

Case 2:23-cv-00271-JRG-RSP Document 1-1 Filed 06/06/23 Page 7 of 8 PageID #: 22
US 8,818,532 B1 

5 

plurality of outlet assemblies that have said outlet iden 

tification code that is addressed by said addressed con 

trol signal. 

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein each of said 

plurality of outlet assemblies contains a set ofpin switches for 

selectively setting said outlet identification code for each of 

said plurality of outlet assemblies. 

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein said control 

unit has at least one set of pin switches for selectively address 

ing said addressed control signal. 4. The system according to claim 1, wherein each of said 

plurality of outlet assemblies contains its own removable 

code key. 

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein each of said 

plurality of outlet assemblies includes a current meter that 

measures current flow to said receptacle when said on/off 

Switch is in said on condition. 

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein each of said 

plurality of outlet assemblies includes a signal generator that 

sends a signal to said control unit through said electrical 

power cable. 

7. The system according to claim 1, further including at 

least one fixture switch connected to said targeted circuit by said electrical power cable, wherein said at least one fixture 

switch is selectively activated and deactivated by said control 

unit. 

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein said at least 

one fixture switch has a changeable identification code. 

9. An area circuit within a building comprising: 

an outlet assembly having a receptacle, an on/off switch, 

and a selectively changeable outlet identification code, 

wherein said on/off switch is configurable between an 

on condition and an off condition; 

10 

15 

25 

30 

6 

a control unit coupled to said outlet assembly by an elec 

trical power cable, wherein said control unit generates 

an addressed control signal within said electrical power cable that selectively controls said on/off switch in said 

outlet assembly only when said outlet identification 

code is accurately addressed by said addressed control 

signal. 

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein said outlet 

assembly contains a set of pin Switches for selectively setting 

said outlet identification code. 

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein said control 

unit has a set of pin switches for selectively addressing said 

addressed control signal. 12. The system according to claim 9, wherein said outlet 

assembly contains its own removable code key. 13. The system according to claim 9, wherein each said 

outlet assembly includes an amperage meter that measures 

current flow to said receptacle when said on/off switch is in 

said on condition. 

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein said outlet 

assembly includes a signal generator that sends a signal from 

said amperage meter to said control unit through said electri 

cal power cable. 

15. The system according to claim 9, wherein said area 

circuit further includes at least one fixture switch that is 

connected to said control unit by said electrical power cable 

and wherein said at least one fixture switch is selectively activated and deactivated by said control unit through said 

electrical power cable. 

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein said at least 

one fixture switch has a selectively changeable identification 

code. 

Case 2:23-cv-00271-JRG-RSP Document 1-1 Filed 06/06/23 Page 8 of 8 PageID #: 23