Abstract:
An electrical switching device for controlling lighting or other electrical loads from multiple locations. Device toggle element indicates to a user whether or not the load is energized. A raised “ON” position indicates an energized load while lowered “OFF” position indicates the load is not energized. Toggle element position is changeable manually by the user or programmatically by an actuator mechanism. A mode of communication exists among devices so that when one device&#39;s toggle element position is changed manually, this change is communicated to other devices on the same circuit and these other devices activate their actuator in order to change the position of their toggle elements in synchronization. One or more loads are connected to devices and are energized when the respective device&#39;s toggle element is in the raised “ON” position and de-energized when the device&#39;s toggle element is in the lowered “OFF” position.”

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present invention claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/261,435 filed 1 Dec. 2015, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to switched control of electrical loads. More particularly, the present invention relates to a multiway switch that synchronizes a position of a toggle element to provide a user with an indication of load status. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Many light fixtures are controlled by a single switch. In these cases, it is standard practice that the switches are mounted such that the toggle element is in a raised position when the light is energized and in a lowered position when the light is not energized. In some cases, however it is necessary for light fixtures to be controlled by multiple switches. For example, the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) requires that a stairway have a switch at each end of the stairway to energize the lighting in that space. In situations where multiple switches control the same light fixture(s), those switches must be multiway switches. 
         [0004]    Due to the inherent design of current multiway switches, such multiway switches do not share the aforementioned standard practice that the switch&#39;s toggle element is in a raised position when the light is energized and in a lowered position when the light is not energized. Rather, a multiway switch&#39;s toggle element may be in either a raised or lowered position when the light is energized. Conversely, a multiway switch&#39;s toggle element may be in either a raised or lowered position when the light is not energized. Additionally, a multiway switch&#39;s toggle element may be in the raised position when the light is energized, but at a later time still be in the raised position, though with the light no longer energized. 
         [0005]    The aforementioned lack of correlation between switch position and light energization causes the user a number of inconveniences. In such instances, a user may observe the toggle element of multiway switch in the raised position when the light is not energized. As such, the user may mistakenly conclude that the light is burned out. 
         [0006]    Often multiple light switches are grouped together at a single location. A user wanting to turn off all of the lights in a particular area may place all the switches&#39; toggle elements in the lowered position to accomplish this. However, if one or more multiway switches are present the user may inadvertently energize a light fixture. 
         [0007]    Users may instinctively sweep their hand or arm over the toggle element of a light switch in an upward or downward manner without looking at the switch because the state of the light leads them to believe that the toggle element should be in a certain position. When a multiway switch is present, the toggle element may be in a position that the user does not expect, rendering their motion ineffective. 
         [0008]    Users may also sweep their hand or arm over the toggle element of a light switch in an upward or downward manner when they cannot see the toggle element, such as in a dark room. As in the previous case, this motion may be ineffective. 
         [0009]    Users may desire to control a light fixture that is out of sight, such as a light that is on the other side of a door. Users will be compelled to move to a location to where they can observe the state of the light to confirm that they have placed the light in the desired state. 
         [0010]    Because this lack of correlation between the toggle element position and the energization of the light exists, users may also question the state of switches which are not multiway switches. As it is not readily apparent whether a switch is a multiway switch or a regular switch, users may doubt the status of a switch that does indeed have a correlation between switch position and energization of the light. 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,238,343 issued to Carlson attempted to address this shortcoming with an illuminated pushbutton. However, this solution required extra wiring and introduced an interface that was unfamiliar to the user. 
         [0012]    Given these factors, there is a clear need for a switching apparatus that overcomes the limitations of the prior art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    The present invention is a switch which is intended to be used in combination with one or more switches of the same type in multiple locations to control an electrical load. In typical situations, the electrical load may be a lighting load in terms of a light fixture though any electrical load may be provided. 
         [0014]    The present invention includes a toggle element which may be in the form of a lever, rocker, or pushbutton structure. Such toggle element serves both as the user interface for controlling an electrical load and also an indicator of the energization state of the load, which is switchable between a raised “ON” position and a lowered “OFF” position. One or more actuating devices are provided which both serve to change the position of the toggle element and to provide the user with a snap-action feel (i.e., haptic feedback). A communication mechanism is also provided that serves to synchronize the switching devices. As well, a microcontroller that processes communication messages, senses the position of the toggle element, and controls the actuating devices is provided thereby controlling the position of the toggle element. 
         [0015]    In one embodiment, a permanent fixed magnet is affixed to the interior end of the toggle element. One or more electromagnets are mounted so as to selectively produce a repelling and/or attracting force on the permanent magnet in order to move the toggle element into an appropriate position. 
         [0016]    In another embodiment, one or more blocks of ferrous material is/are mounted in the body of the toggle element. One or more electromagnets is/are mounted so as to produce an attracting force on the ferrous material in order to move the toggle element into an appropriate position. 
         [0017]    In one embodiment, a Hall Effect sensor is placed in a position whereby a permanent magnet embedded in the toggle element will change the output state of the Hall Effect sensor. The Hall Effect sensor and the permanent magnet are placed in such a way that the output state of the Hall Effect sensor changes when the toggle element passes the midpoint of the toggle element&#39;s travel. In this way, the microcontroller will accurately detect if the toggle element is in the raised or lowered half of the toggle element&#39;s travel. 
         [0018]    In another embodiment, a beam of light is emitted from a light source. A light detector is placed opposite the light source. The light source and sensor are placed in such a way that the toggle element interrupts the light beam and subsequently changes the output of the light detector when the toggle element passes the midpoint of the toggle element&#39;s travel. In this way, the microcontroller will accurately detect if the toggle element is in the raised or lowered half of the toggle element&#39;s travel. 
         [0019]    In another embodiment, the toggle element depresses a limit switch and subsequently changes the output of the limit switch when the toggle element passes the midpoint of the toggle element&#39;s travel. In this way, the microcontroller will accurately detect if the toggle element is in the raised or lowered half of the toggle element&#39;s travel. 
         [0020]    In one embodiment, a line terminal and a load terminal are present with a switching device provided between the two terminals. By changing the state of this switching device, the microcontroller will control the energization of the load. 
         [0021]    In one embodiment, a communication wire is present which will be wired to a communication wire of one or more like devices. In this way, electrical signals are passed between the devices and the devices communicate synchronization messages. When the microcontroller receives a message via the communication terminal that a change of state is required, the microcontroller will energize the electromagnets in order to produce a magnetic force and subsequently move the toggle element to the appropriate position. 
         [0022]    In one embodiment, the toggle element protrudes from the front of the switch and has between a 40 degree to 50 degree range of movement between a raised “UP” position and a lowered “OFF” position. The microcontroller will detect when the toggle element passes the midpoint of lever travel and change the output of the load terminal to match the state of the toggle element&#39;s position. When the position is changed, the microcontroller will also send out a message via the microcontroller&#39;s communication terminal to inform other like devices of the change of state. 
         [0023]    In another embodiment, the toggle element is nearly flush with the face of the switch and has a range of movement from 5 degrees to 12 degrees, pivoting in the center. Only the top or bottom edge of the toggle element protrudes at a given time. When the bottom half of the toggle element is flush with the face of the switch, the switch is in the “OFF” position. When the top half of the toggle element is flush with the face of the switch, the switch is in the “ON” position. When the position is changed, the microcontroller will also send out a message via the microcontroller&#39;s communication terminal to inform other like devices of the change of state. 
         [0024]    In another embodiment, the switch has two pushbuttons, only one of which protrudes at a given time. When the top button is depressed flush with the face of the switch, the switch is in the “ON” position. When the bottom button is depressed flush with the face of the switch, the switch is in the “OFF” position. When a user depresses the button which is in the protruding position, the button which is in the depressed position will simultaneously protrude. In this way, the two pushbuttons act in a toggle manner. When the position is changed, the microcontroller will also send out a message via the microcontroller&#39;s communication terminal to inform other like devices of the change of state. 
         [0025]    In accordance with one aspect, the present invention provides a switching apparatus for controlling energization of an electrical load, the apparatus including: a toggle element movable between a first position and a second position, the toggle element including a magnetic element affixed thereto; an electromagnetic element being selectively energized and fixed in position relative to the toggle element; a sensor creating a signal indicative of the toggle element passing a position midway between the first position and the second position; and a microprocessor controlling the electromagnetic element to selectively attract or repel the magnetic element in response to the signal thereby creating sensory feedback to a user of the switching apparatus between energization and de-energization of an electrical load. 
         [0026]    In accordance with another aspect, the present invention provides a system of controlling energization of an electrical load using multiple switch devices, the system including: a plurality of switch devices, each the switch device including a toggle element movable between a first position and a second position, the toggle element including a magnetic element affixed thereto; an electromagnetic element being selectively energized and fixed in position relative to the toggle element; a sensor creating a signal indicative of the toggle element passing a position midway between the first position and the second position; a communications wire for distributing the signal among the plurality of switches; and a microprocessor controlling the electromagnetic element to selectively attract or repel each the magnetic element in each of the plurality of switches simultaneously in response to the signal thereby creating sensory feedback to a user of the system; wherein the plurality of switches are connected via the communications wire. 
         [0027]    This brief summary has been provided so that the nature of the invention may be understood quickly. A more complete understanding of the invention can be obtained by reference to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment thereof in connection with the attached drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0028]    The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0029]      FIG. 1A  is a cutaway perspective view of a switch device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 1B  is a side cross-sectional view of the switch taken along cutline  1 B- 1 B of  FIG. 1C ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 1C  is a frontal view of the switch shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 2A  is a cutaway perspective view of another (Decora® style) embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 2B  is a side cross-sectional view of the switch taken along cutline  2 B- 2 B of  FIG. 2C ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 2C  is a frontal view of the switch shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 3A  is a cutaway perspective view of another (single momentary pushbutton) embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0036]      FIG. 3B  is a side cross-sectional view of the switch taken along cutline  3 B- 3 B of  FIG. 3C ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 3C  is a frontal view of the switch shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 4A  is a cutaway perspective view of still another (dual momentary pushbutton) embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0039]      FIG. 4B  is a side cross-sectional view of the switch taken along cutline  4 B- 4 B of  FIG. 4C ; 
           [0040]      FIG. 4C  is a frontal view of the switch shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 5A  is a circuit diagram in accordance with one possible implementation of the present invention; 
           [0042]      FIG. 5B  is a circuit diagram in accordance with another possible implementation of the present invention; 
           [0043]      FIG. 6  is a circuit diagram incorporating multiple switches in accordance with the present invention; and 
           [0044]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating the software-based logic resident on the microcontroller within switches in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0045]    Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the invention in unnecessary detail. 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIGS. 1A  through  FIG. 1C , a switch in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention is shown and described. Here, a toggle element  115  is the user interface device. This toggle element  115  allows the user to control the energization of the load by moving to either the raised “ON” position or the lowered “OFF” position. It should be understood that while the customary standard of a raised (i.e., “up”) position is used to indicate an energization (i.e., “ON” position) of the load and a lowered (i.e., “down”) position is used to indicate an de-energization (i.e., “OFF” position) of the load, any suitable positioning model may be used to indicate energization and de-energization of the load without straying from the intended scope of the present invention including, but not limited to, left/right orientation or, in the case of push-button style switching, in/out orientation. This toggle element  115  serves as a visual indicator to the user because the position of the toggle element  115  corresponds with the energization state of the lighting load. Advantageously, the toggle element  115  also provides the user with haptic feedback as the toggle element  115  provides a tactile snap action by resisting the manual movement of the user until the toggle element  115  reaches a midway of the toggle element&#39;s  115  travel, where the toggle element  115  snaps into the position (i.e., ON to OFF, or vice versa) that the user is moving the toggle element  115 . 
         [0047]    A pair of electromagnets  103 ,  113  are provided to supply magnetic force in order to selectively attract/repel a permanent magnet  108  (seen in the cross sectional view of  FIG. 1B  which itself is the view taken along line  1 B- 1 B shown in  FIG. 1C ) which is embedded in the toggle element  115 . Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the magnetic force may alternatively be supplied with a single horseshoe electromagnet without straying from the intended scope of the present invention. 
         [0048]    A microcontroller  105  is configured so as to selectively provide direct current (DC) through the electromagnets  103 ,  113  and thereby move the position of the toggle element  115 . In this manner, the permanent magnet  108  embedded in the toggle element  115  allows the electromagnets  103 ,  113  to apply a force on the toggle element  115  in order to move the toggle element&#39;s  115  position. The permanent magnet  108  has a magnetic field surrounding the permanent magnet  108  which will be detected by a Hall Effect sensor  106  located adjacent an internal end of the toggle element  115 , wherein the external end thereof is the end exposed to the user. When the toggle element  115  passes the midpoint of the toggle element&#39;s  115  arcuate path of travel, the output of the Hall Effect sensor  106  is changed. Such change in output is detected by the microcontroller  105 . It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that this position sensor could be in a form other than a Hall Effect sensor and may include a momentary contact, light detector, or other sensing device without straying from the intended scope of the present invention. 
         [0049]    The haptic feedback provided by the toggle element  115  is produced by the force (i.e., attracting or repelling) of the electromagnets  103 ,  113  on the permanent magnet  108 . When the switch&#39;s toggle element  115  is in a given position, the microcontroller  105  detects the position and controls the electromagnets  103 ,  113  to continue providing force to keep the toggle element  115  in that same position. In this way, when the user places a force (e.g., manually with the user&#39;s hand) against the toggle element  115 , there is an active countering force on the toggle element  115  working against the user applied force. When the toggle element  115  reaches the midpoint of the toggle element&#39;s  115  travel, the microcontroller  105  detects the change in position and controls the electromagnets  103 ,  113  to reverse polarity and thereby reverse the direction of force (i.e., attracting or repelling) that the electromagnets  103 ,  113  place on the permanent magnet  108  and subsequently the toggle element  115 . After such midpoint position is reached, the toggle element  115  then snaps into place in the direction the user was manually forcing the toggle element  115 , giving the user a clear and immediate feedback that the switch&#39;s toggle element  115  has been moved to the desired position. 
         [0050]    Line  110 , load  112 , neutral  111 , and traveler  109  wires, each commonly understood within the electrical art, attach to the printed circuit board (PCB) and carry those conductors out of the device. Use of the traveler  109  wire in the context of the present invention will be further described herein below. 
         [0051]    The switch face  116 , mounting plate  101 , switch body  107 , and rivets  102 ,  114  are structural elements that serve to securely encase the internal elements and provide a manner commonly understood within the electrical art by which to mount the switch. 
         [0052]    In the embodiment represented in  FIGS. 2A  through  FIG. 2C , the toggle element  215  conforms to the standards of a rocker switch of the Decora® style (a relatively flat-styled rocker switch provided by Leviton Mfg. Company Inc. of Melville, New York). This type of toggle element  215  as shown is therefore larger and flatter than the aforementioned toggle element  115  from  FIGS. 1A  through  FIG. 1C . However, the toggle element  215  serves the same functional and visual purposes as the toggle element  115  from  FIGS. 1A  through  FIG. 1C . Typically, when the upper half of the toggle element  215  is depressed to a position flush with the face of the body  207 , the device is considered to be in the “ON” position and when the lower half of the toggle element  215  is depressed to a position flush with the face of the body  207 , the device is considered to be in the “OFF” position. However, it should of course be understood that orientation of the lever may be altered such that ON and OFF may correspond to right/left, top/bottom, bottom/top depending upon the desired implementation. 
         [0053]    The toggle element  215  pivots on a pin  216  at the center of the toggle element  215 . It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that this pin could be integrated as part of the toggle element  215  without straying from the intended scope of the present invention. Similar to the operation described hereinabove with regard to  FIGS. 1A  through  FIG. 1C , this larger, flatter toggle element  215  will also provide the user with haptic feedback as the toggle element  215 . As before, the toggle element  215  provides snap action by resisting the movement of the user until the toggle element  215  reaches the midway of the toggle element&#39;s  215  travel, where the toggle element  215  snaps into the position that the user is moving the toggle element  215 . 
         [0054]    A pair of electromagnets  203 ,  213  selectively provide attractive force thereby pulling against the ferrous material blocks  217 ,  214  (seen in the cross sectional view of  FIG. 2B  which itself is the view taken along line  2 B- 2 B shown in  FIG. 2C ) which are embedded in the toggle element  215  towards ends thereof. The microcontroller  205  (seen in the  FIG. 2A ) selectively provides alternating current through one of the two electromagnets  203 ,  213  and thereby moves the position of the toggle element  215  by rocking motion which pivots about the pin  216 . 
         [0055]    The haptic feedback provided by the toggle element  215  is produced by the attractive force of the electromagnets  203 ,  213  on the ferrous material blocks  217 ,  214  which are embedded in the toggle element  215 . When the switch&#39;s toggle element  215  is in a given position, the microcontroller  205  detects the position and energizes one of the two electromagnets  203 ,  213  to continue providing force to keep the toggle element  215  in that same position. For example, as shown in  FIG. 2B , the electromagnet  213  is energized so as to attract corresponding ferrous material block  214  while the electromagnet  203  is left de-energized thereby not attracting the corresponding ferrous material block  217 . In this way, when the user places a force (e.g., manually by a user&#39;s fingers) against the toggle element  215  in the raised side near ferrous material block  217 , there is an opposing force on the toggle element  215  working against the user&#39;s force via the attraction of ferrous material block  214  to energized electromagnet  213 . 
         [0056]    After the user&#39;s manual force enables pivoting action of the toggle element  215  about the pin  216  and whereupon the toggle element  215  reaches the midpoint of the toggle element&#39;s  215  travel, the microcontroller  205  detects the change in position and energizes the electromagnet of electromagnets  203 ,  213  which was previously de-energized while simultaneously de-energizing the electromagnet of electromagnets  203 ,  213  which was previously energized. In this way, the direction of force the electromagnets  203 ,  213  place on the ferrous material blocks  217 ,  214  and subsequently the toggle element  215  is reversed. The toggle element  215  thereby snaps into place in the direction the user was forcing the toggle element  215 , thus providing the user a clear tactile feedback that the switch&#39;s toggle element  215  has been moved to the desired position. Indeed, the snap action in most instances may also provide an audible snapping sound which provides further sensory feedback to the user of the change in switch status. 
         [0057]    Detection by the microcontroller  205  of the change in position of the toggle element  215  may be accomplished in a variety of ways without straying from the intended scope of the present invention. In the embodiment as shown in  FIG. 2B , the toggle element  215  has an extension  202  which serves to depress or release a limit switch  206  based on the position of the toggle element  215 . When the toggle element  215  passes the midpoint of its travel, the output of the limit switch  206  is therefore changed, whereupon such change will be detected by the microcontroller  205 . It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that this position sensor could be in the form of a momentary contact, Hall Effect sensor, light detector, or other sensing device. 
         [0058]    Line  209 , load  210 , neutral  211 , and traveler  212  wires, each commonly understood within the electrical art, attach to the printed circuit board (PCB)  204  and carry those conductors out of the device. Use of the traveler  212  wire in the context of the present invention will be further described herein below. 
         [0059]    The switch body  207  and mounting plate  201  are structural elements that serve to securely encase the internal elements and provide a manner commonly understood within the electrical art by which to mount the switch. 
         [0060]    The embodiment represented in  FIGS. 3A  through  FIG. 3C  is a momentary pushbutton switch. Here, the user may depress the pushbutton  301  to change the output state of the pushbutton switch. A permanent magnet  309  (seen in the cross sectional view of  FIG. 3B  which itself is the view taken along line  3 B- 3 B shown in  FIG. 3C ) is embedded in the pushbutton  301  and an electromagnet  303  will be energized to generate a resistive force on the pushbutton  301 . A light source  302  sends a beam of light across the interface between the pushbutton  301  and the electromagnet  303  to a light detector  306  positioned opposite the light source  302 . When the pushbutton  301  is depressed by a user in the direction of the electromagnet  303  it eventually reaches its midpoint of travel, whereupon the light beam from the light source  302  is interrupted and the light detector  306  changes its output signal to the microcontroller  305 . 
         [0061]    The haptic feedback provided by the pushbutton  301  is produced by the repelling force of the electromagnet  303  on the permanent magnet  309 . When the pushbutton  301  is in a raised position, the microcontroller  305  mounted on the Printed Circuit Board  304  detects the position and controls the electromagnet  303  to continue providing repelling force to keep the pushbutton  301  in the raised position. In this way, when the user places a force (e.g., manually via a user&#39;s finger) against the pushbutton  301 , there is a countering (i.e., magnetic) force on the pushbutton  301  working against the user&#39;s (i.e., manual) force. When the pushbutton  301  reaches the midpoint of the pushbutton&#39;s  301  travel, the microcontroller  305  detects (via the aforementioned output signal of the light detector  306 ) the change in position and controls the electromagnet  303  to reverse polarity and thereby reverse the direction of force (thereby becoming an attractive force) that the electromagnet  303  places on the permanent magnet  309  and subsequently the pushbutton  301 . The pushbutton  301  snaps into a depressed position thereby providing the user a clear sensory feedback that the pushbutton  301  has been moved to the desired position. The pushbutton  301  is retained by the attractive force between the ferrous core of the electromagnet  303  and the permanent magnet  309 , even when current is removed from the electromagnet  303 . As the pushbutton  301  is now in a flush position relative to the body face  308 , it is impossible for the user to change the state of the pushbutton. Only the microcontroller  305  may move the pushbutton  301  to a raised position by reversing the polarity on the electromagnet  303 , thereby placing a repelling force on the permanent magnet  309  embedded in the pushbutton  301 . The body face  308  and body rear  307  are structural elements that serve to securely encase the internal elements. 
         [0062]    A further embodiment is provided by combining two such pushbuttons in a single unit and this will be described below. However, it should be noted that this single pushbutton embodiment described above may be implemented in several ways in addition to an on/off switching device for a lighting load. When a given product has a feature that the user can activate and that feature will not be immediately available for the user to activate a second time, this pushbutton design may be used to communicate that state. For example, when a user depresses a “start” button on a clothes dryer to start the drying cycle, depressing the button a second time is an action that has no effect as the drying cycle has already been activated. By employing the above described pushbutton, the machine could communicate to the user that depressing the start button a second time is an unavailable action by maintaining the pushbutton in the lowered position until the drying cycle is interrupted—e.g., by completion of the drying cycle or by service interruption. In another example, some toilets are equipped with a flush mechanism which is triggered electronically by a pushbutton. It may be undesirable for the user to trigger a second flush until the first flush cycle has been completed. This fact that immediately pressing the pushbutton a second time is an invalid operation could be communicated to the user by employing the above described pushbutton and maintaining the pushbutton in the lowered position until the flush cycle is completed. There are applications beyond these examples, and these examples are only given to illustrate potential functionality of the pushbutton design. 
         [0063]    The embodiment represented in  FIGS. 4A  through  FIG. 4C  is a switch made up of two of the aforementioned pushbuttons combined in a single unit. In this configuration, only a single microcontroller  405  and a single Printed Circuit Board (PCB)  404  are necessary. In this configuration, the user will depress the upper button  415  for the “ON” position and depress the lower button  412  to for the “OFF” position. However, it should of course be understood that orientation of the pushbuttons  412 ,  415  may be altered such that ON and OFF may correspond to right/left, top/bottom, bottom/top depending upon the desired implementation. These pushbuttons  412 ,  415  serve as a visual indicator to the user because the position of the pushbuttons  412 ,  415  correspond with the energization state of the lighting load. 
         [0064]    Permanent magnets  408 ,  414  (seen in the cross sectional view of  FIG. 4B  which itself is the view taken along line  4 B- 4 B shown in  FIG. 4C ) are embedded in the pushbuttons  412 ,  415  and electromagnets  413 ,  403  will be selectively energized to generate repelling/attracting forces on the pushbuttons  412 ,  415 . Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the magnetic force may alternatively be supplied with a single horseshoe electromagnet without straying from the intended scope of the present invention. The light source  409  sends a beam of light across the interface between the pushbutton  412  and the electromagnet  413  to a light detector  411  positioned opposite the light source  409 . Likewise, the light source  402  sends a beam of light across the interface between the pushbutton  415  and the electromagnet  403  to a light detector  406  positioned opposite the light source  402 . When one of the two pushbuttons  412 ,  415  are depressed by a user in the direction of the respective electromagnet of electromagnets  413 ,  403  the pushbutton pressed eventually reaches its midpoint of travel, whereupon the light beam from the respective light source  409 ,  402  is interrupted and the respective light detector of light detectors  411 ,  406  changes its output signal to the microcontroller  405 . 
         [0065]    When the pushbutton of the two pushbuttons  412 ,  415  which is in a raised position is depressed by the user, the microcontroller  405  will detect the change in output of the respective light detector  411 ,  406 . The microcontroller  405  will reverse the polarity of both electromagnets  413 ,  403  to simultaneously snap the pushbutton of pushbuttons  412 ,  415  which the user is depressing into the depressed position via attracting magnetic force and at the same time forcing that pushbutton of pushbuttons  412 ,  415  that the user is not depressing into a raised position via repelling magnetic force. The result of this behavior will be the appearance to the user of a toggle behavior. That is to say, when the user depresses the raised pushbutton of pushbuttons  412 ,  415 , the raised pushbutton of pushbuttons  412 ,  415  will snap into the lowered position at the same time that the lowered pushbutton of pushbuttons  412 ,  415  will snap into the raised position. Accordingly, these two pushbuttons  412 ,  415  will also provide the user with haptic feedback similar to the operation described hereinabove with regard to  FIGS. 3A through 3C . As before, the pushbuttons  412 ,  415  provide snap action by resisting the movement of the user until the respective pushbutton of pushbuttons  412 ,  415  reaches the midway of the respective pushbutton&#39;s travel, where such pushbutton snaps into the position that the user is moving such pushbutton. 
         [0066]    The switch face  416 , mounting plate  401 , and switch body  407  are structural elements that serve to securely encase the internal elements and provide a manner commonly understood within the electrical art by which to mount the switch. 
         [0067]      FIG. 5A  is a schematic diagram of the circuit which resides on PCBs  104 ,  304 ,  404  of the inventive switches shown in  FIGS. 1A  through  FIG. 1C ,  FIGS. 3A  through  FIG. 3C , and  FIGS. 4A  through  FIG. 4C .  FIG. 5B  is a schematic diagram of the circuit which resides on the PCB  204  of the inventive switch shown in  FIGS. 2A  through  FIG. 2C . It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that alternate circuit designs suitable for accomplishing the same tasks may alternatively be employed without straying from the intended scope of the present invention. The design of the schematic in  FIG. 5A  allows for the control of direct current (DC) polarity in the electromagnetic coils, whereas the design of the schematic in  FIG. 5B  allows straightforward on/off control of alternating current (AC) in the electromagnetic coils. Modules common to both schematics are like-numbered while electromagnetic control modules  502 A and  502 B differ accordingly. It should be understood that each module illustrates specific circuit elements though it should be understood that many different circuit elements may be used to satisfy the basic functions of each module outlined below. 
         [0068]    With regard to both schematics, the external wiring interface module  504  is where wires are attached which allow the inventive switching device to receive power and communicate with other connected inventive switching devices. The line and neutral connections provide  120 VAC which serves to power the device(s) and any connected load (e.g., light fixture). The load connection provides a power source for a load which is controlled via the circuitry of load control module  501 . The traveler connection wire previously mentioned is used to communicate among other inventive switches of the same type. 
         [0069]    The input power conditioning module  505  converts the input voltage into a voltage level that may be utilized by the programmable microcontroller module  503 . The load control module  501  allows the programmable microcontroller module  503  to control the energization of the load. The electromagnet control modules  502 A,  502 B allows the programmable microcontroller module  503  to control the flow of electrical current through the electromagnets. 
         [0070]    The position sensor module  506  detects the position of the toggle element and communicates that information to the programmable microcontroller module  503 . It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the position sensor module  506  may be in the form of a momentary contact, Hall Effect sensor, light detector, or other sensing device. 
         [0071]    In the illustrated embodiment, communication among inventive switches of the same type is accomplished by messaging over a traveler wire in the external wire interface module  504 . Those of skill in the art will appreciate that this may alternatively be accomplished by communication over the line/neutral wiring, fiber optic transmission, wireless transmission, etc. without straying from the intended scope of the present invention. 
         [0072]    In  FIG. 6 , a generalized schematic is shown illustrating one possible connection configuration of multiple inventive switches of the same type. Here, the arrangement consists of three identical switching devices  609  shown for an example and may be of any of the types shown in  FIGS. 1A, 2A , or  4 A. It should be understood, however, that there is no limitation on the number of devices  609  in a given circuit wherein a single device or many devices may be used. Each device  609  has a connection labeled LN  603  which is connected to line voltage  606 , N  604  which is connected to neutral  607 , T  605  which is connected to a common “traveler”  608 , and LD  602  which is optionally connected to a load. In the example, a single lighting load  601  is connected to a single load connection  602 . Each device  609  has a connection for a load  602 , and multiple loads can be connected to each device  609 , so it should become readily apparent that there are many configuration possibilities for connecting loads to the switching devices  609  in accordance with the present invention. 
         [0073]    In an alternate embodiment, a single switch  609  may contain a load  602  wire while any additional switches may omit the load  602  wire and associated circuitry. In this way, cost could be decreased by omitting components while retaining the functionality of the overall inventive multi-switch system. 
         [0074]    It will be noted that although most of this description and as shown in  FIG. 6  the invention has discussed the switching of lighting loads, the described devices may be used for loads other than lighting. 
         [0075]      FIG. 7 . is a flow diagram that describes the functionality of the programmable microcontroller discussed herein above. 
         [0076]    When power is first supplied to a switch device in accordance with the present invention, the device will go through an initialization routine  701 . In the initialization routine  701 , the device will communicate with the other devices on the same circuit to determine the position of the attached switch devices. If all the devices have the same position, they will all remain in that position. In this way, if power is interrupted, the switches will remain in the same state when the power is restored. If one or more of the switches&#39; toggle elements are in the raised “ON” position and one or more of the toggle elements are in the lowered “OFF” position, there is a conflict in the switch position and all toggle elements will reset to the lowered “OFF” position. 
         [0077]    Following the initialization routine  701 , there are two main states in the microcontroller including “ON” and “OFF” shown by an energized “ON” state  705  and a de-energized “OFF” state  703 . Transitions between these two states occur on one of two ways. If there is a local change of the toggle element position, the microcontroller makes a state change as the microcontroller sends a message to any attached switches  702 . If the microcontroller receives a message from an attached switch to change toggle element position, the microcontroller makes a state change as the microcontroller changes the toggle element position  704 . 
         [0078]    The above-described embodiments of the present invention are intended to be examples only. Alterations, modifications and variations may be effected to the particular embodiments by those of skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined solely by the claims appended hereto.