This patent specification relates to a wall switch that comprises a docking station and a user-removable wall-switch head unit. In some embodiments, the docking station is configured to receive the user-removable wall-switch head unit, and configured to be permanently connected to a wall and coupled to high-power voltage wires. In some embodiments, the user-removable wall-switch head unit is configured to be user-insertable into said docking station and user-removable therefrom such that the user is not exposed to high-voltage connections when inserting or removing. In some embodiments, the wall switch controller further comprises inputs and outputs and circuitry for switchably controlling household line current power to a household electrical fixture. In some embodiments, the wall switch controller further comprises an occupancy sensor, a temperature sensor, or a processor.
1. A wall switch controller, comprising:
a docking station configured to receive a user-removable wall-switch head unit, the docking station configured to be permanently connected to a wall and coupled to high-voltage wires;
the user-removable wall-switch head unit configured to be user-insertable into said docking station and user-removable therefrom such that the user is not exposed to high-voltage connections when inserting or removing;
wireless communication circuitry configured to communicate with a plurality of low-powered devices using a first wireless protocol characterized by relatively low power usage and relatively low data rates and to serve as a communications bridge to a wide area network using a second wireless protocol characterized by relatively higher power usage and relatively higher data rates; and
a power storage module for storing power and using the power to maintain wireless communications during a power outage.
2. The wall switch controller of claim 1 , further comprising:
inputs and outputs and circuitry for switchably controlling household line current power to a household electrical fixture.
3. The wall switch controller of claim 1 , further comprising:
an occupancy sensor, a temperature sensor, or a processor.
4. The wall switch controller of claim 3 , further comprising:
circuitry for leveraging electrical power from the household line current power inputs to power the occupancy sensor, the temperature sensor, or the processor.
5. The wall switch controller of claim 1 , further comprising:
a housing configured to be compatible for installation in a conventional single-gang or multiple-gang wall box.
6. The wall switch controller of claim 1 , further comprising:
a click-and-rotate annular ring input.
7. The wall switch controller of claim 6 , wherein the click-and-rotate annular ring input provides a menu-driven interface for controlling operation of the wall switch controller.
8. The wall switch controller of claim 7 , wherein the click-and-rotate annular ring input and the menu-driven interface enable remote control of a wall switch that is separate from and communicatively coupled to the wall switch controller.
9. The wall switch controller of claim 6 , wherein the click-and-rotate annular ring input enables the wall switch controller to function as a dimming light switch.
10. A method, comprising:
receiving, at a docking station configured to be permanently connected to a wall and coupled to high voltage wires, a user-removable wall-switch head unit that is configured to be user-insertable into the docking station and user-removable therefrom such that a user is not exposed to the high voltage wires when inserting or removing, wherein
the user-removable wall-switch head unit includes wireless communication circuitry;
leveraging electrical power from the high voltage wires to power the user-removable wall-switch head unit; and
responsive to user input, controlling household line current power to a household electrical fixture;
communicating, by the user-removable wall-switch head unit, with a plurality of low-powered devices using a first wireless protocol characterized by relatively low power usage and relatively low data rates; and
serving, by the user-removable wall-switch head unit, as a communications bridge to a wide area network using a second wireless protocol characterized by relatively higher power usage and relatively higher data rates.
11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
providing, by the user-removable wall-switch head unit, a click-and-rotate annular ring input.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the click-and-rotate annular ring input received the user input that resulted in controlling the household line current power to the household electrical fixture.
13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the click-and-rotate annular ring input provides a menu-driven interface.
14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the click-and-rotate annular ring input enables the user-removable wall-switch head unit to function as a dimming light switch.
15. The method of claim 10 , wherein the user-removable wall-switch head unit is configured to remotely control operation of a second wall switch that is separate from and not physically connected to the user-removable wall-switch head unit.
16. A method, comprising:
receiving, at a docking station configured to be permanently connected to a wall and coupled to high-voltage wires, a user-removable wall-switch head unit that is configured to be user-insertable into the docking station and user-removable therefrom such that a user is not exposed to the high-voltage wires when inserting or removing, wherein:
the user-removable wall-switch head unit includes wireless communication circuitry; and
the user-removable wall-switch head unit is configured to store power and use the power to maintain wireless communications during a power outage;
leveraging electrical power from the high-voltage wires to power the user-removable wall-switch head unit; and
responsive to user input, controlling household line current power to a household electrical fixture.