Importance

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Abstract

A control system is disclosed for switching on or off appliances or other electrical devices at predetermined or preselected times. The timing or sequencing of switching on or switching off any appliances can be set or changed as desired by telephoning the system from a remote telephone and providing appropriate encoded instructions through the telephone lines. The system includes a central clock driven controller and one or more remote addressable switching means which communicate with the central controller through conventional power lines. The central controller includes a power line interface for generating and impressing control signals on the power lines, a telephone interface and tone decoder for receiving incoming telephone instructions, and a microprocessor and memory for processing incoming instructions and operating the power line interface. The system includes feedback means for determining the operational status of the remote addressable switching means. Each remote addressable switching means includes a power line interface for receiving incoming signals, a power switch for switching on or off an appliance, and control logic for selecting appropriate incoming signals and operating the power switch.

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First Claim