Abstract: Electrical switch devices are installed at in-wall electrical boxes of a building. Each device features a switch module with multiple electrically controlled switches for respective connection of multiple load circuits. A control panel with a user interface is mountable over the electrical box and is connected or connectable to the switch module. A communications transceiver of each device is operable to transmit and receive communications to and from each of the other devices. The control panel has a touch-screen display, and is configured to display virtual on-screen switches, including at least one virtual switch whose output is assigned to a respective one of the electrically controlled switches of the other devices. The at least one virtual switch at one device is thereby operable to control at least one load at another of said devices. User selected names are assignable to the switches, and used to label the virtual switches.

Abstract: Electrical switch devices are installed at in-wall electrical boxes of a building. Each device features a switch module with multiple electrically controlled switches for respective connection of multiple load circuits. A control panel with a user interface is mountable over the electrical box and is connected or connectable to the switch module. A communications transceiver of each device is operable to transmit and receive communications to and from each of the other devices. The control panel has a touch-screen display, and is configured to display virtual on-screen switches, including at least one virtual switch whose output is assigned to a respective one of the electrically controlled switches of the other devices. The at least one virtual switch at one device is thereby operable to control at least one load at another of said devices. User selected names are assignable to the switches, and used to label the virtual switches.

Abstract: A plurality of nodes installed throughout a building each include a wall-mounted unit supported by an in-wall electrical box, a connection inside said in-wall electrical box between the wall-mounted unit and the building's mains-power wiring system, and a power line communications transceiver for communication with the other nodes through the mains-power wiring system. The nodes includes respective speakers, and are operable in a music playing mode in which music data is streamed over the mains-power wiring system to two or more nodes in different rooms of the building for simultaneous audio playback therein. The wall mounted unit includes a panel mounted over the in-wall electrical box and a plurality of light sources positioned to emit light from perimeter edges of the panel to provide a wall illumination effect on the wall surface surrounding the control panel and the electrical box.

Abstract: An electrical switch device features a switch module housing that fits at least partially within an in-wall electrical box. The housing contains electrically controlled switches and has line and neutral contacts carried for each of the electrically controlled switches to enable connection of a different respective load circuit across each electrically controlled switch. A control panel is mountable over an open front of the in-wall electrical box and the housing therein, and has a user-interface for operation of the switch module to control the electrically controlled switches and connected loads. The control panel is sized to fully cover the open front of a multi-gang electrical box, whereby the same switch module and control panel are usable with either a single-gang or multi-gang electrical box without leaving any portion of the open front of the single-gang or multi-gang electrical box uncovered by said control panel.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for detecting defects in building structures is provided. The apparatus includes a detector operable to determine an indication of the defect; and a transmitter operable to wirelessly transmit the indication from the apparatus to a central controller. The system includes the detection unit; a locator operable to determine the location of the detection unit; and a memory for storing the indication and the location in association with each other. The memory may be part of a central controller in wireless communication with the detection unit. The apparatus or central controller may include a processor operable to determine from a plurality of measurements performed by the detection unit a resultant measurement vector indicating a direction from the detection unit toward the defect. The detection unit may be operable to autonomously change its location. A display showing resultant measurement vectors at various locations can be produced.

Abstract: A plurality of nodes installed throughout a building each include a wall-mounted unit supported by an in-wall electrical box, a connection inside said in-wall electrical box between the wall-mounted unit and the building's mains-power wiring system, and a power line communications transceiver for communication with the other nodes through the mains-power wiring system. The nodes includes respective speakers, and are operable in a music playing mode in which music data is streamed over the mains-power wiring system to two or more nodes in different rooms of the building for simultaneous audio playback therein. The wall mounted unit includes a panel mounted over the in-wall electrical box and a plurality of light sources positioned to emit light from perimeter edges of the panel to provide a wall illumination effect on the wall surface surrounding the control panel and the electrical box.

Abstract: An electrical switch device features a switch module housing that fits at least partially within an in-wall electrical box. The housing contains electrically controlled switches and has line and neutral contacts carried for each of the electrically controlled switches to enable connection of a different respective load circuit across each electrically controlled switch. A control panel is mountable over an open front of the in-wall electrical box and the housing therein, and has a user-interface for operation of the switch module to control the electrically controlled switches and connected loads. The control panel is sized to fully cover the open front of a multi-gang electrical box, whereby the same switch module and control panel are usable with either a single-gang or multi-gang electrical box without leaving any portion of the open front of the single-gang or multi-gang electrical box uncovered by said control panel.

Abstract: Nodes installed at various locations throughout a building each include a wall-mounted unit supported by an in-wall electrical box, a connection inside said in-wall electrical box between the wall-mounted unit and said mains-power wiring system of the building, and a power line communications transceiver by which the nodes can communicate through said connection to the mains-power wiring system, and at least sensor operable to detect home intrusion events. Each node is configured to, in response to a detection of a home intrusion event by said node, activate a local alarm-responsive action at said node that detected the home intrusion event, and also send out an alarm signal for triggering additional alarm-responsive actions at the other nodes. The sensor(s) include a microphone operable to capture audible events, through which the node can recognize home intrusions events and verbal commands for voice-activated functions, and perform alarm-related or control-related functions accordingly.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for detecting defects in building structures is provided. The apparatus includes a detector operable to determine an indication of the defect; and a transmitter operable to wirelessly transmit the indication from the apparatus to a central controller. The system includes the detection unit; a locator operable to determine the location of the detection unit; and a memory for storing the indication and the location in association with each other. The memory may be part of a central controller in wireless communication with the detection unit. The apparatus or central controller may include a processor operable to determine from a plurality of measurements performed by the detection unit a resultant measurement vector indicating a direction from the detection unit toward the defect. The detection unit may be operable to autonomously change its location. A display showing resultant measurement vectors at various locations can be produced.