DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to power regulating and more particularly, to an apparatus and a method for regulating power supply to electronic devices.

BACKGROUND

In our home or at even commercial spaces, there are multiple electronic devices, which are operated through remote user devices or through a stationary regulator by manual operation.
With the advent of Internet of Things (IoT), considering the ease of operations for a user the electronic devices provide functionality with dual source for controlling operations of the electronic devices. The existing technology provides options to control the electronic devices either using applications installed in user devices or through the conventional regulators usually mounted on switch boards.
In the existing technology, a manual switch button is provided to toggle functionality between the application on the user device and the conventional regulator. This creates operational complexity for the user. As the user is unable to operate the electronic devices without manually operating the switch button and switching modes between the application and the conventional regulator.
Additionally, in case the electronic devices are operated through the regulator, the user may not be able to ascertain operational state of the electronic devices through the application on the user device.
Furthermore, in situation, the steps for pairing the user device with the electronic device is very complex and time consuming.
The existing technology has failed to provide any solution to control operation of the electronic device with both the user device and regulator without intervention of a manual switch.
SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.
In an embodiment of the present invention, a power regulating apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes an application adapted to be installed in a user device and configured to remotely control an operation of a target device. The apparatus further includes a regulator disposed in the vicinity of the target device and adapted to control the operation of the target device when manually operated; and a controller in communication with the application and the regulator. In the apparatus the controller is configured to receive an instruction from each of the application and the regulator to operate the target device; and control the operation of the target device based on one of the instructions based on timing of the receipt of the instructions, wherein the target device is operated based on the instruction received later.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a method of power regulating for controlling operation of a target device is disclosed. The method includes receiving an instruction from each of an application and a regulator to operate the target device, wherein the application is installed in a user device for remotely controlling the target device and the regulator is disposed in the vicinity of the target device to control the operation of the target device when manually operated. The method further includes controlling the operation of the target device based on one of the instructions based on timing of the receipt of the instructions, wherein the target device is operated based on the instruction received later.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a controller of a power regulating apparatus is disclosed. The controller including a receiving module configured to receive an instruction from each of an application and a regulator to operate a target device. The controller including a controlling module in communication with the receiving module and configured to control the operation of the target device based on one of the instructions based on timing of the receipt of the instructions, wherein the target device is operated based on the instruction received later.

To further clarify the advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram depicting an environment of implementation of a power regulating apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of the power regulating apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 3 illustrates a flowchart depicting a method for power regulating, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 4 illustrates another flowchart depicting the method for power regulating, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Figure 5 illustrates another flowchart depicting a method to initiate a learning mode for power regulation, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

For example, the term “some” as used herein may be understood as “none” or “one” or “more than one” or “all.” Therefore, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all” would fall under the definition of “some.” It should be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching, and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and therefore, should not be construed to limit, restrict, or reduce the spirit and scope of the present disclosure in any way.

For example, any terms used herein such as, “includes,” “comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and similar grammatical variants do not specify an exact limitation or restriction, and certainly do not exclude the possible addition of one or more features or elements, unless otherwise stated. Further, such terms must not be taken to exclude the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated, for example, by using the limiting language including, but not limited to, “must comprise” or “needs to include.”

Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, it may still be referred to as “one or more features” or “one or more elements” or “at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “one or more” or “at least one” feature or element do not preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language including, but not limited to, “there needs to be one or more...” or “one or more element is required.”

Unless otherwise defined, all terms and especially any technical and/or scientific terms, used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person ordinarily skilled in the art.

Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements of the present disclosure. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of explaining one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the proposed disclosure fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility, and non-obviousness.

Use of the phrases and/or terms including, but not limited to, “a first embodiment,” “a further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “further embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or other variants thereof do not necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or in the context of more than one embodiment, or in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.

Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should not necessarily be taken as limiting factors to the proposed disclosure.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram depicting an environment 100 of implementation of a power regulating apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of the power regulating apparatus 110, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
The apparatus 110 may be implemented between an electrical distribution network 101 and a target device 124. The electrical distribution network 101 may be adapted to supply operating power to the electronic target device 124.
The target device 124 may be residing in a residential premise or a commercial premise, and may include, but is not limited to, a fan, or a light source. The apparatus 110 is adapted to ensure transmission of power supply to the target device 124 based on a predefined priority status of multiple controlling means. The predefining of the priority status provides a user with ease of operation for regulating power, provide convenience to the user for remotely operating the apparatus 110 with a user device 102b or a regulator 108 and provide information on the user device 102b about the current power status of the target device 124.

In an embodiment, the power regulating apparatus 110 is in communication with a gateway device 106, for example, for receiving an instruction from the user device 102 relating to the power regulation. In an embodiment, an application 102a is installed on the user device 102b and is configured to remotely control an operation of the target device 124.

In an embodiment of the invention, the user device 102b and the gateway device 106 are in communication using a router 104. The router 104 provides a network for communicating the instruction or any other data over the network to the power regulating apparatus 110. Further, the instructions may be transmitted or received over the network via the gateway device 106. In an embodiment, the user device 102b transmits the instructions to the power regulating apparatus 110 for controlling the operation of the target device 124. In an example, the user device 102b may control the speed when the target device 124 is the fan. In another example, the user device 102b may control the lumens or the power level for brightness intensity when the target device 124 is the light source, such as a bulb, a Light Emitting Diode (LED), and other similar light sources.

The network may include wired networks, wireless networks, Ethernet AVB networks, or combinations thereof. The wireless network may be a cellular telephone network, an 802.11, 802.16, 802.20, 802.1Q, or WiMax network. Further, the network may be a public network, such as the Internet, a private network, such as an intranet, or combinations thereof, and may utilize a variety of networking protocols now available or later developed including, but not limited to TCP/IP based networking protocols.

In an embodiment, the instructions for controlling the operation of target device 124 may be received through a user input through the application 102a. The apparatus 110 may include the application 102a adapted to be installed in the user device 102b of the user. The user device 102b may include, but is not limited to, a tablet PC, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a mobile-device, a palmtop computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a server, a cloud server, a remote server, a communications device, a wireless-telephone, or any other machine controllable through the wireless-network and capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. The application 102a may be adapted to share notifications relating to power regulation and to receive input from the user.

In an embodiment, the apparatus 110 includes the regulator 108 disposed in the vicinity of the target device 124 and is adapted to control the operation of the target device 124 when the regulator 108 is manually operated by the user. In an embodiment, the regulator 108 transmits the instructions for controlling the operation of the target device 124. In an example, the instruction may be change in the voltage supply and therefore the regulator 108 varies the voltage level supplied to the target device 124 for controlling the operation. In an example, the regulator 108 may control the operation such as speed when the target device 124 is the fan and the power level or brightness intensity when the target device 124 is the light source.

The apparatus 110 may include, but is not limited to, a controller 120, a Single Pole Double Throw (SPDT) switch 112, a General-Purpose Input/Output (GPIO) 114, a current sensing circuit 116, an operation varying circuit 118, a Switch-Mode Power Supply (SMPS) 122. The controller 120, the Single Pole Double Throw (SPDT) switch 112, the General-Purpose Input/Output (GPIO) 114, the current sensing circuit 116, the operation varying circuit 118, and the Switch-Mode Power Supply (SMPS) 122 are in communication with each other. The controller 120 may be a microcontroller. The controller 120 may be in communication with the application 102a on the user device 102b to transmit the instructions and the data from the user device 102b for controlling the operation of the target device 124.
The controller 120 is connected via the GPIO 114 to the SPDT switch 112. In an embodiment, the GPIO may be a standard interface used to connect the microcontrollers to other electronic devices or switches for broadcasting the instructions. In another embodiment, the SPDT switch 112 is a switch that only has a single input and can connect to and switch between the two outputs. The SPDT switch 112 is in connection with the target device 124 for providing power supply.
In an embodiment, the current sensing circuit 116 is connected to the SPDT switch 112 and the controller 120. In an example, the current sensing circuit 116, measures the variation in voltage supplied to the target device 124 via the SPDT switch 112. The current sensing switch 116 is in communication with the controller 120. The current sensing switch 116 transmits the variation in voltage to the controller 120 for recording the same.
In an example embodiment, the operation varying circuit 118 is connected with the controller 120 and the SPDT switch 112. The variation in voltage provided to the SPDT switch which to be relayed to the target device 124 thus affecting the operation of the target device 124 is analysed by the operation varying circuit 118. The operation varying circuit 118 analyse the variation in voltage for determining an operational state of the target device 124. The operational state of the target device 124 which may include for example, determining, the speed when the target device 124 is the fan, the lumens indicative of brightness when the target device 124 is the light source. In an example, the operation varying circuit 118 transmits the operational state of the target device 124 to the controller 120 for further processing.
The controller 120 is in communication with the current sensing circuit 116 and receives the variation in voltage from the current sensing circuit 116 and receives the operational state of the target device 124 from the operation varying circuit 118. In an embodiment, the controller 120 thus associates variation in voltage with the operational state of the target device 124. In an example, the controller 120 determines that the operational state of the target device 124 at certain voltage level such as, at ‘X’ voltage level of current/power supply, the target device 124 being the fan operates at a highest speed level. In the example, the target device 124 being the fan may be comprising of a different levels for controlling speed such as level-1 denotes lowest speed of the fan and level-5 denotes highest speed of the fan. The voltage level of current/power supply may determine the level of speed of the fan. . In another example, the controller 120 determines that the operational state of the target device 124 at certain voltage level such as, at ‘Y’ voltage level of current/power supply the target device 124 being the light source operates at a highest brightness level. In the example, the target device 124 being the light may be comprising of a different levels for controlling brightness such as level-1 denotes lowest brightness of the light and level-5 denotes highest brightness of the light. The voltage level of current/power supply may determine the level of brightness of the light.

Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of the apparatus 110, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The power regulating apparatus 110 may include, but is not limited to, the controller 120. The controller 120 may further include, but is not limited to, a processor 202, memory 204, modules 206, and data 208. The modules 206 and the memory 204 may be coupled to the processor 202.

The processor 202 can be a single processing unit or several units, all of which could include multiple computing units. The processor 202 may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate signals based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the processor 202 is adapted to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions and data stored in the memory 204.

The memory 204 may include any non-transitory computer-readable medium known in the art including, for example, volatile memory, such as static random access memory (SRAM) and dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and/or non-volatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM, flash memories, hard disks, optical disks, and magnetic tapes. In an embodiment, the memory 204 is adapted to store the priority status for regulating power in the target device 124 to control the operation of the target device 124.
The modules 206, amongst other things, include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., which perform particular tasks or implement data types. The modules 206 may also be implemented as, signal processor(s), state machine(s), logic circuitries, and/or any other device or component that manipulate signals based on operational instructions.

Further, the modules 206 can be implemented in hardware, instructions executed by a processing unit, or by a combination thereof. The processing unit can comprise a computer, a processor, such as the processor 202, a state machine, a logic array, or any other suitable devices capable of processing instructions. The processing unit can be a general-purpose processor which executes instructions to cause the general-purpose processor to perform the required tasks or, the processing unit can be dedicated to performing the required functions. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the modules 206 may be machine-readable instructions (software) which, when executed by a processor/processing unit, perform any of the described functionalities.

In an embodiment, the modules 206 may include a receiving module 210, a selecting module 212, a controlling module 214, and a learning module 216. The receiving module 210, the selecting module 212, the controlling module 214, and the learning module 216 may be in communication with each other. The data 208 serves, amongst other things, as a repository for storing data processed, received, and generated by one or more of the modules 206.

Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2, the receiving module 210 may be adapted to receive the instructions from two different sources. In an example, a first source is the application 102a adapted to be installed in the user device 102b and configured to remotely control the operation of the target device 124. The receiving module 210 may be adapted to receive the instructions from the application 102a installed in the user device 102b. In an example, a second source is the regulator 109 disposed in the vicinity of the target device and adapted to control the operation of the target device 124. The receiving module 210 may further be adapted to receive the instructions from the regulator 108 when manually operated by the user. In an embodiment, the receiving module 210 may be adapted to receive the user inputs via the user device 102 and to transmit the data or information to the user device 102. The information may be the operational state of the target device 124. The user with the application 102a installed on the user device 102b may provide the priority status to the controller 120 which is received by the receiving module 210 and stored in the memory 204.
In an embodiment, the application 102a installed in the user device 102b allows the user to provide input in form of the priority status. The priority status may be the user provided input, considering giving priority for executing the instructions either received from the application 102a installed on the user device 102b or from the regulator 108 when operated manually. Generally, in automatic mode, the power regulating apparatus 110 controls the operation of the target device 124 based on instructions received from either of the application 102a installed on the user device 102b or from the regulator 108. When the user has provided the priority status, the power regulating apparatus 110 provides priority for executing the instructions either from the application 102a installed on the user device 102b or from the regulator 108.
In an embodiment, the selecting module 212 is in communication with the receiving module 210 and the memory 204, is configured to receive the instructions from either of the application 102a installed on the user device 102b or from the regulator 108. The selecting module 212 then determines which of the two sources is associated with the priority status at a given time by the user.
The selecting module 212 further transmits signal for controlling the operation of the target device based on one of the instructions based on timing of the receipt of the instructions, wherein the target device 124 is operated based on the instruction received later.
In other words, the receiving module 210 receives the priority status assigned to each of the application 102a installed in the user device 102b and the regulator 108. The selecting module 212 selects one of the instructions to control the target device 124 based on the priority statuses of the application 102a and the regulator 108.
Further, the selecting module 212 may also override the instructions followed at certain time, with the instructions from the one of the sources with the priority status.
In an embodiment, the controlling module 214 is in communication with the selecting module 212. The selecting module 212 sends the instructions to be executed so as to control the operation of the target device 124. The controlling module 214 controls the target device 124 based on the instruction selected by the selecting module 212.
In an example embodiment, the controller 120 is configured to control the operation of the target device 124 based on an instruction from the regulator 108. The controller 120 further receives a second instruction to operate the target device 124 from the application 102a installed in the user device 102b. The controller 120 determines that the application 102a installed in the user device 102b has higher priority than the regulator 108 and therefore operates the target device 124 based on the second instruction.
In another example embodiment, the controller 120 is configured to control the operation of the target device 124 based on an instruction from the application 102a installed in the user device 102b. The controller 120 further receives a second instruction to operate the target device 124 from the regulator 108, wherein the second instruction is received through manually operating the regulator 108. The controller 120 determines that the regulator 108 has higher priority than the application 102a and therefore operates the target device 124 based on the second instruction.
In an embodiment, the learning module 216 is disclosed. The learning module 216 is in communication with the controlling module 214.
The learning module 216 is in communication with the memory 204. The controller 120 includes the learning modules 216. The controller is configured to initiate a learning mode based on the user input. The controller may store current measuring data when the target device 124 is operated at each power level for a predefined time duration for learning and determine the power level of the target device 124 through the application 102a installed in the user device 102b based on the learning. In an example, when the target device 124 is the fan, the controller 120 is configured to initiate the learning mode based on the user input. The controller then stores current measuring data when the fan is operated at each speed level for the predefined time duration for learning; and determine the speed level of the fan through the application 102a based on the learning.
In another example, when the target device 124 is the light source, the controller 120 is configured to initiate the learning mode based on the user input. The controller 120 stores current measuring data when the light source is operated at each power level for a predefined time duration for learning and determine a brightness level of the light source through the application 102a based on the learning.

Figure 3 illustrates a flow chart depicting a method 300 of power regulating for controlling operation of the target device 124, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method 300 may be a computer-implemented method executed, for example, by the controller 120. For the sake of brevity, constructional and operational features of the apparatus 110 that are already explained in the description of Figure 1 and Figure 2, are not explained in detail in the description of Figure 3.

At a step 302, the method 300 includes receiving the instruction from each of the application 102a installed on the user device 102b and the regulator 108 to operate the target device 124. The application 102a installed in the user device 102b is configured to remotely control the target device 124. The regulator 108 is disposed in the vicinity of the target device 124 to control the operation of the target device 124 when manually operated.
At a step 304, the method 400 includes controlling the operation of the target device 124 based on one of the instructions which is based on timing of the receipt of the instructions. In an embodiment, the target device 124 is operated based on the instruction received later.

Figure 4 illustrates a flowchart depicting a method 400 of power regulating for controlling operation of the target device 124, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method 400 may be a computer-implemented method executed, for example, by the controller 120. For the sake of brevity, constructional and operational features of the apparatus 110 that are already explained in the description of Figure 1, Figure 2, and Figure 3 are not explained in detail in the description of Figure 4.
At step 402, the method 400 includes checking the priority status set by the user input. The user input may define the priority status for the regulator 108 and the application 102a.
At step 404, the user provides the priority status to the regulator 108, i.e., the instructions coming from the regulator 108 may be given priority for execution over other instructions.
At step 406, the method 400 includes determining the instructions being received from the application 102a installed in the user device 102b.
At step 408, if the instructions are received from the application 102a installed in the user device 102b, the method 400 includes directing the GPIO 114 to transmit the instructions from the application 102a installed in the user device 102b for controlling the operations of the target device 124.
At step 410, the method 400 includes determining if there are any instructions received from the regulator 108. The instructions from the regulator may be in form of changes comprising determining Analog-to-Digital current (ADC) value of the regulator 108 output current.
Further, at step 412, if there are variations in the ADC, then the variations are considered as the instructions sent from the regulator 108 for controlling the target device 124. Now, as the user provides the priority status to the regulator 108, the instructions from the regulator 108 may override the instructions received from the application 102a installed in the user device 102b. Thus, the instructions from the regulator 108 may control the operations of the target device 124.

At step 414, the user provides the priority status to the application 102a installed in the user device 102b, i.e., the instructions coming from the application 102a installed in the user device 102b may be given priority for execution over other instructions.
At step 416, the method 400 includes determining the instructions being received from the application 102a installed in the user device 102b.
In an example, at step 418, if the instructions are received from the regulator 108, the method 400 includes directing the GPIO 114 to transmit the instructions from the regulator 108 for controlling the operations of the target device 124.
At step 420, the method 400 includes determining if there are any instructions received from the application 102a installed in the user device 102b.
Further, at step 422, as the user provides the priority status to the application 102a installed in the user device 102b, the instructions from the application 102a installed in the user device 102b may override the instructions received from the regulator 108. Thus, the instructions from the application 102a may control the operations of the target device 124.

In another embodiment, at step 424, the method 400 includes determining that the priority status is set in an auto mode i.e., execute instructions from either of the two sources based on which of the source sends the instructions.
At step 426, in an example, the method 400 includes determining if the instructions are received from the application 102a installed in the user device 102b.
At step 428, the GPIO 114 is set to transmit the instructions from the application 102a for controlling the operation of the target device 124.
Alternatively, at step 426, in an example, the method 400 includes determining if the instructions are received from the regulator 108.
At step 430, the GPIO 114 is set to transmit the instructions from the regulator 108 for controlling the operation of the target device 124.

Figure 5 illustrates another flowchart depicting a method 500 to initiate the learning mode for power regulation, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method 500 may be a computer-implemented method executed, for example, by the controller 120. For the sake of brevity, constructional and operational features of the apparatus 110 that are already explained in the description of Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3, and Figure 4, are not explained in detail in the description of Figure 5.
At step 502, the method 500 includes initiating the learning mode. The user may not initiate the learning mode and continue controlling the operations of the target device 124 as explained in Figure 1-4. The user may determine to initiate the learning mode by the learning module 216 of the controller 120. The learning module 216 is configured to learn the variation of voltages and associated power level to determine the operational state of the target device 124.
At step 504, the method 500 includes, indicating the user to provide the target device 124 with maximum available voltage via manual operation of the regulator 108. The indication to the user may be provided on the application 102a user interface installed in the user device 102b.
At step 506, the method 500 includes, storing current measuring data in memory 204 when the target device 124 is operated at each voltage level for a predefined time duration for learning. In an example, when the voltage level ‘x’ is provided for one minute, the method 500 includes determining the operational state of the target device 124 with the ‘x’ voltage level such that at ‘x’ voltage level the target device 124 being the fan, operates at the highest speed level. In an example, the fan may be comprising of the different levels for controlling speed such as level-1 denotes lowest speed of the fan and level-5 denotes highest speed of the fan. In another example, when the voltage level ‘y’ is provided for one minute, the method 500 includes determining the operational state of the target device 124 with the ‘y’ voltage level such that at ‘y’ voltage level the target device 124 being the light source, operates at the highest brightness level. In the example, the target device 124 being the light source may be comprising of a different levels for controlling brightness such as level-1 denotes low brightness of the light and level-5 denotes high brightness of the light.
At step 508, the method 500 includes indicating user to decrease the voltage supply from the regulator 108 by factor of one, i.e., gradually decreasing the voltage through each level of the regulator. In an example, the regulator decreases the speed level when the target device 124 is the fan. The Fan may have five different levels of speed and the regulator 108 may gradually decrease the speed of fan through each level starting from level-5 being the highest speed level. Similarly, in an example, the regulator decreases the brightness level when the target device 124 is the light source. The light source may have five different levels of brightness and the regulator 108 may gradually decrease the brightness of light source through each level starting from level-5 being the high brightness.
In a preferred embodiment, decreasing the voltage through each level of the regulator after one minute.
At step 510, the method 500 includes determining if the regulator 108 has reached at zero voltage level.
At step, 512, the method 500 includes indicating to the user that the learning mode has been completed.
Thus, the method 500 may include determining the operational state of the target device 124 through the application 102a based on the learning.

The present invention provides following technical advantages:
1. The present invention eliminates the requirement of manual switches for operating the target device 124 using the user device 102 or the regulator 108.
2. The present invention provides ease of operation to user such that the user can control target device 124 remotely.
3. The present invention extends operational ease such that if the apparatus 110 connection with the target device 124 is unpaired, the user can simply pair the apparatus 110 without removing complexity.
4. The present invention transmits the operational state of the target device 124 to the application 102a installed at the user device 102b irrespective which source is used to control the operation of the target device 124.
5. The present invention provides learning mode for determining accurate operational state of the target device 124 indications.
While specific language has been used to describe the present subject matter, any limitations arising on account thereto, are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment.
,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:

1. A power regulating apparatus (110) comprising:
an application (102a) adapted to be installed in a user device (102b) and configured to remotely control an operation of a target device (124);
a regulator (108) disposed in the vicinity of the target device (124) and adapted to control the operation of the target device (124) when manually operated; and
a controller (120) in communication with the application (102a) and the regulator (108), the controller (120) configured to:
receive an instruction from each of the application (102a) and the regulator (108) to operate the target device (124); and
control the operation of the target device (124) based on one of the instructions based on timing of the receipt of the instructions, wherein the target device (124) is operated based on the instruction received later.
2. The power regulating apparatus (110) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller (120) is configured to:
receive a priority status assigned to each of the application (102a) and the regulator (108);
select one of the instructions to control the target device (124) based on priority statuses of the application (102a) and the regulator (108); and
control the target device (124) based on the selected instruction.
3. The power regulating apparatus (110) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller (120) is configured to:
control the operation of the target device (124) based on an instruction from the regulator (108);
receive a second instruction to operate the target device (124) from the application (102a); and
operate the target device (124) based on the second instruction, when the application (102a) has higher priority than the regulator (108).
4. The power regulating apparatus (110) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller (120) is configured to:
control the operation of the target device (124) based on an instruction from the application (102a);
receive a second instruction to operate the target device (124) from the regulator (108), wherein the second instruction is received through manually operating the regulator (108); and
operate the target device (124) based on the second instruction, when the regulator (108) has higher priority than the application (102a).
5. The power regulating apparatus (110) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the target device (124) comprising a fan, wherein the controller (120) is configured to:
initiate a learning mode based on a user input;
store current measuring data when the target device (124) is operated at each speed level for a predefined time duration for learning; and
determine a speed level of the target device (124) through the application (102a) based on the learning.
6. The power regulating apparatus (110) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the target device (124) comprising a light source, wherein the controller (120) is configured to:
initiate a learning mode based on a user input;
store current measuring data when the target device (124) is operated at each power level for a predefined time duration for learning; and
determine a brightness level of the target device (124) through the application (102a) based on the learning.
7. A method (300) of power regulating for controlling operation of a target device, the method comprising:
receiving an instruction from each of an application and a regulator to operate the target device, wherein the application is installed in a user device for remotely controlling the target device and the regulator is disposed in the vicinity of the target device to control the operation of the target device when manually operated; and
controlling the operation of the target device based on one of the instructions based on timing of the receipt of the instructions, wherein the target device is operated based on the instruction received later.

8. The method (300) as claimed in claim 7, comprising:
receiving a priority status assigned to each of the application and the regulator;
selecting one of the instructions to control the target device based on priority statuses of the application and the regulator; and
controlling the target device based on the selected instruction.
9. The method (300) as claimed in claim 7, comprising:
controlling the operation of the target device based on an instruction from the regulator;
receiving a second instruction to operate the target device from the application; and
operating the target device based on the second instruction, when the application has higher priority than the regulator.
10. The method (300) as claimed in claim 7, comprising:
controlling the operation of the target device based on an instruction from the application;
receiving a second instruction to operate the target device from the regulator, wherein the second instruction is received through manually operating the regulator; and
operating the target device based on the second instruction, when the regulator has higher priority than the application.
11. The method (300) as claimed in claim 7, comprising:
initiating a learning mode based on a user input;
storing current measuring data when the target device is operated at each voltage level for a predefined time duration for learning; and
determining an operational state of the target device through the application based on the learning.
12. A controller (120) of a power regulating apparatus (100), the controller (120) comprising:
a receiving module (210) configured to receive an instruction from each of an application (102a) and a regulator (108) to operate a target device (124); and
a controlling module (214) in communication with the receiving module (210) and configured to control the operation of the target device (124) based on one of the instructions based on timing of the receipt of the instructions, wherein the target device (124) is operated based on the instruction received later.
13. The controller (120) as claimed in claim 12, comprising:
the receiving module (210) configured to receive a priority status assigned to each of the application (102a) and the regulator (108);
a selecting module (212) in communication with the receiving module (210) and configured to select one of the instructions to control the target device (124) based on priority statuses of the application (102a) and the regulator (108); and
the controlling module (214) in communication with the selecting module (212) and configured to control the target device (124) based on the selected instruction.
14. The controller (120) as claimed in claim 12, comprising:
the controlling module (214) configured to control the operation of the target device (124) based on an instruction from the regulator (108);
the receiving module (210) configured to receive a second instruction to operate the target device (124) from the application (102a); and
the controlling module (214) configured to operate the target device (124) based on the second instruction, when the application (102a) has higher priority than the regulator (108).
15. The controller (120) as claimed in claim 12, comprising:
the controlling module (214) configured to control the operation of the target device (124) based on an instruction from the application (102a);
the receiving module (210) configured to receive a second instruction to operate the target device (124) from the regulator (108), wherein the second instruction is received through manually operating the regulator (108); and
the controlling module (214) configured to operate the target device (124) based on the second instruction, when the regulator (108) has higher priority than the application (102a).
16. The controller (120) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the target device (124) comprising a fan, the controller (120) comprising:
a learning module (216) configured to:
initiate a learning mode based on a user input;
store current measuring data when the target device (124) is operated at each speed level for a predefined time duration for learning; and
determine a speed level of the target device (124) through the application (102a) based on the learning.
17. The controller (120) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the target device (124) comprising a light source, the controller (120) comprising:
the learning module (216) configured to:
initiate a learning mode based on a user input;
store current measuring data when the target device (124) is operated at each power level for a predefined time duration for learning; and
determine a brightness level of the target device (124) through the application (102a) based on the learning.