FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a system for home automation, and more particularly to a system for home automation that is modular and scalable.
BACKGROUND
Generally, the home appliances, lighting devices and other such devices or appliances, essentially being the loads, are operated through switches. The switches electrically connect the loads to the power supply. Conventionally, these switches are operated manually, and with the advent of technology, the switches have witnessed enormous improvement in terms of its operability, scalability etc, and more importantly the underlying technology of operation and functioning. One such improvement or advancement in switches or its operation or of its associated thereof in terms of technology is the Touch screen switch.
The Touch screen switches and the switching system employing them provides extended operability with ease, especially automated control, or remote operation or control or the like. However, it becomes important to note that these touch screen switches requires power supply, that been provided by individual power supplying unit integrated therein with the touch screen switch. This increases the size of the individual touch screen switches and the wiring that is required for power supply and communication, and reduces the interchangeability options with regard to the switches with varying functionalities such as light, fan etc. This becomes more evident and significant when these switches are employed for a home automation solution or the like.
Therefore there is a need for an invention that provides a solution towards catering the needs for an automation solution, space efficient, reliable and has improved scalability and operability.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a system for home automation that has improved scalability of operation.

It is another object of the invention to provide a system for home automation that is space efficient.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a system for home automation that is modular.
Further object of the invention is to provide a system for home automation that has ease of operation and convenience.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly the present invention provides a system for home automation. The system for home automation comprises at least one switch arrangement, a communication network for providing communication. The switch arrangement has at least one switch module. The switch arrangement has at least one power supply module for providing power supply to the switch module of the switch arrangement.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
With reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. la shows the system for home automation in accordance with the invention, and
Fig. lb shows the switch arrangement of the system of Fig. 1 in accordance with the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The invention is further described herein after with reference to a non-exhaustive exemplary embodiment and with reference to Figs. 1 and 2.
In Figs, la and lb, a system for home automation (100) comprises of at least one switch arrangement (101) and at least one gateway (103). The switch arrangement (101) has at least one switch module (105). The one or more of the switch modules (105) of each of the switch arrangement (101) is electrically and communicatively connected to its corresponding power supply module (106) of the switch arrangement (101). The power supply module (106) has a standby power supply (107) such as Switched-Mode Power Supply (SMPS) etc, for providing power to the switch arrangement (101) and to the switch modules (105) thereof in the absence of the power supplied by the power supply module (106).

Each of the switch modules (105) operates in relation to a particular function in respect to a load, such as light, fan etc. Possible combination of the functionalities of the load is achieved in a single switch module integrating possible functionalities of the load. For instance, a possible combination of providing three lights or two dimmers or one light and one dimmer etc can be achieved. The integration of different and possible functionalities provides improved scalability to deploy the switches with more flexibility to choose from various combinations that is made available, making it modular. Also, this can effectively replace the existing switches, and utilizing the same or existing concealed boxes fitted into the walls.
The gateway (103) is provided for connecting the switch arrangement (101) and of the switch modules (105) to at least one of the external service component (104) such as mobile or web application etc through wired or wireless means, purporting to long range or short range communication or both, such as WiFi, Global System for Mobile communication (GSM), Ethernet or Radio Frequency (RF) connectors, Bluetooth or Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA). A communication network (102) connects the switch arrangement (101) and of the switch modules (105), the gateway (103), and the external service component (104). The communication herein established amongst the switch arrangement (101) and of its switch modules (105), gateway (103) and the external service component (104) are intelligibly and interactively communicative.
The external service component (104) is used to provide a better control of the switch modules (105) from remote in a more effective and customized manner and as required or desired by the user. The switch arrangement (101) and of its switch modules (105) are capable of being operated by the remote unit or the like, eliminating the mandate need to operate them directly and physically.
The switch arrangement (103) having a power supply module (106) supplying power to one or more switch modules (105) connected electrically and communicatively has better extendibility and scalability, as against each of the switch modules having a dedicated power supply module. Accordingly, the system of the invention provides an improved solution for home automation combining the aspects of its modular arrangement of the switch modules and power supply module that are electrically, intelligibly and communicatively connected thereto. Also, the switch arrangement (103) is capable of being operated by a remote control or the like.

In another embodiment of the invention, the system for home automation comprises of only the switch arrangement or the like, and its supporting components to provide automation with regard to switching intelligibly, but without the interface with the external service component. However, the automation in switching is still achievable.
Only certain features of the invention have been specifically illustrated and described herein, and many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. The invention is not restricted by the preferred embodiment described herein in the description. It is to be noted that the invention is explained by way of exemplary embodiment and is neither exhaustive nor limiting. Certain aspects of the invention that not been elaborated herein in the description are well understood by one skilled in the art. Also, the terms relating to singular form used herein in the description also include its plurality and vice versa, wherever applicable. Any relevant modification or variation, which is not described specifically in the specification are in fact to be construed of being well within the scope of the invention. The appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes which fall within the spirit of the invention.
Thus, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restricted. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description and all changes that come within the meaning and range and equivalence thereof are intended to be embraced therein.
WE CLAIM:
1. A system for home automation comprising:
at least one switch arrangement having at least one switch module;
a communication network for providing communication, wherein the said at least one switch arrangement has at least one power supply module for providing power supply to the switch module of the said at least one switch arrangement.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one gateway and / or at least one external service component.
3. The system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the communication network is wired communication or wireless communication or both.
4. The system as claimed in claim 2 or 3 wherein the said communication network is provided for establishing communication between one or more of the said at least one switch arrangement, at least one gateway, at least one external service component..
5. The system as claimed in claim 2 or 4, wherein the said gateway is provided for establishing an interface between the said at least one switch arrangement and of its switch modules, and said at least one external service component.
6. The system as claimed in claim 2 or 4 or 5, wherein the said external service component includes internet, mobile network, world wide web, etc.
7. The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the said interface is provided through short range or long range communication or both.
8. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the said interface includes one or more of WiFi, Ethernet, GSM, RF, CDMA, bluetooth etc.

9. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said switch arrangement has the said power supply module and the said at least one switch module.
10. The system as claimed in claim 1 or 9, wherein the said at least one power supply module and the said at least one switch module are connected to each other having electrical connection and / or communication connection.
11. The system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the said at least one power supply module has a standby power supply.
12. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the said standby power supply is integrated therein with the said power supply module.
13. The system as claimed in claim 11 or 12, wherein the said standby power supply includes SMPSorthelike.
14. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said switch arrangement has at least one microprocessor for processing the information pertaining to the communication and to the power supply.
15. The system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the said switch arrangement is operable by a remote control or the like.