Appliance control system and method

Abstract

A system and method for controlling an appliance, such as an indoor ceiling fan, including a controller operatively connected to the appliance motor for controlling its speed and direction of rotation in response to command signals, a control switch adapted to be located remote from the appliance such as a on a wall to provide command signals in response to manual inputs, and a communication link such as the existing a.c. power line, for transmitting command signals from the control switch to the appliance controller. The control switch is characterized by a plurality of operator members such as a keypad each providing no more than one distinct primary function command when manually operated and a processor for converting function commands provided by the operator members into speed and direction command signals for use by the appliance controller. The appliance controller comprises a processor for converting command signals received by the controller into signals for controlling the supply of motor current. The command signals transmitted from the control switch to the appliance controller over the a.c. power lines are digital signals generated by a pulse code modulation method. The appliance can have a lamp associated therewith and means for controlling the brightness thereof in response to commands from the control switch. The system can include a plurality of appliances and associated controllers whereupon the control switch provides address information for selecting particular ones or groups of the appliance controllers.