In particular embodiments, a smart speaker includes a speaker, a housing with a speaker grille portion, a circuit board, and one or more indirect input sensors (e.g. an antenna or a proximity sensor). The grille can comprise a first plurality of openings. The circuit board can reside behind the grille and in front of the speaker (e.g. in the path of sound transmission from the speaker). The circuit board can be a substrate for the one or more indirect input sensors. The circuit board can further comprise a second plurality of openings, at least some of which align with at least some of the openings in the grille, thereby providing sound transmission through the circuit board, while providing improved access for the sensors to the local environment in the vicinity of the smart speaker. Several embodiments enable the region behind the speaker grille to accomplish the dual functions sensing the local environment and sound transmission. For example, an indirect input sensor may detect aspects of the local environment (e.g. hand gestures made by a user, or the location of a person) and activate one more aspects of the smart speaker in response (e.g. illuminate a display).

A smart speaker is disclosed with an interactive speaker grille. In one embodiment a smart speaker comprises a housing with a speaker grille comprising a plurality of openings. Circuitry coupled to the speaker grille is configured to sense direct user interaction with one or more of a plurality of regions of the speaker grille and to generate corresponding electrical signals indicative of the one or more regions of the speaker grille experiencing direct user interaction. The circuitry can include portions in the path of sound transmission to detect user interaction with regions of the grille and portions outside the path of sound transmission for controlling aspects of the smart speaker (e.g. speaker volume, radio station or media stream selection) based on the particular regions touched.

A secondary disconnect assembly is for an electrical switching apparatus. The secondary disconnect assembly includes a mounting member and a cradle assembly coupled to the mounting member and being movable among a plurality of positions with respect to the mounting member. The cradle assembly includes an inner cradle. When the inner cradle is disposed in a first predetermined one of the positions, movement of the inner cradle is restricted with respect to the mounting member. When the inner cradle is moved toward a second predetermined one of the positions, the inner cradle moves independently with respect to the mounting member.

Various embodiments of a wall-plate system are disclosed. For example, wall-plate system may extend in longitudinal, lateral, and transverse directions that are orthogonal to one another. The wall-plate system may include any or all of the following: (1) a face plate; (2) a back plate; (3) electronic circuitry; (4) at least one spring clip comprising at least one first portion of conductive material and resiliently deflecting between a neutral position and a deflected position located outboard of the neutral position in the lateral direction; (6) at least one insulator positioned outboard of the at least one first portion of conductive material in the lateral direction; (7) the at least one insulator tracking the at least one spring clip as the at least one spring clip deflects between the neutral position and the deflected position.

A switching module for a switch includes a housing configured to execute a switching movement when the switch is actuated. The switching module also includes an actuator, which is disposed in the housing and is configured to execute an actuation movement that can be controlled by a control contour. Moreover, the switching module includes an energy converter, which is disposed in the housing and is configured to provide an electrical pulse when powered by the actuation movement of the actuator. Furthermore, the switching module includes a switch unit for emitting a switching signal based on the electrical pulse, for indicating the switching movement of the housing.

A smart wall-plate system having customizable device controls to initiate automation functions, routines, actions, activities, or control to be performed by a variety of local or remote devices is disclosed. The smart wall-plate system may be connected directly or indirectly to any number and type of local and remote devices as well as various cloud service platforms and home service hubs or assistants. The local and remote devices can include, for example, lighting devices, smart devices, and Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices. The wall-plate system may receive an input from a user. The wall-plate system or another system in communication with the wall-plate system may determine an instruction corresponding to, or triggered by, the received input. The instruction may specify an automated activity to be performed. In response, the wall-plate system or another system may transmit one or more signals to perform the automated activity.

The present disclosure discloses a combination electronic switch with a transformable combination, which comprises a control operation module, a power and execution module, and a panel mounting module. The control operation module comprises a drive control assembly and an operation component, the power and execution module comprises a drive execution assembly, and the drive control assembly of the control operation module is electrically connected to the drive execution assembly of the power and execution module through preset assemblies. The control operation module is fixedly clamped to the power and execution module, and the panel mounting module is fixed on the power and execution module through the control operation module or directly fixed on the power and execution module.

Contact assemblies are described herein having certain components, or portions thereof, that are formed integral to one another to reduce the complexity of manufacturing, improve the operation characteristics, and increase operational reliability of devices using the contact assemblies. New shapes to features and components of the contact assemblies are also disclosed, with the shapes providing the desired operational characteristics. Embodiments of the invention are also directed contactors or fuses (i.e., electrical switching devices) utilizing the contactor assemblies according to the present invention, and to electrical circuits and systems utilizing the electrical switching devices according to the present invention.

The Ohmni-Switch is a system that enables a person to use an existing wall switch/receptacle circuit to control outlets that are not wired in that existing wall switch/receptacle circuit. The transmitter and receiver circuits will be housed in a sealed plastic case. All external surfaces of the devices will not have any contact with the house 120 VAC mains.

An AC disconnect switch with integral surge protection. The intrinsic pullout head of the AC disconnect switch embodies a surge protection device, thereby eliminating the need for an extrinsic surge protection device.