Automatic configuration of a load control device

• US 10,057,960 B2
• Filed: 07/25/2017
• Issued: 08/21/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
• Original Assignee: Lutron Electronics Company Incorporated (Lutron Electronics)
• Inventors: Saveri, III, David T., Schmalz, Andrew Peter, Bhat, Akshay
• Primary Examiner(s): Tan, Vibol
• Application Number:
  US15/658,875
• Publication Number:
  US 20170325316A1
• Time in Patent Office: 392 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/80 involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/13 by using passive infrared detectors
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

A load control system for controlling an electrical load may include a sensor, a remote control, and a load control device. The remote control may comprise a button and may be configured to wirelessly transmit a digital message in response to an actuation of the button. The load control device may be configured to control the electrical load, be responsive to the sensor, and/or be configured to be associated with the remote control. The load control device may be responsive to the digital message transmitted by the remote control if the remote control is associated with the load control device. The load control device may be configured to automatically operate in a first mode of operation if the remote control is not associated with the load control device, and automatically operate in a second mode of operation if the remote control is associated with the load control device.

Claims

1. A load control system for controlling an electrical load, the load control system comprising:

a first device operable to transmit a first message;

a load control device configured to control the electrical load on or off in response to the first message when the load control device is associated with the first device and not associated with a second device; and

wherein, when the load control device is associated with the first device and the second device, the load control device is configured to turn the electrical load off but not turn the electrical load on in response to the first message, and to turn the electrical load on in response to a second message transmitted by the second device.

2. The load control system of claim 1, wherein the electrical load comprises a lighting load.

3. The load control system of claim 2, wherein the first device comprises a sensor.

4. The load control system of claim 3, wherein the sensor comprises a daylight sensor.

5. The load control system of claim 4, where in the first message comprises a light intensity.

6. The load control system of claim 4, wherein the second device comprises a remote control comprising on and off buttons configured to be actuated by a user.

7. The load control system of claim 6, further comprising an occupancy sensor operable to transmit a third message.

8. The load control system of claim 7, wherein when both the occupancy sensor and the daylight sensor are associated with the load control device, the load control device is configured to turn the electrical load on in response to the first message when the third message indicates that the space in which the electrical load is located is occupied.

9. The load control system of claim 6, wherein the first and second messages are transmitted wirelessly.

10. The load control system of claim 2, wherein the load control device comprises a remote switching pack.

11. The load control system of claim 10, wherein the load control device does not comprise an actuator for turning the lighting load on and off.

12. The load control system of claim 2, wherein the load control device comprises a dimmer switch.

13. A load control device for controlling an electrical load, the load control device comprising:

a communication circuit configured to receive messages;

a controller coupled to the communication circuit, the controller configured to control the electrical load on in response to a first message received by the communication circuit from a first device when the controller is associated with the first device and not associated with a second device; and

wherein, when the controller is associated with the first device and the second device, the controller is configured to the turn the electrical load off but not turn the electrical load on in response to the first message, and to turn the electrical load on in response to a second message transmitted by the second device.

14. The load control device of claim 13, wherein the electrical load comprises a lighting load.

15. The load control device of claim 14, wherein the first device comprises a daylight sensor.

16. The load control device of claim 15, wherein the first message comprises a light intensity.

17. The load control device of claim 14, wherein the second device comprises a remote control.

18. The load control device of claim 13, wherein the communication circuit comprises a wireless communication circuit.

19. The load control device of claim 13, further comprising a controllably conductive device operatively coupled to the controller, wherein the controllably conductive device is configured to control an amount of power delivered to the electrical load.

20. The load control device of claim 13, wherein the load control device comprises a dimmer switch.