Controllable light source

• US 10,104,750 B2
• Filed: 11/21/2016
• Issued: 10/16/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
• Original Assignee: Lutron Electronics Company Incorporated (Lutron Electronics)
• Inventors: Swatsky, Matthew J., Osle, Daniel J., Newman, Jr., Robert C., Raneri, Daniel Curtis
• Primary Examiner(s): Cole, Brandon S
• Application Number:
  US15/356,730
• Publication Number:
  US 20170071049A1
• Time in Patent Office: 694 Days
• Field of Search: 315246-311
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2300/03 Application domotique, e.g. for house automation, bus connected switches, sensors, loads or intelligent wiring
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/02 Operating parts, i.e. for operating driving mechanism by a mechanical force external to the switch
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/10 Controlling the light source
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/14 Protecting elements, switches, relays or circuit breakers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing

Abstract

A controllable light source is provided that includes a load control circuit and an integrated lighting load. The controllable light source is configured to receive wirelessly communicated commands transmitted by a remote control device associated with the controllable light source, such as a rotary remote control device. The controllable light source may include an actuator for associating the controllable light source with the remote control device, such that the load control circuit is operable to adjust the intensity of the lighting load in response to wireless signals received from the remote control device. The controllable light source may support the actuator such that the actuator may be actuated when the controllable light source is installed in a fixture.

Claims

1. A light source that is configured to be electrically connected to a power source and controlled via wireless control signals, the light source comprising:

a base configured to electrically connect the light source to the power source;

a housing that includes a translucent end portion and is spaced from the base, and that includes an intermediate portion that extends between the end portion and the base;

a lighting load that is located inside the housing, the lighting load configured to shine light through the end portion of the housing;

an actuator that is manually operable at the end portion of the housing when the light source is installed in a fixture;

a wireless communication circuit that is configured to receive wireless control signals;

a load control circuit that is configured to control an amount of power delivered to the lighting load to adjust an intensity of the lighting load between a high-end intensity and a low-end intensity; and

a processor that is configured to;

responsive to manual operation of the actuator, associate the light source with an external control device by causing an identifier of the external control device to be stored; and

based on an association of the light source with the external control device, be responsive to wireless control signals having the identifier that are received via the wireless communication circuit.

2. The light source of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises a translucent button located at the end portion of the housing.

3. The light source of claim 2, wherein the actuator protrudes through the end portion of the housing.

4. The light source of claim 3, wherein the processor is further configured to adjust the high-end intensity of the lighting load responsive to rotation of the actuator.

5. The light source of claim 2, wherein the actuator is flush with the end portion of the housing.

6. The light source of claim 2, wherein the actuator is recessed in the end portion of the housing.

7. The light source of claim 2, wherein the light source is configured such that the actuator is operable when the light source is installed in a fixture that surrounds the housing.

8. The light source of claim 1, wherein the end portion of the housing defines an end surface, and wherein the actuator comprises a capacitive touch surface that is supported by the end surface.

9. The light source of claim 1, wherein the actuator is supported by the housing and is configured to be actuated when the end portion of the housing is biased toward the base.

10. The light source of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a screw-in base that is configured to be screwed into a standard Edison socket.

11. The light source of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication circuit includes a radio frequency (RF) receiver configured to receive RF signals.

12. The light source of claim 1, further comprising:

a memory that is configured to store the identifier of the external control device after association of the light source with the external control device.

13. The light source of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to, responsive to wireless control signals having the identifier that are received via the wireless communication circuit, cause the load control circuit to adjust the intensity of the lighting load.

14. A light source that is configured to be electrically connected to a power source and controlled by an external control device, the light source comprising:

a housing that includes an end portion that is exposed when the light source is installed in a recessed lighting fixture;

a lighting load that is located inside the housing, the lighting load configured to shine light through the end portion of the housing;

an actuator that is manually operable at the end portion of the housing to associate the light source with the external control device; and

a control circuit that is configured to receive a wireless control signal transmitted to the light source by the external control device, and to adjust an intensity of the lighting load in accordance with the wireless control signal.

15. The light source of claim 14, wherein the actuator includes a translucent button located at the end portion of the housing, the actuator operable by depressing the button.

16. The light source of claim 15, wherein the actuator protrudes through the end portion of the housing.

17. The light source of claim 15, wherein the actuator is flush with the end portion of the housing.

18. The light source of claim 15, wherein the actuator is recessed in the end portion of the housing.

19. The light source of claim 14, wherein the control circuit is further configured to associate the light source with the external control device responsive to manual operation of the actuator.

20. The light source of claim 19, further comprising:

a memory,

wherein the control circuit is further configured to store an identifier of the external control device in the memory upon association of the light source with the external control device.

21. The light source of claim 20, wherein the control circuit is further configured to, based on an association of the light with the external control device, be responsive to wireless control signals having the identifier that are received via the wireless communication circuit.

22. The light source of claim 14, wherein the end portion of the housing defines an end surface, wherein the actuator includes a capacitive touch surface that is supported by the end surface, and wherein the actuator is operable by touching the capacitive touch surface.

23. The light source of claim 14, further comprising:

a base that is coupled to the housing and that is configured to electrically connect the light source to the power source,

wherein the actuator is operable by biasing the end portion of the housing toward the base.

24. The light source of claim 14, further comprising:

a screw-in base that is attached to the housing and that is configured to be screwed into a standard Edison socket.

25. The light source of claim 14, further comprising:

a load control circuit that is configured to control an amount of power delivered to the lighting load to adjust an intensity of the lighting load between a high-end intensity and a low-end intensity.