Automatic configuration of a load control device

• US 10,356,879 B2
• Filed: 08/20/2018
• Issued: 07/16/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
• Original Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
• Inventors: Saveri, III, David T., Schmalz, Andrew Peter, Bhat, Akshay
• Primary Examiner(s): Tan, Vibol
• Application Number:
  US16/105,708
• Publication Number:
  US 20180359836A1
• Time in Patent Office: 330 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 device capable of automatically adjusting control of a lighting load in response to types of radio frequency (RF) transmitting devices with which the device is associated, the device comprising:

an RF transceiver configured to receive RF signals; and

a controller configured to;

receive, via the RF transceiver, at least one first wireless association message comprising first identifying information associated with at least one sensor, the at least one sensor comprising an occupancy sensor;

perform association with the at least one sensor in response to the first identifying information;

after the association with the at least one sensor, automatically establish the control of the lighting load to turn on and off in response to wireless control messages received from the at least one sensor;

receive, via the RF transceiver, a second wireless association message comprising second identifying information associated with a remote control device;

perform association with the remote control device in response to receiving the second identifying information; and

after associating with the at least one sensor and the remote control device, automatically adjust the control of the lighting load to;

turn off in response to the wireless control messages from the at least one sensor when the lighting load is on;

not turn on in response to the wireless control messages from the at least one sensor when the lighting load is off; and

turn on in response to wireless control messages from the remote control device when the lighting load is off.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to communicate, via the RF transceiver, with a daylight sensor in a load control system that includes the remote control device and the occupancy sensor.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to control a motor load in response to at least one of the occupancy sensor, the remote control device, or a daylight sensor in a load control system.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the lighting load is a dimmable lighting load controlled by a light emitting diode (LED) driver or a ballast, and wherein the controller is configured to increase or decrease an intensity level of the dimmable lighting load that is controlled by the LED driver or the ballast.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is a remote switching pack adapted to be mounted to a junction box.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the remote switching pack is coupled to an alternating current (AC) power source via a hot terminal and a neutral terminal, and wherein the remote switching pack is coupled to the lighting load via a switched hot terminal.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to control a setpoint temperature of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to automatically adjust an operation in response to at least one of a cell phone, a smart phone, or a tablet.

9. A method for automatically adjusting how to operate control of a lighting load in response to types of radio frequency (RF) transmitting devices with which a device is associated, the method comprising:

receiving, at the device via a first RF signal, at least one first wireless association message comprising first identifying information associated with at least one sensor, the at least one sensor comprising an occupancy sensor;

performing association with the at least one sensor in response to the first identifying information;

after the association with the at least one sensor, automatically establishing the control of the lighting load to turn on and off in response to wireless control messages received from the at least one sensor;

receiving, at the device via a second RF signal, a second wireless association message comprising second identifying information associated with a remote control device;

performing association with the remote control device in response to receiving the second identifying information; and

after associating with the at least one sensor and the remote control device, automatically adjusting the control of the lighting load to;

turn off in response to the wireless control messages from the at least one sensor when the lighting load is on;

not turn on in response to the wireless control messages from the at least one sensor when the lighting load is off; and

turn on in response to wireless control messages from the remote control device when the lighting load is off.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

communicating, at the device via a third RF signal, with a daylight sensor in a load control system that includes the remote control device and the occupancy sensor.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

controlling a motor load from the device in response to at least one of the occupancy sensor, the remote control device, or a daylight sensor in a load control system.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the lighting load is a dimmable lighting load controlled by a light emitting diode (LED) driver or a ballast, the method further comprising:

increasing or decreasing an intensity level of the dimmable lighting load that is controlled by the LED driver or the ballast.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the device is a remote switching pack adapted to be mounted to a junction box.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the remote switching pack is coupled to an alternating current (AC) power source via a hot terminal and a neutral terminal, and wherein the remote switching pack is coupled to the lighting load via a switched hot terminal.

15. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

controlling a setpoint temperature of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system from the device.

16. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

automatically adjusting an operation of the device in response to at least one of a cell phone, a smart phone, or a tablet.

17. A system capable of automatically adjusting control of a lighting load in response to types of radio frequency (RF) transmitting devices, the system comprising:

at least one sensor, wherein the at least one sensor comprises an occupancy sensor;

a remote control device; and

a device configured to;

receive, via a first RF signal, at least one first wireless association message comprising first identifying information associated with the at least one sensor;

perform association with the at least one sensor in response to the first identifying information;

after the association with the at least one sensor, automatically establish the control of the lighting load to turn on and off in response to wireless control messages received from the at least one sensor;

receive, via a second RF signal, a second wireless association message comprising second identifying information associated with the remote control device;

perform association with the remote control device in response to receiving the second identifying information; and

after associating with the at least one sensor and the remote control device, automatically adjust the control of the lighting load to;

turn off in response to the wireless control messages from the at least one sensor when the lighting load is on;

not turn on in response to the wireless control messages from the at least one sensor when the lighting load is off; and

turn on in response to wireless control messages from the remote control device when the lighting load is off.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the device is configured to automatically adjust an operation in response to at least one of a cell phone, a smart phone, or a tablet.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the device is configured to control a motor load in response to at least one of the occupancy sensor, the remote control device, or a daylight sensor in a load control system.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the device is a remote switching pack adapted to be mounted to a junction box, and wherein the remote switching pack is coupled to an alternating current (AC) power source via a hot terminal and a neutral terminal, and wherein the remote switching pack is coupled to the lighting load via a switched hot terminal.