Gesture-based control device for controlling an electrical load

• US 10,475,333 B2
• Filed: 09/07/2018
• Issued: 11/12/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
• Original Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
• Inventors: Dimberg, Chris, Harte, Matthew V., Twaddell, Daniel L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Thuy V
• Application Number:
  US16/125,450
• Publication Number:
  US 20190005809A1
• Time in Patent Office: 431 Days
• Field of Search: 345173, 315291, 315292, 315302
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/02 using mechanical means
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/145 influenced by the relative movement between the Hall device and magnetic fields see G01R33/06
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/20 by varying inductance, e.g. by a movable armature
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/34 the beams of light being detected by photocells
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 21/00 Arrangements for measuring electric power or power factor G01R7/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/08 Controlling members for hand actuation by rotary movement, e.g. hand wheels
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04808 Several contacts: gestures triggering a specific function, e.g. scrolling, zooming, right-click, when the user establishes several contacts with the surface simultaneously; e.g. using several fingers or a combination of fingers and pen
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/017 Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/32 Remote control based on movements, attitude of remote control device
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 11/00 Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches processes specially adapted for manufacture of rectilinearly movable switches having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboards, H01H13/88
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 19/14 Operating parts, e.g. turn knob
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/034 Bezel
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/032 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 23/12 Movable parts; Contacts mounted thereon
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 23/16 Driving mechanisms
• 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 35/02 : Switches operated by change of position, inclination or orientation of the switch itself in relation to gravitational field tilting mercury container H01H29/20; change of position due to change of liquid level H01H35/18
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/02 : Bases, casings, or covers accommodating more than one switch or a switch and another electrical component H02B1/26
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/0207 : Adjustable mounting of casings
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/0235 : specially adapted for remote control, e.g. of audio or video apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/025 : Stands or organisers to facilitate location or operation
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/16 : Indicators for switching condition, e.g. "on" or "off"
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/287 : wherein the operating part is made inaccessible or more difficult to access by a lid, cover or guard, e.g. lockable covers
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/14 : Fastening of cover or lid to box
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/96 : Touch switches specially adapted for electronic time-pieces with no moving parts G04G21/08
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/962 : Capacitive touch switches
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/00 : Circuit arrangements for operating light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 : Controlling the colour of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/31 : Phase-control circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/10 : Controlling the light source
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/105 : in response to determined parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 : by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 : by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/165 : following a pre-assigned programmed sequence; Logic control [LC]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/175 : by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 : via wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/195 : the transmission using visible or infrared light
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/30 : Semiconductor lamps, e.g. solid state lamps [SSL] light emitting diodes [LED] or organic LED [OLED]
• 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

Abstract

A control device is configured to control one or more electrical loads in a load control system. The control device is a wall-mounted device such as dimmer switch, a remote control device, or a retrofit remote control device. The control device includes a gesture-based user interface for applying advanced control over the one or more electrical loads. The types of control include absolute and relative control, intensity and color control, preset, zone, or operational mode selection, etc. Feedback is provided on the control device regarding a status of the one or more electrical loads or the control device.

Claims

1. A control device configured for use in a load control system to control one or more electrical loads external to the control device, the control device comprising:

a base portion configured to be mounted over a toggle actuator of a mechanical switch that controls whether power is delivered to the one or more electrical loads;

a front surface that comprises a plurality of touch sensitive areas;

one or more light sources configured to illuminate the plurality of touch sensitive areas; and

a control circuit configured to;

control the one or more light sources so that the touch sensitive areas are unilluminated by the one or more light sources;

determine that a user input has been received, the user input indicating that the touch sensitive areas should be illuminated;

control the one or more light sources to illuminate the touch sensitive areas of the front surface; and

in response to an actuation of one of the touch sensitive areas, generate control data for controlling an amount of power delivered to the one or more electrical loads.

2. The control device of claim 1, wherein each of the touch sensitive areas represents a preset associated with the one or more electrical loads, the preset includes at least one predetermined setting of the one or more electrical loads.

3. The control device of claim 2, wherein the preset includes a combination of multiple predetermined settings of the one or more electrical loads.

4. The control device of claim 2, wherein, in response to determining that the one of the touch sensitive areas has been actuated, the control circuit is configured to generate the control data to activate the preset represented by the one of the touch-responsive areas.

5. The control device of claim 2, wherein the touch sensitive areas are illuminated with different light intensities or light colors to distinguish the presets associated with those touch sensitive areas.

6. The control device of claim 2, wherein, in response to determining that the one of the touch sensitive areas has been actuated, the control circuit is further configured to uniquely illuminate the one of the touch sensitive areas to indicate that its associated preset has been actuated.

7. The control device of claim 1, wherein the touch sensitive areas correspond to respective operational modes of the control device, the operational modes are associated with controlling the one or more electrical loads, and the control circuit is configured to, in response to an actuation of one of the touch sensitive areas, generate the control data to cause the control device to enter the operational mode corresponding to the one of the touch sensitive areas.

8. The control device of claim 1, wherein the one or more electrical loads comprise a lighting load, and at least one of the touch sensitive areas is provided for adjusting a color temperature of the lighting load.

9. The control device of claim 1, wherein the user input comprises the hovering of a finger over the front surface of the control device.

10. The control device of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured to, after a period of idle time in which no user input is detected, dim the one or more light sources so that the touch sensitive areas are unilluminated by the one or more light sources.

11. The control device of claim 1, further comprising an actuation portion defining the front surface of the control device, wherein the control circuit is configured to detect an actuation of the actuation portion of the control device.

12. The control device of claim 11, wherein the control circuit is configured to turn on and off the one or more electrical loads in response to actuations of the actuation portion.

13. The control device of claim 12, further comprising a rotating portion that surrounds the actuation portion and is rotatable with respect to the base portion, wherein the control circuit is configured to adjust the amount of power delivered to the one or more electrical loads in response to a rotational movement of the rotating portion.

14. The control device of claim 13, further comprising a light bar having a substantially circular shape and configured to be illuminated to indicate a present level of the amount of power being delivered to the one or more electrical loads.

15. The control device of claim 11, wherein the actuation portion comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, and the control circuit is configured to turn on the one or more electrical loads in response to an actuation of the upper portion of the actuation portion, and turn off the one or more electrical loads in response to an actuation of the lower portion of the actuation portion.

16. The control device of claim 15, further comprising a light bar having a substantially linear shape and configured to be illuminated to indicate a present level of the amount of power being delivered to the one or more electrical loads.

17. The control device of claim 16, wherein the light bar is located on the actuation portion, and the control circuit is configured to adjust the amount of power delivered to the one or more electrical loads in response to an actuation of the actuation portion adjacent to the light bar.

18. The control device of claim 11, wherein the actuation portion is actuated by pressing the actuation portion in towards the base portion.

19. A control device configured for use in a load control system to control one or more electrical loads external to the control device, the control device comprising:

a base portion configured to be mounted over a toggle actuator of a mechanical switch that controls whether power is delivered to the one or more electrical loads;

an actuation portion defining a front surface that includes a plurality of touch sensitive areas;

a rotating portion that surrounds the actuation portion and is rotatable with respect to the base portion;

one or more light sources configured to illuminate the plurality of touch sensitive areas; and

a control circuit configured to turn on and off the one or more electrical loads in response to actuations of the actuation portion, and adjust an amount of power delivered to the one or more electrical loads in response to a rotational movement of the rotating portion;

wherein the control circuit is further configured to;

control the one or more light sources so that the touch sensitive areas are unilluminated by the one or more light sources;

determine that a user input has been received, the user input indicating that the touch sensitive areas should be illuminated;

control the one or more light sources to illuminate the touch sensitive areas of the front surface; and

in response to an actuation of one of the touch sensitive areas, generate control data for controlling the amount of power delivered to the one or more electrical loads.

20. A control device configured for use in a load control system to control one or more electrical loads external to the control device, the control device comprising:

a base portion configured to be mounted over a toggle actuator of a mechanical switch that controls whether power is delivered to the one or more electrical loads;

an actuation portion defining a front surface that includes a plurality of touch sensitive areas, the actuation portion comprising an upper portion and a lower portion;

one or more light sources configured to illuminate the plurality of touch sensitive areas;

a light bar located on the actuation portion and having a linear shape, the light bar configured to be illuminated to indicate a present level of an amount of power being delivered to the one or more electrical loads; and

a control circuit configured to turn on the one or more electrical loads in response to an actuation of the upper portion of the actuation portion, and turn off the one or more electrical loads in response to an actuation of the lower portion of the actuation portion, the control circuit configured to adjust the amount of power delivered to the one or more electrical loads in response to an actuation of the actuation portion adjacent to the light bar;

wherein the control circuit is further configured to;

control the one or more light sources so that the touch sensitive areas are unilluminated by the one or more light sources;

determine that a user input has been received, the user input indicating that the touch sensitive areas should be illuminated;

control the one or more light sources to illuminate the touch sensitive areas of the front surface; and

in response to an actuation of one of the touch sensitive areas, generate control data for controlling the amount of power delivered to the one or more electrical loads.