Apparatus and method for displaying operating characteristics on status indicators

• US 20060272569A1
• Filed: 07/28/2005
• Published: 12/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
• Original Assignee: Lutron Electronics Company Incorporated (Lutron Electronics)
• Inventors: Dobbins, Aaron, Boring, Nathan, Lehmer, Matthew J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,312,695 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 116/200
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/302 characterised by the form or geometrical disposition of the individual elements
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/33 being semiconductor devices, e.g. diodes
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 39/04 Controlling
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/00 Circuit arrangements for operating light sources in general, i.e. where the type of light source is not relevant
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/155 Coordinated control of two or more light sources

Abstract

A user interface for a load control device comprising a plurality of status indicators allows a user to control an operating characteristic of a load to a plurality of discrete levels, where the number of discrete levels is greater than the number of status indicators. The user interface also includes an adjustment member for allowing the user to select one of the discrete levels of operating characteristics. The status indicators are arranged in a linear array and collectively designate the presently selected discrete level by illuminating one or more of the individual status indicators. According to a first embodiment of the present invention, either one status indicator or two consecutive status indicators are illuminated to indicate the presently selected discrete level. According to a second embodiment of the present invention, three consecutive status indicators are illuminated to indicate the presently selected discrete level, where the three consecutive status indicators may comprise a fully illuminated status indicator surrounded by two dimly illuminated status indicators. According to a third embodiment of the present invention, a single status indicator may be illuminated to indicate one or more of the M discrete levels.

Claims

1. A user interface for a load control device for allowing a user to control an operating characteristic of a load to a plurality M of discrete levels, comprising:

an adjustment member for allowing the user to select one of the M discrete levels; and

a plurality N of illuminable status indicators for indicating a presently selected discrete level L of the M discrete levels, the N status indicators arranged in a linear array;

wherein the number M is greater than the number N; and

wherein each of the M discrete levels is indicated by a unique combination of illuminated status indicators selected from the group consisting of one illuminated status indicator and two consecutive illuminated status indicators.

2. The user interface of claim 1, wherein M equals (2*N−

1).

3. The user interface of claim 1, wherein one status indicator X₁ is illuminated to indicate the discrete level L if L is odd, where X₁ equals ((L+1)/2);

and

wherein two consecutive status indicators X₂ and X₃ are simultaneously illuminated to indicate the discrete level L if L is even, where X₂ equals (L/2) and X₃ equals (L/2+1).

4. A user interface for a load control device for allowing a user to control an operating characteristic of a load to a plurality M of discrete levels, comprising:

an adjustment member for allowing the user to select one of the M discrete levels; and

a plurality N of illuminable status indicators for indicating a presently selected discrete level L of the M discrete levels, the N status indicators arranged in a linear array;

wherein the number M is greater than the number N; and

wherein first, second, and third consecutive status indicators X₁, X₂, X₃ are illuminated to indicate the discrete level L.

5. The user interface of claim 4, wherein the first consecutive status indicator X₁ and the third consecutive status indicator X₃ are illuminated to a dim level.

6. The user interface of claim 4, wherein M equals (N+2).

7. The user interface of claim 4, wherein to indicate the discrete level L for 1≦

l≦

M,

X₁ equals (L−

2) and is illuminated if and only if 1≦

X₁≦

N;

X₂ equals (L−

1) and is illuminated if and only if 1≦

X₂≦

N; and

X₃ equals L and is illuminated if and only if 1≦

X₃≦

N.

8. A user interface for a load control device for allowing a user to control an operating characteristic of a load to a plurality M of discrete levels, comprising:

an adjustment member for allowing the user to select one of the M discrete levels; and

a plurality N of illuminable status indicators for indicating a presently selected discrete level L of the M discrete levels, the N status indicators arranged in a linear array;

wherein

the number M is greater than the number N;

one status indicator X is illuminated to indicate a plurality K of discrete levels with2≦

K≦

3;

M equals (K*(N−

2)+2); and

to indicate the discrete level L, X equals FLOOR[{L+2*(K−

1)}/K].

9. A method for indicating a presently selected discrete level L of a plurality M of discrete levels on a plurality N of illuminable status indicators arranged in a linear array, the number M greater than the number N, the method comprising the step of:

illuminating a combination of illuminable status indicators selected from the group consisting of one illuminated status indicator and two consecutive illuminated status indicators to indicate the discrete level L.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein M equals (2*N−

1).

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of illuminating comprises:

illuminating one status indicator X₁ if L is odd, where X₁ equals ((L+1)/2); and

simultaneously illuminating two consecutive status indicators X₂ and X₃ if L is even, where X₂ equals (L/2) and X₃ equals (L/2+1).

12. A method for indicating a presently selected discrete level L of a plurality M of discrete levels on a plurality N of illuminable status indicators arranged in a linear array, the number M greater than the number N, the method comprising the step of:

illuminating first, second, and third consecutive status indicators X₁, X₂, X₃ to indicate the discrete level L.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of illuminating comprises:

illuminating the second consecutive status indicator X₂ to a full level; and

illuminating the first consecutive status indicator X₁ and the third consecutive status indicator X₃ to a dim level, the dim level having an intensity substantially less than the full level.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein M equals (N+2).

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of illuminating comprises:

illuminating the first consecutive status indicator X₁, such that X₁ equals (L−

2), if and only if 1≦

X₁≦

N;

illuminating the second consecutive status indicator X₂, such that X₂ equals (L−

1), if and only if 1≦

X₂≦

N; and

illuminating the third consecutive status indicator X₃, such that X₃ equals L, if and only if 1≦

X₃≦

N;

wherein 1≦

L≦

M.

16. A method for indicating a presently selected discrete level L of a plurality M of discrete levels on a plurality N of illuminable status indicators arranged in a linear array, the number M greater than the number N, the method comprising the step of:

illuminating one status indicator X to indicate a plurality K of discrete levels, such that X equals FLOOR[{L+2*(K−

1)}/K] and 2≦

K≦

3;

wherein M equals (K*(N−

2)+2).