Antenna for a Load Control Device Having a Modular Assembly
First Claim
1. A load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load from an AC power source, the load control device comprising:
- a base module having a controllably conductive device adapted to be coupled in series electrical connection between the source and the load, and a controller operatively coupled to a control input of the controllably conductive device for controlling the controllably conductive device between a conductive state and a non-conductive state; and
a user interface module having a substantially flat front surface, a touch sensitive actuator for receiving an input, and a visual display for providing feedback, the touch sensitive actuator and the visual display provided on the front surface of the user interface module, the touch sensitive actuator comprising an actuation member operable to contact a touch sensitive device, the user interface module adapted to be mechanically connected to the base module, such that the controller of the base module is electrically coupled to the touch sensitive device and the visual display, the user interface module adapted to be disconnected from the base module;
wherein the user interface module includes an antenna comprising a substantially flat thin metal sheet arranged on the front surface of the user interface module, the antenna adapted to receive radio-frequency signals, such that the controller adjusts the amount of power delivered to the electrical load in response to the received radio-frequency signals.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A load control device has a modular assembly to allow for easy adjustment of the aesthetic, the color, and the functionality of the load control device after installation. The load control device comprises a user interface module and a base module. The user interface module includes an actuation member for receiving a user input, a visual display for providing feedback to the user, and an antenna for transmitting and receiving radio-frequency signals. The base module has a controllably conductive device and a controller for controlling the amount of power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load. A connector of the base module is adapted to be coupled to a connector of the user interface module, such that the controller is operatively coupled to the actuation member, the visual display, and the antenna.
105 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load from an AC power source, the load control device comprising:
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a base module having a controllably conductive device adapted to be coupled in series electrical connection between the source and the load, and a controller operatively coupled to a control input of the controllably conductive device for controlling the controllably conductive device between a conductive state and a non-conductive state; and a user interface module having a substantially flat front surface, a touch sensitive actuator for receiving an input, and a visual display for providing feedback, the touch sensitive actuator and the visual display provided on the front surface of the user interface module, the touch sensitive actuator comprising an actuation member operable to contact a touch sensitive device, the user interface module adapted to be mechanically connected to the base module, such that the controller of the base module is electrically coupled to the touch sensitive device and the visual display, the user interface module adapted to be disconnected from the base module; wherein the user interface module includes an antenna comprising a substantially flat thin metal sheet arranged on the front surface of the user interface module, the antenna adapted to receive radio-frequency signals, such that the controller adjusts the amount of power delivered to the electrical load in response to the received radio-frequency signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A user interface module adapted to be coupled to a base module of a load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load from an AC power source, the user interface module comprising:
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a substantially flat front surface; a rear surface opposite the front surface and adapted to face the base module of the load control device; a touch sensitive actuator provided on the front surface, the actuator operable to receive an input, the touch sensitive actuator comprising an actuation member operable to contact a touch sensitive device; a visual display provided on the front surface for providing feedback; an antenna comprising a substantially flat metal sheet arranged on the front surface of the user interface module, the antenna adapted to transmit and receive radio-frequency signals; and a connector provided on the rear surface, the connector adapted to be mechanically connected to the base module of the load control device, such that the base module is electrically coupled to the user interface module and the base module is operable to control the amount of power delivered to the electrical load in response to both the actuator and the received radio-frequency signals. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification