Multiple Location Load Control System
First Claim
1. A multiple location load control system for controlling an amount of power delivered to an electrical load from an AC power source, the system comprising:
- a main load control device comprising a bidirectional semiconductor switch adapted to be coupled in series electrical connection between the AC power source and the electrical load for controlling the amount of power delivered to the electrical load, the main load control device operable to conduct a load current from the AC power source to the electrical load, the main load control device comprising a receiver for receiving digital messages, the main load control device operable to control the amount of power delivered to the electrical load in response to the received digital messages; and
a remote load control device adapted to be coupled in series electrical connection with the main load control device between the AC power source and the electrical load, such that the remote load control device is operable to conduct the load current from the AC power source to the electrical load, the remote load control device comprising a power supply operable to charge from the AC power source through the main load control device during a first time period of a half-cycle of the AC power source, the remote load control device further comprising a transmitter for transmitting digital messages;
wherein the receiver of the main load control device and the transmitter of the remote load control device are coupled together so as to form a communication path, such that the transmitter of the remote load control device is operable to transmit at least a portion of a digital message to the receiver of the main load control device during a second time period of the half-cycle.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multiple location load control system comprises a main device and remote devices, which do not require neutral connections, but allow for visual and audible feedback at the main device and the remote devices. The main device and the remote devices are adapted to be coupled in series electrical connection between an AC power source and an electrical load, and to be further coupled together via an accessory wiring. The remote devices can be wired on the line side and the load side of the load control system, such that the main device is wired “in the middle” of the load control system. The main device is operable to enable a charging path to allow the remote devices to charge power supplies through the accessory wiring during a first time period of a half-cycle of the AC power source. The main device and the remote devices are operable to communicate with each other via the accessory wiring during a second time period of the half-cycle.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. A multiple location load control system for controlling an amount of power delivered to an electrical load from an AC power source, the system comprising:
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a main load control device comprising a bidirectional semiconductor switch adapted to be coupled in series electrical connection between the AC power source and the electrical load for controlling the amount of power delivered to the electrical load, the main load control device operable to conduct a load current from the AC power source to the electrical load, the main load control device comprising a receiver for receiving digital messages, the main load control device operable to control the amount of power delivered to the electrical load in response to the received digital messages; and a remote load control device adapted to be coupled in series electrical connection with the main load control device between the AC power source and the electrical load, such that the remote load control device is operable to conduct the load current from the AC power source to the electrical load, the remote load control device comprising a power supply operable to charge from the AC power source through the main load control device during a first time period of a half-cycle of the AC power source, the remote load control device further comprising a transmitter for transmitting digital messages; wherein the receiver of the main load control device and the transmitter of the remote load control device are coupled together so as to form a communication path, such that the transmitter of the remote load control device is operable to transmit at least a portion of a digital message to the receiver of the main load control device during a second time period of the half-cycle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A load control device adapted for use in a load control system for controlling an amount of power delivered to an electrical load from an AC power source, the load control system comprising a remote control device having a power supply and a transmitter, the load control device comprising:
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a bidirectional semiconductor switch adapted to be coupled in series electrical connection between the AC power source and the electrical load to control the power delivered to the electrical load, the bidirectional semiconductor switch comprising a control input; a controller operatively coupled to the control input of the bidirectional semiconductor switch for rendering the bidirectional semiconductor switch conductive and non-conductive; a charging path controlled by the controller to allow the power supply of the remote control device to draw current in order to charge during a first time period each half-cycle of the AC power source; and a receiver coupled to the controller for receiving digital messages, the receiver adapted to be coupled to the transmitter of the remote control device so as to form a communication path, such that the controller is operable to receive at least a portion of a digital message from the transmitter of the remote load control device during a second time period of the half-cycle. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A remote load control device adapted for use in a load control system having a main load control device for controlling an amount of power delivered to an electrical load from an AC power source, the remote load control device comprising:
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a transmitter operable to transmit digital messages; a controller operatively coupled to the transceiver for transmitting the digital messages; and a power supply operable to charge during a first time period each half-cycle of the AC power source in order to generate a low-magnitude DC voltage for powering the controller; wherein the transmitter is adapted to be coupled to a receiver of the main load control device so as to form a communication path, such that the controller is operable to transmit at least a portion of a digital message to the receiver of the main load control device during a second time period of the half-cycle. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method of controlling an amount of power delivered to an electrical load from an AC power source in a load control system including a main load control device and a remote load control device, the method comprising:
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charging a power supply of the remote load control device during a first time period of a half-cycle of the AC power source, the first time period occurring at approximately the same time each half-cycle; transmitting digital messages from the remote load control device to the main load control device during a second time period of the half-cycle, the second time period occurring at approximately the same time each half-cycle; and adjusting the amount of power being delivered to the load by the main load control device in response to the digital messages transmitted by the remote load control device. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification