REMOTE LOAD CONTROL DEVICE CAPABLE OF ORIENTATION DETECTION

• US 20170278383A1
• Filed: 03/24/2017
• Published: 09/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
• Original Assignee: Lutron Electronics Company Incorporated (Lutron Electronics)
• Inventors: Dimberg, Chris, Gage, Alexander Wade, Harte, Matthew V., Killo, Jason C., Kreschollek, Brad Michael, McDonald, Matthew Philip, Twaddell, Daniel L.
• Granted Patent: US 10,134,268 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 remote control device is provided that is configured for use in a load control system that includes one or more electrical loads. The remote control device includes a mounting structure and a control unit, and the control unit is configured to be attached to the mounting structure in a plurality of different orientations. The control unit includes a user interface, an orientation sensing circuit, and a communication circuit. The control unit is configured to determine an orientation of the control unit via the orientation sensing circuit. The control unit is also configured to translate a user input from the user interface into control data to control an electrical load of the load control system based on the orientation of the control unit and/or provide a visual indication of an amount of power delivered to the electrical load based on the orientation of the control unit.

Claims

1. A remote control device that is configured for use in a load control system, the remote control device comprising:

a mounting structure; and

a control unit comprising a user interface, an orientation sensing circuit, and a communication circuit, the control unit configured to be attached to the mounting structure in a plurality of orientations, the control unit configured to;

determine an orientation of the control unit via the orientation sensing circuit;

translate a user input from the user interface into control data based on the orientation of the control unit, the control data configured to control an electrical load of the load control system; and

cause the communication circuit to transmit a control signal comprising the control data.

2. The remote control device of claim 1, wherein the user interface is symmetric.

3. The remote control device of claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to translate user inputs that correspond to on and off commands of the electrical load to respective control data based on the orientation of the control unit.

4. The remote control device of claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to translate user inputs that correspond to raise and lower commands of the electrical load to respective control data based on the orientation of the control unit.

5. The remote control device of claim 1, wherein the user interface is configured to provide, via visual indicators of the control unit, a visual indication of an amount of power delivered to the electrical load based on the orientation of the control unit.

6. The remote control device of claim 5, wherein the user interface is configured to emit an amount of light that corresponds to the amount of power delivered to the electrical load based on the orientation of the control unit.

7. The remote control device of claim 5, wherein the user interface comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes that are arranged in a linear array and that are configured to provide the visual indication based on the orientation of the control unit.

9. The remote control device of claim 5, wherein the user interface comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes that are arranged as a light bar in an at least partially circular geometry, wherein the control unit is configured to illuminate the light emitting diodes to provide the visual indication based on the orientation of the control unit.

13. The remote control device of claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to automatically determine the orientation of the control unit upon the control unit being attached to the mounting structure.

14. The remote control device of claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to determine the orientation of the control unit each time the control unit wakes up from an off or sleep state.

15. The remote control device of claim 1, wherein the mounting structure comprises a conductive member and the control unit comprises two contacts, wherein the conductive member is configured to electrically short the two contacts when the control unit is in a first orientation, and not configured to short the two contacts when the control unit is in a second orientation;

and

16. The remote control device of claim 15, wherein the two contacts reside on a printed circuit board (PCB) of the control unit.

17. The remote control device of claim 1, further comprising:

a faceplate that is configured to be attached to the mounting structure, the faceplate having an opening that is configured to receive at least a portion of the user interface and including a shorting member, wherein the control unit is configured to determine the orientation based on whether the shorting member is in electrical communication with the control unit.

19. The remote control device of claim 1, wherein the orientation sensing circuit comprises a switch that is configured to be closed when the control unit is in a first orientation and open when the control unit is in a second orientation.

20. The remote control device of claim 19, wherein the switch comprises an electrical contact pad that is configured to be in electrical communication with a shorting member of a faceplate when the control unit is in a first orientation and not in electrical communication with the shorting member of the faceplate when the control unit is in a second orientation.

21. The remote control device of claim 19, wherein the mounting structure comprises a protrusion and the switch comprises a tactile switch, and wherein the protrusion is configured to actuate the tactile switch when the control unit is attached to the mounting structure in the first orientation, but not actuate the tactile switch when the control unit is attached to the mounting structure in the second orientation.

22. The remote control device of claim 19, wherein the switch comprises one of a gravity switch and a mercury switch.

24. The remote control device of claim 1, wherein the orientation sensing circuit comprises a ball and a light emitting diode (LED) sensor, wherein the ball is configured to block the LED sensor when the control unit is in a first orientation and not block the LED sensor when the control unit is in a second orientation.

25. The remote control device of claim 1, wherein the orientation sensing circuit comprises an optocoupler that comprises an infra-red (IR) light emitting diode (LED) and a photodiode, and wherein the control unit is configured to determine the orientation of the control unit based on feedback from the optocoupler.

26. The remote control device of claim 1, wherein the orientation sensing circuit comprises an inductive sensor configured to detect a presence of metal on the control unit or mounting structure when the control unit is attached to the mounting structure in a first orientation, but not detect the presence of metal on the control unit when the control unit is attached to the mounting structure in a second orientation.

27. The remote control device of claim 1, wherein the orientation sensing circuit comprises a photodiode, and wherein the mounting structure comprises a notch or channel that is configured to line up with the photodiode when the control unit is in a first orientation and not line up with the photodiode when the control unit is in a second orientation.

28. The remote control device of claim 1, wherein the mounting structure comprises a magnet and the orientation sensing circuit comprises a hall-effect sensor circuit, and wherein the magnet and hall-effect sensor circuit are aligned when the control unit is in a first orientation and not aligned when the control unit is in a second orientation.

29. The remote control device of claim 1, wherein the orientation sensing circuit comprises a switch that is configured to be manually operated to indicate the orientation of the control unit.

30. The remote control device of claim 1, wherein the orientation sensing circuit comprises one of an accelerometer and a gyroscope, and wherein the control unit is configured to determine the orientation of the control unit based on feedback from one of the accelerometer and the gyroscope.

31. The remote control device of claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to receive the orientation during a configuration mode of the control unit.

32. The remote control device of claim 31, wherein the control unit is placed into the configuration mode via a unique user input via the user interface.

33. The remote control device of claim 31, wherein the control unit is placed into the configuration mode via an external device.

34. The remote control device of claim 31, wherein the control unit is configured to receive the orientation via the communication circuit during the configuration mode.

35. The remote control device of claim 31, wherein the remote control device is paired with an electrical load of the load control system during the configuration mode.

36. The remote control device of claim 31, wherein the control unit is configured to receive the orientation of the control unit from an external device via the communication circuit, the external device configured to determine the orientation of the control unit using a camera of the external device.

37. The remote control device of claim 36, wherein the control unit is configured to illuminate light sources of the control unit in a unique pattern to communicate the orientation of the control unit.

41. The remote control device of claim 1, wherein the control unit is further configured to be attached to the mounting structure in at least a first orientation and a second orientation.

43. The remote control device of claim 1, wherein the mounting structure is configured to be attached to a load control device that is configured to control an amount of power delivered to the electrical load that is electrically connected to the load control device.

8. (canceled)

10-12. -12. (canceled)

18. (canceled)

23. (canceled)

38-40. -40. (canceled)

42. (canceled)

44-62. -62. (canceled)

63. A remote control device that is configured for use in a load control system, the remote control device comprising:

a mounting structure; and

a control unit comprising a user interface, an orientation sensing circuit, and a communication circuit, the user interface comprising a plurality of light sources, wherein the control unit is configured to be attached to the mounting structure in a plurality of orientations, and the control unit configured to;

determine an orientation of the control unit via the orientation sensing circuit; and

control the plurality of light sources based on the orientation of the control unit to provide a visual indication of an amount of power delivered to an electrical load of the load control system.

64. The remote control device of claim 63, wherein the control unit is configured to control the plurality of light sources to emit an amount of light that corresponds to the amount of power delivered to the electrical load based on the orientation of the control unit.

65. The remote control device of claim 63, wherein the plurality of light sources comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes that are arranged in a linear array.

66. The remote control device of claim 65, wherein the array of light emitting diodes defines a first end of the visual indication that corresponds to a high-end amount of power and an opposed second end of the visual indication that corresponds to a low-end amount of power;

and

wherein the control unit is further configured to determine the relative locations of the first and second ends of the visual indication based on the orientation of the control unit.

67. The remote control device of claim 63, wherein the plurality of light sources comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) that are arranged as a light bar in an at least partially circular geometry.

68. The remote control device of claim 67, wherein the light bar defines a starting point of the visual indication that corresponds to low-end amount of power and an ending point of the visual indication that corresponds to a high-end amount of power;

and

wherein the control unit is further configured to determine the relative locations of the starting point and ending point of the visual indication based on the orientation of the control unit.

69. The remote control device of claim 68, wherein the starting point and the ending point are the same location or adjacent locations on the light bar.

70. (canceled)