Multiple Network Access Load Control Devices

• US 20180198893A1
• Filed: 03/05/2018
• Published: 07/12/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lutron Electronics Company Incorporated (Lutron Electronics)
• Original Assignee: Lutron Electronics Company Incorporated (Lutron Electronics)
• Inventors: Newman, JR., Robert C., Carmen, Lawrence R., Bull, John H.
• Granted Patent: US 11,470,187 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2818 from a device located outside both the home and the home network access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless eletrical link G08C17/00; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with remote control systems H04M11/007
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2836 Protocol conversion between an external network and a home network controlling appliance services of a home automation network from a device located outside the home and the home network H04L12/2818; protocol conversion H04L69/08; adaptation of digital video signals for transport over a specific home network H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/18 Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols

Abstract

An apparatus for controlling the power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load may include a controllably conductive device. The apparatus may also include a first wireless communication circuit that may be operable to communicate on a first wireless communication network via a first protocol and the first communication circuit may be in communication with the controller. The apparatus may also include a second communication circuit that may be operable to communicate on a second communication network via a second protocol. The controller may be further operable to control the first wireless communication circuit to communicate configuration data with the first wireless communication network via the first protocol. The controller may also be operable to control the second wireless communication circuit to communicate operational data with the second communication network via the second protocol.

Claims

1. A system for controlling power delivered to at least one electrical load, the system comprising:

a control device comprising a controllably conductive device configured to control power to at least one electrical load;

a system controller configured to transmit control instructions via a first wireless communication network to the control device; and

a wireless communication device configured to transmit configuration information via a second wireless communication network to the control device; and

wherein the control device is further configured to;

receive the configuration information via the second wireless communication network from the wireless communication device;

configure the control device according to the configuration information;

receive the control instructions from the system controller; and

control the at least one electrical load via the controllably conductive device based on the control instructions according to the configuration information.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the configuration information represents high bandwidth data and is at least one of firmware upgrade data for the control device, programming data for the control device, user-interface data from the control device, and database data from the control device.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the system controller is configured to transmit control instructions via the first wireless communication network via a wireless Internet Protocol (IP) based protocol.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the wireless IP based protocol is a Wi-Fi protocol.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the operational information represents low bandwidth data and is at least one of operational commands, operational error codes, programming error codes, or timing synchronization signals.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the wireless communication device is configured to transmit via the second wireless communication network via a proprietary protocol.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the control device is a dimmer switch.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the at least one electrical load is a lighting load.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the dimmer switch is a wall-mounted dimmer.

10. An apparatus for controlling power delivered to at least one electrical load, the apparatus comprising:

a controllably conductive device;

a controller in communication with the controllably conductive device;

at least one wireless communication circuit operable to communicate on a first and second wireless communication network, the at least one wireless communication circuit communicatively coupled to the controller; and

wherein the controller is configured to;

receive, via the at least one wireless communication circuit, a first message from a first device via the first wireless communication network, the first message comprising configuration information;

subsequently receive, via the at least one wireless communication circuit, a second message from a second device via the second wireless communication network, wherein the second message comprises control instructions for controlling the at least one electrical load; and

control, via the controllably conductive device, the at least one electrical load based on the control instructions according to the configuration information.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the configuration information represents high bandwidth data and is at least one of firmware upgrade data for the apparatus, programming data for the apparatus, user-interface data from the apparatus, and database data from the apparatus.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus is configured to communicate on the first wireless communication network via a wireless Internet Protocol (IP) based protocol.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the wireless IP based protocol is a Wi-Fi protocol.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the operational information represents low bandwidth data and is at least one of operational commands, operational error codes, programming error codes, or timing synchronization signals.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the apparatus is configured to communicate on the second wireless communication network via a proprietary protocol.

16. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the apparatus is a dimmer switch.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the at least one electrical load is a lighting load.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the dimmer switch is a wall-mounted dimmer.