Backlit display with motion sensor

• US 7,394,451 B1
• Filed: 09/03/2004
• Issued: 07/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Legrand Home Systems Incorporated (Legrand SA)
• Original Assignee: Vantage Controls, Inc. (Legrand SA)
• Inventors: Chandler, Scott S., Patten, Daniel, McDaniel, John, Clegg, Paul T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shalwala; Bipin
• Assistant Examiner(s): KOVALICK, VINCENT E
• Application Number:
  US10/934,332
• Time in Patent Office: 1,397 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/173, 345/204, 345/211, 345/905, 361/600, 361/601, 361/681, 361/686, 379/93.17, 455/90, 455/572, 455/575
• US Class Current: 361/679.41
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3203 Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3231 Monitoring the presence, absence or movement of users
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3265 Power saving in display device
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/30 User interface
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/32 Remote control based on movements, attitude of remote control device
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/51 Remote controlling of devices based on replies, status thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0261 in the context of movement of objects on the screen or movement of the observer relative to the screen
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2330/021 Power management, e.g. power saving
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3406 Control of illumination source illumination devices structurally associated with liquid crystal cells G02F1/1336
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/905 Display device with housing structure

Abstract

An apparatus for interfacing with a control system, and in particular a home automation system. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises an integrated LCD touch screen and motion sensor. The motion sensor is used to illuminate a backlight to the touch screen when a person approaches the apparatus. The sensitivity of the motion sensor may be adjusted through a graphical user interface displayed on the touch screen. In addition, the backlighting may be adjusted so that the illumination is at a specific level with the screen is on, i.e., when the motion sensor has been tripped, and a specific level when the screen is off. The apparatus may further comprise an IR receiver for receiving commands via a remote. In addition, the apparatus may be powered from a local bus or an external power supply. The apparatus may comprise a communications port for receiving customized pages from a computer.

Claims

1. An automation apparatus comprising:

a housing;

a screen adapted to display information related to an automation system, the screen having adjustable illumination levels that include at least a first illumination level and a second illumination level;

a screen backlight configured to adjust screen illumination;

a non-contact motion sensor configured to detect at least one of motion or proximity of a human being without being contacted by the human being, said non-contact motion sensor also being configured to activate the screen backlight so that the screen backlight adjusts the screen illumination from the first illumination level to the second illumination level when the non-contact motion sensor detects at least one of motion or proximity of a human being;

wherein the screen and non-contact motion sensor are mounted with respect to the housing; and

wherein the illumination provided by the screen backlight in the second illumination level is greater than the illumination provided by the screen backlight in the first illumination level.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an IR receiver mounted with respect to the housing.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the screen is a touch screen.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a communications port mounted with respect to the housing.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the communications port is a USB port.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the housing further comprises at least two wall mounts configured to mount the housing with respect to a wall.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the at least two wall mounts are deployable wings.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the screen further comprises an external power supply input whereby the screen may receive power.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the screen is in communication with at least one master controller of the automation system, and wherein the screen further comprises a station bus configured to allow two-way communication between the screen and the master controller.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the screen further comprises a station bus configured to supply power to the screen.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the screen further comprises at least one auxiliary input configured to receive data from external devices.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first illumination level is non-illuminated.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the non-contact motion sensor has adjustable motion or proximity sensitivity levels.

14. An automation apparatus comprising:

a housing;

a screen adapted to display information related to an automation system, the screen having adjustable illumination levels that include at least a first illumination level and a second illumination level;

a screen backlight configured to adjust screen illumination;

a non-contact motion sensor configured to detect at least one of motion or proximity of a human being without being contacted by the human being, said non-contact motion sensor also being configured to activate the screen backlight so that the screen backlight adjusts the screen illumination from the first illumination level to the second illumination level when the non-contact motion sensor detects at least one of motion or proximity of a human being;

a first screen backlight control configured to allow a user to adjust the illumination of the first illumination level;

a second screen backlight control configured to allow a user to adjust the illumination of the second illumination level;

an IR receiver;

wherein the screen, non-contact motion sensor and IR receiver are mounted with respect to the housing; and

wherein the illumination provided by the screen backlight in the second illumination level is greater than the illumination provided by the screen backlight in the first illumination level.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the screen further comprises a station bus.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the screen further comprises an external power supply input.

17. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the screen further comprises at least one auxiliary input.

18. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the housing further comprises at least two wall mounts configured to mount the housing with respect to a wall.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the at least two wall mounts are deployable wings.

20. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the first illumination level is non-illuminated.

21. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the non-contact motion sensor has adjustable motion or proximity sensitivity levels.

22. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising a communications port mounted with respect to the housing.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the communications port is a USB port.

24. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the IR receiver is configured to receive command signals from a remote to control at least one electrical device connected to the home automation system.

25. An automation apparatus comprising:

a housing;

a screen adapted to display information related to an automation system, the screen having adjustable illumination levels that include at least a first illumination level and a second illumination level;

a screen backlight configured to adjust screen illumination;

a non-contact motion sensor configured to detect at least one of motion or proximity of a human being without being contacted by the human being, said non-contact motion sensor also being configured to activate the screen backlight so that the screen backlight adjusts the screen illumination from the first illumination level to the second illumination level when the non-contact motion sensor detects at least one of motion or proximity of a human being;

a non-contact motion sensor control configured to allow a user to adjust the sensitivity level of the non-contact motion sensor;

an IR receiver;

wherein the screen, non-contact motion sensor and IR receiver are mounted with respect to the housing; and

wherein the illumination provided by the screen backlight in the second illumination level is greater than the illumination provided by the screen backlight in the first illumination level.

26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the screen further comprises at least one of the following:

an external power supply input, at least one auxiliary input and a station bus.

27. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the screen further comprises a station bus configured to supply power to the screen.

28. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the screen is a touch screen.

29. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the first illumination level is non-illuminated.

30. The apparatus of claim 25 further comprising a communications port mounted with respect to the housing.

31. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the housing further comprises at least one wall mount configured to mount the housing with respect to a wall.

32. An automation apparatus comprising:

a housing;

a display means for displaying information related to an automation system, the display means having adjustable illumination levels that include at least a first illumination level and a second illumination level;

a screen backlight means for adjusting screen illumination;

a non-contact sensor means for detecting at least one of motion or proximity of a human being without being contacted by the human being, and for activating the screen backlight means so that the screen backlight means adjusts the screen illumination from the first illumination level to the second illumination level when the non-contact sensor means detects at least one of motion or proximity of a human being;

wherein the display means and non-contact sensor means are mounted with respect to the housing; and

wherein the illumination provided by the screen backlight means in the second illumination level is greater than the illumination provided by the screen backlight means in the first illumination level.

33. The apparatus of claim 32 further comprising a receiving means for receiving commands via wireless transmission, said receiving means mounted with respect to said housing.

34. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the receiving means is an IR receiver.

35. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein the non-contact sensor means is a motion detector.

36. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein the display means is a touch screen.

37. A remote control apparatus comprising:

a housing;

screen adapted to display information related to an automation system, the screen having adjustable illumination levels that include at least a first illumination level and a second illumination level;

a screen backlight configured to adjust screen illumination;

a non-contact motion sensor configured to detect at least one of motion or proximity of a human being without being contacted by the human being, the non-contact motion sensor also being configured to activate the screen backlight so that the screen backlight adjusts the screen illumination from the first illumination level to the second illumination level when the non-contact motion sensor detects at least one of motion or proximity of a human being;

a first antenna in communication with at least one master controller of the automation system, the first antenna configured to send load control or status information to the master controller and to receive load control or status information from the master controller;

wherein the screen, non-contact motion sensor and first antenna are mounted with respect to the housing; and

wherein the illumination provided by the screen backlight in the second illumination level is greater than the illumination provided by the screen backlight in the first illumination level.

38. The apparatus of claim 37 further comprising a second antenna in communication with a docking station, the second antenna configured to receive audio or video data from the docking station.

39. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the screen is a touch screen.

40. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the housing is configured and dimensioned to be hand-held by a user.

41. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the housing further comprises at least one connections configured to allow a user to releasably engage the housing to a docking station.

42. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the at least one connections comprises a power connection.

43. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the at least one connections comprises an audio or video connections.

44. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the at least one connections comprises a bus connection.

45. The apparatus of claim 37 further comprising a a first screen backlight control configured to allow a user to adjust the illumination of the first illumination level;

and

a second screen backlight control configured to allow a user to adjust the illumination of the second illumination level.

46. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the first illumination level is non-illuminated.

47. The apparatus of claim 37 further comprising a non-contact motion sensor control configured to allow a user to adjust the sensitivity level of the non-contact motion sensor.

48. The apparatus of claim 37 further comprising an IR receiver mounted with respect to the housing.

49. The apparatus of claim 37 further comprising a light sensor mounted with respect to the housing.

50. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the non-contact motion sensor has adjustable motion or proximity sensitivity levels.

51. A remote control device comprising:

a housing;

a screen adapted to display information related to an automation system, the screen having adjustable illumination levels that include at least a first illumination level and a second illumination level;

a screen backlight configured to adjust screen illumination;

a non-contact motion sensor configured to detect at least one of motion or proximity of a human being without being contacted by the human being, the non-contact motion sensor also being configured to activate the screen backlight so that the screen backlight adjusts the screen illumination from the first illumination level to the second illumination level when the non-contact motion sensor detects at least one of motion or proximity of a human being;

a radio transceiver in communication with a docking station, the radio transceiver configured to receive video or audio data from the docking station;

a radio transmitter in communication with at least one master controller of the automation system, the radio transmitter configured to send load control signals to the at least one master controller of the automation system;

wherein the screen, non-contact motion sensor, radio transceiver and radio transmitter are mounted with respect to the housing; and

wherein the illumination provided by the screen backlight in the second illumination level is greater than the illumination provided by the screen backlight in the first illumination level.

52. The device of claim 51 wherein the screen is a touchscreen.

53. The device of claim 51 wherein the first illumination level is non-illuminated.

54. The device of claim 51 further comprising an IR receiver mounted with respect to the housing.

55. The device of claim 51 further comprising a video-in connector mounted with respect to the housing.

56. The device of claim 51 further comprising a an audio-in connector mounted with respect to the housing.

57. The device of claim 55 wherein the housing is configured to be mated with a docking station, the docking station having a video-out connector.

58. The device of claim 56 wherein the housing is configured to be mated with a docking station, the docking station having an audio-out connector.