Load control device having a visual indication of energy savings and usage information
First Claim
1. A dimmer switch for controlling the amount of power delivered from a power source to a lighting load, the dimmer switch comprising:
- a controllably conductive device adapted to be coupled in series electrical connection between the source and the lighting load for controlling the intensity of the lighting load;
an intensity adjustment actuator operatively coupled to the controllably conductive device, such that the controllably conductive device is operable to adjust the intensity of the lighting load between a low-end intensity and a high-end intensity in response to actuations of the intensity adjustment actuator; and
a visual indicator operable to be illuminated a first color when the intensity of the lighting load is less than or equal to a predetermined eco-level intensity, and a second color different than the first color when the intensity of the lighting load is greater than the predetermined eco-level intensity, the predetermined eco-level intensity being greater than 75% of a maximum possible intensity of the lighting load.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A dimmer switch for controlling the amount of power delivered to and thus the intensity of a lighting load comprises a visual display operable to provide a visual indication representative of energy savings and usage information. The dimmer switch comprises an intensity adjustment actuator, such as a slider knob or a rotary knob, which may be coupled to a potentiometer for adjusting the amount of power delivered to the lighting load. The potentiometer may comprise a dual potentiometer including a resistive element and a conductive element having a cut. The visual display may comprise a single visual indicator, which may be illuminated a first color, such as green, when the intensity of the lighting load is less than or equal to the eco-level intensity, and illuminated a second different color, such as red, when the intensity of the lighting load is greater than the eco-level intensity.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A dimmer switch for controlling the amount of power delivered from a power source to a lighting load, the dimmer switch comprising:
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a controllably conductive device adapted to be coupled in series electrical connection between the source and the lighting load for controlling the intensity of the lighting load; an intensity adjustment actuator operatively coupled to the controllably conductive device, such that the controllably conductive device is operable to adjust the intensity of the lighting load between a low-end intensity and a high-end intensity in response to actuations of the intensity adjustment actuator; and a visual indicator operable to be illuminated a first color when the intensity of the lighting load is less than or equal to a predetermined eco-level intensity, and a second color different than the first color when the intensity of the lighting load is greater than the predetermined eco-level intensity, the predetermined eco-level intensity being greater than 75% of a maximum possible intensity of the lighting load. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A dimmer switch for controlling the amount of power delivered from a power source to a lighting load, the dimmer switch comprising:
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a controllably conductive device adapted to be coupled in series electrical connection between the source and the lighting load for controlling the intensity of the lighting load; an intensity adjustment actuator operatively coupled to the controllably conductive device, such that the controllably conductive device is operable to adjust the intensity of the lighting load between a low-end intensity and a high-end intensity in response to actuations of the intensity adjustment actuator; and a visual indicator operable to be illuminated a first color when the intensity of the lighting load is less than or equal to a predetermined lower eco-level intensity, and a second color different than the first color when the intensity of the lighting load is greater than a predetermined upper eco-level intensity, the lower and upper eco-level intensities being greater than 75% of a maximum possible intensity of the lighting load. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification