Lighting control device with demand response indicator

• US 9,110,449 B1
• Filed: 12/21/2012
• Issued: 08/18/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Signify Holding B.V. (Signify N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Walma, Kenneth, Conger, Matthew, Maddox, Angela
• Primary Examiner(s): KASENGE, CHARLES R
• Application Number:
  US13/725,205
• Time in Patent Office: 970 Days
• Field of Search: 700/275, 700/286, 700/295, 315/149, 315/291, 315/312, 340/657
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 11/01 electric
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/13 by using passive infrared detectors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

An occupancy sensing and energy indicating load control device includes an occupancy sensor, an energy savings feedback indicator, and a manual controller. The occupancy sensor detects occupancy within a monitored area. The device is electrically coupled to at least one load positioned within the monitored area and controls the energy consumption of the load. The energy savings feedback indicator provides awareness to an end user regarding energy savings and provides the end user with opportunities for additional energy savings. The device optionally includes a demand response indicator for providing awareness to the end user regarding when a demand response condition exists, its severity, and opportunities for additional energy savings.

Claims

1. A lighting control device, comprising:

a microcontroller;

a transceiver communicably coupled to the microcontroller and configured to receive a demand response signal from a unit that is external to the lighting control device; and

a demand response indicator communicably coupled to the microcontroller, the demand response indicator configured to emit light, wherein a first intensity level of the light indicates to a consumer a first level of a demand response, wherein a second intensity level of the light indicates to the consumer a second level of the demand response, wherein the first intensity level of the light is a higher intensity level than the second intensity level of the light, wherein the demand response is associated with energy demand experienced by a utility provider, wherein the light has same color at the first intensity level and at the second intensity level, and wherein the first level of the demand response is associated with a higher energy demand experienced by the utility company than the second level of the demand response.

2. The lighting control device of claim 1, wherein the first level of the demand response is associated with a first cost of energy for powering one or more light sources associated with the lighting control device and wherein the second level of the demand response is associated with a second cost of energy for powering the one or more light sources associated with the lighting control device.

3. The lighting control device of claim 1, wherein the first level of the demand response is associated with a first request received by the lighting control device to reduce electricity usage by one or more light sources associated with the lighting control device and wherein the second level of the demand response is associated with a second request by the lighting control device to reduce electricity usage by the one or more light sources associated with the lighting control device, wherein the first request and the second request correspond to different electricity usage reduction amounts.

4. The lighting control device of claim 1, wherein multiple intensity levels of the light ranging in intensity between the first intensity level and the second intensity level each correspond to a respective level of the demand response experienced by the utility provider ranging between the first level of the demand response and the second level of the demand response.

5. The lighting control device of claim 1, wherein the lighting control device is attached to a wall.

6. The lighting control device of claim 1, further comprising an occupancy sensor and an energy savings feedback indicator that are communicably coupled to the microcontroller.

7. A lighting control device, comprising:

a microcontroller;

a transceiver communicably coupled to the microcontroller and configured to receive a demand response signal indicating a demand response; and

a demand response indicator communicably coupled to the microcontroller, the demand response indicator configured to provide a visual indication of a demand response level to an end user, wherein the visual indication includes multiple intensity levels of the light ranging in intensity between a first intensity level and a second intensity level, wherein each one of the first intensity level, the second intensity level, and the multiple intensity levels of the light indicates a respective level of the demand response experienced by a utility provider, wherein each respective level of the demand response is between a first level of the demand response indicated by the first intensity level and a second level of the demand response indicated by the second intensity level, wherein the light has the same color at the multiple intensity levels of the light, wherein the first intensity level is a higher intensity level than the second intensity level, and wherein the first level of the demand response is associated with a higher energy demand experienced by the utility company than the second level of the demand response.

8. The lighting control device of claim 7, wherein the demand response level is associated with cost of energy being provided by the utility provider.

9. The lighting control device of claim 7, wherein the demand response level is associated with a request received by the lighting control device to reduce electricity usage by one or more light sources associated with the lighting control device.

10. The lighting control device of claim 7, wherein the demand response indicator includes a display screen configured to provide the visual indication of the demand response level to the end user.

11. The lighting control device of claim 7, wherein the demand response indicator provides an audible signal indicating different levels of the demand response.

12. The lighting control device of claim 7, further comprising an occupancy sensor and an energy savings feedback indicator that are communicably coupled to the microcontroller.

13. The lighting control device of claim 7, wherein the lighting control device is attached to a wall and wherein the demand response indicator is on the lighting control device.