PROGRAMMABLE WALLBOX DIMMER

• US 20070126368A1
• Filed: 02/05/2007
• Published: 06/07/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
• Original Assignee: Lutron Electronics Company Incorporated (Lutron Electronics)
• Inventors: Blair, Edward, Zaharchuk, Walter, McDonough, Bridget
• Granted Patent: US 7,663,325 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/209.R
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 39/044 continuously H05B39/042 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/165 following a pre-assigned programmed sequence; Logic control [LC]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/17 Operational modes, e.g. switching from manual to automatic mode or prohibiting specific operations
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/175 by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/185 via power line carrier transmission

Abstract

A programmable wallbox dimmer is disclosed. Upon entering a programming mode, the dimmer presents a main menu from which the user may select one or more features to program. The user may scroll through a list of programmable features by actuating the dimmer'"'"'s raise/lower intensity actuator. The user may select a highlighted feature by actuating the dimmer'"'"'s control switch. The dimmer may enter a value selection mode that is associated with the selected feature. In the value selection mode, the user may scroll through a list of features that define the selected feature by actuating the dimmer'"'"'s raise/lower intensity actuator. The user may select a value for the selected feature. The selected value may be stored in the dimmer'"'"'s memory.

Claims

1. A wallbox dimmer for controlling a light intensity level of a lamp, the wallbox dimmer having a normal operational mode and a programming mode, the wallbox dimmer comprising:

an intensity level switch; and

a microcontroller operatively coupled to the intensity level switch,

wherein, in the normal operational mode, the microcontroller causes the light intensity level of the lamp to vary in response to an actuation of the intensity level switch, and, in the programming mode, the microcontroller enables a user to program any of a plurality of programmable features provided by the wallbox dimmer.

2. The wallbox dimmer of claim 1, wherein, in the programming mode, the microcontroller causes the wallbox dimmer to vary between a feature selection mode and a value selection mode in response to an actuation of a control switch.

3. The wallbox dimmer of claim 2, wherein, in the feature selection mode, the intensity level switch enables user-selection of a desired one of said plurality of programmable features.

4. The wallbox dimmer of claim 2, wherein, in the value selection mode, the intensity level switch enables user-selection of a desired one of a plurality of programmable feature values associated with a desired one of said plurality of programmable features.

5. A wallbox dimmer for controlling a light intensity level of a lamp, the wallbox dimmer having a normal operational mode and a programming mode, the wallbox dimmer comprising:

a control switch; and

a microcontroller operatively coupled to the control switch,

wherein, in the normal operational mode, the microcontroller causes the lamp to toggle between an off state and an on state in response to an actuation of the control switch, and, in the programming mode, the microcontroller enables the user to program any of a plurality of programmable features provided by the wallbox dimmer.

6. The wallbox dimmer of claim 5, wherein, in the programming mode, the microcontroller causes the wallbox dimmer to vary between a feature selection mode and a value selection mode in response to an actuation of the control switch.

7. The wallbox dimmer of claim 6, wherein the feature selection mode enables user-selection of a desired one of said plurality of programmable features.

8. The wallbox dimmer of claim 6, wherein the value selection mode enables user-selection of a desired one of a plurality of programmable feature values associated with a desired one of said plurality of programmable features.

9. A wallbox dimmer for controlling a light intensity level of a lamp, the wallbox dimmer having a normal operational mode and a programming mode, the wallbox dimmer comprising:

an intensity level display; and

a microcontroller operatively coupled to the intensity level display,

wherein, in the normal operational mode, the microcontroller causes the intensity level display to provide a user-perceptible indication representative of a current intensity level of the lamp, and, in the programming mode, the microcontroller enables a user to program any of a plurality of programmable features provided by the wallbox dimmer.

10. The wallbox dimmer of claim 9, wherein, in the programming mode, the microcontroller causes the intensity level display to provide a user-perceptible indication representative of one of said plurality of programmable features.

11. The wallbox dimmer of claim 10, wherein the intensity level display comprises a light source associated with said one of said plurality of programmable features and the microcontroller causes the light source to blink.

12. The wallbox dimmer of claim 9, wherein, in the programming mode, the microcontroller causes the intensity level display to provide a user-perceptible indication representative of a programmable feature value associated with one of said plurality of programmable features.

13. The wallbox dimmer of claim 12, wherein the intensity level display comprises a light source associated with the programmable feature value and the microcontroller causes the light source to blink.

14. A lighting control device for controlling a light intensity level of a lamp, said lighting control device having a normal operational mode and a programming mode, said lighting control device comprising:

an intensity level switch;

a control switch; and

a microcontroller operatively coupled to the intensity level switch and the control switch,

wherein,

in the normal operational mode, the microcontroller causes the light intensity level of the lamp to vary in response to an actuation of the intensity level switch, and the lamp to toggle between an off state and an on state in response to an actuation of the control switch, and,

in the programming mode, the microcontroller is adapted to cause the wallbox dimmer to enter a feature selection mode wherein a user is enabled to select a programmable feature provided by the wallbox dimmer from among a plurality of programmable features, and to enter a value selection mode wherein the user is enabled to select a programmable feature value associated with a selected one of the plurality of programmable features.

15. The lighting control device of claim 14, wherein, in the feature selection mode, the user is enabled to use the light intensity level switch to identify the programmable feature from among the plurality of programmable features.

16. The lighting control device of claim 15, wherein, in the feature selection mode, the user is enabled to use the control switch to select the identified feature.

17. The lighting control device of claim 14, wherein, in the value selection mode, the user is enabled to use the light intensity level switch to identify the programmable feature value from among a plurality of programmable feature values.

18. The lighting control device of claim 17, wherein, in the value selection mode, the user is enabled to use the control switch to select the identified value.