Automated dimmer wall switch with a color multi-touch LCD/LED display

• US 9,940,884 B1
• Filed: 04/25/2016
• Issued: 04/10/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alexander Uchenov, Sergey Musolin
• Original Assignee: Alexander Uchenov, Sergey Musolin
• Inventors: Musolin, Sergey, Uchenov, Alexander
• Primary Examiner(s): Sinclair, David M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Milliser, Theron S
• Application Number:
  US15/137,580
• Time in Patent Office: 715 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2354/00 Aspects of interface with display user
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2360/144 the light being ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3607 for displaying colours or for displaying grey scales with a specific pixel layout, e.g. using sub-pixels display of colours in flat matrix panels other than liquid crystal displays G09G3/2003; grey scales specific for television H04N3/127
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/14 Fastening of cover or lid to box
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/18 providing line outlets
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/186 Video door telephones

Abstract

An automated dimmer switch is provided. The dimmer has a color sensor display embodied into plastic or metal housing. The dimmer includes a mother board, a central processor for processing incoming data, an operating memory and a flash memory. The dimmer also has various sensors for use with corresponding smart home technologies and a wireless module for connecting to a network standard IEEE 802.11a/b/n utilizing different internet protocols and chips for other wireless technologies such as Bluetooth and Z-Wave/Zigbee. The dimmer can include a motion sensor, such that the display image changes gradually from stand-by mode to display of interface icons for dimmer operation. The stand-by mode image when not in operation is derived from surrounding wall texture.

Claims

1. A wall-mountable dimmer comprising:

a housing;

a processor inside the housing;

a color sensor display controlled by the processor,

wherein, the color sensor display, in a quiescent state, displays a raster image that matches a pattern of a wall on which the dimmer is mounted, wherein a pattern on the display is aligned with the pattern of the wall so as to make the dimmer substantially invisible in the quiescent state, and

wherein the raster image is received via a wireless connection;

a sensor configured to detect a person, wherein, in response to the detection by the sensor, the color sensor display displays an icon-based graphical user interface,

wherein the dimmer is configured to communicate with other dimmers such that environmental parameters in other rooms, where the other dimmers are located, can be controlled from the dimmer.

2. The dimmer of claim 1, wherein the dimmer is controllable remotely by a mobile device, including controlling the environmental parameters.

3. The dimmer of claim 1, further comprising an ambient light sensor.

4. The dimmer of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes a proximity sensor configured to detect the person within a pre-set proximity of the dimmer.

5. The dimmer of claim 1, further comprising a microphone.

6. The dimmer of claim 1, further comprising a sound speaker.

7. The dimmer of claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor.

8. The dimmer of claim 1, further comprising a humidity/moisture sensor.

9. The dimmer of claim 1, wherein dimmer includes a processor that is located on a motherboard.

10. The dimmer of claim 9, further comprising a flash memory located on the motherboard.

11. The dimmer of claim 9, further comprising an audio processor and/or video processor located on the motherboard, with a sound quality and a performance suitable for compatible devices.

12. The dimmer of claim 1, further comprising a touch screen controller for control of the color sensor display.

13. The dimmer of claim 1, wherein the dimmer includes a front panel made of glass, plastic or sapphire glass.

14. The dimmer of claim 1, wherein the dimmer includes an LCD panel.

15. The dimmer of claim 1, wherein the dimmer includes an interface to any of the following:

thermostat;

wi-fi enabled camera;

smart doorbell;

remote microphones;

devices that include cameras and speakers;

air-conditioning and heating devices; and

intercom.

16. A wall-mountable dimmer comprising:

a housing;

a color sensor display mounted on the housing,

wherein, the color sensor display, in a quiescent state, displays an image that matches a pattern of a wall on which the dimmer is mounted, wherein a pattern on the display is aligned with the pattern of the wall;

a sensor configured to detect a person, wherein, in response to the detection by the sensor, the color sensor display displays an icon-based graphical user interface with a plurality of touch-activated icons for control of dimmer functions,

wherein the dimmer is configured to communicate with other dimmers to control environmental parameters in other rooms.

17. The dimmer of claim 16, wherein the dimmer communicates with a doorbell and displays an image from a remote camera when the doorbell rings.

18. The dimmer of claim 16, wherein the dimmer determines occupancy of a room and controls environmental parameters based on the occupancy.

19. The dimmer of claim 16, wherein the dimmer acts as a wi-fi access point for other wi-fi enabled devices.