Intelligent lighting control apparatuses, systems, and methods
AssigneeSavant Systems, LLC
InventorsWilliam Lark, Jr., Ann Claire Lim Chi Cheung
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present disclosure provides light switch modules and methods of implementing a light switch module for a lighting control system. The light switch modules include a light switch actuator including an actuation surface. The light switch actuator is movable to connect an electrical flow path and to activate a tactile display housed in the light switch actuator. One or more tactile motions are applied on the actuation surface of the light switch actuator for selecting a lighting setting from among a plurality of lighting settings using the tactile display.
Claims33
A light switch module comprising:
- a light switch actuator having an actuation surface and an electrical contact, the light switch actuator configured to pivot with respect to a base housing so as to move the electrical contact from a first position to a second position to connect an electrical flow path to power components of the light switch module;
- and
- a tactile display housed in the light switch actuator and energized by the pivoting of the light switch actuator, the tactile display configured to move contemporaneously with the actuation surface, the tactile display configured to cause selection of a lighting setting selected from a plurality of lighting settings for a plurality of light fixtures in response to one or more tactile motions on the actuation surface.
A method of operating a light switch module comprising:
- energizing a tactile display housed in a light switch actuator by pivoting an actuation surface of the light switch actuator, the pivoting of the actuation surface causing an electrical contact component of the light switch actuator to move from a first position to a second position to connect an electrical flow path that energizes the tactile display, the tactile display configured to move contemporaneously with the actuation surface;
- in response to receiving a lighting setting selection request via the tactile display, identifying a lighting setting from among a plurality of lighting settings, each lighting setting corresponding to a distinct power distribution scheme for at least one light fixture connected to the light switch module based on the identified lighting setting, each distinct power distribution scheme configured to cause an allocation of a discrete quantity of electrical power to the at least one light fixture;
- and
- transmitting one or more power signals from the light switch actuator to the at least one light fixture based on the identified lighting setting.
A method of operating a light switch module comprising:
- pivoting an actuation surface of a light switch actuator to connect an electrical flow path and to activate a tactile display housed in the light switch actuator, the tactile display configured to move contemporaneously with the actuation surface;
- selecting a lighting setting from among a plurality of lighting settings by applying one or more tactile motions on the actuation surface of the light switch actuator, wherein selecting includes swiping along the actuation surface;
- and
- changing an icon displayed on the tactile surface in response to the selecting.
A method of installing a light switch module, the method comprising:
- electrically connecting a base component to a power supply line;
- coupling the base component to a wall electrical box;
- attaching a wall plate to the base component;
- and
- electrically connecting a light switch actuator housing a tactile display to the base component such that the light switch actuator extends through the wall plate, the light switch actuator including a contact component movable by the light switch actuator from a first position to a second position to connect an electrical flow path for energizing the tactile display by pivoting of an actuation surface of the light switch actuator, the tactile display configured:
- to move contemporaneously with the actuation surface of the light switch actuator,
- for activation by movement of the actuation surface,
- to move between lighting settings in response to one or more tactile motions on the actuation surface, and
- to discretely display an icon in response to a change in a lighting setting.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.