# US 2014/0067147 A1 · Dimming Control Including An Adjustable Output Response

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- Number: US 2014/0067147 A1
- Document ID: US20140067147A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/604,007
- Filed: 2012-09-05
- Published: 2014-03-06
- Earliest claimed: 2012-09-05
- Assignees: Legrand Home Systems, Inc.
- Inventors: Jared Lemke; James Beagley; Scott Chandler; Michael Whatcott; Douglas Allen; David Earl James; Jon Erik Knabenschuh
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140067147A1

## CPC

- H05B 39/044: {continuously (H05B39/042 takes precedence)}
- G05B 11/012: {details of the transmission means}
- G05B 19/042: using digital processors (G05B19/05 takes precedence)
- H05B 47/18: via data-bus transmission
- G05B 2219/25401: Compensation of control signals as function of changing supply voltage
- H05B 47/19: via wireless transmission
- Y02B 20/00: Energy efficient lighting technologies, e.g. halogen lamps or gas discharge lamps
- Y02B 70/30: Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
- Y02B 70/3225: Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
- Y04S 20/222: Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
- Y04S 20/246: the system involving the remote operation of lamps or lighting equipment
- H05B: ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
- G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G)
- Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
- Y04S: SYSTEMS INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO POWER NETWORK OPERATION, COMMUNICATION OR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR IMPROVING THE ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION, TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION, MANAGEMENT OR USAGE, i.e. SMART GRIDS

## Abstract

The present disclosure provides improved dimming or dimmer assemblies/modules for controlling lights or loads (e.g., as part of a control or automation system). More particularly, the present disclosure provides for systems and methods for utilizing dimmer control assemblies/modules advantageously having: (i) an adjustable output response, (ii) enhanced thermal management, (iii) a voltage detector to determine amplitude and zero-crossing, and/or (iv) an estimation of power consumption for multiple loads (e.g., using a single sensor).

## Claims

### Claim 1

A control assembly comprising:
a first load circuit, the first load circuit including a first load control device, a second load control device, a first current detector and a first voltage detector, the first load control device in communication with a first controlled device and the second load control device in communication with a second controlled device;
a processor in communication with the first and second load control devices, the first current detector and the first voltage detector; and
a first line feed associated with the first load circuit and in communication with the first and second load control devices, the first current detector and the first voltage detector;
wherein at least a portion of the first line feed is configured to travel to and be output by the first load control device as a first load output to the first controlled device; and
wherein at least a portion of the first line feed is configured to travel to and be output by the second load control device as a second load output to the second controlled device.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1, wherein the processor is in communication with a master controller of an automation system, the master controller configured and adapted to transmit command signals to the processor to change the status of the first and second controlled devices.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first load circuit further includes a third load control device, the third load control device in communication with: (i) a third controlled device, (ii) the processor, and (iii) the first line feed; and
wherein at least a portion of the first line feed is configured to travel to and be output by the third load control device as a third load output to the third controlled device.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a second load circuit, the second load circuit including a third load control device, a fourth load control device, a second current detector and a second voltage detector, the third load control device in communication with a third controlled device and the fourth load control device in communication with a fourth controlled device; and
a second line feed associated with the second load circuit and in communication with the third and fourth load control devices, the second current detector and the second voltage detector;
wherein the processor is in communication with the third and fourth load control devices, the second current detector and the second voltage detector;
wherein at least a portion of the second line feed is configured to travel to and be output by the third load control device as a third load output to the third controlled device; and
wherein at least a portion of the second line feed is configured to travel to and be output by the fourth load control device as a fourth load output to the fourth controlled device.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured and adapted to run a calibration sequence that turns on the first and second controlled devices separately and individually at multiple dim levels;
wherein the processor is adapted to receive for each dim level of the first and second controlled devices: (i) a current measurement provided by the first current detector, and (ii) a voltage measurement provided by the first voltage detector; and
wherein the processor is adapted to calculate and store a measurement of the average power consumed by the first and second controlled devices at each dim level by utilizing the respective current and voltage measurements of the first and second controlled devices at each dim level.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The assembly of claim 5, wherein after the calibration is completed and the power consumption measurements are stored, the processor is adapted to calculate the power consumption of the first and second controlled devices at the present dim level of the first and second controlled devices by utilizing the stored measurements.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The assembly of claim 5, wherein the calibration sequence turns on the first and second controlled devices at multiple dim levels from a low dim level to a high dim level.

### Claim 8 (depends on 5)

The assembly of claim 5, wherein the calibration sequence turns on the first and second controlled devices at about eight different dim levels, each dim level spaced substantially evenly apart from one another.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1, wherein the processor is adapted to: (i) run a calibration sequence that turns on the first and second controlled devices separately and individually at a maximum setting, (ii) receive a current measurement provided by the first current detector, and a voltage measurement provided by the first voltage detector for the first and second controlled devices at the maximum setting, and (iii) calculate and store a measurement of the power consumed by the first and second controlled devices at the maximum setting by utilizing the respective current and voltage measurements at the maximum setting;
wherein after the calibration sequence is completed and the maximum setting power consumption measurements are stored, the processor is further adapted to: (i) receive a current measurement provided by the first current detector and a voltage measurement provided by the first voltage detector for the first and second controlled devices at the present dim level of the first and second controlled devices, and (ii) calculate and store a measurement of the total average power used by both the first and second controlled devices at the present dim level by utilizing the respective current and voltage measurements at the present dim level; and
wherein the processor is adapted to calculate the average power drawn at the present dim level by each individual first and second controlled device by utilizing: (i) the measurements of the power consumed by the first and second controlled devices at the maximum setting, (ii) the measurement of the total average power used by both the first and second controlled devices at the present dim level, and (iii) the percentage of the present dim level.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The assembly of claim 9, wherein the average power drawn at the present dim level by each individual first and second controlled device satisfies the equation:
Pload
=
Pex
+
Pw
×
Pd
Ptw
;
wherein Pex is the percent of the present dim level multiplied by the respective measurement of the power consumed by the first or second controlled device at the maximum setting;
wherein Pd is the difference between: (i) the measurement of the total average power used by both the first and second controlled devices at the present dim level, and (ii) the sum of the Pex values for the first and second controlled devices;
wherein Pw is the percent of the present dim level multiplied by the value obtained by dividing the respective measurement of the power consumed by the first or second controlled device at the maximum setting by the sum of the measurements of the power consumed by the first and second controlled devices at the maximum setting; and
wherein Ptw is the sum of the Pw values for the first and second controlled devices.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first voltage detector includes an analog-to-digital converter, the analog-to-digital converter adapted to take a plurality of measurements of the voltage that is present at the analog-to-digital input during each cycle of the first line feed;
wherein the analog-to-digital converter is adapted to communicate the measurements to the processor, the processor adapted to group the measurements into separate groups of measurements;
wherein the processor is adapted to calculate the average voltage measurement of each group and determine if the average voltage measurement is positive or negative;
wherein the processor is adapted to identify and analyze together consecutive groups of voltage measurements that have opposite positive/negative average voltage measurement values to estimate the voltage zero-crossing point of the first line feed's waveform.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The assembly of claim 11, wherein each group of voltage measurements includes about twelve consecutive voltage measurements, each voltage measurement of each group taken about every 63 μs.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The assembly of claim 11, wherein when the processor analyzes the consecutive groups of voltage measurements that have opposite positive/negative average voltage measurement values, the processor is adapted to draw lines between pairs of individual voltage measurement points from each group to estimate the voltage zero-crossing point of the first line feed's waveform.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The assembly of claim 13, wherein each group of voltage measurements includes about twelve consecutive voltage measurements;
wherein the processor is adapted to draw lines between pairs of individual voltage measurement points from each group by first drawing a line between the first measurement point of the first group and the first measurement point of the second group, then drawing a line between the second measurement point of the first group and the second measurement point of the second group, then drawing a line between the third measurement point of the first group and the third measurement point of the second group, then drawing a line between the fourth measurement point of the first group and the fourth measurement point of the second group, then drawing a line between the fifth measurement point of the first group and the fifth measurement point of the second group, then drawing a line between the sixth measurement point of the first group and the sixth measurement point of the second group, then drawing a line between the seventh measurement point of the first group and the seventh measurement point of the second group, then drawing a line between the eighth measurement point of the first group and the eighth measurement point of the second group, then drawing a line between the ninth measurement point of the first group and the ninth measurement point of the second group, then drawing a line between the tenth measurement point of the first group and the tenth measurement point of the second group, then drawing a line between the eleventh measurement point of the first group and the eleventh measurement point of the second group, and then drawing a line between the twelfth measurement point of the first group and the twelfth measurement point of the second group.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The assembly of claim 14, wherein after each line has been drawn between pairs of individual voltage measurement points, the processor is adapted to determine the voltage zero-crossing point of each drawn line and estimate the voltage zero-crossing point of the first line feed's waveform by analyzing the voltage zero-crossing point of each drawn line.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The assembly of claim 15, wherein the processor analyzes the median value of the voltage zero-crossing points of all the drawn lines to estimate the voltage zero-crossing point of the first line feed's waveform.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1, wherein the processor is in communication with the first load control device via a first control signal line;
wherein the processor is adapted to store a plurality of individual data points, each individual data point being a value that represents the magnitude of the control signal on the first control signal line that is generated for a different dim level of the first controlled device; and
wherein the processor is adapted to calculate a magnitude of the control signal for a dim level of the first controlled device that is positioned between two data points of the plurality of data points.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The assembly of claim 17, wherein the individual data points are spaced apart from one another from the low dim level to the high dim level of the first controlled device.

### Claim 19 (depends on 17)

The assembly of claim 17, wherein the processor stores about thirty-three individual data points, each individual data point being spaced apart from one another from the low dim level to the high dim level of the first controlled device; and
wherein the first nine data points proximal to the low dim level are spaced apart from one another by about 2% of the total number of dim levels of the first controlled device, and the remaining data points are spaced apart by about 3.5% of the total number of dim levels of the first controlled device.

### Claim 20 (depends on 17)

The assembly of claim 17, wherein the data points are generated manually by a user.

### Claim 21 (depends on 17)

The assembly of claim 17, wherein the data points are generated by software associated with a light meter, the light meter configured and adapted to measure the light intensity of the first controlled device at a plurality of dim levels.

### Claim 22 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a heat sink member mounted with respect to the first and second load control devices, the heat sink member having a baffle member;
wherein the baffle member extends along at least a portion of the top surface of the heat sink member for thermal management purposes.

### Claim 23 (depends on 22)

The assembly of claim 22, wherein the baffle member extends substantially along the length and width of the top surface of the heat sink member.

### Claim 24 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a heat sink member and a printed circuit board mounted with respect to the first and second load control devices;
wherein the first and second load control devices are each mounted substantially parallel with respect to the surface of the printed circuit board, the first and second load control devices positioned between the heat sink member and the printed circuit board.

### Claim 25 (depends on 24)

The assembly of claim 24 further comprising a rear housing mounted with respect to the printed circuit board, the rear housing including at least one handle member that is movably and rotationally mounted with respect to the rear housing.

### Claim 26

A method for estimating the power consumption of multiple loads comprising:
providing a load circuit, the load circuit including a plurality of load control devices, a current detector and a voltage detector, each load control device in communication with a controlled device;
providing a processor in communication with each load control device, the current detector and the voltage detector;
providing a line feed associated with the load circuit and in communication with each load control device, the current detector and the voltage detector, at least a portion of the line feed configured to travel to and be output by each load control device as a load output to its respective controlled device;
running a calibration sequence via the processor, the calibration sequence turning on each controlled device separately and individually at multiple dim levels;
providing to the processor for each dim level of each controlled device: (i) a current measurement from the current detector, and (ii) a voltage measurement from the voltage detector;
calculating and storing, via the processor, a measurement of the average power consumed by each controlled device at each dim level by utilizing the respective current and voltage measurements of each controlled device at each dim level;
operating each controlled device at a present dim level; and
calculating the power consumption of each individual controlled device at the present dim level of each controlled device by utilizing the stored measurements.

### Claim 27

A method for estimating the power consumption of multiple loads comprising:
providing a load circuit, the load circuit including a plurality of load control devices, a current detector and a voltage detector, each load control device in communication with a controlled device;
providing a processor in communication with each load control device, the current detector and the voltage detector;
providing a line feed associated with the load circuit and in communication with each load control device, the current detector and the voltage detector, at least a portion of the line feed configured to travel to and be output by each load control device as a load output to its respective controlled device;
running a calibration sequence via the processor, the calibration sequence turning on each controlled device separately and individually at a maximum setting;
providing to the processor for each maximum setting of each controlled device: (i) a current measurement from the current detector, and (ii) a voltage measurement from the voltage detector;
calculating and storing, via the processor, a measurement of the power consumed by each controlled device at each maximum setting by utilizing the respective current and voltage measurements of each controlled device at each maximum setting;
operating each controlled device at a present dim level;
providing to the processor for each present dim level of each controlled device: (i) a current measurement from the current detector, and (ii) a voltage measurement from the voltage detector;
calculating and storing, via the processor, a measurement of the total average power used by the controlled devices at the present dim level by utilizing the current and voltage measurements of the controlled devices at the present dim level;
calculating, via the processor, the average power drawn at the present dim level by each individual controlled device by utilizing: (i) the measurements of the power consumed by the controlled devices at each maximum setting, (ii) the measurement of the total average power used by the controlled devices at the present dim level, and (iii) the percentage of the present dim level.

### Claim 28 (depends on 27)

The method of claim 27, wherein the average power drawn at the present dim level by each individual controlled device satisfies the equation:
Pload
=
Pex
+
Pw
×
Pd
Ptw
;
wherein Pex is the percent of the present dim level multiplied by the respective measurement of the power consumed by each controlled device at the maximum setting;
wherein Pd is the difference between: (i) the measurement of the total average power used by the controlled devices at the present dim level, and (ii) the sum of the Pex values for the controlled devices;
wherein Pw is the percent of the present dim level multiplied by the value obtained by dividing the respective measurement of the power consumed by each controlled device at the maximum setting by the sum of the measurements of the power consumed by the controlled devices at the maximum setting; and
wherein Ptw is the sum of the Pw values for the controlled devices.

### Claim 29

A method for estimating the voltage zero-crossing point of the waveform of a line feed comprising:
providing a load circuit, the load circuit including at least one load control device and a voltage detector, the at least one load control device in communication with a controlled device, and the voltage detector including an analog-to-digital converter;
providing a processor in communication with the at least one load control device and the voltage detector;
providing a line feed associated with the load circuit and in communication with the at least one load control device and the voltage detector, at least a portion of the line feed configured to travel to and be output by the at least one load control device as a load output to its controlled device;
measuring during each cycle of the line feed and via the analog-to-digital converter, a plurality of measurements of the voltage that is present at the analog-to-digital converter input;
communicating the plurality of measurements to the processor;
grouping, via the processor, the plurality of measurements into separate groups of measurements;
calculating, via the processor, the average voltage measurement of each group;
determining, via the processor, if the average voltage measurement is positive or negative;
identifying and analyzing together, via the processor, consecutive groups of voltage measurements that have opposite positive/negative average voltage measurement values to estimate the voltage zero-crossing point of the line feed's waveform.

### Claim 30 (depends on 29)

The method of claim 29, wherein when the processor analyzes the consecutive groups of voltage measurements that have opposite positive/negative average voltage measurement values, the processor draws lines between pairs of individual voltage measurement points from each group to estimate the voltage zero-crossing point of the first line feed's waveform.

### Claim 31

A method for generating a custom curve for a dimming signal comprising:
providing a load control device in communication with a controlled device;
providing a processor in communication with the load control device via a control signal line;
storing on the processor a plurality of individual data points, each individual data point being a value that represents the magnitude of the control signal on the control signal line that is generated for a different dim level of the controlled device; and
calculating, via the processor, the magnitude of the control signal for a dim level of the controlled device that is positioned between two data points of the plurality of data points.

### Claim 32

A control assembly comprising:
a load circuit, the load circuit including at least one load control device, the at least one load control device in communication with a controlled device;
a processor in communication with the at least one load control device; and
a first line feed associated with the load circuit and in communication with the at least one load control device;
a heat sink member mounted with respect to the at least one load control device, the heat sink member having a baffle member;
wherein at least a portion of the line feed is configured to travel to and be output by the at least one load control device as a load output to its controlled device; and
wherein the baffle member extends along at least a portion of the top surface of the heat sink member for thermal management purposes.

### Claim 33 (depends on 32)

The assembly of claim 32, wherein the baffle member extends substantially along the length and width of the top surface of the heat sink member.

### Claim 34 (depends on 32)

The assembly of claim 32, further comprising a printed circuit board mounted with respect to the at least one load control device;
wherein the at least one load control device is mounted substantially parallel with respect to the surface of the printed circuit board, the at least one load control device positioned between the heat sink member and the printed circuit board.

### Claim 35 (depends on 34)

The assembly of claim 34 further comprising a rear housing mounted with respect to the printed circuit board, the rear housing including at least one handle member that is movably and rotationally mounted with respect to the rear housing.