# US 2017/0257930 A1 · Intelligent lighting control apparatuses, systems, and methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0257930 A1 - Document ID: US20170257930A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/452,483 - Filed: 2017-03-07 - Published: 2017-09-07 - Earliest claimed: 2016-03-07 - Assignees: Locoroll, Inc. - Applicants: Locoroll, Inc. - Inventors: William Lark, Jr.; Ann Claire Lim Chi Cheung - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170257930A1 ## CPC - H01H 3/22: Power arrangements internal to the switch for operating the driving mechanism - F21V 23/007: {enclosed in a casing} - F21V 23/0485: {the sensor sensing the physical interaction between a user and certain areas located on the lighting device, e.g. a touch sensor} - G06F 3/0416: {Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers} - H01H 3/02: Operating parts, i.e. for operating driving mechanism by a mechanical force external to the switch - H01H 9/181: {using a programmable display, e.g. LED or LCD} - H01H 23/025: {Light-emitting indicators} - H05B 45/10: Controlling the intensity of the light - H05B 45/60: Circuit arrangements for operating LEDs comprising organic material, e.g. for operating organic light-emitting diodes [OLED] or polymer light-emitting diodes [PLED] - H05B 47/115: by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings - H05B 47/125: by using cameras - H05B 47/199: {Commissioning of light sources} - H01H 2009/186: {using an electroluminiscent panel} - H01H 2215/00: Tactile feedback - H01H 2300/03: Application domotique, e.g. for house automation, bus connected switches, sensors, loads or intelligent wiring - Y02B 20/40: Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection - Y02B 90/20: Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector (smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00) - Y04S 20/14: Protecting elements, switches, relays or circuit breakers - H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00) - F21V: FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H05B: ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL - 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 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A light switch module comprising: a light switch actuator comprising an electrical contact component, the light switch actuator configured to move the electrical contact component from a first position to a second position to connect an electrical flow path by movement of an actuation surface of the light switch actuator; and a tactile display housed in the light switch actuator and configured for activation by movement of the actuation surface moving the electrical contact component to the second position, 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 in response to one or more tactile motions on the actuation surface, the tactile display configured to discretely display a distinct icon in response to a change in the selection of the lighting setting. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The light switch module according to claim 1, further comprising a control system electrically coupled to the electrical contact component and the tactile display, the control system configured to: identify a power distribution scheme configured to allocate a discrete quantity of electrical power to each lighting fixture in a plurality of lighting fixtures in response to selection of the lighting setting via the tactile display; and cause distribution of the discrete quantity of electrical power to each lighting fixture in the plurality of lighting fixtures based on the identified power distribution scheme. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The light switch module according to claim 2, wherein the control system is further configured to change the power distribution scheme in response to the change in the lighting setting via the tactile display. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The light switch module according to claim 2, wherein the control system is configured for activation by movement of the actuation surface moving the electrical contact component to the second position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The light switch module according to claim 1, wherein the light switch actuator comprises a pivoting switch. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The light switch module according to claim 1, wherein light switch actuator comprises a push button switch. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The light switch module according to claim 1, wherein the light switch actuator comprises a sliding switch. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The light switch module according to claim 1, wherein the light switch actuator is spring biased. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The light switch module according to claim 1, wherein the tactile display comprises a light emitting diode display. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The light switch module according to claim 1, wherein the one or more tactile motions includes a vertical swipe. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The light switch module according to claim 10, wherein the lighting setting and the discrete icon are configured to change in proportion to the length of the vertical swipe with respect to a length of the tactile display. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The light switch module according to claim 10, wherein the lighting setting and discrete icon are configured to change in proportion to the duration of the vertical swipe. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The light switch module according to claim 10, wherein the lighting setting is configured to have a gradient of light intensity in a vertical direction in the room in proportion to the vertical swipe. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The light switch module according to claim 1, wherein the one or tactile motions includes a combination of a swipe and a tap, the tap causing a selection of light intensity proportional to at least one of a length and a duration of the swipe. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The light switch module according to claim 1, further comprising a base module and a wall plate configured to be positioned between the light switch actuator and the base module. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The light switch module according to claim 15, wherein the light switch actuator includes a multi-pin connector configured to engage a multi-pin socket in the base module. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The light switch module according to claim 15, wherein the base module is sized and shaped to correspond substantially to an interior region of a one-gang wall electrical box. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The light switch module according to claim 17, wherein the base module includes two screw openings for mounting the base module in a wall electrical box. ### Claim 19 A method of operating a light switch module comprising: activating a tactile display housed in a light switch actuator by moving an actuation surface of the light switch actuator, the movement 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, 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. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method according to claim 19, wherein the plurality of light settings having distinct power distribution scheme for light fixtures connected to the light switch module. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The method according to claim 19, wherein activating the tactile display comprises pivoting the actuation surface. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The method according to claim 19, wherein activating the tactile display comprises pushing the actuation surface. ### Claim 23 (depends on 19) The method according to claim 19, wherein activating the tactile display comprises sliding the actuation surface. ### Claim 24 A computer program product for use on a control system of a light switch module, the computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having computer readable program code stored on the computer useable medium, the computer readable program code comprising: program code for causing a first icon to display on a tactile display in response to receipt of an activation signal received in response to movement of the tactile display by movement of an actuation surface of a light switch actuator housing the tactile display; program code for causing transmission of a first power signal to a lighting fixture corresponding to the first icon displayed; program code for changing the display from the first icon to a second icon in response to receipt of switching signal from the tactile display; and program code for causing transmission of a second power signal to the lighting fixture in response to receipt of the switching signal. ### Claim 25 A method of operating a light switch module comprising: moving 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 and configured to move contemporaneously with the actuation surface; and 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. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The method of claim 25, wherein moving comprises pivoting the actuation surface of the light switch actuator.