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US 2020/0288556 A1Published application
Intelligent lighting control apparatuses, systems, and methods
AssigneeRacepoint Energy, 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.
Claims47
A light switch module comprising:
- a light switch actuator comprising an electrical contact component, the light switch actuator configured to pivot with respect to a base housing portion so as to move the electrical contact component from a first position to a second position to connect an electrical flow path;
- and
- a tactile display housed in 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 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 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.
1 more element
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 energization signal received in response to pivoting 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 receipt of the switching signal.
2 more elements
A system for controlling a light switch control module comprising:
- a connection module configured to generate a communication interface between a mobile electronic device and a light switch module;
- a lighting setting display module configured to cause a display of icons on a display device of the mobile electronic device;
- a lighting setting selection module configured to receive a lighting setting selection from a plurality of selections, the lighting setting selection corresponding to one of the icons;
- and
- a transmission module configured to transmit the lighting setting selection to the light switch module, wherein transmission of the lighting setting selection is configured to cause the light switch module to display the one of the icons on a tactile display of the light switch module housed in the light switch actuator and to cause the light switch module to distribute a power distribution scheme allocating a discrete quantity of electrical power to lighting fixtures based on the lighting setting selection.
2 more elements
A system for controlling a configuration of a light switch control module comprising:
- a connection module configured to generate a communication interface between a mobile electronic device and a light switch module;
- a light fixture identification module configured to initiate a sensor based protocol configured to identify a parameter associated with one or more light fixtures connected to the light switch control module;
- a display selection module configured to cause a display of an icon on a display device of the mobile electronic device;
- a lighting setting configuration module configured to allow a power distribution scheme to be set for the one or more light fixtures based on the identified parameter and a user specified input related to light intensity
- a storage module configured to store the power distribution scheme set and associate the icon with the power distribution scheme;
- and
- a transmission module configured to transmit the power distribution scheme and the associated icon with the power distribution scheme to the light switch control module.
4 more elements
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 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.
A light switch module comprising:
- a pivoting light switch;
- and
- a tactile display housed in the pivoting light switch the tactile display configured to move contemporaneously with the actuation surface.
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 comprising a contact component movable by the light switch actuator from a first position to a second position to connect an electrical flow path 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 the lighting setting.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.