Load control systems and equipment

Abstract

The present invention relates to debugging and controlling load control devices. A load control system may include control devices that can be associated with each other at one or more locations for performing load control. The control devices may include control source devices and / or control target devices. Location beacons may be discovered and unique identifiers in the location beacons may be associated with unique identifiers of one or more control devices. The associated load control devices may be controlled when the location beacons are subsequently discovered. Beacons may be transmitted via radio frequency signals, visible light communications, and / or audio signals. Visible light communications may be used to transmit other types of information to devices in a load control system. Visible light communications may be used to identify link addresses for communicating with load control devices, load control instructions, load control configuration instructions, and / or network communication information, etc. The information in the beacon may be used to debug and / or control the load control system.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of a patent application with application number 201680051294.8 (PCT / US2016 / 045884) filed on March 5, 2018, with an international application date of August 5, 2016, and the invention name being “Debugging and controlling load control equipment”.

[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0003] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 201,537, filed on August 5, 2015. Background Art

[0004] A load control system may include an electrical load (e.g., a lighting load, a motor for motorized window treatments, etc.), a control target device for controlling power to the lighting load (e.g., a ballast, a light emitting diode (LED) driver, a motorized window treatment, a temperature control device, a plug-in load control device, etc.), and / or a control source device capable of sending instructions to the control target device via a digital message for controlling the electrical load (e.g., an occupancy sensor, a daylight sensor, a window sensor, a remote control device, etc.). The control target device may receive digital messages from one or more control source devices, which may include load control instructions for controlling the electrical load. The control target device may be capable of directly controlling the electrical load. The control source device may be capable of indirectly controlling the electrical load via the control target device. The control source device may include a system controller configured to send instructions to the control target device for controlling the power provided to the electrical load. After the device is installed in the load control system, the load control system may be commissioned to achieve appropriate device configuration and communication to control the electrical load.

[0005] Typically, after a load control system is installed at a location such as a residence, office, etc., a system controller may assign link addresses to lighting control devices controlled by the system controller. The link addresses may be used to send instructions to the load control devices for controlling electrical loads. This assignment may be done randomly. For example, a system controller may be able to control multiple lighting control devices, such as lighting ballasts or LED drivers, and may randomly assign a different link address to each lighting control device.

[0006] It is difficult to determine what link address is assigned to a load control device at a particular location after installation to enable control of an electrical load at a certain location from a control source device and / or a system controller. For example, a floor plan may indicate load control devices and their corresponding locations in a room or building, while a system controller may have a list of assigned link addresses stored thereon, wherein the location of the load control device to which the link address is assigned is unknown.

[0007] In order to control a load control device at a desired location, a user may have to identify an electrical load controlled by a load control device having an assigned link address and associate the link address with the identified location. Since a building may include many load control devices having unknown link addresses (e.g., in different rooms, floors, etc.), a user may have to provide power to an electrical load having an assigned link address and search for the location of the electrical load in order to associate the location with the assigned link address of the load control device controlling the electrical load. The process of identifying the location of a load control device having an assigned link address and associating the link address with the appropriate location of the load control device may be time consuming and expensive. Summary of the invention

[0008] A load control system may be commissioned as described herein for controlling one or more electrical loads. During commissioning of a load control system, one or more control devices may be identified and / or grouped for load control. A control device group may include at least one control target device (e.g., a load control device) and at least one control source device. For example, a load control system may include a control device that is capable of being associated with one or more load control devices located at different locations. A location beacon may be discovered and a unique identifier in the location beacon may be associated with a unique identifier in a control device beacon discovered from one or more control devices. When a location beacon is subsequently discovered, the associated control device may be controlled.

[0009] Control of electrical loads may be configured such that a control source device may be controlled by an associated control target device, preset, timer, etc. The control source device may include a lighting control device (e.g., a ballast, a light emitting diode (LED) driver, etc.), a temperature control device (e.g., a thermostat), a motorized window treatment (e.g., a motor for controlling a window shade), and / or other types of control source devices capable of directly controlling an electrical load.

[0010] For example, the beacon can be transmitted via different types of signals such as radio frequency signals, visible light communication (VLC) signals, and / or audio signals. The beacon can be used to identify a link address or other unique identifier of a control device in a load control system for communicating with the load control device. The information in the beacon can be used to debug and / or control the load control system.

[0011] The load control device may be assigned a link address for receiving instructions to provide an amount of power to the electrical load. To identify the link address assigned to the load control device, the load control device may provide the amount of power to the electrical load in a manner such that the electrical load indicates the link address assigned to the load control device in visible light communications. For example, the load control device may modulate the electrical load to transmit visible light communications.

[0012] In one example, the load control device may include a lighting control device, such as a ballast or LED driver, for controlling a lighting load, such as a lamp or a light emitting diode (LED). The lighting control device may increase or decrease the amount of power provided to the lighting load by providing visible light communications indicating a link address assigned to the lighting control device. The lighting control device may provide visible light communications based on commands or instructions received from a system controller or another control source device.

[0013] The VLC signal can be recognized by a network device. The network device can include a camera or other device capable of detecting the VLC signal. The network device can be used to associate the identified link address with a device identifier of the load control device from which the link address was transmitted. For example, the network device can transmit the link address to the system controller together with received location information, and the received location information indicates the location of the load control device that transmitted the link address. The system controller and / or the network device can associate the link address with the device identifier of the load control device from which the link address was transmitted based on the location information generated at the network device.

[0014] Other types of information may be provided in the VLC signal to assist in configuring and / or controlling the lighting control device. For example, the VLC signal may be used to provide wireless network communication information. The wireless network communication information may include a network identifier that indicates a network that may be used to establish a network connection at the network device. For example, the network identifier may correspond to a device identifier of the system controller. The wireless network communication information may include an IP address, a MAC address, an SSID or other network identifier, and / or a network password.

[0015] The VLC signal can be used to provide a device identifier of one or more lighting control devices. The device identifier can be detected by the network device and can be used to associate devices in the lighting control system. The device identifier can also or alternatively be used to control and / or configure the identified device. For example, the network device can send control instructions and / or configuration instructions together with the device identifier of the device to be controlled and / or configured to the system controller. The system controller can control the identified device according to the control instructions and / or configuration instructions (for example, by sending the control instructions and / or configuration instructions to the lighting control device having a link address associated with the device identifier). The load control device can also or alternatively include a visible light sensor configured to detect the VLC signal. For example, the lighting control device in the lighting fixture can have a visible light sensor that allows the lighting control device to identify associated information, control instructions, configuration instructions, etc. that can be transmitted in the VLC signal from one or more devices. The VLC signal can be transmitted from other load control devices and / or control source devices (such as network devices). The network device can use a camera flash and / or a display to transmit the VLC signal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 A representative lighting control system for configuring and / or controlling one or more control devices is shown.

[0017] Figure 2 , 3 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example timeline in which a control device may be configured and / or controlled a load control system (eg, Figure 1 Switching communication protocols when one or more control devices in a lighting control system.

[0018] Figure 5 is a flow chart depicting an example method for associating control devices.

[0019] Fig. 6A and 6B An example user interface that may be implemented as an associated control device is shown.

[0020] Figure 7 is another flow chart depicting an example method for associating control devices.

[0021] Figure 8 is another flow chart depicting an example method for associating control devices.

[0022] Fig. 9 is a flow chart depicting an example method for triggering a beacon.

[0023] Fig.10 is a flow chart depicting an example method for associating a link address with a device identifier.

[0024] Fig.11A and 11B Additional representative load control systems for configuring and / or controlling one or more control devices are shown.

[0025] Fig.12 A representative load control system for configuring and / or controlling control devices in one or more zones is shown.

[0026] Fig.13A and 13B A representative load control system for configuring and / or controlling a control device is shown.

[0027] Fig.14 is a block diagram illustrating an example network device.

[0028] Fig.15 is a block diagram of an example system controller.

[0029] Fig.16 is a block diagram illustrating an example load control device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] In order to commission a load control system, one or more control devices may be identified and / or grouped to control a load. A control device may include at least one control target device (e.g., a load control device) and at least one control source device. For example, commissioning a load control system may include identifying and / or grouping control source devices and / or control targets for individual and / or centralized control. Control of an electrical load may be configured such that a control source device may be controlled by an associated control target device, preset, timer, etc. Control target devices may include lighting control devices (e.g., ballasts, light emitting diode (LED) drivers, etc.), temperature control devices (e.g., thermostats), motorized window treatments (e.g., motors for controlling window shades), and / or other types of control source devices capable of directly controlling an electrical load.

[0031] Beacons can be used to identify and / or group control devices. Beacons (or beacon signals) can be transmitted by control devices and / or beacon transmission devices (e.g., beacon transmission devices 119). Beacon transmission devices can be control devices, or beacon transmission devices can be devices independent of control devices. Beacons can include radio signals (e.g., radio frequency signals), optical signals (e.g., visible light signals), audio signals, or other types of signals that can be received by another control device near the beacon transmission device. Beacons can include unique identification information that can be used to identify and / or group control devices in a load control environment. Beacons can indicate or be used to indicate the proximity or location of a device and / or the current state of a device. Beacons can include a primary identifier and a secondary identifier of a control device (e.g., a load control device). The primary identifier can include a unique identifier for the corresponding control device, and the secondary identifier can include a unique identifier for the type of control device, and vice versa. The primary and secondary identifiers can be used in combination to identify the unique identifier of a control device.

[0032] Beacons can be transmitted as radio frequency (RF) communication signals. Beacons can be transmitted as short-range RF communication signals. For example, beacons can be used Communication protocol or The Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication protocol is an RF signal transmitted by a device. When a beacon is transmitted using an RF communication signal, the beacon can be recognized by a device to indicate that the device is within the proximity or location of the beacon transmitting device. The proximity of the device to the beacon transmitting device can be determined by the signal strength of the RF communication signal received from the beacon. Although the beacon may be described herein as using The communication protocol is used to communicate, but other short-range RF communication protocols can be implemented. For example, the beacon can be transmitted using the Near Field Communication (NFC) protocol, the WI-FI communication protocol and / or other RF communication protocols.

[0033] The beacon can be transmitted as a visible light communication (VLC) signal. The lighting control device can modulate a lamp, a light emitting diode (LED) or other visible light source to transmit information for identifying and / or grouping the lighting control device. When the beacon is transmitted using a VLC signal, the beacon can be recognized by the device. For example, when the lighting control device transmits a beacon using a VLC signal, the beacon can be recognized by the device. The device can use the beacon to indicate that the device is within the proximity or position of a beacon transmission device (e.g., a lighting control device). The proximity of the device to the beacon transmission device can be determined in many different ways. For example, the proximity of the device to the beacon transmission device can be determined by calculating the distance from the device to the beacon transmission device. The proximity of the device to the beacon transmission device can be determined by calculating the distance from the device to the beacon transmission device based on a captured image of the beacon transmission device (e.g., a lighting control device) and / or the known size of the beacon transmission device (e.g., a lighting control device) from which the device is receiving a VLC signal. Although beacons may be described herein as being transmitted using VLC signals transmitted from a lighting control device, other control devices may also transmit beacons using VLC signals as described herein, such as motorized window coverings for controlling window covering materials (e.g., window shades), temperature control devices (e.g., thermostats), and / or sensors (e.g., occupancy sensors, vacancy sensors, daylight sensors, window sensors, etc.), which may include LEDs or other visible light sources that transmit information via visible light communication.

[0034] The load control system can be commissioned by setting up or configuring a load control device for performing load control using a beacon. As described herein, the control devices can be associated with each other and / or with a location where the beacon is used. The load control device associated with a location can be implemented to perform load control at the location.

[0035] Figure 1A representative load control system 100 for configuring and / or controlling one or more control devices using a beacon is shown. The load control system 100 may include a lighting fixture 108 as a representative control target device, which is capable of controlling a lighting load in response to a received digital message from a control source device. The control source device may be capable of transmitting a digital message to a control target device (e.g., a load control device, such as a lighting control device) via a wired and / or wireless signal for controlling an electrical load (e.g., a lighting load). Example control source devices in the load control system 100 may include a system controller 104, a network device 118, an occupancy sensor 144, a remote control device 146, and / or another control source device capable of transmitting a digital message to the lighting fixture 108 for performing control. Although the lighting fixture 108 may be provided as an example control target device, the load control system 100 may include other control target devices, such as, for example, motorized window treatments, temperature control devices, and / or plug-in load control devices. Although an example control source device is shown, other control source devices may be implemented, such as, for example, a daylight sensor and / or a window sensor. A single control device of the load control system 100 can be both a control target device and a control source device. For example, a load control device can operate as a control target device to receive digital messages for controlling an electrical load, and can operate as a control source device to transmit digital messages to another load control device for controlling an electrical load.

[0036] The lighting fixture 108 may include a lighting load (e.g., a lamp, an LED, etc.) and a lighting control device (e.g., a ballast, an LED driver, etc.) for controlling the amount of power supplied to the lighting load. The lighting fixture 108 may include the lighting load, and the lighting control device may be external to the lighting fixture 108. The lighting control device in the lighting fixture 108 may be a control target device for controlling the amount of power supplied to the lighting load to control the lighting level. The lighting level may be controlled according to a lighting control instruction received from a control source device.

[0037] The amount of power delivered to the lighting loads of the lighting fixtures 108 may be controlled by the lighting control devices of the lighting fixtures 108. For example, the amount of power delivered to the lighting loads of the lighting fixtures 108 may be controlled by the lighting control devices of the lighting fixtures 108 in response to lighting control instructions received from a control source device (e.g., the system controller 104, the network device 118, the occupancy sensor 144, the remote control device 146, and / or other control source devices). The lighting level may be controlled according to lighting control configuration information, such as preset configurations, zone configurations, occupancy configurations, and / or timed schedule configuration information that may be stored at the lighting fixtures 108 or the system controller 104.

[0038] The occupancy sensor 144 may be a control source device configured to detect occupancy and / or vacancy conditions in a space in which the load control system 100 is installed. The occupancy sensor 144 may transmit a digital message via a radio frequency (RF) signal 116 in response to detecting an occupancy or vacancy condition. The RF signal 116 may be transmitted via one or more protocols (e.g., such as NFC, Thread standard communication protocol; and / or CLEAR CONNECT TM , Z-WAVE's proprietary communication protocol) to transmit digital messages. Figure 1 The occupancy sensors 144 are shown transmitting digital messages via the RF communication signals 116, but the occupancy sensors 144 may communicate via wired communications.

[0039] The system controller 104 may be configured to turn on and off lighting loads of one or more lighting fixtures, such as the lighting fixtures 108, in response to receiving occupancy signals and vacancy signals, respectively. The occupancy sensor 144 may operate as a vacancy sensor such that the lighting loads of the lighting fixtures 108 may be turned on manually by a user and / or automatically turned off in response to detecting a vacancy signal from the sensor (e.g., the lighting loads do not turn on in response to detecting an occupancy condition). Examples of load control systems with occupancy and vacancy sensors are described in more detail in commonly assigned U.S. Patent No. 8,009,042, issued on August 30, 2011, entitled “RADIO-FREQUENCY LIGHTING CONTROL SYSTEM WITH OCCUPANCY SENSING”; U.S. Patent No. 8,199,010, issued on June 12, 2012, entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONFIGURING A WIRELESS SENSOR”; and U.S. Patent No. 8,228,184, issued on July 24, 2012, entitled “BATTERY-POWERED OCCUPANCY SENSOR,” the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0040] Remote control device 146 may be a control source device configured to transmit digital messages to system controller 104 and / or directly to lighting fixtures 108 via RF communication signals 116 in response to actuation of one or more buttons of remote control device 146. Figure 1Remote control device 146 is shown communicating digital messages via RF communication signals 116, but remote control device 146 may communicate via wired communications. Remote control device 146 may be a wall switch, dimmer switch, or other remote control device for controlling electrical loads.

[0041] The system controller 104 may be configured to transmit one or more digital messages to the lighting control devices of the lighting fixtures 104 in response to digital messages received from associated control source devices, such as the remote control device 146, the occupancy sensor 144, the network device 118, and / or other control source devices. The system controller 104 may communicate with a plurality of control target devices (e.g., a group of lighting control devices, a group of motorized window treatments, etc.), and may transmit one or more digital messages to the control target devices.

[0042] The system controller 104 may communicate directly with the network device 118 via wired and / or wireless communications. The system controller 104 may communicate with the network device 118 via a network communication device 106. The network communication device 106 may be a wireless access point, such as a wireless router and / or a modem. The network communication device 106 may communicate with the network device 118 via a network communication signal 148 (e.g., using protocol, The system controller 104 may communicate with the network communication device 106 via a communication link 110, which may be a wired and / or wireless communication link. For example, the wireless communication link may allow the system controller 104 to use a wireless communication device 106 to communicate with the network device 118. Cellular phone, Near Field Communication (NFC) or the like is used to communicate wirelessly with the network communication device 106. Figure 1 Although shown as a separate device, the network communication device 106 may be included in the system controller 104 .

[0043] The system controller 104 may communicate with the lighting control devices in the lighting fixtures 108 via wired and / or wireless communications. For example, the system controller 104 may communicate with the lighting control devices of the lighting fixtures 108 via RF communication signals 116. The system controller 104 may communicate with other lighting control devices of the lighting fixtures and / or other load control devices in the load control system 100.

[0044] The network device 118 may be implemented to configure a load control system. For example, the network device 118 may be used to discover and / or associate a load control device (e.g., a control source device and / or a control target device) for performing load control. The network device 118 may be a cellular phone (e.g., a smart phone), a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant, a personal computer, a laptop computer, a wearable computing device (e.g., glasses, a watch, a wristband, etc.), or other mobile computing devices.

[0045] The network device 118 can discover a control device (e.g., a control source device and / or a control target device) upon receiving a control device beacon transmitted from the control device. The control device beacon can be a beacon transmitted from the control device and includes a unique identifier that identifies the corresponding control device (e.g., a control source device and / or a control target device). For example, the load control device beacon may include a serial number corresponding to the corresponding load control device, a link address for communicating with the load control device, or other unique identifier. The control device beacon may also or alternatively include a unique identifier of the device type of the corresponding control device. For example, the control device beacon may include an identifier of a lighting control device, a motorized window treatment, a temperature control device, a sensor (e.g., an occupancy sensor, a daylight sensor, a window sensor, etc.), a remote control device, and / or other types of control devices.

[0046] The control device beacon may be transmitted via RF communication signal 115 and / or RF communication signal 116 (e.g., from lighting fixture 108, occupancy sensor 144, remote control device 146, and / or another type of load control device). RF communication signals 115 and 116 may be transmitted via a wireless communication protocol (e.g., via a wireless communication protocol such as Near Field Communication (NFC) and / or via a standard protocol such as Clear RF communication signal 115 and RF communication signal 116 may have different signal types (e.g., protocols, bandwidths, etc.). For example, RF communication signal 115 may be transmitted via The RF communication signal 116 may include a proprietary protocol (e.g., Clear RF) that can be used for communication between control devices (e.g., a control target device and a control source device). or other proprietary communication protocols).

[0047] The RF communication signals 115, 116 may be communicated via communication circuitry (e.g., a transceiver) in the respective control devices or via a separate beacon transmission device. The beacon transmission device of the control device may be included in or near the control device for indicating the relative position of the corresponding control device by transmitting a control device beacon. The RF communication signal 116 may be transmitted via the same communication circuitry as the RF communication signal 115 or a different communication circuitry.

[0048] Figure 2 , 3 4 are timing diagrams illustrating example communication modes in which control devices (e.g., system controllers, control source devices, and / or control target devices) and / or beacon transmission devices may communicate during a period of time when debugging and / or controlling the load control system 100. For example, using a periodic beacon communication mode (e.g., Figure 2 ), the control device and / or the beacon transmission device may transmit messages during the beacon signal transmission time period 252 and / or the load control communication time period 254. During the beacon signal transmission time period 252, the control device and / or the beacon transmission device may transmit one or more beacon signals (e.g., using one or more protocols, such as protocol, During the load control communication period 254, the control device and / or the beacon transmission device may communicate with each other in the same or another communication protocol (e.g., such as Standard protocols for two-way communication protocols; such as Clear When the control device and / or the beacon transmission device operates in the load control communication time period 254, the control device and / or the beacon transmission device can transmit and / or receive commands (e.g., commands including load control instructions and / or associated instructions) for performing operations in the load control system 100.

[0049] The control device and / or beacon transmission device may provide one-way communication during the beacon signal transmission time period 252. For example, during the beacon signal transmission time period 252, the control device and / or beacon transmission device may transmit a digital message, which may include identification information of the control device and / or beacon transmission device. The digital message may include a location associated with the control device and / or beacon transmission device. During the load control communication time period 254, the control device and / or beacon transmission device may transmit and / or receive digital messages. For example, during the load control communication time period 254, the control device and / or beacon transmission device may transmit and / or receive messages so that association of the control device may be performed. Although Figure 2A certain number of transitions between beacon signal transmission time periods 252 and load control communication time periods 254 are shown, but any number of transitions may be performed.

[0050] The control device and / or beacon transmission device can automatically switch between time periods. For example, the control device and / or beacon transmission device can periodically switch from the beacon signal transmission time period 252 to the load control communication time period 254. The control device and / or beacon transmission device can switch from the load control communication time period 254 to the beacon signal transmission time period 252, so that the control device and / or beacon transmission device can transmit a beacon signal and association of the control devices can be performed. For example, the control device and / or beacon transmission device can switch from the load control communication time period 254 to the beacon signal transmission time period 252, so that one or more control devices can be associated with one or more other devices (e.g., a system controller, a remote control device, etc.). After the configuration of the load control system has been completed, the control device and / or beacon transmission device can switch from the load control communication time period 254 to the beacon signal transmission time period 252, so that the control device can transmit a beacon signal to allow control of the load control system to be completed.

[0051] In one example, the control device and / or the beacon transmission device may communicate with each other via a protocol (e.g., Low Energy Protocol) and may return to the protocol used during the load control communication period 254 (e.g., Clear The beacon signal transmission time period 252 and the load control communication time period 254 may be configurable. For example, the network device 118 may receive an indication of a change to the beacon signal transmission time period 252 and / or the load control communication time period 254. The indication of a change to the beacon signal transmission time period 252 and / or the load control communication time period 254 may be communicated (e.g., directly or via a system controller) to a control device and / or a beacon transmission device.

[0052] The control device and / or beacon transmission device may switch from the beacon signal transmission time period 252 to the load control communication time period 254 (or vice versa) based on an instruction. The instruction may come from the network device 118 (e.g., upon receiving a button press on the network device 118). The instruction may be executed by one or more devices. For example, the control device and / or beacon transmission device may switch from the beacon signal transmission time period 252 and / or the load control communication time period 254 based on an instruction from another control device (e.g., the system controller 104, a control source device, and / or a control target device).

[0053] Figure 3300 is shown in which a control device and / or a beacon transmission device may switch between a periodic beacon communication mode and a continuous bidirectional configuration mode. When operating in the periodic beacon communication mode, the control device and / or the beacon transmission device may transmit messages (e.g., as also shown in FIG. 25) during the beacon signal transmission time period 252 and the load control communication time period 254. Figure 2 The control device and / or the beacon transmission device may transmit the beacon signal via one or more protocols (e.g., The control device and / or the beacon transmitting device may transmit and / or receive communications during the load control communication time period 254 using the same protocol or another protocol.

[0054] The control device may switch to a continuous two-way configuration mode, wherein the control device may transmit messages during the continuous two-way configuration period 360. The continuous two-way configuration period 360 may be a dedicated two-way communication mode for transmitting and receiving digital messages, or a dedicated one-way communication mode for transmitting or receiving digital messages. For example, during the continuous two-way configuration period 360, the control device may transmit messages via protocol, Low energy protocol, NFC protocol, protocol, Protocol, etc. to send and / or receive digital messages. During the continuous two-way configuration period 360, the control device and / or the beacon transmission device may communicate using the same protocol as used during the beacon signal transmission period 252, or may communicate using a different protocol than used during the beacon signal transmission period 252. The control device and / or the beacon transmission device may switch from the periodic beacon communication mode to the continuous two-way configuration mode so that the control device can be configured (e.g., after association is completed). For example, the control device and / or the beacon transmission device may switch from the periodic beacon communication mode to the continuous two-way configuration mode so that the operating settings of the control device (e.g., high-end trim, low-end trim, fade rate, etc.) can be configured.

[0055] The control device and / or the beacon transmission device may switch to the continuous bidirectional configuration mode based on time and / or based on instructions (e.g., instructions received during the load control communication time period 254 or in an additional time period immediately after the beacon signal transmission time period 252). The instructions may be received from the network device 118 and / or from one or more other devices. The instructions from the network device 118 may be in response to the beacon signal received by the control device. For example, after the network device 118 receives the beacon signal, the network device 118 may display a beacon detection screen. The background application of the network device 118 may be displayed in the foreground of the network device 118 as the beacon detection screen. An encrypted password corresponding to the control device sending the beacon may be determined. For example, the network device 118 may determine an encrypted password corresponding to the control device sending the beacon. The network device 118 may use a unique identifier of the control device received in the beacon to determine the corresponding password. For example, the network device 118 may use a lookup table and a unique identifier of the control device to determine the password.

[0056] The control device may receive the scan request directly from the network device 118, and / or the control device may receive the scan request via an intermediate device (e.g., a system controller, such as the system controller 104). Based on the unique identifier provided by the control device, the scan request may include encrypted password information. The control device may determine whether the received encrypted password is correct. If the control device determines that the encrypted password is correct, the control device may switch to the continuous two-way configuration time period 360. For example, the continuous two-way configuration time period 360 may be a dedicated Low energy mode, where the control device can use Low energy protocol for communication. The low energy consumption protocol may be a two-way communication protocol. For example, if the control device is communicating using a two-way communication protocol, the control device may communicate via Low Energy Protocol receives digital messages and / or via Low energy protocol to send digital messages.

[0057] Although Figure 3 An example transition between a periodic beacon transmission mode (e.g., including a beacon signal transmission period 252 and a load control communication period 254) and a continuous two-way configuration mode (e.g., including a continuous two-way configuration period 360) is shown, but any number of transitions may be performed. For example, the control device may transition back to the periodic beacon transmission mode after the continuous two-way configuration mode, such that the beacon signal transmission period 252 and the load control communication period 254 may occur after the continuous two-way configuration period 360.

[0058] The control device and / or the beacon transmission device may operate in an association mode during the configuration of the load control system. For example, the system controller 104 may cause the control device and / or the beacon transmission device to operate in an association operation mode during the configuration process of the load control system. After the association process of the control device capable of transmitting the beacon signal, the system controller 104 may cause the control device to operate in the association operation mode. The association process may include the system controller 104 receiving information (e.g., location, identifier, etc.) of the load control device to access and / or control the associated load control device. The network device 118 may send a digital message via the system controller 104 to control the load control device associated with the unique identifier. For example, the system controller 104 may transmit a digital message to the control device so that the control device enters the association operation mode after the association process. For example, the control device may stop transmitting the beacon signal and / or transmit the beacon signal at a lower power level in the association operation mode so as to consume less power and / or reduce the RF business on the short-range RF communication link. Stopping the transmission of the beacon signal and / or transmitting the beacon signal at a lower power level may prevent the network device 118 from hearing the beacon signal from the control device. For example, ceasing to transmit beacon signals and / or transmitting beacon signals at a lower power level may prevent the network device 118 from hearing beacon signals from control devices when attempting to associate with other control devices during the configuration process.

[0059] Figure 4 A timing diagram 400 is shown in which a control device and / or a beacon transmission device can switch between a periodic beacon communication mode and a continuous two-way control mode. When operating in the periodic beacon communication mode, the control device and / or the beacon transmission device can transmit messages during the beacon signal transmission time period 252 and the load control communication time period 254. The control device can be transitioned to a continuous two-way control mode, in which the control device can transmit messages during the continuous two-way control time period 464. The control device and / or the beacon transmission device can be transitioned to the continuous two-way control mode so that the control device can be controlled (e.g., via the system controller 104 and / or the network device 118) after the association process is completed. The control device and / or the beacon transmission device can communicate with the same protocol during the load control communication time period 254 and during the continuous two-way control time period 464. For example, during the continuous two-way control time period 464, the control device and / or the beacon transmission device can communicate via an RF protocol (e.g., such as NFC, WI-FI, Standard RF protocols such as Clear protocol, etc.) to send and / or receive digital messages.

[0060] The control device and / or beacon transmission device may be time-based and / or instruction-based (e.g., during the load control communication period 254 or during the load control communication period 254). Figure 3 The network device 118 may be switched to a continuous two-way control mode in accordance with an instruction received during the continuous two-way configuration time period 360 shown in FIG. 1 . The instruction may come from the network device 118 and / or from one or more other devices. The instruction from the network device 118 may be in response to a beacon signal received by the control device. For example, after the network device 118 receives the beacon signal, the network device 118 may display a beacon detection screen. The background application of the network device 118 may be displayed in the foreground of the network device 118 as a beacon detection screen. An encrypted password corresponding to the control device sending the beacon may be determined. For example, the network device 118 may determine an encrypted password corresponding to the control device sending the beacon. The network device 118 may use a unique identifier of the control device received in the beacon to determine the corresponding password. For example, the network device 118 may use a lookup table and a unique identifier of the control device to determine the password.

[0061] The control device may receive the scan request directly from the network device 118, and / or the control device may receive the scan request via an intermediate device (e.g., a system controller, such as the system controller 104). The scan request may include encrypted password information based on a unique identifier provided by the control device. The control device may determine whether the received encrypted password is correct. If the control device determines that the encrypted password is correct, the control device may switch to the continuous two-way control mode 464. The continuous two-way control mode 464 may be a dedicated mode. For example, a controlling device can switch its mode to mode, which uses protocol to communicate. mode, the control device can communicate with The control device can communicate with one or more other control devices using the protocol communication. Low Energy Protocol and Switch between protocols.

[0062] although Figure 4 An example transition between a periodic beacon transmission mode (e.g., including beacon signal transmission time period 252 and load control communication time period 254) and a continuous two-way control mode (e.g., including continuous two-way control time period 464) is shown, but any number of transitions may be performed. Figure 3 After that, the control device and / or the beacon transmission device may switch to a periodic beacon communication mode (eg, including a beacon signal transmission time period 252 and a load control communication time period 254), such as Figure 2As shown, the control device and / or the beacon transmission device can switch to a continuous two-way control mode (eg, including a continuous two-way control time period 464), such as Figure 4 In the continuous bidirectional control time period 464 (in Figure 4 After that, the control device and / or the beacon transmission device may switch to a periodic beacon communication mode (eg, including a beacon signal transmission time period 252 and a load control communication time period 254), such as Figure 2 As shown, the control device and / or the beacon transmission device can switch to a continuous two-way configuration mode (eg, including a continuous two-way configuration time period 360), such as Figure 3 shown.

[0063] Refer to Figure 1 , the control device beacon may be transmitted as a VLC signal 114. The network device 118 may include a camera 120 for receiving the VLC signal 114. Figure 1 108, but the network device 118 may include a visible light sensor, a light sensor, or other device for recognizing the VLC signal 114. The network device 118 may be placed below the lighting fixture 108 or in another location (e.g., facing the lighting fixture 108) that allows the network device 118 to receive the VLC signal 114 transmitted from the lighting fixture 108. The VLC signal 114 may be transmitted at a rate that the camera can recognize. The VLC signal 114 may be modulated faster than the human eye can see.

[0064] The lighting control device of the lighting fixture 108 can control the amount of power provided to the lighting load (for example, in response to instructions from the system controller 104 or another control source device) to generate a VLC signal 114. The VLC signal 114 can be a free space optical communication. The VLC signal 114 can be generated by modulating the amount of light provided by the lighting load of the lighting fixture 108. By modulating the light emitted by the lighting fixture to transmit the VLC signal 114, the lighting control device of the lighting fixture 108 can operate as a beacon transmission device. For example, the lighting control device of the lighting fixture 108 can quickly turn the lighting load of the lighting fixture on and off and / or increase and decrease the intensity level of the lighting load to modulate the light emitted by the lighting fixture. Although Figure 1 The lighting fixture 108 is shown transmitting a beacon via a VLC signal 114, but other control devices (e.g., a control source device and / or a control target device) may transmit a beacon via visible light communication. For example, the control device may include an LED and may operate as a beacon transmission device to modulate the light emitted by the LED to transmit the VLC signal 114.

[0065] The load control system 100 may include one or more beacon transmission devices, which may also or alternatively be position beacon transmission devices. In one example, a beacon transmission device (e.g., a position beacon transmission device) may be located at a workstation 121. The position beacon transmission device may transmit a beacon (e.g., a position beacon) via an RF communication signal 115, 116 and / or a visible light communication signal 114. The position beacon transmission device may also or alternatively transmit a beacon via an audio signal. The beacon transmitted by the position beacon transmission device may include a beacon that transmits a unique identifier. The beacon may be associated with a location where the position beacon transmission device resides, such as a workstation 121, an office, a conference room, a portion of an office or conference room, or another location.

[0066] The beacon transmitted by the location beacon transmission device may include a unique identifier that the network device 118 and / or the system controller 104 can associate with a physical location where the location beacon transmission device resides, such as a workstation 121, an office, a conference room, a portion of an office or conference room, or another location. For example, the network device 118 may discover a beacon transmitted from a location beacon transmission device, and a user may select a physical location from a user interface on a display 122 of the network device 118 to associate the selected physical location with the unique identifier in the beacon. For example, the physical location may be selected from a floor plan 124 of a building. If multiple location beacons are discovered, the user may associate the unique identifier of the beacon with the greatest signal strength to the closest physical location. The physical location may also or alternatively be determined based on the geographic location of the network device 118.

[0067] The network device 118 may discover a beacon transmitted by a location beacon transmission device for use in configuring and / or controlling one or more control devices in a load control system. For example, the network device 118 may discover a beacon transmitted by a location beacon transmission device and may associate a unique identifier of the beacon with a unique identifier found in one or more control device beacons (e.g., beacons transmitted by the control devices). The unique identifier of the control device transmitting the control device beacon may be associated with the unique identifier of the beacon transmitted by the location beacon transmission device, such that when the beacon transmitted by the location beacon transmission device is discovered by the network device, the network device may access and control the control device at that location.

[0068] The location beacon transmission device and / or control device can transmit a beacon and / or control device beacon periodically and / or in response to a triggering event, respectively. A digital message (e.g., such as sending a digital message via the network communication signal 148 and / or the RF communication signal 115, 116) can be a triggering event. The digital message can be sent to the system controller 104. The triggering event can be sent by a digital message from the network device 118 or another device (e.g., a remote control device 146, an occupancy sensor 144, or another control source device). The system controller 104 can automatically control the communication of the beacon periodically.

[0069] The system controller 104 can communicate with the network device 118 and / or the load control device for debugging and / or controlling the load control system 100. As described herein, the control device can be associated with a location. For example, the unique identifier of the control device can be associated with the unique identifier of the location via a beacon (e.g., a location beacon). The association of the control device with the unique identifier of the location can be stored at the system controller 104. The network device 118 and / or other network devices can discover the beacon (e.g., a location beacon) and can send the unique identifier of the beacon to the system controller 104 to access and control the associated control device near the location. The network device 118 can send a digital message via the system controller 104 to control the control target device (e.g., lighting equipment 108) associated with the unique identifier near the beacon transmitted by the location beacon transmission device. The network device 118 can also or alternatively discover the control device beacon of the control source device for association with the control target device for load control.

[0070] The network device 118 may interpret the information of the beacon and / or the network device 118 may send the information to another device for interpretation. For example, the network device 118 may send the information received in the beacon to the system controller 104 for interpretation of the information.

[0071] With respect to VLC signal 114, lighting fixture 108 may transmit a visible light communication signal (e.g., as a modulated signal) when the lighting fixture is turned on. A lighting control device of lighting fixture 108 may adjust the lighting load by increasing and decreasing the amount of power provided to the lighting load to transmit visible light communication 114. For example, lighting fixture 108 may turn the lighting load on and off, increase and decrease the dimming level of the lighting load, or some combination thereof.

[0072] The network device 118 and / or the system controller 104 may identify the unique identifier in the VLC signal 114 by identifying when the illumination level of the lighting load is above or below different threshold illumination levels. For example, the network device 118 and / or the system controller may determine when the illumination level of the lighting load is above and below the threshold illumination level in an image or video captured by the camera 120 to identify the information conveyed in the VLC signal 114. If the system controller 104 is implemented to perform the identification, the system controller 104 may send the interpreted information back to the network device 118.

[0073] The VLC signal 114 may be used to verify the unique identifier transmitted in the RF communication signal 115, or vice versa. The VLC signal 114 may be used to verify the unique identifier transmitted in the RF communication signal 115 transmitted by the location beacon transmission device 119, or vice versa. If other types of beacons are used, they may also or alternatively be used as a form of verification of the unique identifier of the other type of beacon. The network device 118 and / or the system controller 104 may verify the unique identifier transmitted when a different type of beacon is transmitted for the same device before performing an association with the unique identifier.

[0074] A beacon (eg, a location beacon, a control device beacon, etc.) may be a short-range RF communication signal (eg, Low Energy (BLE) signals, Near Field Communication (NFC) signals, etc.), which may cause the beacon to be transmitted through surrounding structures (e.g., walls of a building). If network device 118 receives a location beacon from an adjacent room, system controller 104 may determine (e.g., erroneously determine) that beacon transmitting device 119 is in the adjacent room.

[0075] In order to provide additional verification capabilities when debugging and / or controlling the load control system 100, the verification signal can be transmitted via a wireless medium. The verification signal can be transmitted via a wireless medium different from the position beacon. For example, the verification signal can be a visible light communication signal 114 and / or an acoustic signal. For example, the VLC signal 114 and / or the acoustic signal may be hindered by surrounding structures (e.g., the walls of a building). Thus, the surrounding structure can reduce or prevent the VLC signal 114 and / or the acoustic signal from exceeding the surrounding structure. For example, the wall between adjacent rooms can reduce or prevent the VLC signal 114 and / or the acoustic signal from traveling from one room to another (e.g., being received, such as being received by mistake). Therefore, the VLC signal 114 and / or the acoustic signal can be used to verify whether the position beacon received in the room is transmitted from the room. For example, the VLC signal 114 and / or the acoustic signal can be used to verify whether the position beacon received in the room is intended to be received in the room. The verification signal can be transmitted by the beacon transmission device 119 and / or by the control device (e.g., lighting load). Although the VLC signal and the acoustic signal are described as being the authentication signal, the RF beacon signal may authenticate a location that is primarily identified in the VLC signal and / or the acoustic signal.The VLC signal 114 may be used to broadcast information other than a unique identifier.

[0076] Where different types of information may be transmitted in the VLC signal 114, the digital message including the triggering event of the VLC signal 114 may identify the type of information to be transmitted in the VLC signal 114 (e.g., network identifier information, device identifier, link address, etc.). The broadcast of the VLC signal 114 for transmitting information via a network may be referred to as Li-Fi. The VLC signal 114 may be used to broadcast wireless network communication information to the network device 118. The network device 118 may use the wireless network communication information to identify and / or establish a wireless local area network connection (e.g., The wireless network communication information transmitted in the VLC signal 114 may include a network identifier that identifies the wireless local area network. For example, the network identifier may include a device identifier (e.g., an identifier name, number, etc.) of the system controller 104. The network device 118 may identify the wireless local area network from the wireless network communication information.

[0077] The wireless network communication information transmitted in the VLC signal 114 may include an Internet Protocol (IP) address, a Media Access Control (MAC) address, or other identifier for communicating on the wireless local area network. The network communication device 106 may establish an IP address and / or a MAC address for the network device 118 to communicate with the system controller 104 directly or via the network communication device 106 on the wireless local area network. The network communication device 106 may assign an IP address and / or a MAC address upon request from the system controller 104 and / or the network device 118. The IP address and / or MAC address of the network device 118 may be assigned to the network device 118 via the VLC signal 114 (e.g., without an established wireless local area network). The network device 118 may use the IP address and / or MAC address to send the digital message via the network communication signal 148 over the wireless local area network.

[0078] The network communication device 106 may establish a service set identifier (SSID) and / or a network password for enabling communications on the wireless local area network via the network communication device 106. The SSID and / or the network password may be transmitted to the system controller 104 and / or the network device 118 upon request. The SSID and / or the network password may be transmitted to the network device 118 via the VLC signal 114. The network device 118 may transmit the SSID and / or the network password to the network communication device 106 for logging into the wireless local area network and enabling the network device 118 to send digital messages via the network communication signal 148.

[0079] The beacon (e.g., RF communication signals 115, 116 and / or VLC signal 114) may be used to broadcast a link address assigned to a load control device (e.g., a lighting control device or a group of lighting control devices) in the load control system 100. For example, a lighting control device in a lighting fixture 108 may be assigned a link address by the system controller 104. The link address may be a unique address (e.g., a serial number) assigned to the lighting control device of the lighting fixture 108 for transmitting a digital message to the lighting control device of the lighting fixture 108. The digital message may be transmitted to the lighting control device of the lighting fixture 108 to control the lighting level (e.g., light intensity level) of the lighting fixture 108. The link address assigned to the lighting control device of the lighting fixture 108 may be stored at the lighting control device and may be used by the lighting control device of the lighting fixture 108 to identify a digital message received from the system controller 104. The system controller 104 may use the link address to send the digital message to the lighting control device of the lighting fixture 108. The digital message may be used by the lighting control device to control the amount of power provided to the lighting load of the lighting fixture 108. Although the lighting control device of lighting fixture 108 is used as an example device that can be assigned a link address, the link address can be assigned to other load control devices or a group of load control devices, such as motorized window treatments, temperature control devices (e.g., thermostats), and / or plug-in load control devices.

[0080] Because link addresses can be randomly assigned to lighting control devices (e.g., by the system controller 104 after installation), the physical location of a lighting fixture 108 with an assigned link address may be unknown and / or not associated with the link address. One or more lighting control devices or a group of lighting control devices may be assigned a lighting control device identifier (e.g., before or after installation) that can identify the physical lighting control device or lighting fixture to a user. The physical location of the device may be known to the user. Visible light communication signals 114 and / or RF communication signals 115, 116 may be used to associate a link address of a lighting fixture 108 or a group of lighting fixtures with a device identifier of a lighting fixture 108 or a group of lighting fixtures located in an identified location. The network device 118 may identify a link address of a lighting control device of a lighting fixture 108 based on a beacon, and the identified link address may be associated with a lighting control device identifier of a lighting fixture 108 or a group of lighting fixtures including a lighting fixture 108 at a given location. The associated device identifier and link address may be stored at the network device 118 and / or sent to the system controller 104 for storage thereon.

[0081] To determine the link address assigned to the lighting control device of the lighting fixture 108, the system controller 104 may instruct the lighting control device of the lighting fixture 108 to identify the link address assigned to it in the beacon. For example, the system controller 104 may instruct the ballast or LED driver of the lighting fixture 108 to present itself via visible light communication 114 and / or RF communication signals 115, 116. The system controller 104 may make similar requests to other lighting control devices of other lighting fixtures in the load control system 100. The request may be sent as a broadcast message to control devices that communicate with or are connected to the system controller 104. The request from the system controller 104 may be sent in response to a request from the network device 118. For example, a user may actuate a button on the network device 118, which transmits a digital message to the system controller 104 requesting identification of a link address via one or more beacons. The system controller 104 may also or alternatively automatically send a request to identify a link address.

[0082] The link address may be transmitted at a predetermined time or at any time that light is provided by the lighting fixture 108. The network device 118 may detect the transmitting beacon and may identify the link address. The network device 118 may identify the link address locally or may transmit the information in the beacon to the system controller 104 or other remote computing device to identify the link address.

[0083] The control source device can communicate directly with one or more lighting fixtures via the RF communication signal 116. For example, the system controller 104, the remote control device 146, and / or the occupancy sensor 144 can send a request for the VLC signal 114 and / or the RF communication signal 115, 116 via the RF communication signal 116. The RF communication signal 116 can have a different signal type (e.g., protocol, bandwidth, etc.) than the network communication signal 148. The control source device can send a request to multiple control target devices via a broadcast message. The broadcast message can cause any control target device that receives the message to transmit a beacon including identification information.

[0084] As described herein, beacons (e.g., RF communication signals 115, 116 and / or VLC signals 114) can be used to broadcast link addresses assigned to load control devices (e.g., lighting control devices or a group of lighting control devices) in the load control system 100. The link addresses can be detected via the beacons. For example, the network device 118 can detect the RF communication signals 115, 116 for detecting the link addresses of the lighting control devices used to communicate with the lighting fixtures 108. The camera 120 of the network device 118 can be directed to the VLC signal 114 for detecting the link addresses of the lighting control devices used to communicate with the lighting fixtures 108. The link addresses of the detected lighting control devices can be associated with the device identifiers of the lighting control devices installed at the identified locations, and the associations can be stored at the network device 118. The associations can be sent to the system controller 104, other control source devices (e.g., remote control devices 146, occupancy sensors 144, etc.), and / or one or more lighting fixtures for storage. The stored associations can be used to identify the lighting control devices used to be controlled in the digital message. A control source device (e.g., system controller 104, remote control device 146, occupancy sensor 144, etc.) can send control instructions to an associated lighting control device using an associated link address. A control source device (e.g., remote control device 146, occupancy sensor 144, etc.) can transmit a digital message to system controller 104 for controlling an electrical load, and system controller 104 can determine a load control instruction from the digital message and transmit the load control instruction to a control target device using a link address.

[0085] The detected link address in the visible light communication signal 114 and / or the RF communication signal 115, 116 can be associated with a device identifier of the lighting control device identified by the user on the user interface 122 displayed on the network device 118. For example, the physical location of the lighting fixture 108 can be identified on the user interface 122. The user interface 122 can be generated locally by the network device 118, or can be generated at a remote device (e.g., the system controller 104) and displayed on the network device 118 (e.g., via a web browser or other application). The user interface 122 can display a floor plan 124 of a building. For example, the floor plan 124 can include rooms of the building, such as room 126. The floor plan 124 can include one or more icons, such as icon 130, which can represent the physical location of lighting fixtures, such as the lighting fixture 108. When they are related to each other, the floor plan can show the location of the lighting fixture (e.g., the relative location of the lighting fixture). The network device 118 and / or the system controller 104 can store the location of one or more lighting fixtures in the floor plan 128 thereon. The location may be determined during commissioning. For example, a user may enter a location (e.g., identified in a floor plan), find appropriate equipment in the location, and store the found equipment with an identifier of the location.

[0086] A user of the network device 118 may select an icon corresponding to the location of the lighting fixture to assign the identified link address to the device identifier of the identified lighting fixture. For example, the user may identify the icon 130 as an icon in the physical location of the lighting fixture 108 from which the visible light communication signal 114 and / or the RF communication signal 115 is received. The network device 118 may associate the link address identified in the VLC signal 114 and / or the RF communication signal 115 with the device identifier of the lighting control device in the lighting fixture 108 residing in the physical location identified by the icon 130. The VLC signal 114 and / or the RF communication signal 115 may be received before or after selecting the icon 130 to associate the link address in the VLC signal 114 and / or the RF communication signal 115 with the device identifier of the load control device corresponding to the selected icon. The associated link address and / or device identifier of the lighting control device may be stored and may be used to control the lighting control device of the lighting fixture 108. The network device 118 may also or alternatively send the information in the VLC signal 114 and / or the RF communication signal 115 and the device identifier of the selected icon to the system controller 104 for association and storage. The associated link address and device identifier may be transmitted to the system controller 104 and / or the lighting fixture 108 for storage therein for use in a lighting control device controlling the lighting fixture 108.

[0087] A user of the network device 118 may select a set of icons corresponding to link addresses received in the visible light communication signal 114 and / or the RF communication signal 115 to assign the link addresses to a set of identified lighting fixtures. The network device 118 may associate the link addresses identified in the visible light communication signal 114 and / or the RF communication signal 115 with device identifiers of lighting control devices in a set of lighting fixtures residing in the physical location identified by the selected icon. The associated link addresses and device identifiers of a set of lighting control devices may be stored and may be used to control the lighting control devices of the lighting fixture 108. The network device 118 may also or alternatively send the information in the VLC signal 114 and / or the RF communication signal 115 and the device identifier of the selected icon to the system controller 104 for association and storage.

[0088] The physical location of the network device 118 may be used to identify the lighting fixture 108 from which the identified link address is being broadcast. For example, the network device 118 may use the location information to identify the location of the network device 118. GPS coordinates and / or location information based on the network device 118 may be used. The location information is determined based on the positioning information. The positioning information may indicate the location of the network device 118 based on the distance between the network device 118 and one or more wireless access points (e.g., the network communication device 106). The distance between the network device 118 and the wireless access point may be determined by measuring the power of a received signal from the wireless access point (e.g., a received signal strength indicator (RSSI)).

[0089] The location information may include images captured by camera 120 that may indicate the location of network device 118. The images captured by camera 120 may be part of a video or a series of photos that may indicate the location of network device 118. Network device 118 may identify the location or relative location of the user based on the images.

[0090] A physical location icon 128 may be generated from the location information and may be displayed on the user interface 122 of the network device 118. The physical location icon 128 may provide an indication to a user of the location of the network device 118 relative to the lighting fixtures in the room 126. The physical location icon 128 may identify the direction that the network device 118 is facing (e.g., using an arrow) to provide an indication to the user of the direction of the lighting fixtures in the room 126 relative to the network device 118. Display of the physical location icon 128 may help a user identify the physical location of one or more lighting control fixtures in a space.

[0091] The network device 118 may automatically associate the link address with the device identifier of the lighting control device. For example, the network device 118 may read the VLC signal 114 and may associate the link address in the VLC signal 114 with the device identifier of the closest relative lighting fixture in the floor plan 124. The network device 118 may read the VLC signal 114 and may associate the link address in the VLC signal with the device identifier of the closest relative set of lighting fixtures in the floor plan 124, such as, for example, the lighting fixtures in the room 126. The network device 118 may identify one or more lighting fixtures that are within a predefined range of the location of the network device 118. The network device 118 may associate the link address with the device identifier of the one or more identified lighting fixtures.

[0092] The network device 118 may transmit the associated device identifier and link address to the system controller 104 for storage. The network device 118 may also or alternatively send the information in the VLC signal 114 and the location information indicating the location of the network device 118 to the system controller 104. The system controller 104 may determine the closest associated lighting control device or set of lighting control devices and may associate the device identifier in the VLC signal with the closest associated lighting control device or set of lighting control devices. The system controller 104 may identify one or more lighting fixtures located within a predefined range of the location of the network device 118. The system controller 104 may associate the link address with the device identifier of the one or more lighting fixtures within the predefined range.

[0093] The network device 118 may receive a link address list from the system controller 104. The network device 118 may use the link address list to identify a link address in the VLC signal 114 and / or the RF communication signal 115, or to confirm that the identified link address is a link address assigned by the system controller 104. When the network device 118 is capable of communicating with multiple system controllers 104, the network device 118 may use the link address list of the system controllers to determine the system controller to which the associated link address and device identifier should be transmitted. The network device 118 may determine the physical location of the network device 118. The network device 118 may transmit the identified link address and the physical location of the network device 118 to the system controller 104 from which the link address was previously received. The network device 118 may transmit the identified link address and the physical location of the network device 118 to the system controller 104 for associating the link address with the device identifier of the lighting fixture or a group of lighting fixtures that is closest to the identified location of the network device 118. The system controller 104 may use the associated link address to communicate the lighting control instructions to the appropriate lighting fixtures for execution of the lighting control.

[0094] The network device 118 may control one or more lighting fixtures in response to the received beacon. The beacon may include a link address or device identifier of the lighting fixture 108 that may be read by the network device 118. The network device 118 may transmit a digital message including lighting control instructions for controlling the lighting fixture 108 identified by the beacon. The network device 118 may identify the plurality of lighting fixtures being controlled that are transmitting the beacon. The digital message may be transmitted to the system controller 104 for controlling the lighting fixture identified in the beacon.

[0095] The network device 118 may receive user input via the user interface 122. The network device 118 may interpret the user input as a control instruction. The network device 118 may include a control instruction for controlling the lighting fixture in a digital message. For example, the network device 118 may include a virtual dimmer 132. A user may increase or decrease the dimming level on the virtual dimmer 132 to send a digital message for increasing or decreasing the dimming level on the lighting fixture 108 identified by the beacon, respectively. A user may use the user interface 122 to turn on or off a lighting load of the lighting fixture 108 identified by the beacon. A user may completely reduce the dimming level of the virtual dimmer 132, or reduce the dimming level to a predefined level to turn off the lighting load. A user may increase the dimming level (e.g., above a predefined level set to turn off the lighting load) to turn on the lighting load. The user interface 122 may include an on button, an off button, and / or an on / off button that may turn on / off the lighting load when actuated. When a button is actuated to turn on the lighting load, the lighting load may be turned on to a predefined dimming level.

[0096] When commissioning and / or controlling the load control system 100, the network device 118 and / or the system controller 104 may "catch" (e.g., lock onto) a beacon transmitted by a control device and / or a beacon transmission device. When the network device 118 and / or the system controller 104 captures a beacon, the network device 118 and / or the system controller 104 may retain an access path (e.g., a link) for communicating with the control device and / or the beacon transmission device that transmitted the beacon. For example, capturing a beacon signal may cause the network device 118 and / or the system controller 104 to link and / or pair to (e.g., virtually link and / or pair to) the control device that transmitted the beacon. When commissioning and / or controlling the load control system 100, the network device 118 and / or the system controller 104 may receive a beacon from one or more control devices and / or beacon transmission devices. The network device 118 and / or the system controller 104 may capture a beacon of a control device and / or a beacon transmission device. When the network device 118 and / or the system controller 104 captures a beacon of a control device and / or a beacon transmitting device, the network device 118 and / or the system controller 104 may be given control of the control device. For example, the network device 118 and / or the system controller 104 may be able to increase the light emitted from the control device transmitting the beacon captured by the network device 118.

[0097] After the network device 118 and / or the system controller 104 captures the beacon of the control device and / or the beacon transmission device, other network devices and / or the system controller may be prevented from capturing the beacon of the control device and / or the beacon transmission device. After the network device 118 and / or the system controller 104 captures the beacon of the control device and / or the beacon transmission device, other network devices and / or the system controller may be permitted to capture the beacon of the control device and / or the beacon transmission device. For example, based on the state of the user (e.g., an executor, an administrator, etc.), even if the beacon of the control device has been captured by another network device, the user may be permitted to capture the beacon of the control device. When the network device 118 and / or the system controller 104 captures the beacon of the control device and / or the beacon transmission device, the identifier of the control device and / or the beacon transmission device may be stored. For example, when the network device 118 and / or the system controller 104 captures the beacon of the control device, the identifier of the control device may be stored by the system controller 110 and / or the network device 118.

[0098] When debugging and / or controlling the load control system 100, the network device 118 and / or the system controller 104 may rank the received beacons into a list. The network device 118 and / or the system controller 104 may rank the list based on the ranging method. For example, the network device 118 and / or the system controller 104 may rank the list based on the received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of each beacon. The beacon with the highest RSSI may be listed first on the list. For example, the network device 118 may capture the beacon with the highest RSSI among the received beacons. The network device 118 may allow the user to select one of the beacons. For example, the network device 118 may allow the user to select a beacon in one or more rooms based on the corresponding RSSI value. The network device 118 may allow the user to select one of the beacons and may allow the user to capture the selected beacon.

[0099] The network device 118 can configure control of one or more lighting fixtures based on the beacon. The network device 118 can group lighting fixtures for control by reading the beacon of one or more lighting control devices to be controlled according to the lighting control configuration 134. The lighting control configuration 134 can include a preset configuration 136, a zone configuration 138, an occupancy configuration 140, and / or a timed schedule configuration 142. The user can select the preset configuration 136 on the user interface 122 to set the dimming level of one or more lighting fixtures to be controlled according to the preset. Different presets can be configured to set different lighting fixtures to different lighting levels for different occasions, such as a bedtime preset when the user is getting ready for bed, a movie preset when the user is watching TV or a movie, an away preset when the user leaves the building, a home preset when the user is in the building, or any other preset that the user can define for an occasion. The preset can be triggered at a predefined event. For example, the away preset can be triggered when a vacant condition is received or after a predefined time period from when an occupancy condition is received from the system controller 104. The home preset can be triggered when an occupancy condition is received at the system controller 104. Other presets may be triggered at the system controller 104 upon actuation of buttons on the remote control device and / or the network device 118 .

[0100] The network device 118 can identify one or more lighting fixtures to be controlled according to a preset by detecting a link address or device identifier in a beacon from the lighting fixture. The preset can be stored with the link address or device identifier in the beacon transmitted from the lighting fixture and the preset lighting level. Different groups of lighting fixtures can be associated in a preset configuration and set to different lighting levels. The preset configuration 136 can be sent to the system controller 104 via a digital message for storage for controlling the lighting fixture according to the preset. The preset configuration 136 can be stored with a preset identifier, which can be sent to the system controller 104 (e.g., via the network device 118, the remote control device 146, the occupancy sensor 144, and / or another control source device) via a digital message for activating the preset.

[0101] The user may select a zone configuration 138 on the user interface 122 to define one or more zones of controlled lighting fixtures. Different zones may be individually controlled by sending lighting control instructions to the zones to set the zones to different lighting levels. The network device 118 may identify one or more lighting fixtures of a zone by detecting a link address or device identifier in a beacon from the lighting fixture and storing the identified lighting fixture as a defined zone for lighting control. A user of the network device 118 may carry the network device 118 and walk under the lighting fixture to read a set of link addresses or device identifiers for defining a zone. The identified lighting fixtures may be associated with each other (e.g., associated in an association table) and stored for centralized control. The association information of the devices may include device identifiers of the devices associated with the centralized control. The associated device identifiers of the identified lighting fixtures in the zone may be stored at the network device 118 as a defined zone configuration 138 for controlling the lighting fixtures in the defined zone. The zone configuration 138 may be sent to the system controller 104 and / or the lighting fixtures in the defined zone via a digital message for storage for controlling the lighting fixtures according to the zone configuration 138.

[0102] The associated information in the zone configuration 138 may be sent to the lighting fixtures for local storage. The lighting fixtures may control the lighting loads in response to digital messages transmitted to the associated lighting fixtures. For example, a lighting control device in the lighting fixture 108 may respond to a digital message from a control source device (e.g., the system controller 104, the remote control device 146, the occupancy sensor 144, etc.) that includes control instructions for controlling the associated device.

[0103] The zone configuration 138 may be stored with the zone identifier, which may be sent to the system controller 104 and / or the lighting fixture via a digital message with the zone configuration information. The zone identifier may be a name and / or a number. For example, the zone identifier of the lighting fixture in the floor plan 124 may be identified by the name of the room 126 in the floor plan 124. The zone identifier may identify the location of the portion of the lighting fixture in the room 126.

[0104] The zone configuration 138 may include association information for a control source device that is configured to control associated lighting fixtures in the zone configuration. For example, the network device 118 may identify one or more lighting fixtures via a transmitted beacon, and may send the identified lighting fixtures to the system controller 104. The system controller 104 may receive association information from a control source device (e.g., a remote control device 146, an occupancy sensor 144, etc.) for associating the control source device with the identified lighting fixture. The association message may include a device identifier of the corresponding control source device from which the association message is received. The device identifier of the control source device may be stored in the zone configuration 138. The device identifier of the associated control source device may be sent to a lighting control device of the lighting fixture associated with the control source device, so that the lighting control device may respond to a digital message from the associated control source device. The association message at the remote control device 146 may be triggered when one or more buttons on the remote control device 146 are actuated. The association message at the occupancy sensor 144 may be triggered when a button on the remote control device 146 occupancy sensor 144 is actuated and / or when an IR signal is detected.

[0105] The network device 118 may send the identified lighting fixtures (e.g., link addresses, device identifiers, etc.) to the system controller 104 via one or more digital messages, and the system controller 104 may store the identified lighting fixtures in the defined areas. The system controller 104 may receive an indication from the network device 118 when the transmission of the identified lighting fixtures for the defined areas has been completed, or the system controller 104 may determine that the transmission of the identified lighting fixtures for the defined areas has been completed after a time period (e.g., a time period since the network device 118 received the first digital message, a time period since the network device 118 received the last digital message, etc.) has expired. A user may select on the network device 118 whether unidentified areas are being identified and / or identified areas are being edited to include more, fewer, or different lighting fixtures. The selection of whether unidentified areas are being identified or identified areas are being edited may be communicated to the system controller 104. The digital message indicating that an area is being edited may include an area identifier for the area being edited.

[0106] The system controller 104 may receive a digital message including a zone identifier and lighting control instructions from a control source device (e.g., a network device 118, a remote control device 146, an occupancy sensor 144, or another control source device) for controlling lighting fixtures in the identified zone. The system controller 104 may send the lighting control instructions to the lighting fixtures in the defined zone in response to the digital message. The zone identifier may be included in a broadcast message that may be sent to the system controller 104 and / or lighting fixtures within a transmission range of the control source device (e.g., a network device 118, a remote control device 146, an occupancy sensor 144, or another control source device) for controlling the lighting fixtures in the identified zone. The lighting fixtures in the identified zone may control the lighting load according to the lighting control instructions in the broadcast message.

[0107] A user may select an occupancy configuration 140 on the user interface 122 to define one or more lighting fixtures to be controlled based on occupancy or vacancy of a space. Different lighting fixtures may be controlled to different lighting levels in response to occupancy commands and / or vacancy commands received from an occupancy sensor, such as an occupancy sensor 144. The network device 118 may identify one or more lighting fixtures by detecting a link address or device identifier in a beacon transmitted from the lighting fixture. The network device 118 may store the identified lighting fixtures and the corresponding defined lighting levels to which the fixtures will be controlled (e.g., in response to an occupancy condition and / or a vacancy condition). The lighting levels may be stored separately for an occupancy condition and / or a vacancy condition. A user of the network device 118 may carry the network device 118 under the lighting fixtures to read a set of link addresses or device identifiers for defining lighting fixtures to be controlled based on an occupancy command and / or a vacancy command. The occupancy configuration 140 may be stored on the network device 118 and may be sent to the system controller 104 via a digital message. The system controller 104 may send the occupancy configuration 140 to the lighting fixtures for storage for use in controlling the lighting fixtures when an occupancy command and / or a vacancy command is received.

[0108] The user may select a timed schedule configuration 142 on the user interface 122 to define a timed schedule for one or more lighting fixtures. Different lighting fixtures may be controlled to different lighting levels (e.g., on / off, predefined dimming levels, etc.) according to the timed schedule that may be monitored by the system controller 104. The timed schedule may include times and / or dates when the lighting levels may be changed. The network device 118 may identify one or more lighting fixtures by detecting a link address or device identifier in a beacon transmitted from the lighting fixture. The network device 118 may store the identified lighting fixtures and the corresponding defined lighting levels to which the fixtures will be controlled during a defined time period. The user may use the network device 118 to define the lighting levels and time periods during which the identified lighting fixtures will be controlled. The timed schedule configuration 142 may be stored on the network device 118 and may be sent to the system controller 104 via a digital message for storage for controlling the lighting fixtures during a defined time period. The user of the network device 118 may select on the network device 118 whether a timed schedule configuration is being defined or whether a predefined timed schedule configuration is being edited. The timing schedule configuration may be stored along with a timing schedule identifier that is referenced by the system controller 104 and / or the network device 118 .

[0109] Beacons can be transmitted from multiple types of control devices that are different from the lighting control devices in the lighting fixtures. Beacons transmitted from other control devices can be identified for configuration and / or control of the control devices in the load control system 100. For example, the load control system 100 may include a thermostat, a keypad, an AC plug-in load control device (e.g., a switch device) and / or a motorized window treatment, which may be capable of transmitting beacons that can be captured by the network device 118 for configuration and / or control of the corresponding load control device. The control device may include a beacon transmission circuit for transmitting beacons via an RF communication signal or a visible light communication signal. For example, a thermostat can transmit a VLC signal via a display, by flashing an indicator light (e.g., an LED), or by providing any other visible light communication. The keypad can transmit a VLC signal by flashing an indicator light (e.g., an LED). The AC plug-in load control device can provide an indication via a display, by flashing an indicator light (e.g., an LED), via a device plugged into the AC plug-in load control device (e.g., flashing a lighting load of a lamp or other device plugged into the AC plug-in load control device), or by providing any other visible light communication to transmit a VLC signal. The motorized window treatments may transmit VLC signals by flashing an indicator light (e.g., an LED) or providing any other visible light communication. As described herein, for example, the network device 118 and / or the system controller 104 may be used to configure a preset configuration, a zone configuration, an occupancy configuration, and / or a timed schedule configuration for a control device. The network device 118 may control the electrical load of the load control device by reading a device identifier of the control device and sending control instructions to the identified device. Although VLC signals or RF communication signals may be used as one type of beacon for certain examples herein, other types of beacons (e.g., audio signals, etc.) may also be used.

[0110] Figure 5Flowchart depicting an example method 500 for associating control devices at identified locations. Control devices may include control source devices (e.g., remote control devices, occupancy sensors, etc.) and / or control target devices (e.g., lighting control devices, motorized window treatments, etc.). Before being able to receive digital messages from control source devices, which may include load control instructions, for controlling corresponding electrical loads, control target devices may have to be associated with one or more control source devices. In one example, a push button association method may be used to associate control devices (e.g., a user may actuate a button on a control target device to cause the control target device to enter an association mode). Once the control target device is in an association mode, a button on the control source device may be actuated to associate the control source device with the control target device. After the control source device is associated with the control target device, the control target device may recognize a digital message from the control source device that may include a load control instruction, and the user may use the control source device of the control target device associated with the instruction to control the amount of electrical power provided to the electrical load. In another example, when selecting a control device from a list of discovered control devices, the control source device may be associated with one or more of the control target devices. The list of discovered control devices may be displayed on the network device 118. For example, the network device 118 may allow a user to select a control source device for associating with a control target device. The network device 118 may provide step-by-step instructions for associating a control source device with a control target device. For example, the network device 118 may provide instructions for associating a specific control source with one or more control target devices. The control device may also be associated with one or more locations before being able to receive a digital message, which may include a load control instruction for controlling an electrical load in the location. A location may be identified by a beacon identifier, and a device may be stored with the beacon identifier for control in the location of the beacon.

[0111] like Figure 5 As shown, method 500 may begin at 502. At 504, a location beacon may be discovered. The location beacon may include a unique identifier associated with a location in a load control environment. The location beacon may be transmitted by a beacon transmission device at the identified location. The location beacon may be transmitted via an RF communication signal (e.g., a short-range RF communication signal, such as Low Energy (BLE) signals), visible light communication signals, and / or audio signals. If multiple location beacons are found, the location beacon with the greatest signal strength may be used to perform association.

[0112] The location corresponding to the received location beacon may be displayed to the user, and the user may select a location at which the association may be performed. To discover the location beacon at 504, the location beacon may have been pre-configured in the location and may be associated with the location (e.g., in a floor plan). The location beacon may be configured simultaneously with other devices, e.g., as shown in steps 506-520.

[0113] At 506, a control device beacon may be discovered. The control device beacon may include a unique identifier corresponding to a different control device. The control device beacon may include a unique identifier of a control device type from which the control device beacon may be transmitted. The control device beacon may be transmitted by a beacon transmission device at or near the corresponding control device. The control device beacon may be transmitted via an RF communication signal (e.g., Low Energy (BLE) signals), visible light communication signals and / or audio signals.

[0114] At 508, the signal strength of the discovered control device beacon may be identified. The signal strength of the control device beacon may be identified by the strength of the received RF communication signal (e.g., the RSSI of the control device beacon), the light intensity level of the received visible light communication signal, and / or the amplitude of the received audio signal. The signal strength may be lower for beacons that transmit from farther away or for beacons that receive some interference between the transmission of the beacon and the reception of the beacon.

[0115] At 510, a list of discovered control devices may be displayed, for example, on the network device 118. The list of discovered control devices may be displayed in ascending or descending order based on the signal strength of the corresponding control device beacons at which the control devices were discovered at 506. The list may indicate control devices that are closer to the device at which the control device beacon was received. The list may also or alternatively indicate control devices that are within the same location. For example, a control device beacon received with a lower signal strength in the list may correspond to a control device in a different room or on a different floor in a building, because walls and floors in a building may cause interference with the control device beacon and may weaken the signal strength of the received control device beacon.

[0116] The list of control devices being displayed can be dynamically updated. For example, it can be determined at 512 whether the signal strength of any control device beacon has changed by a predetermined amount. The predetermined amount can be a discrete amount (e.g., 5 units, 10 units, etc.). The predetermined amount can be the difference between the signal strengths of other beacons with higher or lower signal strengths. If the signal strength of one or more of the control device beacons has changed by a predetermined amount, a list of control devices can be displayed at 510 to identify the order of the control devices (e.g., the current order) based on the updated signal strength. The change in the signal strength of one or more control device beacons can include the discovery of a previously undiscovered control device beacon or the loss of a previously discovered control device beacon.

[0117] At 514, an indication of a selected control device in the list for association may be received. For example, a user selection of one or more control devices in the displayed list may be received at 514. A determination may be made as to whether an indication to associate the selected control device has been received at 516. The indication may be received in response to a user selecting a button or after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed after a user selected a control device in the displayed list.

[0118] Upon receiving a selection indication requesting feedback from a selected control device, a digital message may be sent to the selected control device. The digital message may request feedback from the selected device identifying itself so that the user can confirm that the device has been selected. The feedback may be in the form of visual or audio feedback. For example, upon receiving a selection of a control device in the control device list, the network device 118 may send a digital message including a unique identifier of the selected device and a request for feedback from the device. The digital message may be received at the control device (e.g., directly or via the system controller 104), and the control device may provide visual or audio feedback to the user. The visual feedback may be in the form of flashing a lighting load (e.g., LED, lamp, etc.), moving a covering material of a motorized window treatment, or in another form of visual feedback that may be observed by the user. The audio feedback may be a sound provided by the control device. If a different control device than the one that the user believes to be selected provides feedback to the user (or the user does not identify the feedback as provided in a position), the user may deselect the control device and may select another control device. The control device may provide feedback when it is deselected at the network device 118. The feedback for being selected and deselected may be the same or different.

[0119] The list of control devices may continue to be updated based on the signal strength of the corresponding control device beacons. For example, if an indication to associate the selected control device is not received at 516, method 500 may proceed to 512 to determine whether the signal strength of any control device beacon has changed, and the display of the control device list at 510 based on the updated signal strength may be updated. Determining whether the signal strength has changed and / or updating the display of the control device list may allow the user to move around with the device to get closer to the control devices that the user may want to associate with the identified location. Thus, the control devices may be sorted based on relevance. For example, more relevant control devices may be identified at the top of the list.

[0120] The network device 118 may receive an indication to associate the selected control device at 516 and may associate the selected control device at 518. The selected control device may be associated with the location. For example, the selected control device may be associated with the location by associating a unique identifier of the selected control device with a unique identifier of the location (e.g., a location beacon).

[0121] At 518, the selected control device may be associated with one or more other control devices. For example, a control device in a location may transmit a beacon including a unique identifier that may be recognized by the network device 118 and may be stored to represent the control device and / or the location of the control device. A control target device such as a lighting control device may transmit a beacon that may be recognized by the network device 118 and may represent the control target device and / or the location of the control target device. The selected control source device may be associated with the control target device identified by the beacon. For example, a user may select one or more control source devices at the network device 118 for association with the control target device identified by the beacon. The selected control source device may be associated with the control target device by associating the unique identifier of the selected control source device with the unique identifier of the control target device or the beacon of the control target device. The control device may be associated separately with the identifier of the location beacon, or the identifier of the beacon transmitted by the identified control device may represent the location.

[0122] At 520, associations may be stored to enable control of a control device at a location. For example, associations may be stored in an association table, which may be stored at one or more devices for identifying associated devices for control when a location beacon at a location is discovered. Associations may be stored at a network device, a system controller, and / or one or more control devices. Control target devices and control source devices associated with a location may be associated so that digital messages from a control source device at the location can be identified at the associated control target device so that the associated control target device can be controlled. Method 500 may end at 522.

[0123] After performing the association, a location beacon and / or a control device beacon representing the location may be transmitted for implementing control of the device in the location. For example, the network device may identify the beacon in the location and transmit a digital message including a load control instruction for controlling the device to the control device (e.g., directly or via a system controller). In another example, the location beacon and / or the control device beacon representing the location may be converted to a lower power mode (e.g., resulting in a lower RSSI of the beacon) or to a beacon off mode to prevent beacon transmission after performing the association (e.g., during control in the system). The network device and / or the system controller may send a message to the control device to indicate that the association has been performed, and the control device may, in response to the message, convert to a lower power mode or turn off a beacon transmitter to prevent beacon transmission.

[0124] Method 500 can be Figure 1 The method 500 may be implemented at a network device (such as the network device 118) and / or a system controller (such as the system controller 104) as shown. Portions of the method 500 may be implemented at the network device 118 and the system controller 104. For example, the network device 118 may receive a location beacon and a control device beacon and may identify a unique identifier transmitted in the beacon. The network device 118 may transmit the identifier to the system controller 104 for performing an association and storing the association. The network device 118 may identify the signal strength and signal strength changes of the control device beacon and may display a list of control devices based on the signal strength. The network device 118 may transmit the signal strength to the system controller 104 and the system controller 104 may generate a list of control devices for display at the network device 118 (e.g., via an application executed at the network device). The stored association at the network device 118 may be sent to the system controller 104 for storage thereon for transmission to other control devices and / or for coordinating the delivery of digital messages to the associated devices for performing load control.

[0125] During the association of control devices, the user can discover the devices and can save a group of associated devices (e.g., as "Group 1"). For example, in the absence of location beacons, the user can discover the devices and can save a group of associated devices. A specific location may not be associated with an associated device group. The user can name the associated device group more specifically, such as "Office 1," "Conference Room 1," "Conference Room 2," etc.

[0126] Fig. 6A and 6B An example interface 622 is shown that may be displayed on the network device 618 for discovering and associating control devices. Fig. 6AAs shown, the interface may include a list of locations 654 and / or a list of control devices 656 that may be found at the network device 618. The list of locations 654 may be displayed in order. For example, the list of locations 654 may be displayed in order of relative locations based on the signal strength of the location beacons received for the locations. The signal strength of one or more location beacons for the locations in the list of locations 654 may be indicated with a signal strength indicator 664. The signal strength indicator 664 may represent a value of the signal strength, which may be indicated as an icon and / or a score indicating the received signal strength of the corresponding location in the list of locations 654. The list of control devices 656 may be displayed in order of relative locations based on the signal strength of the location beacons received for the control devices.

[0127] The user may select a location in the location list 654 to be associated with one or more control devices. The user may select one or more control devices in the control device list 656 to be associated with a location. Fig. 6A As shown, a location 658 can be selected and control devices 660, 662 can be selected for association. The signal strength of one or more control device beacons of the control devices in the control device list 656 can be indicated by a signal strength indicator 664. The signal strength indicator 664 can represent the value of the signal strength, which can be indicated as an icon and / or a score indicating the received signal strength of the corresponding control device in the control device list 656. The user can select button 650 to associate the selected control device with the selected location. For example, the user can select location 658 ("Office 1") to associate with control device 660 ("Remote Control Device 1") and control device 662 ("Lighting Load 1"). The user can select button 652 to associate the control source device in the control device list 656 with the control target device.

[0128] Figure 6B A user interface 622 is shown with an updated list 656 of control devices. Fig. 6A If the mobile network device 618 moves the position of the control device list 656 displayed in the control device list 656, the list can be updated. The mobile network device 618 can update the control device list 656 to indicate the relative position of the control devices in the control device list 656. For example, the control device 660 can be moved from the first position on the list (in Fig. 6A ) moves to the second position on the list (in Figure 6B), and control device 662 has moved from the third position on the list to the fourth position on the list. Interface 622 can update the locations in location list 654. Location list 654 and / or control device list 656 can be dynamically updated. Signal strength indicator 664 can also or alternatively be updated to indicate the relative signal strength of the beacon being received at network device 618. As network device 618 moves, locations can be added to and / or removed from location list 654. As network device 618 moves, control devices can be added to and / or removed from control device list 656. The user can continue to select control devices and locations for association.

[0129] Figure 7 is a flow chart depicting another example method 700 for associating a control device at an identified location. Figure 7 As shown, method 700 may begin at 702. At 704, a location beacon may be discovered. The location beacon may include a unique identifier associated with a location in a load control environment. The location beacon may be transmitted by a beacon transmission device at the identified location. The location beacon may be transmitted via an RF communication signal (e.g., Low Energy (BLE) signals), visible light communication signals, and / or audio signals. If multiple location beacons are found, the location beacon with the greatest signal strength may be used to perform association. The locations corresponding to the received location beacons may be displayed to the user, and the user may select the location where association may be performed.

[0130] At 706, a control device beacon may be discovered. The control device beacon may include a unique identifier corresponding to a different control device. The control device beacon may include a unique identifier of a control device type from which the control device beacon may be transmitted. The control device beacon may be transmitted by a beacon transmission device at or near the corresponding control device. The control device beacon may be transmitted via an RF communication signal (e.g., Low Energy (BLE) signals), visible light communication signals and / or audio signals.

[0131] At 708, the signal strength of the discovered control device beacon may be identified. The signal strength of the control device beacon may be identified by the strength of the received RF communication signal, the light intensity level of the received visible light communication signal, and / or the amplitude of the received audio signal.

[0132] At 710, it may be determined whether the signal strength of any discovered control device beacon is above a predetermined threshold. If the signal strength of any discovered control device beacon is above a predetermined threshold, then at 712, the corresponding control device may be automatically associated with the identified location. At 712, the control device may be associated with the location by associating a unique identifier of the control device with a unique identifier of the location. The association may be stored (e.g., in an association table) for identifying devices with associated locations. For example, the association may be stored in an association table, which may be stored at one or more devices for identifying associated devices for control when a location beacon at the location is discovered. The control target device and the control source device associated with the location may be associated so that a digital message from the control source device at the location can be recognized at the associated control target device so that the associated control target device can be controlled.

[0133] An indication of the control device associated with the location may be provided at 714. For example, a list of associated control devices may be displayed at 714. A list of control devices corresponding to the control device beacons discovered at 706 may be displayed, and the associated control devices in the list may be indicated at 714. The network device may provide other feedback (e.g., audio feedback or vibration) when the control device is associated. The network device may send a digital message (e.g., via a system controller) for the associated control device to provide feedback that the device has been associated. For example, lighting loads may be turned off and / or on, motorized window coverings may move covering material up and / or down, indicator lights may be turned on and / or off, and the like.

[0134] The method 700 may continue to automatically associate control devices at 712 until an indication of the completion of the association is received at 718. For example, after associating a control device with a location having a control device beacon signal strength above a predetermined threshold at 712, or after determining at 710 that the control device beacon signal strength is not above the predetermined threshold, the method 700 may determine at 716 whether the signal strength of any control device beacon has changed. At 716, it may be determined whether the change in the signal strength of the control device beacon is less than a predetermined amount and / or less than a predetermined time period. If the change in the signal strength is less than a predetermined amount and / or less than a predetermined time period, the change may not be processed (e.g., to avoid processing changes due to minor fluctuations in the amount or duration of the signal strength). The predetermined amount may be the difference between the previously identified signal strength of the control device beacon and a predetermined threshold for associating the control device with the location. In one example, a user may move a device measuring the signal strength of the control device beacon closer to the control device in order to increase the signal strength of the corresponding control device beacon and associate the control device.

[0135] If at 716 the signal strength of one or more control device beacons has changed by a predetermined amount, method 700 may continue to 710 to determine whether the signal strength is above a predetermined threshold for associating a control device corresponding to the control device beacon with a location. If at 716 the signal strength of the control device beacon has not changed (e.g., by a predetermined threshold and / or within a predetermined duration), at 718 it may be determined whether an indication has been received to complete the association at the identified location. For example, the indication may be received in response to a user selecting a button or a timer expiring. If no indication of completing the association is received, the signal strength of the control device beacon may continue to be monitored at 716 to perform the association. If at 718 an indication of completing the association has been received, the association may be stored to enable control of the associated control device at the location. Method 700 may end at 722.

[0136] Method 700 can be Figure 1 The method 700 may be implemented at a network device (such as the network device 118) and / or a system controller (such as the system controller 104) as shown. Portions of the method 700 may be implemented at the network device 118 and the system controller 104. The network device may receive a location beacon and a control device beacon and may identify a unique identifier transmitted in the beacon. The network device may transmit the identifier to the system controller for performing an association and storing the association. The network device may identify the signal strength and changes in the signal strength of the control device beacon and may display a list of control devices based on the signal strength. The network device may transmit the signal strength to the system controller and the system controller may generate a list of control devices for display at the network device (e.g., via an application executed at the network device). The stored association at the network device may be sent to the system controller for storage thereon for transmission to other control devices and / or for coordinating the delivery of digital messages to the associated devices for performing load control.

[0137] During the association of control devices, the user can discover devices and can save a group of associated devices (e.g., as "Group 1"). For example, in the absence of location beacons, the user can discover devices and can save a group of associated devices.

[0138] Figure 8 8 is a flow chart depicting another example method 800 for associating a control device at an identified location. For example, the method 800 may be performed by a control device to discover and associate with other control devices in a location. Figure 8As shown, method 800 may begin at 802. At 804, a location beacon may be discovered. The location beacon may include a unique identifier associated with a location in a load control environment. The location beacon may be transmitted by a beacon transmission device at the identified location. If multiple location beacons are discovered, an association may be performed using the location beacon with the greatest signal strength. The location beacon may be detected via an RF communication signal (e.g., Low Energy (BLE) signals), visible light communication signals and / or audio signal discovery.

[0139] At 806, control device beacons may be discovered. The control device beacons may include unique identifiers corresponding to different control devices. The control device capable of discovering location beacons and / or control device beacons of other control devices may be a two-way communication device. The control device beacon may include a unique identifier of the type of control device from which the control device beacon may be transmitted. The control device beacon may be transmitted by a beacon transmission device at or near the corresponding control device. The control device beacon may be transmitted via an RF communication signal (e.g., Low Energy (BLE) signals), visible light communication signals and / or audio signals.

[0140] At 808, a signal strength of the discovered control device beacon can be identified. The signal strength of the control device beacon can be identified by the strength of the received RF communication signal, the light intensity level of the received visible light communication signal, and / or the amplitude of the received audio signal. At 810, the control device can be associated with the location (e.g., automatically associated) by associating the unique identifier of the control device with the unique identifier of the location.

[0141] At 810, a control device corresponding to a control device beacon having a signal strength above a predetermined threshold may be associated with a location. The predetermined threshold may be a fixed threshold. The threshold may be adaptive. For example, if there are one or more devices with the same or similar signal strength (e.g., signal strength "10") and there is a gap between that signal strength and the next signal strength of one or more devices (e.g., a group of devices, having a signal strength of "7"), the network device may decide that the threshold is between 10 and 7. Devices with the same or similar signal strength (e.g., signal strength "10") may be automatically grouped together.

[0142] The unique identifier in the position beacon and / or the control device beacon can be verified by the unique identifier received in the beacon transmitted via another form of communication. For example, the beacon can be received via an RF communication signal, and the beacon can be confirmed via a VLC beacon that can be found separately, or vice versa. At 810, the network device 118 can associate the control device with the unique identifier in the beacon, the beacon is received above a predetermined threshold, and the beacon is also verified by matching the unique identifier received in the beacon transmitted via another form of communication. The verification beacon can be used to verify that the network device is in the location (e.g., room) of the control device for association. The verification beacon can be used to avoid associating devices in different locations, but can be received by the network device 118. For example, the RF beacon transmitted by the control device in a separate room can be found by the network device, but the VLC beacon transmitted by the control device in the separate room may not be found by the network device 118.

[0143] At 812, associations may be stored for use in enabling control of devices discovered at the location. For example, the associations may be stored in an association table, which may be stored at one or more devices for use in identifying associated devices for control when a location beacon is discovered at the location. Control target devices and control source devices associated with a location may be automatically associated to enable identification of digital messages from the control source device at the location at the associated control target device to enable control of the associated control target device.

[0144] At 814, the associations may be communicated to other control devices and / or the system controller. The method 800 may end at 816. At 814, the association table generated at the control device may be communicated to the system controller 104 via a digital message. The system controller 104 may generate a master association table based on the association tables received for a given location. For example, the system controller may generate the master association table by adding associations in the association table received from the control device. The system controller may remove duplicate associations in the master table. When the network device identifies a location beacon for performing control, the system controller 104 may use the master association table to control the control device in the location.

[0145] The control device in the location may also or alternatively transmit a digital message including an association table to other two-way communication control devices, such as via a broadcast message or using a unique identifier in a control device beacon. The control device that receives the association table from other control devices may add the other discovered control devices to the association table. For example, one or more two-way communication devices in the load control system may execute method 800 and may append its association table with or without duplicate associations to the received association table. The master control device may be assigned to transmit the master association table to the system controller 104, or the system controller 104 may monitor communications between control devices and generate the master association table. The master association table may be transmitted to the control device and / or the network control device 118 for performing control of the control device in the location. The network control device 118 may access the association table to reconfigure the association table automatically generated by the load control system.

[0146] After the control device is associated with a given location, the network control device and / or the control device can access the association table to perform control at the location. For example, the association table or a portion thereof can be transmitted from the system controller to the control source device and the control target device for identifying control instructions in digital messages between the associated devices. The network device can also or alternatively access the association table for the location by discovering a location beacon and transmitting the location beacon to the system controller. The system controller can provide an association table for the location, and the network device can transmit the control instruction to the system controller for controlling the control device in the system.

[0147] The transmission power of the beacon can be turned on / off or increased / decreased to enable / disable communication of the beacon. The transmission power of the beacon can be turned off or reduced to save energy (e.g., for battery-powered beacon transmission devices), or to reduce interference that may be caused by the transmission of the beacon. For example, if the transmission of the beacon is used for commissioning to set up a load control system, the transmission power of the beacon at the control device can be turned off or reduced after commissioning. The transmission power of the beacon in a location can be turned off or reduced after the control device in the location has been configured to prevent the beacon from being discovered during configuration of a control device in another location.

[0148] Fig. 9 1 is a flow chart depicting an example method 900 for triggering transmission of a beacon (e.g., a location beacon or a control device beacon) at a beacon transmission device. The method 900 may be used to transmit a signal using a VLC signal, an RF communication protocol (e.g., Low Energy (BLE) communication protocol), audio communication and / or the like to trigger the location beacon at the beacon transmission device and / or the control device beacon at the control device beacon. Fig. 9As shown, method 900 can start at 902. At 904, a triggering event can be received to initiate beacon communication. The triggering event can be received via a digital message. The digital message can identify other types of information to be transmitted. For example, the digital message can indicate that wireless network communication information, link address and / or device identifier are transmitted via visible light communication. The wireless network communication information may include an IP address, a MAC address, an SSID or other network identifier (e.g., a system controller device identifier) ​​and / or a network password. The wireless network communication information, link address and / or device identifier can be identified in the digital message or obtained locally on the device.

[0149] At 906, instructions may be sent to transmit beacons and / or other information to the network device 118. At 908, instructions may be sent to stop transmitting beacons and / or other information to the network device 118. Instructions may be sent to stop transmitting beacons and / or other information to the network device 118 in response to expiration of a timer (e.g., triggered by receiving a triggering event at 504) or upon receipt of a digital message. Method 900 may end at 910.

[0150] Method 900 may be performed in a system controller—e.g. Figure 1 The system controller 104 shown is implemented at 904. The system controller 104 can receive the trigger event at 904 and send an instruction to the control device to transmit the beacon at 906. The system controller 104 can receive the trigger event at 904 from any control device capable of two-way communication. A one-way communication device can transmit the trigger event in response to a condition (e.g., an occupancy condition at an occupancy sensor) and / or the actuation of a button. In response to the actuation of one or more buttons, the remote control device and / or the network device can transmit the trigger event.

[0151] Method 900 may be implemented at a control device (e.g., a lighting control device). For example, the system controller 104 may receive a trigger event at 904 and send an instruction to a beacon transmission device at 906 for transmitting a beacon. For RF beacons, the control device may send the beacon via a wireless communication circuit or a separate beacon transmission device. For VLC signals, the beacon transmission device may be a visible light communication circuit that may modulate a lighting load to transmit a VLC signal. For audio beacons, the beacon transmission device may include a speaker.

[0152] Fig.101 is a flow chart depicting an example method 1000 for associating a link address with a device identifier. The method 1000 may begin at 1002. At 1004, a link address may be assigned to one or more lighting control devices. The lighting control devices may control corresponding lighting loads in a lighting fixture. The link address may be assigned by a system controller (such as system controller 104) that communicates with the lighting control devices. The link address may be assigned after the lighting control devices are installed.

[0153] In order to identify the link address assigned to the lighting control device, the lighting control device may be instructed at 1006 to modulate the associated lighting load. For example, the lighting control device may be instructed to modulate the associated lighting load in a manner that indicates the link address of one or more corresponding lighting control devices through visible light communication. At 1006, the system controller 104 or another control source device may instruct the lighting control device to identify its corresponding link address. At 1008, the system controller 104 may receive the link address of the lighting control device that has been identified by the network device 118 in the visible light communication. At 1010, the system controller 104 may receive location information indicating the location of the lighting control device from which the link address was identified. The location may be indicated by a user selection that identifies the location of the lighting control device on a user interface (e.g., a floor plan) displayed at the network device 118. The location may be indicated by information indicating the location of the network device 118 itself.

[0154] At 1012, the link address may be associated with a device identifier of the lighting control device indicated at 1010. The device identifier may be determined based on a user selection identifying a location of the lighting control device on a user interface (e.g., a floor plan) displayed at the network device. The device identifier may be determined as the device identifier of the lighting control device that is located closest to the location of the network device 118. After associating the link address with the device identifier at 1012, method 1000 may end at 1014. Method 1000 may be performed multiple times to associate link addresses of different load control devices with device identifiers unique to the load control devices.

[0155] Fig.11A and 11B Representative lighting control systems 1100 and 1150 are shown for configuring and / or controlling one or more lighting fixtures using VLC signals 1114 and / or RF signals 1115. Fig.11AIn the embodiment of the present invention, the lighting control system 1100 may include lighting devices 1108, which may transmit corresponding control device beacons via VLC signals 1114 and / or RF signals 1115. The VLC signals 1114 and / or RF signals 1115 may be used to transmit other information received from the system controller 1104. The system controller 1104 may communicate with the lighting control devices in the lighting fixtures 1108 via a communication link 1112. The communication link 1112 may be a wired communication link and / or a wireless link. The system controller 1104 may receive digital messages from the control source device via RF signals 1116 for controlling the lighting fixtures 1108 and / or send information via VLC signals 1114 and / or RF signals 1115. For example, the system controller 1104 may receive digital messages from the occupancy sensor 1144 and / or the remote control device 1146 for controlling the lighting fixtures 1108. The lighting fixtures 1108 may be controlled according to the lighting control configuration instructions stored at the system controller 1104.

[0156] The VLC signal 1114 and / or the RF signal 1115 may be used to transmit information that enables the network device 1118 to identify and / or join a wireless communication network (e.g., a wireless local area network such as a wireless LAN). network) for communicating signals via the network 1148 (e.g., Signal, The system controller 1104 may communicate with the lighting fixture 1108 on the communication link 1112 (e.g., a VLC signal, etc.). The system controller 1104 may transmit the system controller identifier to the lighting fixture 1108 on the communication link 1112. The lighting fixture 1108 may use the VLC signal 1114 to transmit the system controller identifier and / or the device identifier of the corresponding lighting fixture 1108. The network device 1118 may receive the modulated VLC signal 1114 transmitted from one or more lighting fixtures 1108. The VLC signal 1114 may be received via a camera 1170 or other optical circuit. The network device 1118 may decode the modulated VLC signal 1114 and may use the system controller identifier to find out the wireless communication network to join. The system controller identifier may be identified in the network communication signal 1148, and the network device 1118 may match the system controller identifier received in the VLC signal 1114 with the system controller identifier identified in the network communication signal 1148. The network device 1118 may log into the wireless communication network identified in the VLC signal 1114 to communicate with the system controller 1104. The network communication signal 1148 may be received directly from the system controller 1104 or from another device (eg, a network communication device) communicating over a wireless communication network.

[0157] The system controller 1104 may store device identifiers of lighting fixtures 1108 configured to communicate with and / or be connected to the system controller 1104. The network device 1118 may download the device identifiers of the lighting fixtures 1108 using the network communication signal 1148 and may store the device identifiers. The network device 1118 may identify the device identifiers transmitted in the beacon transmitted via the RF signal 1115 and / or the VLC signal 1114 of one or more lighting fixtures 1108. The network device 1118 may control and / or configure the identified lighting fixtures 1108. The network device 1118 may transmit a digital message to the system controller 1104, the digital message having control instructions for controlling the identified lighting fixtures 1108. The lighting control instructions may include instructions for turning the lighting load of the lighting fixture 1108 on or off. The lighting control instructions may include instructions for increasing or decreasing the dimming level of the lighting fixture. The digital message may include lighting control configuration instructions, such as preset configurations, zone configurations, occupancy configurations, and / or timed schedule configurations. Prior to sending a digital message for controlling and / or configuring lighting fixture 1108, network device 1118 may confirm that the device identifier of lighting fixture 1108 is in the list of device identifiers associated with the location.

[0158] The network device 1118 can retrieve device identifiers for centralized control and / or configuration. For example, a user of the network device 1118 can walk around the space where the lighting control system 1100 is installed and point the network device 1118 at the lighting fixtures 1108 to be identified for control and / or configuration. The network device 1118 can discover the device identifiers in the beacons transmitted from the lighting fixtures 1108 and control and / or configure the identified lighting fixtures 1108. The user can select one or more of the identified lighting fixtures for control and / or configuration. For example, the user can select a floor plan (e.g., Figure 1 In another example, the identified lighting fixtures may be automatically grouped together for control and / or configuration. The network device 1118 may transmit the control instructions and / or lighting configuration instructions in the digital message to the system controller 1104 via the network communication signal 1148. The system controller 1104 may implement the control instructions and / or lighting configuration instructions by sending control instructions to the lighting control device of the identified lighting fixture 1108 to control the lighting load according to the received instructions.

[0159] The control source device may use the control device beacon to associate with one or more of the lighting fixtures 1108. The network device 1118 may identify one or more lighting fixtures via the control device beacon transmitted in the RF signal 1115 and / or the VLC signal 1114. The network device 1118 may send a device identifier of the identified lighting fixture 1108 to the system controller 1104 for association with a control source device such as, for example, an occupancy sensor 1144 and / or a remote control device 1146. The system controller 1104 may receive device identifiers for a group of lighting fixtures 1108 and may receive an association message from the control source device to be associated with the group of lighting fixtures 1108. For example, the system controller 1104 may receive device identifiers for a group of lighting fixtures 1108 and may receive an association message from the occupancy sensor 1144 and / or the remote control device 1146 for associating the device with the identified lighting fixture 1108. The association message may be sent from the occupancy sensor 1144 in response to a button press, an infrared (IR) signal recognized by the occupancy sensor 1144, or other triggering event. The association message may be sent from the remote control device 1146 in response to a button press, a combination of button presses, or another triggering event.

[0160] The system controller 1104 may associate the occupancy sensor 1144 with the identified lighting fixture 1108 by storing the device identifier of the identified lighting fixture 1108 in a memory together with the device identifier of the occupancy sensor 1144, so that the system controller 1104 can control the associated lighting fixture 1108 upon receiving a digital message from the occupancy sensor 1144. The system controller 1104 may associate the remote control device 1146 with the identified lighting fixture 1108 by storing the device identifier of the identified lighting fixture 1108 in a memory together with the device identifier of the remote control device 1146, so that the system controller 1104 can control the associated lighting fixture 1108 upon receiving a digital message from the remote control device 1146. The associated control source device and the plurality of groups of identified lighting fixtures 1108 may also be associated with a unique identifier of a location beacon transmitted from a location transmission device, so that the control source device and / or the plurality of groups of identified lighting fixtures 1108 may be controlled when the network device 1118 discovers the unique identifier.

[0161] The system controller 1104 may control the associated lighting control equipment 1108 in response to occupancy and / or vacancy conditions received in digital messages from the occupancy sensors 1144. The system controller 1104 may control the associated lighting control equipment 1108 in response to messages received from the remote control device 1146 indicating the actuation of one or more buttons. The lighting levels of the lighting fixtures may be controlled according to lighting control configuration instructions received from the network device 1118, lighting control configuration instructions generated at the system controller 1104 based on a device identifier received from the network device 1118, and / or other preconfigured lighting control configuration instructions stored at the system controller 1104. The lighting control configuration instructions may include preset configurations, zone configurations, occupancy configurations, and / or timed schedule configurations.

[0162] like Fig. 11B As shown, the lighting control system 1150 may include lighting fixtures 1158, one or more of which may communicate via wireless communication signals. For example, the system controller 1154 may communicate with a lighting control device in the lighting fixture 1158 via RF signals 1116. The lighting fixture 1158 may receive digital messages from a control source device via RF signals 1116. For example, the lighting fixture 1158 may receive digital messages from an occupancy sensor 1144, a remote control device 1146, and / or the system controller 1154 via RF signals 1116. Although the system controller 1104 and the system controller 1154 are Fig.11A and 11B 1108 and 1158, respectively, are shown as communicating with lighting control devices in lighting fixtures 1108 and 1158 using wired and wireless communications, but system controller 1104 and system controller 1154 may be capable of communicating with lighting fixture 1108 and lighting fixture 1158 using wired and / or wireless communications. Although lighting fixtures 1108 and 1158 are shown as being capable of communicating using wired and wireless communications, respectively, lighting fixtures 1108, 1158 may be capable of using wired and / or wireless communications.

[0163] In lighting control system 1150, VLC signal 1114 may convey information that enables network device 1118 to identify and / or join a wireless communication network (e.g., a wireless local area network such as a wireless LAN). network) for communicating signals via the network 1148 (e.g., Signal, The system controller 1154 may communicate with the lighting fixture 1158 via a modulated VLC signal 1114 (e.g., a wireless communication network 1148, etc.). The system controller 1154 may transmit a system controller identifier to the lighting fixture 1158 on an Rf signal 1116. The lighting fixture 1158 may transmit the system controller identifier using a VLC signal 1114. The network device 1118 may receive the modulated VLC signal 1114 transmitted from one or more of the lighting fixtures 1158 and may use the system controller identifier to discover a wireless communication network to join for communicating with the system controller 1154 via the network communication signal 1148.

[0164] The system controller 1154 may store device identifiers of lighting fixtures 1158 configured to communicate with the system controller 1104. The network device 1118 may download the device identifiers of the lighting fixtures 1158 using the network communication signal 1148 and may store the device identifiers. The network device 1118 may identify the device identifiers transmitted in the load control beacons of one or more lighting fixtures 1158 and may control and / or configure the identified lighting fixtures 1158. The network device 1118 may transmit a digital message having control instructions for controlling the identified lighting fixtures 1158 to the system controller 1154. The digital message may include lighting control configuration instructions, such as preset configurations, zone configurations, occupancy configurations, and / or timed schedule configurations. The system controller 1154 may also or alternatively generate lighting control instructions and / or lighting control configuration instructions for controlling the identified lighting fixtures 1158. The network device 1118 may confirm that the device identifier of the lighting fixture 1158 is in the device identifier list before sending the digital message for controlling and / or configuring the lighting fixture 1158.

[0165] The system controller 1154 may associate the lighting fixture 1158 identified by the network device 1118 with a control source device. For example, the system controller 1154 may associate the lighting fixture 1158 identified by the network device 1118 with an occupancy sensor 1144 and / or a remote control device 1146 associated with the same location. The system controller 1154 may receive a device identifier of the lighting fixture 1158 identified by the network device 1118 via a control device beacon transmitted via the RF signal 1115 and / or the VLC signal 1114. The system controller 1154 may receive an association message for associating with the identified lighting fixture 1158 from the occupancy sensor 1144 and / or the remote control device 1146. The system controller 1154 may store the association between the occupancy sensor 1144 and the identified lighting fixture 1158 in a memory. The system controller 1154 may store the association between the remote control device 1146 and the identified lighting fixture 1158 in a memory.

[0166] The association information of the control source device can be sent to the lighting fixture 1158 (e.g., via the RF signal 1116). The association information can be included in the zone configuration instructions. The lighting fixture 1158 can store the association information locally so that the lighting fixture 1158 can control its corresponding lighting level (e.g., light intensity level) according to the digital message received from the associated device. The association information can include a group of one or more lighting fixtures 1158 and one or more associated control source devices. In one example, the association information can be sent in a broadcast message from the system controller 1104 (e.g., via the RF signal 1116), and when the lighting fixture 1158 recognizes its own device identifier in the association information, the lighting fixture 1158 can store the association information.

[0167] The system controller 1154 may send lighting control configuration instructions to the lighting fixtures 1158 so that the lighting fixtures 1158 may control the lighting levels of the lighting loads in the lighting fixtures 1158 in response to digital messages received from a controller source device (such as an occupancy sensor 1144, a remote control device 1146, the system controller 1154, and / or another control source device). The system controller 1154 may send digital messages for controlling the lighting levels of the lighting fixtures 1158 in response to digital messages received from the network devices 1118.

[0168] The system controller 1154 can control different control source devices to which the identified lighting fixture 1158 can respond. For example, the system controller 1154 can send a digital message to the lighting fixture 1158 that identifies the associated control source device (e.g., occupancy sensor 1144, remote control device 1146, system controller 1154, and / or another control source device) to which the lighting fixture 1158 should respond. The digital message may include a device type identifier (e.g., a remote control device identifier, an occupancy sensor identifier, etc.) that identifies the type of associated control source device to which the lighting fixture 1158 can respond. The digital message from the system controller 1154 may include an actual device identifier that identifies the specific associated control source device to which the lighting fixture 1158 can respond. The lighting fixture 1158 can receive the digital message from the identified device and control the lighting level of the lighting load in response to the digital message.

[0169] Fig.12 A representative lighting control system 1200 is shown for configuring and / or controlling lighting fixtures in one or more areas using visible light communication signals 1214. Fig.12As shown, the lighting control system 1200 includes lighting devices 1208, one or more of which can transmit corresponding control device beacons via RF communication signals 1215 and / or visible light communication signals 1214. The visible light communication signals 1214 can be received via a camera 1270 or other optical circuit. The visible light communication signals 1214 can be used to transmit information received from the system controller 1204. The system controller 1204 can communicate with the lighting control devices in the lighting fixtures 1208 via a communication link 1212. The communication link 1212 can be a wired and / or wireless communication link (e.g., such as a Fig.11A and 11B The system controller 1204 may receive digital messages from the occupancy sensors 1244a, 1244b and / or remote control devices 1246a, 1246b via RF communication signals 1216 for controlling the lighting fixtures 1208 and / or sending information via visible light communication signals 1214. The network device 1218 may communicate with the system controller 1204 via network communication signals 1248.

[0170] The lighting control system 1200 may include a plurality of zones 1210, 1220. Fig.12 1204, but any number of zones may be included in the space. The system controller 1204 may store device identifiers of lighting fixtures 1208 that are configured to communicate with or connected to the system controller 1204. The system controller 1204 may include device identifiers of lighting fixtures 1208 located in the zones 1210, 1220.

[0171] The zones 1210, 1220 may be defined by the system controller 1204 and / or the network device 1218. For example, the system controller 1204 may receive a digital message including a trigger event from the network device 1218 to trigger an association mode at the system controller 1204. The digital message may be transmitted from the network device 1218 in response to actuation of a button (e.g., a zone configuration button) on the network device.

[0172] The area 1210 may include a location beacon transmission device 1219b for associating devices in the area 1210 with a unique identifier transmitted by the location beacon transmission device 1219b. The area 1220 may include a location beacon transmission device 1219a for associating devices in the area 1220 with a unique identifier transmitted by the location beacon transmission device 1219b. The network device 1218 may identify a device identifier transmitted in a control device beacon of a lighting fixture 1208 in the area 1210 and may store the device identifier together with the area identifier transmitted from the location beacon transmission device 1219b. The defined area 1210 may be sent to the system controller 1204 in area configuration information transmitted in a digital message. The defined area 1210 may be stored at the system controller 1204 together with the area identifier for controlling the identified area according to the area configuration information transmitted in the digital message. In another example, the network device 1218 can identify a device identifier in a control device beacon of the lighting fixture 1208 in the area 1210, and can send the device identifier to the system controller 1204 for defining the area 1210 (e.g., storing the device identifier together with an area identifier corresponding to the area 1210).

[0173] The system controller 1204 may receive an association message from a control source device during the association mode for associating the control source device with the lighting fixtures 1208 in the zones 1210, 1220. The occupancy sensors 1244a, 1244b and / or the remote control devices 1246a, 1246b may be control source devices that may be associated with the lighting fixtures 1208 in the zones 1210, 1220. For example, the network device 1218 may identify the lighting fixtures 1208 in the zone 1210 via a control device beacon transmitted via the RF communication signal 1215 and / or the VLC signal 1214. The network device 1218 may send a digital message to the system controller 1204 that identifies the lighting fixtures 1208 in the zone 1210. The system controller 1204 may associate the lighting fixtures 1208 in the identified zone 1210 with the occupancy sensors 1244b and / or the remote control devices 1246b located in the zone 1210.

[0174] The network device 1218 can identify the lighting fixtures 1208 in the area 1220 by a control device beacon transmitted via the RF communication signal 1215 and / or the VLC signal 1214. The network device 1218 can send a digital message to the system controller 1204, which identifies the lighting fixtures 1208 in the area 1220. The system controller 1204 can associate the lighting fixtures 1208 in the identified area 1220 with the occupancy sensor 1244a and / or the remote control device 1246a located in the area 1220. The system controller 1204 can control the lighting fixtures 1208 in the areas 1210, 1220 based on the digital message received from one or more control source devices and / or the lighting control configuration stored at the system controller 1204. The devices in the area can be stored with the area identifier. The digital message received from the control source device can include the area identifier of the area 1210, 1220 to be controlled, or the area identifier can be looked up by the system controller 1204 when the digital message is received from the associated control source device in the defined area.

[0175] The network device 1218 and / or the system controller 1204 may set other lighting control configurations based on the defined zones. For example, the network device 1218 and / or the system controller 1204 may set preset configurations, occupancy configurations, and / or timed scheduling configurations for the zones 1210, 1220. The system controller 1204 may receive a digital message identifying a preset from the remote control device 1246a, 1246b and / or the network device 1218, and may set the lighting level for the zones 1210, 1220 according to the identified preset configuration. The system controller 1204 may determine the zone 1210, 1220 from which the device is transmitting based on a device identifier or a zone identifier in the received digital message. The preset configuration may include the dimming level of the zone 1210, 1220 to be controlled and / or one or more of the zones 1210, 1220. Where the lighting fixtures 1208 in zones 1210 , 1220 are configured to directly receive digital messages (eg, via RF communication signals 1216 ), the lighting fixtures 1208 may respond to the digital messages according to the identified preset configuration stored on the lighting fixtures 1208 .

[0176] The system controller 1204 may receive digital messages identifying an occupied or vacant condition from the occupancy sensors 1244a, 1244b, and may control the lighting levels of the corresponding zones 1210, 1220 according to the stored occupancy configurations of the zones. The system controller 1204 may set the lighting levels of the zones 1210, 1220 according to the occupancy configurations corresponding to the occupied or vacant condition. The system controller 1204 may determine the zone 1210, 1220 from which the device is transmitting based on the device identifier or zone identifier in the received digital message. The lighting levels in the zones 1210, 1220 may be controlled using different occupancy configurations. In the event that the lighting fixtures 1208 in the zones 1210, 1220 are configured to directly receive the digital message (e.g., via the RF communication signal 1216), the lighting fixtures 1208 may respond to the digital message according to the occupancy configurations stored on the lighting fixtures 1208.

[0177] The lighting fixtures 1208 in zone 1220 may be configured to communicate with or connect to another system controller, or may be configured as another zone that is configured to communicate with or connect to system controller 1204. When the lighting fixtures 1208 in zone 1220 are configured to communicate with or connect to another system controller, network device 1218 may receive device identifiers of the lighting fixtures 1208 in zone 1210 from system controller 1204, and may receive device identifiers of the lighting fixtures 1208 in zone 1220 from another system controller. If the device identifier is not received from system controller 1204, network device 1218 may not be able to recognize or confirm the device identifier of the lighting control device of the lighting fixture 1208 in zone 1210.

[0178] Fig.13A and 13B A representative lighting control system 1300 is shown for configuring and / or controlling lighting fixtures using a VLC signal 1314. Fig.13A As shown, the lighting control system 1300 includes lighting fixtures 1308, one or more of which can transmit corresponding VLC signals 1314. The VLC signals 1314 can be received via the camera 1170 or other optical circuits at the network device 1318. The lighting fixtures 1308 can include a visible light sensor 1360 capable of detecting the VLC signals 1314 transmitted by the lighting fixtures 1308. The visible light sensor 1360 can include a light sensor, a camera, an infrared (IR) sensor, and / or another device for recognizing the VLC signals 1314.

[0179] The lighting control device of the lighting fixture 1308 can send and / or receive information on the communication link 1312. The lighting fixture 1308 can receive lighting control instructions and / or lighting control configuration instructions on the communication link 1312. The lighting fixture 1308 can control the corresponding lighting load in response to the lighting control instructions (e.g., turn on, turn off, increase the dimming level, decrease the dimming level, etc.). The lighting device 1308 can store the lighting control configuration instructions locally for controlling the lighting level according to the lighting control configuration instructions. For example, the lighting control configuration instructions may include preset configurations, zone configurations, occupancy configurations, and / or timed scheduling configurations that can be implemented by the lighting fixture 1308. The lighting fixture 1308 can receive lighting control instructions and / or lighting control configuration instructions from a system controller, a remote control device, and / or another control source device on the communication link 1312.

[0180] The lighting control device of lighting fixture 1308 may receive information via visible light sensor 1360. For example, the lighting control device of lighting fixture 1308 may discover a location beacon transmitted as a VLC signal from location beacon transmission device 1319. The lighting control device may be associated with a unique identifier in the location beacon. The lighting control device of lighting fixture 1308 may also or alternatively discover control device beacons transmitted via visible light communication 1314 by other lighting fixtures and may associate the lighting control device with the unique identifier in the location beacon.

[0181] Lighting fixture 1308 may use visible light sensor 1360 to identify associated information transmitted from VLC signal 1314 of other lighting fixtures. Visible light fixture 1308 may transmit a device identifier (e.g., a serial number, a link address, etc.) using VLC signal 1314. Visible light fixture 1308 may transmit a device identifier on VLC signal 1314 in response to a triggering event, which may be received on communication link 1312 (e.g., from a system controller, a remote control device, and / or another control source device) and / or received via visible light sensor 1360. A triggering event may be identified from VLC signal 1314 of another lighting fixture, from network device 1318 (e.g., via a blinking visual display or camera flash), from an IR signal received from another device, or from another visible light trigger.

[0182] A visible light sensor 1360 at a lighting fixture 1308 can identify VLC signals 1314 of lighting fixtures within the visible light sensor range. A visible light sensor 1360 on a lighting fixture 1308 can identify VLC signals 1314 of lighting fixtures adjacent to the lighting fixture. VLC signals 1314 below a signal strength (e.g., RSSI) threshold can be discarded when received at a lighting fixture, so that the lighting fixture 1308 is associated with devices within a defined threshold signal strength. The lighting fixtures 1308 can associate themselves with other lighting fixtures by storing their identified device identifiers and / or link addresses in a memory. The lighting fixture 1308 can be associated with other lighting fixtures that can be identified by the VLC signal 1314, so that devices in the same room or visual space can be associated. Lighting fixtures 1308 in other rooms or lighting fixtures 1308 that otherwise transmit VLC signals 1314 outside the visible light space of the visible light sensor 1360 may not be associated. The associated lighting fixtures 1308 may be controlled (eg, similarly controlled). The lighting fixtures 1308 may send the associated information over the communication link 1312 (eg, to a system controller and / or another device) for storage.

[0183] The lighting control device of lighting fixture 1308 may discover a location beacon transmitted from location beacon transmission device 1319 via RF communication signal 1315. The lighting control device may be associated with a unique identifier in the location beacon. The lighting control device of lighting fixture 1308 may also or alternatively discover control device beacons transmitted by other lighting fixtures via RF communication signal 1315 and may associate the lighting control device with the unique identifier in the location beacon.

[0184] The lighting control device of the lighting fixture 1308 can identify the RF communication signal 1315 of the lighting fixture within a predefined range of the communication circuit (e.g., transceiver) that receives the RF communication. The lighting control device of one or more lighting fixtures 1308 can associate the lighting fixtures in the RF communication signal 1315 that is above the signal strength (e.g., RSSI) threshold. The lighting fixtures 1308 can associate themselves with other lighting fixtures by storing the device identifiers of the identified other lighting fixtures in the memory. The lighting fixture 1308 can be associated with other lighting fixtures - the other lighting fixtures are associated with the unique identifier in the location beacon transmitted by the location beacon transmission device 1319, so that devices in the same location can be associated.

[0185] The lighting control device of lighting fixture 1308 may receive the lighting control instructions and / or lighting control configuration instructions via visible light sensor 1360. The lighting control instructions and / or lighting control configuration instructions may be received from network device 1318. Network device 1318 may transmit the lighting control instructions and / or lighting control configuration instructions by flashing (e.g., modulating) a visual display 1362 and / or a camera on network device 1318.

[0186] The network device 1318 may transmit the association information by flashing (e.g., modulating) a visual display and / or camera on the network device 1318. The association information may include device identifiers of the associated lighting fixtures 1308 in the lighting control system 1300. The associated devices may be stored at the lighting fixtures 1308 to be controlled (e.g., similarly controlled). The associated lighting fixtures 1308 may be controlled according to the same lighting control instructions and / or lighting configuration instructions.

[0187] like Fig. 13B As shown, lighting control system 1350 includes lighting fixtures 1358, one or more of which can communicate via wireless communication signals. For example, lighting fixtures 1358 can communicate via RF communication signals 1316. Although lighting fixtures 1308 and lighting fixtures 1358 are Fig.13A and 13B , respectively, are shown as communicating using wired and wireless communications, but the lighting fixtures may be capable of communicating using wired and / or wireless communications.

[0188] The lighting control device of the lighting fixture 1358 may receive a digital message from a control source device (e.g., an occupancy sensor, a remote control device, a system controller, etc.) via the RF communication signal 1316. The digital message may include lighting control instructions and / or lighting control configuration instructions. The lighting fixture 1358 may have lighting control instructions and / or lighting configuration instructions stored thereon, and may control the lighting level according to the lighting control instructions and / or lighting configuration instructions in response to the digital message received via the RF communication signal 1316. For example, the digital message may include an occupancy condition or a vacancy condition received from the occupancy sensor, and the lighting fixture 1358 may change the dimming level according to the lighting control instructions and / or lighting control configuration instructions stored at the lighting fixture 1358. The digital message may include an identifier of the actuation of one or more buttons at the remote control, and the lighting fixture 1358 may change the dimming level according to the lighting control instructions and / or lighting control configuration instructions stored at the lighting fixture 1358. The lighting fixture 1358 may respond to a message from an associated device (e.g., having a device identifier stored thereon).

[0189] Visible light fixture 1358 may transmit a beacon via VLC signal 1316 and / or RF communication signal 1315 in response to a triggering event, which may be received on RF communication signal 1316 (e.g., from a system controller, a remote control device, an occupancy sensor, and / or another control source device). Lighting fixture 1358 may be associated with other lighting fixtures from which lighting fixture 1358 received a device identifier on VLC signal 1316 and / or RF communication signal 1316. Lighting fixture 1358 may be associated with other lighting fixtures having VLC signal 1316 and / or RF communication signal 1316 received with a corresponding signal strength (e.g., RSSI) above a threshold.

[0190] Fig.14 1400 as described herein. The network device 1400 may include control circuitry 1402 for controlling the functions of the network device 1400. The control circuitry 1402 may include one or more general purpose processors, special purpose processors, conventional processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), microprocessors, integrated circuits, programmable logic devices (PLDs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc. The control circuitry 1402 may perform signal encoding, data processing, power control, image processing, input / output processing, and / or any other functions that enable the network device 1400 to perform as described herein.

[0191] The control circuit 1402 may store information in and / or retrieve information from the memory 1404. The memory 1404 may include non-removable memory and / or removable memory. The non-removable memory may include a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a hard disk, and / or any other type of non-removable memory storage device. The removable memory may include a subscriber identity module (SIM) card, a memory stick, a memory card (e.g., a digital camera memory card), and / or any other type of removable memory.

[0192] The network device 1400 may include a camera 1406 that may communicate with the control circuit 1402. The camera may include a digital camera or other optical device capable of generating images or videos (e.g., image sequences) captured using visible light at the network device 1400. The camera may include a light that can flash, modulate, or turn on / off in response to a signal received from the control circuit. Fig.14 A camera 1406 is shown in FIG. 1 , but the network device 1400 may include a visible light sensor, a light sensor, or other device capable of recognizing a VLC signal.

[0193] The network device 1400 may include wireless communication circuitry 1410 for wirelessly transmitting and / or receiving information. For example, the wireless communication circuitry 1410 may include an RF transceiver for transmitting and receiving RF communication signals via an antenna 1412, or other communication modules capable of performing wireless communication. The wireless communication circuitry 1410 may communicate with the control circuitry 1402 to transmit information to and / or from the control circuitry 1402. For example, the wireless communication circuitry 1410 may send information from the control circuitry 1402 via a network communication signal. The wireless communication circuitry 1410 may send information received via a network communication signal to the control circuitry 1402.

[0194] The control circuit 1402 may also communicate with the display 1408. The display may provide information to the user in the form of a graphical and / or textual display. The control circuit 1402 may signal the display 1408 or portions thereof to modulate or turn on / off to transmit information from the display 1408. The communication between the display 1408 and the control circuit 1402 may be two-way communication, as the display 1408 may include a touch screen module capable of receiving information from the user and providing such information to the control circuit 1402.

[0195] The network device 1400 may include an actuator 1416. The control circuit 1402 may receive user input in response to the actuator 1416. For example, the control circuit 1402 may be operable to receive a button press on the network device 1400 from a user for making a selection or performing other functions on the network device 1400.

[0196] The network device 1400 may include a microphone 1418. The control circuit 1402 may receive an audio signal via the microphone 1418.

[0197] One or more modules within the network device 1400 may be powered by a power supply 1414. For example, the power supply 1414 may include an AC power supply or a DC power supply. The power supply 1414 may generate a DC power supply voltage Vcc for powering the modules within the network device 1400.

[0198] Fig.151 is a block diagram of an example system controller 1500. The system controller 1500 may include a control circuit 1510, which may include one or more of a processor (e.g., a microprocessor), a microcontroller, a programmable logic device (PLD), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or any suitable processing device. The control circuit 1510 may perform signal encoding, data processing, image processing, power control, input / output processing, and / or any other functions that enable the system controller 1500 to perform as described herein. The system controller 1500 may include a network communication circuit 1512, which may be coupled to a network connector 1514 (e.g., an Ethernet jack), which may be adapted to connect to a wired digital communication link (e.g., an Ethernet communication link) to allow the control circuit 1510 to communicate with a network communication device on a network. The network communication circuit 1512 may be configured to wirelessly connect to a network, such as using WI-FI technology to transmit and / or receive network communication signals.

[0199] System controller 1510 may include wireless communication circuitry 1516, for example, including an RF transceiver coupled to an antenna for transmitting and / or receiving RF communication signals. Wireless communication circuitry 1516 may use a proprietary protocol (e.g., The control circuit 1510 may be coupled to the wireless communication circuit 1516 for transmitting digital messages via RF communication signals, for example, to control the load control device in response to digital messages received via the network communication circuit 1512. The control circuit 1510 may be configured to receive digital messages from the load control device and / or other control source devices, for example.

[0200] The control circuit 1510 may be responsive to the actuator 1520 to receive user input. For example, in response to actuation of the actuator 1520, the control circuit 1510 may be operable to associate the system controller 1500 with one or more devices of the load control system. The system controller 1500 may include additional actuators to which the control circuit 1510 may be responsive.

[0201] The control circuit 1510 may store information in and / or retrieve information from the memory 1518. The memory 1518 may include non-removable memory and / or removable memory for storing computer-readable media. The non-removable memory may include a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a hard disk, and / or any other type of non-removable memory storage device. The removable memory may include a subscriber identity module (SIM) card, a memory stick, a memory card (e.g., a digital camera memory card), and / or any other type of removable memory. The control circuit 1510 may access the memory 1518 to obtain executable instructions and / or other information that may be used by the system controller 1500. The control circuit 1510 may store device identifiers of devices associated with the system controller 1500 in the memory 1518. The control circuit 1510 may access instructions in the memory 1518 for transmitting instructions and / or performing other functions described herein.

[0202] The system controller 1500 may include a power supply 1524 for generating a DC supply voltage Vcc for powering the control circuit 1510, the network communication circuit 1512, the wireless communication circuit 1516, the memory 1518, the visual indicator 1522, and / or other circuits of the system controller 1500. The power supply 1524 may be coupled to a power connector 1526 (e.g., a USB port) for receiving a supply voltage (e.g., a DC voltage) and / or for drawing current from an external power source.

[0203] Fig.16 1600 is a block diagram illustrating an example load control device 1600. The load control device 1600 can be, for example, a control target device, such as a lighting control device. The load control device 1600 can be a dimmer switch, an electronic switch, an electronic ballast for a lamp, an LED driver for an LED light source, a plug-in load control device, a temperature control device (e.g., a thermostat), a motor drive unit for motorized window treatments, or other load control device. The load control device 1600 can include a communication circuit 1602. The communication circuit 1602 can include an RF receiver, an RF transceiver, or other communication module capable of performing wired and / or wireless communications. Wireless communications can be performed via an antenna 1616.

[0204] Communication circuit 1602 may communicate with control circuit 1604. Control circuit 1604 may include one or more general purpose processors, special purpose processors, conventional processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), microprocessors, integrated circuits, programmable logic devices (PLDs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc. Control circuit 1604 may perform signal encoding, data processing, power control, input / output processing, or any other function that enables load control device 1600 to perform as described herein.

[0205] The control circuit 1604 may store information in and / or retrieve information from the memory 1606. For example, the memory 1606 may maintain an associated device identifier of a device database, instructions for modulating the electrical load 1610 to transmit a VLC signal, and / or other executable instructions for executing as described herein. The memory 1606 may include non-removable memory and / or removable memory. The load control circuit 1608 may receive instructions from the control circuit 1604 and may control the electrical load 1610 based on the received instructions. For example, the control circuit 1604 may use the load control circuit 1608 to modulate the electrical load 1610 to transmit a VLC signal (e.g., transmit a beacon) according to the received instructions. The load control circuit 1608 may receive power via the hot connection 1612 and the neutral connection 1614, and may provide an amount of power to the electrical load 1610. The electrical load 1610 may include a lighting load or any other type of electrical load.

[0206] The control circuit 1604 may illuminate the visual indicator 1618 to provide feedback to the user. For example, the control circuit 1604 may flash or strobe the visual indicator 1618 to indicate a fault condition. The control circuit 1604 may be configured to illuminate the visual indicator 1618 in different colors to indicate different conditions or states of the system controller 1600. The visual indicator 1618 may be illuminated by, for example, one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs). As described herein, the visual indicator 1618 may be modulated to transmit visible light communications. The system controller 1600 may include more than one visual indicator.

[0207] Control circuit 1604 may receive information from visible light sensor 1620. Visible light sensor 1620 may detect VLC signals transmitted by other devices, such as network devices (e.g., camera flashes, display flashes, etc.) or other load control devices. Visible light sensor 1620 may include a light sensor, a camera, an infrared (IR) sensor, and / or another device for identifying VLC signals.

[0208] The control circuit 1604 may cause the beacon transmission circuit 1622 (eg, a short-range communication circuit) to transmit a beacon. For example, the beacon transmission circuit 1622 may transmit the beacon via an RF communication signal. The control circuit 1604 may receive an audio signal via a microphone 1624.

[0209] Although features and elements are described above in specific combinations, features or elements can be used alone or in combination with other features and elements. The methods described herein can be implemented in a computer program, software or firmware incorporated into a computer-readable medium for execution by a computer or processor. Examples of computer-readable media include electronic signals (transmitted via a wired or wireless connection) and computer-readable storage media. Examples of computer-readable storage media include, but are not limited to, read-only memories (ROMs), random access memories (RAMs), removable disks, and optical media such as CD-ROM disks and digital versatile disks (DVDs).

Claims

1. A load control system, comprising: a plurality of control devices, the plurality of control devices including a first load control device configured to control an amount of power provided to an electrical load, wherein each of the plurality of control devices comprises a beacon transmission circuit configured to transmit a control device beacon, wherein the control device beacon comprises an identifier associated with the corresponding control device; And wherein at least one control device among the plurality of control devices is configured as: receiving the control device beacon from each of the remaining plurality of control devices; For each of the remaining plurality of control devices, identifying a signal strength of a beacon received from the corresponding control device; and A respective identifier of each of the remaining plurality of control devices having a signal strength above a selection threshold is associated with the identifier of the first load control device.

2. A first control device for controlling the amount of power supplied to an electrical load, wherein: The first control device comprises: a beacon transmission circuit configured to transmit a control device beacon, wherein the control device beacon includes an identifier associated with the first control device; and A processor, the processor being configured to: receiving a plurality of beacon signals, each beacon signal of the plurality of beacon signals being transmitted by each respective control device of a plurality of control devices including the first control device, each beacon signal of the plurality of beacon signals including a respective identifier associated with the control device transmitting the same; for each of the plurality of beacon signals, identifying a corresponding received signal strength; and The identifiers of the control devices included in the plurality of control devices and having received signal strengths higher than a selection threshold are associated with the identifier of the first control device.

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