Load control device with capacitive touch surface

Abstract

A control device configured to be used in a load control system to control one or more electrical loads can include an actuating member having a front surface defining a touch-sensitive surface configured to detect point actuations along at least a portion of the front surface, a touch-sensitive circuit, and a control circuit. The touch-sensitive device can include one or more receive-only capacitive touchpads positioned behind the actuating member and arranged in a linear array adjacent to the touch-sensitive surface. The control circuit can be configured to operate using different filtering techniques based on a state / mode of the control device and / or based on whether a user is making fine adjustments or coarse adjustments based on a location of the user's point actuations along the touch-sensitive surface. For example, the control circuit can generate an output signal using light filtering / no filtering or using heavy filtering.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 892,469, filed August 27, 2019, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 028,968, filed May 22, 2020, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology

[0003] A load control system may include one or more electrical loads that a user may wish to control via a single load control device. These electrical loads may include, for example, lighting loads, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) units, power window covers or projection screens, humidity control units, audio systems or amplifiers, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, etc. Electrical loads may have advanced features. For example, a lighting load may be controlled to emit light of different intensities and / or colors in response to a user command. The electrical force delivered to the electrical load may be adjusted to an absolute level or a relative amount. Multiple electrical loads may be manipulated, allowing the creation of one or more presets or scenes (e.g., combinations of specific lighting conditions, temperature settings, speaker volume, etc.), and the user may expect the ability to browse presets or scenes and activate those suitable for a particular occasion. With conventional load control devices such as mechanical toggle switches, a user would not be able to perform any of the aforementioned functions, let alone multiple functions through a single device.

[0004] The limitations of traditional load control devices are at least partly caused by the actuation mechanisms used in them. More specifically, traditional load control devices are typically only capable of responding to simple user actions, such as moving a lever or pressing a button. Therefore, the number and / or type of control that can be applied through a load control device is limited. To meet the needs of advanced electrical loads, alternative user interface technologies are required, such as those capable of detecting human posture and translating that posture into control data (e.g., control signals) to control the electrical load. For example, these technologies can extend the capabilities of load control devices while enhancing their usability and aesthetic appeal.

[0005] Traditional load control devices may also lack the ability to provide users with visual feedback regarding the operation of the load control device and / or the electrical loads controlled by it. This capability is a crucial aspect of the user experience in advanced load control systems, where users can manipulate multiple operating parameters of electrical loads or control multiple electrical loads via a single control device. Providing feedback in these environments allows users to understand the status and / or modes of the control device and electrical loads, and helps them navigate the various functions of the control device. Summary of the Invention

[0006] A control device (configured to be used in a load control system to control one or more electrical loads external to the control device) can include an actuating member having a front surface defining a touch-sensitive surface (e.g., a capacitive touch surface) configured to detect a point actuation along at least a portion of the front surface, a touch-sensitive circuit, and a control circuit. The touch-sensitive device can include one or more receiving capacitive touch pads positioned behind the actuating member and arranged in a linear array adjacent to the touch-sensitive surface. The control circuit can be configured to determine a location of the point actuation along the touch-sensitive surface in response to the linear array of receiving capacitive touch pads. The control circuit can be configured to operate using different filtering techniques based on a state of the control device (e.g., whether the device is in an active touch mode or an inactive touch mode) and / or based on whether the location of the point actuation along the touch-sensitive surface indicates that the user is making a fine adjustment or a coarse adjustment. For example, the control circuit can generate an output signal using a first filtering technique (e.g., light filtering or no filtering) or using a second filtering technique (e.g., heavy filtering). In some examples, the first filtering technique includes a debounce algorithm having a first variable and the second filtering technique includes a debounce algorithm having a first variable.

[0007] The control circuit can be configured to determine not to generate the output signal using the first filtering technique when a change in location of the touch actuation is equal to or less than a threshold (e.g., a signal change threshold). For example, the control device can determine that a change in location of the point actuation along the touch-sensitive surface is less than or equal to a threshold and generate the output signal using the second filtering technique based on determining that the change in location that the point actuation falls within is less than or equal to the threshold. Further, the control circuit can be configured to generate the output signal using the second filtering technique in response to not detecting a touch actuation of the touch-sensitive device.

[0008] The output signal can be indicative of a location of the touch actuation along the touch-sensitive surface and can be used to control an amount of power delivered to the one or more electrical loads based on the location of the touch actuation. For example, the control device can include a load control circuit configured to control the amount of power delivered to the one or more electrical loads based on the output signal. Alternatively or additionally, the control device can include a communication circuit configured to transmit (e.g., wirelessly transmit) a message including a command to control the one or more electrical loads based on the output signal.

[0009] The control circuit can be configured to place a receive-only capacitive touchpad in an active state, for example, when a touch actuation along the location of the touch-sensitive surface adjacent to the receive-only capacitive touchpad. The control circuit can be configured to place a receive-only capacitive touchpad in an inactive state, for example, when there is no touch actuation at a location of the touch-sensitive surface adjacent to the receive-only capacitive touchpad. The control circuit can be configured to use the filtering technique with a first variable when at least one of the receive-only capacitive touchpads is in the active state, and configured to use the filtering technique with a second variable when none of the receive-only capacitive touchpads are in the active state.

[0010] The control circuit can be configured to operate in an active touch mode when at least one of the receive-only capacitive touchpads is in the active state, and operate in an inactive touch mode when all receive-only capacitive touchpads are in the inactive state.

[0011] The control circuit can be configured to perform a recalibration routine for the touch- sensitive device. In some examples, during the recalibration routine, the control circuit can be configured to determine one or more parameter values for the touch-sensitive device, configure the touch-sensitive device with new parameter values, and store the new parameter values into a memory. The control circuit can be configured to perform the recalibration routine in response to detecting a change in an internal temperature of the control device while in an inactive mode. The control circuit can be configured to disable a recalibration routine when the control circuit is in an active touch mode. After a reset, the control circuit can be configured to retrieve stored parameter values from the memory and configure the touch-sensitive device with the stored parameter values, for example, instead of performing the recalibration routine.

[0012] The control circuit can be configured to disable a recalibration routine when the control circuit is in an active touch mode, and enable the recalibration routine when the control circuit is in the inactive touch mode. In some examples, when the control circuit is in an active touch mode, the control circuit can be configured to measure an internal temperature of the control device, determine one or more new parameter values for the touch-sensitive device based on the internal temperature, and configure the touch-sensitive device with the one or more new parameter values. Further, in examples, when the control circuit is in an active touch mode, the control circuit can be configured to perform the recalibration routine in response to detecting a change in the internal temperature of the control device.

[0013] The touch sensitive device of the control device can be configured to detect touch actuations along the touch sensitive surface by detecting changes in capacitance of one or more of the receiving capacitive touch pads. The control circuit can be configured to detect changes in capacitance of a plurality of receiving capacitive touch pads. The control circuit can be configured to ignore touch actuations when the number of receiving capacitive touch pads whose capacitance changes exceeds a threshold.

[0014] In some examples, the control circuit is configured to use the output signal to determine a location of the touch actuation along the touch sensitive surface when an indication of a capacitance of at least one of the receiving capacitive touch pads exceeds a lower threshold and when the indication of the capacitance of all of the receiving capacitive touch pads does not exceed an upper threshold. The indication of the capacitance of a capacitive touch pad can be a received signal received from the capacitive touch pad or a count change of the capacitive touch pad. The control circuit can be configured to ignore touch actuations along the touch sensitive surface when the indication of the capacitance of one or more receiving capacitive touch pads exceeds the upper threshold. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 An example load control system including one or more example control devices is depicted.

[0016] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a control device that can be deployed as Figure 1 a dimmer switch and / or remote control device of the load control system shown in

[0017] Figure 3 is a front view of the control device of Figure 2

[0018] Figure 4 is a bottom cross-sectional view of the control device of Figure 2

[0019] Figure 5 is a front view of a capacitive touch printed circuit board of the control device of Figure 2

[0020] Figures 6 to 11 An example of a remote control device that can be installed in a load control system, such as a lighting control system, is depicted.

[0021] Figure 12A A simplified equivalent schematic diagram of an example control device that can be deployed as Figure 1 a load control device (e.g., a dimmer switch) of the load control system shown in

[0022] ​​​Figure 12B A simplified block diagram of an example touch sensitive device that can be deployed as a touch sensitive device of a load control device is shown. Figure 12A A simplified block diagram of an example touch sensitive device that can be deployed as a touch sensitive device of a load control device is shown.

[0023] Figure 13 A block diagram of an example control device of a remote control device 1200 that can be deployed as a load control device is shown. Figures 6 to 11 A block diagram of an example control device of a remote control device 1200 that can be deployed as a load control device is shown.

[0024] Figure 14A A flowchart of an example procedure 400 that can be executed by a control circuit of a control device to, for example, move a capacitive touchpad into or out of an active state is shown.

[0025] Figure 14B A flowchart of an example procedure 450 that can be executed by a control circuit of a control device to, for example, switch between an active touch mode and an inactive touch mode is shown.

[0026] Figure 15 A flowchart of an example procedure that can be executed by a control circuit of a load control device to reduce or prevent generation of an inadvertent touch event is shown.

[0027] Figure 16 A flowchart of an example procedure that can be executed by a control circuit of a load control device is shown.

[0028] Figure 17 A flowchart of an example procedure that can be executed by a control circuit of a load control device is shown.

[0029] Figure 18A A flowchart of an example procedure that can be executed by a control circuit of a load control device to recalibrate a parameter value of a touch sensitive device is shown.

[0030] Figure 18B A flowchart of an example procedure that can be executed by a control circuit of a load control device to retrieve a parameter value of a touch sensitive device is shown.

[0031] Figure 19 A flowchart of an example procedure that can be executed by a control circuit of a load control device to, for example, delay or disable recalibration of a touch sensitive device when switching between an active touch mode and an inactive touch mode is shown.

[0032] Figure 20 A flowchart of an example procedure that can be executed by a control circuit of a load control device to, for example, set a parameter value of a touch sensitive device in response to a temperature change when recalibration is disabled is shown.

[0033] Figure 21 A flowchart of an example procedure that can be executed by a control circuit of a load control device to avoid a multi-touch event is shown.

[0034] Figure 22 is a flowchart of an example procedure that can be executed by a control circuit of a load control device to ignore a noise event. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Figure 1 is a simplified block diagram of an example load control system. As shown, the load control system is configured as a lighting control system 100 for controlling one or more lighting loads, such as a lighting load 102 installed in a ceiling-mounted can light fixture 103 and a controllable lighting load 104 installed in a table lamp 105. Figure 1 The illustrated lighting loads 102, 104 can include different types of light sources (e.g., incandescent, fluorescent, and / or LED light sources). The lighting loads can have advanced features. For example, the lighting loads can be controlled to emit different intensities and / or colors of light in response to user commands. The amount of power delivered to the lighting loads can be adjusted to an absolute level or adjusted by a relative amount. The lighting control system 100 can be configured to control one or more of the lighting loads (e.g., and / or other electrical loads) in accordance with one or more configurable presets or scenes. These presets or scenes can correspond to, for example, predefined light intensities and / or colors, predefined entertainment settings (such as music selections and / or volume settings), predefined window treatments settings (such as positions of shades), predefined environmental settings (such as HVAC settings), or any combination thereof. The presets or scenes can correspond to one or more particular electrical loads (e.g., a bed lamp, a ceiling light, etc.) and / or one or more particular locations (e.g., a room, an entire house, etc.).

[0036] The lighting load 102 can be an example of a lighting load wired into a power control and / or delivery path of the lighting control system 100. Thus, the lighting load 102 can be controlled by a wall-mounted control device such as a dimmer switch. The lighting load 104 can be an example of a lighting load equipped with an integrated load control circuit and / or wireless communication capabilities, such that the lighting load can be controlled via a wireless control mechanism (e.g., by a remote control device).

[0037] The lighting control system 100 can include one or more control devices for controlling the lighting loads 102, 104 (e.g., controlling the amount of power delivered to the lighting loads). The lighting loads 102, 104 can be controlled substantially uniformly or individually. For example, the lighting loads can be zoned such that the lighting load 102 can be controlled by a first control device and the lighting load 104 can be controlled by a second control device. The control devices can be configured to turn the lighting loads 102, 104 on and off. The control devices can be configured to control the magnitude of the load current conducted through the lighting loads (e.g., to dim the lighting loads at low-end intensity levels L LE and high-end intensity levels LHE The control device can be configured to control the amount of power delivered to the lighting load to an absolute level (e.g., to a maximum allowable amount), or in a relative amount (e.g., to increase by 10% from a current level). The control device can be configured to control the color of the lighting load (e.g., by controlling the color temperature of the lighting load or by imposing full color control on the lighting load).

[0038] The control device can be configured to activate a preset associated with the lighting load 102, 104 (e.g., the preset can be associated with one or more predetermined settings of the lighting load, such as an intensity level of the lighting load and / or a color of the lighting load). The preset can be configured via the control device and / or via an external device (e.g., a mobile device) through a wireless communication circuit of the control device. The control device can be configured to activate control of a zone. The zone can correspond to one or more electrical loads configured to be controlled by the control device. The zone can be associated with a particular location (e.g., a living room) or multiple locations (e.g., an entire house with multiple rooms and hallways). The control device can be configured to switch between different operating modes. The operating modes can be associated with controlling different types of electrical loads or different operating aspects of one or more electrical loads. Examples of operating modes can include a lighting control mode for controlling one or more lighting loads (e.g., which in turn can include a color control mode and an intensity control mode), an entertainment system control mode (e.g., for controlling music selection and / or volume of an audio system), an HVAC system control mode, a winter treatment device control mode (e.g., for controlling one or more shades), etc.

[0039] One or more characteristics of the control device and / or the lighting load 102, 104 described herein can be customized via an advanced programming mode (APM). Such characteristics can include, for example, intensity levels associated with a preset, fade-up / fade-down times, enable / disable of visual indicators, low-end trim (e.g., a minimum intensity level to which the control device can set the lighting load 102, 104), high-end trim (e.g., a maximum intensity level to which the control device can set the lighting load 102, 104), etc. An example of an advanced programming mode for a wall-mounted load control device can be found in U.S. Patent No. 7,190,125, issued March 13, 2007, entitled “PROGRAMMABLE WALLBOX DIMMER,” the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. The control device can be manipulated in various ways to enter the advanced programming mode. For example, the control device can be moved to the advanced programming mode via a press-and-hold or double-click applied to a front region of the control device. Ways of activating the advanced programming mode of the control device will be described in greater detail below.

[0040] The control devices described herein can be, for example, a dimmer switch 110, a retrofit remote control device 112, a wall-mounted control device 114, a table-top remote control device 116, and / or a handheld remote control device 118, as shown in Figure 1 The dimmer switch 110 can be configured to be mounted to a standard electrical wallbox (e.g., via a yoke), and coupled in series electrical connection between an alternating current (AC) power source 105 and a lighting load (e.g., such as lighting load 102) wired into a control path of the dimmer switch 110. The dimmer switch 110 can receive an AC mains voltage V AC from the AC power source 105, and can generate a control signal for controlling the lighting load 102. The control signal can be generated by various phase control techniques (e.g., forward phase control dimming techniques or reverse phase control dimming techniques). The dimmer switch 110 can be configured to receive a wireless signal (e.g., from a remote control device) representing a command to control the lighting load 102, and generate a corresponding control signal for executing the command. Examples of wall-mounted dimmer switches are described in greater detail in Figure 13 and commonly-assigned U.S. Patent No. 8,664,881, entitled “TWO-WIRE DIMMER SWITCH FOR LOW-POWER LOADS,” issued March 4, 2014, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0041] The retrofit remote control device 112 can be configured to be mounted to a mechanical switch (e.g., toggle switch 122) that can pre-exist in the lighting control system 100. Such retrofit solutions can provide energy savings and / or advanced control features, e.g., without requiring extensive electrical rewiring and / or without requiring replacement of existing mechanical switches. As an example, a consumer can replace an existing light with a controllable lighting load 104, switch the toggle switch 122 coupled to the lighting load 104 to the on position, install the remote control device 112 onto the toggle switch 122, and associate the remote control device 112 with the lighting source 104. The retrofit remote control 112 can then be used to perform advanced functions (e.g., such as dimming the intensity level of the light output, changing the color of the light output, providing feedback to the user, etc.) that the toggle switch 122 can not be capable of performing. As shown, the toggle switch 122 is coupled (e.g., via a series electrical connection) between the AC power source 105 and an electrical outlet 120 into which the lighting load 104 can be plugged (e.g., as shown in Figure 1 Alternatively, the toggle switch 122 can be coupled between the AC power source 105 and one or more of the lighting loads 102, 104, without the electrical outlet 120.

[0042] The wall-mounted remote control device 114 can be configured to mount to a standard electrical wall box and electrically connect to the AC power source 105 to receive power. The wall-mounted remote control device 114 can be configured to receive user input and can generate and transmit control signals (e.g., control data such as digital messages) for controlling the lighting loads 102, 104 in response to the user input. The table-top remote control device 116 can be configured to rest on a surface (e.g., an end table or night stand) and can be powered by a direct current (DC) power source (e.g., a battery plugged into an electrical outlet or an external DC power supply). The table-top remote control device 116 can be configured to receive user input and can generate and transmit signals (e.g., digital messages) for controlling the lighting loads 102, 104 in response to the user input. The handheld remote control device 118 can be sized to fit in a user’s hand and can be powered by a direct current (DC) power source (e.g., a battery plugged into an electrical outlet or an external DC power supply). The handheld remote control device 118 can be configured to receive user input and can generate and transmit signals (e.g., digital messages) for controlling the lighting loads 102, 104 in response to the user input. Examples of battery-powered remote controls are described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Patent No. 8,330,638, issued December 11, 2012, entitled “WIRELESS BATTERY POWERED REMOTE CONTROL HAVING MULTIPLE MOUNTING MEANS,” the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0043] It will be appreciated that although the lighting control system having two lighting loads is provided above as an example, the load control system as described herein can include more or fewer lighting loads, other types of lighting loads, and / or other types of electrical loads that can be configured to be controlled by one or more control devices. For example, the load control system can include one or more of: a dimming ballast for driving a gas discharge lamp; an LED driver for driving an LED light source; a dimming circuit for controlling an intensity level of a lighting load; a screw-in lamp fixture including a dimmer circuit and an incandescent or halogen lamp; a screw-in lamp fixture including a ballast and a compact fluorescent lamp; a screw-in lamp fixture including an LED driver and an LED light source; an electronic switch, controllable circuit breaker, or other switching device for switching an appliance on and off; a plug-in control device, controllable electrical outlet, or controllable power strip for controlling one or more plug-in loads; a motor control unit for controlling a motor load such as a ceiling fan or an exhaust fan; a drive unit for controlling a motorized window treatment or projection screen; one or more motorized interior and / or exterior blinds; a thermostat for a heating and / or cooling system; a temperature control device for controlling a set point temperature of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system; an air conditioner; a compressor; an electric foot warmer controller; a controllable damper; a variable air volume controller; a fresh air intake controller; a ventilation controller; one or more hydraulic valves for a radiator and a radiant heating system; a humidity control unit; a humidifier; a dehumidifier; a water heater; a boiler controller; a pool pump; a refrigerator; a freezer; a television and / or computer monitor; a video camera; an audio system or amplifier; an elevator; a power supply; a generator; a charger such as an electric vehicle charger; an alternative energy controller; and the like.

[0044] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an example control device 200, and Figure 3is a front view of the example control device, which can be deployed as a dimmer switch 110 and / or a retrofit remote control device 112 in the lighting control system 100. The control device 200 can include a user interface 202 and a faceplate 204. The user interface 202 of the control device 200 can include an actuation member 210 configured to mount to a base portion 212 (e.g., bezel). The actuation member 210 can include a front surface 214 having an upper portion 216 and a lower portion 218. The actuation member 210 can be configured to pivot (e.g., about a central axis) in response to actuation of the upper portion 216 and the lower portion 218. The control device 200 can be configured to control a lighting load of the lighting control system 100 to turn the load on in response to actuation (e.g., tactile actuation) of the upper portion 216 and turn the load off in response to actuation (e.g., tactile actuation) of the lower portion 218. At least a portion of the front surface 214 of the actuation member 210 can also be configured as a touch-sensitive surface (e.g., a capacitive touch surface) configured to receive (e.g., detect) input (e.g., touch actuation) from a user of the control device 200, such as a point actuation or a gesture. The user interface 202 can also include a light bar 220 configured to be illuminated by one or more light sources (e.g., one or more LEDs) to visually display information. The control device 200 can be configured to adjust the amount of power delivered to a lighting load in response to a position of actuation (e.g., touch actuation) of the front surface 214 of the actuation member 210 that can be actuated along the light bar 220. When the control device 200 is a wall-mounted dimmer switch, the control device 200 can include a backshell 230 for housing load control circuitry of the dimmer switch. Examples of control devices having capacitive touch surfaces are described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Patent No. 10,109,181, issued October 23, 2018, entitled “GESTURE-BASED CONTROL DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING AN ELECTRICAL LOAD,” the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Although primarily described in the context of a capacitive touch surface, it should be appreciated that the control device 200 is not so limited, and in some examples, at least a portion of the front surface 214 of the actuation member 210 can be configured as a different type of touch-sensitive surface, such as a resistive touch surface, an inductive touch surface, a surface acoustic wave (SAW) touch surface, an infrared touch surface, an acoustic pulse touch surface, etc.

[0045] Figure 4 is a top cross-sectional view of the control device 200 taken through the center of the control device (e.g., through the line shown in Figure 3 is a top cross-sectional view of the control device 200 taken through the center of the control device (e.g., through the line shown in Figure 3 is a top cross-sectional view of the control device 200 taken through the center of the control device (e.g., through the line shown inFigure 4 The control device 200 can also include a light pipe 234 that can be configured to direct light from one or more light sources located inside the rear housing to the light bar 220. For example, the light sources can include one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted to a main printed circuit board (not shown) housed in the rear housing.

[0046] The control device 200 can also include a capacitive touch printed circuit board (PCB) 240. The capacitive touch PCB 240 can be located behind the actuating member 210 for detecting touch actuation of the front surface 214 of the actuating member 210. The capacitive touch PCB 240 can be located near (e.g., but not immediately behind) the light bar 220 for detecting actuation of the light bar 220 (e.g., and / or of the front surface 214 of the actuating member 210 adjacent to the light bar 220), as indicated by the dashed lines in Figure 3 The capacitive touch PCB 240 can not be located immediately behind the light bar 220 because the light pipe 234 extends from the LEDs in the rear housing to the light bar 220, as shown in Figure 4 The capacitive touch PCB 240 can include one or more receiving capacitive touch pads 242 (e.g., electrodes) for detecting touch actuation on or near the light bar 220. The control device 200 can be configured to detect the location of the touch actuation along the length of the light bar 220 in response to respective signals received from the one or more receiving capacitive touch pads 242, and to control the electrical load in accordance with the determined location.

[0047] Figure 5 is a front view of the capacitive touch PCB 240. As Figure 5As shown, the capacitive touch PCB 240 can include five receive-only capacitive touch pads 242 (e.g., capacitive touch zones A-E). The receive-only capacitive touch pads 242 can each be triangular and can be arranged in a linear array extending from a top to a bottom of the capacitive touch PCB 240 (e.g., on the right side of the capacitive touch PCB 240). For example, zones A and E of the receive-only capacitive touch pads 242 can be electrically coupled together. The linear array of receive-only capacitive touch pads 242 can extend along a longitudinal axis of the control device 200. Although shown as including five triangular capacitive touch pads 242, in other examples, the capacitive touch PCB 240 can include any number and / or shape of capacitive touch pads 242. The receive-only capacitive touch pads 242 can be configured according to a mutual capacitance sensing technique. The receive-only capacitive touch pads 242 can be surrounded by a transmission trace 244. The control device 200 can be configured to energize the transmission trace 244 to charge the receive-only capacitive touch pads 242, which can reduce the effect of other objects in the environment of the control device 200 on capacitive touch sensing.

[0048] In some examples, the capacitive touch PCB 240 can include four electrodes. For example, a first electrode can be located under zone B, a second electrode can be located under zone C, a third electrode can be located under zone D, and a fourth electrode can loop from zone A to zone E, partially under each zone (e.g., zone A can be electrically connected to zone E). In these examples, the control circuit (e.g., of the capacitive touch PCB 240) can detect a change in capacitance of the fourth electrode located under zones A and E, and can also detect a change in capacitance of the first electrode located under zone B or the third electrode located under zone D. If the control circuit detects a change in capacitance of both the first and fourth electrodes, the control circuit can determine that a user actuation occurred around zones A and B. Similarly, if the control circuit detects a change in capacitance of both the third and fourth electrodes, the control circuit can determine that a user actuation occurred around zones D and E. For example, in some examples, the control circuit can detect a location of a touch actuation along the front surface 214 of the control device 200 based on a ratio of a change in count CAP of one electrode to a change in count CAP of another electrode. For example, based on a change in count CAP of the fourth electrode (e.g., zones A and E) to a change in count CAPAt a ratio of 1 : 1, the control circuit can determine that the position of the touch actuation is between regions A and B. Finally, although described with reference to five regions and four electrodes, the capacitive touch PCB 240 can include any number of regions and / or electrodes, where the number of electrodes can be one less than the number of regions, or in some examples, equal to the number of regions.

[0049] Figures 6 to 11 Another example of a remote control device 1200 that can be installed in a load control system, such as a lighting control system, is depicted. For example, the remote control device 1200 can be installed in a lighting control system 100. Figure 1 The load control system can include a mechanical switch 1290 that can be in place prior to installation of the remote control device 1200, such as pre-existing in the load control system. As shown, the mechanical switch 1290 can be a standard decorative toggle switch. The load control system can also include one or more electrical loads, such as lighting loads. The mechanical switch 1290 can be coupled in series electrical connection between an alternating current (AC) power source and the one or more electrical loads.

[0050] The mechanical switch 1290 can include a toggle actuator 1292 that can be actuated to turn the one or more electrical loads on and / or off. The mechanical switch 1290 can include a bezel 1293 that surrounds the toggle actuator 1292. An upper portion of the toggle actuator 1292 can protrude from the bezel 1293 (e.g., along a first orientation) when the electrical loads are off, and a lower portion of the toggle actuator 1292 can protrude from the bezel 1293 when the electrical loads are on, or vice versa. The mechanical switch 1290 can include a yoke (not shown) that enables the mechanical switch 1290 to be installed to a structure. For example, the yoke can be fastened to a single-gang wall box that is installed in an opening of a structure (e.g., such as a wall, ceiling, etc.). As shown, a faceplate 1296 can be secured to the mechanical switch 1290, such as to the yoke. The faceplate 1296 can define a front surface 1261 and an opposing back surface 1263. The front surface 1261 can alternatively be referred to as an outer surface of the faceplate 1296, while the back surface 1263 can also alternatively be referred to as an inner surface of the faceplate 1296. The faceplate 1296 can be made of any suitable material, such as plastic. The remote control device 1200 can be configured to be installed over the toggle actuator 1292 of the mechanical switch 1290 (e.g., to the toggle actuator 1292, the bezel 1293, and / or the faceplate 1296).

[0051] The remote control device 1200 can include a base 1220 and a control unit 1230 (e.g., a control module). The control unit 1230 can be mounted to the base 1220. For example, the base 1220 can be configured to attach the remote control device 1200 to the mechanical switch 1290. The remote control device 1200 can also include a spacer 1210, which can be a gasket and can be configured to compensate for mechanical switches having rocker actuators 1292 that protrude from the bezel 1293 with a greater length. The control unit 1230 can be mounted to the base 1220 with or without the spacer 1210. When the spacer 1210 is used, the spacer 1210 can be attached to the base 1220 and the control unit 1230 can be attached to the spacer 1210.

[0052] The base 1220 can alternatively be referred to as a base portion, a mounting frame, or a mounting assembly. The control unit 1230 and the base 1220 can be configured such that the control unit 1230 can be removably attached to the base 1220. The base 1220 can be mounted over (e.g., attached to) the rocker actuators 1292 of the mechanical switch 1290 without removing the faceplate 1296. In this regard, the remote control device 1200 can be mounted over an already installed mechanical switch, such as the mechanical switch 1290, without requiring removal of the faceplate 1296 and / or performing any electrical rewiring of the mechanical switch 1290. For example, the base 1220 can be attached to the bezel 1293 of the mechanical switch 1290 using an adhesive 1205. The adhesive 1205 can be configured to secure the base 1220 to the bezel 1293.

[0053] As shown, the base 1220 can define a frame 1221. The frame 1221 can define a primary attachment tab 1222. The primary attachment tab 1222 can be configured to releasably secure the control unit 1230 to the base 1220. The primary attachment tab 1222 can be configured to engage the control unit 1230 (e.g., a complementary structure of the control unit 1230). The frame 1221 can further define an aperture 1224. The aperture 1224 can be configured to engage the spacer 1210 (e.g., a complementary structure of the spacer 1210).

[0054] The spacer 1210 can define an auxiliary attachment tab 1212. The auxiliary attachment tab 1212 can be configured to engage the control unit 1230 (e.g., a complementary structure of the control unit 1230). The spacer 1210 can define a primary catch 1214. The primary catch 1214 can be configured to engage the primary attachment tab 1222 of the base 1220. For example, the primary catch 1214 can releasably secure with the primary attachment tab 1222 of the base 1220 such that the spacer 1210 can releasably attach to the base 1220. The spacer 1210 can define a clamp 1216. The clamp 1216 can be configured to engage the base 1220 when the spacer 1210 is attached to the base 1220. For example, the clamp 1216 can be configured to secure the spacer 1210 to the base 1220. The spacer 1210 can define a pin 1218. The pin 1218 can be configured to align and / or maintain alignment between the spacer 1210 and the base 1220. The pin 1218 can extend from a perimeter of the spacer 1210. The pin 1218 can be configured to be received by the base 1220 (e.g., a complementary structure of the base 1220). For example, the pin 1218 can be received by the hole 1224 when the spacer 1210 is attached to the base 1220.

[0055] The control unit 1230 can include a user interface including an actuation member 1232, a housing 1234, and a battery holder 1270. For example, the actuation member 1232 can be attached to the housing 1234. The housing 1234 can define an upper wall 1241, a lower wall 1242, and opposing side walls 1243. The upper wall 1241, the lower wall 1242, and the side walls 1243 of the housing 1234 can extend from respective edges of the actuation member 1232 (e.g., from a perimeter defined by the actuation member 1232). The housing 1234 can define a primary catch 1252 and / or an auxiliary catch 1254. For example, the upper wall 1241 and the lower wall 1242 can define the primary catch 1252 and / or the auxiliary catch 1254. The control unit 1230 can attach to the base 1220 using the primary catch 1252 and / or to the spacer 1210 using the auxiliary catch 1254. The primary catch 1252 can be configured to engage the primary attachment tab 1222 of the base 1220. For example, the primary catch 1252 can engage the primary attachment tab 1222 of the base 1220 when the spacer 1210 is not used. The auxiliary catch 1254 can be configured to engage the auxiliary attachment tab 1212 of the spacer 1210. For example, the auxiliary catch 1254 can engage the auxiliary attachment tab 1212 of the spacer 1210 when the spacer 1210 is used.

[0056] The housing 1234 of the control unit 230 may include a pivot bar 1250. The pivot bar 1250 may extend between opposing sidewalls 1243 of the housing 1234. The pivot bar 1250 may be configured to receive a battery holder 1270. For example, the battery holder 1270 may be pivotally mounted to the pivot bar 1250. The battery holder 1270 may pivot about the pivot bar 1250 between a first position and a second position. The first position may correspond to the battery holder near the lower wall 1242 of the housing 1234, while the second position may correspond to the battery holder 1270 near the upper wall 1241 of the housing 1234.

[0057] Control unit 1230 may include a printed circuit board (PCB) 1244 (e.g., a flexible or rigid PCB). PCB 1244 may include a processor or controller and a touch-sensitive device (e.g., it may itself include a separate processor). Thus, in some examples, PCB 1244 may act as both a main PCB and a capacitive touch PCB (e.g., it may operate similarly to the main PCB 240 and capacitive touch PCB 260 of control device 200). Control unit 1230 may also include a light bar 1239 configured to be illuminated by one or more light sources 1237 (e.g., one or more LEDs). Light bar 1239 may be illuminated via a light guide film 1246 on PCB 1244. For example, the light source 1237 on PCB 1244 may illuminate light bar 1239 via light guide film 1246. Light bar 1239 may be illuminated to visually display information to a user of control unit 1230. The front surface 1235 of the actuating member 1232 can be actuated along the light strip 1239 to adjust the electrical force delivered to the lighting load according to the actuation position.

[0058] like Figures 6 to 11 As shown, the control unit 1230 may be rectangular in shape and extend between the upper wall 1241 and the lower wall 1242. It should be understood that the control unit 1230 is not limited to the shown rectangular geometry, and the control unit may alternatively be configured with other suitable geometries. Depending on the shown orientation of the control unit 1230, the upper wall 1241 may be referred to as the upper end of the control unit 1230, and the lower wall 1242 may be referred to as the lower end of the control unit 1230. The upper wall 1241 and lower wall 1242 of the control unit 1230 may also be referred to as the first end and the second end of the housing 1234, respectively. The control unit 1230 (e.g., housing 1234) may define a gap 1248 (…). Figure 11The void 1248 can be configured to receive the printed circuit board 1244 in the attached position. The void 1248 can be defined by an upper wall 1241, a lower wall 1242, and opposing side walls 1243. The void 248 can include an upper portion defined between the pivot strip 1250 and the upper wall 1241, and a lower portion defined between the pivot strip 1250 and the lower wall 1242. The housing 1234 can be made of any suitable material, such as plastic or metal.

[0059] The control unit 1230 can operate in a similar manner as the control device 200. However, the control unit 1230 can not include an internal load control device, but can be configured to transmit (e.g., wirelessly transmit) messages (e.g., digital messages) for controlling one or more electrical loads in response to actuation of the actuating member 1232. For example, the actuating member 1232 can include a front surface 1235 having an upper portion 1236 and a lower portion 1238, and the control unit 1230 can be configured to control the electrical loads in response to actuation of the upper portion 1236 or the lower portion 1238 of the actuating member 1232. The actuating member 1232 can also receive user input that does not result in pivoting of the actuating member 1232. For example, the control unit 1230 can be configured to control the electrical loads in response to touch actuation along the front surface 1235 of the actuating member 1232.

[0060] The control unit 1230 (e.g., PCB 1244) can include mechanical switches, such as a first tactile switch 1245a and a second tactile switch 1245b configured to be actuated in response to actuation (e.g., tactile actuation) of the upper portion 1236 and the lower portion 1238, respectively, of the actuation member 1232 (e.g., to control turning on and off of a load). For example, the control unit 1230 can be configured to control a lighting load of the lighting control system 100 to turn on the load in response to actuation of the first tactile switch 1245a and to turn off the load in response to actuation of the second tactile switch 1245b (or vice versa). For example, the control device 1200 can be configured to turn on a lighting load to a previous intensity level (e.g., prior to the lighting load being previously turned off) or to a preset intensity level (e.g., a predetermined or locked preset intensity level) in response to tactile actuation of the upper portion 1236 of the actuation member 1232. Tactile actuation of the actuation member 1232 can cause one of the first tactile switch 1245a and the second tactile switch 1245b of the PCB 1244 to be actuated. For example, the control unit 1230 (e.g., the housing 1234) can define a first tab 1259a and a second tab 1259b. When the upper portion 1236 of the actuation member 1232 is actuated, the first tactile switch 1244a can move toward the first tab 1259a. Thus, actuation of the upper portion 1236 of the actuation member 1232 can cause the first tactile switch 1244i to move toward and contact the first tab 1259a. Similarly, when the lower portion 1238 of the actuation member 1232 is actuated, the second tactile switch 1244b can move toward the second tab 1259b. Thus, actuation of the lower portion 1238 of the actuation member 1232 can cause the second tactile switch 1244b to move toward and contact the second tab 1259b.

[0061] The actuating member 1232 can be configured to pivot in response to tactile actuation of the upper portion 1236 and the lower portion 1238. The actuating member 1232 can pivot about a lower axis in response to tactile actuation of the upper portion 1236 of the actuating member and about an upper axis in response to tactile actuation of the lower portion 1238 of the actuating member 1232 (e.g., as opposed to pivoting about a midpoint of the actuating member). For example, an upper wall 1241 of the housing 1234 can include first and second recesses (not shown), and a lower wall 1242 of the housing 1234 can include first and second recesses 1253a and 1253b, respectively. Further, the actuating portion 1232 can include first and second top notches 1231a and 1231b, respectively, and first and second bottom notches 1233a and 1233b, respectively. Accordingly, when the upper portion 1236 of the actuating member 1232 is actuated, the first and second bottom notches 1233a and 1233b of the actuating member 1232 can pivot about the first and second recesses 1253a and 1253b of the lower wall 1242, and the first tactile switch 1244a can move toward and contact the first tab 1259a. Similarly, when the lower portion 1238 of the actuating member 1232 is actuated, the first and second top notches 1231a and 1231b of the actuating member 1232 can pivot about the first and second recesses (not shown) of the upper wall 1241, and the second tactile switch 1244b can move toward and contact the second tab 1259b.

[0062] The actuating member 1232 can also receive user input that does not cause the actuating member 1232 to pivot. The control unit 1230 can be configured to control an electrical load in response to touch actuation along the front surface 1235 of the actuating member 1232. For example, at least a portion of the front surface 1235 of the actuating member 1232 can be configured as a touch-sensitive surface (e.g., a capacitive touch surface) configured to receive (e.g., detect) input (e.g., touch actuation / input) from a user of the control device 1200, such as a point actuation or a gesture. The touch-sensitive surface of the actuating member 1232 can be positioned adjacent to and / or overlapping the light bar 1239. For example, during a normal mode of operation of the control device 1200, the front surface 1232 of the actuating member 1232 can be actuated along the light bar 1239 (e.g., along the touch-sensitive surface) to adjust the amount of power delivered to a lighting load, and thus the intensity level of the lighting load, according to the location of the touch actuation, for example, from a low-end intensity level L LE and a high-end intensity level L HEmay be configured as different types of touch-sensitive surfaces, such as resistive touch surfaces, inductive touch surfaces, surface acoustic wave (SAW) touch surfaces, infrared touch surfaces, acoustic pulse touch surfaces, etc.

[0063] The control device 1200 can control the magnitude of the load current conducted through the lighting load based on a single discrete input along the touch- sensitive surface and / or based on a plurality of continuous inputs along the touch- sensitive surface. For example, a user can tap their finger at a location along the touch-sensitive surface, and in response, the control device 1200 can turn the lighting load on to a certain intensity level based on the location. As an example, if the lighting load is off, the control device 1200 can turn the lighting load on to a certain intensity level based on the location of the touch actuation along the touch- sensitive surface of the actuation member 1232. When the lighting load is on, the user can move (e.g., slide) their finger along the touch-sensitive surface, and in response, the control device 1200 can adjust (e.g., continuously control) the magnitude of the load current conducted through the lighting load based on the locations of the plurality of inputs along the touch-sensitive surface.

[0064] Furthermore, in the color control mode, the control device 1200 can control the color of the lighting load based on the location of the touch actuation along the touch- sensitive surface of the actuation member 1232 (e.g., by controlling the color temperature of the lighting load or by applying full color control to the lighting load). For example, the light bar 1239 can be configured to illuminate a spectrum of colors across the length of the light bar 1239 (e.g., spanning the entire visible color spectrum, a subset of the visible color spectrum, and / or a spectrum of light associated with the color temperature of a black body radiator). Accordingly, the control device 1200 can control the color of the lighting load based on the location of the touch actuation along the touch- sensitive surface and, in turn, control the corresponding color of that location on the light bar 1239.

[0065] PCB 1244 can be secured to actuating member 1232 and can be responsive to touch actuation, the PCB can include a capacitive touch panel that creates a touch sensitive surface on actuating member 1232. A front surface 1235 of actuating member 1232 of control unit 1230 can define a user interface configured to receive input, such as gestures, from a user of remote control device 1200. The user interface can be configured as a touch sensitive surface (e.g., a capacitive touch surface) configured to receive (e.g., detect) input, such as gestures, from a user of control unit 1230. For example, printed circuit board 1244 can include one or more capacitive touch areas or surfaces (e.g., similar to receiving capacitive touch panel 244 of capacitive touch PCB 240 mounted to control device 200). Printed circuit board 1244 can include one or more linear capacitive touch areas that face an inner surface of actuating member 1232 when printed circuit board 1244 is disposed in void 1248. Front surface 1235 of actuating member 1232 can be configured to detect touches along the x-axis, the y-axis, or both the x-axis and the y-axis. Accordingly, actuating member 1232, when actuated, can pivot to actuate one of first haptic switch 1244a or second haptic switch 1244b such that haptic actuation of actuating member 1232 can cause movement of PCB 1244.

[0066] Control unit 1230 can also include control circuitry (e.g., a processor, not shown) and wireless communication circuitry (e.g., an RF transceiver, not shown). Control unit 1230 can be configured to convert one or more inputs (e.g., user inputs) from the user interface into corresponding control signals that can be used to control load control devices of a load control system. The one or more inputs can be applied via touch or press of upper portion 1236 and / or lower portion 1238 of actuating member 1232. For example, the control circuitry can be configured to receive input signals (e.g., corresponding to user inputs) in response to actuation of upper portion 1236 and / or lower portion 1238 by a user of remote control device 1200. For example, the input signals received by the control circuitry can be corresponding control signals converted from control interface inputs. The control circuitry can be configured to generate commands that a user desires control unit 1230 to perform in response to input signals that result from actuation of upper portion 1236 and / or lower portion 1238. Control unit 1230 can be configured to cause the wireless communication circuitry to transmit one or more control signals that include the commands generated by the control circuitry.

[0067] The control circuit can be configured to cause the wireless communication circuit to transmit respective commands corresponding to inputs and / or gestures received by the upper portion 1236 and / or the lower portion 1238. For example, the remote control device 1200 can be operable to transmit wireless signals (e.g., radio frequency (RF) signals) to load control devices of a load control system, one or more electrical loads, and / or a central processor. During a configuration program of the load control system, the remote control device 1200 can be associated with the load control devices and the one or more electrical loads.

[0068] The control circuit can be configured to cause the wireless communication circuit to transmit respective commands corresponding to interpreted gestures received at the touch-sensitive surface. For example, the remote control device 1200 can be operable to transmit wireless signals (e.g., radio frequency (RF) signals) to load control devices of a load control system, one or more electrical loads, and / or a central processor. During a configuration program of the load control system, the remote control device 1200 can be associated with the load control devices and the one or more electrical loads.

[0069] The light bar 1239 of the control unit 1230 can be configured to provide a visual indication of commands emitted by the remote control device 1200. For example, the control circuit can be configured to indicate an amount of power being delivered to an electrical load by temporarily illuminating a number of LEDs corresponding to a desired amount of power (e.g., a desired dimming level of a lighting load) upon receiving a gesture indicative of a command to change the amount of power delivered to the electrical load, such as a command to dim a lighting load. In such examples, the control circuit can be configured to cause the LEDs to be illuminated simultaneously, sequentially with some or little overlap before fading out, or otherwise as desired. The control unit 1230 can be configured to be attached to the base 1220 with the light bar 1239 on a predetermined side of the control unit 1230 (e.g., the right side of the control unit as shown), for example so that the light bar 1239 can be illuminated to indicate the amount of power currently being delivered to an electrical load. The printed circuit board 1244 can define a bend 1247 so that the light source 1237 mounted thereon shines through the printed circuit board 1244 and the light guide film 1246 to the light bar 1239. Figure 7

[0070] The control unit 1230 as shown can be battery powered. A battery 1280 (e.g., a coin cell battery as shown) can be placed in electrical communication with circuitry mounted to the printed circuit board 1244, for example to power the capacitive touch areas, control circuit, wireless communication circuit, and / or other circuitry of the control unit 1230.

[0071] ​The control unit 1230 can be configured to receive a battery holder 1270. The battery holder 1270 can include a housing 1274, a retention clamp 1272, a positive battery contact 1281, and a negative battery contact 1282 (e.g., a back plate). The positive battery contact 1281 can be a positive electrical contact and the negative battery contact 1282 can be a negative electrical contact. For example, the positive battery contact 1281 and the negative battery contact 1282 can be connected to the housing 1274. The battery holder 1270 can be configured to hold a battery 1280 therein. The battery holder 1270 can define a cavity 1277. For example, the housing 1274 and the negative battery contact 1282 can define the cavity 1277. The negative battery contact 1282 can be configured to attach to the housing 1274. The negative battery contact 1282 can be configured to define a back surface of the cavity 1277. The cavity 1277 can be configured to receive the battery 1280. The retention clamp 1272 can be configured to secure the battery 1280 within the cavity 1277. The retention clamp 1272 can define a pivot clamp 1271 and a locking clamp 1273. The pivot clamp 1271 can pivotally mount the retention clamp 1272 to the battery holder 1270. For example, the retention clamp 1272 can pivot using the pivot clamp 1271. The locking clamp 1273 can be configured to secure the retention clamp 1272 to the housing 1274 such that the battery 1280 is held therein. The pivot clamp 1271 can include a retention tab 1279 that can hold the pivot clamp 1271 in the battery holder 1270 when the retention clamp 1272 is moved to an open position.

[0072] The battery holder 1270 can be configured to be mounted within a void 1248 defined by the control unit 1230 (e.g., the housing 1234). For example, the void 1248 can be configured to receive the battery holder 1270. The battery holder 1270 can be configured to hold a battery 1280 therein. The battery holder 1270 can include an attachment clamp 1276. The attachment clamp 1276 can be a c-shaped clamp (e.g., such as a right-angle c-shaped clamp). The attachment clamp 1276 can be configured to rotatably attach to a pivot bar 1250. For example, the attachment clamp 1276 can be configured to pivot about the pivot bar 1250, for example, when the battery holder is moved between a first position and a second position. The pivot bar 1250 can define a pivot axis. The battery holder 1270 can be configured to pivot about the pivot axis. The pivot axis can be located at a midpoint of the control unit 1230. Alternatively, the pivot bar 1250 can be a pin (e.g., a rod) and the battery holder 1270 can include a fully closed loop instead of the attachment clamp 1276. The pin can slide into the closed loop of the battery holder and then the end of the pin can attach to the housing 1234.

[0073] The battery holder 1270 can be configured to electrically connect the battery 1280 to the control unit 1230 (e.g., the printed circuit board 1244) to power the circuitry of the control unit 1230. The battery holder 1270 can be configured to maintain electrical contact between the battery 1280 and the printed circuit board 1244 when the battery holder 1270 is moved between the first position and the second position. For example, the positive battery contact 1281 and the negative battery contact 1282 of the battery holder 1270 can be configured to electrically connect to the positive terminal and the negative terminal, respectively, of the battery 1280 when the battery is received in the cavity 1277. The positive battery contact 1281 can operate as a spring biased toward the battery 1280 when the battery is received in the cavity 1277.

[0074] The control unit 1230 can include a flexible cable (not shown) that is attached (e.g., mechanically and electrically connected) to the printed circuit board 1244. The flexible cable can be attached (e.g., mechanically and electrically connected) to the battery holder 1270. The flexible cable can include at least two electrical conductors (not shown) for electrically connecting the circuitry of the control unit 1230 on the printed circuit board 1244 to the positive and negative terminals of the battery 1280. For example, a first one of the electrical conductors of the flexible cable can be electrically connected to the positive battery contact 1281, and a second one of the electrical conductors of the flexible cable can be electrically connected to the negative battery contact 1282. Alternatively, the retaining clip 1272 can operate as the positive battery contact of the battery holder 1270.

[0075] It should be appreciated that the electrical connection between the battery 1280 and the printed circuit board 1244 can be implemented in other ways. For example, the battery holder 1270 can abut a first post (not shown) on the control unit 1230 in the second position, and can abut a second post (not shown) on the control unit 1230 in the first position. The first post and the second post can be configured to provide the electrical connection between the battery 1280 and the printed circuit board 1244. The first post can be proximate the upper wall 1241, and the second post can be proximate the lower wall 1242.

[0076] The battery holder 1270 can be configured to adjust a position of the battery 1280 within the control unit 1230. For example, the position of the battery 1280 can be adjusted based on a position of the rocker actuator 1292 when power is being delivered to one or more electrical loads associated with the mechanical switch 1290. The battery holder 1270 can be operable between a first position and a second position. For example, the battery holder 1270 can be configured to pivot between the first position and the second position. The first position can be defined as the battery holder 1270 being proximate to the lower wall 1242 (e.g., a lower portion of the void 1248). For example, the battery holder 1270 can be in the lower portion of the void 1248 when the battery holder 1270 is in the first position. The second position can be defined as the battery holder 1270 being proximate to the upper wall 1241 (e.g., an upper portion of the void 1248). For example, the battery holder 1270 can be in the upper portion of the void 1248 when the battery holder 1270 is in the second position.

[0077] The control unit 1230 (e.g., the housing 1234) can define stops 1256a, 1256b in the upper and lower portions of the void 1248. The stops 1256a, 1256b can extend from the upper wall 1241 and the lower wall 1242 into the void 1248. The stops 1256a, 1256b can be configured to prevent the battery holder 1270 from pivoting beyond the first position and the second position, respectively. The stops 1256a, 1256b can be configured to prevent the battery holder 1270 from abutting the printed circuit board 1244. The stops 1256a, 1256b can be configured to snap into an outer edge 1257 of the housing 1274 of the battery holder 1270 when the battery holder 1270 is in the first position or the second position. The control unit 1230 can be configured to be attached to the base 1220 with the light bar 1239 on a predetermined side of the control unit (e.g., the right side of the control unit as shown), for example, such that the light bar 1239 can be illuminated to indicate an amount of power currently being delivered to the electrical loads. The control unit 1230 can be configured to be attached to the base 1220 with the light bar 1239 on a predetermined side of the control unit regardless of a position of the rocker actuator 1292 of the mechanical switch 1290 (e.g., whether the upper or lower portion of the rocker actuator 1292 protrudes from the bezel 1293). For example, the control unit 1230 can be configured such that the battery 1280 can pivot between the first position and the second position based on whether the upper or lower portion of the rocker actuator 1292 protrudes from the bezel 1293. Figure 10 The control unit 1230 can be configured to be attached to the base 1220 with the light bar 1239 on a predetermined side of the control unit regardless of a position of the rocker actuator 1292 of the mechanical switch 1290 (e.g., whether the upper or lower portion of the rocker actuator 1292 protrudes from the bezel 1293). For example, the control unit 1230 can be configured such that the battery 1280 can pivot between the first position and the second position based on whether the upper or lower portion of the rocker actuator 1292 protrudes from the bezel 1293.

[0078] The void 1248 of the control unit 1230 can be configured to receive a portion of the paddle actuator 1292 of the mechanical switch 1290 when the control unit 1230 is attached to the base 1220. The control unit 1230 can define separate portions of the void 1248, such as an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion can receive an upper portion of the paddle actuator 1292 and the lower portion can receive the battery holder 1270 when the mechanical switch 1290 is in a first orientation (e.g., when an upper portion of the paddle actuator 1292 protrudes from the bezel 1293). The lower portion can receive a portion of a lower portion of the paddle actuator 1292 and the upper portion can receive the battery holder 1270 when the mechanical switch 1290 is in a second orientation (e.g., when a lower portion of the paddle actuator 1292 protrudes from the bezel 1293).

[0079] In some installations, the control unit 1230 can not be offset a sufficient distance from the paddle actuator 1292 of the mechanical switch 1290 when the control unit 1230 is installed to the base 1220, and the control unit 1230 can even contact the paddle actuator 1292. In this case, the control unit 1230 can cause the paddle actuator 1292 of the mechanical switch 1290 to change from an on position to an off position when a user actuates the actuation member 1232. The control unit 1230 (e.g., the housing 1234) can define a ledge in the upper and lower portions of the void 1248. The ledges can extend from opposing sidewalls 1243 into the void 1248. The ledges 1268 can contact the paddle actuator 1292 to indicate to an installer that the control unit 1230 can not be offset a sufficient distance from the paddle actuator 1292 when the control unit 1230 is installed onto the base 1220 during installation of the remote control device 1200. The installer can then install a spacer 1210 (or multiple spacers) onto the base 1220 to provide additional distance between the control unit 1230 and the paddle actuator 1292.

[0080] Figure 12A is a simplified block diagram of an example control device 300 (e.g., a dimmer switch) that can be deployed as, for example, the dimmer switch 110 and / or the control device 200 of the lighting control system 100. The control device 300 can include a hot terminal H that can be adapted to be coupled to an AC power source 302. The control device 300 can include a dimmed hot terminal DH that can be adapted to be coupled to an electrical load, such as a lighting load 304.

[0081] The control device 300 can include a controllable conductive device 310 coupled in series electrical connection between an AC power source 302 and a lighting load 304. The controllable conductive device 310 can control the power delivered to the lighting load. The controllable conductive device 310 can include a suitable type of bidirectional semiconductor switch such as a bidirectional triac, a field effect transistor (FET) in a rectifier bridge, two FETs in anti- series connection, or one or more insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs). An air gap switch 329 can be coupled in series with the controllable conductive device 310. The air gap switch 329 can open and close in response to actuation of an air gap actuator (e.g., not shown). When the air gap switch 329 is closed, the controllable conductive device 310 can be operable to conduct current to the load. When the air gap switch 329 is open, the lighting load 304 is disconnected from the AC power source 302.

[0082] The control device 300 can include a dimmer control circuit 314. The dimmer control circuit 314 can 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 controller or processing device. The dimmer control circuit 314 can be operably coupled to a control input of the controllable conductive device 310, e.g., via a gate drive circuit 312. The dimmer control circuit 314 can be used to render the controllable conductive device 310 conductive or non-conductive, e.g., to control the amount of power delivered to the lighting load 304. The dimmer control circuit 314 can be configured to control the magnitude of the load current conducted through one or more lighting loads in order to control the intensity level of the lighting load 304 across a dimming range between a low end intensity level L LE and a high end intensity level L HE The dimmer control circuit 314 can be configured to control the intensity level of the lighting load 304 to N LE ( e.g., 255) intensity levels between the low end intensity level L HE and the high end intensity level L INT The dimmer control circuit 314 can be configured to control the intensity level of the lighting load 304 to N

[0083] The control device 300 can include a wireless communication circuit 322. The wireless communication circuit 322 can include, for example, a radio frequency (RF) transceiver coupled to an antenna for transmitting and / or receiving RF signals. The wireless communication circuit 322 can also include an RF transmitter for transmitting RF signals, an RF receiver for receiving RF signals, or an IR transmitter and / or receiver for transmitting and / or receiving infrared (IR) signals. The wireless communication circuit 322 can be configured to transmit control signals including control data (e.g., digital messages) generated by the dimmer control circuit 314 to the lighting load 304. As described herein, the control data can be generated in response to a touch actuation (e.g., a point actuation or a gesture) to adjust one or more operational aspects of the lighting load 304. The control data can include commands and / or identification information (e.g., such as a unique identifier) associated with the control device 300. In addition to or instead of transmitting control signals to the lighting load 304, the wireless communication circuit 322 can be controlled to transmit control signals to a central controller of a lighting control system.

[0084] In addition, in some examples, the control device 300 can be an accessory control device. In such examples, the control device 300 can not include the controllably conductive device 310 or the drive circuit 312. As such, when the control device 300 does not include the controllably conductive device 310 and the drive circuit 312, the control device 300 can transmit control signals including control data (e.g., digital messages) generated by the dimmer control circuit 314 to an external device, such as a master dimmer, a system controller, or directly to the lighting load 304. For example, the control device 300 can transmit the digital messages wirelessly or via wired communication. The control device 300 can generate the digital messages in response to a touch actuation (e.g., a point actuation or a gesture) to adjust one or more operational aspects of the lighting load 304.

[0085] The dimmer control circuit 314 can be configured to illuminate a visual indicator 360 (e.g., an LED) to provide feedback on a status of the lighting load 304, to indicate a status of the control device 300, and / or to assist in control operations (e.g., to provide a color ramp for controlling a color of the lighting load 304, to present a backlit virtual button for preset, zone, or operational mode selection, etc.). The visual indicator 360 can be configured to illuminate a light bar (e.g., the light bar 220) and / or to function as an indicator of various conditions.

[0086] The dimmer control circuit 314 can receive control signals from the zero-crossing detector 316 representative of zero-crossings of the AC mains voltage of the AC power source 302. The dimmer control circuit 314 can be operable to use a phase control dimming technique to cause the controllably conductive device 310 to be turned on and / or turned off at a predetermined time relative to the zero-crossings of the AC waveform.

[0087] The control device 300 can include a memory 318. The memory 318 can be communicatively coupled to the dimmer control circuit 314 for storing and / or retrieving, for example, operational settings such as lighting presets and associated preset light intensities. The memory 318 can be implemented as an external integrated circuit (IC) or as an internal circuit of the dimmer control circuit 314. The control device 300 can include a power supply 320. The power supply 320 can generate a direct current (DC) supply voltage V CC for powering the dimmer control circuit 314 and other low voltage circuits of the control device 300. The power supply 320 can be coupled in parallel with the controllably conductive device 310. The power supply 320 can be operable to conduct a charging current through the lighting load 304 to generate the DC supply voltage V CC .

[0088] The dimmer control circuit 314 can be responsive to input received from the actuator 330 and / or the touch sensitive device 350. The dimmer control circuit 314 can control the controllably conductive device 310 to adjust the intensity level of the lighting load 304 in response to input received via the actuator 330 and / or the touch sensitive device 350. The dimmer control circuit 314 can receive a corresponding input signal from the actuator 330 in response to tactile actuation of the actuator 330 (e.g., in response to movement of the actuator 330). For example, the actuator 330 can be actuated in response to tactile actuation of the upper portion 216 and the lower portion 218 of the actuation member 210 of the control device 200. The touch sensitive device 350 can be configured to detect touch actuations (e.g., point actuations and / or gestures) and provide an output signal V OUT indicative of the detection to the dimmer control circuit 314. The dimmer control circuit 314 can be configured to convert signals received from the actuator 330 and / or the touch sensitive device 350 into control data (e.g., one or more control signals) and cause the control data to be transmitted to the lighting load 304 or a central controller of the load control system.

[0089] The touch-sensitive device 350 can include capacitive touch circuitry 352 and user interface control circuitry 354. The capacitive touch circuitry 352 can include one or more capacitive touch elements. For example, the capacitive touch circuitry 352 can include one or more capacitive touch pads, such as the receive capacitive touch pads 242 of the capacitive touch PCB 240 mounted to the control device 200. Additionally, the capacitive touch circuitry 352 can include one or more capacitive transmission traces on the capacitive touch PCB 240 of the control device 200, such as the transmission traces 244. The user interface control circuitry 354 can 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 controller or processing device. The user interface control circuitry 354 can include memory and / or can use the memory 318.

[0090] The user interface control circuitry 354 can be configured to determine or detect changes in capacitance of the capacitive touch pads of the capacitive touch circuitry 352 (e.g., due to a user’s finger actuating the front surface 214 of the actuating member 210) and generate an output signal V OUT in accordance with the changes in capacitance of the capacitive touch pads. For example, the user interface control circuitry 354 can receive one or more capacitive receive signals V RX-A to V RX-E from the capacitive touch pads of the capacitive touch circuitry 352 (e.g., from the areas A-E of the receive capacitive touch pads 242 mounted to the capacitive touch PCB 240 of the control device 200), where each capacitive receive signal V RX-A to V RX-E is indicative of the capacitance of the capacitive touch pad.

[0091] The user interface control circuitry 354 can be configured to determine a location of a touch actuation along the front surface of the actuating member (e.g., along the light bar) in response to the receive signals V RX-A to V RX-E generated by the receive capacitive touch pads. In response, the user interface control circuitry 354 can generate an output signal V OUT and provide it to the dimmer control circuitry 314. The output signal V OUT may be indicative of the location of the touch actuation along the front surface of the actuating member. The dimmer control circuitry 314 can be configured to convert the output signal V OUT to control data (e.g., one or more control signals) for controlling one or more electrical loads. For example, the dimmer control circuitry can cause the control data to be transmitted to the lighting load 304 or a central controller of the load control system.

[0092] The control device 300 and / or the touch-sensitive device 350 (e.g., the user interface control circuit 354) can be configured to operate in an active touch mode and an inactive touch mode. The control device 300 and / or the touch-sensitive device 350 can operate in the active touch mode when the actuation member is actuated, and the control device and / or the touch-sensitive device can operate in the inactive touch mode when the actuation member is not actuated. The control device 300 and / or the touch-sensitive device 350 can be configured to be more resistant to transient noise causing accidental touch events when operating in the inactive mode, and to provide faster response times while a user is interacting with the touch- sensitive surface on the actuation member when operating in the active touch mode (e.g., when providing feedback to the user through illumination of the visual indicator 360 and when controlling an electrical load in a load control system).

[0093] In some examples, a control device (e.g., the control device 300) can reduce power used by the control device when in the inactive touch mode (e.g., when the control device is a retrofit remote control device). When operating in the inactive touch mode, the dimmer control circuit 314 can reduce or turn off internal components of the control device 300. For example, the dimmer control circuit 314 can control the visual indicator 360 to a higher illumination level during the active touch mode than in the inactive touch mode. In addition, the dimmer control circuit 314 can cause the wireless communication circuit 322 of the control device 300 to use less power during the inactive touch mode (e.g., by reducing or eliminating communication intervals of the wireless communication circuit).

[0094] The user interface control circuit 354 can be configured to charge the capacitances of the capacitive touch pad of the capacitive touch circuit 352. For example, although not shown, the capacitive touch pad of the capacitive touch circuit 352 can be coupled to the user interface control circuit 354 via a capacitive transmission circuit (not shown) and / or a capacitive reception circuit (not shown). The user interface control circuit 354 can be configured to control the capacitive transmission circuit to charge the capacitances of the capacitive touch pad (e.g., the capacitive touch pad 242) of the capacitive touch circuit 352. For example, the capacitive transmission circuit can be configured to pull up the transmission traces (e.g., the transmission traces 244) of the capacitive touch circuit 352 toward the supply voltage V CC to charge the capacitances of the capacitive touch pad.

[0095] Figure 12B A simplified block diagram of an example touch-sensitive device is shown that can be deployed as Figure 12AThe touch-sensitive device 350 of the load control device 300 shown in FIG. 6. The user interface control circuit 354 can include an output module 356, a filter module 357, and a position detection module 358. The position detection module 358 can receive the capacitive receive signals V RX-A to V RX-E from the capacitive touch circuit 352 and generate a lightly filtered output signal S LF (e.g., a digital signal). The lightly filtered output signal S LF may be indicative of a position of a touch actuation along the capacitive touch circuit 352 (e.g., along the touch-sensitive surface of the control device 300). For example, the position detection module 358 can use the capacitive receive signals V RX-A to V RX-E to determine a position of a touch actuation along the capacitive touch circuit 352 (e.g., along the touch-sensitive surface of the control device 300) and generate a signal indicative of the position. The position detection module 358 can be configured to adjust the values of the lightly filtered output signal S LF to N VAL (e.g., 255) different values. For example, since the dimmer control circuit 314 is configured to control the intensity level of the lighting load 304 at N LE intensity levels between a low-end intensity level L HE and a high-end intensity level L INT , the position detection module 358 can adjust the number N LF of values to which the lightly filtered output signal S VAL is controlled to equal the number N INT .

[0096] In response to the capacitive receive signals V RX-A to V RX-E , the position detection module 358 can generate the lightly filtered output signal S LF representative of a position of a touch actuation along the touch-sensitive surface. In some examples, the position detection module 358 can apply fast filtering and / or filtering with a shorter time constant (e.g., a shorter response time to the capacitive receive signals V RX-A to V RX-E ) to generate the lightly filtered output signal S LF . Alternatively, the position detection module 358 can not apply any filtering in generating the lightly filtered output signal S RX-A in response to the capacitive receive signals V RX-E to V LF . As such, the lightly filtered output signal S LF may be a lightly filtered or unfiltered signal indicative of a position of a touch actuation along the touch-sensitive surface.

[0097] To determine the location of the touch actuation along the touch sensitive surface, the position detection module 358 can be configured to respond to the capacitive receive signals V RX-A to V RX-E and determine or detect a change in capacitance of the capacitive touch pads of the capacitive touch circuit 352 (e.g., due to a user’s finger actuating the front surface 214 of the actuation member 210). For example, the position detection module 358 can receive one or more capacitive receive signals V RX-A to V RX-E from the capacitive touch pads of the capacitive touch circuit 352 (e.g., from the regions A-E of the receive capacitive touch pads 242 mounted to the capacitive touch PCB 240 of the control device 200). The position detection module 358 can step through each of the capacitive touch pads of the capacitive touch circuit 352 and process the capacitive receive signals V RX-A to V RX-E to detect a change in capacitance of the respective capacitive touch pad. For example, the position detection module 358 can periodically charge the capacitance of each of the capacitive touch pads of the capacitive touch circuit 352 and then discharge the capacitance of the respective touch pad into a measurement capacitor (not shown). The measurement capacitor can have a much larger capacitance than the capacitance of each of the capacitive touch pads of the capacitive touch circuit 352, e.g., in some examples, the measurement capacitor can be 1,000 times the capacitance of each of the capacitive touch pads. The measurement capacitor can define a capacitance that can be adjusted by the user interface control circuit 354. The position detection module 358 can be configured to compare the voltage across the capacitor to a voltage threshold V TH to determine the location of the touch actuation along the touch sensitive surface. In some examples, the position detection module 358 can charge and discharge the capacitance of each capacitive touch pad a predetermined number of times (e.g., 500 times) during a sense interval (e.g., 500 usec) and then proceed to the next capacitive touch pad of the capacitive touch circuit 352.

[0098] The position detection module 358 can determine a count N CAP that indicates how many times the capacitance of the respective capacitive touch pad was charged and discharged during each sense interval before the voltage across the capacitor exceeded the voltage threshold V TH . The count N CAP may be indicative of the current capacitance of the respective capacitive touch pad of the capacitive touch circuit 352. The count N CAP of each of the capacitive touch pads of the capacitive touch circuit 352 can represent a sample of the current capacitance of the respective touch pad during a previous sense interval. The position detection module 358 can be configured to use the respective baseline count N BL of each of the capacitive touch pads of the capacitive touch circuit 352 to process the count N CAPTo determine the current capacitance of the corresponding touchpad in the capacitive touch circuit 352. When the light bar (e.g., light bar 220) is not actuated, the baseline count N is... BL The idle capacitance of each element in the capacitive touchpad can be indicated. The position detection module 358 can be configured to determine the corresponding baseline count N of each element in the capacitive touchpad of the capacitive touch circuit 352 when the front surface of the actuating member is not actuated. BL For example, baseline count N BL It can be determined by the position detection module 358 based on the capacitively received signal V. RX-A To V RX-E A definite count N CAP The long-term average.

[0099] The position detection module 358 can process a determined count N for each of the corresponding capacitive touchpads in the capacitive touch circuit 352. CAP To detect touch actuation of the actuating component (e.g., after each of the capacitive touchpad components in the capacitive touch circuit 352 is passed stepwise (e.g., after a round of capacitive sensing on the capacitive touchpad)). The position detection module 358 can be configured to determine the corresponding baseline count N by... BL The current count N of the corresponding capacitive touchpad CAP The difference between them determines the change in count Δ CAP (For example, it can indicate the capacitance of each of the capacitive touchpad components in the capacitive touch circuit 352), for example, Δ CAP =|N CAP –N BL The position detection module 358 can be configured to detect a change in the count Δ. CAP Exceeding the capacitance change threshold TH CAP When it is determined that the touch-sensitive surface (e.g., light strip 220) is being actuated, the capacitance change threshold can represent, for example, a capacitance change of 0.5% to 1%.

[0100] Position detection module 358 can be configured to determine the count change Δ of one of the capacitive touchpads. CAP Exceeding the capacitance change threshold TH CAP The number of times N TOUCH-IN (For example, the number of consecutive capacitive sensing rounds). When the number N TOUCH-IN Exceeding the touch entry threshold TH TOUCH-IN When at least one of the capacitive touchpads is active, the position detection module 358 can place (e.g., maintain) the capacitive touchpad in an active state. The position detection module 358 can be configured to cause the touch-sensitive device 350 to enter or remain in an active touch mode when at least one of the capacitive touchpads is active. When the capacitive touchpad is active, the position detection module 358 can be configured to determine a count change Δ of the capacitive touchpad.CAP no more than a capacitance change threshold TH CAP times N TOUCH-OUT (e.g., consecutive number of capacitive sense wheel counts). The position detection module 358 can be configured to cause the capacitive touchpad to exit an active state (e.g., and enter an inactive state) when the times N TOUCH-OUT exceed a touch exit threshold TH TOUCH-OUT . When all of the capacitive touchpads are in an inactive state, the position detection module 358 can be configured to cause the touch sensitive device 350 to exit the active touch mode.

[0101] While in the active touch mode, the position detection module 358 can be configured to determine a position of a touch actuation along the touch sensitive surface (e.g., light bar) in response to a ratio of count changes Δ CAP (e.g., in response to a received signal V RX-A to V RX-E generated by a receiving capacitive touchpad). For example, a ratio of the count change Δ CAP of region B to the count change Δ CAP of region C of the receiving capacitive touchpad 242 of the control device 200 can indicate that the position of the touch actuation along the light bar 220 is between regions B and C. In response to determining the position of the touch actuation along the touch sensitive surface, the position detection module 358 can generate a lightly filtered output signal S LF that can indicate the position of the touch actuation along the touch sensitive surface.

[0102] In some examples, the position detection module 358 can be configured with one or more filtering techniques to, for example, reduce or prevent generation of inadvertent touch events. An inadvertent touch event can be when the touch sensitive device 350 generates an output signal V OUT when a user does not make an actual touch actuation on the touch sensitive surface on the front surface of the actuation member. In some examples, although the position detection module 358 is configured with a debounce algorithm as a filtering technique, other filtering techniques can also be used. The debounce algorithm can allow for configuration of a debounce time that defines a number of consecutive samples (e.g., counts N CAP of one of the capacitive touchpads of the capacitive touch circuit 352 that the position detection module 358 must detect (e.g., during a consecutive sensing interval) before the position detection module 358 generates a lightly filtered output signal S LF (e.g., or before the touch sensitive device 350 generates an output signal V OUT and provides the output signal V OUT to the dimmer control circuit 314).

[0103] The longer dejitter time may require the position detection module 358 to generate a lightly filtered output signal S. LF Previously, a larger number of consecutive samples were detected. A longer debounce time allows for greater protection against transient noise that causes unintentional touch actuation, but also has the disadvantage of reducing the response time of the load control device 300 to actual touch actuation by the user. In other words, increasing the debounce time can increase the response time of the touch-sensitive device 350 to the generated output signal V. OUT And / or record the amount of time that must be spent touching the tactile surface of the actuating element before touch actuation. For example, a user might touch a tactile surface with their finger and then continue moving their finger along the surface to adjust the intensity level of the lighting load. However, with a longer debounce time, if the movement occurs too quickly, the tactile device 350 may not be able to record the entire movement along the tactile surface. Thus, if one of the capacitive touchpads does not record the user's touch, the response from the load control device may appear "unstable" (e.g., the load control device may record the movement as a "jump" from one intensity level (e.g., a low intensity level) to another intensity level (e.g., a high intensity level) without recording one or more intensity levels between the initial and final intensity levels). Therefore, the increased debounce time may result in the user having to move their finger along the tactile surface with slower motion if they want to receive smooth control or adjustment of the lighting load between intensity levels.

[0104] When using filtering techniques, such as a debounce algorithm, to address the generation of inadvertent touch events, the position detection module 358 can be configured with multiple different debounce times that are different based on the state and / or mode of the control device 300. For example, the position detection module 358 can be configured with different debounce times based on whether the touch-sensitive device 350 is in an active touch mode. When the touch-sensitive device 350 is not in an active touch mode (e.g., when the touch-sensitive device 350 is in an inactive touch mode), the position detection module 358 can be configured with a first debounce time (e.g., eight samples, or 80 milliseconds), and when the touch-sensitive device 350 is in an active touch mode, the position detection module can be configured with a second debounce time (e.g., two samples, or 20 milliseconds). In some examples, when the touch-sensitive device 350 is in an active touch mode, the position detection module 358 can turn off filtering techniques (e.g., such that the second debounce time is 0 milliseconds). Thus, by using more than one debounce time, the control device 300 can be more resistant to transient noise that results in inadvertent touch events (e.g., when in an inactive touch mode), while also providing faster response times while a user is interacting with the touch-sensitive surface on the actuating member (when in an active touch mode). For example, by using a shorter debounce time when in an active touch mode, the control device can provide feedback to the user more quickly through illumination of the visual indicator 360, and more quickly control the amount of power delivered to an electrical load in a load control system.

[0105] Although described with reference to a debounce algorithm, the position detection module 358 can incorporate any number of other filtering techniques, including a variety of techniques such as, but not limited to, a count filter and / or a long-term average filter. If one or more different filtering techniques are incorporated, the position detection module 358 can configure the filtering techniques differently depending on whether the touch-sensitive device 350 is in an active touch mode. For example, the position detection module 358 can configure the filtering techniques to have a longer time constant (e.g., a longer response time) when the touch-sensitive device 350 is not in an active touch mode than when the touch-sensitive device 350 is in an active touch mode.

[0106] The position detection module 358 can generate a lightly filtered output signal S LF that can be received by the output module 356 and the filter module 357 of the touch- sensitive device 350. The lightly filtered output signal S LF may indicate the position of a touch actuation along the capacitive touch circuit 352 (e.g., along the touch-sensitive surface of the control device 300). It should also be understood that the position detection module 358 can apply fast filtering or no filtering at all to generate the lightly filtered output signal S RX-A from V RX-E to VLF Thus, the lightly filtered output signal S LF may be a lightly filtered signal indicative of the position of a touch actuation along the touch sensitive surface, or the lightly filtered output signal S LF may be an unfiltered signal indicative of the position of a touch actuation along the touch sensitive surface.

[0107] The filter module 357 can comprise a digital filter, such as a digital low pass filter. The filter module 357 can filter the lightly filtered output signal S LF using heavy filtering (e.g. slower filtering and / or filtering with a longer time constant than the filtering performed by the position detection module 358) to generate a heavily filtered output signal S HF . The filter module 357 can provide the heavily filtered output signal S HF to the output module 356. Thus, the output module 356 can receive the lightly filtered output signal S LF and the heavily filtered output signal S HF .

[0108] The heavily filtered output signal S HF may also be indicative of the position of a touch actuation along the capacitive touch circuit 352 (e.g. along the touch sensitive surface of the control device 300), although the lightly filtered output signal S LF exists as a more heavily filtered version. For example, the lightly filtered output signal S LF may fluctuate or alternate between values more frequently than the heavily filtered output signal S HF . Thus, the instantaneous value of the lightly filtered output signal S LF may not be as accurate as the instantaneous value of the heavily filtered output signal S HF . However, since the filter module 357 performs filtering to generate the heavily filtered output signal S HF , changes in the position of a touch actuation can cause changes in the lightly filtered output signal S LF to be faster than changes in the heavily filtered output signal S HF . In some examples, the position detection module 358 can perform light filtering (e.g. a fast filter (e.g. an 8 sample average)) characterised by a short time constant to generate the lightly filtered output signal S RX-A in response to the capacitive receive signal V RX-E to V LF , while the filter module 357 can perform heavy filtering (e.g. a slow filter (e.g. a 32 sample average)) characterised by a long time constant to generate the heavily filtered output signal S HFIn other examples, in response to the capacitively received signal V RX-A To V RX-E The position detection module 358 may not perform filtering to generate a lightly filtered output signal S. LF The filter module 357 can perform heavy filtering to generate a heavily filtered output signal S. HF .

[0109] When controlling the electrical force delivered to an electrical load (e.g., the intensity level of a lighting load) based on touch actuation (e.g., point actuation) of a touch-sensitive surface, the control device 300 can be configured to balance accuracy and resolution with responsiveness. The position detection module 358 can be configured to respond to a capacitively received signal V. RX-A To V RX-E The output signal S after light filtering LF The value is adjusted to N between the top value (e.g., when the touch actuation is at the top of the light bar 220) and the bottom value (e.g., when the touch actuation is at the bottom of the light bar 220). VAL One of (e.g., 255) values. As a result, the touch-sensitive device 350 can define multiple touch portions along the touch-sensitive surface. For example, in some examples, the touch-sensitive device 350 can define 255 touch portions on the touch-sensitive surface, where each portion is approximately 8 mm in length. In contrast, the average human fingertip contact length on a touch-sensitive surface is approximately 50 mm. Furthermore, the force exerted by the user's finger on the touch-sensitive surface and / or the angle at which the user's finger contacts the touch-sensitive surface can affect the contact area for touch actuation. The contrast between the relatively small size of each touch portion and the large contact area of ​​the user's finger can make it difficult for the touch-sensitive device 350 to respond highly to changes in the position of touch actuation while simultaneously being less susceptible to slight movements of the user's finger (e.g., accurate at high resolution). The touch-sensitive device 350 can use one or more filtering techniques to, for example, find a balance between accuracy / resolution and responsiveness.

[0110] Output module 356 can determine multiple consecutive touch actuations (e.g., point actuations) within a predetermined time period (e.g., a lightly filtered output signal S). LF The value of the output signal (indicating whether a large adjustment or a fine adjustment has occurred due to touch actuation along the touch-sensitive surface) indicates whether a large adjustment or a fine adjustment has occurred, and in response, a light filtering or a heavy filtering technique is used respectively. For example, the output module 356 can use a lightly filtered output signal S based on whether a large adjustment or a fine adjustment is occurring. LF Or the heavily filtered output signal S HF To generate the output signal V OUT For example, output module 356 can use a lightly filtered output signal S in response to determining a large adjustment of multiple consecutive actuation indications along the touch-sensitive surface.LF and generate an output signal V OUT ( e.g., set the output signal V OUT as a lightly filtered output signal S LF ). And the output module 356 can use the lightly filtered output signal S HF to generate an output signal V OUT ( e.g., set the output signal V OUT as a heavily filtered output signal S HF ). Thus, the control device 300 can adjust the amount of power delivered to one or more electrical loads (e.g., control the intensity level of a lighting load) more quickly in response to point actuations across larger distances of the touch- sensitive surface (e.g., using the lightly filtered output signal S LF ) and control the amount of power delivered to one or more electrical loads (e.g., control the intensity level of a lighting load) more slowly in response to touch actuations across smaller distances (e.g., using the heavily filtered output signal S HF ). The control device 300 can be more sensitive to point actuations over larger distances of the touch- sensitive surface (e.g., using the lightly filtered output signal S LF ) and less sensitive to touch actuations over smaller distances (e.g., using the heavily filtered output signal S HF ).

[0111] The output module 356 can be configured to determine the location of the plurality of consecutive point actuations along the touch- sensitive surface using the lightly filtered output signal S LF . Next, the output module 356 can be configured to determine whether the location of the plurality of consecutive point actuations falls within a predetermined range. The predetermined range can be, for example, approximately 2% of the number N LE of intensity levels between the low end intensity level L HE and the high end intensity level L INT ( e.g., 255) (e.g., the predetermined range can be approximately 5 of the 255 touch portions along the touch- sensitive surface). For example, the output module 356 can be configured to determine whether the location of the plurality of consecutive point actuations falls within the predetermined range by determining the number N LF of most recent values of the lightly filtered output signal S SLF ( e.g., 30). The output module 356 can use a sliding window (e.g., approximately the last 30 samples and / or approximately the last 250 milliseconds of the lightly filtered output signal S LF ) to determine the number N LF of most recent values of the lightly filtered output signal S SLFThe output module 356 can determine a minimum value and a maximum value of the plurality of consecutive point actuations over the predetermined time period. For example, the output module 356 can determine the lightly filtered output signal S LF The minimum value and the maximum value in the values inside the sliding window (e.g., over a period of time, such as the last 250 milliseconds), and then determine whether the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value is less than or equal to a signal change threshold TH SIG For example, the signal change threshold TH SIG may be approximately 2% of the number N LF of values between the top value and the bottom value of the lightly filtered output signal S VAL (e.g., 255) (e.g., the predetermined range can be approximately 5). When the change in position of the point actuation on the capacitive touch circuit is within the predetermined range (e.g., when the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value is less than or equal to the signal change threshold TH SIG , the output module 356 can determine to generate the output signal V HF using the heavily filtered output signal S OUT . Also, the output module 356 can be configured to determine to generate the output signal V SIG using the lightly filtered output signal S LF when the change in position of the point actuation on the capacitive touch circuit (e.g., at least one of the minimum value or the maximum value) falls outside of the predetermined range (e.g., when the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value is greater than the signal change threshold TH OUT .

[0112] Alternatively, in some examples, in response to determining that a fine adjustment is occurring along the touch sensitive surface, the touch sensitive device can be configured to change the filtering properties of the filter module 357 to alter the properties of the heavily filtered output signal S HF based on the level of adjustment occurring along the touch sensitive surface (e.g., based on the degree of fine or coarse adjustment that is occurring) and use the heavily filtered output signal S HF to generate the output signal V OUT . This solution can allow the user interface control circuit 352 to dynamically adjust the filtering performed on the lightly filtered output signal S LF based on the degree of adjustment being performed by the user.

[0113] When the output module 356 generates the output signal V LF using the lightly filtered output signal S OUTIn this case, the dimmer control circuit 314 can be configured to adjust the power supplied to the electrical load (e.g., the intensity level of the lighting load) in large or incremental increments. Therefore, the dimmer control circuit 314 can be configured to respond to receiving an output signal V indicating a large or significant movement of a user's finger across the touch-sensitive surface. OUT (For example, based on the lightly filtered output signal S) LF The generated output signal V OUT This adjusts the power supplied to the electrical load (e.g., the intensity level of a lighting load) by large increments or significant changes. Conversely, when the output module 356 uses a heavily filtered output signal S... HF To generate the output signal V OUT In this case, the dimmer control circuit 314 can be configured to adjust the power supplied to the electrical load (e.g., the intensity level of the lighting load) in minute or small increments. Therefore, the dimmer control circuit 314 can be configured to respond to receiving an output signal V indicative of a minute or small movement of a user's finger across the touch-sensitive surface. OUT (For example, based on the heavily filtered output signal S) HF The generated output signal V OUT And adjust the power supplied to electrical loads (e.g., the intensity level of lighting loads) in minute or small increments.

[0114] Although described as being performed by output module 356, filter module 357, and / or position detection module 358, for example, in cases where user interface control circuit 354 does not include one or more of output module 356, filter module 357, or position detection module 358, any of the actions described above can be performed by user interface control circuit 354. Furthermore, it should be understood that in response to receiving output signal V... OUT The dimmer control circuit 314 can be configured to respond to the output signal V OUT The controllable conductive device 310 and / or can be configured to transmit an indication output signal V via communication circuit 322. OUT The message is transmitted to another load control device, lighting device, and / or system controller.

[0115] Finally, it should be appreciated that although described with reference to the user interface control circuit 354 of the touch-sensitive device 350, the filtering techniques described herein can be performed by the dimmer control circuit 314. For example, the dimmer control circuit 314 can configure one or more of the filtering techniques with different variables based on whether the dimmer control circuit 314 and / or the touch-sensitive device 350 is in an active touch mode or an inactive touch mode, for example, to reduce or prevent the generation of inadvertent touch events. In addition, the dimmer control circuit 314 can perform separate intrinsic filtering that is separate and distinct from the filtering performed by the touch-sensitive device 350.

[0116] In addition, in some examples, the control device 300 can allow a user to set or adjust one or more of the filtering techniques using an advanced programming mode. For example, when in the advanced programming mode, the control device 300 can allow a user to adjust the filtering technique used in the active touch mode and / or in the inactive touch mode (e.g., switch between different types of filtering techniques, such as light and heavy filtering). Alternatively or additionally, when in the active touch mode and / or the inactive touch mode, the control device 300 can allow a user to adjust a variable for the filtering technique. Finally, in some examples, when the control device 300 is in the advanced programming mode, the control device 300 can allow a user to adjust one or more parameter values of the touch-sensitive device 350. These parameter values can include any combination of a voltage threshold V TH , a capacitance change threshold TH CAP , a touch in threshold TH TOUCH-IN , a touch out threshold TH TOUCH-OUT , a signal change threshold TH SIG , a coarse gain of the touch-sensitive device 350 (e.g., ui8CoarseGain), a fine gain of the touch-sensitive device 350 (e.g., ui8FineGain), and / or an offset such as an offset subtraction of the touch-sensitive device 350 (e.g., ui16Offset).

[0117] Although the control device 300 is described as a dimmer switch, in other examples, the control device 300 can be implemented as a retrofit remote control device, such as the retrofit remote control device 112 in the lighting control system 100. In such examples, Figure 12ASome components shown can be omitted from the control device 300. For example, if the control device 300 is implemented as a retrofitted remote control device, any combination of the hot terminal H and the dimmed hot terminal DH, the controllable conductive device 310, the drive circuit 312, the zero-crossing detector 316, and the air gap switch 329 can be omitted from the control device 300. Thus, when implemented as a retrofitted remote control device, the control device 300 may include a dimmer control circuit 314, a memory 318, a power supply 320, a wireless communication circuit 322, an actuator 330, a touch-sensitive device 350, and / or a visual indicator 360.

[0118] Figure 13 It can be deployed as Figures 6 to 11 A block diagram of an exemplary control device 1300 (e.g., a remote control device) of the remote control device 1200. Furthermore, it should be understood that the control device 1300 can be deployed as... Figure 1 The lighting control system 100 includes a remote control device 112, a wall-mounted remote control device 114, a desktop remote control device 116, and / or a handheld remote control device 118. The control device 1300 may include a control circuit 1310, one or more actuators 1312 (e.g., buttons and / or switches), a touch-sensitive device 1314, a wireless communication circuit 1316, one or more LEDs 1318, a memory 1320, and / or a battery 1322. The memory 1320 may be configured to store one or more operating parameters of the control device 1300 (e.g., pre-configured color scenes or preset light intensity levels). The battery 1322 may charge... Figure 13 One or more of the components shown provide power.

[0119] The actuator 1312 (e.g., a mechanical tactile switch) can be actuated in response to tactile actuation of one or more respective buttons of a control device (e.g., the actuation members 1232 of the remote control device 1200). The actuator 1312 can be configured to send a respective input signal to the control circuit 1310 in response to actuation of a button. The touch-sensitive device 1314 can be an example of the touch-sensitive device 350, and thus the touch-sensitive device 1314 can perform one or more of the functions described with reference to the touch-sensitive device 350. For example, the touch-sensitive device 1314 can include any combination of user interface control circuitry (e.g., such as the user interface control circuitry 354), output modules (e.g., such as the output module 356), filter modules (e.g., such as the filter module 357), position detection modules (e.g., such as the position detection module 358), and / or capacitive touch circuitry (e.g., such as the capacitive touch circuitry 352). Further, the control circuit 1310 can perform one or more of the functions described with reference to the dimmer control circuit 314 (e.g., excluding control of a drive circuit or performing zero-crossing detection). That is, the control device 1300 can not include an internal load control device, but the control circuit 1310 can be configured to transmit (e.g., wirelessly transmit) messages (e.g., digital messages) for controlling one or more electrical loads in response to tactile actuation and / or touch actuation of the actuation members.

[0120] The touch-sensitive device 1314 can include capacitive or resistive touch elements arranged behind, for example, the actuation members 1232 of the remote control device 1200. The touch-sensitive device 1314 can be responsive to touch actuation of, for example, a touch-sensitive surface of the actuation members 1232. The touch-sensitive device 1314 can be configured to detect touch actuation, such as point actuation and / or gestures (e.g., gestures can be implemented with or without physical contact with the touch-sensitive device 1314), and provide a respective output signal (e.g., such as the output signal V OUT ).

[0121] The control circuit 1310 can be configured to convert the input signals provided by the actuator 1312 and / or the output signals provided by the touch-sensitive device 1314 into control data (e.g., digital control signals) to control one or more electrical loads. The control circuit 1310 can cause the control data (e.g., digital control signals) to be transmitted to the electrical loads via the wireless communication circuit 1316. For example, the wireless communication circuit 1316 can transmit control signals including control data to one or more electrical loads or to a central controller of a related load control system. The control circuit 1310 can control the LEDs 1318 to illuminate a visual indicator (e.g., the light bar 1239 of the remote control device 1200) to provide feedback regarding various conditions.

[0122] It will be appreciated that the example remote control devices 1200 shown and described herein can provide a simple retrofit solution for existing switch control systems, and can simplify installation of a load control system or enhance an existing load control system installation. A load control system that integrates one or more remote control devices 1200 can provide energy savings and / or advanced control features, e.g., without requiring any electrical rewiring and / or without replacing any existing mechanical switches.

[0123] Figure 14A is a flowchart of an example program 400 that can be executed by a control circuit of a control device, e.g., a user interface control circuit 354 of a control device 300 and / or a user interface control circuit of a touch-sensitive device 1314. For example, a position detection module of a control circuit, e.g., a position detection module 358 of a user interface control circuit 354, can execute the program 400. The control circuit can include a touch-sensitive device that includes one or more of capacitive touchpads, and the control circuit can repeat the program 400 for each of the capacitive touchpads, e.g., regions A-E of a capacitive touch circuit 352. The control circuit can execute the program 400 to move a capacitive touchpad into or out of an active state. For example, the control circuit can execute the program 400 periodically, e.g., approximately every 8 milliseconds, at 410.

[0124] At 412, the control circuit can determine a count change ΔN of the current capacitive touchpad by determining a difference between a current count N CAP of the current capacitive touchpad of the capacitive touch circuit and a baseline count N BL . For example and as described above, the control circuit can be configured to determine a number N CAP of times the count change ΔN of the capacitive touchpad exceeds a capacitance change threshold TH CAP , e.g., consecutive number of capacitive sensing rounds, and when the number N CAP exceeds a touch-in threshold TH TOUCH-IN , the control circuit can place (e.g., or maintain) the capacitive touchpad in an active state. Similarly, when the capacitive touchpad is in an active state, the control circuit can be configured to determine a number N TOUCH-IN of times the count change ΔN of the capacitive touchpad does not exceed a capacitance change threshold TH TOUCH-IN , e.g., consecutive number of capacitive sensing rounds, and when the number N CAP exceeds a touch-out threshold TH CAP , the control circuit can cause the capacitive touchpad to exit the active state, e.g., enter an inactive state. TOUCH-OUT TOUCH-OUT TOUCH-OUT

[0125] ​​​At point 414, the control circuit can determine whether the capacitive touchpad is active. When the control circuit determines at point 414 that the current capacitive touchpad is not active, the control circuit can execute the touch entry procedure for the current capacitive touchpad at point 416. For example, the control circuit can execute the touch entry procedure for the current capacitive touchpad to determine the count change Δ of the current capacitive touchpad. CAP It has exceeded the capacitance change threshold TH CAP The number of times N TOUCH-IN .

[0126] At position 418, the control circuit can determine the number N determined at position 416 for the current capacitive touchpad. TOUCH-IN Has the touch entry threshold (TH) been exceeded? TOUCH-IN If the control circuit determines the number N for the current capacitive touchpad at point 418. TOUCH-IN Less than the touch entry threshold TH TOUCH-IN If the capacitive touchpad remains inactive, program 400 can exit. However, if the number of times N is applied to the capacitive touchpad at 418... TOUCH-IN Greater than or equal to the touch entry threshold TH TOUCH-IN Then the control circuit can put the capacitive touchpad into an active state, and program 400 can exit.

[0127] When the current capacitive touchpad is active at position 414, the control circuit can execute a touch exit procedure for the current capacitive touchpad at position 422. For example, the control circuit can execute a touch exit procedure for the current capacitive touchpad to determine the count change Δ of the current capacitive touchpad. CAP The capacitance change threshold TH was not exceeded. CAP The number of times N TOUCH-OUT For example, the control circuit can determine the count change Δ CAP Less than (for example, not exceeding) the current capacitive touchpad's capacitance change threshold TH CAP The number of times N TOUCH-OUT .

[0128] At position 424, the control circuit can determine the number N determined at position 422. TOUCH-OUT Has the current capacitive touchpad's touch exit threshold (TH) been exceeded? TOUCH-OUT If the control circuit determines the number of times N is applied to the current capacitive touchpad... TOUCH-OUT Greater than or equal to the touch exit threshold TH TOUCH-OUT Then the control circuit can remove the capacitive touchpad from the active state at 428. However, if the control circuit determines the number N for the capacitive touchpad at 424... TOUCH-OUT Less than the touch exit threshold TH TOUCH-OUTIf YES, then the capacitive touch pad can be placed in an active state and the procedure 400 can exit. As noted above, the control circuit can repeat the procedure 400 for each of the capacitive touch pads of the touch sensitive device, e.g., to determine and / or change the state of each of the capacitive touch pads.

[0129] Figure 14B is a flowchart of an example procedure 450 that can be performed by a control circuit of a control device, e.g., the user interface control circuit 354 of the control device 300 and / or the user interface control circuit of the touch sensitive device 1314, e.g., in response to actuation of a touch sensitive surface, e.g., actuation of the touch sensitive surface of the actuation member 210 along the light bar 220 and / or actuation of the touch sensitive surface of the actuation member 1232 along the light bar 1239. For example, a position detection module of the control circuit, e.g., the position detection module 358 of the user interface control circuit 354, can perform the procedure 400. The control circuit can perform the procedure 400 to switch between an active touch mode and an inactive touch mode and to perform a slider position engine in response to actuation of a touch sensitive surface when in the active touch mode. For example, the control circuit can periodically, e.g., approximately every 8 milliseconds, perform the procedure 400 at 452.

[0130] At 454, the control circuit can determine whether it is in the active touch mode or the inactive touch mode. If the control circuit is not in the active touch mode, e.g., is in the inactive touch mode, at 454, the control circuit can determine whether at least one of the capacitive touch pads of the touch sensitive device is in an active state at 456. In some examples, the capacitive touch pads can move between the active state and the inactive state using the procedure 400. If no capacitive touch pads are in the active state at 456, the procedure 450 can simply exit. In other words, if all of the capacitive touch pads are in the inactive state when the control circuit is in the inactive touch mode, the procedure 400 can exit. However, if the control circuit determines that at least one of the capacitive touch pads is in the active state at 456, the control circuit can enter the active touch mode at 458 and the procedure 400 can exit. For example, if the control circuit determines that the number N of times that a capacitive touch pad has been in the active state is greater than or equal to a touch entry threshold TH TOUCH-IN TOUCH-IN then the control circuit can place the capacitive touch pad in the active state. And, the control circuit need only have at least one of the capacitive touch pads in the active state to enter the active touch mode.

[0131] ​If the control circuit is in the active touch mode at 454, the control circuit can determine whether at least one of the capacitive touchpads is in an active state at 462. If no capacitive touchpads are in an active state at 462, the control device can exit the active touch mode at 466, and the routine 450 can exit. In other words, if all of the capacitive touchpads are in an inactive state while the control circuit is in the active touch mode, the control device can exit the active touch mode (e.g., enter the inactive touch mode) at 466, and the routine 450 can exit.

[0132] When the control circuit determines that at least one of the capacitive touchpads is in an active state at 462, the control circuit can execute a slider position engine at 464. The control circuit can execute the slider position engine at 464 to determine and update a position of the touch actuation, for example, based on one or more of the capacitive touchpads. For example, the slider position engine can be part of a position detection module of the control circuit (e.g., the position detection module 358 of the user interface control circuit 354). And the slider position engine can update an unfiltered or lightly filtered signal, such as the lightly filtered signal S LF After the control circuit executes the slider position engine at 464, the routine 450 can exit.

[0133] Figure 15 is a flowchart of an example routine 500 that can be executed by a control circuit of a load control device (e.g., the dimmer control circuit 314 and / or the user interface control circuit 354 of the control device 300, and / or the control circuit 1310 and / or the user interface control circuit of the touch-sensitive device 1314 of the remote control device 1300) to, for example, reduce or prevent the generation of an inadvertent touch event. For example, a position detection module of the control circuit (e.g., the position detection module 358 of the user interface control circuit 354) can execute the routine 500. At 510, the control circuit can be configured to periodically (e.g., every 5 milliseconds) execute the routine 500. For example, the control circuit can execute the routine 500 after executing the routine 400 shown. Figure 14B The routine 450 can be executed after the routine 400 shown.

[0134] At 512, the control circuit can determine whether the control circuit is in an active touch mode or an inactive mode. In the active touch mode, the control circuit can be configured to detect a position of a touch actuation along an actuation member in response to respective signals (e.g., capacitive receive signals V RX-A to V RX-E ) received from one or more receive capacitive touchpads to determine a position of the touch actuation based on the determined position (e.g., by generating an output signal V OUT) to control the electrical load. Further, while in the active touch mode, the control circuit can be configured with a filtering technique having a first variable at 514. For example, while the control circuit is in the active touch mode, the control circuit can be configured with a de-bounce algorithm having a first debounce time (e.g., two samples or 20 milliseconds). For example, when the de-bounce algorithm has the first debounce time, the touch entry threshold TH TOUCH-IN may be set to 2. Thus, the control device can be configured to provide a faster response time when the user is interacting with the actuating member (e.g., when providing feedback to the user through illumination of the visual indicator and / or when controlling the electrical load in the load control system in response to the touch actuation) than when operating in the inactive touch mode. Further, it should be appreciated that in some examples, the control circuit can turn off the filtering technique while in the active touch mode, e.g., such that the first debounce time is 0 milliseconds. Thereafter, the routine 500 can exit.

[0135] While in the inactive touch mode, the control circuit can be configured with a filtering technique having a second variable at 516. For example, while the control circuit is in the inactive touch mode, the control circuit can be configured with a de-bounce algorithm having a second, different debounce time (e.g., eight samples or 80 milliseconds). For example, when the de-bounce algorithm has the second debounce time, the touch entry threshold TH TOUCH-IN may be set to 8. The second variable can make the control device more resistant to inadvertent touch events than the first variable used while in the active touch mode. Thus, the control device can be more resistant to transient noise that results in inadvertent touch events when the user is not interacting with the actuating member in the inactive touch mode. Thereafter, the routine 500 can exit.

[0136] Thus, in some examples, when the control circuit is in the inactive touch mode, none of the capacitive touch pads are active. When the number N TOUCH-IN is greater than or equal to the touch entry threshold TH TOUCH-IN , the capacitive touch pad can be placed in an active state. When the at least one capacitive touch pad (e.g., and / or at least one electrode) is in the active state, the control circuit can be placed in the active touch mode. And when the control circuit is placed in the active touch mode, the control circuit can be configured with a filtering technique having a first variable (e.g., such as a de-bounce algorithm having a first debounce time (e.g., two samples or 20 milliseconds)) that adjusts the touch entry threshold TH TOUCH-IN used in the routine 400. When the touch entry threshold TH TOUCH-INThe other capacitive touchpads are configured to provide faster response times (e.g., and reduce or eliminate any step in the lighting load control) when adjusted to have the first variable.

[0137] Similarly, when the number of times N TOUCH-OUT is greater than or equal to a touch exit threshold TH TOUCH-OUT All of the capacitive touchpads can be placed in an inactive state. When all of the capacitive touchpads are in the inactive state, the control circuit can be placed in an inactive touch mode. And when the control circuit is placed in the inactive touch mode, the control circuit can be configured with a filtering technique having a second variable (e.g., such as a de-bounce algorithm having a second debounce time (e.g., eight samples or 80 milliseconds)) that adjusts the touch entry threshold TH TOUCH-IN used in the routine 400. When the touch entry TH TOUCH-IN is adjusted to have the second variable, all of the capacitive touchpads can be more resistant to inadvertent touch events than when the control circuit is in the active touch mode.

[0138] Although described throughout the application with reference to a de-bounce algorithm as the filtering technique, the control circuit can be configured with any number of filtering techniques, such as but not limited to a count filter, a median filter, an infinite impulse response (IIR) filter, a box car filter, and / or a long-term average filter. If different filtering techniques are incorporated, the control device can differently configure the filtering techniques depending on whether the control device is in the active touch mode or the inactive touch mode. For example, the control circuit can configure the filtering technique to have a longer time constant when the control circuit is in the inactive touch mode than when the control circuit is in the active touch mode.

[0139] Figure 16This is a flowchart of an exemplary procedure 600 that can be executed by the control circuitry of a load control device (e.g., the dimmer control circuitry 314 and / or the user interface control circuitry 354 of control device 300, and / or the control circuitry 1310 of remote control device 1300 and / or the user interface control circuitry of touch-sensitive device 1314) to react, for example, more quickly in response to large adjustments along the touch-sensitive surface and also in a more sensitive or more responsive (e.g., and slower) manner in response to fine adjustments along the touch-sensitive surface. In some examples, the output module of the control circuitry (e.g., the output module 356 of the user interface control circuitry 354) can execute procedure 600. At 610, the control circuitry can be configured to execute procedure 600 periodically (e.g., approximately every 8 milliseconds). At 612, the control circuitry can receive unfiltered or lightly filtered signals, such as a lightly filtered signal S indicating the position of touch actuation along the touch-sensitive surface (e.g., a light strip) of the control device (such as control device 300). LF As mentioned above, the output signal S after light filtering LF It can be a lightly filtered or unfiltered signal indicating the location of touch actuation along a capacitive touch circuit (e.g., along the touch-sensitive surface of the control device 300).

[0140] At position 614, the control circuit can use a lightly filtered signal S. LF To determine the location of multiple consecutive touch actuations (e.g., point actuation). For example, the output module can be configured to determine the location of a lightly filtered output signal S. LF The number of latest values ​​N SLF (For example, 30) to determine the positions of multiple consecutive point actuations. The output module can use a sliding window (e.g., a lightly filtered output signal S) to determine the positions of multiple consecutive point actuations. LF The lightly filtered output signal S is determined from approximately the last 30 samples and / or approximately the last 250 milliseconds. LF The number of latest values ​​N SLF .

[0141] At point 616, the control circuitry can determine whether multiple point actuations fall within a predetermined range. For example, a touch-sensitive device can define multiple touch portions along a touch-sensitive surface, such as 255 touch portions across the touch-sensitive surface. The control circuitry can receive a lightly filtered output signal S at a defined sampling rate (e.g., 120 samples per second). LF The control circuitry can determine the minimum and maximum touch positions of multiple consecutive point actuations within a predetermined time period (e.g., approximately 250 milliseconds). In one example, the multiple consecutive point actuations are a lightly filtered output signal S. LFThe control circuit then takes 30 consecutive samples. It can then determine whether the minimum and maximum touch positions are within a predefined range of the touch area (e.g., approximately 2% of the length of the touch-sensitive surface or approximately 5 touch areas along the touch-sensitive surface). For example, the control circuit can be configured to determine the slightly filtered output signal S at 616. LF The minimum and maximum values ​​from the latest values ​​(e.g., as chosen at 614) are then used to determine whether the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​is less than or equal to the signal change threshold TH. SIG This is used to determine whether the actuation of multiple consecutive points falls within a predetermined range. For example, the signal change threshold TH. SIG It can be a lightly filtered output signal S LF The number of values ​​N between the top and bottom values VAL (e.g., 255) approximately 2% (e.g., the predetermined range could be approximately 5). By determining the lightly filtered output signal S LF Is the latest value within or outside a predetermined range (e.g., the predetermined range can be determined by a signal change threshold TH)? SIG (Definition) The control circuit can be based on a lightly filtered signal S LF This determines whether the user is making fine adjustments or large adjustments along the touch-sensitive surface.

[0142] Then, the control circuit can use the lightly filtered output signal S based on whether a large adjustment or a fine adjustment is taking place. LF Or the heavily filtered output signal S HF To control electrical loads. The heavily filtered output signal S HF It can be a lightly filtered output signal S LF A more heavily filtered version, which can indicate the position of touch actuation along the capacitive touch circuitry (e.g., along the touch-sensitive surface of the control device 300). The control circuitry can use a lightly filtered output signal S. LF And filter modules such as digital low-pass filters to generate a heavily filtered output signal S HF .

[0143] If the control circuit determines at 616 that multiple consecutive actuation points fall within a predetermined range, the control circuit can use a heavily filtered signal S at 618. HF The location of the touch actuation used to control the electrical load (e.g., multiple consecutive point actuation indications) is determined, and program 600 can exit. For example, the control circuit can be based on a heavily filtered signal S. HF (For example, by output signal V) OUT The value is set to the heavily filtered signal S. HF The value of ( ) is used to generate the output signal, such as the output signal V.OUT Further, when the control circuit determines the position of the touch actuation for controlling the electrical load using the heavily filtered output signal S HF , the control circuit can be configured to adjust the power delivered to the electrical load (e.g., the intensity level of a lighting load) in fine or small increments. Thus, the control circuit can be configured to adjust the power delivered to the electrical load (e.g., the intensity level of a lighting load) in fine or small increments in response to fine or small amplitude movements of a user’s finger on the touch sensitive surface.

[0144] And, if the control circuit determines at 616 that the plurality of consecutive point actuations do not fall within the predetermined range, the control circuit can determine at 620 the position of the touch actuation for controlling the electrical load (e.g., as indicated by the plurality of consecutive point actuations) using the lightly filtered signal S LF , and the program 600 can exit. For example, the control circuit can generate an output signal, such as output signal V LF , based on the magnitude of the lightly filtered signal S OUT , e.g., by setting the magnitude of the output signal V LF to the value of the lightly filtered signal S OUT Further, when the control circuit determines the position of the touch actuation for controlling the electrical load using the lightly filtered signal S LF , the control circuit can be configured to adjust the power delivered to the electrical load (e.g., the intensity level of a lighting load) in large or large increments. Thus, the control device can control the amount of power delivered to one or more electrical loads (e.g., control the intensity level of a lighting load) more quickly in response to touch actuations across larger distances of the touch sensitive surface (e.g., using the lightly filtered output signal S LF ) and more sensitively (e.g., and more slowly) in response to touch actuations across smaller distances (e.g., using the heavily filtered output signal S HF ). And, the control circuit can be configured to adjust the power delivered to the electrical load (e.g., the intensity level of a lighting load) in large or large increments in response to large or small amplitude movements of a user’s finger on the touch sensitive surface.

[0145] Figure 17is an example program 700 that can be executed by a control circuit of a load control device (e.g., dimmer control circuit 314 and / or user interface control circuit 354 of control device 300, and / or control circuit 1310 and / or user interface control circuit of touch-sensitive device 1314 of remote control device 1300) to, for example, avoid accidental touch events, react more quickly to gross adjustments along the touch-sensitive surface, and react more slowly and more sensitively to fine-tuned adjustments along the touch-sensitive surface. At 702, the control circuit can be configured to periodically (e.g., every 8 milliseconds) execute program 700.

[0146] At 704, the control circuit can determine whether an actuation member (e.g., a touch- sensitive surface, such as a touch-sensitive surface of control device 300 or remote control device 1300) of the control device is being actuated. In one example, when a change in count Δ CAP of one of the capacitive touch pads exceeds a capacitance change threshold TH CAP , the control circuit can determine that the actuation member is being actuated. When a change in count Δ CAP of one of the capacitive touch pads does not exceed a capacitance change threshold TH CAP , the control circuit can determine that the actuation member is not being actuated. In another example, when the control circuit is in an active touch mode, the control circuit can determine that the actuation member is being actuated. The control circuit can enter the active touch mode by counting a number N CAP of times a change in count Δ CAP of one of the capacitive touch pads exceeds a capacitance change threshold TH TOUCH-IN (e.g., consecutive number of capacitive sensing rounds), and entering the active touch mode when the number N TOUCH-IN exceeds a touch entry threshold TH TOUCH-IN . The control circuit can exit the active touch mode by counting a number N CAP of times a change in count Δ CAP of one of the capacitive touch pads does not exceed a capacitance change threshold TH TOUCH-OUT (e.g., consecutive number of capacitive sensing rounds), and exiting the active touch mode when the number N TOUCH-OUT exceeds a touch exit threshold TH TOUCH-OUT .

[0147] If the control circuit determines at 704 that the actuation member is not being actuated, or if the control circuit determines at 704 that the actuation member is being actuated and determines at 708 that the touch actuation is a fine-tuned adjustment, the control circuit can use a heavy filtering technique at 706. The control circuit can determine at 708 that the touch actuation is a fine-tuned adjustment when, for example, a number of consecutive point actuations are within a predetermined range. For example, the control circuit can determine that a lightly filtered output signal S LFthe minimum and maximum values within the sliding window (e.g., over a period of time), and then determine whether the difference between the maximum and minimum values is less than or equal to the signal change threshold TH SIG If the difference between the maximum and minimum values is less than or equal to the signal change threshold TH SIG then the control circuit can determine that the plurality of consecutive point actuations are within the predetermined range. When using heavy filtering techniques, the control circuit can be less susceptible to unintentional touch events (e.g., the control circuit can provide more protection against transient noise causing unintentional touch events). Alternatively or additionally, when using heavy filtering techniques, the control circuit can be more sensitive to fine adjustments made by a user. For example, when a user makes fine adjustments to allow the user to more accurately set an electrical load to a desired power or intensity level, the control circuit can be slower to react to the user.

[0148] When using heavy filtering techniques, the control circuit can perform any combination of filtering when determining a location of a touch actuation on the touch sensitive surface for controlling an electrical load. For example, when detecting whether an actuation member is actuating and a location of a touch actuation (e.g., at the location detection module), the control circuit can use filtering techniques (e.g., a debouncing algorithm), and / or the control circuit can filter the output of the location detection module using filtering techniques (e.g., a low pass filter). In some examples, when determining a number of consecutive samples that need to be detected before the control circuit generates a signal indicating a location of a touch actuation on the touch sensitive surface, the control circuit can use a filtering algorithm (e.g., a debouncing algorithm). This can make the control device more resistant to unintentional touch events. For example, when using heavy filtering techniques at 706, the control circuit can be configured with a longer debouncing time (e.g., eight samples, or 80 milliseconds) to allow for greater protection against transient noise causing unintentional touch events. Alternatively or additionally, when using heavy filtering techniques at 706, the control circuit can apply a filter, such as a digital low pass filter, to the output of the location detection module before determining a location of a touch actuation for controlling an electrical load. For example, the control circuit can apply a filter to an unfiltered or lightly filtered signal to generate a heavily filtered output signal (e.g., heavily filtered output signal S HF ), and then use the heavily filtered output signal when determining a location of a touch actuation for controlling an electrical load.

[0149] If the control circuit determines that the actuation member is being actuated at 704 and that the touch actuation is not a fine adjustment at 708, the control circuit can use a light filtering technique at 710. When using a light filtering technique, the control circuit can be more responsive to user actuations along the touch surface of the actuation member of the control device. Further, in some examples, the control device can perform little or no filtering when using a filtering technique. However, when filtering is performed in a light filtering technique, the control circuit can use less filtering than a heavy filtering technique. For example, in some examples, the control circuit can use a filtering algorithm (e.g., a debounce algorithm) with less filtering than a heavy filtering technique when determining the number of consecutive samples that need to be detected before the control circuit generates a signal indicating the location of the touch actuation on the touch sensitive surface. This can enable the control device to respond more quickly when a user makes a coarse adjustment. For example, when using a light filtering technique at 710, the control circuit can be configured with a shorter debounce time (e.g., two samples, or 20 milliseconds) to allow the control circuit to react more quickly to larger adjustments made via the touch sensitive surface. After being configured with a heavy filtering technique or a light filtering technique, the control circuit can exit the procedure 700.

[0150] The control circuit of the control device can be configured to recalibrate the touch sensitive device at various times, such as when the control device is turned on and / or when the control device experiences one or more events, such as an environmental drift (such as a change in temperature of the touch sensitive device), an electrical fast transient (EFT) event, and / or an electrostatic discharge (ESD) event. When recalibrating, the touch sensitive device can be inactive (e.g., unresponsive to touch actuations). For example, when the touch sensitive device experiences an event that causes it to lock, a timer can reset the control circuit (e.g., the user interface control circuit), which in turn can cause the touch sensitive device to recalibrate. As such, the recalibration of the touch sensitive device can prevent the control circuit from responding to user interactions with the user interface for a set amount of time.

[0151] Environmental drift is one type of event that can cause a touch sensitive device to recalibrate (e.g., and in turn cause the touch sensitive device to lock). Environmental drift can include any change in environmental factors such as temperature. Environmental drift can be caused by many factors including heating of controllable conductive devices (e.g., triacs, FETs, etc.) that control the device, changes in ambient temperature, changes in the HVAC system that the control device is installed in, movement of people in and out of the vicinity of the control device, doors opening and closing, etc. Similarly, ESD and / or EFT events can inadvertently cause a touch sensitive device to recalibrate, thereby rendering the user interface inactive for a set amount of time. One example of an ESD event is when a user accidentally causes a static discharge on the control device. One example of an EFT event is when an appliance (such as a motorized appliance) causes a high frequency voltage transient on the power line in which the control device is installed. In either case, the touch sensitive device of the control device can provide

[0152] The control circuit (e.g., dimmer control circuit 314 or user interface control circuit 354) of the load control device can be configured to perform a recalibration routine that determines one or more new parameters of the touch sensitive device and then stores those parameters in memory. Then, in response to a future event (e.g., environmental drift, an ESD event, an EMI event, etc.) that causes the touch sensitive device to recalibrate, the control circuit can reconfigure the touch sensitive device using the stored parameters without having to perform the recalibration routine. For example, the control circuit can retrieve the parameter values from memory and load the parameter values into the control circuit of the touch sensitive device without having to perform the recalibration routine. As such, the control circuit can enable the touch sensitive device more quickly after the event. As described herein, the parameter values of the touch sensitive device can include any combination of conversion control parameters of the touch sensitive device. The conversion control parameters can include any combination of a coarse gain of the touch sensitive device 350 (e.g., ui8CoarseGain), a fine gain of the touch sensitive device 350 (e.g., ui8FineGain), and / or an offset (such as an offset subtraction of the touch sensitive device 350) (e.g., ui16Offset). The parameter values can include any combination of parameter values that the touch sensitive device can manipulate to maintain a baseline count N BL of the touch sensitive device when the touch sensitive device is in an idle state. For example, in some examples, the touch sensitive device can be configured to maintain the baseline count N BL at a particular value (e.g., 500), and the touch sensitive device can be configured to adjust any combination of parameter values to maintain the baseline count N BL at the particular value.

[0153] Figure 18Ais a flowchart of an exemplary procedure 800 that can be executed by a control circuit (e.g., dimmer control circuit 314, control circuit 1310, etc.) of a load control device to, for example, recalibrate a parameter value of a touch sensitive device (e.g., of user interface control circuit 354 of touch sensitive device 350, of user interface circuit of touch sensitive device 1314). For example, the control device can be configured to execute procedure 800 periodically (e.g., every 8 milliseconds) at startup and / or in response to environmental drift, EFT events, and / or ESD events.

[0154] At 802, the control circuit can determine whether the touch sensitive device needs recalibration. The control circuit can be configured to recalibrate upon the control circuit being reset or first powered on. The control circuit can be configured to recalibrate when temperature drift causes the baseline count N BL (long term average) to drift. If the control circuit determines that the change in the baseline count N BL drifts beyond a capacitance drift threshold Δ DRIFT (e.g., by 10% increase or decrease), the control circuit can be configured to recalibrate. Alternatively or additionally, the control circuit can include an internal temperature sensor configured to measure an internal temperature of the load control device and send a signal to the control circuit indicative of the internal temperature of the control device. The control circuit can determine that the internal temperature of the control device has deviated by a threshold amount and, in response, decide to recalibrate the touch sensitive device.

[0155] Alternatively or additionally, the control circuit can determine that the touch sensitive device needs recalibration based on expiration of a recalibration timer or in response to occurrence of an event, such as the control device being powered on then (e.g., after a power outage or first installation). For example, an EFT or ESD event can cause a negative touch to occur on the touch sensitive device. Upon determining a negative touch event, the control circuit can be configured to recalibrate. Further, in some examples, an EFT or ESD event can cause the count change Δ CAP to exceed a count upper threshold TH CAP-UPPER . In response to detecting that the count Δ CAP exceeds the count upper threshold TH CAP-UPPER , the control circuit can be configured to recalibrate (e.g., or alternatively, wait for a timeout period, such as two minutes).

[0156] If the touch sensitive device does not need to be recalibrated, the procedure 800 exits. However, if the control circuit determines that the touch sensitive device needs to be recalibrated, the control circuit can determine one or more parameter values of the touch sensitive device at 804 using a recalibration routine. The parameter values of the touch sensitive device can include any combination of conversion control parameter values, such as a coarse gain of the touch sensitive device 350 (e.g., ui8CoarseGain), a fine gain of the touch sensitive device 350 (e.g., ui8FineGain), and / or an offset, such as an offset subtraction of the touch sensitive device 350 (e.g., ui16Offset). As described above, the parameter values can include any combination of parameter values that the touch sensitive device is configured to change to alter the baseline count N BL of the touch sensitive device.

[0157] After determining the new parameter values at 804, the control circuit can load the one or more new parameter values into registers of the control circuit (e.g., the user interface control circuit 354, the user interface control circuit of the touch sensitive device 1314, etc.) of the touch sensitive device at 806. Then, before exiting the procedure 800, the control circuit can store the new parameter values in a memory (e.g., the memory 318, the memory 1320, etc.) of the control device at 808. In some examples, the control circuit can take up to about a second to complete the procedure 800. By storing the new parameter values in the memory, the control circuit can more quickly load the parameters into the control circuit of the touch sensitive device if the touch sensitive circuit must be reset (e.g., or locked) in the future. For example, if the touch sensitive device is locked due to an event such as an environmental drift, an EFT event, and / or an ESD event, the control circuit can retrieve the stored parameter values and load them into the control circuit of the touch sensitive device without having to perform a recalibration procedure. Further, for example, if the control device is powered off and must be powered back on, storing the parameter values of the touch sensitive device in the memory with the procedure 800 can also enable the control circuit to more quickly configure as a touch sensitive device.

[0158] Figure 18B is a flowchart of an example procedure 820 that can be performed by a control circuit (e.g., the dimmer control circuit 314, the control circuit 1310, etc.) of a load control device to retrieve parameter values (e.g., of the user interface control circuit 354 of the touch sensitive device 350, of the user interface circuit of the touch sensitive device 1314) of a touch sensitive device, for example, after the touch sensitive device is reset. For example, the touch sensitive device can reset in response to a power outage, a software glitch, an EFT event, and / or an ESD event. The control circuit can be configured to perform the procedure 820 in response to detecting a reset of the touch sensitive device at 822.

[0159] At 824, the control circuit can retrieve one or more previously stored parameter values for the touch sensitive device from memory (e.g., memory 318, memory 1320, etc.) after the touch sensitive device is reset. For example, the parameter values can be the parameter values saved by the control circuit at 808 when executing the program 800. At 826, the control circuit can load the one or more parameter values into registers of the user interface control circuit (e.g., user interface control circuit 354 of control device 300). As such, the user interface control circuit can be configured with parameter values stored prior to having to reset the touch sensitive device rather than, for example, having to run a recalibration routine, which would take additional time and delay the operability of the touch sensitive surface. Thus, by storing the parameters prior to the reset and loading the stored parameters after the reset, the control circuit can prevent recalibration and / or lockout of the touch sensitive device.

[0160] After loading the one or more parameter values into the registers of the user interface control circuit at 826, the control circuit can disable recalibration of the touch sensitive device at 828 (e.g., not execute the program 800). At 830, the control circuit can wait for a timeout period (e.g., two minutes) before re-enabling the recalibration program (e.g., program 800) at 832. In some cases, the control circuit can automatically recalibrate after the timeout period expires. As such, the control circuit can allow events causing the touch sensitive circuit and any residual effects of the events to dissipate before recalibrating the touch sensitive device. This can prevent the control circuit from unnecessarily adjusting parameters of the touch sensitive device while residual effects of the events dissipate. Furthermore, additional adjustments to the parameters by the recalibration program can cause the touch sensitive device to be disabled, thus by using a timeout period, the touch sensitive device can avoid remaining disabled after the reset. Moreover, it should be appreciated that in some examples, the control circuit can enable recalibration after loading the parameter values at 826 without using a timeout period. That is, in some examples, steps 828, 830, and 832 can be omitted from the program 820.

[0161] Figure 19is a flowchart of an example procedure 900 that can be executed by a control circuit of a load control device (e.g., dimmer control circuit 314 and / or user interface control circuit 354 of control device 300, control circuit 310 and / or user interface control circuit of control device 1300, etc.) to, for example, delay or disable recalibration of a touch-sensitive device (e.g., touch-sensitive device 350, touch-sensitive device 1314, etc.) when switching between an active touch mode and an inactive touch mode. For example, a position detection module of the control circuit (e.g., position detection module 358 of user interface control circuit 354) can execute procedure 900. The control device can disable recalibration while in the active touch mode, for example, to ensure that the touch-sensitive device is responsive without delay when a user is interacting with the touch-sensitive device. Further and for example, the control device can enable a timeout period when exiting the active touch mode, for example, to allow any environmental factors of the touch-sensitive device (such as a temperature increase), and / or any ESD event, EFT event, etc., to dissipate before recalibration is enabled. At 910, the control circuit can be configured to periodically (e.g., every 8 milliseconds) execute procedure 900.

[0162] When the control device is not operating in the active touch mode at 912, the control circuit can determine whether at least one capacitive touchpad is in an active state at 914. As one example, the control circuit can use procedure 450 described herein to configure each of the capacitive touchpads to be in an active state or an inactive state. If the control circuit determines that no capacitive touchpads are in the active state at 914, procedure 900 can exit. However, if the control circuit determines that at least one of the capacitive touchpads is in the active state at 914, the control circuit can enter the active touch mode at 916. For example, in some examples, at least one of the capacitive touchpads will be in the active state when a user is interacting with the touch-sensitive device. After entering the active touch mode at 916, the control circuit can disable recalibration of the touch-sensitive device at 918, and procedure 900 can exit. Thus, the control circuit can disable recalibration of the touch-sensitive device while the control device is in the active touch mode, for example, to ensure that recalibration does not cause the touch-sensitive device to be responsive with delay when a user is interacting with the touch-sensitive device.

[0163] When the control circuit is operating in the active touch mode at 912, the control circuit can determine whether at least one capacitive touchpad is in an active state at 920. As described above, and as one example, the control circuit can configure each of the capacitive touchpads to be in an active state or an inactive state using the procedure 450 described herein. If the control circuit determines that at least one capacitive touchpad is in an active state at 920, the control circuit can execute a slider position engine at 922, and then the procedure 900 exits. Thus, the control circuit only needs at least one of the capacitive touchpads to be in an active state to execute the slider position engine. The control circuit can execute the slider position engine at 922 to determine and update a position of the touch actuation. For example, the slider position engine can be part of a position detection module of the control circuit (e.g., the position detection module 358 of the user interface control circuit 354). And the slider position engine can update an unfiltered or lightly filtered signal, such as the lightly filtered signal S LF After the control circuit executes the slider position engine at 922, the procedure 900 can exit.

[0164] If the control circuit determines that no capacitive touchpads are in an active state at 920, the control device can exit the active touch mode at 924. Thus, if all of the capacitive touchpads are in an inactive state, the control circuit can wait for a timeout period (e.g., two minutes) at 924, and then enable recalibration of the touch sensitive device at 926. The control device can enable the timeout period, for example, to allow any environmental factors of the touch sensitive device (such as a temperature increase), and / or any EMI effects, EFT events, etc., to settle down before enabling recalibration. For example, the timeout period can be configured to allow any environmental factors (such as a temperature increase), and / or any EMI effects, EFT events, etc., sufficient time to dissipate before running a recalibration routine to determine whether any of the parameters of the touch sensitive device should be adjusted. The control device can enter the inactive touch mode at 928, and the procedure 900 can exit. Also, it should be noted that in some examples, the timeout period can be omitted from the procedure 900, such that the procedure 900 enables recalibration immediately after determining that no capacitive touchpads are in an active state at 920 without using a timeout period.

[0165] Figure 20is a flowchart of an example procedure 1000 that can be executed by a control circuit of a load control device (e.g., user interface control circuit 354 of control device 300, user interface control circuit of control device 1300, etc.) to set (e.g., adjust) parameter values of a touch sensitive device (e.g., touch sensitive device 350, touch sensitive device 1314, etc.) in response to temperature changes, for example, when recalibration is disabled, such as during an active touch mode. For example, a temperature increase of the load control device can cause one or more parameter values of the touch sensitive device to change (e.g., drift). The parameter values can include any combination of conversion control parameter values, such as a coarse gain (e.g., ui8CoarseGain) of the touch sensitive device 350, a fine gain (e.g., ui8FineGain) of the touch sensitive device 350, and / or an offset, such as an offset subtraction (e.g., ui16Offset) of the touch sensitive device 350. As described above, the parameter values can include any combination of parameter values that the touch sensitive device is configured to change to alter a baseline count N BL of the touch sensitive device. Since recalibration routines can be disabled at times, such as when in an active touch mode, the control circuit can maintain consistent responsiveness of the touch sensitive device by adjusting the parameter values using procedure 1000 to compensate for any changes in operation of the touch sensitive device due to temperature drift when in an active touch mode. The control circuit can be configured to perform procedure 1000 in response to ESD and / or EFT events and / or periodically when the temperature exceeds a particular drift threshold.

[0166] At 1010, the control circuit can measure a temperature inside the load control device. For example, the control device can include a temperature sensor configured to measure an internal temperature of the load control device and send a signal to the control circuit indicating the internal temperature of the control device. The temperature sensor can be part of the control circuit or located outside of the control circuit but part of the control device. In some examples, the control circuit can determine a changing temperature inside the load control device based on a change in another parameter. At 1012, the control circuit can determine whether a new parameter value is needed. For example, the control circuit can determine whether a change in temperature of the device exceeds a drift threshold (e.g., thirteen degrees Celsius) and, if so, determine that a new parameter value is needed. For example, in some examples, for each degree Celsius of temperature change, the baseline count N BL of the touch sensitive device can change at a rate of approximately 1%. If the control circuit determines that a new parameter value is not needed, procedure 1000 can exit. However, if the control circuit determines that a new parameter value is needed, the procedure can continue to 1014.

[0167] At 1014, the control circuit can determine new parameter values for one or more parameters of the touch sensitive device based on the temperature change and, for example, a compensation algorithm. In some examples, the compensation algorithm can define a linear relationship between one or more of the parameter values and the change in temperature of the control device. Further, in some examples, the control circuit can apply a compensation factor to the parameter values, where the compensation factor is determined based on the compensation algorithm or a portion of the compensation algorithm. In some examples, for every 2 °C change in the control device (e.g., baseline count N BL of every 2% change in the baseline count N

[0168] Finally, at 1016, the control circuit can configure the touch sensitive device (e.g., user interface circuitry of the touch sensitive device) using the new parameter values to, for example, compensate for changes in internal temperature. For example, the control circuit can load the new parameter values into registers of the control circuit to configure the touch sensitive device with updated parameter values that compensate for changes in internal temperature of the control device and exit the procedure 1000. As such, the control circuit can use the procedure 1000 to adjust parameter values (e.g., adjust parameter values previously stored in memory) based on changes in internal temperature of the control device, for example, during instances when the recalibration procedure is disabled, such as when the control device is in an active touch mode and the temperature of the device exceeds a threshold value.

[0169] Further, in some examples, the control circuit can detect the occurrence of a multi-touch event and ignore it. In some examples, a multi-touch event occurs when two or more fingers of a user contact the touch sensitive surface (e.g., lightbar) of the control device. For example, one characteristic feature of a multi-touch event is that a large number of capacitive touch pads (e.g., such as at least four capacitive touch pads and / or at least four electrodes in the capacitive touch pad) appear to be touched at the same time. The magnitudes on each capacitive touch pad can not necessarily be the same, but the control circuit records touch events (e.g., based on the AV CAP of each of the capacitive touch pads). If the touch event is due to a proper touch actuation along the touch sensitive surface, the control circuit will only record touch events from a subset (e.g., two capacitive touch pads) of the capacitive touch pads. If the control circuit determines that an indication of capacitance to more than the subset of capacitive touch pads (e.g., four or more capacitive touch pads) exceeds a threshold, the control circuit can ignore the event as it is likely to indicate a multi-touch event. As described herein, the indication of capacitance to the capacitive touch pads can be, for example, the received signal V RX-A to V RX-E and / or the count change AV CAP of the capacitive touch pads.

[0170] For example, in some cases, the control device can come into contact (e.g., electrical and / or mechanical contact) with a floating (ungrounded) metal faceplate mounted above the control device. In such cases, the metal faceplate can generate a response in the touch-sensitive device that can result in an inadvertent touch event. This can be especially problematic in multi-up installations that include metal faceplates. Accordingly, the control circuit can execute an algorithm that detects when the control device is in contact with a floating metal faceplate and ignores that reading. For example, one characteristic trait of a floating metal faceplate touch is that most (e.g., all) of the capacitive touchpads appear to the control circuit to be touched at the same time. The magnitudes on each of the capacitive touchpads can not necessarily be the same, but they all have a signal above a threshold. As noted above, if the touch event is due to an actual touch actuation along the touch-sensitive surface of the control device, only a subset of the capacitive touchpads (e.g., one to three capacitive touchpads) will register the touch. Accordingly, if the control circuit determines that an indication of capacitance to more than a subset of the capacitive touchpads (e.g., four or more capacitive touchpads) exceeds a threshold, the control circuit can ignore that reading because it is likely to be indicative of a floating metal touch.

[0171] Figure 21 is a flowchart of an example procedure 1100 that can be executed by a control circuit of a load control device (e.g., the dimmer control circuit 314 and / or the user interface control circuit 354 of the control device 300, the control circuit 1310 and / or the user interface control circuit of the touch-sensitive device 1314 of the control device 1300, etc.) to, for example, avoid a multi-touch event. For example, a position detection module of the control circuit (e.g., the position detection module 358 of the user interface control circuit 354) can execute the procedure 1100. Multi-touch events can be caused by a variety of factors and environments such as user error and floating metal faceplates. For example, a multi-touch event can be characterized by a user touching the user interface of the control device with two or more fingers at multiple locations, which can confuse the slider algorithm of the control circuit and / or can cause the control circuit to generate unexpected results, and / or can be caused by a floating metal faceplate. At 1110, the control circuit can be configured to periodically (e.g., every 8 milliseconds) execute the procedure 1100.

[0172] When the control device is not operating in an active touch mode at 1112, the control circuit can determine whether at least one capacitive touchpad is active at 1114. As one example, the control circuit can configure each of the capacitive touchpads to be active or inactive using the procedure 450 described herein. If the control circuit determines that no capacitive touchpads are active at 1114, the procedure 1100 can exit. However, if the control circuit determines that at least one of the capacitive touchpads is active at 1114, the control circuit can determine whether too many capacitive touchpads are active at 1116. For example, the control circuit can determine whether a multi-touch event exists at 1116.

[0173] In one example, the control circuit can include a total of five capacitive touchpads, and the control circuit can determine that too many capacitive touchpads are active when four or all of the five capacitive touchpads are active. If the control circuit determines that too many capacitive touchpads are active at 1116, the control circuit can ignore the touch event and exit the procedure 1100. Thus, the control circuit can detect a multi-touch event and ignore it. In some examples, if the touch event is due to a proper touch actuation of the touch-sensitive surface, the control circuit will only receive an indication of a capacitance above a threshold from a subset of the capacitive touchpads (e.g., one to three capacitive touchpads). If the control circuit determines that an indication of a capacitance of more than the subset of the capacitive touchpads (e.g., four or more capacitive touchpads) exceeds the threshold, the control circuit can ignore the event as it is likely to indicate a multi-touch event. Finally, if the control circuit determines that too many capacitive touchpads are active at 1116, the control circuit can remain in an inactive touch mode (e.g., place all of the capacitive touchpads in an inactive state), and the procedure 1100 can exit.

[0174] Furthermore, in some examples, the control circuit can store occurrences of multi-touch events in memory and send a notification to an external device (e.g., a mobile device and / or a system controller) indicating the occurrence of a multi-touch event, such as when the number of multi-touch events exceeds a threshold (e.g., indicating that a floating metal panel can be causing issues with the touch-sensitive surface). Alternatively or additionally, the control circuit can cause one or more indicator lights on the control device to flash to indicate a multi-touch event.

[0175] If the control circuit determines at 1116 that not too many of the capacitive touch pads are in an active state, the control circuit can enter an active touch mode at 1118, and the routine 1100 can exit. Thus, in some examples, if the control circuit determines at 1116 that one to three of the capacitive touch pads are in an active state anywhere in between, the control circuit can enter the active touch mode at 1118, and the routine 1100 can exit. Thus, when the control circuit determines that there is a touch event that is not a multi-touch event, the control circuit can enter the active touch mode.

[0176] While the control circuit is operating in the active touch mode at 1112, the control circuit can determine at 1124 whether at least one of the capacitive touch pads is in an active state. As described above, and as one example, the control circuit can configure each of the capacitive touch pads to be in an active state or an inactive state using the routine 450 described herein. If the control circuit determines at 1124 that none of the capacitive touch pads are in an active state, the control device can exit the active touch mode at 1126, and the routine 1100 can exit. Thus, if all of the capacitive touch pads are in an inactive state, the control device can enter the inactive touch mode at 1126.

[0177] If the control circuit determines at 1124 that at least one of the capacitive touch pads is in an active state, the control circuit can determine at 1128 whether too many of the capacitive touch pads are in an active state (e.g., similar to that made at 1116). For example, the control circuit can determine at 1128 whether there is a multi-touch event. If the control circuit determines at 1128 that not too many of the capacitive touch pads are in an active state, the control circuit can execute a slider position engine at 1130, and then the routine 1100 exits. The control circuit can execute the slider position engine at 1130 to determine and update a position of the touch actuation. For example, the slider position engine can be part of a position detection module of the control circuit (e.g., the position detection module 358 of the user interface control circuit 354). And the slider position engine can update an unfiltered or lightly filtered signal, such as the lightly filtered signal S LF After the control circuit executes the slider position engine at 1130, the routine 1100 can exit.

[0178] If the control circuit determines that too many capacitive touchpads are active at 1128, the control circuit can ignore the touch event at 1132 and exit the active touch mode. In some examples, if the touch event is due to a proper touch actuation of the touch-sensitive surface, the control circuit will only receive indications of capacitance above the threshold from a subset of the capacitive touchpads (e.g., one to three capacitive touchpads). If the control circuit determines that indications of capacitance for more than a subset of the capacitive touchpads (e.g., four or more capacitive touchpads) exceed the threshold, the control circuit can ignore the event as it is likely to be indicative of a multi-touch event. At 1132, the control circuit can exit the active touch mode (e.g., place all of the capacitive touchpads in an inactive state), and the routine 1100 can exit.

[0179] Figure 22 is a flowchart of an example routine 1200 that can be performed by a control circuit of a load control device (e.g., the user interface control circuit 354 of the control device 300, the user interface control circuit of the control device 1300 of the touch- sensitive device 1314, etc.) to, for example, ignore noise events (e.g., transient high voltage events) such as those caused by a motor (e.g., a fan motor), controls for the motor, an elevator, etc. that cause one or more capacitive touchpads to register a change in capacitance that exceeds a threshold. For example, in some examples, the routine 1200 is performed by a position detection module of the user interface control circuit (e.g., the position detection module 358 of the user interface control circuit 350). The control circuit can be configured to perform the routine 1200 periodically (e.g., every 8 milliseconds) and for each of the capacitive touchpads of the touch- sensitive device.

[0180] At 1210, the control circuit can determine a change in count A for the current capacitive touchpad by determining a difference between a current count N CAP for the current capacitive touchpad of the capacitive touch circuit BL and a baseline count N CAP At 1212, the control circuit can determine whether the change A CAP exceeds a high voltage capacitance change threshold TH CAP-HV . The high voltage capacitance change threshold TH CAP-HV can be set high enough such that any normal touch actuation by a user will not cause the change A CAP to exceed the threshold. However, the high voltage capacitance change threshold TH CAP-HV can be configured such that noise events such as those caused by a fan motor will indeed cause one or more capacitive touchpads to register a change in capacitance that exceeds the high voltage capacitance change threshold TH CAP-HV . In one example, the baseline number N BLCan be approximately 500, change Δ due to standard touch actuation CAP Can be approximately 75 to 150, change Δ due to a user placing an entire palm on the device CAP Can be approximately 700, and high voltage capacitance change threshold TH CAP-HV Can be set to 1400. Thus, change Δ CAP Should not exceed the high voltage capacitance change threshold TH by any user touch actuation CAP-HV And can only exceed due to a noise event, such as an EFT noise event.

[0181] If the control circuit determines at 1212 that the change Δ CAP Exceeds the high voltage capacitance change threshold TH CAP-HV The control circuit can ignore the input and the program 1200 can exit. For example, if the control circuit determines that the change Δ CAP Exceeds the high voltage capacitance change threshold TH CAP-HV The touch sensitive device can not provide an output signal V OUT to the dimmer control circuit. Furthermore, in some examples, the control circuit can disable recalibration of the touch sensitive device (e.g., for a timeout period, such as 2 minutes) to allow the noise event to dissipate.

[0182] However, if the control circuit determines at 1212 that the change Δ CAP Does not exceed the high voltage capacitance change threshold TH CAP-HV The control circuit can determine at 1214 whether the capacitive touchpad is in an active state. When the control circuit determines at 1214 that the current capacitive touchpad is not in an active state, the control circuit can execute a touch entry program for the current capacitive touchpad at 1216. For example, the control circuit can execute a touch entry program for the current capacitive touchpad to determine whether the count change Δ CAP Has exceeded the capacitance change threshold TH CAP A number of times N TOUCH-IN Furthermore, in some examples, while executing the touch entry program, the control circuit can continue to compare the change Δ CAP To the high voltage capacitance change threshold TH CAP-HV And if the change Δ CAP Exceeds the high voltage capacitance change threshold TH CAP-HV The program 1100 exits.

[0183] At 1218, the control circuit can determine whether the number of times N TOUCH-IN Determined at 1216 for the current capacitive touchpad exceeds a touch entry threshold TH TOUCH-IN If the control circuit determines at 1218 that the number of times NTOUCH-IN Less than the touch entry threshold TH TOUCH-IN Then the capacitive touchpad can remain inactive and can exit program 1200. However, if the number of times N is applied to the capacitive touchpad at 1218... TOUCH-IN Greater than or equal to the touch entry threshold TH TOUCH-IN Then the control circuit can put the capacitive touchpad into an active state, and program 1200 can exit.

[0184] When the current capacitive touchpad is active at position 1214, the control circuit can execute a touch exit procedure for the current capacitive touchpad at position 1222. For example, the control circuit can execute a touch exit procedure for the current capacitive touchpad to determine the count change Δ of the current capacitive touchpad. CAP The capacitance change threshold TH was not exceeded. CAP The number of times N TOUCH-OUT For example, the control circuit can determine the count change Δ CAP Less than (for example, not exceeding) the current capacitive touchpad's capacitance change threshold TH CAP The number of times N TOUCH-OUT Furthermore, in some examples, the control circuitry can continue to apply the change Δ while the touch exit procedure is being executed. CAP With the high voltage capacitor change threshold TH CAP-HV Compare, and if the change Δ CAP Exceeding the high voltage capacitor change threshold TH CAP-HV If so, the program will exit at 1100.

[0185] At position 1224, the control circuit can determine the number N determined at position 1222. TOUCH-OUT Has the current capacitive touchpad's touch exit threshold (TH) been exceeded? TOUCH-OUT If the control circuit determines the number of times N is applied to the current capacitive touchpad... TOUCH-OUT Greater than or equal to the touch exit threshold TH TOUCH-OUT Then the control circuit can remove the capacitive touchpad from the active state at 1228. However, if the control circuit determines the number N for the capacitive touchpad at 1224... TOUCH-OUT Less than the touch exit threshold TH TOUCH-OUT If so, the current capacitive touchpad can remain active and can exit program 1200. As described above, the control circuit can repeat program 1200 for each of the capacitive touchpads in the touch-sensitive device, for example, to determine and / or change the state of each of the capacitive touchpads.

[0186] It should be understood that any combination of dimmer control circuit and / or user interface control circuit can execute program 500, program 600, program 700, program 800, program 900, program 1000, program 1100, and / or program 1200. Furthermore, although described with reference to control circuit of a touch sensitive device, in some examples, control circuit of a control device (e.g., control circuit 314, control circuit 1310, etc.) can execute program 400 and / or 450. Finally, it should be understood that many of the programs described herein can be executed in conjunction with one another.

Claims

1. A control device configured to be used in a load control system to control one or more electrical loads external to the control device, the control device comprising: an actuating member having a front surface defining a touch-sensitive surface along at least a portion of the front surface; a touch-sensitive device including one or more capacitive touchpads positioned behind the actuating member and disposed proximate the touch-sensitive surface, the touch- sensitive device configured to detect touch actuations along the touch-sensitive surface; and a control circuit configured to: determine a change in position of a touch actuation along the touch-sensitive surface; generate an output signal using a first filtering technique when the change in position of a touch actuation exceeds a threshold, the output signal indicative of a position of a touch actuation along the touch-sensitive surface; and determine to generate the output signal using a second filtering technique when the change in position of a touch actuation does not exceed the threshold; wherein the output signal is used to control an amount of power delivered to the one or more electrical loads based on the position of the touch actuation; and wherein the first filtering technique is a light filtering or no filtering technique, and the second filtering technique is a heavy filtering technique.

2. The control device of claim 1, further comprising: a load control circuit configured to control the amount of power delivered to the one or more electrical loads based on the output signal.

3. The control device of claim 1, further comprising: a communication circuit configured to transmit a message including a command to control the one or more electrical loads based on the output signal.

4. The control device of claim 1, wherein the output signal is configured to adjust the amount of power delivered to the one or more electrical loads by a smaller increment when generated using the first filtering technique than when generated using the second filtering technique.

5. The control device of claim 1, wherein the first filtering technique includes a debounce algorithm.

6. The control device of claim 5, wherein the control circuit is configured to generate the output signal using the debounce algorithm with a first variable when the change in position of a touch actuation exceeds the threshold, and is configured to generate the output signal using the debounce algorithm with a second variable when the change in position of a touch actuation does not exceed the threshold.

7. The control device of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to generate the output signal using the first filtering technique in response to not detecting a touch actuation of the touch-sensitive device.

8. The control device of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to receive a first signal indicative of a position of the touch actuation along the touch-sensitive surface, and to filter the first signal to generate a second signal; and wherein the control circuit is further configured to set the output signal equal to the first signal when the change in position of the touch actuation exceeds the threshold, and set the output signal equal to the second signal when the change in position of the touch actuation does not exceed the threshold.

9. The control device of claim 1, further comprising: one or more indicator visual indicators configured to provide feedback on a status of the one or more electrical loads based on a position of the touch actuation.

10. The control device of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured to place a capacitive touchpad in an active state when a position of a touch actuation along the touch sensitive surface is adjacent to the capacitive touchpad; and wherein the control circuit is configured to use a filtering technique having a first variable when at least one of the capacitive touchpads is in the active state, and configured to use a filtering technique having a second variable when none of the capacitive touchpads are in the active state.

11. The control device of claim 10, wherein the control circuit is configured to operate in an active touch mode when at least one of the capacitive touchpads is in the active state, and operate in an inactive touch mode when all capacitive touchpads are in an inactive state.

12. The control device of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to perform a recalibration routine on the touch sensitive device, wherein during the recalibration routine the control circuit is configured to determine one or more parameter values for the touch sensitive device, configure the touch sensitive device with new parameter values, and store the new parameter values into memory.

13. The control device of claim 12, wherein the control circuit is configured to perform the recalibration routine in response to detecting a change in an internal temperature of the control device while in an inactive mode.

14. The control device of claim 13, wherein the control circuit is configured to disable a recalibration routine when the control circuit is in an active touch mode.

15. The control device of claim 12, wherein after a reset, the control circuit is configured to retrieve stored parameter values from memory and configure the touch sensitive device with the stored parameter values, instead of performing a recalibration routine.

16. The control device of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to operate in an active touch mode when the touch actuation is detected, and operate in an inactive touch mode when the touch actuation is not detected; and wherein the control circuit is configured to disable a recalibration routine when the control circuit is in the active touch mode, and enable the recalibration routine when the control circuit is in the inactive touch mode.

17. The control device of claim 16, wherein when the control circuit is in an active touch mode, the control circuit is configured to measure an internal temperature of the control device, determine one or more new parameter values for the touch sensitive device based on the internal temperature, and configure the touch sensitive device using the one or more new parameter values.

18. The control device of claim 17, wherein when the control circuit is in an active touch mode, the control circuit is configured to perform the recalibration routine in response to detecting a change in the internal temperature of the control device.

19. The control device of claim 1, wherein the touch sensitive device is configured to detect the touch actuation along the touch sensitive surface by detecting a change in capacitance of one or more of the capacitive touch pads; and wherein the control circuit is configured to detect changes in the capacitance of a plurality of the capacitive touch pads and to ignore the touch actuation when the number of capacitive touch pads in which the capacitance changes exceeds a threshold.

20. The control device of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to use the output signal to determine a location of the touch actuation along the touch sensitive surface when an indication of the capacitance of at least one of the capacitive touch pads exceeds a lower threshold and when the indication of the capacitance of all of the capacitive touch pads does not exceed an upper threshold; and wherein the control circuit is configured to ignore touch actuations along the touch sensitive surface when the indication of the capacitance of one or more of the capacitive touch pads exceeds the upper threshold.

21. The control device of claim 20, wherein the indication of the capacitance of a capacitive touch pad is a change in a count of the capacitive touch pad or a received signal received from the capacitive touch pad.

22. A control device configured to be used in a load control system to control one or more electrical loads external to the control device, the control device comprising: an actuating member having a front surface defining a touch sensitive surface along at least a portion of the front surface; a touch sensitive device comprising one or more receiving capacitive touch pads positioned behind the actuating member and arranged in a linear array proximate to the touch sensitive surface, the touch sensitive device configured to detect a touch actuation along the touch sensitive surface and provide an output signal in response to detecting a point actuation; and a control circuit configured to: determine a location of a plurality of consecutive point actuations along the touch sensitive surface using a first signal; determine whether the location of the plurality of consecutive point actuations is within or not within a predetermined range; and filter the first signal to generate a second signal; wherein the control circuit is configured to use the first signal to determine a position of the touch actuation along a length of the touch sensitive surface when the position of at least one of the plurality of successive point actuations is not within the predetermined range, and is configured to use the second signal to determine the position of the touch actuation along the length of the touch sensitive surface when the positions of the plurality of successive point actuations are within the predetermined range.

23. The control device of claim 22, wherein the control circuit is configured to: set the output signal equal to the first signal when the position of at least one of the plurality of successive point actuations is not within the predetermined range; and set the output signal equal to the second signal when the positions of the plurality of successive point actuations are within the predetermined range.

24. The control device of claim 22, wherein the control circuit is configured to: determine a minimum and a maximum of values of the first signal within a time window; determine whether a difference between the maximum and the minimum exceeds a threshold value; set the output signal equal to the first signal when the difference between the maximum and the minimum exceeds the threshold value; and set the output signal equal to the second signal when the difference between the maximum and the minimum does not exceed the threshold value.

25. The control device of claim 22, further comprising: a load control circuit configured to control an amount of power delivered to the one or more electrical loads in response to the position of the touch actuation.

26. The control device of claim 22, further comprising: a communication circuit configured to transmit a message including a command for controlling the one or more electrical loads in response to the position of the touch actuation.

27. The control device of claim 22, wherein the positions of the plurality of successive point actuations being within the predetermined range indicates that a user is making a fine adjustment along the touch sensitive surface.

28. The control device of claim 22, wherein the first signal is defined by a faster response time than a second output signal.

29. A control device configured for use in a load control system to control one or more electrical loads external to the control device, the control device comprising: an actuation member having a front surface defining a touch sensitive surface along at least a portion of the front surface; a touch sensitive device including one or more receiving capacitive touch pads positioned behind the actuation member and arranged in a linear array proximate to the touch sensitive surface, the touch sensitive device configured to detect a point actuation along the touch sensitive surface and provide an output signal to a control circuit in response to detecting the point actuation; and a control circuit configured to use the output signal to determine a position of the point actuation along the touch sensitive surface.

30. The control device of claim 29, wherein the control circuit is configured to: determine a minimum and a maximum of values of the output signal within a time window; determine whether a difference between the maximum and the minimum exceeds a threshold value; set the output signal equal to the first signal when the difference between the maximum and the minimum exceeds the threshold value; and set the output signal equal to the second signal when the difference between the maximum and the minimum does not exceed the threshold value. wherein the control circuit is configured to use a heavily filtered version of the output signal when the positions of a plurality of consecutive point actuations are within a predetermined range, and is configured to use an unfiltered or lightly filtered version of the output signal when the position of at least one of the plurality of consecutive point actuations is outside the predetermined range.

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