Method and apparatus for configuring a load control system

Abstract

The present application relates to a method and apparatus for configuring a load control system. A system and method for defining, designing, laying out and / or configuring a load control system for a load control environment is disclosed, the load control system may include window treatments, including, for example, roller blinds.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of an invention patent application with an international application date of January 12, 2018, a national application number of 201880017785.X (international application number PCT / US2018 / 013580), and an invention name of “Method and device for configuring a load control system”.

[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0003] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 446,201, filed on January 13, 2017, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Background Art

[0004] A load-controlled environment, such as a residence or, for example, an office building, may contain various types of load control systems. For example, a lighting control system may be used to control lighting loads in a load-controlled environment. An electric window treatment control system may be used to control the natural light provided to the load-controlled environment. A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system may be used to control the temperature in a load-controlled environment.

[0005] Each load control system may include various control devices, including control source devices and control target devices. The control target device may receive messages (e.g., digital messages) from one or more control source devices. The digital messages may include load control messages for controlling electrical loads. The control target device may be able to directly control the electrical load. The control source device may be able to indirectly control the electrical load via the control target device by sending digital messages to the corresponding control target device, and these digital messages include control instructions for controlling the electrical load controlled by the control target device. Examples of control target devices may include lighting control devices (e.g., dimmer switches, electronic switches, ballasts, or light emitting diode (LED) drivers), electric window products (e.g., electric roller blinds, cellular blinds, and / or valances), temperature control devices (e.g., thermostats), plug-in load control devices, etc. Examples of control source devices may include remote control devices, occupancy sensors, daylight sensors, temperature sensors, window sensors, etc. In order to enable the control target device to recognize instructions received from the control source device, the control target device and the control source device may be associated with each other so that the control target device can recognize digital messages received from the control source device.

[0006] Figure 1 An example load control environment 102 is depicted in which control source devices and control target devices of the load control system 100 may be installed and associated. Figure 1As shown in , the load control environment 102 is a room in a building. The load control system 100 includes a control target device that can directly control an electrical load. For example, the load control system 100 includes a lighting control device 112. The lighting control device 112 can be a ballast, a light emitting diode (LED) driver, a dimmer switch, etc. The lighting control device 112 can directly control the amount of power provided to the lighting load 114. The load control system 100 includes additional control target devices, such as an electric window treatment 116 for directly controlling a covering material 118 (e.g., via a motor), a plug-in load control device 126 for directly controlling a floor lamp 128, a table lamp, or other electrical load that can be plugged into the plug-in load control device 126, and / or a temperature control device 124 (e.g., a thermostat) for directly controlling an HVAC system.

[0007] The control source devices of the example load control system 100 include a remote control device 122, an occupancy sensor 110, a daylight sensor 108, and a window sensor 120. The control source device can send a message (such as a wireless or wired digital message) to the associated control target device to indirectly control the corresponding electrical load by transmitting a message (such as a load control message) to the control target device. The remote control device 122 can send a message for controlling the control target device upon actuation of one or more buttons. The occupancy sensor 110 can send a message to the control target device based on an occupancy or vacancy condition (e.g., movement or lack of movement) sensed within its observable area. The daylight sensor 108 can send a message to the control target device based on the amount of light measured within its observable area. The window sensor 120 can send a message to the control target device based on the detection of the amount of light received from outside the load control environment 102. For example, the window sensor 120 can detect when direct sunlight directly shines into the window sensor 120, is reflected onto the window sensor 120, or is blocked by external means (such as clouds or buildings), and can send a message indicating the detected light level. The control source device and the control target device may communicate using wireless signals, such as a radio frequency (RF) signal 156 .

[0008] The control source device and / or the control target device may communicate with the system controller 150. The system controller 150 may be capable of transmitting messages (such as wireless or wired digital messages) to control devices (such as control source devices and control target devices) and / or receiving messages from control devices. The message may include association information for associating the control source device and the control target device. The system controller 150 may store an association table of associated devices locally thereon. The system controller 150 may control the communication of messages from the control source device to the associated control target device. Some control devices may be capable of one-way communication, while other control devices may be capable of two-way communication. The system controller 150 may communicate with the control devices using wireless signals (such as radio frequency (RF) signals 154).

[0009] The control source device of the load control system 100 can be associated with the control target device using various association techniques. For example, in a first association procedure, the control source device can be associated with the control target device by actuating corresponding buttons on the control source device and the control target device by the user 142. The actuation of the buttons on the control source device and the control target device can place the control source device and the control target device in an association mode to associate with each other. In the association mode, the control source device can transmit an association message to the control target device. The association message from the control source device may include a unique identifier of the control source device, so that the control target device can identify subsequent messages including load control instructions from the control source device, and the control target device locally stores the unique identifier thereon. By controlling the corresponding electrical load according to the load control instruction received in the message, the control target device may be able to respond to the message from the associated control source device.

[0010] In a second example association procedure, the control source device and the control target device may be associated by the user 142 creating an association table at the computer 144. The association table may include a table associating each control target device with (one or more) control source devices on the computer 144. The user 142 may upload the association table to the system controller 150. The system controller 150 may then upload the association information for each control target device in the association table to the control target device so that the control target device may recognize a digital message (such as a wireless message) from the associated control source device programmed by the user at the computer 144. For example, the system controller 150 may upload the association information for each control target device in the association table to the control target device. Signal 152 receives the association table from computer 144 . Summary of the invention

[0011] It may be desirable to provide a system that enables and assists a user in defining, designing, laying out, and / or configuring a load control system (such as system 100 ) for a load control environment (such as environment 102 ).

[0012] A method may include displaying a design window that may include a canvas and a palette to a user on a display terminal. The canvas may include a workspace that allows a user to define and design a graphical representation of a load control system. The palette may include a shade pane. The method may include displaying an indication of a shade type to a user in the shade pane, and detecting that the user selects a shade type from the shade pane. The selection of the shade type may enable the user to define a graphical representation of a physical shade of the selected shade type in the canvas. Following determination that the user selects the shade type, the method may include determining that the user places a cursor at a first position in the canvas, and determining that the user enters a first command related to the first position. The first command may include an indication that the user is defining a graphical representation of a physical shade of the selected shade type at the first position. In response to the user entering the first command, the method may include displaying an operator icon representing an operator of the physical shade to the user at the first position in the canvas, and following display of the operator icon, determining that the user moves the cursor to a second position in the canvas that is different from the first position. In response to determining that the user has moved the cursor to the second position, the method may include displaying a first panel icon to the user. The first panel icon may represent a first panel of a physical shade, and the first panel icon may extend at least partially from the operator icon to the cursor. The method may include displaying a numerical value representing the length of the first panel of the physical shade to the user. The numerical value may change when the cursor moves from the first position to the second position. The method may include determining that the user enters a second command. The second command may include an indication that the user is terminating the definition of the first panel. Following the second command, the method may include determining whether the user is terminating the definition of the physical shade or adding a second panel to the physical shade. In response to determining that the user is terminating the definition of the physical shade, the method may include displaying a label associated with a graphical representation of the physical shade to the user in the canvas.

[0013] The apparatus may include at least one processor, and may also include at least one tangible non-volatile memory device communicatively coupled to the at least one processor. The at least one tangible non-volatile memory device may have software instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by the at least one processor, direct the at least one processor to display a design window that may include a canvas and a palette to a user on a display terminal. The palette may include a shade pane. The software instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may also direct the at least one processor to display an indication of a shade type to the user in the shade pane, and detect that the user selects a shade type from the shade pane. The selection of the shade type may enable the user to define a graphical representation of a physical shade of the selected shade type in the canvas. Following determination that the user selects the shade type, the software instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may also direct the at least one processor to determine that the user places a cursor at a first position in the canvas, and determine that the user enters a first command related to the first position. The first command may include an indication that the user is defining a graphical representation of a physical shade of the selected shade type at the first position. In response to the user inputting the first command, the software instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may also direct the at least one processor to display an operator icon representing an operator of the physical window shade to the user at the first position in the canvas, and subsequent to displaying the operator icon, determine that the user moved the cursor to a second position in the canvas that is different from the first position. In response to determining that the user moved the cursor to the second position, the software instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may also direct the at least one processor to display a first panel icon to the user. The first panel icon may represent a first panel of the physical window shade, and the first panel icon may extend at least partially from the operator icon to the cursor. The software instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may also direct the at least one processor to display a numerical value representing the length of the first panel of the physical window shade to the user. The numerical value may change when the cursor moves from the first position to the second position. The software instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may also direct the at least one processor to determine that the user inputs a second command. The second command may include an indication that the user is terminating the definition of the first panel. Subsequent to the second command, the software instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may further direct the at least one processor to determine whether the user is terminating the definition of the physical shade or adding a second panel to the physical shade. In response to determining that the user is terminating the definition of the physical shade, the software instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may further direct the at least one processor to display a label associated with the graphical representation of the physical shade to the user in the canvas.

[0014] These methods and systems may have several advantages, such as allowing a user to define a more easily readable graphical representation of a load control system, creating load control system designs that aid installers of such systems, detecting problems and issues with such load control systems as they are being defined (as compared to when they are being manufactured and / or installed), etc. These advantages may create user efficiencies, for example.

[0015] The above advantages and features are merely representative embodiments. They are not to be considered as limiting. Additional features and advantages of the embodiments will become clear in the following description, according to the accompanying drawings and according to the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 is a system diagram illustrating an example load control environment including a control device.

[0017] Figure 2A-Figure 12 Illustrated are example screenshots of a design system for defining, designing, laying out, and / or configuring a load control system.

[0018] Fig.13 are example processes for defining, designing, laying out, and / or configuring a load control system.

[0019] Fig.14 is a block diagram of an example computing system for defining, designing, laying out, and / or configuring a design system for a load control system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] A load control system (such as an AC power source or a DC power source) for controlling the power delivered to an electrical load from a power source (such as an AC power source or a DC power source) Figure 1The system 100 shown in ) may include control devices, such as control target devices and control source devices. The control target device may be operable to be associated with at least one control source device. The control source device may be operable to send association information, which is configured to associate the control source device with the control target device (e.g., during an association procedure). For example, the control source device may send an association message to the control target device, the association message including association information, such as a unique identifier (e.g., a serial number) of the control source device, to be stored on the control target device. The control target device may store the unique identifier of the control source device, and subsequently identify a message (e.g., a wired or wireless digital message) received from the control source device, which may be transmitted to the control target device to perform load control. The control source device may send control information to the associated control target device to control the electrical load of the control target device. Examples of load control systems are described in more detail in commonly assigned U.S. Patent No. 5,905,442, issued on May 18, 1999, entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING AND DETERMINING THE STATUS OF ELECTRICAL DEVICES FROM REMOTE LOCATIONS,” and U.S. Patent No. 8,417,388, issued on April 9, 2013, entitled “LOAD CONTROL SYSTEM HAVINGAN ENERGY SAVINGS MODE,” the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0021] The load control system may include a system controller that can be operable to receive association information, and can maintain an association between a control target device and a control source device when the system controller is integrated into the load control system. The system controller can maintain an association between the devices so that the control target device can be controlled by the associated control source device after the system controller is integrated into the load control system. In some cases, the control source device can send control information directly to the associated control target device to control the electrical load of the control target device. In other cases, the system controller can use the association information to facilitate communication of control information from the control source device to the associated control target device. The system controller can also send control information to the control target device to control the electrical load of the control target device. The system controller can be a gateway device, a bridge device, an access point, etc. Examples of load control systems having a system controller are described in more detail in commonly assigned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0001977, published on January 2, 2014, entitled “LOAD CONTROL SYSTEM HAVING INDEPENDENTLY-CONTROLLED UNITS RESPONSIVE TO A BROADCAST CONTROLLER,” and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0185752, published on July 2, 2015, entitled “WIRELESS LOAD CONTROL SYSTEM,” the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0022] A user may use a design system as described herein to define, design, layout, and / or configure a load control system (such as system 100) for a load control environment (such as environment 102). For example, a user may use a design system to: define a graphical representation of a load control environment (e.g., a room, a floor with one or more rooms, several floors with several rooms, etc.), define specific electrical devices (e.g., electrical loads / light fixtures and / or control devices, such as control source devices and / or control target devices) for the load control system, select the defined electrical devices, place graphical representations (e.g., icons) of the selected electrical devices within the graphical representation of the load control environment at desired locations within the environment, and configure the selected electrical devices (which may include generating graphical representations of connections (e.g., electrical and / or communication connections) and / or associations between the selected electrical devices), thereby creating a load control system.

[0023] Users may also use the design system described herein to: define specific window treatments (including motorized window treatments (e.g., shades (such as roller shades and / or cellular shades), blinds (such as venetian blinds), draperies, etc.) for use with a load control system), select the defined window treatments, place graphical representations (e.g., icons) of the selected window treatments within a graphical representation of a load control environment at desired locations within the environment, and configure the selected window treatments (which may include generating graphical representations of connections and / or associations between the selected window treatments and other electrical devices). For descriptive purposes, the term shade(s) will be used hereinafter to refer to the window treatments to describe the design system, but it is applicable to other types of window treatments, and the use of the term shade(s) is not meant to limit the applicability of the design system. Such a design system may have a variety of uses for various types of users of the design system. For example, a graphical representation of a load control environment and graphical representations (e.g., icons) of electrical devices and shades may allow a designer to design and / or layout a load control system and visually communicate the resulting design and / or layout to a customer. The design system can generate a list of components required to build a load control system (e.g., a bill of materials listing electrical devices, window shades, etc.). The graphical representation of the load control system, together with the graphical representation of the electrical devices and window shades, can assist the installer / electrician / builder, for example, when installing the actual load control system within a physical / real world load control environment. Once the load control system is installed in the physical load control environment, the connections and / or associations generated by the design system between the electrical devices, including the window shades, can define the operation of the load control system and thereby assist the installer in configuring the load control system once installed. The design system can also generate warnings and errors when the user is designing and / or configuring the load control system. These are merely some exemplary benefits of the design system described herein, and it will be appreciated that the design system need not provide all of these benefits and can also provide additional benefits.

[0024] The design system described herein may include design software, which may include computer-based instructions. The design software may include one or more software-based modules, including, for example, graphical user interface (GUI) software and a software-based logic engine, each of which may include one or more software-based modules. The GUI software may provide a GUI-based interface and / or a GUI-based "(one or more) windows" to the user, and may allow the user to interact with the design system. As described herein, in general, a software-based logic engine may provide the features of the GUI software and the features of the design system, and may also include a database / database system for storing (e.g., as defined by the user) design, layout and / or configuration information. The design software may be located in whole or in part in one or more computer-readable tangible and non-transient memory devices, and may be executed from one or more memory devices. In addition to / as an alternative to software-based modules, the features of the design software may also be provided by firmware and / or hardware.

[0025] In addition to other software (such as operating system(s) and / or database management system(s), the design system may also include one or more computing systems having one or more processors and / or graphics processors that can execute design software to provide the features and functionality described herein (hereinafter, references to a design system that provides the features and functionality described herein may be understood to mean computing system(s) that execute software-based instructions, including, for example, design software, to provide the features and functionality described herein). Such computing system(s) may include one or more visual display screens / terminals and / or touch-sensitive visual display screens for displaying information to a user, and may include one or more input / output devices (e.g., keyboard, touch-sensitive screen, touch-sensitive pad, mouse, trackball, audio speaker, audio receiver, etc.) for a user to interact with / control the design system. The computing system(s) may also include one or more transceivers and / or communication circuits for communicating via wired and / or wireless communication systems / networks. Example computing system(s) may include a personal computer (PC), a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a smart phone, and the like. The design system may be a standalone system, or in other words, a system in which, for example, the GUI software, the logic engine, and the database(s) / database management system(s) are executed on a single computing system. The design system may be a distributed system, or in other words, a system in which the GUI software is executed in whole or in part on a first computing system(s), the logic engine is executed in whole or in part on a further / second computing system(s), and the database(s) / database management system(s) are executed in whole or in part on a third computing system(s), wherein each computing system is networked via a wired and / or wireless communication system / network and / or some combination thereof. The design system may be a web-based system. The design system may also interface with one or more other systems (e.g., database(s) / database management system(s)) via a communication system / network, which may provide, for example, standard electrical equipment and window shade components that a user may select and thereby use to define and build / install an actual load control system.

[0026] For descriptive purposes only, this document will describe user interaction with the design system from the perspective of a keyboard and mouse / mouse cursor (e.g., pointer) and actuation of one or more mouse buttons (e.g., a user uses a mouse to move a cursor over a desired icon / feature of a GUI window and activates the feature / icon through one or more mouse clicks / actuations). Nonetheless, it will be appreciated that the design system is not limited to user interaction via a keyboard and mouse, and that the user may interact with the design system in other ways including voice commands, touch screens, and the like. Furthermore, movement of a mouse pointer, actuation of mouse buttons, and / or keyboard keys may be viewed as the user inputting commands to the design system, and the design system detecting or receiving these commands or indications thereof.

[0027] Go to Figure 2A , illustrates an example GUI-based design window 200 that can be displayed to a user by design software on a visual display of a design system. The design window 200 may include a canvas 202 and a palette 204. The palette 204 may allow and / or enable a user to: define / configure electrical loads and / or fixtures (hereinafter referred to as fixtures), define and / or configure control devices (hereinafter referred to as devices), and define / configure shades. The palette 204 may also allow a user to select defined fixtures, devices, and shades and place graphical representations (hereinafter generally referred to as icons, but other representations may be used) of the selected fixtures, devices, and shades within the canvas 202 to define a graphical representation of a load control system. The canvas 202 may be a workplace and / or workspace on which a user may define, design, lay out and / or configure a graphical representation of a load control system by placing icons of fixtures, devices and shades selected from the palette 204, and by further configuring such fixtures, devices and shades (such configuration may include, for example, generating graphical representations of connections and / or associations between the selected fixtures, devices and shades). Hereinafter, the terms canvas, workplace and workspace will be used interchangeably to refer to the canvas 202. In general, the fixtures, devices and shades placed within the canvas 202 and their configuration may at least partially define a desired load control system for a load control environment. Likewise, a user may interact with the design window 200 (e.g., define, select, place and configure fixtures, devices and shades) using one or more of a mouse, trackball, touch-sensitive screen, keyboard, speaker / receiver, etc.

[0028] With further reference to the canvas 202, the design system may allow or enable the user to import from a database / database management system, for example, one or more graphical representations of a floor plan(s) of the load control environment for which the load control system is being designed (e.g., a reflected ceiling or floor plan of a room, floor, or floors, etc.). The floor plan(s) may be a top view (such as looking down from the ceiling) of the room(s) or floor(s), but other representations may be used. As an example, the top view of the floor plan may be a reflected ceiling view of those light fixtures in the room, for example, which may be displayed on top / above the floor of the room or structures in the room (such as tables and desks, etc.). Upon user selection, the design system may display the one or more floor plans selected by the user within the canvas 202. The floor plan(s) may cover all or only a portion of the canvas 202. The design system may display the floor plan(s) as a background on which the user may define a load control system for the load control environment. In other words, the background may provide a reference frame for the user to work on. For example, when a user selects fixtures, devices, and shades from the palette 204, the user can place icons representing these selections within the canvas 202 at specific desired locations on the displayed floor plan. Placing icons on the floor plan can be considered a layout or design because it can visually show where the fixtures, devices, and shades may need to be on the floor plan once they are physically installed within the physical / real-world load control environment. As indicated, the user can also use the design system to define connections and / or associations between fixtures, devices, and shades. Graphical representations of these connections and / or associations can also be graphically displayed on the background (e.g., by icons depicted as lines). Similarly, the user can define annotations and / or comments, and / or the design system can provide warnings, which can also be displayed on the floor plan, for example.

[0029] Figure 3A An example of a design window 200 with an imported floor plan 300 shown on a canvas 202 is shown, along with example graphical representations of equipment (e.g., shades 302a and 302b, light fixtures 304, and equipment 306). The design system may allow a user to associate a graphical representation of a load control system with a floor plan. Figure 1 The design system can also allow the user to connect the load control system defined in the canvas 202 to the floor plan. Figure 1 The defined load control system can be saved (e.g., to a database) and later recalled and displayed with the load control system and floor plan in the canvas 202. Nevertheless, the user does not necessarily need to import / use a floor plan to define a load control system.

[0030] Figure 2B Shown from Figure 2A 204. The palette 204 may include a plurality of sections, including a control pane 205, a fixture pane 210, a device pane 211, a shade pane 220, a zone function pane 212, an annotation pane 213, and a layer pane 214, but may include fewer and / or additional sections. The sections may be expanded and collapsed individually, with the fixture pane 210, the device pane 211, and the shade pane 220 shown as expanded, and the zone function pane 212, the annotation pane 213, and the layer pane 214 shown as collapsed. The fixture pane 210 and the device pane 211 may allow a user to: define and / or configure specific fixtures and load control devices for a load control system, select instances of the defined fixtures and devices, and place icons representing the selected fixtures and devices within the canvas 202, wherein the icons represent instances of physical fixtures and devices to be installed within the load control system. The shades pane 220 may allow a user to: define and / or configure specific shades for the load control system, select an instance of the defined shade, and then place an icon representing the selected shade within the canvas 202, wherein the icon also represents an instance of a physical shade to be installed within the load control system. Likewise, when the user places the selected icon within the canvas 202, in addition to defining the components of the load control system, the canvas 202 may also illustrate and thereby define the layout of the load control system, as the icons may be placed, for example, at specific locations within the canvas 202 relative to a displayed background. It will be appreciated that the design system need not include, for example, the fixtures pane 210, the equipment pane 211, and the shades pane 220, and may include only the shades pane 220, and thus be, for example, a shade design tool.

[0031] The control pane 205 may include a selection control tool 206, which, when determined by the design system to be activated by a user (e.g., via a mouse), may allow a user to select, for example, a particular icon(s) within the canvas 202. Once selected, the design system may allow the user to move the icon, redefine the characteristics of the light fixture, device, or shade that may be represented by the icon, duplicate the icon to place additional light fixtures, devices, or shades within the canvas 202, delete the icon, and so forth.

[0032] The control pane 205 may also include an area control tool 207, which, when determined by the design system to be activated by a user, may allow a user to define and / or draw areas within the canvas 202. Areas may have geometric shapes, which may allow a user to define, for example, spaces or rooms within a load control environment that the user is particularly interested in. The design system may allow a user to define the size and shape of an area. The shape of an area may include a box or a rectangle or an ellipse, but the user may define any shape. A user may use the area control tool 207 to define and / or draw geometric shapes within the canvas 202, such as by drawing a shape on a specific area (e.g., a room) of a displayed floor plan. For example, Figure 3B As shown in FIG. 1 , the canvas 202 includes a defined area (referred to as a "conference room") 302 applied on a floor plan 300. However, a floor plan need not necessarily be displayed in the canvas 202 to draw areas. Thus, a user can use areas to define specific spaces or rooms within a load control environment (here, a conference room).

[0033] Once the (one or more) zones are defined by the zone control tool 207, the design system can allow the user to then define the lamps, devices and shades for each zone, for example, by placing the icons of the selected lamps, devices and shades in the defined zones using the lamp pane 210, the device pane 211 and the shade pane 220. In other words, the zone control tool 207 can be viewed as a tool for subdividing the load control environment into subspaces or subareas and then defining the load control system from the perspective of the subspaces or subareas. Specifically, once the zones are defined (and possibly named by the user) and once the selected lamps, devices and / or shades are placed in the defined zones, the design system can associate the defined zones with the selected lamps, devices and shades so that the user can view and inspect the components of the load control system from the perspective of each zone - for example, what lamps, devices and / or shades are in a particular room. For ease of viewing, the figures herein can be shown as including the defined zones without showing the floor plan background. Similarly, the floor plan may or may not be shown within the canvas 202, as the user may desire. It will also be appreciated that once a zone is defined, the zone may be modified or deleted by the user at any time. Furthermore, the user need not define zones for the design system to allow the user to define lamps, devices, and shades. Furthermore, if zones are used, then zones may be defined first, then lamps, devices, and / or shades may be defined. Alternatively, lamps, devices, and / or shades may be defined first, then zones, or some combination thereof.

[0034] The control pane 205 may also include a connection control tool 209, which, when determined by the design system to be activated by a user, may allow the user to define and / or generate a graphical representation of connections (e.g., electrical and / or communication connections) and / or associations between, for example, light fixtures, devices, and shades defined in the canvas 202, thereby creating a load control system.

[0035] For example, examples of how the design system discussed herein can be used to define and / or configure a load control system using a luminaire pane 210 and a device pane 211 are described in commonly assigned U.S. patent application publication No. 2017 / 0228110, published on August 10, 2017, and entitled “CONFIGURING A LOAD CONTROL SYSTEM,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0036] Turning now to the shades pane 220, this pane can allow a user to define, design, layout and / or configure one or more shades for a load control system of a load controlled environment. As noted, the design system can support different styles of shades, including, for example, roller blinds, cellular blinds, Roman shades, venetian blinds, draperies, and the like (again, the term shades is used herein to generally refer to various types of window treatments). For ease of description, roller blinds (which may also be referred to herein as blackout blinds) will be used to describe the design system, but the design system is applicable to other types of window treatments, and the use of the terms roller blinds or blackout blinds is not meant to limit the applicability of the system. Prior to describing the shades pane 220, a description of roller blinds will first be provided.

[0037] Generally speaking, a roller shade can be considered to include one or more roller tubes (which may also be referred to herein as rollers), one or more panels (e.g., portions of a shade fabric), an operator (which may also be referred to herein as a drive unit or motor drive unit), and one or more couplers, as well as hardware that may be required to connect the roller tubes and operator to a physical structure (such as mounting hardware and mounting brackets, etc.). It will be appreciated that a shade may include other components (such as hembars, top products, etc.).

[0038] In the simplest form, a roller blind may include a reel tube (reel tube and reel may be used interchangeably herein), a panel, and an operator. A panel may be a physical covering material (e.g., a blind fabric) for covering a window or a portion of a window of a building. The material from which the panel may be made may include any material, such as fabric, plastic, metal, wood, and the like. (Hereinafter, the term fabric will be used to generally refer to the material from which the panel may be made). For a given load control system, a user may define a plurality of roller blinds with different fabrics, as discussed further below. Different fabrics may have different openness (e.g., fabrics may be transparent, blackout, and the like). For a given application, a plurality of blinds may be installed on a given window, wherein the panel of one blind is made of one material, and the panel of another blind is made of, for example, another material. Such a blind combination may be located one in front of another and operated independently. The panel may have a horizontal length / width and a vertical height, depending on, for example, the window that the blind is designed to cover. The panel may have different weights, depending on the fabric / material from which the panels are made.

[0039] Panel can be connected to and supported and / or carried by reel tube, and this reel tube can be cylindrical tube or rod, but other shapes can also be used.Reel tube can have the same physical length or approximately the same physical length as the horizontal length of the panel carried by it.The blackout curtain can be configured so that the reel rotates in the direction opposite to the direction that the panel is wound around the reel / on the reel (for example, clockwise and counterclockwise).In this way, when the reel spins or rotates, the panel can be raised and lowered when it is wound around the reel and unwound from the reel, thereby opening and closing the blackout curtain respectively.The material of the construction reel and / or the diameter of the reel can depend on the weight of the panel carried by the reel, the length / height of the panel and / or the style of the blackout curtain, but other factors can also dictate the material and / or the diameter.

[0040] The shade can also include an operator that can be connected to the roller tube and can be used to control the shade, that is, to open and close the shade by raising and lowering the panel. The operator can be a manual operator that allows the user to manually control the panel. The operator can be an AC motor or a DC motor that allows the user to electrically control the panel using, for example, a control device. The motor operator can be powered externally via an external power source and / or can be powered by a battery. The motor operator can also allow the user to manually control the panel. The motor operator can be controllable via a wireless and / or wire-based communication network. Different operators can be used, depending on the length and / or weight and / or style of the panel, roller and / or shade that the operator is to operate. The operator can be located at one end of the roller (e.g., the left or right side). Regardless of which end the operator is located, it can be located outside the roller, or it can be located at least partially inside the roller itself. The side on which the operator is placed can depend on the physical space / room in which the shade is installed and / or on the user's expectations. From a naming perspective, once the shade is installed on the window and the user is looking at the window from the inside of the space, area and / or room, the operator may be a left-side operator if the operator is on the left side (i.e., end) of the shade from the user's perspective. Similarly, if the operator is on the right side (i.e., end) of the shade from the user's perspective, the operator may be a right-side operator. Other shades have an operator located inside the roller (such as in the middle of the roller).

[0041] Depending on the specific application (e.g., the number of windows, the length of (one or more) windows, etc.), the blackout curtain can be a multi-panel blackout curtain and include a plurality of rollers and / or panel combinations connected in a linear configuration using one or more couplers. Not all rollers and / or panels of the multi-panel blackout curtain need to have the same horizontal length. Preferably, each panel has the same height, but it is not required. Here, the coupler can be placed at the end of the roller to connect adjacent rollers and / or panel combinations. For example, a first coupler can be used to connect the right side (i.e., end) of the first roller and / or panel to the left side (i.e., end) of the second roller and / or panel, and a second coupler can be used to connect the right side of the second roller and / or panel to the left side of the third roller and / or panel, and so on. Then the operator can be placed, for example, on the left side of the first roller and / or panel or the right side of the third roller and / or panel. Using the coupler, the operator can control all rollers / panels of the blackout curtain at the same time. Similarly, the same terms as above can be used to indicate whether the operator is a left operator or a right operator. Additionally, the materials, diameters, and / or types of rollers and operators used to manufacture a multi-panel shade may depend on, for example, the weight, length, and / or style of the shade.

[0042] It will be appreciated that other shade styles may operate in a similar manner. For example, a venetian blind style shade may be constructed from multiple sections of venetian blinds, each section connected by a coupler, and one of the sections having an operator (e.g., manual or electrical) that controls all of the sections.

[0043] Now go to Figure 2C , showing an expanded view of a shade pane 220 of the palette 204. The shade pane 220 may include a drawing / stamp icon 223, a shade definition or edit icon 222, a shade type section 224, and an expand / collapse icon 226. The shade definition icon 222 may allow a user to define one or more shade types, where a shade type is, for example, a shade style having a defined type of material for covering a window (described below with respect to FIG. 1 ). Figure 4 further explanation). Figure 2B The shade defining icon 221 on the shade pane 220 shown in FIG. 1 may also provide Figure 2C Once defined, the shade type may appear in a shade type section 224, where each row (225a, 225b, etc.) of the shade type section represents and / or provides an indication of the shade type defined. For example, in Figure 2C In the present invention, two types of blinds have been defined (for example, using Figure 4 400 shown in and discussed below). The design system may be configured to, at least in part, define one or more default shade types that may appear in shade types section 224 when a user launches the design system and / or begins designing a new load control system. As another example, the design system may allow a user to define (at least in part) one or more default shade types that may appear in shade types section 224 whenever the user uses the design system. As another example, as a user uses the design system and defines different shade types, these may be automatically saved and appear in shade types section 224 whenever the user uses the design system. Other examples and variations are possible.

[0044] The user may select one of the defined shade types in the shade type section 224 and then place an instance of that shade type in the canvas 202, as described below. For each shade type 225a and 225b, the shade type section 224 may include a shade type name 224a (as provided by the design system and / or the user), the type of material from which the shade is made (e.g., the type of fabric from which the panels for a roller shade are made, such as clear or all black; the type of material from which the slats for a Roman shade or venetian blind are made, such as metal, plastic, or wood), and the number 224c of that shade type that the user has included in the load control system and placed in the canvas 202 so far. Other and / or fewer fields may be used. According to another aspect, the design system may associate a different color with each shade type, such as by showing the shade type name 224a in a different colored box, a different grayscale, and so on. As discussed further below, when a user selects a given shade type from the shade type section 224 and places the shade in the canvas 202, a representation of the shade may be shown in the shade type section 224. User selection of the expand / collapse icon 226 may cause the design system to expand and collapse the shade pane 220.

[0045] Assuming the design system detects that the user has selected the shade definition icon 222 or 221 (eg, by mouse actuation), the design system may display an example shade definition window 400 to the user, such as Figure 4 . The shade definition window 400 can allow a user to define one or more shade types (as shown in example rows 401a and 401b), where each row of the window represents a different shade type. Shades that have already been defined (and therefore appear in the shade type portion 224) can be shown by the design system in the shade definition window 400, allowing the user to modify the previously defined shade type. Through the user's selection of the add shade type icon 402, the design system can add additional rows to the shade definition window 400, allowing the user to define new shade types. The user can provide the following information about each shade type.

[0046] ■ The user can provide a name for the shade type (as represented by column 404), or the design system can provide a default name. As an example, the name value can be used by the design system as Figure 2C The shade type name is 224a.

[0047] ■ The user may select from one or more shade styles (as represented by column 406), which may be a drop-down menu from which the user may select a shade style (e.g., roller shades, cellular shades, Roman shades, venetian blinds, draperies, etc.). When selecting a shade style for the shade type, the user may select an operator type, such as electric or manual. When the operator is an electric operator, when selecting the shade style, the user may select whether the electric operator is controllable via a wireless or wired communication network, etc.

[0048] ■ The user may select from one or more shade fabrics (as represented by column 408), which may be a drop-down menu of shade fabrics for the user to select from, and where not all shade styles will necessarily have that option.

[0049] ■ The user can select from one or more fabric types (as represented by column 410), which can be a drop-down menu from which the user can select a fabric type (e.g., clear or all black for a shade made of fabric; aluminum slats or wood slats for a venetian blind; etc.). As another alternative, the design system can determine this field based on the shade style 406 and / or the selected structure 408.

[0050] ■ The user may select from one or more top-apparel types (as represented by column 412), which may be a drop-down menu from which the user may select a top-apparel type (eg, none, fascia, top-backcover, etc.).

[0051] The shade definition window 400 may allow the user to define other fields (such as the curling strip segment style) and / or may only include Figure 4 . The shade definition window 400 may also allow the user to delete / remove one or more rows and thereby remove one or more shade types from the shade types section 224. For example, upon user selection of the done icon 414, the design system may save the shade types defined, updated, and / or removed by the user, close the shade definition window 400, and update the shade types section 224 appropriately (e.g., displaying the new shade type).

[0052] After completing the definition of one or more shade types, the user may next select (e.g., via a mouse) the area control tool 207, may move the mouse cursor to the canvas 202, and may then, via movement of the mouse and possibly actuation of mouse buttons, may define and / or draw an area within the canvas 202 to represent the area (e.g., space and / or room) to which the user wishes to add the shade (again, the user may draw the area on a displayed background of a floor plan, such as Figure 3A and 3B ). Figure 5 An example area 500 is shown that a user may define and / or draw in the canvas 202. Likewise, it will be appreciated that the area 500 may be drawn in other ways. Likewise, it will be appreciated that a user does need to define an area in the canvas 202 that defines the shade.

[0053] As indicated, the shade pane 220 may include a drawing / stamping control icon 223 (e.g., Figure 2C ). The drawing / imprinting control icons 223 allow the user to define a shade in the canvas 202 in two different ways - either by drawing the shade (when the "draw" control is activated), or by placing / imprinting an icon of the shade (when the "imprint" control is activated). First, the process of "drawing" a shade in the canvas 202 (as shown in FIG. Figure 2C , the drawing controls are active), followed by the process for stamping the shades. Now go to Figure 6A-6H , describes an example procedure for defining a single panel shade (by drawing the shade) for a load control system. Fig. 6A Initially, the user may select a defined shade type 225a or 225b from the shade type section 224. As the user makes the selection, the design system may highlight the selected shade type to the user—here, for example, highlighting row 225b. Thereafter, the user may move a cursor 602 (e.g., a mouse cursor) to the canvas 202 as they begin efforts to place a specific shade of the selected shade type within the designed load control system. Upon detecting that the cursor 602 has moved to the canvas 202, the design system may change the cursor to a different form. For example, the system may change the cursor 602 from a pointer / arrow to a crosshair, such as Fig. 6A . Thereafter, the user can move cursor 602 to a desired location where the user wants to place shade 610 and actuate a mouse button. The location can be within a specific location of area 500, for example, adjacent to a window within the defined area. In this manner, the user can not only define shades for the load control system, but also define specific locations within the load control environment, thereby providing a visual layout of shades that may be useful to designers, installers, and the like.

[0054] Upon detecting actuation of a mouse button (which may include, for example, pressing and / or pressing and releasing a mouse button), the design system may display an operator icon 612 (here a rounded circle, but any shape may be used) at the location of the cursor 602. The design system may use the operator icon 612 to indicate to the user the location (e.g., left or right) of a shade operator (e.g., a manual or motor drive unit) of the shade 610 that the user is currently defining. The operator icon 612 may be any color, such as red, to help assign / easily show the location of the operator. Thereafter, the user may drag / move the mouse cursor in any direction. As the user drags the cursor, the design system may detect the movement and draw a panel icon 614 (e.g., an elongated rectangular icon, such as a line, but a shaped icon may be used) extending from the operator icon 612 toward the cursor 602. The panel icon 614 may represent a panel and / or scroll of the shade 610. As an example, a user may press and release a mouse button to cause the design system to display operator icon 612, and thereafter may drag or move the mouse cursor without having to press the mouse button, with the design system drawing panel icon 614 as the cursor moves. Other examples are possible. Panel icon 614 may be any color, preferably a different color than operator icon 612. If a color is associated with a shade type as shown in shade type section 224 discussed above, the design system may use the same color for panel icon 614. In this way, a user may easily determine which specific shade types are defined within canvas 202.

[0055] Generally speaking, the design system may use panel icon 614 to represent and / or display to the user the linear length of the panel of shade 610 being defined and the position of shade 610 . As the user drags the cursor 602, the design system may also display to the user a digital representation 616 of the length of the panel of the shade 610 represented by the panel icon 614 (here illustrated by the numerical length 98"). The digital representation 616 of the length may be a real-world representation of the length of the shade panel that may be used in an actual physical space in which the designed shade will be placed in the real world. In other words, the digital representation 616 may be the length of the physical covering material used to cover the window. It will be appreciated that the length of the shade 610 itself may be longer than the digital representation 616 because the completed shade may include a roller that extends beyond the panel and may also include mounting hardware, etc. According to another example, the digital representation 616 may include any portion of the roller that may extend beyond the panel and / or may also include mounting hardware, etc. As the user moves the cursor 602 away from the operator icon 612 (i.e., as the panel icon 614 becomes longer and thus the shade 610 becomes longer), the design system may also display to the user a digital representation 616 of the length of the panel represented by the panel icon 614. 0 becomes longer), the design system can dynamically increase the digital representation 616 of the length of the shade panel, and can similarly dynamically decrease the digital representation 616 of the shade panel as the user moves the cursor 602 toward the operator icon 612 (i.e., when the panel icon 614 becomes shorter and, therefore, the shade 610 becomes shorter). According to one aspect of the design system, the design system can determine the digital representation 616 of the panel based on a defined scale and / or transformation, wherein the design system detects and / or determines the length of the panel within the canvas 202 and converts the length to a real-world length as shown in the digital representation 616 using the defined scale and / or transformation. More specifically, the scale and displayed digital representation 616 can be used to provide and / or specify to the user the actual real-world length of the panel. The design system can also use the actual real-world length for the panel as represented by the digital representation 616 to determine whether there is an error or problem with the defined shade, as discussed below.

[0056] An example scaling system is as follows, but other systems may be used. According to this example, the design system may be configured such that a defined number "x" of linear pixels within the canvas 202 represents a linear length "y" within the design system (e.g., 50 pixels equal 0.5 inches) (this conversion may be set by an administrator of the design system and may depend on the actual system used to execute the design software). The design system may also be configured such that each linear length "y" within the design system represents a real-world length "z" (e.g., 0.5 inches equals 48 inches). In this manner, when a user draws a shade 610, the design system may determine the number of linear pixels that make up the panel icon 614 (i.e., required to draw and / or represent the shade), and convert that number into a represented real-world length (e.g., as shown in digital representation 616) using a scale. Any scale metric may be used (inches, feet, yards, centimeters, meters, etc.). The design system may default the scale / conversion of "y" to "z" to a preset value, where the user is allowed to modify the scale.

[0057] According to an example, Figure 6B As shown in , the design system may provide the user with a scaling tool 10 that allows the user to define a ratio of "y" to "z". Here, the design system may allow the user to draw a linear length 12, for example by using a mouse, wherein the design system provides a linear measurement of the length as shown in 13a and 13b (which may be the same value). The values ​​shown in 13a and 13b may be determined by the design system based on a pixel to length conversion (defined as the "x" to "y" conversion above), wherein the values ​​shown in 13a and 13b are "y" values. Once the length 12 is drawn to the desired length, the user may then define (using field 14) a conversion of the values ​​shown in 13a and 13b to a real-world length (i.e., defined as the "y" to "z" conversion above) (in this example, for example, 0.635 inches equals 8 inches). Alternatively, when the user activates the tool 10, the design system may automatically set the value shown in 13a and allow the user to set field 14. It will be appreciated that other ratios and conversions may be used, and other ways of defining ratios and conversions may be used.

[0058] Turning again to the drawing of panel icon 614, in order to terminate panel icon 614 and therefore terminate the panel defined by panel icon 614, the user can next actuate, for example, a mouse button and / or press a keyboard key (e.g., a control key). Upon detecting the mouse button actuation and / or key, the design system can determine whether the length of the defined panel of window shade 610 (e.g., digital representation 616) is a valid length for the window shade type being defined. For example, certain window shade types may have panels that can only be manufactured in certain lengths (e.g., between 12 and 240 inches). If the length is not a valid length, the design system can generate and display to the user an error message (not shown) indicating the error, and then resume allowing the user to change the length of the panel, as shown in panel icon 614 of window shade 610. Conversely, if the length of the panel is a valid length, the design system can display to the user, for example, a Figure 6C Window 630 is shown (such a window may require the user to actuate both a mouse button and a keyboard key). Window 630 may allow the user to improve the length 616 of the panel defined by the panel icon 614 of the window shade 610 by entering a numerical value (which may be a real-world length) in a field 632 of window 630. The design system may only allow the user to enter a valid length, and / or if the value entered in field 632 is not a valid value, an error message may be generated again. When finished, the user may actuate the done icon 634, which may cause the design system to close window 630 and update the length of the panel icon based on the value provided by the user in field 632 of window 630, and may adjust the displayed digital representation 616 of the defined panel based on the value provided by the user in field 632. This is one example, and other variations may be used to improve the length 616 of the panel defined by the panel icon 614 of the window shade 610.

[0059] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0279876, published on September 28, 2017, and entitled “CONFIGURING CONTROL DEVICES OPERABLE FOR ALOAD CONTROL ENVIRONMENT,” describes an exemplary system that may be used herein to determine a load control environment for a defined (e.g., as determined by Figure 4 Whether one or more configuration options of the shades including their length and / or height (defined by the shades defining window 400 shown in FIG. 4 ) are effective combinations, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Nevertheless, other systems and programs may be used.

[0060] At this stage, the user may have defined the first panel of the shade 610, and may now define additional panels for the shade (as discussed below), or may terminate the definition of the shade. Assuming that the user may wish to terminate the definition of the shade 610 within the canvas 202, this may be accomplished by actuating a mouse button one or more times (e.g., "double-clicking") and / or by pressing a keyboard key (such as a return key, etc.), etc. Upon detecting that the user has completed defining the shade 610, the design system may display a dialog box such as the following: Fig.6D Window 640 is shown. Window 640 may include a field 642 for the user to name the defined shade 610 (e.g., the design system may provide a default name—here, "Shade 1"), may include a field 644 for the user to specify the height of the defined panel of the shade 610, and may include a field 646 for the user to specify whether the operator of the shade 610, as shown by the operator icon 612, is a left operator or a right operator. When finished, the user may, for example, actuate a done icon 648, which may cause the design system to close window 640.

[0061] When the user terminates the definition of the shade 610 within the canvas 202, the design system may also generate and display a label 650 for the shade 610 to the user, such as Fig.6D The label 650 may include one or more fields, including, for example, a name field 652 (e.g., which may match the name provided to the shade 610 in field 642 of window 640), a shade name 224a, which may correspond to the shade type as shown in the shade type section 224 (see also Figure 2C ) and an operator field 656 which may indicate, for example, what type of operator (e.g., manual or electric) is being used to control the shade 610.

[0062] Additionally, when the user terminates the definition of shade 610, the design system may also update an indication in shade type section 224 of shade pane 220 that a new shade has been added to canvas 202. This indication may include incrementing quantity 224c of the shade type just defined (e.g., Figure 6C and Fig.6D , the quantity has changed from 0 to 1). The indication may also or alternatively include the design system adding the name of shade 610 (as defined by the name of field 642 of window 640) to shade type portion 224 of shade pane 220, for example, below shade name 224a of the shade type just defined (the feature in Fig. 6F The design system can also allow the user to select, for example, the name of the shade 610 (such as Fig. 6F), which can allow the design system to highlight the blackout curtains 610 within the canvas 202.

[0063] When the user terminates the definition of the shade 610, the design system can execute several rules for the defined shade to determine whether there are problems and / or issues with the shade. Different problems can be classified into different levels of severity, such as warnings and / or errors, but additional or fewer categories can be used. These problems can be the result of the size of the shade 610, the type of fabric used to make the panel, the size of the roller, the size of the operator, etc. Warnings can be problems that do not affect the actual manufacture of the shade 610 but may affect the aesthetic appearance of the shade once manufactured, for example. Warnings can include the following determinations: not all features of the shade have been defined (for example, the user leaves one or more fields in the shade definition window 400 blank), the shade can sag / have a "V" shape because of its length, and the panel fabric can show wrinkles (for example, the diameter of the roller may cause such a problem). For example, an error can be a problem that can include the following determinations: the shade cannot be manufactured, and / or if manufactured, the shade will not operate correctly, etc. Again, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0279876, entitled “CONFIGURING CONTROL DEVICES OPERABLE FOR A LOAD CONTROL ENVIRONMENT” published on September 28, 2017, describes an example system that can be used herein to determine such warning and / or error issues, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Nevertheless, other systems and procedures can be used.

[0064] According to another aspect of the design system, the design system can communicate warnings and errors to the user, for example, through a modified form of label 650. For example, Fig. 6E A label 670 is shown that includes a warning indicator 672, such as an exclamation point (e.g., "!"), although other indicators may be used. The warning indicator 672 may indicate to the user that the design system has determined one or more warnings for the defined window shade. Similarly, Fig. 6E A label 680 is shown that includes an error indicator 682, such as an "X", although other indicators may be used. The error indicator 682 may indicate to the user that the design system has determined one or more errors for the defined window shade. The warning indicator 672 and the error indicator 682 may be, for example, yellow and red, respectively, although other colors may be used.

[0065] According to yet another aspect of the design system, the user may move, for example, a mouse cursor (e.g., cursor 602) over label 670 or label 680. Upon detecting the presence of cursor 602 over label 670 or label 680, the design system may display a text window (not shown) to the user indicating a warning and / or error and how to correct the warning and / or error. The design system may provide an icon (not shown) via the window that may be actuated by the user to correct the error or warning.

[0066] According to yet another aspect of the design system, when there are warnings and / or errors regarding the defined shades, the design system may also communicate this information to the user via the shades pane 220. For example, Fig. 6F As shown in , the design system can provide an indicator 690 to generally show the status of all defined shades (e.g., a check mark if there are no problems, an exclamation mark if there is at least one warning but no errors, an "X" if there is at least one error, but other indicators can be used). See FIG. 690 where indicator 690 is an exclamation mark for indicating a warning. Figure 6B , and wherein indicator 690 is a check mark indicating no problem Fig.6D The design system can be shown as follows: Figure 6B The problem with the type of blackout curtains is shown by indicator 69 in FIG. Fig. 6F Further information is provided based on the difficulty of each defined window shade, as shown by indicator 693 in .

[0067] Figure 6G The shade 610 is shown once completed (no errors or warnings). As shown, the shade 610 includes two icons, one for the operator and one for the panel, which icons together may be referred to herein as shade icons. As an example, the user may use the selection control tool 206 to redefine the shade 610 by selecting the shade. Figure 6H An example of a shade 610 is shown once it has been selected. Once the shade 610 is selected, the design system may allow the user to move the shade 610 within the canvas 202, such as Figure 7B , such as relative to operator icon 612, change the length and height dimensions of shade 610, change the name of shade 610, duplicate shade 610, etc. As indicated herein, when (one or more) windows may appear in the imported floor plan, the user may define shades adjacent to such windows in canvas 202. For example, as shown in FIG. Figure 3A As shown in FIG. 1 using shades 302a and 302b, a user can position the shades next to a window and along the length of the window.

[0068] Go to again Fig.6D and window 640, field 646 may allow the user to specify whether the operator of the shade 610 (e.g., represented by operator icon 612) is a left operator or a right operator. According to another aspect of the design system, the design system may automatically make this determination for the user. Fig. 7A , shows an example of how the design system makes this determination. Fig. 7A A defined area 500 is shown, wherein a window shade 610 is defined with an operator icon 612 and a panel icon 614. The design system may assume that all edges of the area 500 (here 500a, 500b, 500c, and 500d) may include one or more windows. Thereafter, the design system may project one or more vertical lines from the panel icon 614 in each direction until each vertical line reaches an edge of the area 500 (in other words, a line perpendicular to the panel icon 614, such as Fig. 7A , vertical line segments 702 and 704 are shown for illustrative purposes in FIG. 5 ). Thereafter, the design system can determine the length of each resulting line segment 702 and 704. The design system can next assume that the user desires to place the shade 610 near one of the edges 500a-500d that is determined to be closest to the panel icon 614 (closest being determined by which of the line segments 702 and 704 is shorter). Here, the design system can determine that line segment 704 is shorter than line segment 702 and that edge 500c is closest to the panel icon 614. Next, the design system can take the perspective of a user standing within area 500 looking out through the “nearest edge” (here, edge 500c) and determine whether the operator (e.g., represented by operator icon 612) is to the left or right side of the shade 610 based on the user's left or right side, and assign that determination accordingly in field 646 of window 640. In Figure 6A-6D , Figure 6G-6H and Fig. 7A 640, the operator is the right operator. The design system can allow the user to use window 640 to override the design system's determination. When overriding the design system, the design system can move icon 612 to the other side of the shade 610, as shown in canvas 202. According to a specific example, the design system can project two vertical line segments 702 and 704, one in each direction starting from the center of panel icon 614 until each reaches a corresponding edge of area 500, as shown in FIG. Fig. 7A. Alternatively, the design system can draw a vertical line through the center of the panel icon 614, resulting in two vertical line segments 702 and 704 formed by the panel icon and the edge of the area 500. Again, the system can determine the length of each line / segment and proceed as above. As another example, the design system can also project multiple vertical line segments from the panel icon 614 (as shown by the dashed line segment 706) and calculate the length of each line, etc., and determine which line is shorter. When the window shade includes multiple panels as described below, the design system can treat the multiple panels as one panel, draw a vertical line through the center of the panel, again resulting in two line segments as discussed above and proceed accordingly. It will be appreciated that other mechanisms can be used to determine the operator side.

[0069] According to another aspect of the design system, the design system can allow the user to select a defined shade, and move the position of that shade within the canvas 202 and / or rotate the shade, etc. When the user does this, similar to what is discussed above, the design system can again automatically determine the operator side, and if the side has changed, update the information for that shade. The design system can also provide the user with an indication that the design system has updated the operator side. Figure 7B An example is shown where shade 610 is rotated and the design system updates the operator side (e.g., as shown in message window 710). According to yet another aspect of the design system, the design system can allow the user to select a defined shade (e.g., using selection control tool 206), copy the defined shade, and paste an instance of that shade in canvas 202. In addition to adding shade 610 to shade panel 220, the design system can again determine the operator side of the new shade, similar to that discussed above.

[0070] According to another aspect of the design system, when a user defines a shade within canvas 202, the design system can maintain and / or save the length of each shade panel as default values ​​(e.g., digital representations 616 of the length of the panel). Thereafter, when a user defines a new shade within canvas 202, the design system can use these default values ​​and / or lengths. For example, referring to Figure 8A-8D , assume that the user has defined shade 610 as having a panel length of 100 inches. The design system can now store this panel length as a default value for this user. Next assume that the user is defining a new shade 810 in canvas 202, where shade 810 has an operator icon 812 and a panel icon 814, with a numerical representation 816 of the length of the panel. Fig. 8AAs shown in , as the user moves and / or drags the cursor 602, the panel icon 814 can track the cursor 602 (i.e., the panel icon 814 can start at the operator icon 812 and extend to the cursor 602), where the digital representation of the length 816 shows the current length (e.g., 75"), as discussed above.

[0071] While this is happening, the design system can determine if the length of the panel being defined is close to the default length (here, 100 inches as defined above). For example, the design system can determine when the length of the panel is within a defined percentage of the default length. For example, the design system can determine when the length of the panel is within 20% of the default length, in other words, 80 inches in this example. It will be appreciated that other metrics can be used. For example, the design system can determine when the length of the panel is within a fixed length (e.g., 15 inches) of the default length. At this point, and as Figure 8B As shown in , the design system can automatically extend panel 814 to 100 inches. For example, Figure 8B , the panel 814 now starts at the operator icon 812 and extends beyond the cursor 602 to now have the same length as the panel icon 614 of the shade 610, and the digital representation 816 of the length of the panel shows 100". It will be appreciated that the design system need not use 100 inches to make this determination and may use other metrics. For example, the design system may use the number of pixels in the panel icon 614 as a default length, and use the number of pixels in the panel icon 814 as a way to determine when the length of the new shade panel is close to the default, etc. At this point, as described above with respect to Figure 6A-6H As discussed, the user can terminate the definition of the window shade 810 by actuating the mouse button once or more times (e.g., via a "double-click") and / or by pressing the return key, etc., continuing the process wherein the user is able to name the window shade 810, the design system checks for warnings and errors, and the like.

[0072] Additionally or alternatively, such as Figure 8CAs shown in , if the user wishes to define the shade 810 as having a longer length than the panel 814, the user can continue to move and / or drag the cursor 602. For example, when the design system detects that the cursor 602 extends beyond the 100-inch mark, the design system can continue to extend the length of the panel 614 with the cursor 602 (e.g., the panel can track the cursor), and the digital representation 816 of the length of the panel can increase again (here, to 103"). Using this feature, the user can easily and more efficiently define shades of similar lengths. According to another aspect of this feature, the user can override the automatic feature and define a shade with a panel length (in the example above, between 80 and 100 inches) within the default area by, for example, holding down a keyboard key (e.g., a control key) while dragging the cursor 602, but other approaches can be used. Fig.8D An example of this feature is shown, where the panel icon 814 again tracks the cursor 602, and the digital representation 616 shows a length between 80 and 100 inches (here, 90 inches). Figure 8C , assuming that the design system has stored multiple default lengths (e.g., 100 inches and 150 inches), as the user continues to move the cursor 602 beyond 103 inches and thereby extend the panel icon 814, because the design system detects that the length of the panel is within, for example, 20% of the default length 150 (in other words, at 120 inches, but a different metric may be used for 100 inches), the design system may again automatically extend the panel icon 814 to 150 inches, and so on. It will be appreciated that the design system may allow the user to define the default panel length in other and / or additional ways. For example, the design system may provide the user with a graphical window that allows the user to create a list of defined lengths. The window may also allow the user to define a first set of lengths for a first shade type, and a second set of lengths for a second shade type, where the lengths in each set may be different. Regardless of how the default lengths are defined, the design system may store the lengths for the current load control system being defined, and / or may allow the user to create a library that may be used for any load control system that the user may define.

[0073] As referenced above Figure 6A-6H As discussed, when a user defines a new shade and places an operator icon 612 in the canvas 202 and then drags / moves the cursor 602 to define a panel icon 614, the user can move the cursor in any direction. Assuming an XY axis is applied to the canvas 202, the examples discussed herein show a direction parallel to the X axis (e.g., Figure 6G ) and parallel to the Y axis (e.g. Figure 7B) defined shades. The shades can also be defined to be at an angle relative to the X and Y axes by moving the cursor 602 at an angle relative to the axis. As an example, the design system may allow the user to define shades at any angle relative to the axis. According to another example, the design system may automatically adjust the drawn shades to set angular intervals relative to the X and / or Y axes. For example, using the X axis as the orientation, the design system may allow the drawn shades to be defined at 15 degree intervals (this is just an example and any interval can be used). The design system may allow the user to define the intervals. Thus, the shades can be defined to be 0 degrees (i.e., parallel to the X axis), 15 degrees, 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees, 75 degrees, 90 degrees (i.e., parallel to the Y axis), 105 degrees, and so on. As an example, when the user defines the panel by moving the cursor 602, the design system may determine the angle between the X axis and a line extending through the direction of movement of the cursor. If the angle is equal to or greater than 0 degrees and less than 7.5 degrees, the design system can draw the panel icon 614 horizontal to the X-axis (i.e., automatically adjust the shade to 0 degrees). If the angle is equal to or greater than 7.5 degrees and less than 22.5 degrees, the design system can draw the panel icon 614 at 15 degrees from the X-axis (i.e., automatically adjust the shade to 15 degrees). If the angle is equal to or greater than 22.5 degrees and less than 37.5 degrees, the design system can draw the panel icon 614 at 30 degrees from the X-axis (i.e., automatically adjust the shade to 30 degrees). The design system can display an indication to the user of the interval to which the shade is adjusted. This is merely an example, and other examples are possible. As an example, once the user stops defining the panel icon 614, the design system can adjust the shade. As discussed above, the design system can continue to automatically extend the panel icon 614 to a default length. According to another example, once a shade is defined, if the user subsequently selects the shade (e.g., using the selection control tool 206) and rotates it, the design system can automatically adjust the shade to the set interval again as it is rotated. According to yet another example, once a shade is defined, if the user subsequently selects the shade (e.g., using the selection control tool 206), copies the shade, and then pastes a new instance of the shade in the canvas 202, the new shade can be in the same orientation as the copied shade.

[0074] Reference now Fig. 9, showing another example use of the design system. According to this example, the design system can allow a user to define shades of multiple shade types in close proximity within the canvas 202. In this example, the area 500 includes a first shade 902 and a second shade 904 that is parallel to the first shade 902. Assuming that the edge 500a of the area 500 includes a window, this configuration can be used to show and / or define the first shade 902 as a completely black shade type and define the second shade 904 as a transparent shade type. The design system can allow the user to define each of the shades 902 and 904 one by one using a process similar to that discussed herein.

[0075] Fig. 9 Another example of two separate shades 610 and 920 is also shown. Shade 610 can have an operator icon 612 and a panel icon 614. Similarly, shade 920 can have an operator icon 922 and a panel icon 924. Here, shades 610 and 920 are configured in a row (e.g., arranged linearly), representing separate shades (e.g., each shade has its own operator) and are not physically connected to each other. In order to help users visually understand that shades 610 and 920 are separate shades, the design system can represent the ends 618 and 928 of each shade in a way that shows that they are not connected. Here, ends 618 and 928 are shown in an arrow configuration, but other configurations can be used, including designing system display icons (e.g., squares or triangles at each end to show the ends of each shade). It should be noted that shades 902 and 904 are also shown as having similar types of ends.

[0076] What has been described thus far is how a design system can help a user define, design, layout, and / or configure a load control system having a shade having a single panel. According to another aspect of the design system, the design system can allow a user to include a multi-panel shade (e.g., a shade having two or more panels) in a load control system. Figures 10A-10D An example process for defining a multi-panel window shade is shown.

[0077] from Fig. 10A Initially, the user may select a defined shade type from the shade type portion 224 of the shade pane 220, may move the cursor 602 to the canvas 202, position the cursor 602 to a desired location within the area 500 where the user wishes to place the shade, and actuate a mouse button (e.g., relative to the Figure 6A-6H602). Upon detecting actuation of the mouse button, the design system may display an operator icon 1002 at the location of the cursor 602, which may represent an operator for the shade 1000. Thereafter, the user may drag and / or move the cursor 602 in any direction. As the user drags the cursor 602, the design system may draw a panel icon 1004a extending from the operator icon 1002 toward the cursor 602, wherein the panel icon 1004a tracks the cursor. The panel icon 1004a may represent a first panel and scroll of the shade 1000. The panel icon 1004a may be any color, preferably a different color than the operator icon 1002, and the design system may use the same color as shown in the shade type section 224 associated with the shade type currently being used.

[0078] The design system may use panel icon 1004a to represent the horizontal length of the first panel of the shade 1000. As the user drags the cursor 602, the design system may also display to the user a digital representation 1006a of the length of the first panel of the shade 1000 represented by the panel icon 1004a, as similarly discussed above. The design system may convert the length of the first panel of the shade 1000 into a real-world length using the defined ratio. If the panel length has been defined by the design system and stored as a default value, then as the user moves the cursor 602 toward the default length, the design system may also automatically extend the panel icon 1004a and update the digital representation 1006a of the length of the first panel of the shade 1000 to that length, as relative to the default length. Figure 8A-8D Similarly, the design system can automatically set the panel icons 1004a to defined angular intervals relative to the X-axis, for example, as discussed above.

[0079] To terminate adjustment of the length of the first panel of the shade 1000, as represented by the panel icon 1004a, for example, the user may then actuate a mouse button and / or press a keyboard key (e.g., a control key). Upon detecting the mouse button actuation, the design system may determine whether the length of the first panel of the shade 1000 is a valid length for the defined shade type. If the length of the first panel of the shade 1000 is not a valid length, the design system may generate and display an error message to the user indicating the error, and then resume allowing the user to change the length of the panel icon 1004a, as discussed. Conversely, if the length of the first panel of the shade 1000 is a valid length, the design system may display to the user, for example, a window 630 (e.g., relative to FIG. 1 ). Figure 6C1000 ), thereby allowing the user to improve the length of the first panel of 1000. When finished, the user can actuate done icon 634, which can cause the design system to close window 630 and update the length of the first panel of the shade 1000 to the value provided by the user in field 632, and can adjust the displayed length of the first panel of the shade 1000 as represented by panel icon 1004a to track the value provided by the user in field 632.

[0080] As compared to Figure 6A-6H As discussed, the user may terminate the definition of the window shade 1000 within the canvas 202 by, for example, actuating a mouse button one or more times (e.g., "double-clicking") and / or by pressing a keyboard key (such as a return key), etc. Instead, the user may then define a second panel icon 1004b representing a second panel of the window shade 1000, such as Fig. 10B . Specifically, after the user's window blind termination action is not detected and the continued movement and / or dragging of the cursor 602 is detected, the design system can determine that the user is now defining the second panel of the window blind 1000 and display the coupler icon 1008a to the user at the end of the first panel icon 1004a. Alternatively, the design system can display the coupler icon 1008a when it is determined that the user has terminated the panel icon 1004a, and can either maintain the coupler icon 1008a when the user's window blind termination action is not detected and the continued movement and / or dragging of the cursor 602 is detected, or remove the coupler icon 1008a when the user's window blind termination action is detected. The design system can use the coupler icon 1008a to represent the coupler (for connecting two panels) to the user. The coupler icon 1008a can be any shape (here a rectangle) and any color, such as red, that helps to assign and / or easily show the position of the coupler. Thereafter, the user can drag and / or move the cursor 602 in any direction. When the user drags the cursor 602, the design system can draw and / or display a second panel icon 1004b extending from the coupler icon 1008a toward the cursor 602, wherein the panel icon 1004b tracks the cursor. The second panel icon 1004b can be any color, preferably the same color as the first panel icon 1004a. As indicated, in one example, the design system can allow the user to drag and / or move the cursor 602 in any direction so that the second panel icon 1004b can be at an angle relative to the first panel icon 1004a. According to another example, the system can automatically cause the second panel icon 1004b to follow the first panel icon 1004a in the same angular direction, regardless of the direction in which the user may move the cursor 602.

[0081] The design system can use the second panel icon 1004b to represent the horizontal length of the second panel of the window shade 1000. When the user drags the cursor 602, the design system can also display to the user a digital representation 1006b of the length of the second panel of the window shade 1000 as defined by the panel icon 1004b, as discussed similarly above. The design system can convert the length into a real-world length using the defined ratio. Because the panel length has been defined for the first panel of the window shade 1000, the design system can store the length of the first panel of the window shade 1000 as a default value. When the user moves the cursor 602 toward that length, the design system can automatically extend the second panel icon 1004b to the same length as the first panel icon 1004a, and update the digital representation 1006b of the length of the second panel of the window shade 1000 to have the same value as the length of the first panel of the window shade 1000. Nevertheless, the user does not need to use the same length for the first panel and the second panel of the window shade 1000.

[0082] The process can continue for defining a second panel of the shade 1000, as similarly discussed for the first panel (possibly detecting length errors, displaying the window 630, etc.), wherein the user then adds a third panel icon 1004c representing a third panel of the shade 1000, as shown. Fig. 10C . Similarly, when the user defines a third panel of the shade 1000, the design system can display a coupler icon 1008b at the end of the second panel icon 1004b. The process can continue for the third panel icon 1004c, as similarly discussed for the first panel icon 1004a (possibly detecting a length error, displaying window 630, etc.). The user can add additional panel icons to the shade 1000 (but the user can stop at two panel icons).

[0083] Assuming that the user may then wish to terminate the definition of the window shade 1000 within the canvas 202, the user may, for example, actuate a mouse button one or more times (e.g., "double-click"), and / or press a keyboard key (such as a return key), etc. Upon detecting that the user has completed defining the window shade 1000, the design system may display a window 640, as similarly discussed above and as described above. Fig. 10D As shown. The user can use window 640 to: name the shade 1000, specify the height of the three panels of the shade 1000, and specify whether the operator of the shade 1000 is a left-side operator or a right-side operator. Again, the design system can automatically make this determination for the user (i.e., the operator side). When finished, the user can actuate the done icon 648, which can cause the design system to close window 640. Then, as with respect to Figure 6A-6HAs discussed, the design system can similarly proceed, generating a label 1050 for the shade 1000, updating the shade type portion 224 of the shade pane 220, and checking and / or displaying any warnings and / or errors for the shade 1000. As shown, the shade 1000 includes several icons, including an icon for an operator, one or more icons for one or more couplers, and two or more icons for a panel, which icons together may be referred to herein as shade icons. As indicated herein, when (one or more) windows may appear in the imported floor plan, the user may define a shade adjacent to such windows in the canvas 202, such as Figure 3A For example, a user can define a shade with one operator icon and multiple pane icons connected by coupler icons located at the mullion, rather than Figure 3A As shown in , two blackout curtains are defined.

[0084] According to another aspect of the design system, a user can use the design system to generate a graphical representation of the connections (e.g., electrical and / or communication connections) and / or associations between the selected device and the shade, as similarly described in commonly assigned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0228110, entitled “CONFIGURING A LOAD CONTROL SYSTEM,” published on August 10, 2017, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In this manner, a user can define the operation of a load control system. For example, referring to Fig.11 , showing Figure 3A200 , in which an imported floor plan 300 is shown on the canvas 202. In this example, the shades pane 220 has been used to add two shades of shade type 225a (represented by shades 302a and 302b) to a load control system as described herein. The fixtures pane 210 has been used to add ten fixtures of types F1 and F2 to the load control system. And the device pane 211 has been used to add two remote control devices to the load control system, including a remote control represented by a remote control icon 306. The remote control icon 306 can represent a control source device capable of controlling a control target device via a wireless signal. In this example, shades 302a and 302b can represent shades that include a motor drive that can be controlled via a wireless signal (such as a wireless signal from a device represented by the remote control icon 306). The user may desire to graphically show that the shade represented by shade 302a should be controlled by the remote control 306. To do this, the user can select the connection control tool 209 and then move the cursor to, for example, the remote control icon 306 and select the icon, such as by actuating a button of a mouse. Thereafter, the user can move the cursor to, for example, an operator icon and / or a panel icon of the window shade 302a and select the icon. Upon detecting the selection, the design system can draw a communication connection icon 308 indicating that the window shade 302a is associated with the remote control 306 and is controlled by the remote control 306. In a similar manner, a power source can be defined and a representative icon added to the canvas 202. Thereafter, the user can use the connection control tool 209 to create a power or electrical connection between the power source icon and the window shade 302a to show that the window shade is powered by the power source. Other examples are possible.

[0085] As indicated, the shades pane 220 may include a drawing / imprinting control icon 223 that allows the user to define a shade in the canvas 202 in two different ways—either by drawing the shade (when the “draw” control is activated) as discussed above, or by placing / imprinting an icon of the shade (when the “imprint” control is activated). Thus far, an example process for “drawing” a shade in the canvas 202 has been described. Turning now to Fig.12, shows an example of a design window 200, wherein the "stamp" control of the drawing / stamp control icon 223 is now activated. When activated, the blind type section 224 can change appearance, wherein an icon 224d is now added for each defined blind type 225a and 225b. As indicated, the design system can associate a different color with each blind type. Each corresponding icon 225a and 225b can have a color that matches the color of its blind type. A name (here "S1" and "S2") can also be associated with each icon. The name can be defined by the user or the design system. According to this example, as discussed above, the user can select a defined blind type 225a or 225b from the blind type section 224. The design system can highlight the selected blind type to the user when the user makes a selection (here, blind type 225a is highlighted). Thereafter, the user can move the cursor to the canvas 202. After detecting that the cursor has moved to the canvas 202, the design system can change the cursor to a different form, as discussed above. Thereafter, the user can move the cursor to the desired location where the user wants to place the window shade, and, for example, actuate a mouse button. After detecting the actuation of the mouse button, the design system can display an icon corresponding to the icon 224d of the selected window shade type at the location of the cursor. In this example, two window shade icons 313a and 313b have been added to the canvas 202. In addition, when the user adds window shades to the canvas, the design system can also update the indication that a new window shade has been added to the canvas 202 in the window shade type portion 224 of the window shade pane 220. The indication can include incrementing the number 224c of the window shade type that has just been defined (e.g., a value of "2" is shown here). As discussed similarly above, the design system can also allow or enable the user to select window shade icons 313a and 313b in the canvas 202, for example, with a mouse. Once selected, the user can move the selected window shade icon within the canvas 202, delete the window shade icon from the canvas (wherein the number 224c is decremented), copy and paste another instance of the icon in the canvas (wherein the number 224c is incremented), etc. Fig.11 Similarly discussed, the user can define graphical representations of connections (e.g., electrical and / or communication connections) and / or associations between the shades and other devices, etc., added to the canvas 202, such as shown by connection 309. It will be appreciated that the user can both "draw" and "imprint" the shades in the canvas 202.

[0086] Compared to drawing a shade, the shade length and / or height of the added shade may not be limited when the shade is stamped in the canvas 202. Similarly, the design system may not be able to determine errors or problems with such a shade.

[0087] For example, at any time, the design system may allow the user to save the configuration information of the load control system in the database. The design system may allow the user to later recall the configuration information of the load control system from the database, display the configuration information of the load control system on the canvas 202, and update the configuration information of the load control system. The design system may allow the user to print the configuration information of the load control system, as shown on the canvas 202. According to another aspect of the design system, the design system may allow the user to create a parts list based on the configuration information of the load control system, and save and print this list. Such a parts list can be useful for quote generation and for order generation. For each shade defined for the load control system, the parts list may include the shade style, fabric style, shade length, number of panels and the length and height of each panel, roller size, operator type, etc. for each shade. The design system can also determine additional information based on the shades defined by the user, such as the type and amount of hardware required to install the shades. As part of the parts list, the design system can also provide any determined errors or warnings for each shade. If the user defines, for example, two shades that can be installed on the same window (for example, Fig. 9 ), then the design system can detect this configuration and include any special hardware in the parts list to mount two shades to the same window. It will be appreciated that other information can be determined and stored and generated.

[0088] Reference now Fig.13 , shows an example process 1100 for defining a load control system including, for example, a window shade. At step 1102, the design system may display a design window 200 that may include a canvas 202 and a palette 204 to a user on a display terminal. The palette 204 may include a control pane 205 and a window shade pane 220. The control pane may include a zone control tool 207. At step 1104, the system may display a window shade definition window 400 to the user on the display terminal. For example, this display may be the result of a user actuating an icon 222. The window shade definition window 400 may be configured to enable a user to provide information for defining a window shade type. At step 1106, the design system may receive information from the user input by the user in the window shade definition window 400. The information received from the user may define at least one window shade type. In part in response to receiving information defining the shade type(s) from the user, at step 1108, the design system may display an indication of the shade type(s) to the user in the shade pane 220 (e.g., in the shade type portion 224).

[0089] At step 1110, the design system can detect that the user activated the area control tool 207. In part in response to detecting that the user activated the area control tool 207, the design system can next determine a graphical representation of the area in the user-defined canvas 202 at step 1112 and display the defined area (e.g., area 500) to the user in the canvas 202. Again, it may not be necessary to define the area / space in which the shade is to be defined.

[0090] At step 1114, the design system may detect that the user has selected a defined shade type from the shade pane 220. The selection of the shade type may enable the user to define a graphical representation (e.g., icon 610) of a physical shade of the selected shade type in the canvas 202. Following determination that the user has selected the shade type, at step 1116, the design system may determine that the user has placed the cursor 602 at a first location in the canvas 202 (such as in the defined area 500), and may determine that the user has entered a first command associated with the first location. For example, the first command may include actuation of a mouse button at the first location. The first command may be an indication that the user is beginning to define a graphical representation of a physical shade at the first location. In response to the user entering the first command, at step 1118, the design system may display an operator icon (e.g., operator icon 612) to the user at a first location in the canvas 202, the operator icon representing an operator for the physical shade.

[0091] At step 1120, the design system can next determine that the user moved the cursor to a second location in canvas 202 that is different from the first location. In response to determining that the user moved the cursor to the second location, the design system can display a first panel icon (e.g., panel icon 614) to the user. The first panel icon can be an elongated rectangular icon that represents a first panel of a physical window shade, but icons of other shapes can be used. The first panel icon can extend from an operator icon (e.g., operator icon 612) to a cursor (e.g., cursor 602). Following the determination that the user moved the cursor to the second location, the design system can determine that the user moved the cursor to a third location in canvas 202 that is different from the first location and the second location. In response to determining that the user moved the cursor to the third location, the design system can update the display of the first panel icon to extend from the operator icon to the cursor at the third location.

[0092] At step 1122, the design system can display to the user a digital value (e.g., digital representation 616) representing the length of the first panel of the physical shade. The design system can change the digital value when the cursor moves from the first position to the second position and when the cursor moves from the second position to the third position. When displaying to the user the digital value representing the length of the first panel of the physical shade, the design system can determine the length of the first panel icon, and using the defined ratio, the determined length can be converted into the digital value. The digital value can represent a real-world value of the physical shade.

[0093] At step 1124, for example, the design system may determine that the user inputs a second command (e.g., actuation of a mouse button) associated with the third position. The second command may be an indication that the user is terminating the definition of the first panel. In response in part to the second command, at step 1126, the design system may determine whether the length of the first panel is a valid length. If the length of the first panel is determined to be an invalid length, then the design system may display a warning to the user at step 1128 and enable the user to continue the definition of the first panel in the canvas 202 (i.e., return to step 1220). If the design system determines that the length of the first panel is a valid length, then at step 1130, the design system may determine whether the user is adding another panel to the window shade. The design system may make this determination by determining whether the user inputs a third command or moves a cursor, etc. In response to determining that the user is adding another panel to the window shade, at step 1132, the design system may display a first coupler icon to the user. The first coupler icon may represent a first coupler of a physical window shade that connects the first panel to the second panel. Thereafter, the process may return to step 1120 to continue to allow the user to define the second panel and possibly other panels.

[0094] If the design system determines at step 1130 that the definition of the shade does not add another panel to the shade, then at step 1134, the design system can determine that the user is terminating the definition of the physical shade. In response to determining that the user is terminating the definition of the physical shade, at step 1136, the design system can display to the user a label (e.g., label 650) associated with the graphical representation of the physical shade in the canvas 202, and can determine at step 1136 whether there are one or more problems with the physical shade that is at least partially defined by the first panel icon (or additional panels if added). If not, then the process can end. When it is determined that there are one or more problems with the physical shade, at step 1140, the design system can display to the user an indication of the one or more problems, such as through a label and / or a shade pane 220. Thereafter, the process can end. Again, this is just an example process.

[0095] Fig.14An exemplary block diagram of a computing system 1200 that can execute design software in addition to other software (such as (one or more) operating systems) to provide the features and functions described herein is shown. The computing system 1200 may include one or more general-purpose processors, special-purpose processors, conventional processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), microprocessors, microcontrollers, integrated circuits, programmable logic devices (PLDs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc. and / or may also include (one or more) other processing elements, such as one or more graphics processors (hereinafter collectively referred to as (one or more) processors 1202). In addition to other software applications (such as (one or more) operating systems, database management systems, etc.), (one or more) processors 1202 may control the functions of the computing system and may execute design software. (One or more) processors 1202 may also perform signal encoding, data processing, power control, input / output processing, and any other functions that enable the computing system 1200 to perform as described herein. The computing system 1200 may also include one or more memory modules / devices 1204 (including volatile and non-volatile memory modules / devices), which may be non-removable memory modules / devices and / or removable memory modules / devices. The memory module / device 1204 may be communicatively coupled to the processor(s) 1202. The non-removable memory module / device 1204 may include a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a hard disk, or any other type of non-removable memory storage. The removable memory module / device 1204 may include a subscriber identity module (SIM) card, a memory stick, a memory card, or any other type of removable memory. The one or more memory modules / devices 1204 may store the design software and / or may also provide execution space when the processor(s) execute the design software. The computing system 1200 may also include a visual display screen(s) / visual display terminal(s) 1206, which may be communicatively coupled to the processor(s) 1202. Together with the processor(s) 1202, the visual display screen(s) 1206 may display information to a user via a GUI-based interface / GUI-based "window", as described herein. The display screen(s) 1206 and the processor(s) 1202 may be in two-way communication as the display screen(s) 1206 may include a touch-sensitive visual screen module(s) capable of receiving information from a user and providing such information to the processor(s) 1202.The computing system 1200 may also include one or more input / output (I / O) devices 1212 (e.g., keyboard(s), touch pad(s), mouse(s), trackball(s), audio speaker(s), audio receiver(s), etc.), which may be communicatively coupled to the processor(s) 1202. The I / O devices may allow a user to interact with the design software as described herein. The computing system 1200 may also include one or more transceivers and / or communication circuits (collectively, communication circuits 1208) for communicating (transmitting and / or receiving), for example, over a wired and / or wireless communication network. The communication circuit(s) 1208 may include RF transceiver(s) or other circuit(s) capable of performing wireless communication via antenna(s), light, etc. The communication circuit(s) 1208 may communicate with the processor(s) 1202 for transmitting and / or receiving information. Each module within the computing system 1200 may be powered by a power supply 1210. For example, the power supply 1210 may include an AC power supply or a DC power supply. The power supply 1210 may generate a power supply voltage V. CC , used to power the modules within the computing system 1200.

[0096] As indicated, the design software may be one or more software-based modules that may include computer-based instructions that are stored in whole or in part in one or more computer-readable tangible and / or non-transitory memory devices / modules and / or executed from one or more memory devices / modules of a computing system, as indicated above. In addition to / as an alternative to software-based modules, features of the design software may also and / or alternatively be provided by firmware and / or hardware.

[0097] As indicated above, the design system discussed herein may be a standalone system, or in other words, a system in which design software (e.g., GUI software, logic engine, and (one or more) databases / (one or more) database management systems) may be executed on, for example, computing system 1200. Alternatively and / or additionally, the design system may communicate with one or more databases / database management systems, for example, via (one or more) communication circuits 1208 of computing system 1200. As another example, the design system may be a distributed system, or in other words, a system in which design software (e.g., GUI software, logic engine, and (one or more) databases) are executed on multiple computing systems, each of which has, for example, a form similar to computing system 1200 and in which each computing system is networked through a wired and / or wireless communication system / network. For example, the GUI software, logic engine, and / or (one or more) databases / (one or more) database management systems may each be executed in whole or in part from multiple different computing systems having, for example, a form similar to computing system 1200, and in which each computing system is networked through a wired and / or wireless communication system / network. In one aspect, such a distributed system may be a web-based system. Likewise, computing system 1200 is merely an example, and the design software may be executed on other types of computing systems.

[0098] The design system described herein can have several advantages. For example, in adding a shade icon (such as, for example, Fig.12 313a and 313b) shown in the figure, does not allow the user to visually understand how such a shade would look because they do not actually extend along the length of the window as might appear in the imported floor plan(s) of the load control environment in canvas 202. It also makes the graphical representation of the load control system somewhat difficult for the user to quickly locate the shade. This is problematic for, for example, an installer. These difficulties become somewhat more problematic when multiple shades need to be defined for a window, such as when multiple shades are defined for a window. Fig. 9 As described herein, "drawing" a shade allows a user to position a shade icon along the entire length of a window, such as Fig.11 As an alternative to drawing a blackout curtain as described herein, the system may provide a number of predefined blackout curtain icons that "look" like Figure 6G The blackout curtain 610, or Fig. 10C1000, and the user may select the shade icon and add it to the canvas 202. However, when the user may need to place multiple icons in the canvas to create a shade, it may be difficult, inefficient, and timely for the user to determine which icon matches the size of the window as shown in the (one or more) imported floor plans of the load control environment in the canvas 202, and to create a multi-panel shade. The design system described herein overcomes these problems. In addition, as described herein, certain defined lengths (such as defined by the user) and / or configurations (e.g., as defined by Figure 4 A window shade (defined by the window 400 of FIG. 400 ) may cause problems, such as not being a configuration that can be manufactured, may not be operable, may not look aesthetically pleasing (e.g., being "V" shaped), etc. The design system described herein can determine one or more of these problems and difficulties in real time when the window shade is added to the load control system, allowing the user to make modifications in real time. Without these features, the user can define a load control system with a window shade, and once completed, the manufacturer of the window shade will be informed that, for example, the window shade cannot be made or may not look aesthetically pleasing. Therefore, the user may need to redesign the load control system again, wasting time again. Another advantage of the design system described herein is that it can automatically determine the position of the operator (left side vs. right side) and show the operator in a graphical representation of the load control system. This may be advantageous for electricians because they can easily determine the location of laying electrical wires and / or communication lines in the physical space from the load control system. In addition, the location of the operator can dictate how the window shade is manufactured, including, for example, how to wind the panel fabric around the reel. A design system that determines the side of the operator can prevent manufacturing errors, for example, these manufacturing errors may be the result of the user mistakenly defining the wrong side. It will be appreciated that these are merely examples and that the design system described herein may include additional, fewer, and / or other advantages.

[0099] Although defining, designing, laying out and / or configuring a load for a load control system has been described herein as a series of steps and features, it will be appreciated that designing a system need not provide all such steps and features, additional steps and features may be provided, and the steps and features discussed may be provided in an order different from the order described herein.

[0100] Although the present disclosure has been described according to certain embodiments and generally associated methods, the changes and substitutions of the embodiments and methods will be clear to those skilled in the art. Thus, the above description of the exemplary embodiments does not limit the present disclosure. Other changes, substitutions and variations are also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The following section provides guidance for explaining the present application.

Claims

1. A method for configuring a load control system, include: displaying, by at least one processor, a canvas to a user on a display terminal, the canvas enabling the user to define a graphical representation of a physical window shade in the canvas; determining, by the at least one processor, that a user has placed a cursor at a first location in the canvas; determining, by the at least one processor, that a user is defining a graphical representation of a first physical shade at the first location; in response to determining that the user is defining the graphical representation of the first physical shade at the first location, displaying, by the at least one processor, to the user in the canvas at the first location a first operator icon representing a drive unit of the first physical shade; determining, by the at least one processor, that a user moved a cursor from the first position to a subsequent position in the canvas that is different from the first position; displaying, by the at least one processor, a first panel icon to a user, wherein the first panel icon represents a panel of the first physical window shade, and wherein the first panel icon extends from the first operator icon to a cursor; determining, by the at least one processor, that a user is terminating definition of a panel of the first physical shade; determining, by the at least one processor, a length of a panel of the first physical shade based on a length of the first panel icon; storing, by the at least one processor, a length of the panel of the first physical shade as a default length; determining, by the at least one processor, that the user has placed a cursor at a second location in the canvas; determining, by the at least one processor, that a user is defining a graphical representation of a second physical shade at the second location; in response to determining that the user is defining the graphical representation of the second physical shade at the second location, displaying, by the at least one processor, to the user in the canvas at the second location a second operator icon representing a drive unit of the second physical shade; determining, by the at least one processor, that the user moved the cursor from the second position to a subsequent position in the canvas that is different from the second position; displaying, by the at least one processor, a second panel icon to a user, wherein the second panel icon represents a panel of the second physical shade, and wherein the second panel icon extends from the second operator icon to a cursor; when the user moves a cursor with respect to defining the second physical shade, determining, by the at least one processor, that the length of the panel of the second physical shade determined according to the second panel icon is within the defined length of the default length; as well as The length of the second panel icon displayed in the canvas is automatically extended by the at least one processor to extend beyond the cursor to the same length as the first panel icon displayed in the canvas.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: include: determining, by the at least one processor, that a user is terminating the definition of the first physical shade; determining, by the at least one processor, whether one or more issues exist with the first physical shade defined at least in part by the first panel icon; as well as In the event that it is determined that one or more issues exist with the first physical shade, an indication of the one or more issues is displayed to a user via the at least one processor.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: include: A numerical value representing a length of a panel of the first physical shade is displayed to a user by the at least one processor, wherein the numerical value changes as the cursor moves from the first position.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: include: enabling, by the at least one processor, a user to override the automatic extension of the length of the second panel icon; determining that a user is overriding automatic extension of the length of the second panel icon; as well as The second panel icon extending from the second operator icon of the second physical shade to a cursor is displayed to a user by the at least one processor.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising: include: subsequent to displaying the second panel icon as extending from the second operator icon to the cursor, determining, by the at least one processor, that a user is terminating definition of a panel of the second physical shade; as well as A length of the panel of the second physical shade is determined, by the at least one processor, based on a length of the second panel icon.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: include: subsequent to automatically extending the length of the second panel icon, determining, by the at least one processor, that a user is terminating definition of a panel of the second physical shade; as well as A length of the panel of the second physical shade is determined, by the at least one processor, based on a length of the second panel icon.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: include: After automatically extending the length of the second panel icon, determining, by the at least one processor, that the user continues to move the cursor so that the length of the second panel icon extends beyond the length of the first panel icon; and The second panel icon is displayed to a user by the at least one processor as extending from the second operator icon to a cursor.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising: include: subsequent to displaying the second panel icon as extending from the second operator icon to the cursor, determining, by the at least one processor, that a user is terminating definition of a panel of the second physical shade; as well as A length of the panel of the second physical shade is determined, by the at least one processor, based on a length of the second panel icon.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: include: determining, by the at least one processor, that a user is adding an additional panel to the first physical window shade; responsive to determining that the user is adding the additional panel to the first physical shade, displaying a coupler icon representing a coupler of the first physical shade, and wherein the first panel icon extends from the first operator icon of the first physical shade to the coupler icon; Determining that the user has moved the cursor to a third position in the canvas; as well as In response to determining that the user moved the cursor to the third position, a third panel icon representing the additional panel of the first physical shade is displayed to the user, wherein the third panel icon extends from the coupler icon to the cursor.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising: include: determining, by the at least one processor, when a user moves a cursor with respect to adding the additional panel to the first physical shade, that a length of the additional panel determined according to the third panel icon is within a defined length of the default length; as well as The length of the third panel icon displayed in the canvas is automatically extended by the at least one processor to extend beyond the cursor to the same length as the first panel icon displayed in the canvas.

11. The method according to claim 1, in, The driving unit of the first physical shading curtain is a left driving unit or a right driving unit; as well as The method further includes: determining for a user, through the at least one processor, whether the driving unit of the first physical blackout curtain is a left-side driving unit or a right-side driving unit, wherein determining whether the driving unit of the first physical blackout curtain is a left-side driving unit or a right-side driving unit is at least partially determined based on the first operator icon of the first physical blackout curtain.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: include: determining, by the at least one processor, that a user has moved a position of the graphical representation of the first physical window shade within the canvas; as well as In response to determining that the user has moved the position of the graphical representation of the first physical shade within the canvas, determining for the user by the at least one processor whether the drive unit of the first physical shade has changed from a left drive unit to a right drive unit or from a right drive unit to a left drive unit.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the graphical representation of the first physical shade is located within a graphical representation of an area in a canvas defined by a user; and Wherein determining for a user whether the drive unit of the first physical shade is a left drive unit or a right drive unit is based at least in part on a position of the graphical representation of the physical shade in the graphical representation of the area.

14. An apparatus for communicating with a lighting control device and controlling the lighting control device, the apparatus include: Display screen; Communication circuits; at least one processor; as well as At least one memory is communicatively coupled to the at least one processor, and the at least one memory stores instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, instruct the at least one processor to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon, which when executed by at least one processor instruct the at least one processor to perform the method of any one of claims 1-13.

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