WIRELESS ELECTRICAL LOAD CONTROL SYSTEM
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- MX · MX
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- LUTRON TECHNOLOGY COMPANY LLC
- Filing Date
- 2023-05-31
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-19
AI Technical Summary
Existing electrical load control systems often require multiple proprietary remote control devices, each using different communication protocols, leading to inefficiencies and limitations in functionality and compatibility.
A system that integrates a universal remote control device using a second communication protocol to communicate with a charging interface device, which translates commands to electrical loads using a first proprietary protocol, allowing for unified control of various electrical devices through a single interface.
Enables seamless control of multiple electrical devices with diverse communication protocols, enhancing functionality and reducing the need for multiple proprietary remote controls, thereby improving user convenience and system flexibility.
Smart Images
Figure MX434407B0
Abstract
Description
WIRELESS ELECTRICAL LOAD CONTROL SYSTEM BACKGROUND A user environment, such as a residence or office building, can be configured to include various types of load control systems. A lighting control system can be used to control lighting loads in the user environment. A motorized shade control system can be used to control the natural light provided in the user environment. A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system can be used to control the temperature in the user environment. Each load control system can include several control devices, including source control devices and destination control devices. Destination control devices can receive digital messages, which may include load control instructions, to control an electrical load from one or more of the source control devices.Target control devices can directly control an electrical load. Source control devices can indirectly control the electrical load through the target control device. Examples of target control devices include lighting control devices (e.g., a dimmer, electronic switch, ballast, or LED driver), motor control devices (e.g., for a ceiling fan or exhaust fan), motorized curtains, temperature control devices (e.g., a thermostat), AC plug-in load control devices, and similar devices. Examples of source control devices include remote control devices, occupancy sensors, daylight sensors, temperature sensors, and similar devices. COMPENDIUM As described herein, a control system for one or more electrical loads installed in a space may include an electrical load device (e.g., a ceiling fan), a control device, and a load interface device. The electrical load device may be configured to receive messages via wireless signals using a first wireless communication protocol. The control device may be configured to transmit messages via wireless signals using a second wireless communication protocol that differs from the first wireless communication protocol.The charging interface device can receive a first message from the control device via wireless signals using the second wireless communication protocol and, in response to receiving the first message, transmit a second message to the bCbonn / eznz / B / Yi electrical charging device via wireless signals using the first wireless communication protocol; the second message can include a command to control one or more output parameters (e.g., the rotation speed of a ceiling fan).In addition, the control device may comprise at least one of: (1) a load control device coupled in series electrical connection between an alternating current (AC) power source and the electrical load device; (2) a remote control device configured to transmit the first message in response to the actuation of one or more buttons of the remote control device; or (3) a system controller configured to transmit the first message in response to a third message received through a network. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example load control system that includes a load interface device to receive a wireless signal using one wireless communication protocol and transmit a corresponding wireless signal using a different wireless communication protocol. Fig. 2 is a simplified diagram of an example of a load control system like the one illustrated in Fig. 1, in which the load control system controls one or more operating parameters of an electrical load device, including a ceiling fan. Fig. 3 is a block diagram of an example load interface device included in the load control systems illustrated in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a load control system 100 that includes an electric load device 110 controlled either by a proprietary remote control device 120 that communicates commands using a first communication protocol 104 or by an electric load control device 130 that receives signals using a load interface device 150 that receives commands using a second wireless protocol 106 from one or more system controllers 160 or remote control devices 140, according to one or more of the modalities described herein. As illustrated in Figure 1, the electric load device 110 can be supplied with a proprietary remote control device 120 using a first wireless communication protocol 104 to communicate commands to the electric load device 110.Communication between the electrical charging device 110 and the patented remote control device 120 can be unidirectional (i.e., from the patented remote control device 120 to the electrical charging device 110) or bidirectional (i.e., between the patented remote control device 120 and the electrical charging device 110). In at least some embodiments, it may be preferable or desirable to reduce the number of such remote control devices by using a universal or similar remote control device 140 capable of replacing two or more remote control devices, such as two or more patented remote control devices 120.Remote control device 140 can communicate using a second communication protocol 106 that differs from the first communication protocol, so remote control device 140 may not be able to communicate directly with the electrical charging device 110. An electrical load control device 130 can be operationally coupled to the electrical load device 110. The electrical load control device 130 controls one or more operating or output parameters of the electrical load device 110. For example, the electrical load control device 130 can be operationally coupled between a power source 102 (e.g., an alternating current or AC power source 102) and the electrical load device 110 to control one or more aspects of the power (e.g., voltage, phase, etc.) supplied to the electrical load device 110. The electrical load control device 130 receives commands from the remote control device 140 and / or the system controller 160 by using the second communication protocol 106.The load interface device 150 receives the commands communicated by the remote control device 140, the electric load control device 106, and / or the system controller 160 by using the second communication protocol 106 and transmits the corresponding command to the electric load device 110 by using the first communication protocol 104. This effectively replaces the functionality provided by the proprietary remote control device 120 with one or more of the remote control device 150, the electric load control device 130, and / or the system controller 160. Electrical Load Device 110 may include devices that use a proprietary radio frequency (RF) remote control device 120 to control one or more operational aspects of the electrical load device 110. Examples of electrical load devices may include, but are not limited to, ceiling fans, fireplaces, televisions, garage door openers, audiovisual equipment, household appliances, and the like. Such electrical load devices 110 may include one or more RF receivers, one or more RF transmitters, one or more RF transceivers, or combinations thereof. The proprietary remote control device 120 alters, adjusts, or otherwise controls one or more output parameters of the electrical load device 110. Such output parameters are typically a function of the type of electrical load device 110.For example, an electrical load device such as a ceiling fan may have output parameters such as: lamp ON / OFF, lamp dimming, bCbonn / eznz / B / Yi. Fan ON / OFF, fan rotation, and / or fan speed. In another example, an electric fireplace may have output parameters such as: flame ON / OFF, flame color, heater ON / OFF, and heater fan ON / OFF. The patented remote control device 120 typically accompanies the electrical charging device 110, allowing the user to control the output parameters of the electrical charging device 110. In some cases, the patented remote control device 120 may include a handheld or portable device that incorporates one or more user-operated controls, user interfaces, or user-controlled devices.In at least some cases, the patented remote control device 120 may include a set of instructions, logic, a program, or an application executed by a processor circuit in a portable device such as a smartphone or laptop computer. The electrical charging device 110 may include a wireless interface circuit for receiving commands from the patented remote control device (e.g., fan ON / OFF, lamp ON / OFF, heater ON / OFF, lamp dimming); memory circuits for storing configuration parameters associated with the electrical charging device (e.g., LED brightness / temperature correction tables); and control circuits capable of executing instructions to alter, control, or adjust one or more output parameters of the electrical charging device 110. The electrical load control device 130 is located between the power source 102 and the electrical load device 110. In some implementations, the electrical load control device 130 may be a simple ON / OFF switch that interrupts the power supplied by the power source 102 (for example, an alternating current or AC power distribution network) to the electrical load device 110. In some implementations, the electrical load control device 130 may include one or more user-operated controls to adjust one or more output parameters of the electrical load device 110. For example, the electrical load control device 130 may include one or more incremental or continuously adjustable controls to adjust one or more controllable conductive devices to control the power supplied by the power source 102 to the electrical load device 110.In some implementations, the electrical load control device 130 includes one or more RF receivers to receive commands from a remote control device 140 and / or a system controller 160 using the second wireless communication protocol 106. The electrical load control device 130 may include a load control device that can be wall-mounted. The remote control device 140 communicates wirelessly with one or more of the following: the electric load control device 130, the load interface device 150, and the bCbonn / eznz / B / Yi system controller 160 by using the second wireless communication protocol 106. The remote control device 140 allows the device user to remotely adjust one or more output parameters of the electric load device 110 by directly or indirectly (e.g., via the system controller 160) adjusting the power supplied to the electric load device 110 by means of the electric load control device 130.The remote control device 140 may include a dedicated device or may include a device based on a general-purpose processor, such as a smartphone, a handheld device, or a portable computing device capable of executing instruction sets, logic, programs, or applications to communicate with one or more of: the electric load control device 130, the load interface device 150, and the system controller 160 by using the second wireless communication protocol 106. The charging interface device 150 receives commands using the second communication protocol 106 and transmits the corresponding commands to the electrical charging device 110 using the first communication protocol 104. The charging interface device 150 maps, converts, looks up, or otherwise translates a command received from the remote control device 140 using the second wireless communication protocol 106 to a corresponding command in the first wireless communication protocol 104 before transmitting the command to the electrical charging device using the first wireless communication protocol 104. The charging interface device 150 beneficially enhances the functionality of the remote control device 140 by providing the ability to alter, adjust, or otherwise control the electrical charging devices 110 using the first wireless communication protocol 104.In some implementations, the charging interface device 150 includes an electrical connector, such as a two- or three-pin plug, that allows direct coupling of the charging interface device 150 to the power source 102, for example, via a socket connected to a power distribution network.Since the charging interface device 150 communicates using both the first wireless communication protocol 104 and the second wireless communication protocol 106, and since the first wireless communication protocol 104 and the second wireless communication protocol 106 can use different frequencies, the charging interface device can have a single antenna circuit to communicate using both the first wireless communication protocol 104 and the second wireless communication protocol 106, or it can have a first antenna circuit dedicated to the first wireless communication protocol 104 and a second antenna circuit dedicated to the second wireless communication protocol 106. The system controller 160 communicates with the electrical load control device bCbonn / eznz / B / Yi 130, the remote control device 140, and the charging interface device 150 communicate via the second wireless communication protocol 106. In some cases, the remote control device 140 can communicate with the system controller 160 using a third wireless communication protocol (not shown in Fig. 1) that differs from both the first wireless communication protocol 104 and the second wireless communication protocol 106. In some cases, instead of communicating directly with the charging interface device 150, the remote control device 140 can communicate with the system controller 160, which, in turn, communicates with the charging interface device 150. The system controller 160 can execute one or more instruction sets, logic diagrams, programs, or applications to autonomously control one or more output parameters of the electrical charging device 110.For example, the system controller 160 can execute one or more sets of instructions to cause a lamp connected to the electrical load device 110 to autonomously turn ON at a defined time or event (e.g., sunset) and to autonomously turn OFF at a defined time or event (e.g., sunrise). In another example, the system controller 160 can cause a thermal generator (i.e., a heater) included in the electrical load device 110 to autonomously cycle ON at a defined low-temperature setpoint (e.g., 18.3 °C) and to autonomously cycle OFF at a defined high-temperature setpoint (e.g., 21.1 °C).In yet another example, the system controller 160 can cause the color temperature of an LED lighting fixture included in the electrical load device 110 to automatically adjust the color output incrementally or continuously to follow a natural daily routine. The system controller 160 can receive commands from one or more remote devices via the network 162. Figure 2 is a diagram of an example of a load control system 200 for controlling the operation of an electrical load device, such as a ceiling fan 210. The ceiling fan 210 can be powered by a power source, for example, an alternating current (AC) power source 202. The ceiling fan 210 can be installed in the ceiling of a room or space in a building. The ceiling fan 210 can include a plurality of blades 212 (for example, three blades as shown in Figure 2) that can be rotated by means of a motor to circulate air in the room. The ceiling fan 210 can also include a motor control device or circuit (not shown) that can be housed in a base part 214 and can control the rotational speed and direction of rotation of the motor.The ceiling fan 210 may also include a light source 216 (e.g., a lighting load), which can be controlled by the motor control device. For example, the motor control device may be configured to switch the light source 216 on and off, and / or adjust an intensity level and / or a color (e.g., a color temperature) of the light source 216. The ceiling fan 210 can be configured to receive wireless signals, such as radio frequency (RF) signals 104, from a remote control device 220 (a proprietary remote control device supplied by the manufacturer with the ceiling fan 210). For example, the remote control device 220 can be configured to transmit the RF signals 104 to the ceiling fan 210 in a first wireless communication link using a first wireless communication protocol, which may be, for example, a proprietary protocol of the ceiling fan manufacturer. The first wireless communication link may be a unidirectional communication link and / or a bidirectional communication link.The patented remote control device 220 can be configured to transmit messages, including commands to control the ceiling fan 210, via RF signals 104 in response to the actuation of one or more of a plurality of buttons 222. For example, the ceiling fan motor control device 210 can be configured to turn the motor on and off, increase and decrease the motor's rotational speed by a predetermined amount, and / or adjust the direction of rotation in response to the actuation of one or more of the buttons 222 of the patented remote control device 220. Furthermore, the ceiling fan motor control device 210 can be configured to turn the light source 216 on and off, and / or adjust the intensity level and / or color (e.g., color temperature) of the light source 216 in response to the actuation of one or more of the buttons 222 of the patented remote control device 220.The load control system 200 may comprise a fan control device 230, a remote control device 240, a fan interface device 250, and a system controller 160. For example, the fan interface device 250 may be connected to an outlet of an electrical receptacle 270 that can be electrically coupled to the AC power source 202. The fan interface device 250 may be configured to transmit messages to the ceiling fan 210 via RF signals 104 (for example, via the first wireless communication link using the first wireless communication protocol). The fan interface device 250 may comprise one or more buttons 252.The fan interface device 250 can be configured to transmit messages that include commands to control the ceiling fan 210 via RF signals 104 in response to actuations of one or more of the buttons 252. The fan interface device 250 can be configured to store a unique identifier (e.g., a serial number and / or communication address) of the ceiling fan 210 and can be configured to communicate with the ceiling fan via RF signals 104 by using the unique identifier (e.g., by including the unique identifier in the messages transmitted to the ceiling fan).For example, the ceiling fan motor control device 210 can be configured to turn the motor on and off, increase and decrease the motor's rotation speed by a predetermined amount, set the motor's rotation speed to a preset speed, and / or adjust the direction of rotation in response to the actuation of one or more of the buttons 252 on the fan interface device 250. In addition, the ceiling fan motor control device 210 can be configured to turn the light source 216 on and off, and / or adjust the intensity level and / or color (e.g., color temperature) of the light source 216 in response to the actuation of one or more of the buttons 252 on the fan interface device 250. The fan interface device 250 can also be configured to receive messages that include feedback information from the ceiling fan 210. For example, the feedback information may indicate a status, rotation speed, direction of rotation, and / or other operating characteristic of the motor and / or the intensity level and / or color (e.g., color temperature) of the light source 216 of the ceiling fan 210. The fan interface device 250 can also comprise one or more visual indicators 254, and can be configured to illuminate the visual indicators 254 in response to an actuation of one of the buttons 252 and / or to indicate feedback information from the ceiling fan 210 (e.g., the status, rotation speed, direction of rotation, and / or other operating characteristic of the motor and / or the intensity level and / or color of the light source 216 of the ceiling fan 210).The fan interface device 250 can be configured to store feedback information in memory. In the event of a power outage, the fan interface device 250 can be configured to transmit a message containing a command to control the ceiling fan 210 based on the feedback information received before the power outage (e.g., previous state, rotation speed, rotation direction, intensity level, color, etc.). Ceiling fan 210 can be configured with one or more operating settings, which can determine the ceiling fan motor output and / or the light source 116. Fan interface device 250 can be configured to transmit messages containing configuration information to ceiling fan 210 via RF signals 104 to adjust the operating settings of ceiling fan 210. Fan interface device 250 can also be configured to receive messages containing the operating settings of ceiling fan 210 via RF signals 104. Fan interface device 250 can be configured to store the operating settings of ceiling fan 210 in memory.In case of replacing the 210 ceiling fan with a new ceiling fan, the 250 fan interface device can be configured to transmit the operating bCbonn / eznz / B / Yi settings of the old ceiling fan to the new ceiling fan. The Fan 250 interface device can also be configured to communicate (e.g., transmit and receive) RF 106 signals over a second wireless communication link using a second wireless communication protocol. This second wireless communication protocol can be different from the first wireless communication protocol; for example, a standard wireless communication protocol (e.g., Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Wi-Fi, Thread, and / or Zigbee protocols) and / or a proprietary wireless communication protocol, such as the Clear Connect protocol (e.g., Clear Connect A and / or Clear Connect X protocols). The second wireless communication link can be a bidirectional communication link.The fan interface device 250 can be configured to communicate with the fan control device 230, the remote control device 240, the system controller 160, and / or other load control system 200 control devices via RF signals 106. The fan interface device 250 can be configured to transmit messages, including commands to control the ceiling fan 210, via RF signals 104 in response to receiving messages from the fan control device 230, the remote control device 240, and / or the system controller 260 via RF signals 106. The fan interface device 250 can be configured to associate with the fan control device 230, the remote control device 240, and / or the system controller 160 during a load control system 200 configuration procedure.The fan interface device 250 can be configured to store in memory a unique identifier (e.g., a serial number and / or a communication address) for each of the control devices in the load control system 200 to which the fan interface device 250 is associated, and can use the unique identifier to communicate with the control devices via RF signals 106. The fan control device 230 can be electrically connected in series between the AC power source 202 and the ceiling fan 210. For example, the fan control device 230 can include a wall-mounted fan control device that can be installed in place of a standard switch. The fan control device 230 can include an internal load control circuit (not shown) to temporarily disconnect the ceiling power during the setup of the load control system 200. During normal operation, the load control circuit can become continuously conductive to conduct the load current from the AC power source 202 to the ceiling fan 210. The fan control device 230 may comprise upper and lower control parts 232A and 232B for controlling the light source 216 and the ceiling fan motor 210, respectively. The upper control part 232A may comprise a toggle actuator 234A for switching the light source 116 on and off and a dimmer actuator 236A for adjusting the intensity level and / or color (e.g., color temperature) of the light source. The upper control part 232A may also comprise a linear array of visual indicators 238A for providing feedback (e.g., on the current intensity level and / or color) of the light source 216 of the ceiling fan 210.The lower control portion 232B may comprise a toggle actuator 234B for switching the ceiling fan motor 210 on and off and a rotation speed adjustment actuator 236B for adjusting the rotation speed of the ceiling fan motor. The lower control portion 232B may also comprise a linear array of visual indicators 238B for providing feedback (e.g., on the current status, rotation speed, and / or direction of rotation) of the ceiling fan motor 210. The fan control device 230 can be configured to transmit messages to the fan interface device 250 via RF signals 106 in response to actuations of the lever actuator 234A and / or the intensity adjustment actuator 236A of the upper control part 232A and / or the lever actuator 234B and / or the rotation speed adjustment actuator 236B of the lower control part, and the fan interface device 250 can be configured to transmit commands to control the light source 216 and the ceiling fan motor 210 via RF signals 106 in response to messages received from the fan control device 230 (e.g., in response to actuations of the lever actuators 234A, 234B, the intensity adjustment actuator 236A and the rotation speed adjustment actuator 236B).The 230 fan control device can be configured to associate with the 230 fan interface device and store a unique identifier (e.g., a serial number and / or communication address) of the 230 fan interface device. The fan control device 230 can be configured to receive feedback information about the motor and / or light source 216 of the ceiling fan 210 and illuminates one or more of the visual indicators 238A on the upper control part 232A and / or the visual indicators 238B on the lower control part 232B to provide an indication of the feedback information regarding the motor and / or light source 216 of the ceiling fan 210. The fan interface device 230 can be configured to store the feedback information in memory. In the event of a power outage, the fan control device 230 can be configured to illuminate the visual indicators 238A and 238B to indicate the feedback information regarding the motor and / or light source 216 of the ceiling fan 210 prior to the power outage. The fan control device 230 may also comprise an internal gap switch (not shown) electrically connected in series between the AC power source 202 and the ceiling fan 210. The gap switch can be actuated (e.g., opened) in response to the actuation of a gap switch actuator 239 (e.g., by pulling the gap switch actuator out of the fan control device 230). The remote control device 240 can be, for example, a battery-powered RF remote control, and can be configured to transmit RF signals 104 that include commands to control the ceiling fan 210 in response to the actuations of a plurality of buttons, for example, an on button 242, an off button 244, an increase speed button 245, a decrease speed button 246, and a preset button 248.During normal operation of the load control system 200, the remote control device 240 can be configured to transmit messages to the fan interface device 250 via RF signals 106 in response to the activation of the power button 242, the power off button 244, the speed increase button 245, the speed decrease button 246, and / or the preset button 248. The fan interface device 250 can also be configured to transmit messages, including commands to control the ceiling fan 210, to the ceiling fan 210 via RF signals 104 in response to messages received from the remote control device 240. The ceiling fan motor control device 210 can be configured to turn the motor on and off in response to the activation of the power and power off buttons 242 and 244 of the remote control device 240, respectively.The ceiling fan motor control device 210 can be configured to increase and decrease the motor's rotation speed by a predetermined amount in response to the activation of the speed increase button 245 and the speed decrease button 246, respectively. The ceiling fan motor control device 210 can also be configured to adjust the motor's rotation speed to a preset speed in response to the activation of the preset button 248. Furthermore, the ceiling fan motor control device 210 can be configured to adjust the motor's rotation direction in response to the activation of one of the buttons 242-248 on the remote control device 240. The system controller 160 can function, for example, as a central processor or a load controller, and can be configured to communicate digital messages via RF signals 104 to and from the load control system's control devices (for example, the fan control device 230 and the remote control device 240). The bCbonn / eznz / B / Yi system controller 160 can be configured to connect to a network 162, such as a wired or wireless local area network (LAN), for example, to access the Internet. The system controller 160 can connect wirelessly to the network. The system controller 160 can connect to the network via a network communication bus (for example, an Ethernet communication link).The 160 system controller can be configured to communicate over the network with one or more network devices (not shown), for example, a mobile device such as a personal computer and / or a portable wireless device. Examples of load control systems that operate to communicate with network and / or mobile devices on a network are described in greater detail in Joint U.S. Patent No. 10,271,407, filed April 23, 2019, entitled LOAD CONTROL DEVICE HAVING INTERNET CONNECTIVITY, the full description of which is incorporated herein by reference. System controller 160 can be configured to receive commands from the motor and / or light source control 216 of ceiling fan 216 from network devices via network 162. System controller 160 can be configured to transmit messages to the fan interface device 250 via RF signals 106 in response to messages that include commands received from network devices, and the fan interface device 250 can be configured to transmit commands to control the motor and / or light source 216 of ceiling fan 210 to the ceiling fan via RF signals 104.The system controller 160 can be configured to store in memory a unique identifier (e.g., a serial number and / or a communication address) for each of the load control system 200 control devices to which the fan interface device 250 is associated (e.g., one or more of the fan control device 230, the remote control device 240, and / or the fan interface device 250) and can use the unique identifier to communicate with the control devices via RF signals 106. The system controller 160 can be configured to receive one or more messages that include the operating configuration of the ceiling fan 210 and store the operating configuration of the ceiling fan 210 in memory.In the event of replacing the 210 ceiling fan with a new ceiling fan, the 210 system controller can be configured to transmit the operating settings of the old ceiling fan to the new ceiling fan via the 250 fan interface device. Figure 3 is a block diagram of an example load interface device 150 (e.g., a fan interface device 250) that can be used as part of the load control system 100 shown in Figure 1. The load interface device 150 bCbQnn / eznz / B / Yi may comprise a control circuit 310, which may include one or more of a processor (e.g., a microprocessor), a microcontroller, a programmable logic device (PLD), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or any suitable controller or processing device. The load interface device 150 may comprise a first and second communication circuit 312, 314. The first and second communication circuits 312, 314 may each comprise a wireless communication circuit, such as, for example, a radio frequency (RF) transceiver coupled to an antenna for transmitting and / or receiving RF signals, an RF transmitter for transmitting RF signals, an RF receiver for receiving RF signals, or an infrared (IR) transmitter and / or receiver for transmitting and / or receiving IR signals. The load interface device 150 may be configured to transmit RF signals (for example, RF signals 104) to an electrical load device 110 (for example, a ceiling fan 210) through the first communication circuit 312 in a first wireless communication link by using a first wireless communication protocol (for example, a proprietary protocol of the ceiling fan manufacturer).The load interface device 150 can also be configured to communicate (e.g., transmit and receive) RF signals (e.g., RF signals 106) with other control devices of the load control system (e.g., load control system 100) through a second wireless communication link by using a second wireless communication protocol (e.g., a standard wireless communication protocol and / or a proprietary wireless communication protocol to communicate the RF signals in the load control system 100).For example, the load interface device 150 can receive messages from the load control system control devices (for example, the electric load control device 130, the remote control device 140, and / or the system controller 160) through the second communication circuit 314, and transmit messages that include commands to control the electric load device 110 through the first communication circuit 312 in response to messages received from the load control system control devices through the second communication circuit 314. The load interface device 150 may comprise actuators 316 (e.g., momentary switches) that can be activated in response to the actuation of one or more buttons (e.g., buttons 222) to receive user input. The control circuit 310 may be configured to transmit messages that include commands to control the electrical load device 110 via the first communication circuit 312 in response to the actuation of one or more of the actuators 316. The load interface device 150 may be configured to transmit messages that include commands to control the electrical load device 110, for example, to turn the ceiling fan motor on and off, increase and decrease the motor's rotational speed by a predetermined amount, and / or adjust the direction of rotation.The control circuit 310 can be configured to transmit messages that include commands to control the electrical load device 110 to turn a light source on and off and / or adjust an intensity level and / or color (e.g., a color temperature) of the light source. The load interface device 150 may comprise one or more visual indicators 318 to provide feedback information regarding the electrical load device 110. The load interface device 150 may be configured to receive messages that include feedback information from the electrical load device 110 through the first communication circuit 312. For example, the feedback information may indicate a status, a rotation speed, a direction of rotation, and / or other operating characteristic of the motor and / or the intensity level and / or color (e.g., color temperature) of the light source included in the electrical load device 110. The load interface device 150 may include a memory 320 for storing operating data from the control device. The memory 320 may be implemented as an external integrated circuit (IC) or as an internal circuit of the control circuit 310. The load interface device 150 may be configured to store in memory a unique identifier (e.g., a serial number and / or a communication address) for each of the control devices in the load control system to which the load interface device 150 is associated, and may use the unique identifier to communicate with the control devices through the second communication circuit 214. The control circuit 210 may be configured to store feedback information from the ceiling fan in memory.In the event of a power outage, control circuit 210 can be configured to transmit a message via the first communication circuit 212 containing a command to control ceiling fan 110 based on feedback received before the power outage and / or stored in memory 220 (e.g., based on a previous state, rotation speed, rotation direction, intensity level, color, etc.). The load interface device 150 can be configured to store the ceiling fan's operating settings in memory. If electrical load device 110 is replaced with a new electrical load device 110, control circuit 310 can be configured to transmit one or more messages via the first communication circuit 312 containing the operating settings of the electrical load device 110 to the new electrical load device 110. The load interface device 150 may also comprise a power source 322. The power source 322 may be configured to receive a source voltage Vs, for example, bCbonn / eznz / B / Yi, from an alternating current (AC) power supply and / or a direct current (DC) power supply, through two electrical connections 324. For example, the two electrical connections 324 may comprise two blades configured to plug into an outlet of an electrical receptacle (for example, electrical receptacle 170) to receive an AC voltage from an AC power source. The power source 322 may be configured to generate a DC supply voltage Vcc from the source voltage Vs and provide the DC supply voltage Vcc to power the control circuit 310 and the other low-voltage circuit of the load interface device 150.
Claims
1. A load control system for an electric load device, such a load control system comprises: an electric load device for receiving messages via wireless signals using a first wireless communication protocol; an electric load control device for transmitting messages via wireless signals using a second wireless communication protocol; and a load interface device for: receiving a first message from the electric load control device via wireless signals using the second wireless communication protocol; and in response to receiving the first message, transmitting a second message to the electric load device via wireless signals using the first wireless communication protocol, such second message including a command to control the electric load device.
2. The load control system of claim 1, wherein the electrical load control device comprises one or more buttons, said electrical load control device transmits the first message in response to an actuation of one or more of the buttons.
3. The load control system of claim 2, wherein the electric load control device comprises an electric load control device coupled in series electrical connection between an alternating current (AC) power source and the electric load device.
4. The load control system of claim 3, wherein the electrical load control device comprises an air gap switch configured to open to disconnect the electrical load from the AC power source.
5. The load control system of claim 2, further comprising a patented remote control device including one or more user-operated buttons, the patented remote control device transmitting the first message using the first wireless communication protocol in response to the actuation of one or more of the buttons 6. The load control system of claim 5, further comprising: a remote control device including one or more user-operated buttons, the remote control device for transmitting a second message to the load interface device via a wireless signal by using the second wireless communication protocol bCbonn / eznz / B / Yi 17 in response to an actuation of one or more of the buttons of the remote control device.
7. The charging control system of claim 1, wherein the charging interface device receives a third message from the electric charging device via a wireless signal using the first wireless communication protocol, such third message including feedback information about the electric charging device.
8. The load control system of claim 7, wherein the load interface device stores the received feedback information in memory.
9. The load control system of claim 8, wherein, in the event of a power outage, the load interface device transmits a fourth message to the electric load device via wireless signals using the first wireless communication protocol, such fourth message includes a command to control the electric load device according to the feedback information stored in memory.
10. The load control system of claim 7, further comprising: one or more visual indicators; wherein the load interface device is configured to illuminate the one or more visual indicators to provide an indication of feedback information.
11. The load control system of claim 1, wherein the load interface device stores operating configurations of the electric load device.
12. The charging control system of claim 11, wherein the charging interface device transmits a third message to the electric charging device via wireless signals using the first wireless communication protocol, such third message includes configuration information for adjusting the operating settings of the electric charging device.
13. The charging control system of claim 11, wherein, in the event that an existing electric charging device is replaced with a new electric charging device, the charging interface device transmits a third message to the electric charging device via wireless signals using the first wireless communication protocol, such third message including the operating configurations of the existing electric charging device.
14. The load control system of claim 1, wherein the load interface device stores in memory a unique identifier associated with the electric load device and includes the unique identifier of the electric load device in the second message transmitted to the electric load device.
15. The load control system of claim 1, wherein the load control device comprises a system controller for transmitting the first message in response to a third message received via a network.
16. The load control system of claim 1, wherein the load interface device comprises one or more buttons, the load interface device for transmitting a third message to the electric load device in response to an actuation of one or more of the buttons of the load interface device.