Illuminated Keypad Buttons for Gap-Based Status Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Home automation systems lack effective visual feedback mechanisms for users to intuitively understand the status and control of electrical loads, particularly in dark environments, limiting user convenience and usability.
Innovation Solution
A control device with a light source that illuminates the gap between a button and its faceplate opening, providing visual feedback through dimming, blinking, or strobing to indicate the status or selection of presets, and featuring a control circuit that adjusts power delivery to electrical loads upon button actuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a light source is added to illuminate the gap between button and faceplate, then visual feedback and user interaction are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light source with the existing button structure by positioning it within the button assembly, merging the illumination function with the control interface. This integration allows visual feedback to be provided without adding separate, complex external lighting systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The gap between the button and faceplate opening serves as an intermediary space that channels and directs light from the light source to create visible illumination rings. This gap acts as a natural light guide, eliminating the need for complex optical components while providing effective visual feedback.
2Loss of information
If the light source illuminates the gap continuously, then visual feedback is always available, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system operates periodically rather than continuously, activating the light source only during specific events such as button press detection, status changes, or preset selections. This periodic operation provides necessary visual feedback while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares for illumination by detecting button press events or status changes first, then activates lighting only when needed. This preliminary detection approach ensures light is provided proactively at the moment of user interaction or system state change, maintaining feedback effectiveness while minimizing energy waste.
3Illumination intensity
If the button structure is modified to create a gap with the faceplate, then illumination effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination gap is created only in the specific local region where visual feedback is needed - the annular space between the button perimeter and faceplate opening. This localized gap creation focuses manufacturing precision requirements only where necessary for illumination, rather than requiring precision throughout the entire button assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The button assembly is segmented into distinct components (button body, faceplate, gap space) that can be manufactured separately with standard tolerances and then assembled. This segmentation allows each component to be produced using conventional manufacturing processes without requiring ultra-precise gap formation, as the gap emerges naturally from the assembly of standardized parts.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances user interaction by providing clear visual cues for load control and status indication, improving usability and convenience, especially in dark environments through the nightlight feature.
Implementation Method 1
The control device may include a light source that may be located inside of the control device and may illuminate the gap between the button and the opening of the faceplate
Implementation Method 2
The diffuser portion may contact a rear surface of the cap portion and may conduct light emitted by the light source to illuminate the gap around the button
Data Source
AI summary
A control device for controlling power delivered to an electrical load may illuminate an area around a button of the control device, such as a gap formed between the button and an opening of a faceplate of the control device. The control device may illuminate the gap to provide a nightlight feature, to provide feedback (e.g., a status of the electrical load), and/or to indicate a selected preset. The button may have a cap portion that may be actuated by a user and a diffuser portion that may contact a rear surface of the cap portion and may conduct light emitted by an internal light source to illuminate the gap around the button.